TOWN-CRIER NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 25, 2011

WELLINGTON MAN DIES FOLLOWING CRASH SEE STORY, PAGE 6

RPB SCOUTS HOST BLUE & GOLD DINNER SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 9

THE

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

Your Community Newspaper

Volume 32, Number 8 February 25 - March 3, 2011

Panhandling Rules Raise Red Flags For Wellington Council

INSIDE

Wellington Chamber Young Professionals Enjoy Brunch At IPC

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals met for brunch and enjoyed the polo game on Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Mallet Grille at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Zacara defeated Equuleus 8-6 in the Ylvisaker Cup final. Page 2

RPB Grants Chamber Permit For Festival

Citing last year’s event as well organized and highly successful, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council last Thursday granted the Palms West Chamber of Commerce a special event permit to stage the second annual Royal Palm Art & Music Festival. Page 3

Vinceremos Hosts Annual Benefit Auction

The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center held its annual benefit auction Friday, Feb. 18 at the Nespresso Grande Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

There were silent and live auctions and a mechanical bull riding contest. Page 14

OPINION Panhandler Regulation: Not As Easy As It Seems

S everal area governments have been grappling recently with the thorny issue of people soliciting donations along roadways. A few months ago, the county considered an outright ban on all solicitations, but did not take action. Wellington this week backed away from an ordinance that would have allowed a permit pr ocess for some types of solicitations. The issues involved are multi-faceted. It will take a while to determine the proper middle ground. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 2 - 14 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS .......................8 POLO & EQUESTRIAN .........17 SCHOOLS .....................18 - 19 PEOPLE........................ 20 - 21 COLUMNS .................... 29 - 30 SUMMER CAMPS ........ 33 - 35 BUSINESS ...................37 - 39 SPORTS .......................43 - 46 CALENDAR...................48 - 49 CLASSIFIEDS ...............50 - 55 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

Serving Palms West Since 1980

Library Groundbreaking — Palm Beach County officials join Indian Trail representatives at last Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Acreage branch library.

PHOTO BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Long-Delayed Acreage Branch Library Project Gets Underway

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Officials broke ground Friday, Feb. 18 on the long-awaited Acreage branch of the Palm Beach County Library System.

Library Director John J. Callahan III called it a historic occasion.

“The Publix shopping center behind us is the commercial center of the community, and I would say this is going to become the cultural center of The Acreage and Loxahatchee,” Callahan said.

Although it was billed as a “groundbreaking,” construction crews were already at work on the foundation of the 30,000-squarefoot facility on Orange Blvd. just east of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

“As you can see, we are mov-

ing a lot of dirt, and we expect the building will be done by the summer of 2012,” Callahan said. “It will have all the same features of our other new, modern libraries.

You’ve probably used the Wellington or the Royal Palm Beach libraries, perhaps even our new Palm Beach Gardens branch library. This library will be similar in size and just have a tremendous number of features.”

The Acreage library will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified library in the county and the first LEED-certified county building. “Because of the design, we’ll have much lower operating costs over the years and also a better indoor environment for all of our users and staff,” Callahan said.

The project was part of the 2002 library bond issue passed overwhelmingly by residents. “It has been a long time coming, I’m sure, to the people in this area,” Callahan said.

The Acreage branch is the 13th library project of 16 originally conceived for the 2002 bond issue. “It’s about $10.5 million for the construction and another million or so for the furnishings,” he said.

Special features will include a solar project that will run some of the lights in the library as well as a piece of sculpture, a globe of oranges depicting the origins of The Acreage, designed by a local artist.

County Commissioner Jess See LIBRARY, page 22

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington is closing its rightsof-way to all panhandling at least temporarily after Wellington Village Council members rejected an ordinance Tuesday that would have allowed limited fundraising on the village’s roads on a permit basis.

Although Wellington has an ordinance prohibiting panhandling, Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz noted that it has become administrative policy to issue a permit to groups looking to raise money by soliciting motorists.

“The current state of our ordinances is that solicitation is prohibited,” Kurtz said. “There is a policy in place that is not supported by the existing ordinance.

Through the policy, there have been permits issued. Those permits are issued based on similar criteria to what you have in here.”

In passing the proposed ordinance, Kurtz said the council would allow Wellington to continue allowing limited fundraising.

But rejection would mean soliciting would be once again banned.

“You have a situation where if someone wants to collect for whatever their charity is, they are unable to do so if we enforce that ordinance,” he said.

Kurtz noted that if the village chooses simply not to enforce the ordinance on some groups, such as schools or firefighters, it could not enforce the law on individual beggars or other groups.

The proposed ordinance would have allowed groups to get two permits per year, letting them solicit for money on Wellington sidewalks so long as they stay off the medians and pay a $150 fee.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said that the fee is too high for groups looking to raise money, and Mayor Darell Bowen agreed.

“Most of those school car washes make only about $400,” he said.

“Taking $150 from them doesn’t make any sense.”

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore worried that the legitimacy of the groups soliciting couldn’t be verified.

“People easily get caught up in making donations to individuals,” See PANHANDLING, page 4

THE HAWK FAMILY BBQ

ELECTION 2011: LOX GROVES TOWN COUNCIL

Goltzene: I’ll Listen To Residents

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Longtime Loxahatchee Groves resident Tom Goltzene hopes that voters will see him as the best candidate to sit on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council come Tuesday, March 8 as he tries to unseat incumbent Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp.

The Seat 5 election between Lipp and Goltzene is the only race on the ballot.

Goltzene, 51, was born in Miami Beach, where his father was the city’s fire chief. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Defiance College in Ohio and spent nine years in the building business doing account-

ing and financial work. He moved to Palm Beach County in 1987 and, in 1991, moved to Loxahatchee Groves.

In 1992, Goltzene started his own lawn care company, which he later sold to pursue his environmental contracting business, growing and restoring natural areas throughout South Florida, as well as eliminating invasive exotic plants.

“I did work for the government as well as in the private sector,” he said. “I got out of working for the private sector and concentrated on working in the public side.”

In that business, he had contracts with Department of EnviSee GOLTZENE, page 7

The Seminole Ridge High School band held its sixth annual Hawk Family BBQ on Saturday, Feb. 19. The event featured a classic car show, vendors, Chinese and silent auctions, games and inflatables for kids, live music and plenty of food. Shown above, Miami Dolphins cheerleaders Brianne Herdon and Brittany Fraska sign a photo for Cory Schmidt.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Tom Goltzene

Lipp: Town Needs Proven Leader

Dennis Lipp

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp faces an election challenge from first-time candidate Tom Goltzene.

After four years in office, Lipp is seeking re-election to Seat 5 on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council. His race against Goltzene is the only item on the March 8 ballot.

Lipp was elected to the inaugural town council in 2007 after helping spearhead the town’s incorporation effort. His goals for the next three years include implementing the town’s delayed comprehensive plan and combining the functions of the Loxahat-

chee Groves Water Control District with the town.

Lipp grew up in Illinois and attended Drake University in Iowa, where he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology in 1967. He later came to Florida and had a 30-year career with Pioneer Surgical. He currently works in the office of County Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

Lipp, 65, is married to Doreen Baxter. They have two adult children. A full-time resident of Loxahatchee Groves since 1984, Lipp said that early on, he did not have the opportunity to get involved with the goings-on of Loxahatchee Groves because of his job.

See LIPP, page 7

RPB To Hire Senior Housing Consultant

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council is seeking a consultant to investigate the feasibility of having senior housing as one of the features at the new Royal Palm Beach Commons Park.

On Feb. 17, the council approved advertising a request for qualifications (RFQ) for such a consultant.

Village Manager Ray Liggins noted that three months ago, the council asked for a senior housing feasibility market study.

“In looking at what’s involved with senior housing and many of the questions that came up during that process, I have a lot more questions than I do answers,” Liggins said. “Realizing that, I think it would be best for the village to get an expert on board who can

provide us a more refined proposal.”

The RFQ would be advertised in various media and put up on the village’s web site. “We’ll pick the best expert, have him on board, and they can consult us during the whole process,” Liggins said.

Councilman David Swift supported the idea. “I think we have all said we would support some type of adult congregate living facility that would serve our residents,” he said. “I really want to underline that comment, ‘serve our residents.’”

Swift said he is concerned that if the facility is run as a nonprofit and accepts county, state or federal money, the village would lose its ability to give preference to local residents.

“I think it would have to be nonSee SENIORS, page 3

Charities The Big Winners At Special Horse Show Event

Great Charity Challenge — Representatives and team members of winning charity Wheels for Kids receive a $150,000 check as first-place winners in the Great Charity Challenge.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report When crowds converged on the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center last Saturday to see top riders compete, it was 32 lucky charities that emerged the true winners — taking home more than $1 million in prize money for their causes.

The 2011 FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments featured 32 teams of three riders competing in a relay race over a course of jumps to put in the fastest time for their charity.

“It was an amazing event,” Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said. “It was so rewarding to see the response by all of the charities. We were very excited by the great

turnout, and we think that this will become the premier event of our facility.”

The big winner of the night — walking away with $150,000 — was Wheels for Kids, a West Palm Beach-based nonprofit that provides custom wheelchairs to needy children in Palm Beach County.

Wheels for Kids founder Denise Jungbert said that she was just thrilled to be selected, knowing that with at least $10,000, she could provide one chair to a needy child. But with the huge prize winnings, she hopes to do far more.

“We’re so excited,” Jungbert said. “We’re going to be able to give out so many chairs.”

More information about the See CHARITY, page 10

Page 2

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

NEWS

WELLINGTON CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ENJOY BRUNCH AT POLO CLUB

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals me t for brunch and enjoyed the polo game on Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Mallet Grille at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Zacara defeated Equuleus 8-6 in the Ylvisaker Cup final.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Gigi and Henric Nordstrom, Gina and Tom Leinwol, Chris and Maggie Zeller, and Julie Pick ens.

Janice, John and Angela Natale.

Steve and Carey Ritmiller with Gina and Tom Leinwol.

Miguel Moyano and Morella Collono, Andres Gonzalez and Amy Albornoz.

Cynthia Hunting, Hillary Oswald and Allen Hunting.

Lex and Harold Salkin with Christine Ostlin.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Februar y 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 3

NEWS

Seniors

Seeking A Consultant

continued from page 1 profit in order to make it affordable for residents,” he said. “You have to address the issue, if you take money from the federal government or from the county, how does it affect our ability for our residents to be selected to live there? That’s something I would certainly be asking.”

Swift also stressed that he wants to be sure residents have opportunities to give input during the process, saying that he did not want to repeat mistakes the council made when it did early research on uses for the decommissioned wastewater treatment plant.

“We spent $360,000 on the water treatment plant without first vetting with the public what we planned on doing,” he recalled.

Swift said that before the village does a market study, it should share the idea with residents who live around the park, as well as village seniors, at a public meeting to see whether it is something they want.

Swift wondered whether the village would sell or lease the property. “My feeling when we initially considered this was that

we should lease it, because if it is not successful, we would not lose the property,” he said. “If the only way we could go would be to sell the property, my dread is to go forward with this and the facility not work out and it ends up being low-income housing. Those are stumbling blocks I see.”

Mayor Matty Mattioli asked council members if they want to have a public hearing first, or hire a consultant first.

Councilman Fred Pinto felt the village needs to get an expert on board first to answer questions such as those raised by Swift.

“I think the recommendation from the village manager is on point,” Pinto said. “Let’s get an expert to help educate us and navigate us.”

Public hearings would come next, Pinto said. He added that if the council decides to go forward, he would want the facility handled by a third-party vendor with the knowledge and experience to make it successful.

Vice Mayor Martha Webster said an affordable senior living facility is needed. “I think this is a complementary piece for the village,” she said. “It’s something that really has its place.”

Pinto made a motion to approve the RFQ, and the motion passed unanimously.

RPB Grants Chamber Permit For Festival

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Citing last year’s event as well organized and highly successful, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council last Thursday granted the Palms West Chamber of Commerce a special event permit to stage the second annual Royal Palm Art & Music Festival.

The chamber puts on the festival in partnership with the village, utilizing parts of Lakeside Challenger Park, the Royal Plaza and the Royal Inn at Royal Palm Beach and Southern boulevards.

This year’s festival is set for Friday through Sunday, March 25-27. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The event will run an hour later than last year on Friday and Saturday.

Royal Palm Beach Blvd. will be closed to accommodate a street painting area, entertainment stages and pedestrian access east and west of the road, except for a 15foot fire lane that will extend to fire hydrants.

Southbound traffic on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. will be rerouted onto Seminole Palms Drive, and the left- and right-turn lane from Southern Blvd. to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. will be closed.

The council agreed to pay $6,000 for a laser light show over Lake Challenger, where canoe races will also be held. A fencedoff cash bar will be located in the Royal Plaza, and the event will also include mechanical rides for children.

Palms West Chamber CEO Jaene Miranda said the festival’s objective is to create an event that brands the village. “This Royal Palm Art & Music Festival is what we consider a signature event for Royal Palm Beach,” she said.

“This event has the potential of being one of Palm Beach County’s bigger events. By the time this event is over, we will end up pumping out to the community $150,000 worth of economic investment.”

Like last year, admission will be free, as will many of the offerings, such as the laser light show.

“I truly believe this is a partnership between the chamber and the village,” Miranda said. “I think we’re working together to put on a civic event that benefits the whole community and carries the name of the village and its reputation in a very proper way. It also allows the village to continue to provide diversity by promoting the arts and culture.”

Mayor Matty Mattioli said he felt last year’s event was well run and that cleanup was very thorough. “I have to commend you,” Mattioli said. “You’d never know there had been anything there.”

Miranda said she anticipates that Royal Palm Beach Blvd. will be reopened by 2 a.m. Monday.

Vice Mayor Martha Webster agreed that the inaugural event was highly successful and that she is particularly pleased that no admission is charged. “That was something we all said we absolutely did not want because this is a community event,” she said.

“We want families to be able to walk through and participate and have a great time, and they did last year.”

Councilman Fred Pinto complimented Miranda on the chamber’s follow-up immediately after last year’s event to find out how they could make it better. “I want it to be even more successful this year than it was last year,” he said.

Councilman David Swift also favored supporting the event again. “Last year’s project was really good, and I was really proud of supporting it,” he said. “I think all the residents I heard supported it. What I would recommend, though, come budget time, you

probably need to come talk to us so that it’s in the budget.”

Councilman Richard Valuntas was supportive of the event, but also mindful of the costs.

“Six thousand dollars to underwrite the laser show, I guess isn’t that much money, but these are difficult economic times, we have to be prudent,” he said, adding that he thought the chamber should pay the approximately $300 in permit fees it had requested a waiver for. “These are hard costs to the village. I know it’s not a ton of money, but I would like to at least see that go to the village.”

Webster made a motion to approve the application, which carried unanimously.

Royal Palm Beach Zoners Approve Model Changes At Porto Sol

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval Tuesday of eight new models for the Porto Sol development near the intersection of State Road 7 and Okeechobee Blvd.

Jan Polson of the architectural firm Cotleur & Hearing, representing owner Minto Communities, said the new models range from 2,579 to 4,268 square feet and offer multiple options for bedrooms, dens, garages and bathrooms, as well as a new color palette that includes some colors carried over from the last model approval in March 2009.

“The current palette that we’re proposing would apply only to these units that we’re now proposing,” Polson said, adding that the previous models with their palette will no longer be offered.

At Porto Sol, 119 of the 499

units have been sold, Polson said.

“We’re requesting these new models in an effort to keep up with today’s market conditions,” she said.

Development Review Coordinator Kevin Erwin said village staff members are comfortable with the new color palette and designs, except for one with an elevation without windows. “The color palette is consistent with what they had before, and with the addition of the windows, we can probably recommend approval on these models,” he said.

Vice Chair Genevieve Lambiase asked why the developer was proposing new models, and Polson said Minto offers additional designs and options to potential buyers. “With what’s going on out there, you have to have a fresh product that catches the eye,” she said.

Lambiase asked about the lot sizes. Polson said the lot sizes originally approved will not

change. The 42 zero-lot-line sites already approved have been sold, she said. “A great deal of those have been constructed already.

They’re doing this more or less for the single-family lots, there are 406 of those, and then there’s 51 estate lots,” Polson said. “It’s not like they’re phasing out any particular type of home.”

Minto Vice President John Carter said the larger new models typically are for the estate lots. “It looks a little peculiar to have the smaller homes on the big lot,” Carter said. “There is a tipping point on the lot size.”

The estate lot is typically 80 feet wide, and the single-family lots are about 55 feet, he said. Five of the eight models offered are single-family, and three are estate.

Polson said the new models are larger, at 2,579 to 4,268 square feet, whereas the previous models were 2,293 to 4,150 square feet.

… it s about your complete life It’s not simply about portfolio holdings and account balances.

It’s about your complete life.

You should have a wealth management partner who understands that. Who cares about your personal goals for your family, your business, your future. Who can give you comfort in making decisions that not only support your financial objectives, but that help ensure you have time to do the things you enjoy with those you love.

A N

I N D E P E N D E N T

F I R M

BENJAMIN G. BOYNTON, CFP & JOANNA J. BOYNTON, CFP 12400-B South Shore Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 561.795.9156 Toll-Free 888.795.9156 Fax 561.795.6812 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

ecurities and investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

Commission Alternate Michael Newkirk asked if the new models will be commingled with the previous models, and Polson said they will not. “They typically build one section at a time,” she said. “The approved plan has the different lots throughout the community, the single-family and the estate lots, so whatever section is built next, the homes will be in there.”

Newkirk asked if there were plans to combine single-family with estate homes, and Polson said the lots had been carefully laid out in the original master plan. “We slaved over that plan, so be assured that there’s not going to be that kind of problem,” she said, adding that identical homes will not be built adjacent to one another.

Commissioner Barbara Powell made a motion to approve the new models. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

In other business, the commission approved the repainting of the former Checkers building in the Crossroads shopping center that closed about a year ago to a color compatible with the shopping center.

The building had been painted a peach color without a village permit, according to Checkers District Manager Mohamed Alabyadh, who said the building had been repainted from the original red, black and white before he took over.

Checkers does not plan to reopen the restaurant. Alabyadh asked permission to paint it white, but commissioners said that would not hold up well to weathering.

Alabyadh explained that the intent is to “de-brand” the building so it does not look like a Checkers.

Powell did not understand why the building should be painted at all. Erwin said the peach color would be fine as long as the com-

missioners approve it.

“Peach is fine with me as long as it’s not violating codes,” Newkirk said. “It still looks like a closedup restaurant.”

Lambiase, however, preferred a color that will hold up better to weathering. “Personally, I don’t like peach,” she said. “As someone who passes by there every day, I would like to see it painted another color. With white, you will notice every little thing.”

Commission Chairman Darrell Lange suggested a color compatible with the shopping center, and that holes in the building be patched beforehand. Erwin said the color theme for the shopping center is beige.

Powell made a motion to approve the application with the understanding the building be patched and painted a color harmonious with the shopping center. The motion carried 4-1 with Lambiase dissenting.

Page 4

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

OUR OPINION

Proper Regulation Of Panhandling: It’s Not As Easy As It First Seems Several local governments have been grappling recently with the thorny issue of people soliciting donations along roadways. A few months ago, the county considered an outright ban on all solicitations, but did not take action. Wellington this week backed away from an ordinance that would have allowed a permit process for some types of solicitations. The issues involved are multi-faceted, and the proper middle ground is not clear.

The Palm Beach County and Wellington situations are vastly different. While the county has long considered a general crackdown on panhandling — complete with an ongoing “just say no” educational campaign led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office — some in Wellington would like to ease up, providing a mechanism for non-profits to get permits for street solicitations.

Of course, the issue of non-profits (think firefighters with boots) is what scuttled Palm Beach County’s recent crackdown attempt. Ban some, you must ban them all, said county lawyers.

Wellington officials, however, see far more gray area. Currently, village code prohibits any form of roadside solicitation, whether by an individual or group. However, non-profits have been given permits for limited, regulated roadside solicitation. Council members were presented with the first draft of an ordinance this week to codify this two-tiered

system. Not surprisingly, all the thorny issues that scuttled the county’s bid came up: locations, liability, enforcement and which groups deserve the permits.

After a sizeable discussion, the item was withdrawn until an in-depth workshop session can be held. Given the specifics of the proposal and the importance of getting it right, it was the correct decision.

There’s a big difference between a panhandler looking for spare change and someone trying to raise money for a local group. One of the main concerns council members addressed is the safety of children and teens soliciting from motorists. Another concern brought up at the council meeting was the proposed permit fee of $150 — a sizeable chunk for many of these fundraisers. Regarding enforcement of the ordinance, council members questioned the effectiveness of issuing badges to identify solicitors. Would that really work in reality?

Should an ordinance be passed, it would allow for solicitation, tightly controlled at designated locations. The council members are right to take time on the issue. Any ordinance will have to weave a delicate balance between the needs of the various groups looking to raise money and the liability inherent in such an activity. There is definitely a middle ground, and we encourage the council to keep exploring the issue until it is found.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Goltzene: Don’t Overtax Ag Editor’s note: The following letter from Loxahatchee Groves Town Council candidate Tom Goltzene is in response to a letter from Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp published last week regarding agricultural exemptions.

Now that Dennis Lipp is running for re-election, he has changed his controversial approach with the hope that he won’t be held accountable for his original stance. His newest proposal still shows his intolerance and lack of understanding of what makes an agricultural community thrive.

The original policy he advanced in several town meetings argued in favor of taking agricultural protections away from existing businesses unless they could prove to the town they were profitable.

Now he calls for a town-wide witch hunt. He wishes to rout out all agricultural businesses that might have had land go fallow or fall into disuse due to drought, hurricane or economic hard times, so the property taxes can be raised on that portion of land he considers to be benefiting from what he calls “fraudulent use of bogus ag exemptions.”

If an ag business (or any business for that matter) has a bad year due to a hurricane or freeze, government should not increase their taxes, perhaps forcing them out of business — especially not in this difficult economy.

All of this is being proposed to enrich the coffers of the county and the town on the backs of those who are suffering hard times. His two examples of excess are noted, but he knows full well that neither the county nor the town can be selective as to whom they investigate. In fact, many growers within the Groves have already received letters from Palm Beach County asking to re-affirm that they are still using all the land they were previously using when their

agricultural protections were originally given.

Mr. Lipp’s personal attack on my family was an effort to distract the voters from the important issues in this race. Issues like his desire for high-density housing just south of Collecting Canal or his lack of consideration in protecting our native species and providing an adequate buffer for the residential areas to the south.

My position is that property owners wishing to zone their property commercial should set aside some of their land as a buffer for the residential areas. I call this a “linear park,” and I am passionate about this planning concept. This would provide many benefits to our community like water storage during the dry season and recreational waters for all to enjoy. My plan will accomplish this at minimal cost to Groves taxpayers.

I believe we can and must take this unique opportunity to set aside some of our pristine land, preserve our native species and leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy. Now is the time to do it. I do not want Loxahatchee Groves to end up looking like so many of the other cookie-cutter developments in South Florida, and our residents do not want this either.

The impetus for my becoming more involved in town government was when I learned that Mr. Lipp’s plan for my neighborhood (in addition to the commercial and high-density housing) was to extend Tangerine Drive right through my living room! He took this position without giving any consideration to the home where I have lived for 20 years and raised six children.

In this race, the voters must decide what they want: high-density housing extending north almost to Collecting Canal or a linear park for all to enjoy. The county and town are looking for ways to extract more taxes from our agribusinesses. For me, the choice is simple. I want the park and a tol-

erant understanding by the town, and I’m willing to dedicate myself to seeing it implemented.

Mr. Lipp and I have a different vision of the future of the Groves.

His positions on code enforcement have consistently been stricter and more burdensome than mine. I also disagree with his recommendation that the county run water lines down our lettered roads.

Forcing residents and farms to pay for county water would be extremely burdensome in these tough economic times. It is just one more threat to our rural way of life that Mr. Lipp seems comfortable with and I am not.

It’s obvious that Mr. Lipp’s policies are more suitable to urbanized areas of South Florida than to the Groves. Loxahatchee Groves is a unique community, and most of us want to keep it that way. We have always been a liveand-let-live community, and there is no reason to change now. If elected, I will fight to keep the rural character we all came here to enjoy.

Tom Goltzene Loxhatchee Groves

Support For Lipp This letter is to thank Dennis Lipp for choosing to continue serving the residents of Loxahatchee Groves.

Having been a resident of Loxahatchee Groves since 1984, Dennis has been involved in the issues of residents long before we formed our town. Seeing the only way to protect continuing our unique lifestyle, Dennis was active in seeking establishment of Loxahatchee Groves as a town.

Although I sometimes have disagreed with Dennis’ decisions as a town councilman, I have never questioned that he seriously has considered an issue and has made what he believes is the best decision.

As the only town councilman who has not been a Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District su-

pervisor nor been elected because of the efforts of LGWCD supervisors, Dennis is the one voice that independently considers what’s best for the residents. What more can we ask of a town councilman than to love our town, place primary importance on the best interest of the residents, carefully consider issues and make the decision he feels is best? We need to re-elect Dennis Lipp as a town councilman!

Dr. Laura Jane Tindall Loxahatchee Groves

Support For Goltzene We were initially undecided about voting for Tom Goltzene, but after talking with him, he has our support. His view of the future of Loxahatchee Groves is largely the same as ours. He understands the problems facing our community, is willing to listen, and will make fair decisions necessary for everyone.

We were very impressed with his willingness to take the time to speak with us about the various issues facing the Groves.

Don and Donna Williams Loxahatchee Groves

Forest Hill Work Taking Too Long Can anyone explain to the citizens of the Village of Wellington why it is taking so long to complete the construction on Forest Hill Blvd.?

Go out there on any day and count the number of people who are working to complete this work, and you will be disheartened.

Monday there were four men doing swale grading, and [the next day] there were but three with rakes.

In the 24 hours between observation, these men had graded out maybe, maybe 200 feet. Can you imagine how long it’s go-

ing to take to finish the miles left to go? Come on, council, do some leaning and get this job done!

Joseph Manning Wellington

Stop ‘NIMBY’ In Royal Palm Editor’s note: The following letter is addressed to Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Martha Webster regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant Task Force. A copy was sent to the Town-Crier for publication.

Dear Ms. Webster: Based upon the comments made at the Feb. 15 committee meeting, I believe the committee has lost its focus.

This is not a project for just the northwest corner of Royal Palm Beach; this is a project (as was the water treatment plant) for all of Royal Palm Beach. The primary focus should be jobs, taxes and jobs. Based on its population, Royal Palm Beach has one of the highest ratios of park acreage to residents in Palm Beach County and does not need the additional expense of maintaining more property.

With a research facility and/or an education facility, both of these areas can be served without impinging upon the neighboring homes since the property has its own entrance. Having a center of higher learning in the vicinity will tend to increase surrounding property values.

Let us shun the “not in my backyard” principle and do what is best

for all our citizens, not just the selfappointed, favored few.

Albert Wahl and Ronald Blicksilver Royal Palm Beach

Enact ‘Fair Districts’ Now One day during early voting in October of last year, I pulled into the early voting site with my “Fair Districts” placard and joined the dozen or so candidate volunteers in the designated solicitation area, when a high school girl, who was seated at a card table with school board candidate signs, called out to me with a question. She wanted to know what “Fair Districts” was about.

I walked over to the table and started to explain how Florida legislators have unscrupulously and unfairly drawn strange, snake-like districts for themselves in order to benefit their own re-election chances. She said, “Oh yeah, gerrymandering. We just learned about that in class.” She gave me a thumbs-up and so did Florida voters, as the amendment passed by a large margin.

Apparently, Gov. Rick Scott and many of his Republican buddies in the Florida Legislature skipped or slept through civics classes. They are trying to overturn the decision of Florida voters and refusing to carry out the will of the people. You have to wonder if these “representatives” of the people even understand the concept of democracy.

Gwynne Chesher 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 letters@goTownCrier.com.

OPINION

A Look At The So-Called ‘Campaign Finance Reform’ Law In Action Sure, the federal campaign finance law was supposed to rein in lavish “fat-cat” donations for presidential candidates. It limits $2,500 from any one person or $5,000 for both primary and general election campaigns.

Want to bet?

For example, take Mitt Romney, the former governor of

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin Massachusetts. In one day, Mr. Romney collected $190,000

from a South Dakota couple who evidently had some loose change.

How? By accepting the donation as it was spread over five of Romney’s state-level political action committees! Yes, by the ruse of saying the candidate has not formally announced intention to run for president and then

using the far looser state regulations for political action committees, the chicanery goes on and on. Romney, for example, was said to have “scrounged” over $1 million from just a dozen supporters.

Does circumventing the law and its intent with this financial slight-of-hand seem to bother

any of the current “non-candidates?” One Romney advisor put it this way: “It’s what the law allows us to do.” No doubt that’s true, and he should add, “to hell with ethics.”

Romney, et al, exploit the loopholes by saying they are raising and spending dollars on behalf of general political activ-

ities such as travel and making contributions to other political candidates.

Actually, what all of this backdoor nonsense needs is a new campaign finance law that has teeth and takes away the scurrilous sideshow currently in vogue.

Or is that really just too much to ask?

7 and Lake Worth Road.

Schofield noted that the village does not control those intersections.

Priore expressed concerns that while some panhandling may be obvious, it’s not easy to differentiate them from a group in uniform who may not be raising money for a legitimate charity.

However, Kurtz said that an individual beggar would not be able to meet the requirements under the proposed ordinance.

“In the one case you’re trying to say one is going to be an allowed activity and the other will not,” he said. “The limits we put in this ordinance… those are things the organizations don’t have a problem with, but the individuals that you worry about who

do this on a regular basis would have a problem meeting.”

Schofield suggested withdrawing the ordinance and setting up a workshop to address some of the issues.

“Perhaps the best thing to do is simply withdraw this ordinance and send it back,” he said. “That way we can take a look at the things you’ve mentioned… and bring back something that more closely regulates the issues.”

Schofield noted, however, that in withdrawing the ordinance, the policy would revert to the existing ordinance banning any soliciting in Wellington rights-of-way.

Council members agreed to withdraw the ordinance until it could be revised and discussed at a workshop session.

NEWS Panhandling

Issue Permits?

continued from page 1 he said. “When it’s firefighters out there with a boot, it’s obvious who they are. But a lot of groups out there, we have no idea who they are or why they’re there.”

Kurtz said that when groups come in for a permit, they must identify all the people participating in the fundraising. Additionally, each person would get a badge stating that he or she can solicit donations.

“We’d only allow one organization or one permit out on any particular intersection at any one time,” he said.

But Bowen worried that badges would make the ordinance impossible to enforce. He noted that, especially with school fundraisers, the number of people who come to help could change overnight.

“It seems like we’re passing an ordinance that will be impossible to enforce,” he said. “There’s no way we can issue identification to everyone involved. That would just be impossible.”

Councilman Howard Coates agreed.

“I have no interest in regulating those kids for the same reason,” he said. “A lot of times that’s their only method of doing fundraising. If you require badges and fees, you price them out of fundraising.”

Bowen wondered how the per-

THE

TOWN-CRIER Your Community Newspaper

Serving The Palms West Communities For 31 Years Published Weekly By Newspaper Publishers, Inc.

12794 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31

mits would be enforced. He noted that often, school fundraisers are ongoing, which could pose a problem.

“Does two times a year mean that the girls basketball team can have two car washes on Wellington Trace, but go somewhere else and have a cookie sale?” he asked.

“Does the organization itself get a permit only two times a year? Is it by location?”

Kurtz noted that the situation with schools is tricky, as technically the organization soliciting would be the school district, since most schools do not have separate money-raising entities. He suggested that the village be more lenient with those types of organizations.

Several council members ex-

pressed concern about solicitors, especially children, in the medians. “We need to preclude kids from being in the medians,” Coates said. “That’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.”

But Village Manager Paul Schofield said that the school district’s policies for fundraising don’t allow students in the rightsof-way.

Furthermore, Schofield noted that as long as the students stay off sidewalks and roads, the village cannot regulate them soliciting.

Coates said that he has seen a problem with panhandling throughout the county, most recently outside the village near the intersections of Forest Hill and Southern boulevards, State Road

BARRY S. MANNING Publisher

JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor

JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher

DAWN RIVERA General Manager

JASON BUD JINSKI Community Editor

RON BUKLEY Managing Editor

The Original Wellington Mall

WRITERS/ Denise Fleischman • Lauren Miró • Carol Por ter

Wellington, Florida 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Classified Ads: (561) 793-3576 • Fax: (561) 793-6090 World Wide Web: http://www.goTownCrier.com E-Mail Address: news@goTownCrier.com

CONTRIBUTORS/ Josh Hyber • Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky

POSTAL STATEMENT The Town-Crier (USPS #021547) is published weekly by Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414-7458.

Periodicals Postage Paid at West Palm Beach, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The TownCrier, c/o Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 334147458.

ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez

Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr.

ADVERTISING/ Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson • Scott Hyber

Copyright 2011, Newspaper Publishers Inc. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.

STAFF/ Betty Buglio • Shant a Daibee • Linda Dyer • Geri O’Neil

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Februar y 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 5

NEWS

ANNUAL HAWK FAMILY BBQ BENEFITS THE SEMINOLE RIDGE BAND PROGRAM The Seminole Ridge High School band held its sixth annual Hawk Family BBQ on Saturday, Feb. 19. The event featured a classic car show, vendors, Chinese and silent auctions, a cornhole competition, games and inflatables for kids, live music and plenty of food.

Proceeds benefit the SRHS band program and other groups.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Seminole Ridge student volunteers.

Amanda Lowe, Amanda Alonso, PBSO Lieutenant Rey Alonso, Alexa Alonso and Macy Varnell.

John Watts, American Cancer Society community representative Teri Lane, Relay for Life Chair Pam Taylor and Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Carlos Enriquez.

Rick’s Rods members Harry Reid, Ray Stevens, PBSO Lieutenant R ey Alonso and Chris Roethke.

Keith Miner and Evan Herzberg joust.

Kate Kilpatrick sells raffle tickets to Peggy Vasco.

Diabetes Research Benefit ‘An International Affair’ On March 5 Guests of An International Affair, presented by Michael and Marie Bianchini on March 5, will be “jet-setting” around the world to help find a cure for diabetes.

Though the evening’s cause is serious, comedian Bobby Collins will set the mood for laughter and fun at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.

Gala proceeds will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), which is regarded as the best hope for a cure by millions of families worldwide, including the Bianchinis.

“In 2006, at the age of 17, our son Gianni was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and believe me, nothing could have prepared us for the new lifestyle of doctors visits, test strips, needles and calculating insulin dosages,” Marie Bianchini said.

“But with the help of the Diabetes Research Institute, we were instantly connected to a source of research, support

and educators that answered our questions and calmed our fears.”

Michael Bianchini stressed the importance of benefit events such as An International Affair. “Having been involved with the DRI for the past five years, we have come to know and appreciate all of their explorations and pioneering efforts,” he said. “Events like this one allow people to enjoy a night of entertainment, a night of building relationships, and most importantly, a night of coming together to help find a cure for this destructive disease.”

Though they won’t need a passport, revelers will enjoy sights, sounds, smells and tastes from countries near and far.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., this exciting gala will offer delicacies, décor and entertainment from China, France, Italy, Mexico, Africa and more. Silent and live auctions will boast enticing prize baskets and much

more, and a tapas dinner will be served before dancing commences.

The highlight of the affair may be a hilarious performance by popular comedian Bobby Collins, who is known to bring his audience in as if they are all good friends. But as is tradition with this Wellington-based fundraising group for the DRI — which is now led in its third year by co-chairs Karen and Bob Cavanagh — surprises are sure to be in store.

Sponsors include the Bianchini family, Joe and Ashley Maguire with the Rosen Group, Karen J. Hardin, Terri and Carmine Priore III with FPL, Karen and Bob Cavanagh with Allstate, Armand Professional Services, Carousel Development & Restoration Inc., Accudial Pharmaceutical Inc., MAPEI Corporation, Stacey and Chris Hogan, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, and the Center for Bone & Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches.

The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research.

Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. The DRI is now building upon these achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to restore insulin production.

For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.

Tickets to An International Affair are

Michael and Marie Bianchini. available for $225 per person. DRInsiders will save $25 per ticket. For more information, or to purchase tickets to the event, visit www.diabetesresearch.org/ ia2011 or call (800) 321-3437.

►UPCOMING Events

DocTalk March 2 Wednesday, 1pm

Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes

March 2 Wednesday, 3pm

MAKOplasty® Robotic Knee Resurfacing

March 10 Thursday, 12pm

All you need to know about Spinal Stenosis

March 10 Thursday, 2pm

Osteoporosis Lecture & Screening

March 15 Tuesday, 10am

MAKOplasty® Robotic Knee Resurfacing

March 17 Thursday, 9-11am

Heart Health Screening-BMI, BP, Glucose, Cholesterol

Roberta Kleinman, RN, M.ED, CDE

Gary Wexler, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Pasquale Montesano, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Harvey Montijo MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Andrew Noble, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Hospital main entrance March 22

Tuesday, 1pm

Are you at Risk for Diabetes?

Marci Sloane, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE

March 23 Wednesday, 3pm

MAKOplasty® Robotic Knee Resurfacing

March 31 Thursday, 2pm

Osteoporosis Lecture & Screening

Gary Wexler, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Harvey Montijo, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

RSVP to 561.650.6023. Seating is limited, call now.

All lectures will be held in the Teleconference Room at Good Samaritan Medical Center unless otherwise noted.

Refreshments will be served.

RSVP by phone now, scan with your smart phone QR Code reader!

Corner of Flagler Drive and Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. | GoodSamaritanMC.com

Page 6

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

CRIME NEWS

Jet Skis Stolen From RPB Storage Facility

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report FEB. 18 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a storage facility on Southern Blvd. last Friday regarding a stolen vehicle.

According to a PBSO report, at approximately 9:45 p.m. last Thursday, an unknown white male in a new model black Ford truck gained access to the storage facility and stole the victim’s two Yamaha jet skis that were parked on a trailer in the parking lot. The storage facility is accessible only through a gate, which requires a security code for entry, but the perpetrator(s) are believed to have cut the chain to the gate. According to the report, the trailer’s tow hitch was secured with a master lock that was cut, and video surveillance footage shows the truck enter the parking lot and leave within one minute with jet skis in tow. The video shows a white male in a black hoodie and shorts outside the truck during the theft.

DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

••• FEB. 16 — A resident of 78th Place North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Wednesday morning to report a case of harassment. According to a PBSO report, the victim reported receiving calls on both his mobile and home phones from a man claiming to be from a debt collection company called American Law Division and stating that the victim owes them money. The victim said the calls started at the beginning of the month, and that he does not owe the company any money. According to the report, when the victim told the caller he does not owe any money and asked him to stop calling, the caller became boisterous, hung up and called the victim’s wife. According to the report, the man then threatened the victim’s wife. The victim reported to the PBSO that he believes it is a scam and that he will not send any money to the company. The victim also called his creditors to ask if they had sent his account to debt collection, to which they replied they had not.

According to the report, the deputy checked online for similar complaints against American Law Division.

FEB. 16 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was dispatched to a home on 71st Lane North last Wednesday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report,

sometime between 11:10 a.m. last Tuesday and 6 a.m. the following morning, someone broke into the victim’s van and stole four rolls of copper wire. The victim said the perpetrator(s) also stole 20 air conditioning coils that were in the yard. The stolen items were valued at approximately $1,700. Fingerprints were recovered from the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

FEB. 17 — A resident of 93rd Road North called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Thursday to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim noticed several suspicious transactions on her bank account. After speaking with the fraud representative of her bank, she learned that an unknown person had deposited a check for $900 into her bank account and then withdrew money from both her checking and savings accounts. According to the report, all of the transactions appear to have been made last Wednesday from an ATM in the Miami area. The victim said the perpetrator(s) took $503 from her checking account and $100 from her savings account. While speaking with the bank, the victim also learned that the perpetrator(s) requested a change of address on her account and had a second bank card sent to an address in the Miami area.

The victim reported that she has never lived in the Miami area and didn’t have any idea who may have been responsible for the fraud. The accounts have been suspended by the bank.

FEB. 21 — A Wellington man was arrested early Monday morning for drunken driving following a traffic stop on South Shore Blvd.

According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation observed a car driven by 22-year-old Milton Garcia-Pereira exit the parking lot of a bar on South Shore Blvd., making a wide right turn and running up onto the curb. Garcia then proceeded north on South Shore Blvd., and the deputy observed him drifting between lanes. According to the report, Garcia then nearly passed the entrance to Palm Beach Polo & Country Club and made a sharp right turn into the community. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Garcia. According to the report, he could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the car. After roadside tasks were administered, Garcia was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where breath tests revealed he had a See BLOTTER, page 22

Wellington Man Dies Following Motorcycle Crash FEB. 19 — A Wellington man died Monday from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash on State Road 7 south of Lake Worth Road early last Saturday morning.

According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 44year-old Mixalis Constantinos was riding his 2002 Honda motorcycle on State Road 7 at approximately 6:38 a.m. when, for unknown reasons, he suddenly began to brake heavily. After a short

distance, the motorcycle overturned, sending Constantinos onto the pavement. The motorcycle continued to slide, hitting the concrete curb in the median and finally coming to rest in the middle of the lane.

Constantinos was transported to Delray Medical Center in critical condition. At approximately 2 p.m. Monday, he was pronounced brain dead from injuries sustained in the collision.

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Florean Martinez, a.k.a. Sebastin Trejo, is a white male, 5’6” tall and weighing 200 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 02/ 23/83. Martinez is wanted for failure to appear on a charge of trafficking in cocaine. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was at large. Martinez is wanted as of 02/ 24/11.

• Benito Rodriguez is a white male, 5’6” tall and weighing 150 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his upper right arm. His date of birth is 06/26/86. Rodriguez is wanted for aggravated assault with a firearm. His occupation is unknown.

His last known address was at large.

Rodriguez is wanted as of 02/24/11.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 rewar d.

Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458TIPS (8 477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.

Florean Martinez

Benito Rodriguez

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

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Februar y 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 7

NEWS

County Planners Focus On ‘Energy-Efficient Land Use Patterns’

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report “Energy-efficient land use patterns” are the wave of the future, and Palm Beach County planners are jumping on the bandwagon.

How this initiative will affect the future development of Palm Beach County was the topic of last Wednesday’s community forum meeting hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria at the original Wellington Mall.

Palm Beach County Principal Planner Bryan Davis explained how energy-efficient land use patterns employ techniques such as concentrating more people in smaller areas within walking distance of stores and services, including mass transit, to reduce energy consumption.

Davis was accompanied by a half-dozen senior members of Palm Beach County’s Planning

Lipp

Incumbent

continued from page 1 “I was always on the road and, therefore, did not see a lot of the community,” he said.

However, he decided to get involved in the early 1990s when he saw annexation and development moving west. “We saw some things going on, so we joined the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association,” he said.

At the time, Royal Palm Beach and Wellington were engaged in annexation battles. Royal Palm Beach annexed 100 acres, including the site of the shopping center at the northwest corner of Southern and Crestwood boulevards.

The land had been regarded as part of Loxahatchee Groves, and the annexation led to the “All or Nothing” agreement that forbid further piecemeal annexation of Loxahatchee Groves.

Lipp saw this as only a temporary stopgap and got involved in efforts to incorporate the town.

In 2005, the LGLA set up three committees, a “do nothing” committee, a committee focused on possible annexation partners and a committee to pursue incorporation. “I was head of the incorporation committee,” Lipp said.

Goltzene

Challenger

continued from page 1 ronmental Protection, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, various water management districts, and numerous county and municipal parks.”

In 2005, Goltzene sold his company and chose to concentrate on growing native plants and farming during the summers in Ohio until the economic downturn.

Since then, he has run a native plant nursery and worked for Waste Management, doing environmental restoration.

Goltzene lives in southern Loxahatchee Groves with his wife, Irene. They have six children.

Goltzene believes that he is the best candidate to sit on the council because he is independent and will listen to and consider the opinions of residents.

“I’m not the kind of person who comes to this with the idea that I know what is best,” he said. “I want people to know that until the vote is taken, I will listen to the people who come in and speak.”

Goltzene said that one of the biggest complaints he hears from residents is that they feel that their opinions are not heard at council meetings. If he’s elected, Goltzene pledged, “when residents come up for public comment, they will be

Division, who explained how the use of this modern planning technique is being worked into the 2011 Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) of the county’s comprehensive plan.

The EAR is done every seven years, and this is the first time Florida has required that planners consider energy-efficient land use patterns in the document. It is one of the last statewide, top-down requirements that planners see coming in the near future, Davis said.

Other speakers focused on encouraging more community involvement in planning through public meetings where residents let officials know what they want their neighborhoods to be like.

“This is a bottom-up approach that we’re trying to bring into the planning process, enabling local input and participation to be con-

sidered early to inform any future development plans,” Davis said.

The energy-efficient land use patterns concept began as part of House Bill 697, passed in the 2008 legislative session. Better known as the Growth Management Act, Davis explained how it mandated that comprehensive plans address energy efficiency.

“The plan must achieve energyefficient land use patterns,” he said. “Ways of doing that are to look at energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them, as well as energy conservation.”

Planners look at conservation lands to offset some of the greenhouse gas emissions, he noted.

Energy-efficient land use patterns affect four elements of the comprehensive plan: land use, transportation, conservation and

housing. About 32 percent of all energy is used by industry, 39 percent is used in buildings and the remaining 29 percent is used in transportation.

The last two, buildings and transportation, are those affected by the comp plan — representing “almost 70 percent of the energy actually used,” Davis said.

To accomplish this, the county supports “green” building techniques and participates in the Regional Climate Change Compact, which calls for cooperation with Broward and Miami-Dade counties to look at regional effects of climate change, working together rather than at cross purposes.

“We’re also pursuing a green local government certification, which is an acknowledgment that the government is doing some things on its own to curtail energy use and be more effi-

cient in its daily operation,” Davis said.

Other strategies are being employed in the comprehensive plan, such as urban service areas, where growth is being concentrated during redevelopment, a tier system that describes settlement patterns, and mixed-use development options to help achieve more efficiency in land uses.

Another key goal is to bring employment centers closer to residences, both in the western areas as well as near the Interstate 95 corridor. Developers will likely be offered incentives to work within the framework.

“We were also advised to consider water supplies that might be affected by growth and development,” Davis said. “We understand that’s one of the things we always have to consider.”

Another suggested initiative is

retrofitting old buildings so they are more energy-efficient and healthier to live in, he said.

Other elements of the statute require new housing to be energy efficient.

“The Building Department already requires that, and the Department of Community Affairs has effectively said the same thing,” he said. “We need to look at how we’re going to assess the greenhouse gas emissions. How do we achieve what is truly an energy-efficient land use pattern?

How do we look at older commercial developments that are marginally occupied and are at the end of their useful lifespan? What are some strategies to go back and look at redeveloping, rather than continuing a westward march?”

More information about the EAR process is available at www. pbcgov.com/pzb/planning/ear.

“The vote of the membership was to incorporate. The incorporation committee met at our house weekly for a year because we had that momentum, and we had to have that push to get it through Tallahassee.”

Lipp recalled sitting in former State Rep. Richard Machek’s office when Machek told committee members that if they didn’t give Sandy Simon, owner of a 50acre tract at Southern Blvd. and B Road, what he wanted on that property, incorporation would never go through. “That’s hardball politics,” he said. “We came back and cut a deal.”

Through the years, developers have become more cooperative in working with the town. That property, also known as Loxahatchee Commons, along with another 50acre tract to the east, is slated to become a commercial center for the town.

Loxahatchee Commons is planning about 20 homes on the northern half with commercial lowdensity and commercial low office on the southern half. The owners of another roughly 50-acre property to the east, Solar Sportsystems and Loxahatchee Equestrian Partners, are working on similar plans.

“That whole process is now

unfolding, and it’s part of the stuff I want to get finished with,” he said. “That’s part of my goals for the next three years — let’s get this done and get this town looking like what it wants to look like.”

Lipp said he feels he is the bestqualified candidate because of his experience.

“I’ve been involved in the Groves for 17 to 20 years,” he said, citing his “lead authorship” on the Rural Vistas guidelines, the county-approved rules that commercial developments in the Loxahatchee Groves area must follow. “That represents the commercial face of Loxahatchee Groves, and really the commercial face of what all the western communities will look like,” he said.

That document is being adopted now into the Loxahatchee Groves designs. “There’s a lot of experience here,” Lipp said. “This wasn’t done in a vacuum. We had input from all the community, and that’s what I bring to the table.”

Lipp said his opponent’s supporters have tried to paint him as anti-agriculture, but he said most of his friends have agricultural interests. “I have nothing against ag,” he said. “What I do have a problem with is people who are [improperly] using an agricultural exemption, and the Property

Appraiser’s Office is letting them get by with it.”

As an example, he said one 97acre plot with a few cattle on it pays $640 a year in property taxes, whereas the owner of one 7acre plot classified as vacant pays $7,000 a year. “I think that’s bizarre,” Lipp said. “Why should everybody else be paying higher taxes for people who are scamming the system so they don’t pay as much taxes?”

He said the top three issues of the campaign are, first, the future of Okeechobee Blvd. “We need to figure out what it’s going to look like,” Lipp said. “I’ve talked to the people who live on Okeechobee and live near Okeechobee, and they’d like to see Okeechobee stay more or less the same.”

Lipp’s next issue is to get the comprehensive plan in place, which has been held up for almost two years due to a challenge from Callery-Judge Grove.

Many residents have objected to proposed road connections and improvements in the settlement agreement reached in closed-door sessions with Callery-Judge, and Lipp said he is ready now to go to court. He said the town must hire a land use legal firm to focus solely on the challenge. “We need to have some high-power attorneys

used to working with the DCA and working against well-funded opponents,” Lipp said.

Lipp’s third major issue is to provide road stabilization to property owners who want it, especially those living on four sections of road where property owners voted for stabilization but the projects have been held up due to easement issues that the LGWCD is trying to address by getting a local bill passed by the state legislature.

Lipp said this type of issue can be more easily resolved if the water control district functions are enmeshed more closely with the town’s. “We only need one government in Loxahatchee Groves,” he said. “We have two right now.”

Lipp cited his top accomplishments as leading the town into incorporation, getting the Rural Vistas guidelines approved as part of the county’s Uniform Land Development Code (ULDC) and getting the town’s own ULDC done.

“Getting the ULDC done is huge,” he said. “I can’t even count the number of hours that we sat up there hashing through things at workshops and meetings that went on until midnight.”

Lipp said he works hard not to be divisive. “People know where I am coming from,” he said. “I have not got a hidden agenda.”

He stressed that while previous efforts to join the town and the LGWCD led by former council members Marge Herzog and Dave Autrey amounted to a “hostile takeover” of the water control district, his goal is for a peaceful merger.

He said the idea of combining the two entities has been tossed around since before incorporation.

“You talk to members of the water control board, and they agree,” Lipp said.

Lipp lists his top strength as his experience. He also cites his interaction with attorneys and dealing with county issues. “You’re not hiring a rookie, somebody who has to go through a big learning curve,” he said.

Lipp said he has also learned how to be a leader, as opposed to one who changes his mind easily to the will of some outspoken people who might not necessarily constitute a majority. “We’re elected to make decisions,” he said. “Every decision I make, I’m not going to go out and have a straw poll.

I’m going to make my decision based on my best judgment.”

He said people should vote for him because they know what they’re going to get. “I’ve been sitting on the dais; they know how I vote,” Lipp said.

talking to someone who hasn’t made a decision yet.”

Goltzene noted that his vision for the community calls for little change, but he does want to increase the preservation of undeveloped land to help offset the town’s water problems.

“I have a vision for Loxahatchee Groves that involves keeping it very much the way it is today,” he said, noting that in talking with residents, he found that many agreed. “Most people in Loxahatchee would like to be left alone to live their lives in the Loxahatchee that they moved to.”

Goltzene refers to Loxahatchee Groves as a “green belt” populated by many people who enjoy both personal and commercial agriculture. He is worried that those agricultural tax benefits could be changed in favor of more tax revenue.

“I see the hand of things higher than Loxahatchee Groves saying it might be nice to see more tax revenue,” he said, “and maybe see Loxahatchee Groves as a noncontributor to the county at large because of its preponderance of agricultural exemptions.”

Goltzene said that he would actually like to see the agricultural exemption law expanded for people who use their land in a more sustainable way, encouraging people to use agriculture for their own purposes while also ben-

efiting the entire community.

Though some express concerns that companies will place a few cows on their property to qualify for an agricultural exemption, Goltzene said that issue is something for state law to regulate.

Regarding proposed projects on Southern Blvd., which is near his home, Goltzene said he would like to see more intense, non-residential development closer to Southern Blvd. and for it to stretch only 750 feet north.

“My thoughts are that you have to cut a balance between development and preservation,” he said.

“With the proper amount of commercial, the developments can stand on their own. They don’t need the residential component to help them out economically to make it a viable project.”

The rest of the land, up to Collecting Canal Road, he would look to preserve and use for water treatment.

“There is a large amount of undeveloped land there that is in a good ecological state, and my thought is that it should be preserved,” he said. “It can be enhanced, and the town can install lakes and areas to impound and treat water.”

With new Environmental Protection Agency guidelines coming down that could regulate the amount of nutrients in town canals, the preserved land could help

filter out nutrients, Goltzene said.

“Rather than have a sky-is-falling mentality about this,” he said, “if there is a problem with nutrient loads in the canal, there are ways to clean that water... fairly simply through filter marshes.”

The land could also be beneficial to impound water, which would solve a looming issue for the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District.

“There’s talk at the water control district meeting that the South Florida Water Management District may not give them a variance to pump water in, so they need to have ways to deal with this,” Goltzene said. “This is a long-term problem that no one has really addressed other than to say ‘give us a variance.’”

He said that he would not be in favor of water lines brought into the town under any circumstances, “including a manufactured crisis where variances are not allowed and we have to jump and find a solution that involves water lines.”

With the role of the LGWCD an issue of contention, Goltzene said he believes that the body is evolving and may eventually merge with the town.

“I believe that evolution is the solution that is going to come,” he said. “It’s not something that can happen in the next year or two, but over time I think that their func-

tions and their operations will become more in mesh.”

If elected, Goltzene said he’d like to see more focus on parks and the environment. He noted that several properties under a conservation easement should be turned back over to Loxahatchee Groves by the county and maintained by their property owners.

Regarding issues with Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves, Goltzene said that he would like to see the town take control of the road.

“Right now, everyone throws their up hands and lets the county do whatever it wants to do,” he said. “That’s no way to run an outfit and no way to have a road running through the middle of our community — being dictated by others.”

Goltzene said that he’d like to see residents consulted on the matter.

“No one is in favor of major widening,” he said. “People want to be able to cross the road in a timely manner. It’s dangerous to try to cross the road any time in the afternoon to get across from the south part of Loxahatchee. If the town was responsible for it, maybe we could deal with it.”

And regarding the town’s contested comprehensive plan, Goltzene said he doesn’t have a partisan opinion on the issue.

“People certainly are in favor of

the comp plan and opposed to the challenge by Callery-Judge [Grove],” he said. “They don’t want connector roads. I sure don’t want to see Tangerine [Drive] run out to Seminole Pratt.”

Goltzene said that although he has been in agriculture, he is not running simply to support those interests. He noted that he has only a small nursery.

“I wouldn’t be representing my interests if I were representing the nurseries,” he said. “I do feel that all agricultural businesses should be treated fairly, but I’ve never been political within the nursery community.”

Though Goltzene said he didn’t initially run because he opposed Lipp, he feels that Lipp’s behavior in the campaign has been unkind.

“I have a great deal of support because of his behavior, not only because of his [comments] but also because of his last four years as a council member,” Goltzene said. “He has upset numerous people because he’s not maintained himself as a fair person. He’s had an agenda, and he’s gone after people in the town by name.”

Why should voters vote for him? “I am a candidate who is going to listen to the people and make a considerate, deliberate decision,” Goltzene said. “I have no masters, and I am a very independent person.”

Page 8

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Liz Quirantes To Speak At Women’s History Month Event At PBSC WPEC News Channel 12 anchor Liz Quirantes will be the guest speaker at the event “In Celebration of Women” on Thursday, March 3 at Palm Beach State College Lake Worth campus (4200 Congress Ave.).

The Women’s History Month program will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with activities in the Humanities Building and Stage West. It is free and open to the public.

“In Celebration of Women” is presented by Crossroads, a statefunded program at PBSC that helps displaced homemakers get prepared to enter the workforce after years of relying on someone else’s income or receiving public assistance. The Women’s Initiative of the law firm of Fox Rothschild is co-sponsoring the celebration.

Themed “Women Inspiring Women,” the celebration will include live music, a fine arts and crafts display, and poetry by participants in the Crossroads program. Some also will share stories of how the Crossroads program has helped them. Quirantes will speak at 6 p.m. in Stage West.

Among the exhibitors is Miami artist Elizabeth Erazo Baez, who is known for her ability to capture the cultural emotional nuances of the Puerto Rican experience. Inspired by her own family, Baez decided to formally introduce her artwork to the public in 2000 in Coral Gables. Since her debut,

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Liz Quirantes Baez’s work has been displayed throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Quirantes is active in many worthwhile causes, including Forever Family, a nonprofit charity that works to find homes for foster children, the H.O.P.E. Project, which provides low-cost mammography to the underserved and uninsured women of Palm Beach and Martin counties, and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. She won the first-place trophy in the “Dancing for the Stars” ballroom dance competition benefitting the Kravis Center’s S*T*A*R Series.

For more information, call (561) 868-3586 or visit www. palmbeachstate.edu/crossroads. xml.

NEWS BRIEFS Cabaret Show This Saturday In Royal Palm The Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department will host a cabaret show Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center.

The event is a tribute to Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Carole King featuring Melissa Jacobson, Shelley Keelor and Missy McArdle, with Paul Reekie on piano.

The three dynamic ladies have been performing this show across the country for the past eight years, and will raise the rafters with hits such as “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “Evergreen,” “The Way We Were,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Way Over Yonder,” “Locomotion,” “From a Distance,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” “People” and many more.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with the show from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The price of admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door, and will include a variety of desserts and a choice of cappuccino, latte or regular coffee.

For more information, call (561) 790-5149. Seating is limited.

Wellington Garden Club To Meet March 7 The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, March 7 at the

Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The luncheon and business meeting will start at 11:30 a.m., with the program following at 1 p.m.

The featured speaker will be Shawna Price, who has worked in the horticulture industry in South Florida for the past 12 years. Her career has been varied, having worked for a box store, a tropical nursery, a magnolia grower and a Palm Beach landscape maintenance firm.

Price is currently the co-owner of Plant Dynamics, which is also a very varied business. The company is primarily a brokerage business that sells plant material to local landscape companies, and exports landscape material to the Caribbean islands.

After years of locating quality material, Price began selling at plant shows three years ago with a goal of bringing unusual material to true garden lovers. She is also an active member of five plant societies at Mounts Botanical Garden and is on the board of three of them.

Price is always finding new and creative ways of displaying her botanical treasures and will share her unique, non-traditional planters, repurposed junk, Goodwill finds and things she no longer needs from her own home, such as salad bowls, chairs, tool boxes and soap dishes, to name a few.

Price will bring samples of her full, mature, one-of-a-kind planters, and will explain how she made the unique containers using a few items from the local hardware store. She will also explain the importance of using the right type of

plants together for successful containers.

A knowledgeable gardener, Price will also show how to create planters for difficult areas such as salt-tolerant, drought-tolerant, deep-shade and interior applications. There is not an item she cannot put to use to make absolutely stunning containers.

Price will bring trays of some of the rare and unusual plants she uses in her planters for sale, so guests can try their hand at making found object garden gems. As a donation to the club’s fundraising mission, Price will be auctioning off some of her amazing, often pricey, planters that she usually sells at garden shows. For more information about Plant Dynamics, call (561) 662-1114, e-mail plantdynamics@aol.com or visit www.plantdynamicsonline.com.

The public is invited to the March 7 meeting. A light lunch will be served. Seating is limited; RSVP to (561) 793-6013 or (561) 798-9217.

Talent Scout To Lecture March 5 In Wellington Renowned New York talent scout Peter Sklar will present a free lecture titled “Beyond the Dream…” for aspiring dancers, singers, actors and their parents on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m. at Dance Arts Conservatory in Wellington.

Sklar will explain why his views are in sync with the needs of top New York and Hollywood agents and casting directors. His

list of protégés includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon and Mischa Barton, to name a few, along with many current and former Broadway, TV and film actors, singers and dancers.

Reality shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance have spring-boarded some of the most talented kids in the nation into super stardom. But with so much available talent, what really sets one kid apart from another? According to Sklar, an arts career is about two things: self-image and health. He argues that these qualities outweigh looks, training, connections and even talent.

Sklar obtained a master’s degree in education from Harvard University and has four decades of experience. He has been the subject of multiple feature-length articles in the New York Times, was interviewed on E! True Hollywood Story, appeared as a guest expert on Donahue, and has had his work presented on the Bravo Channel, Good Morning America and many other media outlets.

“Beyond the Dream…” is open to teenagers, young adults, older children and parents. There is no charge for admission, but reservations are required. Nobody under age 6 will be admitted with or without a parent, and nobody under age 18 will be admitted without a parent or legal guardian (substitute non-legal adult guardians are not permissible).

Dance Arts Conservatory is located at 12260 Fortune Circle, Suite J1 in Wellington. To make reservations to attend the lecture, call (561) 296-1880.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Februar y 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 9

NEWS

RPB ROTARY SPONSORS BOY SCOUT BLUE & GOLD DINNER AT MADISON GREEN

The Boy Scout Blue & Gold Dinner sponsored by the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club was held Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the Links at Madison Green. Cub Scout Pack 222 celebrated with parents and supporters. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Of fice District 9 Community Outreach Coordinator Diane Smith, RPB Rotary President Eric Gordon, Rotarian Joan Scherer and Costco’s Nancy D’Angelo were recognized for their support.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Pack 222 Cubmaster Evelio Borges and Wolf Den Leader Michael Fehribach with the PBSO’s Diane Smith.

Scouts gather around the cake.

Scout leaders at the Blue & Gold Dinner.

Michael, Claudia and Jack Fehribach.

Connor, Blake, Drew and Connie Alexander.

RPB Rotary President Eric Gordon, Wolf Den Leader Michael Fehribach, Costco’s Nancy D’Angelo and Rotarian Joan Scherer.

MID-COUNTY DEMS MEET WITH WEST PALM BEACH COMMISSION CANDIDATES

The Mid-County Democratic Club held its monthly meeting Monday, Feb. 21 at Tree’s Wings & Ribs in Royal Palm Beach. The guest speakers were West Palm Beach mayoral candidates Paula Ryan and Charles Bantel, along with West Palm Beach City Commission candidate Keith James. The group mee ts the third Monday of every month at Tree’s (603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). For more info., visit www.midcountydems.com.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

West Palm Beach City Commission candidate Keith James.

Mayoral hopefuls Paula Ryan (left) and Charles Bantel (right).

Wellington resident Tony Fransetta addresses the candidates.

Page 10

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

NEWS Charity

$1 Million Given Away

continued from page 1 charity can be found at www. wheelsforkids.org.

Jungbert noted that her sevenyear-old organization was rather unknown compared to other charities represented last Saturday, but the Great Charity Challenge gave all organizations — large and small — the same chance to win big.

“We’re here with all of these amazing organizations that do raise a lot of money,” she said.

“For us to compete against them and win, that’s amazing. I’m so excited, and I can’t wait to call the families on our waiting list and tell them their dream has come true.”

And putting all charities on an even footing is part of the spirit of the event, Bellissimo said. “I think that’s an important characteristic of the event,” he said. “Everyone who is selected has an equal chance to win.”

The team for Wheels for Kids, sponsored by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of G&C Farm, consisted of Olympic rider Pablo Barrios, 18-year-old Luis Fernando Larrazabal and 14-year-old Emmanuel Andrade.

Andrade set the pace for the team, flying through the first round of jumps and contributing to their time of 91.376 seconds — more than two seconds faster than any other team.

Second place and $125,000 went to Horses ‘N’ Heroes, which provides underprivileged girls with a chance to gain self-esteem and learn about responsibility through riding and caring for horses.

Sponsored by Susan Grange, the team consisted of riders Amy Millar, Karina Aziz and Jordan McPherson, and finished with a time of 93.976 seconds.

Third place went to the YMCA of the Palm Beaches, sponsored

by Susan Goldstein. Riding for the team were two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward, Danielle Goldstein and Marley Goodman.

They finished in 94.140 seconds to secure third place and $100,000.

But no matter how their team fared in the ring that night, each charity walked away with at least $10,000. Money was awarded on a sliding scale, with the winner taking about 15 percent and each

charity getting a piece of the $1,020,000 in prize money.

The charities were selected in a draw during the Holiday HorseFest at the Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach and were randomly assigned to one of 32 generous sponsor families. Additional cash came from corporate and individual donors, and all proceeds from ticket and VIP table sales were also donated.

“I’d really like to thank Dennis Shaughnessy and FTI Consulting, as well as Fidelity Charitable Services for their sponsorship,” Bellissimo said. “They helped make a great event, and we hope that they will continue to participate.”

Each team was paired with a professional, world-class rider, and each team sponsor was able to choose its amateur and junior riders to compete for the prize money.

In addition to the main event, guests were treated to a children’s carnival with inflatable rides, a petting zoo, face painting and more, as well as a live band and street performers to wow the crowd.

“The carnival was a big hit,” Bellissimo said. “I think all of the kids really had a great time out with both the jumping and the carnival.”

And Bellissimo has his sights set on an even bigger event next year. He hopes to be able to give away $1.5 million and bring in more family and corporate sponsors that aren’t necessarily already involved in the equestrian community. “I think we’ve just scratched the surface of how great this event can be,” he said.

For more information about the Great Charity Challenge or other events at PBIEC, visit www. equestriansport.com.

Caroline Reuwer of the Urban League enjoys face painting and the petting zoo as part of the children’s carnival.

Vinceremos volunteers Sara DeMonaco, Kelsey Sw anson, Carah Leskovitz, Sarah Lishen and Nina Jurac enjoy the event.

The Lord’s Place team sponsor Hunter Harrison with State Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Equestrian Spor t Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo.

Horses ‘N’ Heroes celebrates second place.

The YMCA team celebrates its third-place finish.

(Above) Julie Mahone y, Mercedes Kelly, State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-District 27) and Urban League of Palm Beach County Director of Development Kate Alvarado. (Right) Amanda Vicente and Nicole Beden with a baby pig at the petting zoo.

Marley Goodman helps the YMCA of the Palm Beaches capture third place.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

WEEKEND SCHEDULE $75,000 NATIONS CUP presented by

G & C Farm

The only Nations Cup in the USA

Friday, March 4 6:00 PM PRO Derby Cross Saturday, March 5 at 5:30 PM

$150,000 Grand Prix FEI CSIO 4* Sunday, March 6 at 1:00 PM

© 2011 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

$35,000 Hermès Puissance Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 PM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 11

VENEZUELA * MEXICO * IRELAND * GREAT BRITAIN * USA * CANADA * COLUMBIA * ARGENTINA

The Town-Crier

For tickets, information, and a complete schedule:

WWW.EQUESTRIANSPORT.COM 561.793.5867 Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 3401 Equestrian Club Road • Wellington, Florida

Fun for the whole Family. Come out and support your team!

Page 12 February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011 Page 13

Page 12 February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011 Page 13

Page 14

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

NEWS

VINCEREMOS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER HOSTS ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center held its annual benefit auction Friday, Feb. 18 at the Nespresso Grande Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. There were silent and live auctions and a mechanical bull riding contest, as well as an open bar and surf & turf dinner. For more info., visit www.vinceremos.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Vinceremos Volunteers of the Year Tony Pellegrini, John Castillo, Cherie Reese and Deb Levinsky.

Rider of the Year A.J. Zembrzuski and his parents Danielle and Michael with Margie Engle.

Equestrian Olympian Margie Engle with Vinceremos Rider of the Year Chris Nardone.

Riding instructors Missy Diack, Brenda Wells, Maurette Hanson.

The people who adopted a Vinceremos horse for $4,800 each.

Vinceremos Exececutive Director Ruth Menor, Young Professionals Chair Devon Kane, Event Chair Tuny Page and celebrity hostess Tami Hoag.

Jose Eintimilla of the Floridian Community Bank team rides.

Bull riding contest winners James Fairclough, Kevin McCarthy, Nikko Ritter and Turea Wilson of the CWD team.

Frederic Boyer, Joli Burrell and John Molinari.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 15

Page 16

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 17

POLO & EQUESTRIAN

Chad Henne Visits Polo Club As Zacara Claims Ylvisaker Cup Title Sports fans enjoyed the best of both worlds at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Sunday, Feb. 20. Before the finals of the 20-goal 2011 Ylvisaker Cup got underway, polo fans watched Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne take the field. Henne flipped the coin to officially kick off the match between Zacara and Equuleus.

Equuleus went up 1-0 after a penalty conversion from 6-goaler Marianito Obregon. The match continued with Zacara’s Jeff Blake scoring the first goal of the second chukker, followed by a penalty conversion for a goal from Gonzalo Del Tour. Obregon scored again for Equuleus, but Lyndon Lea closed out the scoring with a final goal to put his Zacara team on top 3-2.

Equuleus battled back in the third with two goals from Mariano Gonzalez, ending the first half

with Equuleus holding a 4-3 edge.

Zacara, however, took the field in the fourth chukker with a sense of determination. Goals from Lea and Del Tour were complemented by a lights-out defense, tying the game and then taking the lead, 5-4.

Zacara kept the momentum going as Blake scored his second goal of the game followed by a score from Mariano Uranga, leading to a 7-4 Zacara lead as the fifth chukker ended.

Equueleus fought for a score in the sixth, and Gonzalez finally came through for Equuleus with a pair of goals — but there was no time left on the clock. Zacara coasted to an 8-6 win to claim the Ylvisaker Cup title.

Play is currently underway in the 20-goal Iglehart Cup and the 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup. Purchase your tickets now at www. internationalpoloclub.com.

(Above) Chad and Brittany Henne. (Right) The winning Zacara team with the Ylvisaker Cup trophy.

IMAGES COURTESY LILA PHOTO

Great Charity Challenge, Hunter Spectacular Highlight WEF Week 6 The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington transformed into a field of dreams for 32 Palm Beach County charities in the second annual FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments where over $1 million was raised in an exciting pro-am show jumping event on Feb. 19 (see related story, page 1).

The event featured 32 teams of three riders ranging in age from 11 to 70 where amateurs competed side by side with their professional heroes. Each team was randomly assigned to a charity to compete for $1,020,000 in prize money, with the winning charity receiving $150,000, with a sliding scale to 32nd place of $10,000.

A crowd of 6,000 came out to enjoy the family fun as part of the Saturday Night Lights series.

The winning team, competing for Wheels for Kids, set a blazing fast time of 91.376 seconds. The riders were Olympian Pablo Barrios, 18-year-old Luis Fernando Larrazabal and 14-year-old Emmanuel Andrade. All three riders are from Venezuela and competed for team sponsors Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of G&C Farm. The Mirabals, Barrios and Larrazabal live in Wellington.

The second-place team, featuring riders Amy Millar, Karina Aziz and Jordan McPherson, won $125,000 for the Horses N’ Heroes charity when they finished in a time of 93.976 seconds. Their team sponsor was Susan Grange.

In an unusual occurrence on the opening morning of WEF’s Week 6, there was

a tie for the win in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. Laura Kraut, on the Freedom Group’s Dona Evita, and Michael Tokaruk with Roger Rabbit, owned by Castle Point Farm LLC, both finished the speed class with no faults and in the same time of 63.121 seconds.

The best young horses in the country compete each week in the Adequan Young Jumper Championship classes. In last Thursday’s $1,500 Adequan 7/8 Year Old Young Jumper Power and Speed class, Laura Chapot rode her and Barbara Rochford’s Elizabeth R to victory.

There were 22 entries in the class, and the power and speed course was designed

by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Fla. A large majority of the class were clear in the power phase to advance to the speed phase, and 12 of those were clear in the speed phase. The fastest were Chapot and Elizabeth R, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden rode Abigail Wexner’s Mademoiselle to victory in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6. The Grand Prix was held on the grass at the Stadium, and riders and spectators alike enjoyed the beautiful weather and change of venue scenery.

There were 29 entries in the class, and the course was designed by Richard Jeffery of Bournemouth, England. The course was set on the grass field and had 14 numbered obstacles with a triple and a double combination. There were nine clear rounds, and they advanced to the

jump-off to compete for time.

The first to go was Candice King on Skara Glen’s Davos. They set the time to beat at 44.88 seconds and had no faults, and this would hold up for third place.

The final two riders would post clear rounds and race for the win. McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve, owned

by Louisburg Farm, came in at 41.72 seconds with no faults to grab the lead. They would eventually finish in second place after Madden and Mademoiselle were able to speed down the final line in one less stride and stop the timers in 40.91 seconds.

The Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic was held last Saturday, and it was Marie Hecart on Babbe van’t Roosakker, owned by Haras de la Rogue, who were the fastest double clear combination. They won the sixth event in the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, which will award $50,000 in rider bonus money at the end of the series.

There were 34 entries in the 1.50m classic, and seven were able to find the clear round over a course designed by Steve Stephens. Hecart and Babbe van’t Roosakker, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, were able to keep a quick pace and efficient turns for the fastest clear jumpoff ride in 39.496 seconds. Second place went to Sergio Niento Del Rio with Fabiana, who were also double clear in 41.246 seconds, while Scott Brash and Intertoy Z were just behind in third with a time of 41.361 seconds.

Beezie Madden scored her second win of the week in the $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby. She and Prima, owned by Neapolitan Holding Co., were the fastest over a challenging derby course on the grass field at the stadium.

There were 22 entries in the derby. The course featured a step bank, open water, liverpools, Devil’s Dyke and a triple option jump through a “maze” of hedges.

The format was Table C, where rails down were converted into added seconds for a final time.

Madden and Prima, a 12-year-old KWPN mare, went ninth in the order and were lightning fast through most of the course. With a huge open stride, Madden barely pulled on the reins and made the trip look smooth and easy. They had no faults for a final time of 122.81 seconds for the win.

They were chasing an early leading time of 128.49 seconds set by Great Britain’s Ben Maher on Oscar, owned by Lindsay Cook. They would eventually finish in second place. Pablo Barrios and G&C Sinatra, owned by Barrios and Gustavo Mirabal, were third in 129.64 seconds.

Four-time WCHR Professional Champion Scott Stewart earned multiple championship awards last Thursday to begin Week 6 with his string of talented horses.

Stewart dominated the First Year Green Hunter division, earning the championship aboard Inclusive and the reserve championship aboard Reality, owned by Krista Weisman. Inclusive, an eight-year-

old Warmblood gelding, finished first in both classes over fences last Thursday and earned first and second place ribbons last Wednesday. Reality, an eight-year-old Mecklenberg stallion, earned second in both classes last Thursday and placed third last Wednesday.

Stewart also earned a tricolor in the Green Conformation Hunters for the week riding Empire, owned by Becky Gochman. The pair earned first-place ribbons in all four classes over fences and a third under saddle. Kelly Farmer took home the reserve championship honors aboard Crown N Sceptor, owned by Larry Glefke.

Other top competitors during Week 6 included Louise Serio, who rode Castle Rock, owned by Bryan Baldwin, to the High Performance Hunter championship.

Kelly Farmer and Rosalynn, owned by Larry Glefke, took reserve. Cookie Beck topped the Second Year Green Hunters riding Lisa Cudahy’s Last Call to championship honors over Whatever, owned

by Boggs Hill and ridden by Tim Goguen.

Ken Berkley guided Sambalino, owned

by Becky Gochman, to a championship tricolor in the Regular Conformation Hunters with Peter Pletcher and Garfield, owned by Steeplechase Farm, coming in reserve.

The Performance Working Hunter 3’6” to 3’9” division completed the week’s professional divisions with a championship win for Small Affair, ridden by John French for owners Iwasaki and Reilly.

See WEF WEEK 6, page 22

Page 18

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

SCHOOL NEWS

Ideal Teacher Donates SRHS Winter Guard Raising Money For Trip Hair To Locks Of Love Teacher Candice Cavaleri recently made a generous donation.

With more than 100 students at Ideal Elementary School looking on, third-grader Connor Perry and kindergartener Alex Scarsella each had the privilege of cutting off a one-foot braid of Cavaleri’s hair for Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from medical-related hair loss.

Each week, elementary students at the Ideal School get together to learn about and discuss a particular virtue to help them become better global citizens. That week’s virtue was kindness, and Cavaleri felt that making the donation was a good way to demonstrate how to be kind to others.

“This is my fourth time donating hair to Locks of Love. It’s a great organization, and the hair will be used for a good cause,” Cavaleri said.

Cavaleri said Perry and Scarsella were chosen because they exemplified the characteristics of kindness and caring that Locks of Love brings to children throughout the United States.

Teacher Candice Cavaleri lets students cut her hair for a Locks of Love donation.

“It takes me about three to five years to grow my hair long enough to make a donation,” Cavaleri said. “I’m looking forward to the next time we do this.”

The Ideal School is a pioneer in the use of Multiple Intelligence Theory. Its expertise in innovative education draws students from preschool through eighth grade.

For more info., visit www.ideal schoolflorida.com or call (561) 791-2881.

STUDENTS AT NEW HORIZONS ‘DIG’ SCIENCE

The Seminole Ridge High School winter guard is asking local businesses, community supporters and residents to help raise money to fund expenses for the team to compete in the 2011 regional competition in Tampa.

The event is scheduled for March, but money needs to be raised now. The Tampa regional is a multi-day event that concludes the 2011 competition winter guard season.

Winter guard is known as the “sport of the arts.” It brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. Now entering its 33rd year, the sport is evolving and growing, with over 11,000 participants at the Sport of the Arts World Championships last April.

Seminole Ridge has been involved in this growing activity through its color guard varsity, junior varsity and prep guard teams.

Hawk winter guard members Alicia LaBella, Bianca Brescia, Alexus Schwartzberg, Emily

Savino and Sara Buffett received Superior ratings at a Florida Bandmasters Association competition at John I. Leonard High School.

This qualifies them for the state FBA championship in April.

For more information about supporting the SRHS winter guard, call Audrey Savino at (561) 753-6228 (home) or (561) 2364353 (cell), or e-mail btsave@ bellsouth.net.

• Marksmen Shoot for the Bronze — The Seminole Ridge High School JROTC four-person marksmanship team, led by Cadet Corporal Jaime Marchand, competed with area schools Feb. 15 in an air rifle shoot.

Marchand and teammates Cadet Private Stephen Allen, Cadet PFC Tristan Poston and Cadet Private First Class Brogan Zelinka took third place, shooting their best scores ever. In addition, Marchand took the top score of the day. The Hawk team is currently preparing for the state shooting competition in Lakeland in April.

Winter guard members Alicia LaBella, Bianca Brescia, Alexus Schwartzberg, Emily Savino and Sara Buffett.

• Take Five! — The Seminole Ridge drama department will host its annual showcase “Take Five” on Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s showcase features not only monologues, duets, scenes and musical numbers performed by advanced drama students, but also a one-act play performed by

beginning drama students. Tickets cost $5. “Take Five” prepares Seminole Ridge thespians for the state festival, where Hawk students Natoya Brown, Jaquie Campos, Kristen Davis, Nichole Foley, Brandy Milano, Karen Rathibhan and Domenic Servidio are scheduled to perform.

WHS Pre-Vet Program Students Enjoy Trips On Friday Jan. 21, 26 junior and senior equine/pre-veterinary academy students from Wellington High School toured the University of Florida’s Animal Science Programs and College of Veterinary Medicine.

The students first met with Sylvia King, student service coordinator for the Animal Sciences Department. She described the five different options for studying animal science at UF. She then escorted the group to the Beef Teaching Unit where Dr. Todd Thrift spoke with the students about the Beef Cattle Option and took them into the pasture to show them an hour-old calf and to describe some of the aspects of the program. From there, the students

went to the Equine Teaching Unit where Dr. Saundra TenBroeck gave them a tour of the horse farm and described various aspects of the Equine Option.

The students then returned to campus to hear Terri Weldon’s presentation on what it takes to get into UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine, complete with statistics about those who applied to be part of UF’s Class of 2014. At that point, the group broke up into three smaller groups and was given a behind-the-scenes tour by second-year veterinary students of the veterinary teaching building, UF’s Small Animal Hospital and UF’s Large Animal Hospital.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, 24 vet academy students attended a

“lunch and learn” program sponsored by Adequan, a pharmaceutical company that produces the cartilage repair drug chondroitin sulfate. The lecture was open to all horse owners, vets and riders, and was held at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Veterinarian Dr. Victoria Maxwell explained the degrees of lameness used in diagnosis of degenerative joint disease in horses.

She explained how this drug, when injected intramuscularly over a seven-week period, was able to reduce inflammation in joints and begin a healing process to keep competing horses sound when exposed to the rigors of jumping and racing.

Vet academy students were able

to see the connection between chemistry and anatomy when the vet explained how the sulfate groups in cartilage interact with water and joint fluid to absorb shock. Maxwell showed the chemical structure of the joint capsule as “fibers” of collagen and keratin that use sulfate groups as springs that repel water in joint fluid to create the shock-absorbing nature of cartilage.

Maxwell demonstrated how the drug repaired the sulfate groups that had been broken off as a result of repetitive concussions. She also noted that the drug was used on humans as well as dogs for degenerative joint disease.

Students also enjoyed the day’s hunter and jumper competition.

WHS To Host State Debate Championships New Horizons Elementary School second-grade students recently participated in “Dig-It,” a hands-on science experience through High Touch High Tech of South Florida. Students enjoyed digging for rocks, then examining and classifying the rocks using handheld magnifying glasses. This was a culminating activity for a science unit on the earth and minerals. Shown above, Javoski McCoy examines a rock.

Wellington High School will host the Florida Forensic League State Championship Debate Tournament on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5.

Roughly 500 students from across Florida, and nearly 200 adult coaches, judges and chaperones, will converge on the campus with dreams of taking home

top honors in a dozen political and forensic arts events. “This will be the largest tournament we have ever hosted,” WHS debate coach Paul Gaba said. “It involved a lot of work by our parents to help put this together, and it’s going to be a great weekend.”

In addition to the competition there will be a silent auction in the

school’s media center, which will serve as the tournament’s judge lounge.

Items up for auction include four passes to Walt Disney World (with Park Hopper), tickets to Sea World, and passes to the Miami Seaquarium, Rapids Water Park and Butterfly World.

The WHS debate team is still

seeking donations of nonperishable foods (such as granola bars, chips, cookies and candy), beverages (bottled water and Pepsi products) and other goods (plates, napkins, cups, etc.) for the hospitality room.

For more info., contact Gaba at (561) 352-0635 or via e-mail at gaba@wellingtondebate.com.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 19

SCHOOL NEWS

Equestrian Trails Participates In Boosterthon

Equestrian Trails students enjoy the Boosterthon Fun Run.

Principal Michael Chamberlin, dressed as Captain America, with members of the Booster team.

Equestrian Trails Elementary School recently took part in Boosterthon, a program designed to help students’ character and raise funds for the school.

The Boosterthon program is a nine-day experience that teaches students about fitness, leadership and character — a switch from product sales and catalogues that have dominated school fundraising in the past.

The culminating event, the Boosterthon Fun Run, invites students to run laps on the Boosterthon Speedway. Students gather pledges for each lap they run to raise money for technology improvements, new playground equipment, classroom and teacher resources, and more.

Prior to the Boosterthon Fun Run, students learn values based on Boosterthon’s annual character theme.

This year ’s theme, “Leader LAUNCH,” taught students that leaders are “learners, active, uplifting, not bullies, courageous and helpers.”

“The Boosterthon Fun Run team is unlike any other,” Equestrian Trails Elementary PTA President Caryn Jacquish said.

“The leaders are full of energy and make the entire two-week event interactive. As PTA members, we are able to truly enjoy the event without worrying about logistics. It is incredible to see the kids be a part of making a difference at their school.”

Equestrian Trails Principal Michael Chamberlin agreed.

“The Boosterthon team members not only engage with the students to teach leadership and character, but also get them excited about being fit,” he said.

“It has been wonderful to watch our school come together as a community through this event.”

The company puts on the Boosterthon Fun Run in schools across the U.S. with the hope to rewrite and redefine the fundraising industry as a more-thanprofit model serving schools and students. To date, more than 1,100 schools have participated in the Boosterthon program, raising $60 million.

As school funding continues to decline in schools across the United States, and childhood obesity continues to rise, more schools are turning to Boosterthon’s leading, healthy alternative to school funding and their proven track record of increasing school profits by more than 75 percent.

“Boosterthon helps schools raise funds and gets kids active,” Boosterthon’s founder and president Chris Carneal said, “but more than the fitness and financial benefits, the big win is what students gain by way of character.”

For more information about the Boosterthon program, visit www.boosterthon.com.

— Lauren Locher

Binks Forest Elementary School spelling bee participants.

Binks Forest Students Compete In Spelling Bee The top 28 fourth- and fifthgrade spellers at Binks Forest Elementary School showed off their talents Jan. 27 at the school’s spelling bee.

The spelling bee lasted for 10 rounds and had the audience holding their breath until the final word was spelled correctly. The crowd was on their feet when Lauren Webb secured first place by correctly spelling the word “impudent.”

Ashley Korbelak gave Webb some great competition coming in second place. Both girls went head to head for five rounds, spelling words such as “inoculate,” “aborigine,” “monstrosity” and “millennium.”

There was a three-way tie for third place going to Cortland

Reed, Carson Wyland and Jonathan Wilson.

Webb and Korbelak will have the opportunity to compete in the final local spelling bee on Feb. 26 at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton.

Binks Forest congratulates the following participants in this year’s spelling bee: fourth-graders Hunter Simon, Shelby Rabin, Katie Castor, Hunter Haynes, Nikil Sirivolu, Angela Lares, Brent Sagovac, Alek Kitaigorod, Joseph Rich, Annie Paul, Leslie Vilarino, Teresa Cardile, David Valiz and Jonah Smith; and fifth-graders Eileen Wheelen, Jesus Lares, Dylan Skinner, Dino Barletta, Brendan Boudreau, Justin Kolnick, Sebastien Jaubert, Lexi Kovi and Hannah Maniates.

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

Page 20

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Longtime Girl Scout Brandy Peterson Earns Girl Scout Gold Award Royal Palm Beach Girl Scout Brandy Peterson was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award on Feb. 9.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout age 14-18 may earn. The Gold Award project is the culmination of all the work a girl puts into “going for the gold.” It is something that a girl can be passionate about in thought, deed and action.

The project is something that fulfills a need within a girl’s community (whether local or global), creates change, and hopefully is something that becomes ongoing.

If it is an event, the event should be something that people will want to continue for the next year; if it is a service, it should be something that creates change or action with long-term possibilities, empowering others besides just the girl; if it is something tangible, it

should come with a plan for use and maintenance within the community.

The project is more than a good service project. It encompasses organizational, leadership and networking skills. If a group of girls work on the project together, each girl must be responsible for a specific part of the project and must evaluate her participation as an individual and a member of the group.

Peterson started Girl Scouts when she was in first grade at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in 1997. Her troop met in the teachers lunchroom every Monday.

Most of the girls were in aftercare, so the troop leaders were authorized to pick them up to bring them to Brownies so they wouldn’t have to miss out. Peterson was a Brownie for three years when she

bridged to Juniors. The troop had to move locations due to the school having a new air conditioning system being put in, so they moved to Royal Palm Beach High School in a science classroom.

The Junior troop bridged to Cadettes after three years, and three years later bridged to Seniors.

Peterson finished her senior year in high school as a Girl Scout ambassador. During this time there were additional location and meeting day changes, as well as changes in the troop. Eventually the troop was down to only two girls, so they decided to merge with another troop in Wellington that only had three members. These five girls enjoyed being scouts and they enjoyed their friendships.

They all began the process of working toward their Gold Awards.

During her years in Girl Scouts, Peterson participated in product and cookie sales each year. Her vest was always an attraction and helped her in her sales. Peterson also camped with her troop and attended Girl Scout resident camp.

She participated in many fun and exciting events with her troop, while always learning something new. For example, when the troop participated in the Veterans Day parade as Juniors, each girl had to research a female who had served her country and represent her on the float. Peterson chose Sally Ride. She also visited the birthplace of Girl Scouts in Savannah, Ga. In preparation for her Gold Award, Peterson read all the requirements. She decided to combine her love of softball with her love of children, presenting a one-

day free softball clinic open to all girls regardless of whether they had ever played or had any equipment. Peterson did this in conjunction with the Royal Palm Beach Youth Softball Association. She delivered her fliers to the local elementary schools and handed them out during the recreational league’s fall sign-ups.

Peterson was assisted by local high school and recreation league coaches, and obtained donations so that no girl would go away without a goody bag.

The girls were also given snacks, drinks and lunch. Peterson provided instruction for ages 5 to 14 in hitting, fielding, running and sliding, and they had a scrimmage game.

Peterson is now a freshman at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, following her pas-

Brandy Peterson sion and playing softball on a scholarship while seeking a degree in hotel/restaurant management and hospitality.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 Makes Selection For Girls State

Amber Lynn Johnson, Marge Herzog and Meagan Leigh Davis.

The American Legion Auxiliary of Royal Palm Beach, Unit 367, held Girls State selection at its membership meeting in February.

Auxiliary members reviewed material sent in by high school junior girls from Berean Christian School, the King’s Academy and Seminole Ridge High School. The purpose of this review meeting was to select the girl that the members felt would most likely work hardest on the programs being offered and work the hardest to attain the position of governor of Girls State.

The delegate selected for Girls State is Meagan Leigh Davis. She is a junior at the King’s Academy.

The alternate selection is Amber Lynn Johnson. She is a junior at Berean Christian School. Unit 367 would like to thank all of the girls who submitted material for consideration.

Girls State is a program that has been sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary since 1947. There are currently 300 girls a year participating in the activities that are held at the Florida State University, Talla-

Cub Scout Pack 125 Races In Pinewood Derby It was no ordinary day at the races for the boys of Wellington Cub Scout Pack 125 during the much-anticipated annual Pinewood Derby held Feb. 12 at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.

The boys and the dads spent months drilling, cutting and decorating pinewood frames, turning them into moving masterpieces of speed and agility in order to compete for bragging rights and a spot in the Trade Winds District level.

The derby boasted 52 participants ages seven through nine, and 10 adults in the Adult/Akela class, which included Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen. This year marked the pack’s 25th anniversary of racing.

The 2011 derby was led by John Weger along with Pinewood Derby committee members Gary and Gina Gouveia, Stu Geller, David O’Donnell, Leanne and Howard Klippel, Stephen Walton, Timothy Shields and Cubmaster John Lacy.

Overall first and second place went to Webelos II scouts Dwight Smith and Garret O’Donnell respectively, with Bear scout Jacob Zucker ranking third place overall.

Smith, O’Donnell and Zucker will go on to race their homemade cars against the other top ranking cub scouts during the Gulf Stream Council-Trade Winds District Regional Pinewood Derby in March.

(Front row, L-R) Gary Gouveia, David O’Donnell and Stephen Walton; (back) Gina Gouveia, Mayor Darell Bowen, race coordinator John Weger and Cubmaster John Lacy.

hassee campus, early in July of each year.

This program is designed in a way that allows the participants to experience how our democratic form of government is organized and how it functions. The studies involve campaigning for offices of a city, county and state official or legislator. The experience will involve drafting bills, debating bills and making committee appointments.

Those participating in the program, which is fully paid for by the American Legion Auxiliary-

Royal Palm Beach-Unit 367 usually have an interest in government studies, civic leadership, protecting the privileges and responsibilities of the American form of government, a love of America and all that it stands for, and the principles and strengths of God and country.

If you would like to know more about the American Legion or the American Legion Auxiliary, call American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 or cell (561) 8189114.

Jillian Bray, Justin Lloyd To Wed In April Bob and Lynne Bray of Royal Palm Beach have announced the engagement of their daughter Jillian to Justin Lloyd of Jacksonville.

Jillian was born and raised in Royal Palm Beach. She is a graduate of Suncoast High School who is currently in her second year of general surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Justin is a financial regulator for the National Credit Union Administration.

The couple plans to marry in April and will reside in Jacksonville.

Jillian Bray and Justin Lloyd

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 21

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

TKA Holds Successful Auction Gift Gathering Young Chess Champ To The King’s Academy held a gift-gathering party on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the home of Jeffrey and Kristy Desich in Wellington’s Palm Beach Polo & Country Club.

The event was hosted by TKA parents Kristy Desich and Denise Meers.

More than 40 guests gathered to support the school’s upcoming Mane Event Dinner Auction: That’s Italian, by bringing either an item to be used for the silent auction or a cash donation. Guests were treated to an Italian-themed luncheon and enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship. More than 70 items were collected for the silent auction, including jewelry, home accessories, gift certificates, weekend getaways and family entertainment items.

“Denise and Kristy are amazing hostesses, and everyone felt welcomed and appreciated. I am overwhelmed by the involvement

and generosity of our parents,” said Rosario Larson, development coordinator for the King’s Academy.

All proceeds from the dinner auction benefit the King’s Academy.

The auction will be held at the PGA National Resort & Spa on Saturday, March 5 and will be cochaired by Andrea Titus and Connie Tuller. Presenting sponsors include Insurance Office of America, Regal Paint Centers, and the Raese and Aiello families. Platinum sponsors include Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company, and the Desich and Collier families.

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

Compete In Nationals

TKA parents and supporters at the auction gift-gathering party. ternational and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach and Hendry counties at its main campus at

Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach, its Clewiston campus on Caribbean Avenue, and its satellite preschool campuses. For more information, visit www.tka.net.

Equestrian Trails Elementary School fifth-grader Gary Wu joined the school’s Chess Club, sponsored by coach Julius Baumann, when he was in the third grade.

Wu quickly learned the game and soon became the top player in his class. Wu’s talent grew, and he began earning individual awards. He was also a leader on the chess club that brought many team trophies to Equestrian Trails, quickly filling up the school’s trophy case.

Last year, Wu was a member of the team that won the district team championship trophy for his school, in addition to a third-place regional team trophy. This year, he placed first in the individual district tournament, second in the regional and recently won first place in the state tournament held in

Gary Wu Orlando. In May, Wu will be going to the national chess championships to be held in Dallas, Texas. Because of Wu’s eligibility, the Palm Beach County School District will fund his trip to nationals.

Life & Music Of Debbie Friedman Honored At Temple Beth Zion Event “Music & Memory: a Tribute to Debbie Friedman” brought a full house to Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach. Members and strangers filled the seats and more chairs needed to be brought in from classrooms and offices. People from Boynton Beach to Tequesta were drawn to the temple by their common love of the music of Debbie Friedman, who passed away on Jan. 8 due to complications of pneumonia at age 59.

Singer, songwriter and funny woman, Friedman was the gatekeeper, the one-woman bridge to Jewish spirituality through music.

In the wake of her death, memorial concerts and tributes have brought together hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world in celebration of her life and music. Through her guitar and singable, teachable melodies, Friedman changed the face of the American Jewish experience. He-

brew Union College announced just a few days after her passing that they were going to name the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in her honor.

At Temple Beth Zion, the gathered crowd was touched by the program of live music that embodied Friedman’s musical contributions, from her rousing, energetic “Miriam’s Song,” children’s melodies, Shabbat liturgy and her beautiful blessings for Havdallah,

the ceremony that separates Shabbat from the rest of the week. The music was provided by Cantorial soloist Marcia Weinstein, who accompanied everyone with her guitar, Cantor Karen Braunstein and Rabbi Bert Kieffer. Personal stories about Friedman were shared by the program’s master of ceremonies, Rabbi Janie Grackin.

All of the professionals donated their time and talents in Friedman’s memory.

Following Havdallah was a viewing of the award-winning documentary of Friedman’s life, A Journey of Spirit, produced and directed by Ann Coppel.

The evening ended with a dessert reception, and guests stayed on to share their connections and personal stories of Friedman. The Torah reading following her death included Shirat Ha Yam, the Song of the Sea, where the Jewish people walk across the Sea of Reeds

and Miriam lifted her timbrel, and all the women danced and sang Friedman’s moving melody. And the Haftorah was about Deborah, the Judge.

The suggested admission to the event was canned goods to donate to the local food pantry. People were very generous and a large amount of food was collected in a wonderful gesture honoring this incredible woman through an act of tzedakah (charity).

Page 22

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

NEWS

Olympia Grand Opening Of New Models, Home Designs March 12 Featuring an array of singlefamily designer homes graciously incorporated into a serene natural environment, Olympia by Minto has attained a sterling reputation as one of the finest master-planned communities in the Palm Beaches — and the best keeps getting better.

On March 12, Minto is celebrating the grand opening of five new decorated models and 16 new home designs. An unparalleled level of luxury features and amenities offer unprecedented values priced right for your budget, with prices starting from just the upper $200,000s. To top off this spectacular grand opening, Minto is making it easier than ever to en-

joy the Olympia lifestyle, with bonus incentives of up to $30,000 on new and “to be built” homes.

Strategically located in Wellington, close to shopping, amenities, fine dining and entertainment, Olympia offers homes with twoto six-bedroom options, with up to six-and-a-half baths, and twoto four-car garages, with air-conditioned living space ranging from 2,000 to 5,400 square feet, and prices ranging from the upper $200,000s to over $700,000.

Olympia is a master-planned Minto community where you can take full advantage of a beautiful natural environment that incorporates plentiful lakes and natural preserves, walkways and trails, as

well as the Mediterranean-styled Villa Olympia club and recreational hub boasting all the amenities, with a gigantic lagoon-style pool and superb island spa as its centerpiece, inspired by some of the world’s most famous resorts.

Minto, widely recognized as a leader in quality construction, level of amenities, community appearance and energy efficiency, brings over half a century of award-winning quality, service and design to Olympia. Minto’s unique MasterCare 10-Step Quality Assurance Program ensures that everything about buying a new home at Olympia is thoroughly enjoyable, not just at the time of purchase, but for all the

years you live there. Best of all, Minto makes the home-purchasing process a breeze, with expert mortgage services to meet specific needs.

The Olympia sales office is located at 2232 Merriweather Way, Wellington, and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

To reach Olympia from Florida’s Turnpike heading north, exit at Lake Worth Road, go west to State Road 7, turn right and head north to Forest Hill Blvd., and turn right at Olympia’s main entrance, following the signs to the new home center. From the turnpike heading south, exit at Southern Blvd., go west to SR 7 and follow same di-

New Model — Minto’s Tradizione model, featuring a West Indiesstyle elevation, with 5 bedrooms plus loft, 5-1/2 baths and 4-car garage, is one of 5 new home designs available at Olympia. rections. From I-95, exit at Forest Hill Blvd., go west and turn left at Olympia’s main entrance.

For more information about Olympia, call (888) 755-9662 or visit www.mintofla.com.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Addresses The Forum Club

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer was the keynote speaker at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches luncheon Feb. 16.

Breyer, appointed to the nation’s highest court by President Bill Clinton in 1994, gave attendees a bit of a history lesson and some insight into why he wrote his new book, Making Our Democracy Work: A Judge’s View.

The luncheon was a joint meeting of the Forum Club and the Palm Beach County Bar Association. About 1,000 people attended the luncheon, which was followed by a book signing. A number of debate students from Palm Beach Central High School also attended, joining in a questionand-answer session.

Breyer said he wrote his book to make the workings of the Supreme Court more accessible to the common man — especially in

Library

Breaking Ground

continued from page 1 Santamaria said he has long followed the delayed construction plans, which included two sites that did not come to fruition before a complicated land swap had the Indian Trail Improvement District trade the 6.5-acre library site for about 46 additional acres of county property for the expansion of Acreage Community Park at Orange Blvd. and 140th Avenue North.

“It has taken quite a bit longer than we all expected,” Santamaria said. “It’s a much-needed facility for this great, growing community. I think it’s just a beginning of many great things that I look forward to in The Acreage. This is such a great place to live that it deserves a facility such as this one.”

Santamaria said the library is an example of good things that can happen when public servants of both the county and ITID work together toward a common goal.

“I’m looking forward to a continuing effort by officials of The Acreage and the county as this area continues to grow, and I congratulate all of those who over the years have participated in making this happen.”

ITID President Michelle Damone said the groundbreaking

Blotter continued from page 6 blood-alcohol content of .168.

Garcia was charged with driving under the influence.

FEB. 21 — An employee of the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green was arrested Monday for shoplifting after he was caught stealing money from the store register. According to a PBSO report, another employee of Macy’s called the PBSO substation in Wellington after she observed 29-year-old Raymond Camacho on surveillance video footage stealing a $100 bill from

WEF Week 6

Hunter Spectacular

continued from page 17 Onassis, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd for Sarah Ward, finished in reserve.

Louise Serio and Castle Rock earned a victory in the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular last Friday evening following two beautiful rounds of competition. After two weeks of qualifying competition, only the top horses and riders had the opportunity to compete in a fantastic class held under the bright lights of the International Arena.

Ken Krome of Maryland designed the course for last Friday evening’s class. A total of 25 entries began the competition in round one, and the top eight were then invited to return for a second round course. Finishing in first place, Serio rode Bryan Baldwin’s

a time where government institutions are looked at with suspicion.

“People are suspicious of institutions,” Breyer said. “The younger they are, they are more concerned and suspicious. We are 300 million people in this country, and we can’t live without our institutions because we live like human beings do. We do it democratically. Therefore, people have to understand how their institutions work. If they are going to be cynical, let’s put that into perspective, and let’s understand the good as well as the bad.”

Historically, Breyer pointed to founding father Alexander Hamilton as to the main reason why there is an independent judiciary authorized to set aside a law made

by Congress. Breyer explained how Hamilton thought it crucial to put the power of the rule of law into the hands of an agency not governed by a popularity contest.

Since judges do not have much

power, thought Hamilton, the decision-making process of the interpretation of law is perfect for them, said Breyer.

“Judges have almost no power,” Breyer said. “They don’t have the power of the purse or the power of the sword.”

Breyer used vignettes from America’s past to explain the difficulties in interpreting and enforcing the rulings passed down by the Supreme Court. He cited in particular a case in 1832, in which the court found that Georgia’s state constitution guaranteed that the Cherokee nation would be able to keep its land despite the discovery of gold underneath it. In the end, the Cherokees lost their land and were sent on a Trail of Tears to Oklahoma.

“They did what any civilized group would do,” Breyer said.

“They hired a lawyer, and [the case] made its way to the Supreme Court, and the [justices] said they

knew how unpopular the decision would be, but that the land belonged to the Cherokee Indians.

[President] Andrew Jackson sent troops to northern Georgia, but they did not go to enforce the law.

They went there to evict the Indians.”

The landmark school desegregation case of Brown vs. the Board of Education had similar difficulties, despite the fact that the ruling came down from the Supreme Court in favor of integration. It would take years and a difficult civil rights movement before school desegregation finally took root.

Breyer stressed that reasonable people must talk through the issues and not resort to violence.

“Go turn on the television,” Breyer said, “and you will see what happens in countries where people solve their serious problems through violence.”

It’s also important, Breyer added, that the U.S. Constitution be viewed as a living, breathing document, meaning that the wording in the document has to move along with the times and be adaptive enough to still work in the days of the Internet.

“The authors of the Constitution created a document that was not intended to just hang on the wall of the National Gallery,” Breyer said. “The Constitution is never about good against evil. It’s almost always about good versus good.

It’s about protecting freedom of expression on the one hand, and fighting to protect privacy on the other.”

The March guest for the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches will be Congressman Allen West (R-District 22). For more information, call (561) 304-0570 or e-mail forumclubofpb@aol.com. Check out their web site at www.the forumclub.net.

represents the culmination of a long, hard effort.

“For me, this is just beyond exciting, because from the day I moved to The Acreage in 1996, of all the organizations I have worked with, this library has been the one thing that everybody has agreed on and wanted to be built,” Damone said. “The people I want to thank the most are the taxpayers of Palm Beach County for making that decision in 2002 to invest in their community and put their tax dollars to good use and build libraries.”

Damone also thanked Santamaria and the other county officials who worked with ITID to reach the agreements necessary.

“I can’t tell you enough what a phenomenal day this is for The Acreage,” she said. “With some of the things we’ve been through recently, we need to invest in The Acreage. We need to let the world know that this is a phenomenal community with good people, hardworking people who truly put sweat labor into this community to make it what it is today.”

The new library will have 68 internet and word-processing computers, with 54 in the adult area, six in the children’s area and eight in the young adult area. Library catalog computers and free wireless access will be available throughout the building.

It will have three meeting rooms, including a large room accommodating 165 people, a con-

ference room and a separate room for children’s programs.

Materials will include dedicated areas for CDs, DVDs and new arrivals, in addition to books, newspapers and magazines. There will be four private study rooms and a larger group study room, as well as space for young people, including two themed areas designed especially for children and young adults, with ample room for materials and comfortable seating.

Express checkout stations will be available to allow for fast, efficient service, including exterior walk-up returns and a covered walkway leading to the entrance.

Wider aisles and lower shelves will allow for easier retrieval of items.

a cash register. Camacho was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with petty theft.

FEB. 21 — A Wellington man was arrested late Monday night for drug possession following a traffic stop on Southfields Road.

According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation pulled over 23-year-old Christopher Mendoza for not having a tag light on his black Chrysler. According to the report, the deputy discovered that Mendoza did not have a valid driver’s license. A search of the

vehicle revealed 1.6 grams of cocaine in the driver ’s-side visor. Mendoza was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

FEB. 22 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a home in the Willows II community Tuesday morning regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime in the last two weeks, the perpetrator(s) entered the victim’s vacant home on Sandpiper Avenue and stole two

caulking tubes, two cans of WD40 and two pesticide foggers. The victim lives in Ocala but checks on the house regularly. She was in the house two weeks ago, and returned Tuesday to find that the house had been burglarized. According to the report, the perpetrator(s) appear to have entered the home by damaging the rear screen and unhinging the sliding glass door at the rear of the house. The stolen items were valued at approximately $30. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

FEB. 22 — A deputy from the

PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Peppertree Court on Tuesday afternoon regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime Tuesday, someone stole an air-conditioning unit, valued at approximately $800, from the victim’s yard.

DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

FEB. 22 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested Tuesday outside the Mall at Wellington Green on charges of drug possession. According to a

PBSO report, a mall security officer observed via surveillance cameras 19-year-old Anthony Grant smoking a joint in front of the food court. A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was called to the scene and approached Grant, asking him to put the joint on the ground. A search of Grant’s person found a baggie containing 10.3 grams of marijuana cigarettes in his front left pocket. Grant was arrested and taken to the county jail where he was charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams.

Castle Rock to the win with her two round total of 177.62. The pair finished round one in third place with a score of 87.12, and then earned the class high score of 90.50 in round two to move to the top of the field.

Scott Stewart and Krista Weisman’s Reality held on to their second-place position in both rounds one and two, earning an 88.50 and an 88.37 for a total score of 176.87.

Defending champions Liza Boyd and Brunello, owned by Boyd and Janet Peterson, finished first in round one with an 89.50 and then slipped into third place in the overall standings with an 85.75 in round two for a total of 175.25. Boyd also earned the fourth-place honors riding Sarah Ward’s Onassis to a two-round total of 175.12.

Serio and Castle Rock won the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival last

season among many other accomplishments throughout their careers. Castle Rock is a 12-year-old KWPN Dutch Warmblood.

World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition continued last Saturday with an exciting win for Weatherly Stroh and Sigfried in the $5,000 WCHR AmateurOwner Hunter 3’3” Classic. Stroh and Sigfried, owned by Susanne Stroh, earned a score of 164 to top the class. Sandra Epstein and Catamount finished in second place, just half a point behind the leaders with a score of 163.5. Nicole Olinyk and Sea Walker finished in third with a 160.75.

Glen Senk did more than steal the show last Sunday morning as 53 entries came out for a chance to win the title in the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic. Senk had a total of four entries in the class, all of which placed in the top 12. Senk’s newest mount, Another Place, took top honors in the class with an aver-

age score of 83.5 in the first round, and 85.5 in the second round.

Senk went on to place third on his own mount Declaration, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding. He was awarded sixth on another of his mounts, Blessed.

Blessed is a seven-year-old Holsteiner mare. Senk’s fourth ride, Highland Park, also owned by Senk’s Fashion Farm, was awarded the 11th-place award.

The equitation rings were dominated last week by Chase Boggio of Alpharetta, Ga. Riding for Arbor Hill Farm, he and Massimo won all four of the major equitation classes last week: the USEF Talent Search, the WIHS Equitation Classic (where he won both phases and overall), the ASPCA Maclay and the USEF Medal. Boggio and Massimo made a stunning pair in the ring and were rewarded by the judges for their smoothness and consistency.

The week concluded last Sunday with the final classes for this

year’s World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Spectacular. Traveling all the way from Los Angeles, 17-year-old Olivia Esse made her trip worthwhile with a big win in the WCHR Junior/AmateurOwner Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular aboard Small Affair, owned by Reilly and Iwasaki.

Twenty-six competitors qualified throughout two weeks of competition to compete in last Sunday’s class. The top eight scoring competitors then returned for a second round. The cutoff to return for round two was an 84.62, with the highest returning score of 91.5 held by Olivia Esse and Small Affair. Esse and Small Affair earned an 88.50 in their second round to win the class with a two-round total of 180.

Victoria Colvin rode Scott Stewart’s horse Inclusive to the highest second-round score of 89, which combined with their first round score of 87, placed the pair

in second place overall with a 176point total. Hayley Barnhill and Heartfelt, owned by Susan E. Gordon, earned a 175 to finish in third place.

Other awards presented were the week’s high scores. Tori Colvin and Olivia Esse were each presented with awards for their high scores during the week’s competition in the junior divisions. Esse also earned the Leading Lady Rider award for her high score in the first round of competition. Katie Robinson earned the high score in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, and Scott Stewart and John French received the high scores in the professional divisions. Meredith Darst and Tobasco earned the award for Grand Champion Junior Hunter.

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival features 12 weeks of competition running through April 3. Visit www.equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867 for more information and complete results.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer speaks to Forum Club members.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Workers prepare the foundation for the new Acreage branch library.

Indian Trail Improvement District Supervisor Ralph Bair and Vice President Carol Jacobs, Acreage Landowners’ Association Board Member Domingo Flores, and Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Ron Jarriel with his wife Sharon.

ITID President Michelle Damone at the podium.

PHOTOS BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 23

Page 24

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The challenge of Rees Jones® and the comfort of The Breakers.

The Breakers Rees Jones® Course caters to every caliber of play featuring over 7,100 scenic yards. Along with legendary golf, Breakers West offers the finest country club amenities, with no assessment fees or food and beverage minimums, making membership a winning move.

ExclusiveGolf Amenities

Club Amenities

• Par-72 Rees Jones®-Designed Course • John Webster Golf Academy • Unparalleled Practice Facility • Renovated Clubhouse and Pro Shop

• Seven Har-Tru Tennis Courts • Olympic-size Pool • Fitness Center • Fitness Classes • Lounge & Grille • Dining & Wine Events • Family Night Out • Daily Happy Hour • Holiday Activities • Summer Camp

Members also enjoy select benefits at The Breakers Palm Beach.

For more information or to apply for membership, please call 561-653-6323 or visit www.breakerswestclub.com.

Owned and operated by The Breakers Palm Beach

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 25

Come Check Out THE NEW LOOK 6=,9 :/67: :,9=0*,: 9,:;(<9(5;:

:PNU \W [VKH` H[ *V\Y[`HYK:OVWZ([>LSSPUN[VU JVT MVY `V\Y JOHUJL [V ^PU H NPM[ JHYK [V `V\Y MH]VYP[L Z[VYL VY YLZ[H\YHU[

15% OFF any beverage (561) 798-4050 Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

Courtyard Animal Hospital

Dr. LaRusso, Chiropractor

Receive $10 OFF any service

$100 OFF initial Exam and Consult

(561) 784-7387 Valid to new clients only. Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers.

Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

Love Nails

Wellington Pizza Hut 13860 Wellington Tr.

$25 Manicure & Spa Pedicure or $20 Full Set Acrylic

For Delivery or Carryout

Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

Treasure Consignment 10% OFF all purchases 50% OFF knickknacks (Including home furnishings, antiques, collectables, jewelry, lamps and more.)

(561) 615-1595 Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

Didi Burton Agency

(561) 333-4224

$8 Medium 3-topping Pizzas $10 Large 3-topping Pizzas

(561) 333-9321

(561) 793-4700 Offer valid to new clients only, does not apply toward insurance or any previous balance. Coupon must be present at time of initial visit – Not valid with any other offers. The patient or person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for any service, examination and or treatment performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the free, discounted fee examination or treatment. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location.

Offer expires 3-24-2011.

Add $2 for Stuffed Crust Pizza, $2 for Specialty Pizza and $4 for Super Premium Pizza. Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

FREE gift with your auto insurance quote

(561) 333-6771 Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

Wellington Dental Crowns from $595 and Teeth Whitening from $149

(561) 790-6660 Some restrictions apply. Not Valid with any other offers. Valid only at Courtyard Shops location. Offer expires 3-24-2011.

(SS 5H[\YHS 7L[ *\PZPUL c (; ; c )HUR VM (TLYPJH c )LYLZMVYK .HSSLY` c *OHZL )HUR *OPUH /\[ c *VMM[LH *HMt c *VTTLYJL +Y` *SLHULYZ c *V\Y[`HYK (UPTHS /VZWP[HS *YV^U 3PX\VYZ c +LU[HS (ZZVJ VM 7HST )LHJO c ,HNSL :OPWWPUN *LU[LY ,`LZ VM >LSSPUN[VU c -HTPS` *OPYVWYHJ[PJ *LU[LY c 0/67 c 2H)SVVT 2VU[PRP 9LZ[H\YHU[ c 3LTVU 0JL 2PUNZ c 3LZSPL»Z :^PTTPUN 7VVS :\WWSPLZ 3V]L 5HPSZ c 4J+VUHSK»Z c 7HST )LHJO :\WLY ;HL 2^VU +V c 7PaaH /\[ c 7\ISP_ :HT 1VU»Z /HPY :[\KPV c :OLSS 6PS c :[H[L -HYT 0UZ\YHUJL *VTWHU` c :[\KPV :\WLYJ\[Z c ;PQ\HUH -SH[Z )\YYP[V *VTWHU` c ;YLHZ\YL *VUZPNUTLU[ ;\[VYPUN *S\I c =HU +LSS 1L^LSLYZ c >LSSPUN[VU =HJ\\T c >LSSZ -HYNV c ALZ[ *SV[OPUN

>LSSPUN[VU ;YHJL .YLLU]PL^ :OVYLZ )S]K

COURTYARD SHOPS atWellington.com

Page 26

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

Enjoy the tradition Sunday Polo in the Wellington Zone • Open to the Public with a General Admission Ticket • Greek Cafe and Full Cash Bar Available • Special Kids Zone - Featuring Bounce Houses, Arts & Crafts Face Painting, Petting Zoo-Something Different Each Week!

• Field Side Seating for Breathtaking High Goal Polo!

Purchase tickets online or at Gate Game Day: internationalpoloclub.com Further Information: 561.204.5687

3667 120TH Avenue South Wellington, Florida 33414 T. 561.204.5687

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Therapist Susan Rose Helps Riders Overcome Fear

Therapist and dressage rider Susan Rose helps riders who have lost confidence. Em ploying the method of Rapid Trauma Resolution, Rose often needs only one session to generate results, and sometimes offers a follow-up “turbo-charge” before a big horse show. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 29

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 27

WHS Boys Tennis Team Looks To A Strong Season

Two seasons ago they were one tie-breaking point away from advancing to the state championship, and last year lost only one regular-season match. The Wellington High School boys tennis program, led by Coach Bruce Israel, has high expectations for another strong year. Josh Hyber’s Column, Page 43

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business Beresford Gallery Brings A Fresh Perspective To The Wellington Area

With the Wellington equestrian season in full swing, Beresford Gallery owner Elizabeth Beer has opened the doors of her art gallery to the western communities. The galler y captures and showcases many aspects of the horse w orld and beyond. Located in the Wellington Cour tyard Shops, Beresford Gallery is a sporting art dealer with an emphasis on fine equine and canine ar twork. Page 37

Sports Young SRHS Softball Team Hoping To Make Progress This Season

The Seminole Ridge High School girls varsity softball team will look to be competitive this year with young talent and new faces. After finishing with a 14-6 record season last year, the Lady Hawks hope to improve their game and foster young talent as the team looks toward the district competition. Page 43

THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ...................... 29-30 DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..................... 32 BUSINESS NEWS .................................37-39 SPORTS & RECREATION ..................... 43-46 COMMUNITY CALENDAR .................... 48-49 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 50-55

Page 28

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 29

FEATURES

Therapist Susan Rose Helps Riders Overcome Their Fears I was cruising through Red Barn Feed a few weeks ago and stopped, as usual, to peruse the bulletin board. A flier posted there got my attention. It was titled “Equine Sports Psychology” and posed the following questions: Have you lost your confidence, focus, enthusiasm? Are you riding defensively, second-guessing yourself, plagued by show nerves?

It had a photo of Susan Rose riding a dressage test. Then it stated something hopeful: In a few short sessions, you can regain and maintain your confidence! Call me to learn more.

Now, if that’s not a column waiting to get written, I don’t know what is. Naturally, I called, and I learned more.

Originally from Maine, Rose moved to the Stuart/Palm City area in 2001.

“Growing up, I rode everything — Western, jumpers, eventing. Finally, I settled on dressage,” Rose said. “In 1986, I became a working student for Olympic rider Lendon Gray, and I never looked back. Dressage was it.”

In addition to riding, Rose has been a practicing psychotherapist for 30 years, doing counseling, therapy — “a little bit of everything.” Wedding her two interests, she became an equine sports psychologist, working with riders who are having confidence issues. And the way this came about makes for an interesting story.

“Two years ago, I retired my FEI dressage horse and decided to find something young-

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg er, hoping to move my riding to the next level,” Rose said. “I’m the typical dressage queen. I went to Germany, mortgaged my house and bought what I thought was the perfect three-year-old gelding... I had him shipped over. The first time I rode him, he dumped me. Hard. I broke some ribs and a shoulder and had surgery. They put a plate in my shoulder, so I couldn’t ride for two months.”

In the meantime, Rose found a young rider to ride her frisky new horse.

“He really was a very talented horse, just a bit too much for me,” she said. “And the closer the time came for me to ride him again, the less I wanted to get on him. I was thinking maybe I was too old to ride such a green horse.

Maybe this wasn‘t such a good idea at all.”

Rose was having that loss of confidence that can strike any rider. She was frightened to get back on the horse. Lucky for her, she discussed her problem with an acquaintance at work, Dr. Jon Connelly. He was a freelance therapist at the clinic working with trauma patients, rape victims, even 9/11 responders.

Therapist and dressage rider Susan Rose helps riders who have lost confidence.

His specialty was something called Rapid We did a bunch of unusual exercises, and I Trauma Resolution, and his patients swore walked out thinking, ‘Well, that was a waste that it worked — not over a course of months of time.’ But when the day came and I got or even weeks — in just one session, they back on my horse, that ‘we’re gonna die’ feelwere able to get past their problems. Every ing was gone.” single one.

Rose was amazed, grateful and intrigued.

“Needless to say, I was fairly skeptical,” She went down to Miami and became trained Rose recalled. “But I figured it was worth a in Rapid Trauma Resolution (RTR), knowtry. So I scheduled an appointment with him.

See ROSENBERG, page 30

Page 30 February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

FEATURES

Put The Book Down? But I’ve Already Read 200 (Bad) Pages!

Were you ever reading a book and you just wanted it to be over ?

I’m reading one like that now. It’s not because the book is too sad or too long or too boring — it’s just that the book is so poorly written. Well, poorly written for me.

I’m the type of person who wants three things out of a book: a great story, lots of conversations (or action) and a minimum of description. I know what it sounds like when a door blows shut — you don’t need to take three sentences to describe it to me.

And you’d think it would be simple enough for me to just close the book and forget it, but it’s not that easy. After stoically braving the first 200 pages, I am now at least minimally invested in the lives of these characters. Would I want them as my neighbors? No. Would I want them as my friends? No. Do we have anything at all in common? No. Yet it says a lot for the human condition

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER that we readers want to empathize with these fictional strangers — strangers who take four paragraphs to brew a cup of coffee and five more to drink it. Infusing myself into the story line, I can almost see myself stomping around on their front porch hollering, “Will you hurry up already?! I’ve knitted half a sweater out here!”

For the first hundred pages or so, I assumed all this dawdling was intrinsic to the story line. Maybe I would find out they lived in a

state where speed was not fashionable or had been beamed down from an alternate time/ space continuum or had their feet encased in concrete by some maniac. Maybe they were eventually going to win a prize for “slowest person ever to come down the stairs.”

The stairs! I have read no less than 16 pages describing how the main character comes down the stairs — how he did it when he was younger, how his dog waits for him at the bottom, how one of the stairs creaks. I now start trembling if he so much as approaches the stairs.

I’m on Page 347 (Book 4, Chapter 68) and finally, finally there was a murder. I’ve never been so happy to have someone die.

The main character is now on the lam, hoping to elude police as he describes every leaf, bird and ray of sunlight in the forest. I am secretly praying he trips and hits his head on a rock. When a squad car got within range, I

wanted to shout, “He’s right over there! Nab him and put both of us out of our misery!”

But books don’t work like that. There are still 300 pages to go, so I’m pretty sure he gets away.

He’ll find some trail (which will be painstakingly described in the fashion of “a ghost of a trail, barely visible among the trees, winking palest green in the morning mist and teasing Edgar who, in his weakened state, thought it surely must be his imagination”) and this trail will lead him straight to “an apparition of a farmhouse, set high upon a hill, its windows cinched up tight with window shades, its dilapidated front porch sagging down in a frown.” A girl will come to the door “wearing a wrinkled cotton apron embroidered with tiny daisies that inexplicably give Edgar hope,” and she will take him inside and they will begin a new life together.

But first, he’ll have to climb the stairs. Damn.

Looking Back On The Tenure Of Superintendent Art Johnson While Palm Beach County Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson’s career ended abruptly and, perhaps for some, bitterly, we should take note of a few of the reasons. Two years ago, he was the invulnerable leader, far longer in his job than most other education superintendents in Florida. Six months ago, candidates for the school board were still swearing support for him. What happened?

We should recognize that Johnson was tripped up to a large degree by some issues that were effectively out of his control. Over the past 10 years, the federal government has set standards that have moved ever higher and forced schools all over the country to establish very formalized testing procedures.

Student performance on the FCAT counts as far more than actually learning very much.

Educational reformer Diane Ravitch has warned that subject matter such as science and social studies is being ignored as students learn how to better fill in those little circles, often spending days on learning how to make good guesses.

Johnson’s major crunch, the disaster of the new forced curriculum with its testing measures last year, was a result of trying to meet these federal standards. The pressing need to improve test scores, many of which actually

Rosenberg

Therapist Susan Rose

continued from page 29 ing that if it had helped her, it could help other fearful riders.

“Rapid Trauma Resolution works with the subconscious mind,” she explained. “First we look at the impression the incident or a series of events have left in the subconscious, and we clear that. Then we flood the subconscious with positive goals. It sounds pretty simple, and it is, but this therapy has the potential to help riders who have lost their confidence regain their love of riding. I’ve had some pretty awesome results.”

The sessions generally last about an hour and cost $75 (in her office) or $100 (at your

have little to do with verifiably learning academic material, pushed Palm Beach County’s school system, like so many others, into uncontrolled overdrive.

Of course, Johnson’s famed remark that children could become “happy morons” was a self-inflicted wound. Had he looked at angry parents and talked about the wildly competitive new world economy — where, in some countries, students go to school for 40 or more extra days, spend hours more in school and a lot of extra hours in study — and asked how our children could compete against that, he would not have faced the personalization of opposition that developed. When Johnson made the argument more personal, he alienated parents who wound up opposing him because of the clumsy remarks.

His hiring and support for Dr. Jeffrey Her-

nandez was a major error. Hernandez, one of the far too many educational leaders who spent much too little time in actual classrooms before becoming a decision-maker, imposed a rigid curriculum on teachers, never bothering to attempt to win their support or even explain the reasons for his changes. Schools, similar to most institutions, are like balloons. Push in at one side and another one pops out. Whatever you do will have an impact; planning to deal with that impact is as important as planning what you want to change.

Having students take tests every few weeks is not abnormal; forcing teachers to give standardized tests on specific days took away any chance at creativity. Over the past half-century or so, there have been movements to make education “teacher-proof.” Every one has failed. Hernandez might have succeeded had he worked with teachers to try to provide a sense of ownership, to explain why things would be done in the way they were. He never bothered.

And when Hernandez was more or less banished to a lesser job, he was allowed seven weeks of paid leave to work somewhere else.

I thought teachers got 10 days of sick leave.

Who gets seven paid weeks? Well, those who are treated differently from anyone else, and

there has been too much of that in the system.

Unfortunately, Johnson ignored all the voices that protested, as he has done through his long tenure.

Because Johnson has been around, a strong leader, for so many years, he has appointed all of the rest of the leadership in the system. They were his friends. But he also alienated people. And enemies often last for life. Eventually, the people he offended, the ones passed over, outnumbered his supporters.

What, then, is Johnson’s legacy? This county has done far better than most; it is the highest-ranked urban district in the state. There are more than a few problem schools and quite a few students who are not meeting standards.

Those are part of the reasons for Johnson’s having lost his job. But there are also a lot of very good schools, a few truly excellent ones, and many students over the years who turned into good, productive citizens, and others who are, through the schools, learning to reach that goal.

Johnson’s legacy is that we have a pretty good school system, far from perfect, but pretty good. It may not sound like a great epitaph for his years of service, but he did better than many others.

home). Rose said she needs only one session to generate results, and sometimes offers a follow-up “turbo-charge” before a big horse show. That’s one of the nice parts of RTR — it’s a finite process, not an ongoing therapy.

“We get a whole lot accomplished in an hour,” she said.

Rose noted that life continues to happen, and another bad fall or negative experience can retrigger the trauma. But she gives her clients tools to redirect their thoughts toward positive goals.

“It’s pretty amazing stuff,” she said. “It absolutely flies in the face of traditional therapy, in which the patient has insights and makes subtle changes. In RTR, I do all the work, and the client just follows directions.

When something that scary happens, the fear becomes real. But actually, the event is only a memory; the event is in the past. I

break the tie between the current fear and the past traumatic event.”

Rose said part of her expertise is that she can truly relate to her clients.

“I know what it is to ride scared, to put your foot in a stirrup and feel nauseous,” she said. “It’s horrible to spend time doing something that was once a pleasure and is now a chore. I understand the joy of riding and how it can become something you dread. So when I see my clients enjoying their riding again and feeling safe and confident on their horses, I feel wonderful. Most of them already have the physical skills they need to ride. Now they can do so without the hindrance of fear standing in their way.

That’s my real pay.”

Susan Jaccoma of Wellington had a really bad showing in the World Equestrian Games Selection Trials in August 2010. Jaccoma lost

her confidence, her feeling of oneness with her horse. Then she ran into Susan Rose.

They’d both been members of the Maine Dressage Association.

“Susan asked what I was doing, when I was showing again, and I said not right now,” Jaccoma recalled. “I told her about my problem, and she said, ‘I can help you.’ She worked with me one time, and since then I’ve shown three times and done very well. It was so simple, I thought, how can this possibly work?

Yet the very next day, I miraculously started looking at show schedules again. The whole thing was pretty interesting. I don’t know how it worked, but it did. I’ve already recommended her to several people in the dressage community, and I know they’ve also had success.

How cool is that?”

For more information, call Susan Rose at (772) 285-2739.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 31

Page 32

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Highwaymen Paintings On Display At Lighthouse ArtCenter

(A bove) An oil painting on Upson board b y Alfred Hair.

(Below) An oil painting on canvas board by A.E. Backus.

Poincianas and palm trees; beach scenes and moonlight — paintings

by Florida’s Highwaymen offer a colorful look at the state’s past.

Highwaymen paintings are featured in an exhibition at the Lighthouse ArtCenter now through March 12, in honor of Black History Month.

“These works document a time when members of an oppressed community sustained themselves by selling their artwork alongside of U.S. Highway 1,” Lighthouse ArtCenter Executive Director Katie Deits said.

In collaboration with several private collections, including Perry and Judith Vassalotti and Mason and Gil Walsh, “Highwaymen” comprises 50 landscapes completed between the 1950s and 2000s by State of Florida Hall of Fame artists Johnny Daniels, Willie Daniels, Alfred Hair, R.A. McClendon, Harold Newton, Sam Newton and Livingston Roberts, along with Mary Ann Carroll, the sole female artist of the group, and one painting by legendary landscape artist A.E Backus that is part of the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum Collection.

“They aren’t considered ‘motel art’ anymore,” said Highwaymen enthusiast and collector Perry Vassalotti, whose collection in the exhibition is worth well over $100,000. He and wife Judith purchased some of the paintings from galleries and art sales, but several of the rare and valuable landscapes in the Vassalottis’ possession were

actually reclaimed and restored to their prime condition from junk sales and dusty attics, where they were waiting, discarded as garbage.

Nowadays, the distinctive Highwaymen landscapes are on the radar of many art aficionados both in and out of state, but Boynton Beach native Vassalotti said he pined for one of the loudly colored Poinciana paintings on Upson board back when he was a child and saw them hawked along the highway to tourists for $25 or less. He purchased his first Harold Newton painting in 1969 and became a collector several years later.

Vassalotti said that it is not only the intrinsic beauty and striking use of color that attracts many people to the paintings, but also the fascinating story behind their existence.

“They were young, black artists painting their way out of orange groves and packing houses,” he said. “The primary motivator for painting was money, but their products were beautiful and unique.”

Many of the Highwaymen were inspired, and some were mentored by nationally renowned Fort Pierce impressionist landscape painter Albert “Beanie” Backus.

When a tourist boom erupted in Florida in the mid-1950s, the young artists rode the wave to economic success by painting faster than their mentor would have ever dreamed.

“They redefined the traditional notions of a landscape painting,” Vassalotti said.

An oil painting on masonite b y Harold Ne wton.

All of the paintings from the Perry and Judith Vassalotti Collection will be for sale throughout the exhibition.

“Highwaymen” also will run alongside two additional Lighthouse ArtCenter exhibitions, a juried call-to-artists wildlife photography exhibition now through March 12 and the Gary Wiren Golf Collection, including art from the Academy of Golf Art, now throughApril 6.

The Lighthouse ArtCenter is located in Gallery Square North (373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta). For more information on the Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum programs and events, visit www.lighthousearts. org or call (561) 746-3101.

Next West Palm Beach Antiques Festival Set For March 4-6 The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will return for another weekend at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6.

Festival owners Kay and Bill Puchstein noted that the February “Spectacular” was the largest show at the venue since they took over the event.

The February festival featured more than 1,000 dealers on site with all inside and breezeway spaces in

One of the dolls available from Roberta’s Doll House.

the three expo buildings sold out.

New attendance records were established at each opening, and early buyers admissions were up 40 percent over last year ’s February “Spectacular.”

The eclectic merchandise being scooped up by buyers ranged from antique dolls at Roberta’s Doll House from New Jersey to an outstanding pair of 1940s folk art horses from Cesar Macedo’s booth and pre-Civil-War-era Colt pistols from Alan Porter. Becky and Rick Coffin of Michigan reported selling many large pieces of country furniture, Greg Biaggi sold two completely restored Coke machines from the 1950s and Rosie O’Reilly of Austin, Texas had an outstanding show selling silver and high-end estate jewelry. Gayla and Tom Bailey of Palm City brought a large display of old Cracker Jacks prizes made into necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They also sold dozens of decorator pieces made of wicker and iron. A vintage 1960s Gibson guitar (complete with case) brought $1,200.

A dealer who also had a great

weekend and is anticipating another outstanding show at the March festival is Sonny Kimball of Absolute Antiques and Estate Buyers of Palm Beach Gardens. Kimball began his antiques career via a circuitous route. He and his wife were fossil hunters making jewelry from fossilized shark teeth. A friend began importing antique furniture reproductions from Thailand and Kimball began selling it in his shop and at shows. Today Kimball shows only genuine 17th- and 18th-century American and Continental furniture items. But that’s only part of his repertoire.

Kimball has a strong interest in militaria from World War I and World War II, and his inventory includes a number of medals, insignia, uniforms and hardware such as helmets, guns and knives. He also has general collectibles such as Lalique and Meissen, but his forte lies in jewelry, coins and artwork. He carries only original works by listed artists and has no prints or lithographs. Kimball is also happy to help both dealers and customers evaluate and price items, and he is

A pair of folk art horses sold by Cesar Macedo. always in the market to acquire complete estates and militaria collections.

Show hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Friday, March 4; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 5; and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Adult daily admission is $7, $6 for seniors and free for anyone 12 and under.

Early buyers admission on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon costs $25 and is good for all three days. There is no charge for parking at the fairgrounds. For additional information about the festival, call (941) 6977475, e-mail info@wpbaf.com or visit the festival’s web site at www.wpbaf.com.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 33

Page 34

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

Academy for Child Enrichment — In the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Academy for Child Enrichment offers free all-day VPK. Infants through after-school day and night care, 6:30 a.m. to midnight (Monday through Friday), meals included. Qualified staff. Se habla Espanol. Special rates for all registration. The Academy for Child Enrichment is located at 700 Camellia Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 798-3452 or visit www.smallworldpbc.com for more info.

Calling All Kids Indoor Playground — Calling All Kids summer camp fun includes rock climbing, water slides, gymnastics, video arcade, movie theater, kid-size village, arts & crafts, science & cooking, Wii stations and more for children six months to 10 years. The best place in town to have your kid’s private birthday party! For more info., visit www.CallingAllKidsFunCenter.com or call (561) 8687007 or (561) 802-9090. Calling All Kids is located at 854 Conniston Rd., West Palm Beach.

Casperey Stables Horse Camp — Casperey Stables is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages seven to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each twoweek session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days.

Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family BBQ. Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

Get Creative! Armory Art Center Summer Art Camp — The Armory Art Center is excited to bring a series of theme-based sessions to your elementary school through high school aged children for this year’s summer camp. Experienced instructors have developed projects relating to the themes of each week. Activities are age appropriate and focus on your child’s artistic and creative development. Students age 5-7 years old will rotate among several studio areas daily in ceramic sculpture, drawing, painting and other creative mediums. Teens work with guest artists during intensive studio workshops in a variety of areas in the visual arts. All art materials are included in the cost of tuition. The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Home Away From Home Summer Camp — If your kids want a great summer camp experience, come to any of Home Away From Home’s four Palm Beach locations. Now enrolling summer camp programs for children ages 4-10 (limited space is available). The program offers daily indoor and outdoor field trips. Free meals and webcam services are included. Rated the “Best Summer Camp Ever!”

For more information, visit www.HomeAwayFromHomeChildcare.com or call Wellington (561) 791-8558, Palm Beach Gardens (561) 627-6170, Jupiter (561) 747-6916 or West Palm Beach (561) 802-9090.

Jewish Summer Camp — Enjoy a Jewish summer camp on a farm for girls ages 711 at the Good Earth Farm. Featuring a six-week certificate of horse care competency. Candy making, soap making, painting, drawing, 3D design, sewing and crafts. Kayak instruction; European spa comes to the camp for beauty day. Jewish music singing, art and a Shabbat program with a local rabbi. Director Nancy Fried Tobin (BFA, MAT, MFA, RM, Equine Certified Specialist/Instructor) has been working with kids for years. Registering now; call (561) 792-2666. Located at 2141 B Road in Loxahatchee Groves, the farm is 25 minutes from anywhere in the Palm Beach area.

Noah’s Ark — Noah’s Ark is located on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves.

They offer free all-day VPK. Lower rates and special registration for fall. Meals are included. Noah’s Ark offers care for infants and preschool children as well as after-school care. Se habla Espanol. Conveniently located at 14563 Okeechobee Blvd. between Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves elementary schools.

Call (561) 753-6624 for more info.

South Florida Science Museum — Join the South Florida Science Museum for Summer Camp 2011! Each exciting week will offer hands-on exploration for young scientists ages 4 to 12 on specific topics in science. The days are packed with fun science lessons, laboratories, crafts and outside activities led by expert science educators. Camp starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. with extended hours of structured activities available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Camps are grouped into ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Before and aftercare available. Early registration accepted prior to May 1. Register online at www.sfsm.org or by calling (561) 8322026.

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 35

Page 36

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

BUSINESS NEWS

Find artwork like Dream Date, a pastel by Karen Davies, at Beresford Gallery.

Beresford Gallery Offers A New Perspective To The Wellington Area

By Damon Webb Town-Crier Staff Report With the Wellington equestrian season in full swing, Beresford Gallery owner Elizabeth Beer has opened the doors of her art gallery to the western communities. The gallery captures and showcases many aspects of the horse world and beyond.

Beresford Gallery is a sporting art dealer with an emphasis on fine equine and canine artwork.

The Beresford Gallery was started in the early 1970s by Kathleen Costello Beer, Elizabeth’s mother, an accomplished artist, author and art teacher who found it hard to represent herself. An enthusiast of outdoors and equestrian activities, Kathleen Beer leaned toward what she knew best, sporting art. She also took her strength in teaching art to find, coach and guide young talented artists into successful careers. She helped them graduate to different mediums, improve their color decisions and find their personal artistic strengths.

Elizabeth Beer was raised in the art industry. She has always been involved in some capacity with the art gallery, mainly on the business side of things. Everything changed upon the passing of her mother in 2001. Beer stepped in and now operates the gallery full time. She continues the tradition her mother started by guiding young talented artists in all aspects of the art industry world.

Beer is excited to have the new retail store during equestrian and polo season. “This is the right place for us to be,” Beer said. “The best of the horse world meet here in Wellington for the winter. We like the thought of being here for a short while and being able to participate in the myriad events and activities held throughout the season. We are not here year round, so the time we do spend here is something special, and we always strive to bring that something extra with us through the art gallery.”

Elizabeth Beer Beer noted that Beresford Gallery has its own selection of artists for clients to choose from.

“This makes us unique because when a client decides to have a piece of artwork done, the client has the ability to choose the artist, medium and style which best suites their taste and lifestyle,” she said. “Original artwork is always a great investment.”

Beer pointed out that the gallery is constantly looking for young talent to help take it to the next level.

“Art is for everyone to enjoy and express themselves,” Beer said. “I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to share our passion with people. Younger audiences especially benefit from finding out what a gallery has to offer... When we enter the picture we are able to show them this is where they belong and how they will benefit from it.”

Beresford Gallery is located at 13860-5 Wellington Trace in the Wellington Courtyard Shops. For more information, visit www. beresfordgallery.com or call (610) 347-1247.

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 37

Page 38

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Tom Amburgey Named Among Top IT Leaders Computerworld has named Wellington Chief Information Officer Tom Amburgey a 2011 Premier 100 IT Leader.

Details can be found online at www.computerworld.com as well as the Feb. 21 print issue of Computerworld magazine. This lifetime achievement award spotlights 100 leaders from both technology and business for their exceptional technology leadership and innovative solutions to business challenges.

“In the face of the past few years of economic turmoil that for many meant budget cuts and staff downsizing, these 100 men and women continued to innovate and deliver measurable business value,” Computerworld Editor in Chief Scot Finnie said.

Amburgey will host a discussion table on Monday, March 7 at the Computerworld IT Leaders Conference in Palm Desert, Calif. and will

be formally recognized the following evening at a gala and honoree reception.

“It’s an honor to join past recipients from The New York Times, the American Red Cross, the Library of Congress and Walt Disney Studios as a Premier 100 IT Leader,” Amburgey said. “My goal has always been to provide cutting-edge technology services to improve Wellington for its residents.”

Computerworld, the worldwide leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers, established the Premier 100 in 2000 to spotlight individuals who have a positive impact on their organization through technology. Computerworld uses its IT Leader Index to analyze how closely each nominee matches its definition of an IT leader.

For more information, visit www. computerworld.com.

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

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

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

BUSINESS NEWS

Gannon Receives Excellence In Government Leadership Award

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon received the prestigious Excellence in Government Leadership Award from the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) on Feb. 17.

Gannon’s award was presented at the association’s ninth annual National Leadership Conference & Exposition in Washington, D.C. The Excellence in Government Leadership Award was formally established to recognize a government professional who exemplifies and promotes excellence in government, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards and innovative management procedures.

This award was presented in recognition of Gannon’s leadership in changing the culture of the tax collector’s office since her election in 2006. Her efforts, which she calls “journey to the un-government experience,” empower employees to be champions for their customers.

She implemented a professional development program for employees who work to resolve pressing issues that can be measured, analyzed and controlled, resulting in productivity savings.

Gannon was elected by a large margin in 2006 and then re-elected without opposition in 2008 to a fouryear term. She is responsible for the collection and disbursement of more than $3 billion in tax revenues and the issuance of driver’s licenses for Palm Beach County. The agency employs over 250 women and men in the central office and eight service centers throughout Palm Beach County. The processes implemented by Gannon have already resulted in national attention.

She was invited by the prestigious Deming Research Institute to present at the organization’s 16th annual International Deming Research Seminar in 2010.

To create an enjoyable professional experience for both employees and clients, Gannon has introduced nine new values to the organization, two of which are “creativity” and “fun.” In the flavor of promoting these values, employees chose creative titles for themselves and their departments. For example, the Tax Services and Branch Operations Departments transformed to the Navigation Centers. The Finance and Budget Department is

PBC Tax Collector Anne Gannon now the Accountability Team, affectionately referred to as the “ATeam.”

The Association of Government Accountants is a 15,000-member professional association that serves government accountability professionals by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification, and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability.

For additional information, visit www.agacgfm.org.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 39

BUSINESS NEWS

Hospice Hosts Music And Massage Therapy Conference The sound of music was heard at the third annual In Harmony Music & Massage Therapy Conference hosted by Hospice of Palm Beach County.

Approximately 75 people attended the three-day conference, which opened Feb. 4 at the West Palm Beach Marriott Hotel, with members of the Hospice of Palm Beach County music and integrative therapy department playing instruments and harmonizing, inviting attendees to participate.

The conference attracts therapists nationwide to network, learn the

latest techniques and ideas, and earn continuing education credits.

Dr. Faustino Gonzalez, vice president of medical affairs at Hospice of Palm Beach County and a Wellington resident, gave the opening address discussing the importance of the complementary therapies of music, massage and aromatherapy in reducing stress, anxiety, high blood pressure and pain. Gonzalez explained that pain affects 40 percent of Hospice patients. “These therapies have been proven to help the more than 1,150 patients we see daily to reduce discomfort,” he said.

The Women’s Chamber Giraffe Awards March 24 The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will host its 16th annual Giraffe Awards in honor of Women’s History Month on March 24 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.

Held at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion, there will be an auction and expo at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and ceremony to begin at 7 p.m.

The Women’s Chamber selected the giraffe over 15 years ago as a symbol of accomplishment for women who have “stuck their necks out” in business and the community. The keynote speaker will be Delia Passi, the president and CEO of Medelia Inc., and founder of WomenCertified.

For more information, call the chamber at (561) 684-4523 or visit www.womenschamber.biz.

Carla Tanguay, Hospice of Palm Beach County music therapy internship coordinator, explained that music therapy applicants must intern for six months with the organization before applying for a position. “This conference provides a unique opportunity for music therapists and massage therapists from across the country to enhance their skills and techniques while also learning about how to integrate techniques from other modalities,” Tanguay said. “When these therapies are used together, a power synergy is created that helps the patients who need it most.”

Hospice of Palm Beach County has one of the largest music therapy programs in the United States.

The program began 14 years ago as a method to provide added comfort to patients, alleviating anxiety and involving family members at a significant time in their loved one’s life.

Today, music therapy is recognized as an important clinical intervention.

Hospice patients receive these therapies along with medical, physical and psychological treatments. Music and integrative therapy patients are assessed and prescribed sessions just as they would with other forms of care.

These integrative therapies, also

Carla Tanguay, Greg Leach, Dr. Faustino Gonzalez and Chelsea Johnson. known as complementary therapies, treat patients on an emotional, spiritual and cognitive level. These gentle, holistic treatment options work seamlessly with the medical care provided to patients. Along with music therapy, they include palliative massage, reiki, aromatherapy, imagery work and relaxation training.

“We are able to provide these

therapies due to the incredible response from our patients and families and the willingness of the community to support such a viable program,” said Dave Fielding, president and chief executive officer of Hospice of Palm Beach County.

For more information about the services Hospice of Palm Beach County provides, call (561) 8485200 or visit www.hpbc.com.

Page 40

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 41

Page 42

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 43

SPORTS & RECREATION

Young SRHS Softball Team Hoping To Progress This Season

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Seminole Ridge High School girls varsity softball team will look to be competitive this year with young talent and new faces.

After a 14-6 season last year, the Lady Hawks hope to improve their game and foster young talent as the team looks toward the district competition. Head coach Patrick Moons said he is glad to have such a young team again this year.

“We have no seniors,” he said.

“It’s quite a luxury to have. We have a team of juniors, sophomores and two starting freshmen.”

Returning to the team this year is first baseman Amanda Trainor, centerfielder Mackenzie Davis and leftfielder Caitlin Korvela. New talent includes pitcher Alana Tabel, who transferred from Palm Beach Gardens, catcher Audrey Forbes and third baseman Sheilagh Stevens.

Moons hopes that new talent cou-

Seminole Ridge pitcher Alana Tabel winds up during last Friday’s game against Park Vista.

pled with more experienced players will be a winning combination in years to come.

“We’re a young team, and our goal is obviously to be competitive every time we come out,” he said.

“We’re still building, and next year will be huge for us. We have a lot of youth, a lot of newness that will hopefully launch us into next year.

But we expect to be competitive this year.”

Moons said that his team’s strengths will be in its pitching, catching and hitting, but noted that the team still needs to build chemistry.

“We have so many girls who just transferred in or new freshmen that we just have to get everyone to come together,” he said. “It’s all about being ‘one Hawk’ and coming together.”

The Lady Hawks lost to Park Vista High School 6-2 on Friday, Feb. 18 at home. Park Vista brought in two runs at the top of the third inning, and Seminole Ridge responded with runs by Forbes and Trainor on a hit by Stevens.

However, the Cobras loaded the bases at the top of the fifth inning and Makenzie Garcia slammed the ball far into left field to bring home three runs, making the score 5-2.

Garcia then ran home to finish the scoring 6-2.

The Lady Hawks traveled to Santaluces High School on Tuesday, Feb. 22 and came home with an impressive 6-0 win. The team travels to Spanish River High School on Friday, Feb. 25 for a 7 p.m. game.

Hawk Amanda Trainor looks to run to second base.

Seminole Ridge’s Samantha Chung st eps up to the plate.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

WHS Boys Tennis Team Looks To Another Strong Season Two seasons ago they were one tie-breaking point away from advancing to the state championship, and last year lost only one regular-season match. The Wellington High School boys varsity tennis program, led by Coach Bruce Israel, has high expectations for another dominant year.

“We have to win districts,” Israel said. “And I think we have an excellent chance of doing well at regionals and moving on to states.”

The coach has two quality players at the top of his roster to lead the way. Travis Michaud is the team’s No. 1-ranked singles player. The senior had just one regular-sea-

Ben Aqua steps in to hit a return.

Wolverine Watch

By Josh Hyber son loss last year before an injury cut his season short.

Michaud’s doubles partner is fellow senior Ben Aqua. Aqua was the sixth-ranked singles player as a freshman but stepped into the No. 1 position when then senior Cory Wagshol was injured. Aqua’s steady play has kept him in the top five throughout his high school career.

Israel has high aspirations for his top two players, saying both have the ability to do well at the regional championship, and Michaud potentially could do well at the state championship. They could also advance to states as a doubles pair, he said.

In fact, with a lack of local competition (several schools lost many seniors, according to Israel) the Wellington team scheduled

a match against West Boca Raton High School, one of South Florida’s best teams, to start the year. Michaud won his match 8-0, Aqua lost his 8-6, and as a doubles pair they won 8-2.

“Ben and Travis need the competition,” Israel said.

Aqua said that playing a team like West Boca will pay off in the long run. “When districts and regionals come around, every team is as good, so the early competition will be beneficial,” he said.

Israel is also excited about the amount of depth the roster provides. “Usually we have 10 or 11 kids try out and I don’t have to cut any,” he said. “But this year we had 26. I couldn’t be happier.”

Freshman Trevor Sacks is the team’s thirdranked singles player. In the match against West Boca, he won 8-3. In his doubles match with partner Doug Conti, he came back from a 5-1 deficit before forcing a tie-breaker. Instead of playing “win by two” though, “they made us do a tie-breaker at 7-7,” Conti said.

Sacks and Conti eventually lost 8-7.

Conti, a senior, lost the first singles match of his high school career 8-1. Wolverine freshman Derrick Michaud played as the fifth-

Travis Michaud warms up before a match.

PHOTOS BY DEVEN ALLERT

ranked singles player against West Boca and won 8-3.

Also on the roster is sophomore Arthur Strappazzon. The 6-foot-5 Strappazzon is currently finishing his duties as a reserve center on the basketball team. Israel hopes he returns soon. “We have the ability to be competitive,” Israel said.

If history has an effect on how Wellington’s boys tennis team does this year and the future is as Israel preaches, there is no slowing down.

Page 44

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

SPORTS & RECREATION

Youth Baseball Season Springs To Action In Royal Palm

By Bryan Gayoso Town-Crier Staff Report The Youth Baseball Association of Royal Palm Beach began its spring season on Saturday, Feb. 19.

It was a “beautiful day for baseball,” as League President Scott Houk remarked during the opening ceremonies.

In addition to more than 300 players, Royal Palm Beach Village

Council members and league representatives were in attendance.

“We’re very excited,” Houk said about the day’s festivities.

“We’ve got the village council and our parks and recreation staf f coming out to be with us today, 27 teams, registration is way up, and we’re really excited to get the season underway.”

Mayor Matty Mattioli had the

honor of throwing out the first pitch.

“I look forward to it every year, and I’m just glad that the program is growing every year,” he said. “The council will keep supporting this program, and we hope that there are better things to come.”

Teams are made up of players from 4 to 14 years old. For information on the league, visit www. youthbaseballrpb.com.

PHOTOS BY BRYAN GAYOSO/TOWN-CRIER

League President Scott Houk makes opening remarks.

Players and coaches applaud as teams are introduced.

A U-6 Dodger heads for home.

RPB Village Council members with league representatives.

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 45

Page 46

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

SPORTS & RECREATION

Berean Basketball Boys Defeat WCS To Advance To Regionals

Briana Burch with her family af ter signing her letter of intent.

Burch Signs To Play Volleyball At Warner On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Wellington High School girls varsity volleyball player Briana Burch signed a letter of intent to play at Warner University in Lake Wales.

Burch said she chose the school because “when I went to visit for the first time, I was really impressed on how small the classes were, and that means more one-on-one [time] with the professor. The girls on the

team were also very welcoming. It was a family atmosphere.”

Burch added that she likes the school because it is close to home, so her family can come out and support her.

Burch leaves for the school on Aug. 16, and her first game is scheduled for Sept. 9 against Northwood University. Her position will be outside defender.

Berean Christian School varsity basketball player Ryan Lantz made four free throws in the closing 25 seconds to seal a dramatic comefrom-behind win as the Bulldogs (17-10) outlasted the Wellington Christian School Eagles 46-41 in a District 12 1-A basketball semifinal Friday, Feb. 18 in Wellington. “I was just trying to tune out the crowd and focus on the rim,” Lantz said.

The Eagles started the game on a roll as they soared to a 7-0 lead before the Bulldogs could score. Wellington Christian’s Zach Whitehead, who was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points, was on fire as he scored nine of his team’s 22 firstquarter points. The Eagles led 22-

11 at the end of the first quarter.

From that point on, Berean slowly chipped away at Wellington Christian’s lead. In the second quarter, Berean kept feeding the ball inside to center Alix Moise, who scored eight points in the period. At the intermission, the Eagles led by four, 29-25.

The key point in the game was midway through the third quarter when Lantz nailed a three-pointer from the left corner. That basket gave Berean its first lead of the night, 32-31. The Bulldogs maintained that one-point advantage going into the fourth quarter, 34-33.

From that point onward, both teams exchanged the lead until the Bull-

dogs pulled away in the final minute of the game. In addition to Lantz’s late-game heroics at the line, Keion Berry had a break-away slam dunk with 1:06 left, which put Berean up by three, and Brandon Crawford made two key free throws at the 1:42 mark to keep the Eagles at bay.

“A win is a win,” said Berean coach John Lantz, father of Ryan.

“Wellington Christian played their guts out tonight. We were able to make some adjustments, and we came back. I’m very proud of my players. It was a great game to watch.”

For more information on Berean Christian School, call (561) 7989300 or visit www.bcsbulldogs.org.

Register Now For Women’s Softball The Greater Palm Beaches Gumbo Limbo League is offering a slowpitch women’s softball program for women living in the greater West Palm Beach area.

Games for the spring 2011 sea-

son will be played on Sundays at Howard Park in West Palm Beach.

Howard Park is located at 1302 Parker Avenue.

Registration for the spring season is now open to place players and

register teams. For fall league program requirements, sponsor package information or any other questions about the league, call (561) 758-8082 or e-mail softballgalhere @aol.com.

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

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 47

Page 48

February 25 - March 3, 2011

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, Feb. 26 • A Yard Sale to Benefit the Acreage/ Loxahatchee Relay for Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. to noon at 12684 70th Place North (off Coconut Blvd.) in The Acreage. For more info., call (561) 383-8415.

• Audubon of the Everglades will present Birding Workshops on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pine Jog Environmental Center (301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach). The cost is $25 for four sessions or $9 per session. For more info., call Paton White at (561) 818-7574 or e-mail patonwhite@aol.com.

• The Wellington Garden Club will host “Gardening Makes a World of Difference” on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking area of the Wellington Community Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (561) 635-8809.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host “Creative Writing for Tweens” on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. for ages 10 to 15. Do you like to write poetry, stories or fan fiction? Learn about the craft of writing and do exercises to improve your skills. Bring a sample of your writing to share. Call (561) 790-6030 to preregister.

• The Bak Middle School of the Arts Foundation will host a Jazz Brunch on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at B.B. King’s in CityPlace. The event will feature the award-winning Bak jazz band in concert under the direction of Band Director Cleve Maloon. For more info., call (561) 8823828, e-mail msoafoundation@msn.com or visit www.msoafoundation.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Board Game Spectacular” on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. for age 6 and up. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Chi Zeta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will present Boynton Beach High School’s Dimensional Harmony Choir at its second annual Blue Revue on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. Proceeds will provide scholarships for high school seniors in the w estern communities. E-mail sdacevedo@yahoo.com or leave a voice mail at (561) 308-5349 for more info.

• The $75,000 Fidelity Grand Prix FEI CSI W will take place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington) on Saturday, Feb.

26 from 6 to 10 p.m. Call (561) 793-5867 or visit www.equestriansport.com for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department will present “A Tribute to Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Carole King” on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at the RPB Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). For more info., call (561) 7905149 or visit www.royalpalmbeach.com.

• The Dolly Hand Cultural Ar ts Center (1977 College Dr., Belle Glade) will present Legends of Motown & More on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call (561) 993-1160 or visit www.dollyhand.org.

• The band Whitestone will perform on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater. Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.

Sunday, Feb. 27 • The Hanley Center Foundation will host a day of fun for the entire family starting at noon Sunday, Feb. 27 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. All proceeds benefit Hanley’s Hope Fund, which provides financial assistance to those seeking treatment for alcoholism or chemical dependency, but are unable to afford it. For more info., call Theresa Kewley at (561) 841-1212 or visit www.hanley center.org.

• The 26-goal Piaget Gold Cup Polo Tournament will be held Sunday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 20 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Ave. South, Wellington). Visit www.inter nationalpoloclub.com for more info.

Monday, Feb. 28 • Dr. David Trachtenberg will discuss “Jews and the Genome” at Temple Beth Tivkah (4550 Jog Road, Greenacres) Monday through Thursday, Feb. 28 to March 3 from 10 a.m. to noon with a snack break.

The cost is $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers. Call (561) 967-3600 to reser ve a seat.

• The American Cancer Society will hold its 43rd annual 19th Hole Club Luncheon & Golf Event featuring PGA Professional and 2010 Honda Classic Champion Camilo Villegas on Monday, Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at the Breakers Flagler Steakhouse (One South County Road, Palm Beach). For more info., call Allie Skinner at (561) 6553449 or e-mail allie.skinner@cancer.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Legos Activities on MonSee CALENDAR, page 49

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 48 day, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. for age 8 and up.

Builders create their own vehicles or buildings out of Lego pieces. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Author: Sharon Potts” on Monday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on her latest thriller Someone’s Watching. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Maltz Jupiter Theatre (1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter) will present Second City on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

America’s greatest comedy theater troupe launched the careers of Saturday Night Live stars and many more. Visit www.jupiter theatre.org or call (561) 575-2223 for info.

Tuesday, March 1 • The Palm Beach County Commission will meet Tuesday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Palm Beach County Government Center (301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach).

Visit www.pbcgov.com for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “What to Do When Lenders Are Not Lending” for adults Tuesday, March 1 at 2:30 p.m. Ted Kramer of the Small Business Development Center will discuss viable options when no bank loans are available. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The 4-H Panthers will meet Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive). All youths ages 5 to 18 are invited to join. 4-H is the youth development component of the Cooperative Extension Service. To learn more, visit www.4hpanther.webs.com.

• The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation will celebrate its 13th anniversary on Tuesday, March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 264 the Grill (264 S. County Road, Palm Beach). There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. For more info., call (561) 8058733, visit www.artmarshall.org or e-mail plantcypress@aol.com.

• The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council will meet Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office (101 West D Road). Call (561) 793-2418 or visit www.loxahatcheegroves. org for more info.

Wednesday, March 2 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Dr. Seuss is Back in the House” for ages 4 to 7 on Wednesday,

March 2 at 4 p.m. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Palm Beach State College South County campus will present “Confidence & Care: How to Boost Children’s Self Esteem” on Wednesday, March 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Humanities Building, Room HT 103 (3000 Saint Lucie Ave., Boca Raton). Palm Beach County School District psychologist Sheresa Fairclough will explain on how adults can promote healthy self esteem in children 4 to 7 years old. Admission is $50 per person. Refreshments will be provided. For more info., contact Carol Wallace at (561) 290-0560 or car ol@ courseofactionseminars.com.

Thursday, March 3 • The Wellington Women’s Club will meet Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington). Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and a presentation by Sonia Meyer, author of the novel Dosha: Flight of the Russian Gypsies. The guest fee is $30. To RSVP, call Allyson Samiljan at (561) 7986741.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Writers Critique Workshop for adults on Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism and comments in a suppor tive atmosphere led by Florida Writers Association member Mark Adduci. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will meet Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.).

Call (561) 790-5100 or visit www.royalpalm beach.com for more info.

• The Improv at CityPlace (550 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 250, West Palm Beach) will present “A Night of Laughter” to benefit the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County on Thur sday, March 3 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 833-1812 for more info.

Friday, March 4 • Associate Regional Director of the AntiDefamation League of Florida Lonny Wilk will present “Update on Egypt and Iran: How Will They Impact Israel and AntiSemitism?” on Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach). There is no charge. For more info., call Muriel at (561) 798-8888.

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.

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 49

Page 50 February 25 - March 3, 2011

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER opening in Wellington needs CERTIFIED PART TIME TEACHERS new and experienced elementary & secondary teachers wanted to instruct K-12 in Reading, Math, SAT/ACT Exam Prep. No lesson plans or homework, paid training and flexible hours.

Please e-mail resume to marlenegiraud@hlcwellington.com or call 561-594-1920 and leave a message TEACHERS/TUTORS P/T SAT/ACT/FCAT- MATH Flexible Hrs. Great Pay. PB County Area Experience required Fax: 828-8128 E-mail tutorking@wpb3331980.com BUSY ACCOUNTING OFFICE — needs Secretary/computer literate permanent position. Please fax resume to 561-333-2680 VOLUNTEER NEEDED — 14 years and over for community service. Have fun with animals & kids 792-2666 INSURANCE AGENCY PARTTIME MARKETER— Outgoing personality, flexible hours,familiarity with local schools a plus. Must have own transportation. Please fax resume to 561-214-6165 WANTED 23 PEOPLE TO LOSE 5100 POUNDS! 1 LOST 20 LBS IN 5 WKS! 1-855-587-8449 SATURDAY HELP WANTED — Saturday morning help needed 7:30 until 1:00 working with horses and children. Must be 15 y.o. and have horse experience. Call 561-7585860 DRIVERS WANTED FULL/PAR T TIME — for Wellington Town-Car/ Wellington Cab. Retirees Welcome call 561-333-0181

APARTMENT FOR RENT — 1 bedroom, 1 bath, kitchen, living room, private entrance, electric & cable included. $700 monthly 561-2522622 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT — for rent. Close to Seminole Pratt & Okeechobee. Includes water, electricity & DirectTV. $625/Mo. 561985-1349

CONDO FOR RENT — ROYAL PALM BEACH, must be 55 or over.

Clean 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, transportation, pool, movies etc. $600 per month. Call 561-602-9584 2/2 NEW APPLIANCES — good condition “The Trails” good area. pool and amenities. 561-714-8376 561-793-1718 $900 monthly. Cable included.

TOWNHOME FOR RENT —2/2 2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease. No Pets 561-6442019 EFFICIENCY FOR RENT — fully furnished/full kitchen,TV,washer/ dryer. Private entrance. No smoking.No Pets. Single adult $700 per month includes all! 561-6320464 561-790-0857

1.55 ACRE LOT — 2 story barn, with loft horse stall, garage, water, electric, phone, $50,000. Call 561572-1782 WELLINGTON 2/2 VILLA FOR SALE — Move-in Ready! New paint, new carpet, new kitchen flooring, outside patio entryway.

Light & bright. Call Lorna (561) 3191292 Keller Williams Realty. $78,500.

HIDDEN CREEK @ BINKS FOREST COMMUNITY YARD SALE — Saturday,Feb 26, 8am to 12noon.

(Southern Blvd. west to left at Binks Forest, 1st right into Hidden Creek) WELLINGTON’S EDGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE — MULTIFAMILY Saturday, Feb. 26th 8am Noon Forest Hill Blvd. Across from the Mall at W ellington Green SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! SALE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH 8:00am-1:00pm — Too many items to list them all, can contact us at 561-793-3374 for more information (off of Paddock)14337 Stirrup Lane

2000 HONDA ACCORD — 209,000 miles, red w/cream leather interior good running condition, good A/C $3,400 OBO 561-713-7794

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT — in Wellington Commerce Park off Pierson Road. Furnished or Unfurnished 575 Sq. Ft. with beautiful view of water. 2 upscale private offices, reception area, bathroom and storage loft. Available March 1 $600 per month (561) 722-7195

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

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

JJJ AUTOMOTIVE,INC. — we’re looking out for you! John Lawson.

561-204-2855 600 Royal Palm Commerce Rd. Suite E, RPB. Lic. #MV52657

GIVING SENIORS AND C A R E G I V E R S — a healthy option to recharge adult day service for Alzheimers at Path of Life ALF. License #AL11709 561-795-4248

CARING & COMPASSIONAT E CNA — with 20 plus years hospital & private experience; FL licensed & insured; Wellington resident; excellent references. Online at eldercarenotebook. 561-531-4179

HOUSECLEANING — 20 yrs experience. Excellent local references.

Shopping available. 561-572-1782 HOUSE/OFFICE CLEANING — 30 yrs experience in the Western Communities. Honest-Reliable and plenty of references. Call Anytime Debbie. 204-4681 Ins. & Lic.

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SER VICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Sof tware setup, support &troubleshooting w w w.mobiletec.net.

561-248-2611 D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach We accept major credit cards.

DRIVEWAYS — Free estimates.

A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed. Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561-667-7716

BACHE DEVELOPMENT INC. — General Contractor Christopher G. Bache 561-662-8353 CGC 1510884. New construction, barns, kitchens, baths, complete remodeling, flooring, painting, residential and commercial visit our website www.bachedevelopment.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.

CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CAL 793-3576

ANMAR CO.—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craf tman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back!

Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inpections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811 HURRICANE SHUTTERS P&M CONTRACT ORS — ACCORDION SHUTTERS Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, sof fits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777

WELLINGT ON WINDOWS, LLC — Protect your family from breakins and hurricanes. Quality, Maintenance-free, Energy-efficient. Impact Windows and Doors Lic& Ins Call 561-670-2637 You’ve seen the REST...now comp are the BEST Greenwise Builders, Inc. #CBC051244

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

GREENTEAM LANDSCAPING — We make your grass look greener than the other side Call now 561337-0658. www.greenteamllc.com

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE — specializing in deep tissue neuromuscular, Thai massage, private yoga and injuries to neck, shoulders, back & hips. 21 years experience, mobile only. Marion 973-2026626.

MOLD & MILDEW INSPECTIONS Air Quality Testing, leak detection.

US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811.

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, p atios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666.

Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded and Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior p ainting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

GRAND OPENING PSYCHIC BOUTIQUE. Crystals & Gifts Available. Call for an appointment. 561355-0036 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof p a i n t i n g . C a r p e n t r y. L i c . #U13677.967-5580.

HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposit s. Pay upon completion, res/comm.reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.

561- 842-6120 or 561-784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598 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

SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years. Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & 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. License, bonded and insured. U21006 561-662-9258

AMERICAN TREE SERVICE Tree Trimming, landscaping,removal, hauling & stumps Most Palms $20.

Lic.Ins. Free Estimates Call Roy 373-6117 or Jimmy at 329-0213

ClubZ! In-Home

TUTORING All Subjects: PreK- Adult 561 •333 •1980 CLUBZ.COM America’s Largest In-HomeTutoring Co.

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

WE DO WINDOWS — 20 years professional window cleaning. Residential/Commercial references available. Lic. & Ins. 561-313-7098

CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CAL 793-3576

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011 Page 51

Page 52

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW.GOTOWNCRIER. COM

Februar y 25 - March 3, 2011 Page 53

Page 54 February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011 Page 55

Page 56

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

February 25 - March 3, 2011

Page 57

Page 58

February 25 - March 3, 2011

WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM

The Town-Crier