QUESTIONS DELAY COUNTY’S ROAD PLAN SEE STORY, PAGE 4
VISIONS SALON PRESENTS FASHION SHOW SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 8
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TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
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Volume 32, Number 46 November 18 - November 24, 2011
VETERANS HONORED FOR SERVICE
Beverly Blanchette Set To Retire From Dreyfoos
Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts pioneer Beverly Blanchette of Royal Palm Beach has directed more than 60 plays in her 18 years at the school, and her talent will surely be missed when she retires in June 2012. Page 3
Wellington Green Market Opens At Amphitheater
With dozens of vendors to choose from, the Wellington Green Market grand opening held Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Wellington Amphitheater was a success. Page 5
Wellington Art Society Hosts Fall Fling Show
The Wellington Art Society hosted its Fall Fling Fine Art & Fine Craft Show on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13 at the Wellington Amphitheater. Page 20
Wellington and Royal Palm Beach held their annual Veterans Day observances on Friday, Nov. 11. Wellington staged a parade, followed by a ceremony at the Wellington Veterans Memorial. Royal Palm Beach hosted its observance at Veterans Park. Shown here are decorated World War II veterans George Fisher and Donald Mates with Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli. SEE ROYAL PALM BEACH PHOTOS, PAGE 9 AND WELLINGTON PHOTOS, PAGE 20 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Organizers Unveil Plans For HorseFest, Charity Challenge By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Organizers of the 2012 FTI Great Charity Challenge have invited all Palm Beach County nonprofits to apply for participation in the Feb. 17 benefit horse show. A press conference announcing the third annual Great Charity Challenge, along with the Sunday, Dec. 11 Holiday HorseFest, was held Friday, Nov. 11 at the Meyer Amphitheater in downtown West Palm Beach. The Holiday HorseFest will
present a unique equestrian competition at the Meyer Amphitheater on the downtown lakefront from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. Many world-class riders will participate. The event will support Equestrian Sport Productions in its fundraising efforts for the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments. All proceeds from the Holiday HorseFest will go toward this year’s goal of raising $1.5 million for Palm Beach County charities. That money will be handed out
OPINION Inspector General Suit Belittles County Voters
The logic being used by municipalities in trying to get out of their fair share of funding the county’s anti-corruption watchdog is shameful and insulting to the voters. The voters knew full well that each municipality would partially pay to fund the office, and going back and saying after the fact that the voters misunderstood is exactly the type of behavior that inspires the public’s lack of confidence in elected officials. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 13 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS ....................... 8 SCHOOLS ..................... 14 - 15 PEOPLE ........................ 16 - 17 COLUMNS .................... 25 - 27 BUSINESS ................... 29 - 31 ENTERTAINMENT ................ 32 SPORTS ....................... 37 - 39 CALENDAR ................... 40 - 41 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 42 - 46 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Katherine and Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions; West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio; FTI Consulting Chairman Dennis Shaughnessy; Wheels for Kids founder Denise Jungbert; and Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER Stone.
in increments of $10,000 to $150,000 to charities selected as the beneficiaries of 32 teams taking part in the Great Charity Challenge on Feb. 17 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. All Palm Beach County charities are invited as they were last year to throw their names into the hat to participate. More than 160 charities applied to be in the 2011 Great Charity Challenge, and 30 were selected in a random drawing. Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo thanked West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio for allowing the Holiday HorseFest to be staged there. “This event allows us to broaden the reach, the philanthropy, from the western communities into broader Palm Beach County,” Bellissimo said. “It allows us to give great exposure of horse sport to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. I think this event is going to be a great follow-up on last year’s event.” Bellissimo said he wanted to make as many charities as possible aware of the Great Charity Challenge. “I’m confident we’ll See HORSEFEST, page 18
Lawsuit Prompts County To Delay New Hires For Inspector General By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission voted 4-3 Tuesday to postpone adding six positions to the Office of the Inspector General. The positions were put on hold for 30 days so the county could ascertain whether there will be enough money in the budget, due to some municipalities’ refusal to pay.
The Office of the Inspector General has recently negotiated interlocal agreements with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and Children’s Services Council. Both agencies are slated to come under Inspector General oversight Jan. 1, 2012. An agreement is also pending with the Housing Finance Authority. According to a county staff report, the six new positions are
needed to accommodate the expansion. County staff recommended approval of the positions. Commissioner Karen Marcus made an initial motion to approve the staff recommendation but then brought up the lawsuit filed by a collection of municipalities against funding the Office of the Inspector General. “It’s probably not appropriate to See INSPECTOR, page 18
Serving Palms West Since 1980
Northern Buffer A Sticking Point In Campus Plans By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Members of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council met Tuesday night for the second time with officials from Palm Beach State College to hash out plans and concerns for the college’s fifth campus. In August, the college’s board of trustees authorized $4.5 million to purchase 75 acres of the Simon property at the corner of Southern Blvd. and B Road in Loxahatchee Groves for the new campus. The meeting was an opportunity for the college to present its planned land uses, buffers and other aspects of the project to the council and get feedback. PBSC President Dr. Dennis Gallon said that the college had been working diligently with planners to evaluate the site. “We are committed to being able to develop a site on this location, retaining all those wetlands and natural sites,” Gallon said. “We can sense you take a great deal of interest in maintaining and preserving the natural environment. We have a history of doing that on all our campuses.” Jose Murguido of Zyscovich Architects compared the site to the nearby Pine Jog Elementary School, which was built with preservation of the natural wetlands in
mind. Those natural areas now serve as an educational tool for students. “The building has an odd shape because it was fit into the natural landscape,” he said. “That’s what makes the site unique and authentic, and can actually make the architecture richer.” Architect Bernard Zyscovich added that the college plans to build around the existing natural sites, including the wetlands and water retention ponds. But the issue of a buffer along the northern side of the property was cause for contention. The property, which currently has a mixed land-use designation, requires a 300-foot buffer. Zyscovich said that the college hopes to have a total 110-foot buffer. The proposed buffer would include Collecting Canal, which is 40 feet wide, as well as a 20foot-wide equestrian trail. The remaining 50 feet would be setback from the college’s property and would include a “visual screen” made up of lush, native plants and trees to shield the buildings from view. “From the other side of the canal, there’s 110 feet,” Zyscovich said, “and then there is the canal road.” Since the college will be built See CAMPUS, page 7
Senior Travel Voucher Program To Continue By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Senior Transportation Program will continue to help seniors get around town after it was renewed for a second year, but seniors will have to pay a bit more per ride this time around. The Wellington Village Council recently renewed the program through September 2012, but due to rising costs for the service, seniors will pay $4 for each ride instead of $2. Though the program went through many changes over its first year, Senior Services Advocate Howard Trager said that it has been popular with residents. “At first, we had more requests than vouchers,” Trager said. “We had to make several changes to the requirements and the criteria.” The Senior Transportation Program launched in the summer of 2010 as a way to help Wellington’s aging population get where they need to go at a low cost. Wellington contracts with Wellington Cab to take residents to pharmacies, grocery stores and religious institutions within Wellington’s boundaries, as well as nearby hospitals and medical offices. “We found that 61 percent of all trips last year were to those destinations,” Trager said. “So it seems we have the majority of residents’ needs covered.” Seniors can get up to six oneway vouchers each month. Wellington picks up $18 of the cost, while seniors must now cover $4 each way. Vouchers expire at the end of each month. If there are fewer requests for vouchers than there are vouchers available, senior residents will receive their vouchers, Trager said.
If the demand outweighs the number of vouchers in a month, however, names are drawn at random. “We’ll use a computer-generated random-selection process,” he explained. “If any vouchers are left over, they get put in the pool again. If we have enough vouchers to send out, then gladly that’s what we send out.” Selection is done during the last week of each month to determine who will receive them the following month, he said. Trager explained that not everyone needs to use all six vouchers, and often people will return some or request only what they need. The program was budgeted for $10,000 at its inception, then later granted an additional $20,000. This year it was budgeted for $40,000, which Trager said is due to the positive response from seniors. “That means we have between 35 and 38 voucher sets available each month,” Trager said. But because Wellington Cab raised its prices from $13 a ride to $18 a ride, the share of cost for seniors went up as well, Trager said. “That’s $24 for three round trips,” he said. “It’s not terribly bad considering it’s door-to-door service. We still think it’s a wonderful deal.” By comparison, Trager said that Palm Tran offers its connection service for $3 but that seniors must first qualify, and then must share a ride and may need much more time to get to their destination. “You have to be disabled and have your means tested,” Trager said. “Then you have to share a ride, which means sometimes you See VOUCHERS, page 18
Want To Win A New Car? Buy Your Raffle Ticket Today! By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Tickets are on sale for the Palms West Community Foundation’s 2011 Car Raffle to win a Toyota, Mazda or Nissan valued at up to $30,000. A $20 donation will give the buyer one chance to win a car that will be given away by the Royal Palm Auto Mall. Santa will draw the winning ticket on Sunday, Dec. 11 after the annual holiday parade in Wellington. All of the proceeds benefit the Palms West Community Foundation to help pay for the Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s new building. Director of Development Maureen Gross said that this will be the raffle’s third year. “Whoever
wins, gets a car valued at up to $30,000,” Gross said. “If it costs more, they just pay the difference. If it costs less, they do not get money back.” Gross said all the money raised will go to the foundation. “Our goal is to raise the $30,000 that the car is worth,” she said. “In the past two years, we have, and our hope this year is that we go over the $30,000 mark.” Gross said all the proceeds from the raffle will go to the building campaign, but the foundation also engages in other charitable projects, such as annual scholarships for high school graduates. Last year, the foundation gave out nine $1,000 college scholarships. “I also partner with other charitable endeavors,” she said. “We
did the Howlin’ Hoedown, and a percentage of that went to Big Dog Ranch Rescue,” she said. “We just finished the Wellington Community Fitness 5K Run/Walk, and a percentage of those proceeds will be going to Hospice of Palm Beach County. This event, the raffle, is designed to underwrite our building.” Gross said the chamber building has two conference rooms (one equipped with a kitchen) that See CAR RAFFLE, page 4 (Right) Palms West Community Foundation Director of Development Maureen Gross sells a car raffle ticket to Tom Hill of Hill Audio-Visual at a recent event. PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER
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NEWS
Equestrian Venues Planning Bigger, Better, Busier Winter Season By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington can look forward to an even more successful equestrian season this year, industry leaders told members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon Wednesday at the Wanderers Club. The annual kickoff to the equestrian season featured top equestrian industry leaders: Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo, International Polo Club Palm Beach President of Club Operations John Wash, Wellington Classic Dressage Manager Noreen O’Sullivan and Mike O’Dell, director of Wellington’s equestrian master plan project. With the season about to get underway, speakers were optimistic about the impact of the industry on the community, county and state as a whole. Bellissimo said that the industry, especially the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. He expects this season’s Winter Equestrian Festival and other shows to be the biggest yet.
“It has transformed from what was a horse show into an industry,” he said. Thanks to the Wellington Equestrian Partners, which has invested more than $200 million in maintaining and expanding the show, Wellington has become the premier winter destination for equestrians, he said. Bellissimo noted that because of the efforts of the partnership, the season has expanded from seven to 12 weeks, and participants are coming down earlier than ever — something that helps stimulate local business. “What you’re going to see this year is a record number of people to come down to enjoy this environment,” he said. “People are coming to Wellington from all over the world: South America, Europe and the West Coast. Everyone is migrating eastward.” One of the major changes he has made is to bridge the gap between the non-equestrian and equestrian communities. “My view is that the equestrian world was controlled by a small group who was interested in keep-
ing it a private club,” Bellissimo said. “The biggest transformation has been to take the direction away from a private club, making the world open and accessible to the community.” In return, the community has seen a tremendous economic impact. Bellissimo pointed to an economic study of the equestrian sports industry by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, which found that total expenditures attributed to the 2011 equestrian season were estimated at about $185 million. About $121 million was attributable to the Winter Equestrian Festival, about $21 million to polo and about $44 million to dressage. Wash said that those numbers might be modest, having heard estimates up near $500 million for the total economic impact. He said that although the industry affects the entire region, it has put Wellington on the map internationally. “Without the horse, Wellington is simply a community that is 14 miles from the ocean,” he joked. With more than 60 polo fields in the surrounding area, the sport
Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo shares information about the upcoming season.
Luncheon co-sponsor Victor Connor, Wellington Classic Dressage Manager Noreen O’Sullivan, International Polo Club Palm Beach President of Club Operations John Wash and luncheon co-sponsor Mason Phelps. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER
is more popular than ever. Wash said that IPC would be offering more high-goal polo games than ever before. “We have five to six new commitments from high-goal polo teams this year,” he said. In addition to polo, IPC has become an international destination for other sports, such as croquet, rugby and women’s field hockey,
and has hosted national youth soccer tournaments. To bring in the community, the club hosts youth sports days, as well as programs for local school children to learn about polo. All of these events help not only to bring new members of the community into the horse world but also to stimulate the local econo-
my throughout the year, Wash said. “When you really look at the value that equestrian sports bring to Wellington,” he said, “I really say it’s priceless.” O’Sullivan said that the sport of dressage hosts 23 weeks of shows that help to stimulate the local See CHAMBER, page 18
RPB’s Beverly Blanchette Set To Retire As Dreyfoos Theater Dean
Dreyfoos Theater Dean Beverly Blanchette in her RPB home. PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
By Jessica Gregoire Town-Crier Staff Report Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts pioneer Beverly Blanchette has directed more than 60 plays in her 18 years at the school, and her talent will surely be missed when she retires in June 2012. “We have created one of the top theater schools in the country,” said Blanchette, dean of theater at Dreyfoos. “The Educational Theater Association named us an outstanding high school theater program a few years ago, so we’ve been recognized nationally.” A Royal Palm Beach resident, Blanchette moved to Palm Beach County more than 20 years ago after taking a position at Santaluces High School. “When I moved down here, I was interested in working at Dreyfoos, but I was going for my master ’s and raising two small children at the time, so I couldn’t do it then,” she recalled. “But when I finished my degree, I went ahead and applied. I was lucky because there was an opening at the time.” Dreyfoos, a public magnet school located in downtown West
Palm Beach, is known for its outstanding theater department. Many of its plays are performed off campus and are open to the public. “We currently hold the record for bringing the most plays to the Florida State Thespians Festival,” Blanchette said. To close out her extensive career at Dreyfoos, Blanchette has put together a new musical creation, Midsummer, set to the music of the Moody Blues. The play, which recently finished its fall run, Nov. 3-6, received an overwhelming response from students and the public. There will be an encore performance on March 9 at 7 p.m. at Meyer Hall, 550 Tamarind Ave., West Palm Beach. Tickets are on sale for $15. There will also be a special performance on March 10 at 7 p.m. as a “Save the Arts” benefit event. Tickets are on sale and range from $50 to $100. Proceeds go to the Dreyfoos School of the Arts fund for continued financing of arts education at the school. The musical is a modern spin on the Shakespearian classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It is
set in Athens, and Blanchette has kept the original Shakespeare plot but made it more contemporary to appeal to a larger audience. Blanchette tastefully mixed the orchestrally spirited music of the Moody Blues to the romantically colorful Shakespearian drama. The blending of genres has created a new classic performance. Blanchette thought of the idea after spending many long nights driving to and from the west coast of Florida for visits to her ailing mother. “I kept on listening to the music of the Beach Boys and the Moody Blues,” she said. “And each time I listened to the music, I kept visualizing fairies, magic and starlight.” It took three years of development for Blanchette to formulate the play. “On my time off over the summers, on winter breaks and spring breaks, I sat down and kept working with the script,” she said. Blanchette worked to ensure that the Moody Blues’ music helped the story progress without taking away from it. “This is the first time I have ever done something like this,” she said. “Most
of the other times, I started with the script. This time I started with the music and worked on how the play would fit.” Blanchette unveiled the idea to other teachers in the department and the school’s principal. “Everybody said what a great idea it was, and everybody said yes,” she said. The students, however, were apprehensive, stating that Shakespeare is too difficult to do and that they were unfamiliar with the music of the Moody Blues. “We encouraged them over the summer to listen to the music,” Blanchette said. “And, of course, when they brought it home, many of their parents were interested.” As the students began to practice the play, they got excited about the idea. “They would say, ‘You know, I really think this is going to be great,’” Blanchette recalled. Since Dreyfoos is known for doing big-name shows, there were skeptics to the idea of an original musical. “Some people were worried about whether we would sell tickets,” Blanchette said. “But we have had five shows, and four of See BLANCHETTE, page 18
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OUR OPINION
Municipalities’ Inspector General Lawsuit Insults The Voters In a lawsuit filed this week, a collection of Palm Beach County’s municipalities — including Wellington — are attempting to get out of paying their fair share for Palm Beach County’s Office of the Inspector General. The logic being used in trying to shirk funding the county’s anti-corruption watchdog is shameful and insulting to the voters. The voters knew full well that each municipality would partially pay to fund the office, and going back and saying after the fact that the voters misunderstood is exactly the type of behavior that inspires the public’s lack of confidence in elected officials. Last year, more than 72 percent of county voters chose to enshrine the Office of the Inspector General in the Palm Beach County Charter. A majority of voters in every municipality agreed to bring all the county’s cities, towns and villages under the inspector general’s control. Claiming that they’d be “paying twice” for the watchdog service, the municipalities are using a weak argument to debate a moot point. The Office of the Inspector General was created to watch over the county and municipal governments, not just the county. It’s not too hard to figure out how that works, and it’s not difficult to understand why so many cities are doing everything they can to avoid proper scrutiny. Each year, municipalities without their own police agencies contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for that service. They feel it is the most economically and logistically sound means of providing their residents with law enforcement. The fact that those residents must pay twice for that service — once to the county and once to the municipality — is not a problem. They value what the PBSO provides and consider it an essential part of the budget. The same argument can be made when municipalities contract with the Supervisor of Elec-
tions Office and a number of other county agencies. The only difference? In those cases, cities chose to sign up willingly, while in this case, the voters had to drag them into a contract kicking and screaming. The sad truth is that the municipalities and some in the county still don’t get it. By squeezing money from Inspector General Sheryl Steckler’s office, they are trying to shut down (or at least curtail) the entire operation. And by allowing the cities to at least temporarily get away with such obstructionist tactics, four members of the Palm Beach County Commission make us question how committed they are to seeing this job through. It just seems like everyone is looking for new excuses to further stall things, continually kicking the can down the road. Their voters might have ordered a remedy, but 15 of the county’s 38 municipalities have arbitrarily decided they don’t want to pay for it. It’s not their decision to make. The people decided they wanted the office, which makes it the responsibility of municipal and county officials to make sure it happens. Sure, the cities claim they’re committed to anti-corruption measures — as long as there’s no bill attached. It’s a hollow sentiment. We know what they really mean. This county and its cities spent years getting themselves into this situation, and it’s going to cost money to rebuild faith in government. The voters are not stupid; they knew the costs and voted accordingly. To outsiders, Palm Beach County’s stilted move toward proper oversight must seem like watching an episode of A&E’s Intervention, with the governments as the addicts whose family members agonize over how to get them into rehab. And just like those family members, county residents are aware of the cost of “getting clean.” But it’s minimal when compared to the price we’ve already paid.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Get Back To Founding Principles Our country as it was founded and in its early development embodied principles both simple and profound. Our first national agreement was the Declaration of Independence. It stated simply and clearly that individual, inherent, natural rights were fundamental, and that the purpose of government was to secure those rights. Our present Constitution was designed around the basic idea of government stated in the declaration. The Bill of Rights listed some of those natural rights and, in the Ninth Amendment, clearly stated that the rights that were listed were by no means all of them. The ideas that led our colonies to join in forming a national government were developed here and in Europe. At roughly the same time the French, in their Rights of Man, stated those rights even more clearly: “Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights.” The fact that every individual has the right to decide for himself/ herself what actions to take or not to take led us naturally to adopt a free-market economy. Prices are determined by what a buyer is willing to pay a seller and, of course, what the seller is willing to accept.
Based on these principles, our country became the greatest and freest and most prosperous in the history of the world. Sadly, those principles have been under attack for over a century. And they have been largely abandoned. Many think it is the function of government to provide equality of wealth and income, rather than to protect individual rights to acquire whatever one is able to acquire honestly through work and trade. Many think that the only rights we have are those granted by government. We are seeing the results of those distortions of the simple, profound ideas on which our country was founded. The only way to return to those principles is through paying attention to what our elected officials are doing and to hold them accountable by electing those who understand the principles and will act to return to them. Phil Sexton Wellington
Occupy Royal Palm Beach In 2007, a group of people discovered rightly big banks as evildoers and protested against their bailout by a conservative government. The bailout was openly supported by some leading liberals like Barack Obama. The protesters got organized into what now is known as the Tea Party, a movement quickly influenced by some rich financiers like the Koch brothers and ultra-conservative bloggers and politicians.
The movement was dragged into a new direction. It lost interest in its original issue, the evil banks and Wall Street, and turned the anger against the new liberal government, a government that was not responsible for the banks’ meltdown or the greed on Wall Street. However, the Obama crew was soft on the banks and Wall Street and continued the bailout without major changes in the rules imposed on those institutions. Instead of protesting this liberal appeasement strategy, the Tea Party found the new battle cry “cut taxes and deregulate” as if its former foes dictated the policies of the movement now. Fast forward four years and see the anger against the big banks and Wall Street reemerging, this time by folks who claim to represent 99 percent of the population who are cheated by the filthy rich 1 percent. This time their battle cry was more precise: “Occupy Wall Street.” The OWS people seem to have learned from their Tea Party predecessors; they want to make sure that a crisis like the one four years ago will be impossible in the future. They demand stricter rules and taxes on speculative deals like the Tobin tax. Whereas the Republican debates get mired in bailouts for at least two women and gaffes (“oops”), the public turns more toward the 99 percent ideas. The GOP candidates look more like dinosaurs now who just don’t get it, and the liberals embrace the fresh breeze coming out of the occupied parks in NYC and other big cities. It remains to be seen
whether they can exploit the new mood. A few people tried to emulate OWS in our county but failed, although our climate would be much more favorable to people willing to camp in a public park. We even have something to protest about as well, like not implementing effective controls against corruption. (Jeff Hmara’s and Thomas Goff’s letters in last week’s TownCrier reported on the delays in this regard.) But maybe the protesting folks looked in the wrong direction. Well, I live in Royal Palm Beach, and I know that we have had our own protests recently when the village wanted to commercialize the former wastewater treatment plant. Obviously, there is no need to occupy this empty lot anymore, but we will have to elect the mayor and two council members next year. Let’s have a debate on that, come out with new ideas, run for office, occupy those seats. Jeff Hmara and Felicia Matula have thrown their hats into the ring already. Will we see more hats? Guenter Langer Royal Palm Beach
Kudos To Local Baseball Team My son plays on a minor division baseball team here in The Acreage (the Seminoles). Our team has had an undefeated season and will be playing in the championship game this Saturday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Acreage Community Park. These boys could not have
done this without our dedicated coaches, Scott Manning, Jay Guadalupe, Harvey Perez, Jason Senecal, Steve O’Sullivan and Kason Gabbard. All of these coaches volunteer their time to teach these boys what baseball is all about. The boys on the team are as follows: Jesse Guadalupe, Connor Manning, Tyler Washington, Cody Sauermann, Sean O’Sullivan, Johnny Perez, Chase Senecal, Hunter Haas, William Dhan, Max Willson, Alex Mayor and our bat boy, Ryan Senecal. The team is sponsored by All In One Roofing. Maggan Guadalupe The Acreage
Include All The Facts I’m responding to Mr. [Guenter] Langer’s letter (“Debates Are Boring With Little Substance,” Oct. 28). So, my letters are outbursts. I remember you; you wrote the letter saying you were no expert on economics and then proceeded to tell us all why we were wrong. You also told us how good President Carter was. Pass the Kool-Aid, please. You want to know why there
was a bailout by Bush? Because the last two years of his presidency we had a Democratic Congress and Senate, and then the Chris Dodd and Barney Frank Fanny Mae collapse. As for the war in Iraq, I find it interesting how you leave out important details, like the last year of the Clinton administration saying Iraq was the most dangerous country in the Middle East and they had weapons of mass destruction. This is no secret. You’re a stickler for detail; write the whole truth. And those statements were echoed by Sen. Kerry. And speaking of Clinton, didn’t he have Osama Bin Laden and refuse to arrest him? He told the CIA to let him go. They made a TV series on it. Yeah, Mr. Langer, you sure leave a lot of facts out. Now, when you respond to my letter, don’t forget to leave half the facts out, as you do so well. And let’s remember, conservatives were against the Bush bailouts. He couldn’t have done it without support of the Democratic Congress. And lastly, no country ever spent its way out of a recession (by the government, that is). Thomas Euell Wellington
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com.
OPINION
In Case You Have Forgotten, Big Tobacco Still Has Lots Of Clout If you think that the mountains of scientific evidence that concludes that smoking is extremely dangerous and often deadly has severely weakened Big Tobacco, think again. Five of the giant tobacco companies recently found a federal judge who blocked new graphic packaging regulations slated to go into effect next year.
Footloose and... By Jules W. Rabin No doubt these new Food & Drug Administration rules would have had serious impact in the
marketplace. After all, who would not react, somehow, looking at smokers exhaling through a tracheotomy hole or lying dead, exhibiting a long chest scar? Some other prized depictions would have included a mouth with mottled teeth and a disfigured lip, or a weeping woman with a cartoon of a crying baby in an incubator. All of these graphics also in-
clude messages like “Warning: Cigarettes are addictive,” “Warning: Cigarettes cause cancer” or “Warning: Cigarettes can kill you.” These hard-hitting pictures and text were to appear on cigarette packs and cartons and in advertising. The gory images were to have dominated half of the front and back of each pack
and carton, and 20 percent of each large ad — not too good for business in 2012. Since 1966, cigarette manufacturers have been required to post rather innocuous warnings on their packaging. Perhaps the key ingredient in the proposed, now stalled, regulations was the inclusion of 1800-QUIT NOW, a hotline smok-
ers could call for help in kicking the habit. The immediate hope is that the FDA will appeal U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon’s preliminary injunction preventing the implementation of the new requirements. It surely seems like a sensible move since there is no doubt that smoking is dangerous — and does kill!
NEWS
Shifts In County Gas Tax Revenue Irk Indian Trail Supervisors By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors heard bad news about several critical Acreage road projects last week. Although the State Road 7 extension from Persimmon Blvd. to 60th Street North and connecting to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. remains in Palm Beach County’s five-year road plan, several other projects have been pushed back due to lack of money, County Engineer George Webb said at an ITID meeting Nov. 9. “I’m asking first that the State Road 7 extension permit be withdrawn,” Webb said, explaining that the county does not believe it needs a permit for the north/south portion of the project because the road itself is outside the district. “We will be applying for 60th Street and Royal Palm Beach Blvd. You haven’t seen that yet, but you will have the opportunity to deal
with that the way you normally deal with it.” The SR 7 extension itself, however, runs parallel to 110th Avenue North, just east of the ITID boundary. Webb said financing is still available for the continuation of the SR 7 extension, but other projects, including Seminole Pratt Whitney Road between Orange and Northlake boulevards, had funding postponed by the county due to budget constraints. “We’re providing no money for this project in the five-year plan,” Webb said, explaining that in September, that project had been delayed due to discussions with ITID about including a park on some of the property owned by the county. “Given there is no money and no rush in this draft agreement, I would like to continue those discussions and maybe work with that agreement over time, but I have no dollars over the next five
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years to do anything,” Webb said. He said the county also had to delay improvements for Seminole Pratt and Northlake, and Northlake between Seminole Pratt and Coconut due to a lack of money. ITID President Michelle Damone asked where the money went. “I’m assuming the money wasn’t there due to the budget process you just went through?” she asked. “Tell me how this changed. Where did the money go?” Webb said the county will be looking to adopt a five-year road program that only has about $25 million in gas tax money over the next five years, about 70 percent of which will be directed to the Palm Tran bus service. About $5.3 million is still allocated for the SR 7 project, he said. “This is one project you can expect to see,” Webb said, emphasizing that the cuts were policy decisions, not staff-directed. Damone pointed out that the
40,000 residents of The Acreage do not benefit from Palm Tran. “Maybe we can tell our county commissioner that he can find us a Palm Tran site where we can park and ride, because $22 million was taken away before, and now this,” she said. Damone said she did not like the news, but added that if ITID loses the SR 7 connection, she will consider it a breach of faith. “If my $5.3 million disappears, or any funding that connects State Road 7 to Northlake, I’m going to come unglued, and I’m going to
Car Raffle
Now On Sale
continued from page 1 are open to community groups for meetings and other functions. “We’re on county property,” she said. “That’s part of the deal. The building itself is a community resource.”
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EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman Jessica Gregoire • Lauren Miró
be the county’s worst nightmare,” she said. “You guys promised me that road would get built, and I had faith in you guys, and this board made decisions to connect the roads that are half-built. I will become hell on wheels if that road doesn’t connect to Northlake.” During public comment, former Supervisor Mike Erickson said the planning had not been lost for the Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Northlake Blvd. projects, that only the financing had been delayed. “We lost that funding three years ago to Palm Tran after
Scripps left the area,” Erickson said. “Getting it back is what’s going to be the challenge.” Supervisor Carlos Enriquez said he felt that the county’s decision to withdraw money in favor of Palm Tran is unfair because he has never seen one of its buses in The Acreage. Damone noted that some residents have made requests for a park-and-ride. Supervisor Carol Jacobs made a motion to withdraw the application for the SR 7 permit, as requested. The motion carried unanimously.
The foundation’s annual golf tournament in September also raises money for the building fund. “The Royal Palm Auto Mall has been very generous,” Gross said. “They committed three years ago to donate one car a year for three years. They have been great to work with, and it was extremely generous on their part. Three cars
in three years is a great donation. We hope to, over the three years, raise over $100,000, which is substantial.” For more information about the auto raffle, or to buy your ticket, call Gross at (561) 790-6200, e-mail foundation@palmswest.com or click the car raffle logo at www. palmswest.com.
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November 18 - No vember 24, 2011
Page 5
NEWS
WELLINGTON GREEN MARKET NOW OPEN AT THE WELLINGTON AMPHITHEATER With dozens of vendors to choose from, the Wellington Green Market grand opening held Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Wellington Amphitheater was a success. Vendors offered fruits, vegetables, pastries, plants and a variety of other items locally made or grown. The Green Market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. SEE VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.GOTO WNCRIER.COM PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Danica Bosnjak sells rare fruit to Rose Khin and Dalia Dumond.
Laure Hristov of My Garden Connection at her booth.
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen, WPTV’s Roxanne Stein, event organizer Peter Robinson and Wellington Chamber Executive Director Michela Perillo-Green cut the ribbon.
Darmita Bennett, Falinda and Cornelia Holland-Rios, and Melia Lakes.
Tammy Balletta sells French pastries at the Le Petit Pain booth.
Isabella and Emma Lunsford at the Sweet Pick Me Ups booth.
NEWS BRIEFS Acreage Relay Kickoff Event The kickoff party for the American Cancer Society’s Acreage/ Loxahatchee Relay for Life will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Indian Trail Improvement District office (13476 61st St., The Acreage). The Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life is an 18-hour event in which teams composed of 10 to 15 people will gather overnight at Acreage Community Park on March 30-31, 2012 to walk around a track relay-style overnight to show their support. It is a celebration of life in honor of those touched by cancer. Each team member is asked to raise a minimum of $100. During the opening laps, cancer survivors and their caregivers are cheered on and honored. Fun, food, entertainment
and camaraderie are all part of this powerful community event. During the evening’s luminaria ceremony, loved ones lost to cancer are remembered by their family and friends in a solemn ceremony. The event raised more than $48,000 last year. If you would like to join the Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life as a volunteer or team participant, or RSVP for the kickoff party, call Event Chair Becky Kobussen at (561) 389-7064 or (561) 753-8163.
Back To Bethlehem Community of Hope Church in Loxahatchee Groves will host its annual Back to Bethlehem, an interactive outdoor event for the whole family, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10, and again on
Dec. 16 and 17. Enter the city of Bethlehem, walk through the marketplace and visit the Holy Family. Don’t be surprised if a Roman soldier yells at you to get out of the way, or a shop owner in the marketplace tries to sell his wares. The event is free and appropriate for all ages, and will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. each night at 14101 Okeechobee Blvd. (at the northwest corner of E Road). For more information, call (561) 7538883 or visit www.gocoh.com.
Sons Of Italy Pot-Luck Dinner The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) Loggia Michelangelo Lodge #2864 will host a pot-luck Christmas dinner during its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center.
Guests are invited to join and share in a fun-filled evening of homemade Italian food made by volunteers of the lodge. There will be music and singing, along with camaraderie in the holiday spirit. The cost is $10 per person. For more information, call Vince Porpora at (561) 478-0543 or Bob Lenna at (561) 243-3226. Let them know what dish you plan to bring. Everyone is expected to bring a toy for Toys for Tots.
Hugs & Kisses Benefit Dec. 4 Hugs and Kisses Inc., a local support organization for cancer patients, is partnering with the Enforcers Foundation of Palm Beach County to host a charity softball game, concert and barbecue. The event will take place Sunday, Dec. 4 from noon to 6 p.m. at PGA
National Park in Palm Beach Gardens. The Enforcers Foundation’s team will battle the Panthers, Palm Beach State College’s girls softball team. The teams will face off amid other festivities such as a live music concert and a barbecue, all with the goal of raising money for families who struggle to afford basic necessities while also fighting cancer. “We’re excited to partner with the Enforcers, who offered to support our efforts to help cancer patients,” said Peter Morris, director and co-founder of Hugs and Kisses. “How cool is it to have a fast-pitch girls softball team compete against a men’s slow-pitch team made up of local law enforcement officers?” Morris noted that the organization is always looking for fun events through which to raise
money. “Thanks to our sponsors, each attendee will only have a $10 entry fee to get a full meal, see two live bands, attend two ballgames and enjoy fun activities like bounce houses, a mobile arcade, rock wall and more,” he said. Hugs and Kisses Inc. was begun by Jean Morris after her mother lost her battle with cancer because she struggled to afford medicine. “The costs of cancer medication and treatment can be as bad as the disease itself,” Jean Morris said. “We look to fill that void, and to bring awareness of this issue to our community.” The event will be sponsored by local businesses Aztil Air Conditioning, Bush Brothers Provisions and South Florida Radiation Oncology. For more info., call Hugs and Kisses at (561) 819-9471 or visit the organization’s web site at www.hugsandkissesinc.org.
Page 6
November 18 - November 24, 2011
The Town-Crier
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CRIME NEWS
Violent Robbery In Royal Palm Beach By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report NOV. 10 — A Royal Palm beach resident called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday afternoon to report a robbery. According to a PBSO report, the victim was walking from his home at approximately 4 p.m. along Royal Palm Beach Blvd. to the Royal Palm Beach branch library when he observed two black males approximately 200 feet behind him walking in the same direction. According to the report, the victim crossed into an open grass field, and the men ran behind him and knocked him to the ground. One suspect held a sharp object to the victim’s throat, and removed his wallet and a pack of cigarettes. According to the report, the first suspect cut the victim’s face with the object, and the second suspect kicked him in the head. Both suspects then fled westbound. The victim returned home and called the PBSO. According to the report, the deputy observed two scratches on the victim’s face, but no significant wounds or marks and no swelling, redness or bruising. The first suspect was described as 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, between 25 and 30 years old, wearing a dark blue or black T-shirt, long dark shorts and long brushed-back hair. The second suspect was described as having a heavier build, approximately 6-foot and 215 pounds, between 25 and 30 years old, wearing dark blue or black shorts and short hair. NOV. 11 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a home on Tangerine Blvd. last Friday morning regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9:30 p.m. last Thursday and 9 a.m. the following morning, someone entered the victim’s boat and stole several items, including a lower motor unit, a trim and tilt motor, steering mechanics, a stainless steel prop and engine cover. The victim said the boat is maintained on a trailer on his property. The stolen items were valued at approximately $9,200. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. NOV. 12 — A deputy from the
PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to the Mall at Wellington Green last Saturday afternoon regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her white 2007 Ford F-250 outside the mall and went shopping. When she returned to the parking lot, the truck was gone. Video surveillance footage showed that at 1:10 p.m., someone entered her vehicle from the front passenger-side door and stole the vehicle. However, the video was not clear enough to identify the suspect. NOV. 12 — A resident of Briar Oak Drive called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Saturday to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim was moving out of her home last Friday when she realized that a portable safe containing her Glock 9 mm pistol was missing. She said that she’d seen the safe last Tuesday. According to the report, the victim wanted to report the gun missing in case it was used in a crime. The safe is described as gray in color, with a key and combination lock for access. The gun was valued at approximately $200. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. NOV. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home in Sugar Pond Manor on Monday regarding an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the victim was walking by a property he owns and noticed that the bottom doorknob was broken off the door. The victim said the home is for sale, and he called the bank to see whether they had changed the locks, but they said they had not. The victim said he went inside the home, and everything looked fine and nothing was missing. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. NOV. 14 — A resident of Royal Ascot Estates called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation Monday to report a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2:30 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, someone removed the victim’s 1985 Welcraft Scarab sport boat hull and trailer from his property. The victim said he had sold the boat title and plate See BLOTTER, page 18
PBSO Seeks Home Invasion Suspects A home invasion last Saturday night in Royal Palm Beach left one suspect dead and two suspects on the loose, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report. At approximately 10 p.m., the PBSO responded to a 911 call at a home on Finch Court in the Willows neighborhood. The caller stated that several individuals came banging on the door, impersonating police officers. Three people were at home at the time. As the masked and armed intruders forced their way into the home, one of the residents escaped via a bedroom window and called 911. PBSO deputies in the vicinity arrived quickly and came upon the robbery still in progress. According to the report, when the robbery suspects exited the residence, they encountered the deputies and ran back inside the home. Deputies went in after the suspects and confronted one of
them, who made it back to a getaway vehicle. Deputies gave verbal commands for the driver to stop the vehicle and show his hands. The driver momentarily raised his hands, but when deputies approached, he dropped his hands quickly and drove toward the law enforcement officers. Deputy Eric Bethel fired a single shot, striking the driver in the neck. That suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Jamar Anderson of Broward County, died at the scene. A person of interest was taken into custody but later released. The victims of the robbery were not harmed during the incident, according to the PBSO report. As of Wednesday, the PBSO was still searching for two suspects, both black males; one is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds, and the other is approximately 6foot-1 and 190 pounds with a light complexion.
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Jamel Ali is a white male, 5’6” tall and weighing 160 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 12/ 24/65. Ali is wanted for lewd or lascivious molestation. His occupation is unkno wn. His last known address was Leeland Lane in Greenacres. Ali is wanted as of 11/17/11. • Mario Chihuahua, a.k.a. Mario Acosta and Mario Hernandez, is a white male, 5’6” tall and weighing 165 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his right arm and shoulder. His date of birth is 01/21/74. Chihuahua is wanted for violation of probation on charges of possession of cocaine and driving under the influence. His occupation is drywall installer. His last known address was Green wich Drive in Greenacres. Chihuahua is wanted as of 11/17/11. Remain anonymous and you ma y be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stopper s at (800) 458- TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.
Jamel Ali
Mario Chihuahua
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.
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November 18 - No vember 24, 2011
Page 7
NEWS
RPB Zoners Agree To Sign Colors For Toys ‘R’ Us/Babies ‘R’ Us By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved the five colors for a new combined Toys “R” Us/ Babies “R” Us store with the understanding that the site is an outparcel and not subject to the blanket sign requirements for the center. A request for master sign approval was considered at the commission’s Oct. 25 meeting, and Commissioner Janet Ellis’ motion to approve the application with fewer colors resulted in a 2-2 tie, with Commission Chair Jackie Larson and Commissioner Genevieve Lambiase opposed. Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin explained that the tie vote had the same effect as if no action had been taken, so the sign plan was submitted for a final decision. The Royal Palm Beach Village Council unanimously approved the rest of the application Nov. 3. The 12.65-acre site is on the east
side of State Road 7 north of the Isla Verde shopping center in Wellington and south of Royal Office Park in Royal Palm Beach. Erwin said the applicant is asking that the nationally recognized trademark, logo and colors be accepted, and added that the village code states that the incorporation of identifying characteristics should be given strong consideration. Jan Polson with the planning firm Cotleur & Hearing, representing property owner Pebb Enterprises, said the previous 2-2 vote for fewer colors, with a purple Babies “R” Us sign altered to match the blue in the Toys “R” Us sign, was not accepted by the client. “Our client does not feel that is something that they can do,” Polson said. “It is their nationally recognized logo.” Polson said many hours were spent on the building’s design. “The wall signage was a very big part of that,” she said, explaining that thick landscaping to the front
would diminish the impact of the colors from the roadway. The signage on the building is about 500 feet away from State Road 7, and a similarly designed and colored, but smaller, monument sign will be at the entrance with a landscape buffer there as well. “The stores are recognized a lot of times by their logos,” Polson said. “We feel the signage proposed is in compliance with the code. We also feel that it is compatible with adjacent property, specifically the Isla Verde center.” Larson pointed out that when the application came in, it included numerous variances due to its location on the border of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, creating a project in two different municipalities designed to function as a single unit. “This was one of the more complex applications that I have seen,” she said, pointing out that all the variances had been granted except this one. “It’s not that we’re trying to pick on this one particular applicant.”
Larson said the goal is to move forward on concepts that are harmonious but not monotonous. “You are not the first applicant that has come in front of us and say they absolutely have to have their colors,” she said, pointing out that the existing Toys “R” Us store in Royal Palm Beach has an all-red sign. James Gavigan, construction project manager for Toys “R” Us/ Babies “R” Us, said that for the past six years, the company has been combining the two stores. “One way or the other, depending on if we stay here or move here, we will get a store up as Toys and Babies together in the area, whether it be in Royal Palm Beach or somewhere else,” he said, pointing out that the company is working on other deals and has already built other stores with the same signage. “Signs are critical to us, and we will kill deals because we do not get the signs, our signs,” Gavigan said. Larson asked whether the cur-
rent store is successful, and Gavigan said it was, but that the intent of the company is to integrate all the stores. “We’ll either move out of that store and go to another location nearby or whatever, but we will get to an integrated store,” he said. “We have no problem with integration,” Larson replied. “Your current store is a success, but we’ve heard it over and over again, including the underlying threats, that you absolutely have to have your colors or you can’t be here. You’re not the first person to threaten this board; you won’t be the last.” Larson pointed out that while the monument sign at the current store has the national logo colors, the wall sign on the building is one color, red, in accordance with village code. “You seem to be a success being able to comply with our codes, so that’s where my quandary is right now,” she said. Gavigan said he was not threatening, but reiterated that his company would kill jobs and move
stores if it does not get the trademark and colors. “All I can tell you is the current protocol that is set by the new CEO, who has been in place for the last five years,” he said. Commissioner Barbara Powell said she did not object to the colors in the context they were presented. “I have no problem with multiple colors,” Powell said. Ellis said she was disappointed that the company did not accept her suggestion that the Babies “R” Us incorporate the blue in the Toys “R” Us sign, but that she would not object. Commissioner Darrell Lange said that outparcels, which was the way this building was being treated, have a looser criteria for signs. Lange made a motion to approve the application as submitted for those two specific outparcel tenants without altering the previous Royal Office Park sign package. Ellis seconded the motion, and it carried 4-1 with Larson opposed.
Jog, Roebuck Questions Prompt County To Postpone Road Plan OK By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission decided Tuesday to postpone approval of its five-year road plan until it could get input from residents affected by plans for the Jog Road extension from Roebuck Road to 45th Street, and the Roebuck Road extension from Jog Road to State Road 7. Deputy County Engineer Tanya McConnell said some modifications had been made to the plan at the commissioners’ direction, and asked them to discuss it and bring it back for final approval Dec. 1. Commissioner Karen Marcus said the Jog Road extension had been put in the fifth year and that she thought it should be started sooner. “It’s going to have to be a bond issue anyway,” Marcus said. “I don’t want to lose the momentum with that, so what I would like to see is when they bring it back on Dec. 1, they move Jog Road sooner so we can continue to work with
the City of West Palm Beach and see if we can get the permits for that so we can move forward.” McConnell said they could move the plan up, although they had withdrawn the permits for Jog Road because they did not seem to be making any headway in negotiations with West Palm Beach. “What we will be able to do is bring the project construction phase forward and reopen the permitting in the hopes that if we can reach agreement with the City of West Palm Beach on the right of way, and withdraw their objection to our permitting, then, yes, we feel confident that we’ll be able to move construction forward,” McConnell said. McConnell pointed out that the Jog Road project will indeed require a bond issue, since it has lost its funding from the Florida Department of Transportation. “We can try to reopen or reapply for it, but chances are that we will not be successful with that,” she said. Marcus said that after a recent workshop on the three road exten-
OBITUARY
RPB’s Barbara Bosca Dies At 90 After a full and joyful life, Barbara Ann Bosca, age 90, originally of Jackson, Mich., passed away peacefully on Nov. 12 at her home in Royal Palm Beach. Bosca served in the Navy Nurse Corps in World War II and was on the nursing staff of Jackson’s Mercy and Foote hospitals, from which she retired in 1986. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Royal Palm Beach. Bosca was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Erwin (Ed) Bosca, with whom she moved to Florida, where he died in 1996. Bosca will be greatly missed by her children David, Diane King and Daniel of Royal Palm Beach; Donald (Tonya) of Mansfield, Texas; and Deborah Bernhart (Philip) of Brighton, Mich.; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandchild. She is also survived by her brother Robert Eisele (Mary) of Jackson. Bosca’s kindness and dedication to both her family and her nursing will always be remembered. There will be a private memo-
Barbara Bosca rial service with interment in the South Florida National Cemetery for veterans. In lieu of flowers and gifts, contributions in her name may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407. Friends may send condolences to the Bosca family, 123 Elysium Drive, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411, or share a memory at www. mlive.com/obits.
sions — Jog, Roebuck and State Road 7 — the commissioners had not said to take Jog Road off the five-year road plan. “I think that we still want to do the outreach with the City of West Palm Beach,” she said. “This might be the one thing that we might ultimately be able to agree on.” Aaronson asked how much financing the county lost for the Jog Road extension, and McConnell said it was $10 million. “What’s the potential of getting it back if we do reach an agreement?” Aaronson asked. McConnell said they were too late in the process now to meet the deadlines for the grant. “We can have discussions with them and see if they would be willing to give us an extension,” she said. “They usually only extend for six months. I’m not confident that we’d even be able to make that deadline at this time.” Aaronson asked how far the county is from reaching an agreement with West Palm Beach, and McConnell said they’re far apart.
Campus
Buffer Issue
continued from page 1 around the natural areas already existing on the property, Zyscovich said that a 300-foot buffer would greatly limit the college. “It makes more sense to take advantage of the areas that already have acres dedicated to them as natural resources,” he said, “and build the plan around creating segments of the college around those natural resources. [The 300-foot buffer] takes away a tremendous amount of acreage that we need to build those buildings.” Zyscovich pointed out that the code requiring 300 feet was meant to shield homes from commercial development. “The intent of the code is to protect you from major distracting commercial uses,” he said. “That’s where this buffer idea came from. But the college is not that. It really doesn’t operate any way like that.” He added that Loxahatchee Groves’ code does not address educational uses such as the college. “There are situations, particularly this one,” Zsycovich said, “where there is no particular zoning in the code that is designed for a college campus.” Since the college needs acres spread out throughout the site for buildings, he asked the council to
Commissioner Paulette Burdick said West Palm Beach might be more amenable to moving more expeditiously on Jog Road if the Roebuck Road extension, which has long been opposed by residents of the communities it runs behind, were removed from the plan. Commissioner Priscilla Taylor said she had a discussion recently regarding State Road 7 and Roebuck Road and saw that construction on State Road 7 from Persimmon Blvd. to 60th Street is scheduled to begin in 2012. “Roebuck Road, I see there are still problems with the city,” Taylor said. “Why wouldn’t we just take it off?” McConnell said county staff would have to rely on the commission’s direction to change the Roebuck Road plans. “We’ve pretty much put the project on hold,” she said. “We’ve withdrawn our permits for that also.” Marcus said she’d had a conversation with West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio last week re-
garding Jog and Roebuck roads, and that she felt Jog Road should be moved back up to 2012 where it was before. “I think, hopefully, we will see some movement with the city on these, and it may take us having to do something with Roebuck that might make them feel more comfortable,” Marcus said. Commissioner Jess Santamaria said he strongly disagreed with removing Roebuck Road from the plan. “We must always include the affected parties in the deliberation before we take any action,” Santamaria said. “The people affected by Roebuck are not here, and they definitely should be present to express themselves before we take any action in either direction.” Burdick agreed with the concept of allowing all the affected partners provide input. “I was going to make a motion to delete Roebuck Road and move up the Jog Road extension,” Burdick said. “I’ll do that at the next meeting, but I agree that the pub-
lic should be aware of significant changes, and this certainly has been an issue that affects a broad area in Palm Beach County.” Aaronson agreed to postpone the decision, but did not like the circumstances. He pointed out that Roebuck Road was supposed to be completed 15 years ago. “I’m not going to be held hostage. I’m not going to trade Jog for Roebuck Road,” he said. “We had Roebuck on for many years, and Jog was supposed to come on, so I’m not going to be held hostage by the City of West Palm Beach… We’ll bring it back in December, but the fact is Commissioner Marcus is right to keep Jog at 2012 and go ahead and keep Roebuck on.” McConnell said that in the face of the delays that have occurred, 2013 rather than 2012 for Jog Road might be more realistic. Commissioner Burt Aaronson made a motion to postpone a vote on the road plan until the Dec. 1 meeting, which carried unanimously.
consider a “common sense” approach in letting the site have a lesser buffer with buildings designed around the existing natural resources. “Rather than having a buffer prescribed for a use that we are not,” he said, “it would make sense to have the open space around those natural features so that we can make the entire campus feel like a park, rather than what code was intended to do, which is to create a deep buffer from something that is very active, fully paved and commercial in use.” Council members were divided on the issue of the buffer. Councilman Jim Rockett said he wanted the campus to resemble the one in Palm Beach Gardens. “You can drive by and, if you’re not looking for it, you’ll miss it,” Rockett said. “I’d like to have that feeling.” Councilman Ron Jarriel said he thought the college is much different from commercial space. “A concern in the future would be the height of those buildings,” he said. “I don’t believe that we should even think about comparing it to commercial, though. I definitely want to see this move forward, and I think that nothing but positive things will come out of this.” Councilman Tom Goltzené, however, felt that the large buffer
is necessary. “I think you’re misunderstanding the purpose of the buffer,” he said. “The buffer is in addition to, not as an alternative to the other types of mitigation, water retention and land preservation that’s required.” He said his impression from the presentation was that the college would not be maintaining natural areas but, rather, maintaining native plants. Goltzené also pushed the college to consider a linear park made up of land from the Simon property as well as the eastern adjacent property. He said that idea had been agreed to by the Simons, but seems to have been left out of the plan. “The park was really conceptualized so that when we did get to the site plan portion, it was going to end up being a dedicated property in some way for a park for residents,” he said. Another bone of contention was the paving of B Road from Okeechobee to Southern Blvd., which several council members said was promised by the Simons. Mayor David Browning said it was their responsibility that it get paved. “What Simon agrees to do with regard to selling the property to the college is not my concern,” he said. “But the Simons agreed to pave half of that road.” Goltzené said it was similar log-
ic to the park idea and that he thought the Simons should keep their promise. PBSC Trustee Wendy Link told the council that the college had not been involved in making any promises to the town. “While I understand that you were promised some things that you’re now not getting, we weren’t part of making those promises,” she said. “I don’t want you to think of it as us coming in asking you to let us out of them.” Instead, she said, the college hopes to work with the town to move forward and create new agreements. “We’ll make you dif ferent promises,” Link said. “We’ll promise that we will do some great things for your community. I just would hate for us to get off on the wrong foot.” Regarding the 300-foot buffer, Link said that a buffer that large would take away 13 acres of usable space. “We needed 75 acres to do what we needed to do over the growth of this campus,” she said. “We do want green space… that is the kind of thing we want to work with you on. But we can’t do it with a 300foot buffer. That won’t work with us.” Council members agreed to present the college their concerns in writing so that they could meet again to discuss compromises.
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NEWS
VISIONS HOSTS FASHION SHOW AT BEEF WELLINGTON Visions Salon held its second annual Live & Uncut Fashion Show on Sunday, Nov. 13 at Beef Wellington Steakhouse & Social Club. This year’s theme was “The New York Street Collection,” with models showcasing hair, makeup and clothing with a New York flair. The show also featured celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo, and live music and entertainment by Michaela Paige and Kenny Mondo Productions. Proceeds benef it the Wellington Boys & Girls Club. SEE VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Dan P owers, Amyleigh A twater, Rachel Dennehy and Laura Coburn enjoying last year’s Junior League Smokin’ Hot BBQ.
Junior League’s Smokin’ Hot BBQ Returns Nov. 19 The Junior League of the Palm Beaches will host its annual Smokin’ Hot BBQ on Saturday, Nov. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Land Rover Ranch (7000 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). Open to public, the Junior League Smokin’ Hot BBQ will feature a Western barbecue buffet and live entertainment from the Bryan Bobo Band along with activities for children and adults. There will be live animals, line dancing, a kiddy corral and a lasso contest. The barbecue serves as one of the largest annual fundraisers for the Junior League of the Palm
Beaches. The event raises money to fund community projects that support children in need as well as community development. The Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Tickets to the barbecue cost $10 for admission or $25 for a pass, which includes food and two drinks. Children 3 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available on the Junior League’s web site at www.jlpb. org or by calling (561) 689-7590.
Visions Salon owner Tom Monticello with his daughter Melissa Sterling and celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo. Young singer Michaela Paige provided entertainment.
Tara Weldon and Sherri Giles of Visions.
Anna Maria Grosso, Boys & Girls Club CEO Mar y O’Connor, Pat Evans, Tony Nelson and Visions Salon owner Linda Monticello.
(Front) Margie Giliberti and Ken Aussiker; (back) Cheryl McNamee, Leslie Rosetto, Tom Monticello, Nick Arrojo and Dr. Ted Kutzin.
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NEWS
ROYAL PALM BEACH HOLDS VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AT VETERANS PARK Royal Palm Beach held its annual Veterans Day observance Friday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Park. The memorable morning ceremony was led by Jewish War Veterans Post 684, American Legion Auxiliar y Unit 367, Cub Scout Pack 120 and Boy Scout Troop 111, along with local dignitaries. SEE MORE PHOTOS IN A SLIDESHOW AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER
Veterans George Fisher, Jimmy Walker, Donald Mates, Greg Choinski and Joe Dwyer.
Army Capt. Jimmy Walker.
Marines Lance Cpl. Jesse Rodriguez, Staff Sgt. Andrew Kalinyak , Lance Cpl. Rocco Delzoppo and Cpl. Frederick Miller.
Army veteran Paul Montalbano with Christopher Bur well and his father, Floyd.
(Front row, L-R) Preston, Pierce and Kerry Gornic, and Mike Holmstock; (back) Rick Hansen and James Gornic.
RPB Councilman Fred Pinto, Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, RPB Councilwoman Martha Webster, RPB Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas and RPB Mayor Matty Mattioli.
MUSIC, FOOD AND MORE AT THE ACREAGE FALL FESTIVAL AT COMMUNITY PARK The fourth annual Acreage Fall Festival w as held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Acreage Community Park. There was music by national and local entertainers, a rib cookoff, a car show, vendors, bounce houses, pet adoptions and more. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER
Miss Teen Rodeo Palm Beach County Devon Firestone and Swee theart Miss Rodeo Palm Beach County Claisyn Trampton.
Hannah Mahoney sings.
Jade Masters yodels.
Kimberley Fenn and dad Keith Perry cook ribs for the contest.
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NEWS
WELLINGTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB HOSTS 30TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC AT BINKS The Wellington Boys & Girls Club presented its 30th annual Wellington Golf Classic on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Each participant received a shirt and bag lunch, and had a chance to win at raf fles and a silent auction. The awards reception dinner was donated by Longhorn Steakhouse. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER
Event Committee: Gary Thomas, Alonna Paugh, Ed Portman, Pat Evans and Kevin Murray.
Winners Gunny Gracey, Ed Koinig, Paul Koinig and Barry Haslup. Event Chair Ed Portman with closest-to-the-pin winner Mike Anderson.
Joe Pagano, Bob Wilson and Lee Richard.
Second-place finishers James Hess, Paul Cleary, Craig Molloy and Joe Gray.
Sponsor s James Hess, Gary Thomas, Pat Evans, Fernando Gonzalez, Woody White, Chair Ed Portman and Jim Bomar.
LOTS OF VEGAS-STYLE FUN AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB’S LUCKY 11 CASINO NIGHT The Wellington Boys & Girls Club presented Lucky 11 Casino Night on Friday, Nov. 11 at Binks Forest Golf Club. There was a poker tournament, blackjack, roulette and craps, as well as a silent auction. Light bites were served buf fet style along with cocktails. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER
Event Committee: Kevin Murray, Fernando Gonzalez, Pat Evans, Woody White and Event Chair Ed Portman.
Kelly Conroy, Gary Thomas, Janna Zaidspiner, Tony Nelson, Ed Portman and Dennis Witkowski.
Poker tournament players Dan Moss, Keith Homer and Kerry Kelly with dealer Allen Pleasant.
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SCHOOL NEWS
WCS Students Perform In Annual Variety Show
Ideal School’s fourth-grade class visits the WPTV News Channel 5 station in West Palm Beach.
Ideal School FourthGraders Visit WPTV It was an exciting day for the Ideal School’s fourth-grade students when they took a field trip to WPTV News Channel 5 in downtown West Palm Beach. The fourth-graders host their own live morning broadcast called the Early Bird News (EBN), which airs throughout the school each day. Teacher Danielle Derion arranged the tour so the children could meet local news anchors and get a behind-the-scenes look at a real news desk. Weatherman Glenn Glazer talked to the students about Hurricane Rina and how it fell apart just as it reached the Yucatan
Peninsula. Traf fic anchor Keli Fulton and news anchor Kelley Dunn were also there to meet students and answer their questions. Dunn shared with them that she, too, took a field trip to a news station when she was their age, and it was then that she decided to become a reporter. “It was a great opportunity for the children to meet people they see on TV each night,” Derion said. “They were quite excited to be in the studio to watch a live news cast. I think they were surprised at how much work goes into creating a news show each day.”
The Wellington Christian School Parent Teacher Fellowship hosted its annual all-campus variety show Friday, Oct. 28, and it was an evening to remember. Twenty-nine students performed, displaying a wide range of talents, including singing, dancing, joke telling and guitar playing. Preparations for this event began in September when the students auditioned, honed their acts in preparation for rehearsals, and finally culminated with the big show night. Nearly 200 people from the WCS community were in attendance. “It is a true pleasure to see our students put their God-given talents on display and to see the joy on their faces when they perform,”
said Headmaster Dr. Tim Sansbury, who also acted as master of ceremonies for the evening. “School activities like the variety show help to shape the whole student as they have opportunities to take risks that will build their selfconfidence. We know all of our students are gifted, but we want to not only shape and develop those talents but to help them learn to put them to work in front of other people.” “This is one of those events that includes the entire school,” Event Chair Alex Rodriguez said. “Faculty and staff supported the PTF with auditions, rehearsals and concession sales on the night of the event. Parent and student volunteers assisted with
Sarah Ward and Addison Piper perform. stage work, concessions, lighting, sound and photography. Our secondary students played a
large role in not only entertainment but in the logistics needed to support such an event.”
New Horizons Presents Veterans Day Program New Horizons Elementary School honored veterans and active military personnel at its annual Veterans Day celebration. New Horizons students gathered for a special assembly. Cub Scout Troup 118 presented the flag. Principal Betsy Cardozo welcomed students, and Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen explained the history and reason for celebrating Veterans Day. Teacher Pat Klammer’s fifth-grade students recited the branches of the armed forces and the motto of each one. Music teacher Veronica Dillingham led the chorus in singing, “We honor those who serve their sacrifices and their names.”
Guidance counselor Lynne Bray presented certificates to the following honorees: Marine veteran Daniel Ocasio, Coast Guard veteran Bruce Blauvelt, veteran Fred Van Dusen, active Marine Sopheaktra “Pedro” Kol, active Army Sgt. Herman Shipp Senior, active Army Reservist Jose Rosa, student Tyler Miller (representing his cousin, active Army Col. Robert Nutter), and students Christian and Jordan Grecco (representing their cousin, active Army soldier Jeremy Robinson). Students thanked veterans by creating letters and cards that will be sent to troops currently serving in Afghanistan.
Veterans Day program participants with Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and honorees.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Seminole Ridge Hosts Dedication Of Dr. Lynne K. McGee Auditorium In an emotional ceremony held Oct. 27, Seminole Ridge High School honored its founding principal, Dr. Lynne McGee, by dedicating its auditorium in her name. McGee, whose career in education spanned four decades and who served as the principal of several Palm Beach County elementary and high schools, heard colleagues and community members speak warmly — and at times humorously — of her dedicated service to students, families and teachers alike. Administrators from around the school district joined members of Seminole Ridge staff in a show of appreciation for McGee and for her devotion to learning. Following the dedication ceremony, attendees greeted McGee, who retired this past summer, at a reception in the school’s media center. They spoke of her influence on them and on the school. “Naming the auditorium after Lynne is a well-deserved tribute to a woman who dedicated her life
to education,” math teacher Candice Ashurst said. “The ceremony was a moving, heartfelt tribute to an educator and administrator so worthy of praise,” English teacher Lynn Moylan added. • SRHS Honors Veterans — Gathering at Callery-Judge Stadium, SRHS students and staff took time on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 10 to honor those who have served America as members of its military forces. Seminole Ridge invited veterans from the western communities to be recognized for their service, and presented each with a certificate of appreciation. Among the highlights of the Veterans Day program were the veterans procession through the Hawk Battalion saber arch, musical performances by the Hawk chorus and band, and an address by guest speaker Tom Wenham, former mayor of Wellington and a Korean War veteran. • Hawks Earn National Recognition — The National Merit
Scholarship Corporation has recognized SRHS senior Julia Frate as a commended student in its 2012 scholarship program. Frate placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2010 PSAT, the corporation’s qualifying test. Hawk senior Kristen Cousins received recognition from the NMSC as an outstanding participant. • Musicians to Perform at AllState — Seminole Ridge senior Joel Iglesias earned a place in the 2012 All-State Mixed Chorus, one of the premier choirs to perform at the Florida Music Educators’ Association conference in Tampa this coming January. Iglesias passed the musicianship, sightreading and electronic “music minus one” tests to join nearly 300 singers from around the state. Also, for the second year in a row, freshman tuba player Michael Guinaugh will join the All-State High School Honors Band for the FMEA conference.
SEMINOLE RIDGE BAND YARD SALE
On Saturday Nov. 5, the Seminole Ridge High School band hosted a multi-family yard sale to help raise money for a trip to per form in Orlando next spring. This school year is going t o be a busy year for the band students at Seminole Ridge. They have been in the process of not only fundraising for themselves but also trying to give back to the community and abroad. The students have been organizing donation drives and giving their time to help out with the Relay for Life, Quantum House, Wheelers for the Wounded and adopting the entire kindergarten class from Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School. This year is about learning to give back and not just asking for donations. The band had originally planned a Washington, D.C. performance this coming spring; Because of financial reasons, not enough students would have been able to participate, and an alternative goal has been set to make it more economical for all band members to attend. For more info., visit www.seminoleridgeband.com. Shown above are band members Hannah Persson, Samantha Morales and Tabitha Bickman in last year’s Alice in Wonderland-themed costumes.
• Engineering Fun Day — Seminole Ridge SECME students inspired an interest in math and science among young students at Dreher Park during the annual Engineering Family Fun Day on Nov. 5. Co-hosted by the nonprofit educational and service groups the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers, the day’s intent is to increase students’ knowledge of engineering and other technical fields. The event featured interactive activities among students, parents and engineers. The SRHS booth focused on the physics of forces as SECME senior Caitlin Miller and sophomores Sam Smith and Jarret Rimel challenged Cub Scout Pack 147 to build a pop fly launcher with paint stirrers, a PVC pipe coupler and a ping-pong ball. • ASVAB Career Assessment Nov. 29 — The guidance department will administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Bat-
SRHS Assistant Principal Maria Lloyd, former assistant principal Darren Edgecomb, RPBHS Principal Jesus Armas, Dr. Lynne McGee, SRHS Principal James Campbell and secretary Sue Currier. tery (ASVAB) career assessment lege plans; explore potentially sattest Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 8 a.m. in isfying occupations; design career the auditorium. The ASVAB is a plans; and identify career options free, multi-aptitude test sponsored they may not have considered. by the U.S. military that provides Junior and senior students can a snapshot of students’ knowledge sign up for this free career assessand skills. ment through Monday, Nov. 21 in With their ASVAB results jun- guidance before or after school or iors and seniors can confirm col- during lunches.
TKA Students Tour Philadelphia The King’s Academy recently sent 44 eighth-graders on four-day trip through historic Philadelphia. Upon arrival, the group immediately went to explore the Maritime Museum and visit a real battleship and submarine, followed by a trip to Valley Forge. The students had a certified Civil War specialist and retired Marine accompany them as their guide. He brought history to life for the students as they toured Valley Forge and downtown Philadelphia, and his enthusiastic portrayal of history drew a crowd everywhere they went. That evening, the students were treated to a movie, The Mighty Macs, which is based on the true story of the 1971-1972 Immaculata College team that started in obscurity but became the original Cinderella story in women’s basketball. The next day, Ed Mauger, who wrote the book Philadelphia, accompanied the group to tell detail the rich history of the city. His tour included stops at the Constitution Center, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’ home and the famous “Rocky steps” from the movie Rocky. The last full day was spent in Amish country, Lancaster, where students were exposed to the real
TKA students stand by the Liberty Bell. daily life of an Amish community. They watched an interactive movie Jacob’s Choice, which described the decision all Amish young men and women make at the age of 15 to determine whether they will be baptized in the ways of the Amish or part ways with the order. One of the shortest tours they experienced was of an authentic Amish barn where the cows were milked. The students lasted only five minutes in the aroma of the barn. That evening, students enjoyed an Amish dinner and then went bowling. Before leaving for the airport on their last day, the students traveled
to Hershey, Pennsylvania to learn about Milton S. Hershey and his chocolate empire. Finally, they went shopping on famous South Street. The trip gave TKA Secondary Principal Sonya Jones and chaplain Gary Butler the opportunity to emphasize that they are all future leaders and that they have much faith that the future looks bright with each one of them. Butler also encouraged them to always follow God’s path for their lives. It was a wonderful trip that educated the students while allowing them to grow in independence and as a class.
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PALMS WEST PEOPLE
HANLEY FAMILY HOSTS RPB FUNDRAISER FOR MY BROTHER’S/SISTER’S KEEPER
The Hanley family of Royal Palm Beach held a fundraiser party at their home for My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust on Saturday, Nov. 12. Eighty people participat ed and over $2,500 was raised. Attendees included county commissioners Paule tte Burdick, Shelley Vana and Jess Santamaria; State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 88); and Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli, Councilwoman Martha Webster and Councilman Fred Pinto. DJ Ernie Garvey donated his services for the evening.
Mary Anne Hanley (center) with Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster and her husband Gary.
Lauren Hanley calls out a winner from the raffle of donors while Brian, Chris and Matthew Hanley look on.
Former Wildcat Cook Now A Volleyball Coach
Amanda Cook
Back when she was a volleyball player at Royal Palm Beach High School, Amanda Cook never thought about teaching and coaching as a career. She was concentrating on winning district titles, doing well in school, playing beach volleyball and maybe getting a chance to play in college. She got her wish, and then some. First on the list was a high school district championship and a place on the all-county/all-area first teams. She went on to have a stellar career as a libero at St. Leo University, where she was fourth all-time in digs, broke the singleseason record for digs and was a
third team all-district honoree for ESPN The Magazine. She also placed second in the inaugural season of beach volleyball for Division II colleges in Florida. After graduation, Cook became the volleyball graduate assistant at the University of West Georgia. During those two years, she also coached some successful club teams, and the seed was planted. A job opening at a brand-new high school, Lake Minneola (in Lake Minneola, Fla.), popped up. Once she was hired, she put her team to work. Using the grueling workout schedule of a college program, the Lake Minneola Hawks
volleyball team flourished. With no seniors on a first-year school team, they rushed out to a 6-0 win streak. After a couple of blips, the Hawks won their district title and first round regional playoff game before losing the semifinal regional match to Harmony High School. Cook said she’s proud of the team’s 17-5 season record. “The girls have improved so much, and it has been a great season,” she said. “It hurts to lose, but I couldn’t be prouder of my girls and all they’ve accomplished this season.”
Capizola Third In National Scholarship Contest Jordan Capizola of Wellington, a high school senior at American Heritage School in Delray Beach, finished in third place in University Language Services’ national photo contest for students making college campus visits. Capizola placed for a photo she took of Heyden Observatory at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “College is not just a journey into adulthood; it is also an educational one,” Capizola wrote in the description of her photo. “I cannot wait to explore the world, find what I enjoy doing, and continue my education in the sub-
jects I enjoy most.” To enter the contest, high school students were asked to submit a photo they took during a campus visit and describe in no more than 200 words how that photo represents college to them. University Language found that many students this year tended to emphasize their quest for independence. University Language has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to college applicants and students who have studied abroad. A new scholarship competition will be announced in the coming weeks.
University Language Services helps students and college applicants make the most of their college experience, from application to graduation. Free online guides and the ULS blog, Campus Commons, give students in-depth information to help them determine where to apply to college, how to get accepted and what to do to succeed. University Language’s comprehensive services for students also include SAT prep and professional resume writing for internships and jobs. Since 1983, ULS has provided translation, transcription and inter-
State Rep. Mark Pafford, Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto, county commissioners Jess Santamaria and Shelley Vana, and Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli. PHOTOS COURTESY CAROL PORTER
Rodriguez, Martin To Wed In March With much happiness, Karen and Greg Martin and Tony and Ellen Rodriquez announce the engagement of their children. Thomas Anthony Rodriquez and Jillian Skyler Martin will join together in marriage on March 31, 2012. Thomas is employed as a deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Jillian is a teacher at the Cambridge School in Wellington while also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in education at Florida Atlantic University. The couple resides in Loxahatchee.
Geisler, Rodgerson Finish Air Force Basic Training Jordan Capizola’s photo entry. preting services in 150-plus languages and dialects from its international headquarters in New York City and affiliated offices around the world. For more information, visit www.university language.com.
Air Force airmen Dylan Geisler and Stephanie Rodgerson recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Geisler and Rodgerson completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic
training earn four credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. Geisler is the son of Christine Geisler of Wellington and a 2011 graduate of Wellington High School. Rodgerson is the daughter of Mark and Ann Rodgerson of The Acreage. She graduated from Seminole Ridge High School in 2009.
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WELLINGTON VETERAN REVISITS WWII FLIGHT
Dr. Leon Leshay of Wellington visited Fantasy of Flight on Veterans Day to revisit the B-26 plane he flew during World War II. Leshay is a veteran of 72 B-26 missions and was a member of the 37th Squadron, 17 Bomb Group, 12th Air Force, World War II. Fantasy of Flight is a Central Florida attraction that is home to the world’s largest private collection of vintage and restored World War II aircraft. Shown here is Leshay during his flight.
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COMMUNITY HELPERS DAY AT RPB’S TBZ PRESCHOOL On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Off ice visited the Temple Beth Zion Preschool f or Community Helper Day. Diane Smith from the PBSO talked to the children about strangers and how to call 9-1-1 . Smith brought a special sur prise with her as well — Deputy Sherr y Johnson-Stinnet with her K-9 bloodhound Deputy Justice. The children loved meeting Deputy Justice, especially when they got to pet him. They learned how Deputy Justice helps to find missing people. All of the children went home with coloring books, toys and more from the sheriff’s off ice. For more information about TBZ Preschool, call (561) 798-3737 or visit the school at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach.
Deputy Sherry Johnson-Stinnet introduces K-9 bloodhound Deputy Justice to some of the students.
Deputy Sherry Johnson-Stinnet and Diane Smith discuss crime prevention with the children.
King’s Academy Names Presenting Sponsor For 2012 Mane Event Insurance Office of America (IOA) has committed to being a presenting sponsor for the King’s Academy dinner auction, the Mane Event, set to take place next March. IOA Executive Vice President (and former Royal Palm Beach mayor) David Lodwick and Vice President Ray Dorsey have a longstanding relationship with the
King’s Academy, and this marks IOA’s 11th year of presenting sponsorship. Insurance Office of America is among the fastest-growing independent insurance agencies in the United States and is Florida’s largest privately held insurance agency. It has been providing insurance services for TKA for the past 41 years.
“We are so appreciative of Insurance Office of America’s loyal support over the years,” TKA Development Director John Lopez said. “It is through the faithful support of our TKA community and friends of the school that we are able to accomplish all that we do.” IOA’s sponsorship allows proceeds from the event to directly benefit the students and programs
of the King’s Academy. The company’s financial support assists the King’s Academy in their endeavor to fulfill their mission to graduate Christian leaders who seek to impact their world for the King of Kings. The Mane Event, themed “Passport to Paris,” is scheduled for March 2, 2012. It will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment
and a seated dinner. For sponsorship or ticket information, contact the Development Office of the King’s Academy (561) 686-4244, ext. 319. The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized private Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade. TKA serves students and their families across
Palm Beach and Hendry counties at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach. More information about the King’s Academy is available online at www. tka.net.
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NEWS
Long-Delayed Loxahatchee Groves Paving Projects Out For Bid By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Four long-delayed road projects in Loxahatchee Groves are moving forward after the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors approved sending the paving projects on North A Road, North and South C Road, and South D Road out to bid Monday. The board approved a construction bid document and a request for proposals to pave the four roads using open graded emulsified mix (OGEM). LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier said Erdman Anthony of Florida had completed design work for the $2.6 million project, and that the district had contracted with Palm Beach Aggregates for the subsurface gravel, while Siboney Contracting would do the hauling. Road base preparation is expected to be finished by the end of December, Saunier said. Interested bidders will be required to submit bids in time for selection at the LGWCD meeting Dec. 12. The contract will be finalized at
Inspector
New Hires Delayed
continued from page 1 this item because these are being funded by agencies that have signed the interlocal agreement for the new positions,” Marcus said, “but I believe we should bring back an item in light of the cities that are suing us over payment, and it’s my understanding that they will not be paying us for this upcoming year.” She said it would become a budget issue for the county if the municipalities do not pay. “It’s not our issue — we’re paying for our portion — but I think the Inspector General needs to have the information about how to staff up her department if she’s not going to have the funds to do it,” Marcus said. The suit was filed Monday, and Marcus said she tried to talk to some of the municipal representatives in her district before they moved forward, but they felt a lawsuit was their better option. “I don’t think personally that we should pay for that shortfall,” Marcus said. “I think it needs to be worked out with the cities.” Commissioner Priscilla Taylor asked whether the county should
HorseFest
Dec. 11 Event In WPB
continued from page 1 be north of a million [in fundraising]. Hopefully, we’ll get to a million five,” he said. The money is raised through the Great Charity Challenge pro-am show jumping event, where 32 equestrian families sponsor a team for $25,000, with each team randomly selected to compete for one of the 32 charities. With added donations as well as ticket sales, the total brings in more than $1 million to be awarded to the selected charities. Bellissimo thanked Dennis Shaughnessy, chairman of FTI Consulting, for his help. “He’s been just a major supporter and promoter of the Winter Equestrian Festival,” Bellissimo said. “Two years ago, he partnered with us on this event and turned it into something that for our family has been sort of a personal mission, with my wife and our daughters, Paige and Nicole.” Bellissimo said support from FTI has been crucial to the recent growth in the Winter Equestrian Festival. “FTI Consulting is our main sponsor for the Winter Equestrian Festival, which in the last couple of years has grown in terms of its economic impact from $60 million to $120 million during one of the most difficult times in our
Chamber
Equestrian Season Preview
continued from page 3 economy and draw international attention to the community. “It helps to make Florida a location for a vacation as well as a lifestyle community,” she said. Next year, Wellington Classic Dressage will once again host the World Dressage Masters, which is one of the most prestigious international shows. “This year, we are very proud to announce that we have the top
the Jan. 9, 2012, district meeting, with construction to proceed immediately, Saunier said. Supervisor Don Widing asked that the packet be reviewed by the county’s Office of the Inspector General to see that it complies with acceptable processes so it can be used as a template for future projects. “Going forward, that might be used as a boilerplate for future RFPs,” he said. Supervisor John Ryan asked that staff try again to contact Florida Power & Light about moving power poles on North C Road so they are not as close to the road. “I think we’re at a stage that this may be one last attempt to get some cooperation from FPL,” Ryan said, declaring the poles a safety hazard. Ryan asked that a letter be sent to FPL requesting that the utility move the power poles on North C Road to the west side of the canal in the easement area. “This request is consistent with what they’ve done on South C Road previously,” Ryan said. “We regard the current pole locations as questionable and possibly dangerous.”
Saunier said he had already written a letter. “They sent a letter back saying they would move them if we would pay for them,” he said. Supervisor Frank Schiola said he had also talked to FPL representatives, who gave him the same response. He pointed out that one of the poles was hit by a car a few months ago, the pole was broken in half, and many people were without power for several hours. Widing asked about speed tables on the roads, and Saunier said they will be 14 feet long, which would reduce the speed to 25 mph, and that the plan was to place them every 500 to 800 feet. During public comment, Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Ron Jarriel asked whether the speed tables could be set 750 feet apart instead of 500 to improve fire-rescue response time. “I agree 500 feet is probably too close,” Saunier replied. Jarriel also asked why the power poles on South C Road had been moved without a problem. “We happened to catch them just in time because they had allo-
cated funding to upgrade those poles to the large concrete poles you see there,” Saunier explained, noting that they had pushed them off the right-of-way about 5 feet. Widing made a motion to accept the bid packet, which carried 4-0 with Chairman David DeMarois absent. In other business, Saunier said his staff has coordinated with the town to facilitate a construction contract with WBI Inc. to build a canal crossing at 148th Terrace North. Saunier said the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council authorized financing for the project at its Nov. 1 meeting. Construction is expected to begin soon. The canal crossing is expected to clear up issues the district has had with residents north of North Road using district-owned crossings, which raised liability issues. Widing asked how long the work would take, and Saunier said culvert projects usually take a week to a week and a half, but that the contractor is asking for 45 days. Saunier said that there is some concern regarding one resi-
be approving six additional spots if it’s having problems with municipalities not paying. “If we already have people on staff, I would question whether we need to do that,” Taylor said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen with these cities if we still have to do the work and them not pay.” Joseph Doucette, chief of administration for the Office of the Inspector General, said the positions up for approval will be specialized to the Health Care District and the Children’s Services Council, and are funded by the agreements with those agencies. Commissioner Burt Aaronson said that he would not favor hiring more people for the office when it has not been determined whether the municipalities are going to pay. “If they’re suing and they’re not going to pay, I see no reason to hire six more people at this particular time,” he said. “You’re gearing up to take care of these municipalities, and if these municipalities are not going to come along, why would you gear up for them?” Robert Beitler, general counsel for the Office of the Inspector General, said he understood that the lawsuit is over whether the municipalities share in the cost or whether the county pays
the entire bill. “That’s what the judge is going to decide,” Beitler said. Aaronson made a substitute motion to postpone the question for 30 days, which was seconded by Marcus. Commissioner Jess Santamaria said that more than 72 percent of county voters agreed that the Office of the Inspector General’s jurisdiction should be expanded to the 38 municipalities. “There is a consensus among our constituents,” Santamaria said. “They recognize we have a problem here in Palm Beach County. We commissioners have agreed we want to do away with that stigma we have had for a long time, so we have taken the steps, but there are some forces in Palm Beach County that are trying every which way to throw monkey wrenches into the Office of Inspector General.” Santamaria recommended adopting what the grand jury had recommended, to follow the example of Miami-Dade County and charge each vendor 0.25 percent of contract costs to pay for Inspector General services. “It has worked for Miami-Dade for the last 13 years,” he said. “It’s the cost of the vendors doing business with all the respective agencies. Therefore, the taxpayer does not have to contribute to these
expenses, and that excuse they use cannot be used.” Marcus said she thought it would be appropriate to postpone the question so that the lawsuit could be examined more closely. She suggested that the Office of the Inspector General take people it has already hired to monitor those cities that may not be paying now, and have them monitor the Health Care District and Children’s Services Council. Commissioner Steven Abrams asked whether Miami-Dade receives supplemental financing in addition to the 0.25 percent, and Doucette said it does, as well as recovery funds that go to the office and not to the individual entities, as it would in Palm Beach County the way the ordinance is written. Doucette said that postponing the ordinance 30 days would severely hamper the office’s ability to perform under the agreements approved earlier. “We will not have the ability to have the startup time to make that happen,” he said. Commission Chair Shelley Vana asked whether, if they don’t postpone it and wind up without money from the municipalities, they would wind up having to lay off people. Doucette said the Inspector General has the power to appoint
lifetimes,” he said. “I think it’s a great testament for a very highquality product.” Muoio said she was happy to be a part of an event that would help so many charities. “It’s such a worthy cause to bring together charities, and to have them be a part of this and have the opportunity to be chosen to win a great deal of money is a dream come true for so many people,” she said. “Last year’s Holiday HorseFest was a huge success, and when they said they wanted to come back again this year, we were so happy.” Shaughnessy said FTI had moved its corporate headquarters to West Palm Beach three years ago. “We’re delighted to be down here,” he said. “We’re one of the largest market consulting companies in the world, and we were very, very happy to be approached by Mark several years ago with this idea, trying to create an event where the charities from the local community come together, and have a competition to be a catalyst to involve more people into the horse world.” Shaughnessy stressed that the charitable component works because all the money goes directly to the nonprofits. “Whatever money the families contribute to sponsor the teams, whatever money the corporations contribute to augment that, flows directly to the pot that goes to the charities,” he said Shaughnessy added that his firm is researching whether the $1.5 million distributed is the big-
gest single-day fundraising event. “Notice I say ‘distributed’ because there’s a big difference in charities between ‘raised’ and what is eventually distributed,” Shaughnessy said. “I think $1.5 million, we’re going to find, is, if not the biggest single one-day charity event, it’s right up there.” Shaughnessy said he recently met one of the custom powered wheelchair recipients of last year’s first-place charity winners, Wheels for Kids. “The smile on that young man’s face, to be sitting in a wheelchair that basically would change his life, is simply indescribable, so we at FTI are delighted to extend not only our sponsorship of the Winter Equestrian Festival, but to become more active this year with the charities,” he said. Wheels for Kids founder Denise Jungbert said she was excited just to be included in last year’s Great Charity Challenge. “I think there were over 100 charities last year that showed up,” Jungbert recalled. “We’re just a small little charity. We’re all volunteers, and we give out maybe one wheelchair a year.” She said it was exciting to hear her charity’s name called at all, which meant they were guaranteed $10,000, which would enable them to buy at least two wheelchairs. “We won first place, and I just sat there crying, like, omigosh, $150,000, that’s over 10 chairs, that was so exciting,” Jungbert said. “I cannot thank the Winter Equestrian Festival enough for
what they have done, and how they’ve helped so many kids. We’ve given out so far seven chairs. On Dec. 11, we’re going to give out two more chairs at their event, and we’ve got four more on the list that I’m sure we’re going to be able to help.” Jungbert added that she found it amazing that the event gives between $10,000 and $150,000 to 30 different charities. “They all need the money, we all need the money to be able to go out and help others,” she said. “I appreciate it so much.” Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael Stone said it was exciting to see participants in the event working so hard together. “Through the event here on Dec. 11, we’re going to have two jumping competitions, going as fast as they can, and four-bar, jumping as high as they can,” he explained. There will be other equestrianoriented entertainment, as well as sky divers, music, children’s activities and rides. About 4,200 attended last year’s Holiday HorseFest, and it has been predicted that the crowd will be much larger this year. “The mayor and her office have been kind enough to allow us to close down this part of Flagler, so we have more vendors,” Stone said. For more information about the 2012 FTI Great Charity Challenge and the 2012 Holiday HorseFest, visit www.equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867.
dressage horse in the world, Totilas,” she said. “He has only been to North America one other time, for the World Equestrian Games in 2010.” The facility also hosts the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, Gold Coast Dressage shows and other events such as clinics, sport horse auctions and more. This year, O’Sullivan said, the county’s Jim Brandon Equestrian Center sports a few upgrades, including new, world-renowned footing, more landscaping and improvements to the vendor areas. She invited chamber members to get involved, noting that spectator admission is free to most events. “We’re here to support
you, and we want you to support us as well,” O’Sullivan said. O’Dell stressed the unique and integral part that the Wellington Equestrian Preserve plays in Wellington’s economy. With more than 9,000 acres of land, several major facilities and more than 100 miles of bridle paths, the community is unlike any other in the world. “We’re looking at more than 500 unique, private farms that make up Wellington,” he said. “That’s a combination of polo, hunter-jumper, dressage, combination and recreational farms.” He said the economic impact resonates throughout the entire region. “It brings goods and ser-
vices all through the community,” O’Dell said. O’Dell added that the major equestrian venues help to provide balance and sustainability, but the horses themselves are the driving force behind Wellington’s success. “While each discipline is equally important, the most central economic drive is the horse,” he said. “Each horse needs to be provided the essentials: feed, medical needs, hauling, equipment, waste disposal.” O’Dell said that seasonally, it is estimated that there are between 10,000 and 14,000 horses in Wellington. Each one, he said, contributes to the economic impact.
dent’s access, but the district will keep a gate open temporarily until construction is finished. The board also approved an interim agreement with lobbying service Ramba Law Group. The firm is guiding a local bill through the state legislature that will enable one supervisor’s seat to be
approved by direct election, rather than by the one-acre, one-vote method now used to elect all the supervisors. Widing asked about the financial impact, and Saunier said $25,000 had been allocated. Ryan made a motion to accept the agreement, which carried 4-0.
Holiday Pet Portraits Offered Nov. 19-20 Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control is hosting holiday pet portraits Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20. Pet owners can team up to help homeless animals by scheduling an appointment to have their family and pets professionally photographed by the Top Room Studio. The cost is $15 for two 4” x 6” prints, ready the same day. All proceeds will support homeless animals at Animal Care & Control as well as low-cost spay/ neuter programs and animal cruelty investigations.
Call (561) 233-1222 to book your appointment. Additional photo packages and holiday cards are available. This fun event will take place at Animal Care & Control (7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, just west of Florida’s Turnpike). Be sure your pet has a current rabies vaccine and county license tag. In the event your pet is not current, low-cost rabies vaccines will be available upon arrival. Visit www.pbcgov.com/animal or call (561) 233-1222 for more information.
and remove assistants as necessary to get its job done. “We do maintain the flexibility to adjust the resources as we see fit,” he said. Commissioner Paulette Burdick said she would not support the postponement. “I think the voters clearly stated they didn’t care about the dollars,” Burdick said. “They wanted it funded, and the original intent was the county was going to fund it.” Santamaria agreed that there are financial issues but said it’s more important to fight dishonesty in the county. “Our constituents are telling us they want us to solve the issue of the corruption,” he said. “Are we proud of the title ‘Corruption County?’ Are we going to handicap the Inspector General’s office and help make their job more difficult? I don’t think the people who voted us into office want that.” Aaronson said it is not the county’s place to finance everything. “The fact of the matter is we have to straighten this out,” he said. “The cities had an obligation to follow what the voters said. We followed what the voters said.” Aaronson added that the county and the municipalities had agreed to the approximate $5 million cost to finance the office, and
now the municipalities are reneging. “Someplace along the line, everyone said they were going to jump in and share the cost,” he said. “Now, they’re trying to throw it all on the back of the county. I’m all for the inspector general, but if these cities are not going to kick in as they said they were, it then becomes the burden of all of the taxpayers of the county. I want 30 days to see what we can do to straighten this situation out.” County Attorney Denise Nieman said commissioners should be cautious what they say. “We need to let that play out in the courtroom,” she said. Taylor asked about funding for the first year, and County Administrator Bob Weisman said it came from the county’s general fund. “For the second year, that’s supposed to come from the county and each entity that’s being inspected,” he said. Abrams said he was against the postponement because he was concerned that the municipalities involved in the lawsuit will have the impression they are not under scrutiny by the Office of the Inspector General. The item was postponed 4-3 with Abrams, Burdick and Santamaria dissenting.
Vouchers
Program For Seniors
continued from page 1 have to wait for them to take everyone else home before they drop you off. We offer door-to-door service for an extra dollar.” Charging residents just $2 more also means that Wellington has the money to provide even more
Blanchette
‘Midsummer’ Success continued from page 3 them were completely sold out.” Blanchette anticipates that Midsummer will become a success not only at Dreyfoos but throughout the world. “Although I would like to see this play professionally done, I figured it would be my swan song or last performance at the school before my retirement,” she said. Dreyfoos has also been featured in a documentary called Thespians. The documentary chronicles
Blotter continued from page 6 to an unknown man from Miami but retained the hull because the buyer did not want it. The man later called and asked if he could have the boat, and the victim offered to sell it to him for $500. According to the report, the victim did not hear back from the man and then discovered the hull and trailer missing. There was no further information at the time of the report. NOV. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Monday morning to a church on Birkdale Drive regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. last Friday and 9 a.m. Monday, someone stole 56 fabricated steel pipes left outside the construction site at the church. Each pipe was fabricated with a fitting on one end and the other end was threaded, and all of them had a sticker with the church’s name and a line number on them. The stolen items were valued at approximately $5,600. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. NOV. 15 — A resident of 93rd
vouchers to residents than it did last year. “The increase gives us about 360 additional trips over the course of a year,” Trager said. “That opens the program up to more residents who may need help.” To receive vouchers, residents can call Trager at (561) 791-4785. Participants must register one month in advance, and vouchers are sent out on a monthly basis. four schools as they compete from district competitions to the state competition. “We were one of the schools selected, and the movie actually premiered on Showtime,” Blanchette said. “Our students, some of our teachers and myself are in it.” Blanchette attributes the success of her career to her late mother’s support. “She always encouraged my creativity,” Blanchette said. “She was really the first person to say ‘yes’ to me and tell me that I can do it.” For more information about the theater program at Dreyfoos, visit www.awdsoa.org or call (561) 802-6052. Road North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation Tuesday to report a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 p.m. Monday and 3 p.m. the following afternoon, someone entered the victim’s property and removed a small red motorcycle and a blue four-wheeler. The victim said there were no signs of forced entry to the gate, and that the motorcycle was not in running order. The stolen items were valued at approximately $350. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. NOV. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Tuesday evening to a school on Wellington Trace regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her vehicle in front of the school at approximately 5:40 p.m. and left it unlocked while she went inside. When she returned five minutes later, she discovered that her purse was missing. The victim said she had seen a suspicious person walking along the road but could not provide a description. DNA evidence was taken at the scene.
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NEWS
HUGE TURNOUT FOR INAUGURAL YOGA FEST AT THE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB Hundreds of people gathered for the first-ever Yoga Fest held Nov. 11-12 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The two-day event included workshops taught by top yoga teachers, free performances and vendors providing health-related products. The event benefited the Everglades Foundation and the MahaShakti Foundation. For more info., visit www.mahashakti PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER foundation.org. CHECK OUT VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Yoga afficianados take part in a workshop on the polo field.
Event organizer Keith Fox with guest speaker Leslie Glickman and Kelly Brookbank.
Odette Worrell, Steve “The Wizard” Mitchell and Michelle Kramer.
Betsy and Bob Conway, Judi Weaver, Randy Hamlin and Ralph Iovino of the Connected W arriors program.
Yoga teacher Christy Nones leads a workshop.
Nancy Medina and June Aloia wait for a workshop to begin.
ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL AT OLQA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ROYAL PALM BEACH Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Royal Palm Beach hosted its annual Fall Festival from Thursday, Nov. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 13. Guests enjoyed food, carnival rides, games, live performances and more. For more info., visit www.olqa.cc. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER
Clowning for Jesus members Mikayla Kroecker and Susan Doogue offer face painting.
Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Mayor Matty Mattioli and County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.
The DePalo family enjoys time at the festival.
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NEWS
WELLINGTON JOINS AMERICAN LEGION POST 390 IN OBSERVING VETERANS DAY The Village of Wellington and the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 hosted a Veterans Day parade and ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial on Forest Hill Blvd. Officials gathered to honor veterans in Wellington and across the nation with speeches and the laying of wreaths. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRĂ“/T OWN-CRIER
Michael Kinard and Wellington Councilwoman Anne Gerwig.
Pete and Anne Granata, Shirley and Jim Duncan, and Matt Lukasiewicz.
Mary Castillo and Mike Pancia.
Regis and Tom Wenham lay the Air Force wreath.
Commander Thomas Clapp lays a wreath with State Sen. Maria Sachs (D-District 30).
Wellington Manager Paul Schofield and State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo (D-District 85) lay the Coast Guard wreath.
WELLINGTON ART SOCIETY HOSTS FALL FLING AT THE WELLINGTON AMPHITHEATER
The Wellington Art Society hosted its Fall Fling Fine Ar t & Fine Craft Show at the Wellington Amphitheater on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13. Artists showcased their work to the public while local musicians performed. There were also arts and crafts projects for children. For more info., visit www.wellingtonar tsociety.org. PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Artist Andrea Lambrakis-Spirazza with Anne Giuliano.
Adrianne Hetherington showcases her scarves.
Kari Juul of Palm Beach Glass & Candle.
Susan and Ed Davidson look at ar tistic purses.
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Local Sales Kick Off Holiday Season In Horse Country
With Black Friday looming, there are a couple of great sales coming up to help you find that perfect item for the horse-smitten. The Tackeria will host its After-Thanksgiving Blo wout, and Susan the Saddle Diva will hold her Equestrian Garage Sale in The Acreage. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 25
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WHS Athletes Sign Letters Of Intent For College
Several Wellington High School athletes signed letters of intent Wednesday, Nov. 9 to play college sports. Wolverines Gabriella Sehres, Kat elyn Rawls, Peter Rivera, Olivia DiCarlantonio and Abby Jo Winsor all will go on to collegiate play upon graduation. Page 37
Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION
INSIDE
Business Wellington’s Dr. Miller Offers New Dental Plan Providing Quality Low-Cost Care
Dr. Steven M. Miller’s Wellington Smiles now offers the Quality Dental Plan, a new, affordable way for people without insurance to pay for dental procedures. Miller, who has practiced in the area since 1988, decided to offer the Quality Dental Plan as a way to make good dental health easier f or his patients. Miller has joined the Quality Dental Plan, a dental savings program, to give more people the opportunity to afford dental procedures. Page 29
Sports Hawks Defeat Wildcats 27-12 To Again Retain Rival Football Trophy
The Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team defeated Royal Palm Beach 27-12 Nov. 11, hanging on to the rivalry trophy for a third year. The tr oph y features the fused bronzed heads of both teams’ masco ts, and is traditionally passed to the winner of the annual match-up. Page 37
THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES .......................25-27 BUSINESS NEWS .................................29-31 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..................... 32 SPORTS & RECREATION ......................37-39 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ..................... 40-41 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 42-46
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FEATURES
Big Local Sales Kick Off Holiday Season In Horse Country We’re definitely getting into the teeth of it now: Black Friday’s next week, and then the countdown to the actual event is on. There are a couple of great sales coming up to help you find that perfect item for your horse-smitten friend or family member — or for yourself. First, of course, is the annual After-Thanksgiving Blowout at the Tackeria. This sale has been going on for lo these many years, and many visitors time from their holidays to make sure they’re in town just for this one terrific sale. “We’ll be open Friday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” store manager Lou Cuthbertson said. “We’ll have all the normal stuff, basically everything anyone could want. We’ve beefed up our selections of whips, saddle pads, gloves, boots, halters, lead shanks, a great supply of helmets — all the essentials.” Cuthbertson noted that the Tackeria offers the full Rodrigo Pessoa clothing line, in addition to many top-name brand items from such companies as Ariat, M. Toulouse and International Riding Helmets. More than 60 brand-new saddles will be on sale. If you lose your head and end up with a saddle you love but that doesn’t love your horse, no problem. Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/ HorseTalkFL or stop by the Tales from the Trails page on Facebook and click “like.”
Tales From The Trails By Ellen Rosenberg “We always allow returns on saddles which don’t fit the horse,” Cuthbertson explained. “Take it home, put it on the horse, with a pad, and girth it up. Don’t ride it; we don’t want scuff marks. But if it doesn’t fit, bring it back for a full refund or try a different one.” There are sales both in and around the store. “There’ll be a tent on the side with great bargains in clothing, girths, horse blankets, boots and bridles,” Cuthbertson said. “We’ll also have experts and vendor booths on the sidewalk offering products and advice.” Part of the fun of this sale are the door prizes and frequent raffles. Every so often, the loudspeaker will blare yet another winning name, and the lucky shopper can claim a prize — anything from hats and T-shirts to clippers, halters, bridles, even a tack trunk. “We’re awarding two grand prize saddles this year,” Cuthbertson said, “a Pessoa GenX Elita and a M. Toulouse Candice. The winners will be announced Sunday afternoon, and you don’t have to be present to win. The names are drawn at random from the pile of cards.”
Get ready for the Tackeria’s big after-Thanksgiving sale, Nov. 25-27. The cards are the postcards, which are arEveryone loves the Tackeria sale. For those riving in mailboxes all over Florida even as of us in the horse community, it’s the real start you read these words. The Tackeria mails out to the holiday season. The Tackeria is located about 3,000 of the distinctive cards each year. at 13501 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. This year, they have a bright-yellow border. For more info., call (561) 793-2012. Not on the mailing list? Not to worry. Show But wait — there’s more. up at the store and fill one out. You’ll be enSusan the Saddle Diva will be holding her tered to win one of the saddles. Plus, next year, semiannual Equestrian Garage Sale on SatSee ROSENBERG, page 27 you’ll get one in the mail.
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FEATURES
Eating Turkey Boosts Dream Recall... Which I Don’t Need Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, and you know what that means — tryptophan. I looked this word up because all I used to know about tryptophan was that it’s present in turkey and it forces you fall asleep in front of a football game. At least, that’s what all the men in my family swear. But it turns out tryptophan is so much more. In the first place, it’s converted into niacin by our livers, and we need a little niacin every day. Ask the One-a-Day people. In the second place, tryptophan is so good at helping induce sleep that they use it to treat insomnia. If you don’t like turkey, you can get it from beef tenderloin, yellowfin tuna, halibut, shrimp, salmon, snapper and even soybeans. In the third place, it’s a mood elevator. It would have to be, to get all those aunts into Get your Sonic Boomer humor every day! Follow Deborah Welky on Twitter at twitter.com/TheSonicBoomer. On Facebook, stop by “The Sonic Boomer” page and click the “Like” button.
Deborah Welky is
The Sonic BOOMER the kitchen at once, confronting that mountain of dishes with happy chatter while the men are allowed to fall asleep unperturbed in recliners. Good ol’ tryptophan can help people overcome depression, anxiety, irritability, impatience, impulsiveness and an inability to concentrate. According to the article I read, it will keep you from overeating (unless you’re determined, like on Thanksgiving) and reduce your carbohydrate cravings (unless you’re surrounded by pies). I was also surprised to learn that tryptophan helps with dream recall. I don’t know many people who fuss over not being able to re-
member a dream, but after last night, I do know one who would rather not remember her dreams — me. And so I will digress. In my dream, I was in a strange neighborhood, but it was beautiful — lots of ancient, leafy trees and well-kept old houses. I was in the South because there was Spanish moss hanging down everywhere. I was visiting the girl who works at the corner gas station, not because we’re friends but because she invited me over and it seemed rude not to go. But here’s where things got rather odd. In this girl’s back yard was a circular net like you’d have around a trampoline — nothing fancy, just some sheer vinyl netting. And pacing around inside the netting was a huge, fullgrown tiger. Now anyone could see by the 4inch claws on this tiger that he was enclosed only as long as he wanted to be. And he was pacing around in kind of a bored way, which made me nervous. To make matters worse, the girl brought her 18-month-old baby up to the net to “say hi” to the tiger, and this piqued the tiger’s interest
immeasurably. Then this foolish girl repeatedly thrust her baby in the tiger’s face tauntingly, and, sure enough, the tiger quickly unzipped the net using one of his enormous paws, and the girl — was she nuts? — hurriedly tossed the baby to me! Now I began running for my life — and for the baby’s life. Its mother took off in another direction, but the tiger was only interested in that tempting morsel of baby. I didn’t know the neighborhood or the house, but I was carrying that kid under my arm like a football and running as fast as I could. Whenever I’d evade it, the tiger would find me. Turns out tigers have a very highly developed sense of smell. The baby had a highly developed smell also. Finally, I was trapped. The tiger’s gigantic head was right in front of me, snarling and drooling. Would I toss it the baby to save myself or do the honorable thing and sacrifice myself for the baby? I’ll never know. I woke up. The good news is, I had no problem whatsoever with dream recall. The bad news is, I’m never touching turkey again.
Beware New Biographical Films Masquerading As Fact Watching the new film J. Edgar, I found the real danger of biography in the movies looming large. In order to make reality interesting, it has to be altered, often in ways that create drama but edge away from truth. Most of reality television is actually staged to prevent absolute boredom. And when the subject of the film has a more than 40-year career, the selection of episodes can create its own form of fiction, as this reasonably decent but not terribly exciting movie does. J. Edgar is surprisingly boring. Chances are that would be a pretty good description of the life of the famed FBI director. Most of the big FBI arrests were not made by him. He sat at a desk. So we get to see him being a nasty bureaucrat playing games that seem horrific. Which of America’s “enemies” do we see him chasing? Eleanor Roosevelt, the Kennedy family, Martin Luther King. And what does director Clint Eastwood focus on? His possible homosexuality, which even Eastwood winds up hinting was repressed. In truth, no one still alive has any idea about Hoover’s sexuality. And most of the stories about the possibility of his being gay came about either at the very end of his life or after his death,
Rosenberg
Big Sales Coming Up
continued from page 25 urday, Dec. 3 from 8:30 a.m. until whenever people stop coming by. Susan spends all year collecting stuff, and her sales are a lot of fun. Half of the fun is seeing what she’s got this time. “I have dozens of English and Western saddles, bridles, blankets, pads, halters, lead ropes, brushes, bits, chaps, cinches, girths, saddlebags, some pony and mini tack, bell boots, splint boots, buckets. Basically, if it goes on or around the horse, you’re likely to find it at our sale,” Susan said. “We cover all the bases.
‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler and none, aside from the fact that he shared a house, not even a bedroom, were about him with his second-in command Clyde Tolson. Therefore, we really have no idea what his sexuality, if any, really was. Yet Eastwood (or more precisely, writer Dustin Lance Black) fills the movie with hints of repressed sexuality, complicated relations with his mother (and keep in mind that his mother died in 1938, well before most of the psychological interest ever existed) and cross-dressing. As a result, the movie uses these episodes to overcome a script that generally lacks substance. Hoover did go well beyond the limits of the law, and did use his knowledge of people’s transgression as a form of blackmail, but little of that is put in historical context. I prefer to sell well-made saddles made in the U.S.A., that can be passed down from parent to child to grandchild.” Some of this sale’s offerings include a 16inch Ruff hand-tooled western saddle, a 17inch Circle Y “absolutely gorgeous” all tooled western saddle, good for a husband or boyfriend, a 16.5-inch M. Toulouse jumping saddle with removable blocks in like-new condition, a 15-inch McClelland barrel saddle, and a 17-inch Australian stock saddle complete with pad, cinch and breast collar. “We have reasonable prices, and everything I sell is safe,” Susan said. “It’s cleaned, conditioned, and thoroughly checked — no frayed leather or broken saddle trees. The saddles are ready to ride. And the more you buy, the cheaper it gets.”
For example, was Hoover very concerned about the influx of people with Communist connections in the White House? Were they real? Well, Vice President Henry Wallace (19411945) ran for president with extensive Communist support in 1948. The reason the strong anti-Communist revolt won over voters at the time was that there were a lot of people who believed that Communists were working in government. It does not excuse excesses, but it does help explain them. This movie is very light on context. I saw another pseudo-biography, Anonymous, last week, which laid out a claim that Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, actually wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare. As a work of drama, it was better than J. Edgar, but historically, it was a joke, muddling dates and making claims that were preposterous — namely, that because we know so little about Shakespeare he could not have written his plays, but somehow Queen Elizabeth I was able to bear two sons that no one has found out. And somehow, there was a revolt at the end of her life that we have never heard about. But at least that movie had a strong sense of drama about it.
J. Edgar lacks that. Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent as the title character, using complex makeup to allow for appropriate aging. As usual, he performs well in the central role. The rest of the cast is also fine. But because of the lack of historical context, there never is a sense of real drama for a lot of the movie. The writer was clearly far more interested in making points than creating a real conflict. The most controversial element of Hoover’s life was his willingness to stretch or exceed legal boundaries in his zeal to fight what he considered to be America’s enemies. Too often, the lack of context means that there is too little light being shone on the issue. And the focus on his personal life, of which we know almost nothing, is essentially a gratuitous move to ignore the real issues. But since most people know virtually nothing of the real history, essentially, we have not much more than a work of fiction parading as fact. The move is not bad; Clint Eastwood is far too accomplished for that. But it is nowhere as good as it might be. I would simply call it “competent.” We have a piece of propaganda that is as bedrock truthful as the notion that de Vere was actually Shakespeare.
Susan cares about good tack, especially vintage and well-made saddles. “If a saddle’s well taken care of, it’ll last a good long time. That means don’t leave it in the tack room or the garage or the back of the car,” she said. “A saddle should be cleaned after being used and then conditioned with a pH-balanced product, then placed on a rack, preferably with a pad underneath it, and covered and kept in an airconditioned area. If you take good care of
your saddle, your saddle will take good care of you.” Susan also takes back saddles that don’t fit. “If someone buys a saddle from us and it doesn’t fit their horse, we want them to bring it back as soon as possible,” she said. This sale will be held at Susan’s home, at 16856 94th Street North in The Acreage. Follow the hot pink signs. As for me, I don’t need a thing. But I’ll be at both sales.
‘We have reasonable prices, and everything I sell is safe,’ Susan said. ‘It’s cleaned, conditioned, and thoroughly checked — no frayed leather or broken saddle trees. The saddles are ready to ride. And the more you buy, the cheaper it gets.’
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BUSINESS NEWS
Dr. Steven Miller with staff members Christina Zarini, Kena Farley and Joanne Grisham. PHOTO BY JESSICA GREGOIRE/TOWN-CRIER
Dr. Miller Offers New Dental Plan Providing Quality Low-Cost Care By Jessica Gregoire 1979. Originally from Queens, N.Y., he has Town-Crier Staff Report become one of the most respected dentist in Dr. Steven M. Miller’s Wellington Smiles the community. now offers the Quality Dental Plan, a new, The practice offers all aspects of general affordable way for people without insurance dentistry, from complete oral exams to fillto pay for dental procedures. ings, along with numerous specialized servicMiller, who has practiced in the area since es. “The most important thing we offer our 1988, decided to offer the Quality Dental Plan patients is concern for their overall health,” as a way to make good dental health finan- Miller said. cially easier for his patients. Miller also provides cosmetic dentistry and “Part of the problem is that one out of three focuses on restoring oral aesthetics through adults don’t go to the dentist every year,” procedures like implants. “The challenge with Miller said. “Many people avoid going to the implants is making sure they look natural, dentist because quality dentistry is costly in a which I have extensive knowledge of,” Millfamily’s budget.” er said. Miller has joined the Quality Dental Plan, Miller and his staff believe that preventive a dental savings program, to give more peo- care is one of the most important parts of oral ple the opportunity to afford dental proce- health. “We are very into prevention,” he said. dures. The program is offered to patients with- “A healthy mouth leads to a healthy body.” out insurance as a low-cost, pay-as-you-go Ultimately, it’s all about the patients, Millplan. er said. “We are interested in having good To become a member of the Quality Den- relationships with our patients, so that they tal Plan, patients must first pay an annual fee come back to see us,” he said. of $329 for the first family member to beThe office staff includes a dental hygienist come part of the plan. “It’s approximately 20- qualified to provide soft-tissue management percent less than what they would normally for patients, Miller said. “This means nonpay to see us for X-rays, fillings and clean- surgical periodontal therapy for patients,” he ings twice a year,” Miller said. explained. “Where we find deeper pockets With the Quality Dental Plan, each dental and bleeding gums, we try to help patients office is able to modify the plan to its needs. avoid needing a specialist where often they “With our plan, we offer free fluoride with would have to do surgery.” their cleanings,” Miller said. “In addition to Miller is anticipating that the Quality Denthat, for being a part of the plan, they would tal Plan will help people who have not had receive 20 percent off basically all the proce- regular access to dentistry. “I’m hoping to help dures that I do in the office.” people who have not had dentistry done beThis plan will end up saving patients a lot fore to be able to afford to have it done now,” of money. “I even have some of the special- he said. ists I work with, some for over 20 years, onDr. Miller’s Wellington Smiles office is board to offer my patients who are part of the located at 12788 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite plan a discount,” Miller said. 2001, in Wellington. For more information, Miller received his dental degree from the visit www.wellingtonsmiles.com or call (561) New York University College of Dentistry in 798-8023. SEE A VIDEO ON DR. STEVEN MILLER AT WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
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BUSINESS NEWS
CredAbility: Simple Marshall Foundation Names Ways To Save Money Carla Cove To Board Of Directors With 2011 nearing an end, many consumers are already dreading the impact that holiday shopping will have on their already strained budgets. While few of us might be thinking about how we can save money during this most expensive time of year, CredAbility offers tips that can help consumers save up to $500 or more and get a jumpstart on a financially healthier 2012. CredAbility offers the following tips to consumers: • Check your temperature — You will save about 10 percent on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. Do this while you are away during the day, and you won’t sacrifice any comfort. On an average electric bill of $150, you will save $15 per month or $30 by the end of the year. • Analyze your cell phone bill — Do a six-month analysis of your bill and see if you would benefit from changing plans. You can save at least $20 per month and $40 by year end. Check to see if your carrier offers company discounts for employees of your company for potential added savings.
• Take a hard look at your cable bill — If you have a movie channel for just one show, consider dropping it and wait for the season to come out via a DVD service such as Netflix or electronically on iTunes. • Eat and entertain at home — Swap dinner and a movie out on the town for a romantic dinner and classic at home, and you can easily save $30 or more. Do this once a week and you’ll have an extra $200 at the end of the year. • Save on groceries — Simple things like planning the week’s menu and making a list can help reduce impulse buying. Plan for leftovers, which will stretch your budget and reduce the time you spend in the kitchen. Check the pantry and the freezer before you shop and try to use things you already have on hand. Comparison shop between stores and try store brands. Other ways to save include reducing holiday spending, packing a lunch and laying off the high-priced coffee. For more information on CredAbility, call (800) 251-2227 or visit www.credability.org.
Nancy Marshall, president of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, has announced that retired financial advisor Carla Cove has been named to the nonprofit organization’s board of directors. For the past six months, Cove has served as a member of the Marshall Foundation’s 25-member advisory board. Cove recently retired after 30 years as a private client manager for U.S. Trust and other Bank of America companies. She spent her career serving the investment, credit and trust needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients. Cove has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and completed her certification in financial planning from the Boston University Center for Professional Education. She and her husband John reside in Palm Beach since moving from the Boston area in 2004. Cove is a member of the Palm Beach County Budget Task Force.
She is also a member of the finance committee at Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth, where she volunteers working with elementary school children. Cove is active in the UMass Southeast Florida Alumni Club, and serves on the finance and budget committee of her condominium association. Her interests include children and education, and preserving our natural resources. Based in Palm Beach County, the Marshall Foundation champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem through science-based education and outreach programs. Annually, more than 25,000 elementary and high school students in Palm Beach County actively participate in the Marshall Foundation’s various education programs. Founded in 1998, the nonprofit or ganization has in recent years awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships and internships, planted nearly 100,000 native Florida trees in wetland areas, and involved
Carla Cove more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects. For additional information about the Marshall Foundation, call (561) 233-9004 or visit www.artmarshall. com.
Send business news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
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Norton Names Tim Wride New Curator Of Photography The Norton Museum of Art has announced the appointment of Tim B. Wride as the new William & Sarah Ross Soter curator of photography. The position was previously held by Charlie Stainback, who was promoted to assistant director of the Norton earlier this year. Before joining the Norton, Wride spent 14 years at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) as curator of photography. He also founded and served as executive director of the Los Angeles-based No Strings Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization that provides artist grants to American photographers. Before founding that organization, he established the Curatorial Eye, which offered lectures, seminars, workshops and mentoring to photographers, collectors and not-for-profit institutions. “The Norton Museum, like any museum, is only as great as the curators and the collection,” Norton Director and CEO Hope Alswang said. “With Tim Wride, the Norton Museum adds a significant curatorial voice, and I look forward to working with Tim on what he has promised are some very exciting
projects. I am also eternally grateful to Bill and Sally Soter for their continued support of photography at the Norton.” Norton trustee Sally Soter was equally pleased with the choice of Wride for the position. “It is such a pleasure to see that with Tim Wride, the Norton continues to attract curators with such talent and intellectual curiosity,” said Soter, who along with her husband William has endowed the Norton’s curator of photography position. “The William and Sarah Ross Soter Photography Endowments were always intended to allow the Norton to present photography of the highest caliber, and Tim most certainly will continue that tradition of excellence.” Wride said he is looking forward to joining the other curators at the Norton Museum of Art. “The Norton’s photography collection is filled with some absolute gems, and I also look forward to continue to build it and contextualize the collection in new exhibitions,” he said. “Building a collection that is rich, meaningful and above all, relevant to the community it serves, is a chal-
Tim Wride lenge that I am eager to tackle at the Norton.” During his tenure at LACMA, Wride curated numerous exhibitions from the LACMA Collection, and several special exhibitions as well. The Norton Museum of Art is located at 1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach. For additional information, call (561) 832-5196 or visit www. norton.org.
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Bock Awarded For Financial Reporting They’re among the biggest awards in government finance, and the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller’s office has won them again. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) honored the clerk’s office with its Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock’s easy-to-read citizens report, “Checks and Balances: Your Guide to County Finances.” It’s the fifth consecutive year that “Checks and Balances” has been recognized by the GFOA with this honor. Also honored by the GFOA, for the 22nd consecutive year, was the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), also produced annually by the clerk’s office. The report earned the association’s prestigious “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” honor. The “Checks and Balances” guide for fiscal year 2010 contains helpful information about how Palm Beach County tax dollars are spent, economic factors that affect county
revenues, and how property taxes are calculated. The information is drawn mostly from the more detailed CAFR. Both reports are produced at the end of each fiscal year and are available, along with other financial information, on the County Financial Reports section at www.mypalm beachclerk.com. “When your hardearned money is used to pay property taxes, you need assurance that those tax dollars are properly managed and spent,” Bock said. “These two tools provide transparency that paves the way for responsible stewardship of the public’s tax dollars.” The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association that offers benchmarking and independent analysis of public accounting practices and financial reporting. As the independently elected chief financial officer of the county, Bock and her office provide balance as the accountant, treasurer and auditor, handling finances, investments and county financial reporting. For additional information about the clerk’s office, visit www. mypalmbeachclerk.com or call (561) 355-2996.
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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Jupiter Lighthouse & Museum Rock The Light Concert Nov. 19
The Lost Bobs will perform at the Nov. 19 Rock the Light concert.
The Loxahatchee River Historical Society will once again transform the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum into a festive spectacular light-twinkling musical celebration at its annual fall fundraiser, Rock the Light Concert: A Rock ’n’ Roll Revival. The concert take will place Saturday, Nov. 19 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The lighthouse is honored once again to have the very talented and always charming Curt Fonger emcee the event, with a special guest appearance by Andy Preston of the Gater 98.7 FM. Attendees can also savor delectable delights offered by inlet area neighbor Guanabanas. “There’s nothing boring about saving history around this lighthouse,” said Jamie Stuve, president and CEO of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society. “Supporting the preservation of this site and our exciting local history has never been more fun. I just hope everyone who hopes to ‘rock the light’ with us gets their general admission tickets before they are sold out.” With the lighthouse beacon shining as a backdrop and the new deck and plaza under the banyan tree, the stage will be set for this party in paradise. A double-header of rock featuring the Lost Bobs and the Sierra Band is set to sizzle with some very
hot tunes from the 1960s through the ’80s. Greatest hits by some of the best bands ever to blaze the airwaves will send you “reeling in the years.” The first group slated to fill the air with hot rock is the Sierra Band, a popular longtime local band whose members include George Lilly, David Snetssinger, Ed Reich, Rich Bobsein, Bob Chapman and Tom Winch. Then the Lost Bobs are on tap. Band members Bob Gibson, Phil Carey, Bob Trainor, Debbie Wallace, Jim Sheridan and Joe Wyman, all of Jupiter and Tequesta, have been gearing up for this event. Gibson is a 50-year resident of the Northern Palm Beaches, owner of an award-winning advertising agency and leader of his classic-rock band. “The Lost Bobs only play several times a year and only for a good cause we truly believe in,” Gibson said. “How fortunate we are to have such a beautiful and historic landmark in our hometown. The Jupiter Lighthouse makes our town unique. We want to help preserve it and protect its surrounding lands for future generations to enjoy.” Attendees can enjoy an evening on the inlet under the stars and beam of the lighthouse while dancing to rocks classic favorites, savoring
delectable fare, sipping wine and beer at the plaza and deck under the lighthouse tower. The evening will feature a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and live auction with master of ceremonies Curt Fonger. Community partners sponsoring the event include Pamela Boyce State Farm Insurance, the Gater 98.7 FM, FPL, Guanabanas, Brown Distributing Company, Cake Kingdom, Tequesta Country Club, Rood Landscaping, Bullen Insurance, Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, Publix, Aflac, North Atlantic Electric, J.J. Taylor, Flower Mart, the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter, Tim McDow Photography, Allstate Computers, Minuteman Press, Stampar Jewelers, the Great Frame Up and Roger Dean Stadium. General admission tickets cost $25 and are limited. Call (561) 7478380, ext. 101. For more info., visit www.jupiterlighthouse.org. Operated by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is located at Lighthouse Park (500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter). Its hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with the last lighthouse tour leaving at 4 p.m.; it is open seven days a week from January through April.
The Phantom Recommends P.B. Pops With Pagano, Andreas Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops, known for their solid musicianship, polished performers and first-class arrangements, are setting the stage for a tribute to “The Music of Burt Bacharach, Cole Porter & More” from Nov. 29 through Dec. 5. The concert will feature John Pagano, Bacharach’s lead singer for over 15 years, and Broadway superstar Christine Andreas, who just ended performing in La Cage Aux Folles with Kelsey Grammar. Songs that will be featured in this concert include “Alfie,” “What the World Needs Now,” “Let’s Fall in Love,” “Any Day Now” and more. Providence, R.I., native Pagano is a truly a singer’s singer. As the lead vocalist in Bacharch’s band for 15 years, Pagano has traveled extensively, performing in major concert venues and with numerous symphony orchestras. In addition to his ongoing association with Bacharach, Pagano has collaborated with Grammy Award–winning writerproducer Barry Mann, renowned composerproducer George Duke, George Howard, Elvis Costello, Garth Brooks, Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, Wynona Judd and David Cassidy. Along the way, Pagano’s voice caught the ear of Jerry Seinfeld, for whom he opened shows in both Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Pagano’s film credits include the Adam Sandler film Click and Jim Carrey’s Yes Man. Pagano is featured on 10 albums, including his recent solo release Pure Imagination, which he recorded with a 40-piece orchestra
at the legendary Capitol Recording Studio A in Hollywood, Calif. Having his friend and mentor Bacharach play on and produce cuts on the album further enriched the experience for Pagano. Reacting so quickly and yet so gracefully to one’s surroundings requires a formidable musical intelligence, and Pagano is quick to credit the 15 years that he has spent as Bacharach’s lead singer. “I’ve learned so much from Burt,” Pagano said. “When I was younger, I thought it was all about going for it and singing as loud as you can to get people to react. But I remember him saying to me, ‘You can make someone cry with the softest note.’ He taught me to translate that sensitivity to the smallest gestures.” Three of Bacharach’s songs are featured on Pagano’s album with arrangements, piano and production on two of them provided by the master himself. Andreas returned to Broadway in April 2010 and starred nightly as Jacqueline in the Tony Award–winning production of La Cage Aux Folles with Grammer and Douglas Hodge until just this past spring. Prior to La Cage, she received nationwide raves starring as Margaret Johnson in the 55-week national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical The Light In the Piazza. Best known for her work on Broadway, Andreas burst onto the New York theater scene starring as Eliza Doolittle in the 20thanniversary production of My Fair Lady of
John Pagano
Christine Andreas
the Royal Shakespeare Company and garnering the Theatre World Award. Andreas received two Tony nominations re-creating Laurey in Oklahoma! and as Frankie Frayne in On Your Toes. Andreas created the role of Marguerite St. Just on Broadway in the original production of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Engagements in New York at the Café Carlyle and the Algonquin’s Oak Room prompted the New York Times to extol, “She delicately kills with the sheer beauty of her voice… She finds a blend of lyricism and sweet sensuality that only the finest Broad-
way voices can conjure.” Her Carnegie Hall debut was hailed as “brilliant,” “delicious” and “sexy” in Variety. The L.A. Times called her “a mesmerizing musical presence.” The Palm Beach Pops concerts will take place Nov. 29 and 30 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Dec. 5 at the Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, and Dec. 1, 2 and 4 at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Center at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Tickets start at $29 and are available by calling (561) 832-7677 or visiting www. palmbeachpops.org.
Joe Nasuti, the Phantom, is a featured writer for the Town-Crier, Forever Young and www.yournews.com. Comments & recommendations are welcome at thephantomdiners@aol.com.
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FEED YOUR SOUL, THEN FEED YOUR BODY... 9 Holes of championship golf with cart & GPS, plus any delicious entree from the menu at MarBar Grille. Contact the pro shop to make your tee time for anytime after 3PM, and tell them you want the
9 ‘N DINE SPECIAL!
SPECIAL!
$29.95 per person! MADISON GREEN GOLF CLUB 2001 Crestwood Boulevard North
open to the public
(561) 784-5225 www.MadisonGreenGolf.com
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SPORTS & RECREATION
Hawks Defeat Wildcats 27-12 To Retain Rival Football Trophy By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Seminole Ridge High School varsity football team defeated Royal Palm Beach High School 27-12 on Friday, Nov. 11, hanging on to the rivalry trophy for the third year running. The trophy features the fused bronzed heads of both teams’ mascots, and is traditionally passed to the winner of the annual match-up. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter after
recovering a Seminole Ridge fumble. Quarterback Anthony McGrew held on to the ball and ran 9 yards for a touchdown, making the score 6-0. The Hawks fought to score throughout the first half but were held back by the Royal Palm Beach defense. Finally, in the second quarter, Hawk quarterback Antwan Washington’s pass found Alex Santacore in the end zone. An extrapoint kick made the score 7-6 going into halftime.
SRHS Principal James Campbell and head coach Matt Dickmann hold the trophy after the game. PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER
Both teams came out of the break determined to pull ahead, but it wasn’t until late in the third quarter that the Hawks scored again. After advancing down the field, Gary Holmes ran 8 yards to score a touchdown, making the score 13-6. Royal Palm Beach passed up an opportunity to tie the score on the return kick when it was forced to punt from the 1 yard line. The Hawks seized the opportunity, and Washington took the ball 41 yards to score. An extra-point kick made the score 20-6. But the Wildcats, determined to score, pulled it together with about six minutes left in the game. Tremaine McCullough ran 6 yards to cut the Hawks’ lead to 20-12. However, the Hawks didn’t stop, and with just under two minutes remaining in the game, Holmes carried in a 1-yard touchdown. An extra-point kick made the score 27-12 to end the game. Both the Hawks and the Wildcats advance to the state playoff competition starting on Friday, Nov. 18 with 7:30 p.m. games. Seminole Ridge will host Palm Beach Central High School, while Royal Palm Beach will travel to Oakland ParkNortheast High School in Fort Lauderdale.
RPB’s Tremaine McCullough moves the ball across the field.
SRHS quarterback Antwan Washington runs the ball.
Hawk Derek Falk goes for an extra-point kick.
WHS ATHLETES SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT TO PLAY COLLEGE SPORTS Several Wellington High School athletes signed letters of intent Wednesday, Nov. 9 to play college sports. Gabriella Sehres, Katelyn Rawls, Peter Rivera, Olivia DiCarlantonio and Abby Jo Winsor all will go on to collegiate play. Sehres will play women’s indoor volleyball at North Greenville University, Rawls will play sand volleyball at Georgia State University, Rivera will play baseball for the University of Miami, DiCarlantonio will play women’s lacrosse for Ohio State University, and Winsor will play women’s indoor volleyball for Armstrong Atlantic State University. To learn more about some of the students, visit www.whswave.com. PHOTOS COURTESY JESSICA SMALL
Athletes with their coaches and Principal Mario Crocetti.
Katelyn Rawls with family members, Principal Mario Crocetti and coaches.
Peter Rivera with family members, Principal Mario Crocetti and coaches.
Olivia DiCarlantonio with family members and Principal Mario Crocetti.
Gabriella Sehres with family members, Principal Mario Crocetti and coach Brian Bausch.
Abby Jo Winsor with family members, Principal Mario Crocetti and coach Brian Bausch.
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SPORTS & RECREATION
Hawk Senior Signs For Softball
Wellington Wrestlers — (Front row, L-R) Tim Skaryd, Austin Schnaderbeck and Briar Macfarlane; (back row) coach Doug Baethke, Steven Hanford, Andy Leal, Noah Coulter, Eddie Rivera, Colton Macfarlane, Collin Bachi and Angel Lopez.
Wellington Wrestlers Excel At Tournament
The Wellington Wrestling Club competed at the 2011 Romp On the Swamp USAWrestling Tournament last weekend at Western High School. Place winners for the club were: Intermediate division 66 pounds Justin Neely (third place), Novice division 100 pounds Eric Saber (second place), School Boy division 100 pounds Colton MacFarlane (first place), Logan Singerman
(third place) and 126 pounds, Austin Hart (second place), Cadet division 113 pounds Brandon Des Jardins 126 pounds Eddie Rivera (first place), 182 pounds Noah Coulter, Junior division 160 pounds Collin Bachi (first place), Tim Skaryd (third place), Austin Schnaderbeck (fourth place), 170 pounds Chris Burk (fourth place), 182 pounds Steven Hanford (third place), 285 pounds Angel Lopez (fourth place).
Seminole Ridge High School senior Alana Tabel has signed a scholarship letter of intent to play softball for St. Leo University near Tampa. “I’ve worked my whole life for this, and to know that I’ve signed feels great,” said Tabel, who was scouted and recruited by St. Leo from among numerous candidates statewide. Tabel, who will wear the green and gold of the St. Leo Lions, said she’s looking forward to college life and playing softball. (Right) SRHS Athletic Director Scott Parks; Linda, Alysa and Alana Tabel; and SRHS Principal James Campbell.
WHS Wrestlers Win Preseason Event The Wellington High School varsity wrestling team got off to a great start at its preseason tournament, finishing in first place with a 2-0 record. Wellington started with a 766 victory over John I. Leonard, losing only one match out of the 14 weight classes, and followed that up with a 66-18 victory over Fort Pierce Westwood in the final match. The Wellington wrestlers who finished with a 2-0 record were
Bobby Bernstein (106 pounds), Slade Kersey (113 pounds), Eddie Rivera (120 pounds), Nik Bonades (126 pounds), Brandon Paz (132 pounds), Jose Cadavid (138 pounds), Austin Schnaderbeck (145 pounds), Tim Skaryd (152 pounds), Collin Bachi (160 pounds), Richard Gowie (182 pounds) and Steven Hanford (195 pounds). The Wellington Wrestling team hosts a 10-team dual tournament
Saturday, Nov. 19 in which four of the state’s top 10 ranked teams on Scout.com will be attending. “I was pleasantly surprised by our dominant performance at the preseason tournament,” coach Travis Gray said. “We only had three seniors and two juniors in our lineup, so our younger guys really showed that they have been working hard and picking up the things that we have been teaching in practice.”
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SPORTS & RECREATION
King’s Academy Students Sign On To Play College Baseball The King’s Academy senior varsity baseball players Kevin Stypulkowski and Matt Pisciottano signed national letters of intent and scholarship offers to play baseball at the NCAA Division 1 level recently. Stypulkowski has accepted a scholarship offer to play for the University of Florida Gators, and Pisciottano accepted an offer to play for the Stetson University Hatters. Stypulkowski and Pisciottano accepted their offers in front of friends, family, teammates, coaches and administrators in the school’s M. Nelson Loveland Center. Stypulkowski is a catcher and has been a varsity starter since eighth grade. Stypulkowski ranks as one of the top catchers in the county, having been selected to the first team Palm Beach Post All County team in 2010 and 2011. Stypulkowski carries a high school career .327 batting average with 78 RBI and 10 home runs. He is a switch-hitting catcher and has thrown out 97 percent of the runners attempting to steal. Pisciottano is a senior right handed pitcher for the Lions. He has been
(Front row, L-R) Matt Pisciottano and Kevin Stypulkowski; (back row) Athletic Director Adam Winters, Assistant Coach Mike Cushing, assistant coach Steve Prince and head baseball coach Doug Magaw. a varsity starter for the last three years with an overall record of 124, a 2.53 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 96 innings. Varsity head coach Doug Magaw praised the athletes. “These colleges have no idea
what tremendous young men they are getting — not just amazing athletes who will help build their programs, but men of integrity and strong work ethics who will positively impact their campuses,” Magaw said.
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LADY WILDCATS WIN THE DISTRICT TITLE
On Oct. 27, the Royal Palm Beach High School girls volleyball team hosted the district finals and won their fourth district title, defeating Santaluces in a three-set sweep. They took that win into the regional quarterfinal game against Olympic Heights and came out on top to set up a rematch against Atlantic in the regional semifinal game. It looked like the Wildcats would have a chance to continue on to the regional finals, with a 25-18 win in the first set. Atlantic stormed back in the second game and went on to win the match in four to set up a final against Broward County powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. The Wildcats finished the season with an 18-8 record.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Saturday, Nov. 19 • The Festival of Chocolate will be held Nov. 19 and 20 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The event will feature the area’s best chocolate and confection companies. Award-winning pastry chefs and chocolatiers will host interactive demonstrations, sharing techniques and tricks of the trade. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for children. For more info., visit www . festivalofchocolate.com or call (561) 4632950. • The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. • The Florida Trail Association Loxahatchee chapter’s 20th annual Hike Around Lake Okeechobee will begin Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. at the Pahokee Marina and will finish up back in Pahokee on Sunday, Nov. 27. The hike will cover 110 miles in nine days. F or more info., e-mail cummingsps@att.net or call (561) 9639906. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Writing Series: Revising” for adults Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. You’ve composed the f irst draft of your book. Now what? Discuss techniques and methods to polish your writing. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register • Royal Palm Beach will hold its 10th annual “Fall Fantasy Craft Show” Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Park. Visit www.royalpalmbeach.com or call (561) 790-5149 for more info. • Ultima Fitness (12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host a kickoff party for its BCx Boot Camp program on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. For more info., call (561) 795-2823 or visit www.wellington bootcamp.com • The Gem & Mineral Society of the Palm Beaches will present its 45th annual Gem, Mineral, Jewelry, Bead and Fossil Show on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19 and 20 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.). Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission for adults is $7 per day or $10 for a two-day pass. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Visit www.gemand mineral.cc/show1 for more information and a $1 off admission coupon. • The Repticon West Palm Beach Reptile & Exotic Animal Show will be held Sat-
urday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Box Expo Center (2231 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach) featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages and merchandise. Visit www. repticon.com for more info. • The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host SalsaFest Nov. 19-20 at Greenacres Community Park (2905 Jog Road). Tickets cost $8 for adults and $30 for a family four pack. Visit www.salsafest.net or contact Marc Schlags at (561) 790-6200 or marc@palmswest.com for additional information. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Authors: National League of American Pen Women” for adults on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. A panel of eight established local authors will discuss the creative writing process. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (100 N. Palmway, Lake Worth) will host a Fall Art and Wine Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to taste the first wine of the year and enjoy an assortment of French cheeses while enjoying live accordion music. Tickets cost $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door. For more info., call (561) 582-6609 or e-mail saepiscopal@aol.org. • The Wellington Amphitheat er (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free concert with the Whitestone Band on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Bring your own seating. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. • Rock around the clock at Temple Beth Tikvah’s ’50s Sock Hop on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 8 to 11 p.m. Join in the nostalgia with dancing, limbo, hula-hoops, trivia, a 50/50 raf fle and costume contests. The cost is $12 per person. The temple is located at 4550 Jog Road in Greenacres. Call (561) 967-3600 for more info. • Larry the Cable Guy will perform Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). Tickets start at $25. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info. Sunday, Nov. 20 • Temple Be th Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool (900 Big Blue Trace) will conclude its Holiday Boutique & Book Fair on Sunday, Nov. 20 from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. It will feature unique gifts such as jewelr y, handbags, tie die, books and more. For See CALENDAR, page 41
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 40 more info., call (561) 793-2649 or e-mail vbuckstein@bucksteinlaw.com. • The Nam Knights Motorcycle Club and VFW Post 2007 will host a Sunday Brunch on Sunday, Nov. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The all-you-can-eat brunch costs $8.50 per person. Mimosas and Bloody Marys will be available at the bar. For more info., call VFW Post 2007 at (561) 833-0687. • The Wellington Wolves Youth Basketball Association will hold Basketball Tryouts for the 2011-12 grade school travel basketball season Sunday, Nov. 20 in the Wellington Village Park gym (11700 Pierson Road). The tryouts will be for boys in grades three through eight. High school tryouts will be held after the high school basketball season is over in February. Tryout attendees should check www.wellingtonwolves.com for designated grades, registration times and tryout times. Anyone interested in a coaching should call Chris Fratalia at (561) 252-9530. Tuesday, Nov. 22 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Thanksgiving Games & Craft” for ages 6 to 9 on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register. • Dance the foxtrot, cha-cha, waltz and tango with a live band on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month through April at the Elks Lodge (6188 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach). These dances are open to the public. Admission is $7.50 per person. For more information, call (561) 2673252. Friday, Nov. 25 • The South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach) will host its Fall Family Festival on Friday, Nov. 25 from 2 to 10 p.m. with science labs, fun activities, crafts and more. The event is free with paid museum admission. For more info., call (561) 832-1988 or visit www. sfsm.org. Saturday, Nov. 26 • The Wellington Green Market will take place Saturday, Nov. 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 753-2484 for more info. • The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host an 8-mile hike at Apoxee Park in West Palm Beach’s Water Catchment Area on Jog Road one mile north of Okeechobee Blvd. on Saturday,
Nov. 26. Meet at 8 a.m. and bring plenty of water. Call (561) 616-8790 for more info. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a Teen Advisory Posse meeting for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 2:30 p.m. Find out what’s coming and share your ideas for future teen programs. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a meeting of its Anime Club on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. Sunday, Nov. 27 • The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will walk Sweet Bay and Eagle Trail near the Palm Beach County Airport on Beeline Highway west of Northlake Blvd. on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 a.m. Participants will have breakfast afterward. Call Alan at (561) 586-0486 for more info. Monday, Nov. 28 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Legos” for age 8 and up Monday, Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. Builders, inspire yourselves to create vehicles or buildings out of Lego pieces. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “American Indian Beading” for ages 11 to 16 on Monday, Nov. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Learn how to make a project inspired by American Indian beading techniques. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. Tuesday, Nov. 29 • The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “What’s Cooking Story Time” for ages 2 to 3 on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. It’s the time of year for cooking and baking. Enjoy yummy stories, sing songs and make a simple craft. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Teen Game Night” for ages 12 to 17 on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. Play Nintendo Wii and board games. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The Wellington Village Council will meet Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. Email: news@gotowncrier.com.
November 18 - November 24, 2011
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JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent particip ating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted
ADULT SITTING — Experience with the elderly. Available by the day or the week. Will drive to appointments and run errands. Call 561261-0552
HOUSE FOR SALE — 3 bedroom/ 2 bath home, 10.5 plus acres, also approved to be sub-divided into 4 parcels. Horse Lover ’s Dream. Wellington Little Ranches. 12033 Acme Road Just Reduced Please call Julie Poof, 561-222-0601or rent $3500/monthly
REAL ESTATE FOR RENT — Efficiency, fully furnished, full kitchen & bath,TV, cable, Washer/Dryer, all utilities included. One person, No Pets, No Smokers. Short Term Lease $800 Per Month. 1st & Security call 561-790-0857 or 561632-0464 LAST CALL VACATION RENTAL at LITTLE GULL LONGBOAT KEY, FL — from Sat. 12-3-11 thru 12-10-11. (1) 2br. $700 or (1) 1br. $600. See pictures of Little Gull Longboat Key, FL on internet. Call Owner 561-798-4120
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR — Saturday, Nov. 26th 8am - Noon at Palms West Presbyterian Church. 13689 Okeechobee Blvd. Loxahatchee, (west of F Road) Decorations, Gifts, Baked Goods, Etc. 561-629-2438
MULT I - FAMILY SALE THIS SATURDAY, NOV. 19TH 8a.m. 2 p.m. — Office & household items, golf equipment & more. 101 Sherwood Dr. RPB
THIS SATURDAY, NOV. 19TH 8a.m. - Noon — Household items, home decor, childrens items. 15940 Meadow Wood drive.
GARAGE SALE FOR PROJECT GRADUATION TO BENEFIT FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL. This Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. New Life Alliance Church Corner of Florida Mango & Forest HIll Blvd.
HUNTINGT ON LEARNING CENTER — in Wellington needs EXAM PREP COORDINATOR Bachelors Degree- Demonstrate Solid Performance on SAT and ACT (either verbal or math sections) Available to work evenings and Saturdays. Also needed: EXAM PREP TUTORS Now Hiring SAT/ACT Preparation Tutors. Must have a 4 year degree preferably in Mathmetics or English. Be available to tutor on Saturdays. Please e-mail resume to:marlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — 14 years and over for community service. Have fun with animals & kids 792-2666 WELLINGT ON CAB HIRING — part-time disp atcher. Dispatcher experience, computer literate, telephone etiquette. Pro-active self starter individual looking for career. Some days - mostly nights & weekends. 561-333-0181 ENTRY LEVEL RECEPTIONIST — Computer literate. Heavy phones & filing. Fax resume 561-333-2680
HOME INSPECTOR 1099 Contractors needed 40-100 daily output in PBC www.techbuffinspections.com Requirements: Car,GPS, Laptop,camera, strong computer skills. 561-299-1505. Please send in four pictures of a house/ condo. Showing each side of the building, and a meter shot. To techbuffhr@gmail.com ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER FULL TIME HOURLY Receive, verify, and unload orderbalance register, make deposits. Key holder open and close store. High School diploma required. Strong computer experience Prefer e-mail resume to: 0769MGR@FHEG.FOLLETT.COM or apply at PalmBeach State College Bookstore-Belle Glade Campus REGISTERED NURSE — ired of night s and weekends? Busy medical practice is looking for a Registered Nurse for our Wellington Office. Works one on one with a Physician in the office Setting. Mon-Fri. MUST be bilingual (S panish/English),have a good attitude and be a team player. Job offers good pay and great benefits, apply by sending resumes to sdavis01@bgclinic.com WINDOW INSTALLERS WANTED Subcontractors only. Top Pay. No Brokers. Call Matt 561-714-8490 Lic. & ins.
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MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting w w w.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611
HOME INSPECTIONS — Windstorm Mitigation Inspections, Mold Inspections, Air Quality Testing. State of Florida Lic. & Ins. #HI2147 US Building Inspectors 561-7848811
HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references. Shopping available. 561-572-1782 HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACTORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3331923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. We accept major credit cards.
BOB CAVANAGH ALLSTATE INSURANCE Auto • Home • Life • Renters • Motorcycle • RV • Golfcart • Boat Serving the Western Communities for 24 years Call for a quote 798-3056, or visit our website. www.allstateagencies.com/ rCavanagh
STOP SCRATCHING AND GNAWING Promote healing & hair growth. Stamp out ITCHAMCALLITTS! Shampoo with HAPPY JACK itch. No More apply Skin balm add Tonekote to diet. Goldcoast Feed 793-4607 www.kennelvax.com
WORKING WRITER WILL HELP YOU POLISH YOUR MANUSCRIPT — Fiction-Non-FictionMemoir-Children-Adult $4 Per Page 793-8075
DRIVEWAYS — Free estimates. A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561-667-7716
MOLD & MILDEW INSPECTIONS Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811. State of Fl. Lic. & Ins. #MRSA1796
RJA PAINTING & DECORATING, INC. — Interior Exterior, Faux Finish, Residential,Commercial.Lic. #U17536 Rocky Armento, Jr. 561793-5455 561-662-7102 J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established in 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 visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com
THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Repairs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties. BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood rep air, door installation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets / countertops, wood flooring. Bonded and Insured U#19699. Call 7919900 or 628-9215
ANMAR CO.—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528
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
PALM BEACH PET SERVICES LLC. — Pet sitting, dog walking, cageless boarding. and more. www.PalmBeachServices.com 1-800-866-648-1150 Lic. Bonded, Insured
JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential. Interior & Exterior p ainting. Certified pressure cleaning & p ainting contractor . Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS DON HARTMANN ROOFING — Roof painting, Carpentry. Lic. #U13677 967-5580 ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763. ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-3090134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207 ROBERT CHERRY ROOFING INC Reroofing - Repair Waterproofing 561-791-2612 or 954-741-4580 State Lic.& Ins. #CCC-1326048 JOHN C. BEALE BUILDING & ROOFING — Additions, remodeling, roof rep airs & replacements, screened porches. Licensed & Insured. Call for Free Estimates. 561798-6448 ccc1326383 ccc1250306
SECURITY — American owned local security comp any in business 30 plus years. Protection by of ficers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & p atio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com
ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777
AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990 SPECIALIZING IN BATHROOM REMODELING — Free estimates serving South Florida since 1980. Quality you expect, service you deserve. Lic. bonded & Ins. U21006 561-662-9258
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
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