Town-Crier Newspaper, January 21, 2011

PATRIOT MEMORIAL GROUNDBREAKING SEE STORY, PAGE 3

STRONG OPENING WEEK ACTION AT WEF SEE STORY, PAGE 17

THE

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

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INSIDE

Volume 32, Number 3 January 21 - Januar y 27, 2011

SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR IS UNDERWAY

Student Letters Spur Recycling Program At Acreage Park

Recycling will be reinstated at Acreage Community Park, thanks to letters submitted by a group of Acreage fifth-graders. Molly Harding’s science class at Frontier Elementar y School wrote letters to the Indian Trail Improvement District recently, bringing about the change in policy. Page 3

St. Peter’s Methodist Church Starts Upward Basketball Season

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington kicked off its Upward Basketball League season on Saturday, Jan. 1 5.

The league focuses on every child winning, not just the score of the game, by promoting children of all talents and giving each child equal playing time.

Page 5

Former Senator Dave Aronberg Tapped As State’s ‘Pill Mill Czar’

Former State Sen. Dave Aronberg has been named special prosecutor for prescriptiondrug trafficking by new Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“Colloquially it’s called the ‘pill mill czar,’” Aronberg said. “I’m excited about it because I’ve been focused on this issue for a decade.” Page 7

OPINION Florida Needs To Get Serious On Delayed ‘Pill Mill’ Crackdown

Unscrupulous pain clinic operators have tarnished the reputation of a very important medical specialty — one that thousands of Floridians in chronic pain need to survive. Florida’s crackdown on so-called “pill mills” has been delayed far too long. It’s time to get serious and take action to curtail this scourge. Page 4

Page 40 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 BUSINESS ................... 37 - 39 SPORTS ....................... 43 - 46 CALENDAR...................48 - 49 CLASSIFIEDS ...............50 - 55 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The South Florida Fair hosted a VIP party and “lift-off reception” Thursday, Jan. 13, a day before the fair officially opened. The theme of this year’s fair is “Really Cool Stuff.” Shown above are Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Dave Browning and his wife Sharyn with Carol and Judge Nelson Bailey at the VIP party. MORE FAIR PHOTOS, PAGES 5 & 14 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Watch Town-Crier Videos From The South Florida Fair At www.gotowncrier.com!

Groves Residents Not Happy With Callery-Judge Settlement

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report About 50 residents attending the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council meeting Tuesday were united in opposing a settlement agreement with Callery-Judge Grove in its challenge to the town’s comprehensive plan.

Council members agreed to go to an administrative judicial hearing if necessary to get more for the town out of the agreement.

Speakers said the town is giving up too much to Callery-Judge and getting too little in return. The biggest issues raised were road openings demanded by Callery-

Judge to the north, east and west sides of the town, and improvements to Okeechobee Blvd. opposed by property owners.

Many of the residents said they would as soon pay an estimated $500,000 to $750,000 in legal fees to settle the issues through an administrative hearing as pay the $100,000 to $200,000 in legal fees to complete the agreement. Many also said they felt they had been left out during closed-door sessions between Callery-Judge and town representatives to reach the proposed accord.

Those sessions began in June 2009 after the Florida Department

of Community Affairs found the town’s comp plan in compliance and Callery-Judge objected, according to Town Attorney Michael Cirullo. The two sides reached a tentative agreement in December.

Callery-Judge insisted that the town do nothing to deteriorate the efficiency of traffic flow in the town, which would result in decreased access to Callery-Judge when it develops its 4,000-acre property at the town’s northern border. The town would have to meet certain deadlines to make road improvements and must also come up with financing for the See SETTLEMENT, page 22

ITID Agrees To Stop Charging Two Royal Palm Neighborhoods

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors agreed at its meeting Jan. 12 to stop assessing hundreds of Royal Palm Beach residents for ITID services. The action was taken at the recommendation of ITID Attorney Charlie Schoech.

The issue arose when Royal Palm Beach Councilman Richard Valuntas, who lives in an area ITID refers to as Unit 16, noticed he was being assessed about $50 a year by ITID. Unit 16 includes the Cypress Head and Estates of Royal Palm Beach communities.

Valuntas said the assessment has been on his tax records since he moved to the Cypress Head neighborhood in 2001 but that some of his neighbors who have lived there longer say they were not assessed by ITID prior to 2000. “It has always been on my tax bill, I think, but not so for my neighbors who came here before me,” he told the Town-Crier this week.

Schoech said he had researched documents going back to 1978 and could find no reason to be assessing Unit 16, based on an agreement signed in 1982 between the village and ITID under which the village took over drainage management of Units 15 and 16, except for a minimum $2,500 a year that the village would pay the district to cover drainage for Unit 16 into the M1 Canal. The district has not been assessing adjacent Unit 15.

“My recommendation is that you agree as a board to cease assessing Unit 16 with the understanding that Royal Palm Beach will honor the agreement that was signed in 1982, which provides that they will maintain the drainage systems in Units 15 and 16 at their cost and expense,” Schoech said.

Schoech said he had met with RPB attorneys, who agreed to the proposal. “They will be making that recommendation to the village,” Schoech said.

Supervisor Ralph Bair made a

motion to approve Schoech’s recommendation, which carried unanimously.

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council was scheduled to review the agreement at its meeting Thursday.

Valuntas said he is glad that the district is discontinuing the assessments but still does not understand how they began in the first place.

“I originally asked in September, and I am still trying to find an answer as to how Indian Trail was able to assess me without providing me the right to vote,” he said.

“I still have not received a response to that inquiry.”

Valuntas said it is his understanding that the 1982 agreement precludes assessments; however, he noted that Royal Palm Beach has not been paying the $2,500 assessment to the district for drainage, which he agrees that ITID is entitled to.

“It’s on the agenda this week for Royal Palm Beach to approve paying that money,” he said. “I See UNIT 16, page 4

Serving Palms West Since 1980

Wellington Grants Vegetable Grower Short-Term Lease On K-Park Land

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington has decided to settle back and watch organic vegetables grow for as long as three years on a State Road 7 property where the village had once planned to build a major park project.

In December, the Wellington Village Council approved a oneyear lease agreement with J. Alderman Farms Inc. for the 66-acre “K-Park” tract on the west side of SR 7 near Pierson Road. Alderman Farms may renew the lease for two one-year periods if it so chooses.

The village bought the property for $8 million from the Kahlert family in 2004. Growth projections at the time envisioned a need for a new park in the area, and rising real estate prices made the price tag look like a bargain.

Wellington officials batted away several lucrative offers to sell the land, and at one point had a contract to sell the SR 7 frontage to an assisted living facility developer. However, that project fell through when the real estate market crashed.

For years, residents and officials squabbled over what the planned “signature park” would look like.

The most recent plan was to use part of it for a Palm Beach State College campus.

Residents were divided over a proposal championed by Mayor

Darell Bowen to give away the land to PBSC for a western communities campus. Some felt PBSC should buy the land, while others argued that the land should be reserved for a park as originally intended.

The new lease means that the village cannot move forward with any other plans for now. But Deputy Village Manager John Bonde noted that it would take at least three years to get anything approved and designed anyway. “We got a good deal on the lease price, so council decided to move ahead,” he said.

Alderman Farms will pay the village $50,000 a year for the site and also take over all maintenance, which previously fell to the village. According to a staff report from the Dec. 14 meeting, the upkeep of the vacant lot cost the village approximately $50,000 to maintain yearly.

“It’s a win-win situation for the taxpayers,” Bonde said. “The village saves money in operating expenses because we no longer have to maintain the site, and we make $50,000 in revenue from the lease. It was a big deal to maintain the land according to the village’s standards for vacant lots.

This saves a lot of money.”

This is not the first time the village has leased the site for farmland, Bonde said. In the past, the village hosted a Chinese vegetaSee K-PARK, page 4

Wellington Ramping Up Programming For Senior Citizens

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Seniors living in Wellington will have a busy schedule this year thanks to new educational, social and entertainment programs being offered by the village.

This year kicks off a series of programming to stimulate senior residents’ minds and bodies with activities spanning athletics, art, lectures and entertainment.

“The village wanted programs that would help keep our senior residents busy, help keep them stimulated, and then have an interesting schedule of programs,” Senior Services Advocate Howard Trager said.

Trager, who headed the Wellington Seniors Club for four years before taking a job with the village, has had the opportunity to develop the programs for residents age 55 and older. All of the events will be held at the Wellington Community Center.

“I am thankful for the opportunity,” Trager said. “I know the Wellington Village Council is very concerned about providing programs for seniors, and I’m happy to be part of it.”

Among the programs is “Brunch & Bingo,” which has been upgraded from just “bingo” previously. Thanks to a new sponsor, the village will host the event

on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. And the first event of the New Year was already a success. “It was a record turnout,” Trager said. “Eighty-nine people came out, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.”

Seniors can choose to come for brunch and bingo, or just bingo.

Either way, Trager said, it’s a time when seniors can get together and have a good time. “It’s a fun afternoon,” he said. “It can be a profitable afternoon. It’s a social afternoon, and the concept seems to have caught on.”

To register for Brunch & Bingo, call Trager at (561) 791-4796.

For another afternoon of fun, Wellington is starting a Wii bowling league. Seniors will play on teams of six — four players and two alternates — in a tournamentstyle competition using the popular video game console “Wii bowling is now in over 32 states, and just about every major senior organization is sponsoring teams,” Trager said. “We plan to play tournament style so everyone is pitted against everyone else for the championship series.”

The tournament kicks off Thursday, Feb. 10, and continues the second and fourth Thursday of each month. It is offered at no cost to seniors. “It will be a great afterSee SENIORS, page 22

Hundreds On Hand In RPB For MLK Day Observance

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report Hundreds of people of all colors, creeds and cultures jammed the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center for the village’s ninth annual Martin Luther King Day Jr. celebration Monday, reflecting America’s melting pot in the flesh.

“Working Together Is Progress” was the event’s theme, organized

by CAFCI, the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement.

The celebration kicked off with a continental breakfast. It featured well-received entertainment by celebrated jazz pianist Copeland Davis, the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches and a local group of children with disabilities, as well as inspiring addresses by several speakers.

The festivities were deemed a great success by CAFCI Cultural

Director Elet Cyris, who coordinated the event.

Rabbi Bertram Kieffer of Temple Beth Zion spoke first and alluded to the mass shooting earlier this month in Tucson, Ariz. Does freedom mean, asked Kieffer, that Americans are free to harm men, women and children and take the life of a nine-year-old child?

“We think we’re free,” Kieffer said. “We have an African-American president. We have gays in the military, and they can now be asked and can now be free to tell.

Women are running for president and hold lofty positions. Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision seems to be taking hold across this land and in parts of the whole world. On this day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we pause to reflect on the meaning of the word ‘freedom.’ Freedom has two sides: It

can set a course for good, or it can be a source of evil.”

Freedom often comes with great sacrifice, Kieffer noted.

“Dr. King taught us that the cause of freedom is greater than one life, but he taught us that with freedom comes responsibility. It takes work, hard work, and it sometimes takes bitter sacrifice to achieve this elusive thing we call freedom,” Kieffer said. “Dr. King knew with his entire being that true peace can only be achieved nonviolently, and as hard and as difficult as that road is to travel, violence can and will only lead to more violence. We are here today because Martin Luther King’s message is very much alive in each of us here today.”

Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli’s comments also foSee MLK DAY, page 9

MLK Observance — CAFCI President Ernie Garvey thanks Event Chair Elet Cyris for organizing Monday’s observance.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Page 2

January 21 - January 27, 2011

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NEWS

THE AYSO SECTION 14 STATE GAMES RETURN TO WELLINGTON VILLAGE PARK Wellington Village Park was buzzing with activity Jan. 15-17 for the American Youth Soccer Organization’s Florida Section 14 State Games. More than 90 soccer teams from the throughout Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands participated in the three-day event, which gives AYSO players an opportunity to experience soccer in a tournament setting. Wellington also hosted the AYSO National Games last summer. Pictured here are some of the com peting teams.

PHOTOS BY BRYAN GAYOSO/TOWN-CRIER

Both U-19 boys teams from the Okeeheelee Heat League.

The Okeeheelee (blue/black) and Key West (red) U-12 boys.

Shown above and below, Wellington (light blue) and Okeeheelee (dark blue) girls compete in the U-19 division.

Clewiston (blue/black) and Okeeheelee (red/gray) players in the U-12 girls division.

The Westin (white) and Key West (yellow) U-12 boys.

Boynton Beach (red/black) and Homestead (blue/black) U-16 boys chase the ball up-field.

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January 21 - January 27, 2011

Page 3

NEWS

Student Letters Spur Recycling Program At Acreage Community Park

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Recycling will be reinstated at Acreage Community Park, thanks to letters submitted by a group of Acreage fifth-graders.

Molly Harding’s science class at Frontier Elementary School wrote letters to the Indian Trail Improvement District recently, promoting the advantages of recycling at the district’s parks and bemoaning the fact that no recycling is done now.

“I read every single letter, and this is inspiring and exciting,” ITID President Michelle Damone said at a meeting Jan. 12.

Letters were also printed in the Town-Crier.

Director of Parks Maintenance Tim Wojnar said the district had a

recycling program at Acreage Community Park once, but people kept putting non-recyclable materials in the containers.

“A few months ago, Ms. Harding’s class sent letters to the district in reference to recycling at the park,” Wojnar said. “As everybody knows, Community Park generates a lot of recyclables.”

Years ago, the Solid Waste Authority brought an eight-cubicyard recycling bin to the park. “Instead of putting recyclables in this bin, people were putting trash and different objects in there, which was causing the SWA to have to spend a lot of time going through the bin to get the recyclables out,” Wojnar explained. “After some discussion, what we’re going to do is try this again.”

However, don’t expect another huge bin.

“We’re not going to be able to get an eight-yard bin like we did last time,” Wojnar said. “The Solid Waste Authority is going to bring out some 90-gallon containers. We’re going to place them around the park, and we’re also going to place individual recycling bins inside the dugouts on the baseball field and along the football fields.”

Wojnar said he will ask the Acreage Athletic League to help get the smaller blue bins emptied into the 90-gallon bins. The SWA will come by weekly to pick up the bins, and park staff will roll the bins out to the parking lot so they can be emptied.

Wojnar said he thinks the

project is good for the environment because it keeps plastics, aluminum and other recyclable materials out of the county’s landfill.

He said it will also cut down on the frequency that the garbage dumpsters must be emptied, for an estimated savings of $8,000 annually.

“If everything goes right, that savings can grow quite large,” he said. “It’s a win for everybody. If Ms. Harding’s class had not sent the letters, we would have just kept on going with the status quo.”

Damone said she feels that education is the key to a successful recycling project and challenged Harding’s students to come up with a poster campaign to convey their perceptions of recycling.

Recycling Students — Frontier Elementary School teacher Molly Harding and some of her fifth-grade students with Indian Trail PHOTO BY R ON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER Improvement District supervisors.

“Remember, this is to encourage your neighbors to recycle, and maybe you can put those up in the

park, on the bulletin board, in the office, throughout the district,” Damone said.

Wellington To Break Ground Saturday On Planned Patriot Memorial

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington will break ground on its new Patriot Memorial at a ceremony Saturday, Jan. 22 including an appearance by the Patriot Flag. The ceremony starts at 9 a.m., and the community is invited.

“This project is part of something bigger,” Vice Mayor Matt Willhite said. “It symbolizes our patriotism as a community.”

And flying high over the cele-

bration will be the Patriot Flag, a 58-foot by 30-foot American flag that is on a nationwide tour. On Sept. 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the 2001 attacks, the flag will be flown at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and rural Pennsylvania attack sites.

Willhite said he is picking up the flag in Naples on Friday, where it’s being used to celebrate their anniversary.

“The Patriot Flag will be the backdrop to the ceremony,” he

said. “It will be flown between two fire-truck ladders. It’s a great way to show our solidarity as a country.”

Then the flag will come down and be escorted to the South Florida Fairgrounds, where it will hang over the 9/11 memorial steel for the entire day.

“This will mark the first time that it has been flown over a steel column from the World Trade Center,” Willhite said. “It will be there all day Saturday, and then

Sunday we will transport it to Miami.”

Wellington’s Patriot Memorial steel is part of the fair’s “really cool stuff” exhibit. It can be seen in the Expo Center until Sunday, Jan. 30. In addition to the steel, the exhibit also has a video featuring former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, photographs from the steel’s journey from New York and information about the memorial.

Willhite hopes the fair display will help raise money for the memorial, which is expected to cost about $225,000. The village has raised approximately $130,000.

And so far it has been successful. Willhite noted that a generous

donor saw the exhibit and gave Wellington $10,000 toward the project.

“We’ve done pretty well,” he said. “We have about eight months left to go, and we’ve been getting good publicity with it at the fair.”

The steel is popular among fair guests who want to see a piece of history, Willhite said.

“It’s the single most photographed item at the fair this year,” he said. “Everyone wants a picture of it or with it. They take pictures with their friends and family in front of it, and people just want to touch it or stand near it.”

Next week, the village is set to approve a contract with the Weitz

Company to build the Patriot Memorial site. Construction is set to begin Feb. 1, Willhite said.

“Our target [completion] date is Aug. 1, just in case there are any problems or issues that need to be resolved,” he said. “We want to be sure that everything is ready in time for the 10-year anniversary.”

But Willhite doesn’t anticipate any problems, due to the nature of the project.

“There’s no major building to be done on it,” he said. “The largest piece is the piece of steel, so there shouldn’t be anything to hold up construction.”

Tax-deductible donations for the Patriot Memorial can be made See MEMORIAL, page 7

Wellington To Host Volunteer Fair Jan. 30

An ar tist’s rendering of the planned Wellington Patriot Memorial.

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

It’s about your complete life.

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Residents looking to do some good for their community can find out about local organizations looking for help during Wellington’s volunteer fair Sunday, Jan. 30.

From noon to 3 p.m., representatives of more than a dozen organizations looking for volunteers will gather at the Wellington Amphitheater for an afternoon of family fun and will distribute information about helping out.

“Residents will have the opportunity to find out about volunteering, not just in Wellington, but for other organizations in the area that

are in need of help,” Volunteer Coordinator Kim Henghold told the Town-Crier . “There will be about 20 nonprofits other than Wellington and the Citizens Volunteer Organization on display.”

The event is hosted by Volunteer Wellington, the village’s new volunteer program, and the CVO. In addition to the organizations’ booths, the event will feature bounce houses, food and entertainment on the amphitheater stage.

“It’s going to be a familyfriendly event because we want to encourage the whole family to volunteer,” Henghold said.

“Some of the organizations have opportunities for the entire family to come out and volunteer.

You can bring your kids and do it as a family.”

Volunteer opportunities range from helping animals or the disabled to helping build or clean up homes, among many others.

“It’s one-stop shopping,” Henghold said. “If you don’t want to volunteer [with the village], then maybe you like animals and want to help them. We’re just looking for people who want to get involved in the community. If you didn’t make a New Year’s resoluSee VOLUNTEERS, page 7

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January 21 - January 27, 2011

The Town-Crier

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OUR OPINION

Florida Needs To Get Serious On Delayed ‘Pill Mill’ Crackdown Despite not having won his bid to become Florida’s attorney general last year, former state senator Dave Aronberg has landed himself a familiar role, having been named a statewide special prosecutor for cases of prescription-drug trafficking. Basically, he’ll be continuing his fight against unscrupulous owners of pain management clinics who act as little more than legal drug dealers benefiting from lax state laws.

As a state senator, Aronberg was one of the key proponents of legislation passed last year that will regulate how pain clinics operate throughout the state.

Among the new restrictions is the requirement that clinic owners have a medical license. For whatever reason, a business license had been enough until now — or whenever the new laws take effect. The pill mill legislation has been effectively placed on the backburner as part of a freeze on new state regulations by Gov. Rick Scott. The law was supposed to have been in place by now, but that might not happen for months.

To make matters worse — and add to Aronberg’s workload — Scott also closed the Office of Drug Policy Control.

Aronberg’s office is based in Palm Beach County, which, along with neighboring Broward County, is recognized as “ground zero” of pain clinics. Anyone doubting the severity of the problem should log on to YouTube and look up the surveillance video of the Lake Worth pain clinic whose doctor was assaulted by a gun-toting patient

looking for drugs. Fortunately, his gun didn’t work, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. It was a senseless act, but also an eye-opening glimpse into a reality more and more Floridians live with — and often die from. Meanwhile, legitimate pain patients suffer from the time and resources wasted on people looking to get high, not to mention having to deal with the stigma of being associated with them.

The unscrupulous pain clinic operators have tarnished the reputation of a very important medical specialty — one that thousands of Floridians in chronic pain need to survive. Not enough has been done to distinguish between legitimate doctors who serve a critical need from fly-by-night hucksters who run “pill mills.”

We should be seeking more than just punishment for these pain clinic operators.

After all, the bigger picture is the safety and well-being of the patients, and putting handcuffs on their doctors doesn’t do anything to address those needs. Unfortunately, there are far more doctors profiting from their patients’ drug habits, and not enough affordable and accessible options for treatment. It can be said that the main difference between a crooked pain doctor and a dope dealer is the office. And while fixing Florida’s pain clinic problem is a necessary first step, unless we get serious about improving treatment options for the thousands of addicts in our state, we’ll still have the same problem but in a different scene — out on the street.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Don’t Make Lox Groves Residents Pay For CalleryJudge’s Profits Once again a “for-profit” developer is looking to push drivethrough traffic onto other areas and minimize the impact on their future residents. Thus allowing them to charge higher sale prices

and maximize profit potential.

According to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, we “must” negotiate with Callery-Judge Grove. Residents have been informed that the short version of the agreement “obligates” the town to create four new road connections. Why? As a resident, I feel the answers based on “likely to” scenarios are vague, misleading and questionable.

Specifically, as a North Road resident for 20-plus years, I ques-

tion the need for the North RoadSycamore Road connector as a new east-west road. Currently, road traffic is minimal. The gates placed by the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District on the 40th Street North side of North Road have had a positive impact of reducing the number of ATVs flying through here for recreational as well as criminal activities. Unfortunately, the negative impact has been that it is now difficult for residents who once enjoyed walk-

ing and horseback riding there to continue these recreational activities they once enjoyed.

Why do we need increased traffic on North Road? Obviously so someone can increase their profits. If these roads must come to pass, then I look forward to hearing the dollar amount each resident will be receiving from any and all developers for this increased burden.

Virginia Standish Loxahatchee Groves

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS 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

Smartphone? I Think ‘Spyphone’ Is A More Accurate Description With an estimated 370 million smartphones currently in use, the ability to give up your privacy is increasing rapidly. Actually, for as little as $15, available spyware will allow others to hear your calls, see your text messages, e-mails, photos and files, and track your

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

location with ongoing GPS updates.

Whether it is an Android, iPhone or BlackBerry, your phone can also (easily) become a secret listening device. Simply turn it back on after putting it back in your pocket. And if you think

someone would have to install spyware in your phone, which you will not allow, there are actually untold numbers of smart phones already sold that have clandestine spyware already in place.

Yes, mobile phone spyware is illegal in the United States, but it

is sold on web sites operating overseas. Want to be safe rather than sorry? Use a hand-set pass code to lock your phone and prevent random usage. And, of course, never click on links in emails sent by unknown people.

P.S. Free checking is available.

With increasing numbers of banks adding checking fees, among other money-grabbing devices, look to Internet banks. Also, many credit unions continue to offer free checking. Make sure, of course, that anyone you choose is a member of the FDIC.

NEWS

Gannon: New Mandates Mean Long Waits At Tax Collector’s Office

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon said this week that people doing business at her offices should be prepared to wait now that her department has taken over the additional responsibility of issuing Florida licenses and enforcing federally mandated ID laws.

Gannon was the featured speaker at Wednesday’s community forum hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria at the original Wellington Mall. Collecting taxes and issuing licenses to drivers are part of multiple services offered by Gannon’s office.

Her office collects about $3 billion a year in taxes and requires a fee for each transaction. “Do those fees actually cover the cost of that?” she said. “No, each specific fee doesn’t, but when you look at the economies of scale for all the business lines that we do, our overhead budget is about $22 million, and about 65 percent of that is personnel costs.”

Excess fees collected to run the office that are not used are fed back to municipalities that the department collects taxes for. “It goes back to the county, the school board, the special districts, to anybody we collect taxes on behalf of in Palm Beach County,” Gannon said.

At the end of last year, her office refunded $43 million. She pointed out that the more efficient her office is, the more money that is refunded to the taxing districts.

K-Park

Growing Vegetables

continued from page 1 ble farmer there. Now, it’s prime land for organic farming, Bonde said.

“The market for organic vegetables is very high right now,” he said, noting that many businesses such as Whole Foods

“I think I have a pretty important job, and it’s pretty important that we run our office efficiently,” she said. “When I took over in 2006, the office probably had been the way it was for about 25 years.

There had been no technology changes, which we’ve done. We still have some challenges with those technology changes. When you convert as many records as we did, you’re always going to have challenges.”

This year, the state transferred the responsibility of issuing driver’s licenses to the tax collector.

“Unfortunately, they forgot to give us additional resources,” she said.

“For every driver’s license that we do, we get paid a fee of $6.25.

Does that cover the service that we provide? No, it doesn’t.”

Essentially, county tax money that funds the office now picks up what had traditionally been a state service.

Nevertheless, Gannon agrees that running that service out of her office has benefits for the public because people can now get a Sunpass, do title and registration work, and renew their license in one office. Her office is also responsible for applying the Real ID rules mandated recently by the federal government.

“For you, our constituents, I think that is the best thing, rather than going to other kinds of offices,” she said. “Do we have some challenges? Yes, we do. I’m sure if you had to renew your license this year or get your Real ID certified, there are long lines and

there are wait times. Those long wait times are a function of not just what the legislature did to us but what Congress did to us in the Real ID Act. It now requires every person in our country to get Real ID compliant, meaning that when you go to renew your driver’s license, there are a number of documents that you must furnish us before we can actually renew your license. We can’t change those requirements. They came down from the federal government.”

Her office can provide information that explains what identification is required to get a Real ID. “We need an actual certified copy of your birth certificate from the county or city that you were born in,” she said. “We cannot change that requirement. Everybody must do that unless you have a valid passport.”

Everybody under the age of 50 must become Real ID compliant by 2014. “If you are over the age of 50, you must become Real ID compliant by 2017,” Gannon said.

After 2017, no one who is not Real ID compliant will be allowed to board a commercial airplane or enter a federal building.

Gannon advised people to prepare ahead of time to ensure that they have the correct documents.

“Unfortunately, when you get there you will probably have to wait,” she said. “In our Delray Beach office, some of our wait times are sometimes two or three hours.”

Part of the issue that the office is facing is that most of the existing buildings are too small to add additional employees.

“We have such an influx of people coming in to renew their driver’s licenses that it’s very difficult to serve all of the constituents that come in in one day,” she said.

People often begin lining up at 6:45 a.m., and the offices do not open until 8:15. “My suggestion to you is to be patient and to ensure that you bring the correct documents to our office,” she said.

“The wait times are very challenging, and sometimes I tell people to bring a lunch and to bring a book.”

Gannon, who was a state representative for six years from 2000 to 2006, was elected tax collector in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008. Hers is one of several countywide elected positions.

“We are not part of the county commission,” she said. “Our powers come from a different section of the Florida Constitution, although we are in many of their buildings throughout the county.”

The tax collector’s office has service centers in downtown West Palm Beach, Belle Glade, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, Delray Beach and Royal Palm Beach.

Information about the services can be found online at www.tax collectorpbc.com.

Market carry entire sections of organically grown produce. “Because the land hasn’t been used in three years, it’s perfect for organic farming.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires organic food to be farmed on land that has lain fallow for at least three years, Bonde said. Additionally, because of standards regulating chemicals used to grow the food, residents won’t need to worry about pesticides or

other toxins leaching into the land or water.

“They have to use natural fertilizer and meet all standards for organic farming,” Bonde said.

Next week, the village hopes to approve an agreement with the Lake Worth Drainage District for the right to draw from its canal for irrigation to the site. “It’s the closest canal to the property,” Bonde said. “The council will decide at its meeting Tuesday.”

continued from page 1 think it is owed because it was under the contract and should be paid; but then again, it concerns me that during this time period, Indian Trail was assessing Royal Palm Beach residents, myself included. They were collecting money, to the tune of fifty-something thousand dollars a year, which isn’t provided for in the contract because they weren’t required to do any maintenance, yet

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Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon speaking in Wellington on Wednesday evening.

they got all that money, and now they’re getting more money.”

Valuntas said he finds it ironic that the village will probably wind up paying $2,500 for each year that it did not pay the assessment.

“But they got 20 times that amount off the backs of our residents,” he said.

However, Valuntas said Indian Trail supervisors should be commended for what he called the responsible decision to cease the Unit 16 assessments.

“They obviously see a situation that was wrong, and I’m glad to see they’ve corrected it, [but] I would hope they would also ad-

dress the retroactive aspect of it,” he said, noting that’s something individual homeowners would likely have to deal with, rather than the village.

Valuntas said his main issue was ITID assessing residents without affording them the right to vote.

“To me, that raises the specter of the legitimacy of their entire government if they are assessing people and depriving them of the right to vote,” he said. “They just had a very close election where probably about 1,000 or so people who were paying Indian Trail assessments didn’t have the right to vote.”

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Page 5

NEWS

ST. PETER’S METHODIST CHURCH STARTS NEW UPWARD BASKETBALL SEASON St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington kicked off its Upward Basketball League season on Saturday, Jan. 15. The league focuses on every child winning, not just the score of the game, b y promoting children of all talents and giving each child equal playing time. For more info., call (561) 793-5712 or visit www.stpeters-umc.org.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Players show good sportsmanship after the game.

Players get ready for the action to start.

Cheerleaders work on pepping up the crowd.

Members of the Pumas wait to hit the cour t.

Family members look on during one of the games.

Tyler Bloom and his dad Eric grab a snack .

SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR CROWNS 2011 QUEEN AT ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT As par t of opening weekend activities at the South Florida Fair, the 2011 Miss South Florida Fair Scholarship Pageant w as held Saturday, Jan. 15. The pageant included swimsuit and evening wear competitions, and onstage interviews. Cassie Stafford won top honors this year, followed by first runner-up Nicole Vega, second runner-up Danielle Mueller and third runner-up Kourtney Gallego.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Third runner-up Kourtney Gallego, first runner-up Nicole Vega, winner Cassie Stafford and second runner-up Danielle Mueller.

Miss South Florida Fair 2010 Courtney McKenzie with Miss South Florida Fair 2011 Cassie Staf ford.

Cassie Stafford with her mother Annabelle.

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Page 6

January 21 - January 27, 2011

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CRIME NEWS

Robber Steals $1,100 From RPB Shopper At Checkout Counter

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report JAN. 14 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Friday afternoon to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in response to a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim was in the checkout line with her toddler when she placed a bank envelope containing $1,100 cash on the counter to tend to the boy, who was in the shopping cart. An unknown white female in line behind the victim picked up the envelope, paid for her own merchandise and left the store. Store surveillance did not capture a clear image of the suspect. The case is inactive pending further investigative leads.

••• JAN. 10 — An Acreage resident contacted the PBSO last Monday to report a case of fraud.

According to a PBSO report, the victim discovered fraudulent charges on her debit/credit card made on Thursday, Jan. 6 and Friday, Jan. 7. The victim reported charges to Air France and other miscellaneous fees totaling $801.62. Additionally, the charges caused the victim’s account to overdraw, prompting $324 in overdraft fees. The victim said that she still has the card and has already reported the case to her bank, which closed the account.

There were no suspects at the time of the report.

JAN. 14 — A Wellington man was arrested early last Friday morning on drug charges in the Solara at Wellington community.

According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was driving through the neighborhood when he observed a black Mercedes-Benz parked with the engine running. When the deputy returned after circling the neighborhood, the car was still there. The deputy approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, 20-year-old Djalma Gomes. According to the report, the deputy could smell marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and Gomes said he had been smoking, but put the marijuana away when he saw the deputy. The deputy recovered the marijuana cigarette from the center console and a clear bag with marijuana in the driver’s side door, totaling seven grams. Gomes was arrested and issued a notice to appear in court.

JAN. 14 — A Lake Worth resident contacted the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday afternoon to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim left her purse and wallet in her office desk at work last Thursday night. The next day, the victim received a phone call from her bank inquiring about possible fraudulent charges. According to the report, the victim noticed three credit cards and $200 in cash missing from her wallet. The perpetrator(s) charged $1,000 to her Macy’s credit card, $13 at McDonald’s and two charges for unknown amounts at WalMart. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

JAN. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm

Beach was dispatched to Counterpoint Estates last Friday evening regarding an act of vandalism.

According to a PBSO report, while patrolling in an unmarked vehicle, the deputy observed a black male riding a small, dark green four-wheel ATV in the swale near the intersection of Grandview Way and Belvedere Road. The suspect was making donuts in the grass and tearing up the swale area, creating a large cloud of dust. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the suspect fled north toward the adjacent business park. The deputy was unable to locate the suspect.

JAN. 14 — A Riviera Beach man was arrested last Friday morning on drug charges following a report of suspicious activity in the area of Folkestone Circle.

According to a PBSO report, a deputy was on patrol in the area when a second deputy advised him about a suspicious vehicle in front of a home. The deputies went on foot to the home to investigate and saw the vehicle, which had several occupants inside. As they approached, the deputies could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. One deputy shined his light through the window and could see one of the men smoking a rolled cigar filled with what smelled like marijuana. According to the report, the deputy made contact with the driver, 23-year-old Karim Noisy, and observed a glass smoking pipe on the dashboard still burning. The material in the pipe tested positive for marijuana, and Noisy was arrested.

JAN. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the Kmart store on State Road 7 last Friday morning regarding a theft.

According to a PBSO report, an employee heard some noises outside the rear door of the store.

When she walked outside, she observed two box trucks, one yellow and one white, leaving the area. The store’s loss prevention officer told the deputy that a bale of cardboard and approximately 20 wood pallets were missing from the building. The employee did not get license plate numbers from the vehicles, and there was no surveillance footage available.

JAN. 17 — Two construction sites in Wellington’s Oakmont Estates were burglarized sometime last weekend. According to separate PBSO reports, the perpetrator(s) stole several pieces of plywood. According to one PBSO report, sometime between noon last Saturday and 10 a.m.

Monday, someone stole six pieces of plywood from the site on Ivanhoe Lane. The plywood was on the west side of the roof on metal stands. The stolen items were valued at approximately $96.

There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. In a second PBSO report, the suspect(s) stole three pieces of plywood from an open garage on Longleaf Lane sometime between noon last Saturday and 10 a.m.

Monday. The stolen items were valued at approximately $48.

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

JAN. 17 — A Greenacres man See BLOTTER, page 22

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Vernon Jones, a.k.a. Jesse Fleming, Gar y Vernon and Davis Jones, is a black male, 6’3” tall and weighing 275 lbs., with black hair and br own eyes. He has a scar on his right arm/shoulder. His date of birth is 10/14/80. Jones is wanted for failure to appear on a charge of possession of cocaine. His occupation is unkno wn. His last known address was Parkwood Driv e in Royal Palm Beach.

Jones is wanted as of 01/20/11.

• A driana Mendoza, a.k.a. Adriana Riv era, is a white female, 5’2” tall and weighing 140 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. She has multiple tattoos. Her date of bir th is 01/22/72. Mendoza is wanted for two counts of failure to appear on a charge of grand thef t over $20,000. Her occupation is unknown.

Her last known address was E. Mayfair Drive in Loxahatchee. Mendoza is wanted as of 01/20/11.

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

Vernon Jones

Adriana Mendoza

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

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January 21 - January 27, 2011

Page 7

NEWS

Former Senator Dave Aronberg Tapped As State’s ‘Pill Mill Czar’

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Former State Sen. Dave Aronberg has been named special prosecutor for prescription-drug trafficking by new Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“Colloquially it’s called the ‘pill mill czar,’” Aronberg told the Town-Crier on Tuesday. “I’m excited about it because I’ve been focused on this issue for a decade since I was an assistant attorney general working for [former attorney general] Bob Butterworth.”

At the time, Aronberg investigated the marketing practices of Purdue Pharma, manufacturer of

OxyContin. “As a state senator, I focused on this issue, and now this issue has become a crisis situation,” he said. “I’m fortunate to help lead the fight against the scourge of prescription-drug abuse.”

Aronberg lost his own bid for attorney general in last summer’s Democratic primary to Dan Gelber, who then lost in the general election to Bondi.

The so-called “pill mill bill” passed in Tallahassee last year but has run into complications. “The regulation we were depending on has been stalled because the legislature passed a bill to freeze all

regulations, so now we’re waiting on the legislature to approve regulations,” Aronber g said. “It was supposed to happen in December; now, we’re hopeful it will happen in April.”

Aronberg noted that Gov. Rick Scott eliminated the Office of Drug Policy Control that was instrumental in getting the anti-pill mill legislation passed, which was run by former director Bruce Grant. Aronberg said that will place more burden on his office, which is financed by the attorney general’s office and based in West Palm Beach. “We’re going to pick up some of that slack,” he said.

Aronberg, who still lives in Greenacres, said the new post is enough to keep him busy — “and then some,” adding that he is still active politically.

“I told people I wasn’t going to be fading away and that I would stay involved, and I’m very fortunate to work in this position,” he said. “I think Pam Bondi and I agreed that public safety is not a partisan issue.”

Aronberg said he is impressed that Bondi appointed him to the position despite their philosophical partisan differences. “I think it’s a good thing for Florida when political leaders can look beyond

party affiliation to focus instead on problem solving,” he said.

Aronberg said his new post will keep him just as busy as when he was in elected office.

“My life is not that different,” he said. “I’m just as busy as I was as a senator. I’m going to a lot of events and functions.”

On Tuesday, for example, he was to attend a Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce event for legislators.

“They invited me to come,” he said. “So far, my life hasn’t changed that much. I just don’t have to be in Tallahassee as much, which is not always a bad thing.”

Former State Senator Dave Aronberg

Lox Council Supports Water Control District On Local Road Bill

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council reiterated its support Tuesday of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District’s effort to get a local bill passed in Tallahassee that would pave the way for completion of road projects on portions of A, B, C and D roads.

The bill is designed to give the district more authority over road paving. The right of “presumptive use” of easements that municipalities have is not extended statutorily to special districts, and the town has not been incorporated long enough to exercise the pow-

er, so the proposed bill is designed to give the power specifically to the LGWCD for those four roads projects.

The bill ran into problems recently when it was challenged by the Palm Beach County League of Cities at the behest of some residents who felt that it could compromise the authority of the town.

The bill failed to gain a sponsor at the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation meeting Jan. 6 but was at least temporarily preserved when the delegation agreed to discuss it again Feb. 2. Before then, the interested parties are to find a sponsor and revise the bill so it applies only to those specific

roads and satisfies the concerns of the League of Cities.

“After many hours of negotiation between the league’s attorney, Trela White, and the town’s attorney, Mike Cirullo, and the water control district’s attorneys, Frank Palin and Mary Viator, and the district’s lobbyist David Ramba, we finally have a bill that is acceptable to all parties,” Town Manager Frank Spence said.

Spence noted that the LGWCD supervisors unanimously approved the revised bill at their meeting Jan. 10. He said that White had told him and Cirullo that if the town approves the revised bill, she would advise the

league’s board to withdraw its opposition.

Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association President Marge Herzog, a former council member who raised the objections to the bill, said she would continue to oppose it.

“I would like to continue to object to your resolution supporting the water control district,” Herzog said. “The reason I object is the bill still takes land without compensation to the resident. Also, they are not allowing any discussion for any discrepancies. If they take your land, too bad. You can’t fight it.”

North Road resident Roy

Parks said he had run into easement problems when the county installed reuse water lines and hydrants throughout the town.

“When they did that, my whole swale that was between my fence and the road is gone,” Parks said. “They’ve already encroached, taken my property.

They’ve also dug under my fence, put ditches in, letting my dog out to the road, so I’m against anything that provides them the ability just to take land.”

LGWCD Supervisor John Ryan said he wanted to clarify that the bill would formalize existing easements on the roads. “That’s road

edge to road edge,” Ryan said.

“There is no taking of any land that is being used for any other purpose. The district’s original easement covered most of the road surface.”

Ryan said there are some discrepancies, but the bill essentially states that where the existing dirt road is, is dedicated to the public.

“These are public roads, and it provides a legal recognition of an easement right to improve those roads,” he said, adding that the bill affects only the four specific road segments.

Councilman Ron Jarriel made a motion to approve the resolution, which carried unanimously 5-0.

At Town Hall, Pafford Warns Of Difficult Year Ahead In Tallahassee

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report State Rep. Mark Pafford (DDistrict 88) outlined the many issues the Florida Legislature faces this year during a town hall meeting Tuesday at the South Florida Water Management District’s headquarters on Gun Club Road.

“We have some major, major issues, aside from what’s obvious, which is the economy,” Pafford said of the March-through-May session in Tallahassee. “Some of the bigger issues are revenue and expenses. I want you to at least leave the room with more tools than you had prior to entering the room so you can be better advocates. I also need your input.”

Pafford explained how legislators are looking at ways to spark the economy, such as construction and building, and said lawmakers are considering expansions of gambling and oil drilling. Pafford noted that he is a ranking member on a committee that will address financing healthcare in Florida, and that one of the issues the committee looked at last year was Medicaid reform. One of the suggestions was to basically turn Medicaid into a private HMO. “Last year, one of the amendments I filed, which they didn’t

Volunteers

Event Jan. 30

continued from page 3 tion this year, it should be to volunteer.”

In addition to the individual organizations signing up volunteers, the village and the CVO will be signing up volunteers for their lists. Both organizations have volunteer openings throughout the year for various events.

Through Volunteer Wellington, residents have the opportunity to work in the village’s offices in administrative, clerical or greeting positions. There, residents can gain experience key to landing a

allow to be heard was an extension for long-term care,” Pafford said. “Under that bill as it was passed last year, an HMO could come in and remove the patient’s bed while the person is dying. It was not thought out very well.

Twenty percent of our Floridians are on Medicaid. There’s a tremendous amount of problems with Medicaid.”

One major problem is the waiting list for Medicaid services. “A woman in Royal Palm Beach was 102 years old, and she was on a waiting list for two years,” Pafford said. “She died at 103 years old, and she still was on a waiting list.

It’s a huge problem. There’s a tendency in Tallahassee to paint over these issues, but they are alive and well.”

On education issues, Pafford said that school vouchers are likely to come up. Vouchers for students in poor-performing schools so they could go where they like is an idea supported by new Gov. Rick Scott, he said. Senate Bill 6, last year’s failed effort to curtail teacher tenure and institute a merit pay system, is likely to come back in another form, he said. “There’s going to be a firestorm this year,” Pafford said.

The environment is another big job or furthering their knowledge about government.

Meanwhile, the CVO enlists about 200 residents now who volunteer for various community projects throughout Wellington.

Residents will have the opportunity to register for either organization during the event, but also can register online at www. wellingtonfl.gov.

But for the full scope of organizations looking for volunteers, residents will have to come out to the amphitheater.

“We hope that residents will get involved in the community and come to the event to find out about volunteer opportunities for the entire family,” Henghold said.

concern, including Everglades restoration and water quality.

There is speculation that the Florida Forever dollars — used to purchase land and preserve areas — might not be in the budget this year.

“That’s of great concern,” Pafford said. “Last year, we put about $10 million into it. The House zeroed it out, but the Senate came back with the $10 million. The environment will be a big issue.”

Pafford also said the state’s “Fair Districts” constitutional amendments passed by a wide margin in the recent election and should dictate how the redistricting process works in the legislature. He said he hopes that legislative districts will be drawn to better represent the people.

“This entire issue will go to the courts,” Pafford said. “The courts will decide if they feel motivated enough to draw them themselves.”

Pafford’s guest speaker for the meeting was Karen Woodall, interim executive director of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy. She started out on an optimistic yet cautionary note: “Opportunity abounds for the upcoming session, but only you as taxpayers and voters are able to force the good representatives up there to make a difference. If you don’t have that interaction, we will

Memorial

Seeking Donations

continued from page 3 through the Wellington Community Foundation.

Notable sponsors include: Source One Distributors, Mark Llano; the Wellington Business Center, Guy Mancini; the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund; Darell Bowen; Michael S. Smith; Jeannie and Hunter Harrison; Frank and Herta Seuss; the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics Benevolent Fund; the International Polo Club

end up with sausage rather than good public policy.”

Woodall noted that as many in the audience already knew, the state faces a huge projected budget gap of $3.5 billion. Many of the people coming into power in Tallahassee are looking at their knives and getting ready to cut things, she said.

“They are looking at current services that already have been cut over the past couple of years,” she said. “And you know, in a recession, the needs of families and individuals grow at the same time the state has fewer resources to deal with it.”

Her organization’s mission “is to do research and analysis of the tax structure of the state and to look at who pays and who doesn’t pay, with a focus on the impacts to low-income and moderate-income families and businesses,” Woodall said. “We’ve gotten pretty good about going to the budget committee and talking about the needs being met and about why you can’t cut services, but we have not been very good about going into the finance and tax committee and talking about where the money comes from. That’s a place where we need to engage.”

Woodall stressed that Florida urgently needs to reform its tax structure. “If we don’t deal with Palm Beach; Sister’s Towing and Transportation; Bethesda Healthcare System Inc.; Fidelity Charitable Gift; and the Great Charity Challenge.

Additionally, Willhite noted that some members of the community have stepped forward to offer their services as an in-kind donation.

For example, a resident offered to pour the base for the steel artifact to sit on.

“It’s truly a community project,” Willhite said. “And Saturday kicks off the countdown to the 10-year anniversary.”

For more information, or to donate, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or call (561) 791-4000.

State Rep. Mark Pafford

Guest Speaker Karen Woodall

it, we will never have the funds we need to fund the critical services in the State of Florida,” she said. “We have an outdated tax structure that is pretty unfair. We end up asking the same people to pay over and over and pay more.”

Woodall said the knee-jerk response of legislators since the recession began has been to cut services and raise fees and taxes that hit mostly low-income and middle-income Floridians.

“The budget gap has been closed with a series of short-term fixes,” she said. “There have been cuts to many services, including K-12 education, university and state colleges, and community care for the elderly, as well as shifting the costs of public schools to the local level. We’re also relying on billions of dollars of stimulus money. We have billions of dollars of stimulus money coming to the state that’s not going to be here anymore. We spent down the state’s emergency funds, and we swept trust funds to cover shortfalls. You need to be raising revenues to replace the money that you borrowed. That is the piece that is missing.”

Woodall noted that improving the state’s economy will require a more balanced approach that emphasizes increasing revenue rather than making more cuts.

“How we structure our tax system is going to determine who will pay and who doesn’t pay and what resources we have to fund our social infrastructure and quality of life,” she said. “We have the second most regressive tax structure in the country. We ask lower-income and middle-income people to pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes. That’s due primarily to the fact that we are one of nine states that doesn’t have a state income tax. We rely most heavily on a sales tax. It is based on the purchase of goods and consumption. In the 1940s, we were a services economy, and we based our structure on the consumption of goods and services. Within that tax structure, we exempt and exclude more subsidies than we actually collect.”

Over the past decade, taxes paid by lower-income Floridians — primarily fees for service — have gone up and up, while taxes on wealthier Floridians have gone down. “Over a series of about 10 years, the legislature eliminated the only two taxes we had on wealth, which were the intangibles tax and the estate tax,” Woodall said. “That has taken about $12 billion out of the revenues. Somewhere, you have to fund things.

This is a time to review how we raise our revenues in this state.”

Page 8

January 21 - January 27, 2011

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NEWS BRIEFS

DAVE ARONBERG SPEAKS AT TEMPLE BETH TORAH

WHS Basketball Fan Appreciation Night This Friday

Former state senator Dave Aronberg was the keynote speaker at the Friday, Jan. 14 service at Temple Beth Torah in Wellington.

Aronberg discussed his experiences as a Jew running for statewide office. Also, Rabbi Stephen Pinsky, Cantor Carrie Barry and congregants reflected on the tragedy of the shootings in Arizona and paid tribute to the memory of Debbie Friedman, the musical voice of progressive Judaism who died earlier this month. (Above) Aronberg, Rabbi Pinsky and Palm Beach County Legislative Affairs Director Todd Bonlarron. (Below) Aronberg and Rabbi Pinsky at the podium.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

The Wellington High School varsity boys basketball team will hold its fan appreciation night during its home game against John I. Leonard High School on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

All Wellington High School students with ID will get into the game for free. Middle school, travel and recreational players who come in jerseys will also be admitted for free. Prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed fan and most enthusiastic fan.

The Wellington Wolverines are off to a great start this season, compiling a 13-5 overall record and 2-1 in their district. They traveled to South Carolina over Christmas break to play a variety of stateranked teams in the Outward Basketball Tournament, in which WHS was very competitive.

For more information, call the main office at (561) 795-4900.

Vendors Sought For Feb. 19 SRHS Barbecue The Seminole Ridge High School band is preparing for its sixth annual Hawk Family Barbecue for the community on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Admission is free, and the event includes a car show, drum line competition, games and inflatables for kids, a concert under the sky, a silent auction and plenty of great food.

Vendor spaces cost $30 for a 10foot-by-10-foot space or $60 for a 20-foot-by-20-foot space before Feb. 11. Call Cathy at (561) 7905977 to register.

Next LGLA Meeting Set For Jan. 27 The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.).

The speaker for the evening will be a representative from Covanta Energy, who has been asked to explain what benefit a waste (garbage) to energy (power) facility would have that a landfill would not have. The representative has also been asked to explain why using clean renewable energy options are so important, and how the waste-to-energy program would affect the recycling program that generates money for Palm Beach County.

The meeting will also include the election and installation of LGLA officers for 2011. For more information, call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.

Wellington Garden Club To Meet Feb. 7 The Wellington Garden Club will host a luncheon and business meeting Monday, Feb. 7 at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington). The luncheon starts at

11:30 a.m., with the program following at 1 p.m.

The topic is “Growing Edible Plants In Your Garden” with Barbara Hadsell and Susan Hillson.

Container gardening is a great way to enjoy homegrown vegetables and herbs, especially when you have limited space. Vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, lettuce and spinach do well in containers, as well as all kinds of herbs, such as cilantro, chives, rosemary, dill, basil, mint and thyme. Add some edible flowers like pansies, nasturtium or marigolds, and you have a beautiful display.

Hadsell, master gardener and assistant at Pamela Crawford’s Color Garden Publications since 2003, has been committed to gardening since she retired in 1994 from a career in high tech consulting sales. A graduate of the Wharton School, Hadsell carried the love of gardening with her from her childhood experiences of backyard gardening with her parents. An active member of garden clubs since retirement, Hadsell is currently president of the Wellington Garden Club, District X Habitat for Humanity Landscape Project chair, Florida Federation of Garden Clubs president of the Landscape Design Council, Landscape Design chair for the Deep South region and member of the Oleander Circle of the West Palm Beach Garden Club.

Hillson is a master gardener, National Garden Clubs landscape design consultant and the Wellington Garden Club’s first vice president, newsletter editor and webmaster. She has a small organic

vegetable garden in Maine and grows vegetables in containers in Florida. Hillson enjoys good food and cooking what she grows. She teaches fun, hands-on gardening courses at Palm Beach State College. Hillson has a master’s degree in computer science and built database software for Oracle Corporation prior to moving to Florida and pursuing her interest in horticulture. You can follow Hillson on her blog “All the Latest Dirt” at susanhillson.blogspot.com.

Hadsell and Hillson will demonstrate how easy it is to plant a beautiful edible container garden.

The public is invited, and a light lunch will be served. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. RSVP to (561) 791-2722 or (561) 798-9217.

Wildlife Benefit Art Show Feb. 13 In Lox Groves The “Wild Things Art Show & Sale” benefiting the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation will be held Sunday, Feb. 13 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Pferdekamper Studio (14281 Collecting Canal Road, Loxahatchee Groves).

The wildlife-inspired art show will feature works by Norman Gitzen, Patricia Powers, Rollin McGrail and Karen McGovern.

Special “wild” guests will be there courtesy of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as live body painting by Georgette Pressler, live art demonstrations, music and refreshments.

For more info., visit www.rare species.org.

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Page 9

NEWS

MLK Day

Organized

By CAFCI

money on scholarships and empowering our young people to be what God has anointed them to be.”

Dr. King did not immediately continued from page 1 realize what his future had in store cused on the cost of freedom in a for him, Joseph noted. It wasn’t country that all too often suffers until 1955, when Dr. King helped from violence. lead an effort to desegregate his “We came together to pay trib- own community, that he realized ute to a man who gave his life for his time had come. Following that nonviolence,” Mattioli said. “Un- effort, he helped found and served fortunately, today, in recent news, as the first president of the Southwe are seeing violence, hatred and ern Christian Leadership Conferrage throughout the United States. ence.

I feel sincerely that we here today “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 can start a movement. ‘Let peace and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 begin with me.’ I’m asking you to remain a monument to his leadergive a few minutes of your time ship despite continued efforts by to try to stem the violence that is pockets of power to turn back the rampant in this United States.” clock,” Joseph said. “That is why The keynote speaker, Canon when it comes time to vote, we Winston Joseph of St. Patrick’s have to go and vote. As we gather Episcopal Church in West Palm here today, we remember this Beach, asked those gathered to prophet, a prophet of our generaremember the complex man that tion whose words still ring true the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and echo.”

Jr. was; how he was a grandson of In looking forward, Joseph said, slaves who grew up in a middle- there is much unfinished work class home in segregated Atlanta concerning Dr. King’s legacy, and and attended college in Boston. a lot of it has to do with today’s “Martin lived in Atlanta, Ga., children. A huge part of his own and got that degree in theology,” activism and speaking out, Joseph Joseph said, “and that illustrates, said, was because he wants things especially for our young people, to be better for his children’s chilthe importance of education and dren than they were for him. of preparing for the future. It’s im“We have to make this world a portant that we black folks stay in better place,” Joseph said. “Shall school, because a mind is a terri- we tell them the struggle is too ble thing to waste. Those of us hard? The choice is ours. We must active and involved in organiza- choose. We have a lot of unfintions, we need to spend some ished business.”

Watch A Town-Crier Video On This Event At www.gotowncrier.com!

Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto, Rhonda Ferrin-Davis, Paul Baker and Event Chair Elet Cyris.

Keynote speaker Canon Winston Joseph of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.

CAFCI President Ernie Garvey was on DJ duty.

Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto and his son Ryan.

Iona Gamble sings Dion’s “Abraham, Martin and John.”

Pianist Copeland Davis per forms.

Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Martha Webst er with Temple Beth Zion’s Rabbi Bertram Kieffer.

The Young Singers of the Palm Beaches make music.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

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NEWS

MID-COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB HOLDS YEAR’S FIRST MEETING AT TREE’S WINGS The Palm Beach County Mid-County Democratic Club held its monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 17 at Tree’s Wings & Ribs in Royal Palm Beach. The guest speaker was John Cohen, who is running for a seat on the West Palm Beach City Commission. The group meets the third Monday of every month at Tree’s (603 Royal P alm Beach Blvd.). For more info., contact Allen Mergaman at (561) 2550724 or acis714@yahoo.com, or visit www.midcountydems.com.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

West Palm Beach City Commission hopeful John Cohen.

Mid-County Democratic Club President Allen Mergaman.

Engenuity Group Helps Fight Domestic Violence In an effort to give back in the New Year, Engenuity Group Inc., a full-service civil engineering and land surveying firm located in West Palm Beach, conducted a drive to collect old cell phones.

The employees supported this effort by donating all their old cell phones, and even went a step further and collected them from family and friends.

All phones and accessories were donated to HopeLine to support victims of domestic violence.

HopeLine from Verizon collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider. The phones are then refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound way. Refurbished phones, complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service, are provided to local domestic vi-

Engenuity Group staff member s overwhelmingly suppor ted Verizon’s HopeLine program. olence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.

Domestic violence touches all of us. Nearly one in four women, one in nine men, and over three million children have been affected by domestic violence. Wireless phones and technology can serve as a vital link to emergency or sup-

port services in a time of crisis or as a reliable, safe connection to employers, family and friends as survivors rebuild their lives.

“Engenuity Group firmly believes in giving back to its community,” Engenuity President C. Andre Rayman said. “These phones were an integral part of our business life, and we are happy to see them used by people in need.”

Engenuity Group has been in the consulting, engineering and surveying business for more than 29 years and is dedicated to providing excellent professional services to its clients, whether in the private sector or public sector, urban land developers or agricultural enterprises.

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

Dave Schumacher addresses club members.

Wellington Extends Call To Artists In Area Schools For the past four years, Wellington and the Wellington Art Society have presented the Student Art Program, exhibiting the artwork of elementary, middle and high school students in Wellington.

These works of art are on display for a four-month rotation throughout the year.

Wellington and the Wellington Art Society are once again asking middle school student artists attending Wellington schools or living in Wellington to submit their work for selection. Pieces selected by Wellington Art Society members will then be placed on exhibition.

This next exhibition will begin at the end of January and run through May. Student artists interested in participating in the middle school exhibition are asked to bring their artwork to the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Jan. 26 between 4 and 6 p.m.

Information and entry forms with program dates and guidelines are available from the Wellington Art Society at (561) 791-2194, the art teachers at Wellington schools and on Wellington’s web site at www.wellingtonfl.gov.

For more information about the Wellington Art Society, visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org.

Group Seeks Nominations For Annual Women In Leadership Awards The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches is seeking nominations for its annual Women In Leadership Awards.

The awards are given to three Palm Beach County women who have made outstanding accomplishments in the volunteer, private and public sector, recogniz-

ing outstanding accomplishments, generosity of spirit, and a commitment to integrity and diversity.

Awards will be presented at the WILA luncheon May 5.

The nominee must have lived or worked in Palm Beach County for at least five years, excel in the category for which she is being

nominated and must have made a demonstrated difference in Palm Beach County.

The categories are Volunteer Sector (for women with a history of outstanding commitment to her community through unpaid leadership positions), Private Sector (for woman who are self-em-

ployed or employed by a for-profit business or organization, and have excelled in their job or profession) and Public Sector (for women who are employed by a not-forprofit business or organization or by a municipal, county, state or federal government, and have excelled in their job or profession.

Nominations cannot be accepted for judges, state legislators or employees of legislators, due to their restraints.

Nominations must be received on or before Monday, Feb. 14.

Sponsorship inquiries are also welcome. A nomination form and a 4”x6” photo are all that are need-

ed to nominate a friend or coworker.

The form is available online at the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches web site at www.ewpb. org.

Those interested may also email info@ewpb.org or call (561) 684-9117 for information.

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January 21 - January 27, 2011

Discover

the Tradition Sunday Polo

Joe Barry Memorial Cup January 23rd 3:00 Featured Match

Clydesdales at match this weekend!

Purchase Tickets Online | internationalpoloclub.com Club Line: 561.204.5687 Brunch Reservations: 561.282. 5296

internationalpoloclub.com

Polo Player Luis Escobar & Son Lucas Escobar

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NEWS

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VIP PARTY AND ‘LIFT-OFF RECEPTION’ STARTS THE 2011 SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR

The South Florida Fair hosted a VIP party and “lift-off reception” Thursday, Jan. 13, a day before the fair officially opened. The event featured a $10 “ride-athon,” food sampling, a silent auction, open bar and more. The theme of this year’s fair is “Really Cool Stuff.”

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

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

Fair Trustee Rober t Weisman, Vice President/COO Vicki Chouris, Chair Bob Broadway and VIP Party Chair/Trustee Robi Jurney.

Bob Broadway, Continental Airlines rep Laura Herde, ticket winner Jennifer Cartwright and Continental West Palm Beach General Manager Joe Gutierrez.

Wellington Vice Mayor Matt Willhite and his wife Alexis, Sherry and Mayor Darell Bowen, Marie and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore, and Councilwoman Anne Gerwig and her husband Alan.

Bella Luna Cirque’s Lyraliscious Molly and Rebecca.

Donna Crawford makes a bid with help from Fran Carlton.

Costco employees enjoy the evening.

SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR OFFERS ‘REALLY COOL STUFF’ ON ITS OPENING WEEKEND

The 2011 South Florida Fair kicked off its 17-day run last weekend, featuring the usual assortment of rides, games, livestock, entertainment and lots more. During an opening-day party on Frida y, Jan. 14, free admission was offered to those who came early.

Emily Brooke of Wellington sang the national anthem, and Buck Christian gave invocation.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/T OWN-CRIER

S.F. Fair Board Chair Bob Broadway and Vice President/COO Vicki Chouris cut the ribbon.

Sharyn Browning and her son Matthew talk to Oscar the Robot.

The Palm Springs Middle School steel drum band performs.

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Page 17

POLO & EQUESTRIAN

Bendabout Tops Faraway Polo 11-10 In Joe Barry Memorial Cup Play It was a gorgeous day in Wellington as the Joe Barry Memorial Cup continued at an exciting pace on Sunday, Jan. 16 at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

As fans gathered to watch the high-goal action of the 3 p.m. featured match between Bendabout and Faraway Polo, Gabrielle Anwar, star of USA Network’s Burn Notice, arrived by helicopter at the center of Piaget Field. After Anwar threw the official coin toss, the match began with opening goals from Gillian Johnston and Inaki Laprida that gave Bendabout an early 2-1 lead that ended 11-10, giving Bendabout an impressive 3-0 perfect record while Faraway fell to 1-2.

Action will continue in the Joe Barry Memorial Cup competition Sunday, Jan. 23 when the International Polo Club celebrates the opening of the new Nespresso Grande Pavilion, which will serve as home to their legendary Sunday brunch through the remainder of the season. Tickets are available for purchase online www.internationalpoloclub.com or by phone at (561) 204-5687, ext. 110.

Bendabout and Faraway Polo players compete during last Sunday’s match.

Actress Gabrielle Anwar, top player Luis Escobar and Lauren Duffy of Piaget.

PHOTOS COURTESY LILA PHOTO

Winter Equestrian Festival Opens With A Week Of Exciting Competition It was a record opening week for the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

The competition, held in 12 different rings all now on the north grounds, was fantastic, and spectators and exhibitors enjoyed the improved venue.

To start the year off right, Nick Skelton was back in the winner ’s circle with Unique, owned by Beverly Widdowson, in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

This week’s course designer in the International Arena was Anthony D’Ambrosio. He set a welcoming course for the 12 entries in the Time First Round class. The early leader was Pablo Barrios, who was clear on G&C Sinatra. They set a time of 69.682 seconds that would hold up for fourth place. Barrios placed third on his second mount, G&C Flash, who went in 67.614 seconds. Enrique Gonzales improved on that time in 66.744 seconds with his horse Katina to finish second.

Going ninth in the order, Skelton and Unique kept a steady pace to cross the timers in 66.046 seconds and moved into the lead. Skelton, a six-time Olympian, has returned to the show ring after a sixmonth break. In August, he had a hip replacement, and then he underwent surgery for his rotator cuff in September.

Canada’s Yann Candele and Redefin, owned by Susan Grange, were the fastest double clear combination to earn the top prize in Thursday’s $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round One.

Out of 26 original entries, seven made it to the jump-off. Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Ashley, owned by Double H Farm, were the first pair to jump clear in a time of 40.060 seconds but were then pushed out of the lead by Wellington’s Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L with a time of 35.911 seconds.

McLain Ward and Louisburg Farm’s Esplanade 7 completed the course in an even faster time of 35.589 seconds, but along came Candele and Redefin to shave another second off the clock to finish in a blazing fast 34.490 seconds. In the end, the top four riders finished in just that order: Candele in first, Ward in second, Engle in third and Pessoa in fourth.

Class winner Redefin is a 13-year-old KWPN gelding. Previously shown by Ian Millar, Candele was pleased with the horse’s performance. “Starting off the circuit like that is always nice, and especially with that horse that just came down from Canada before New Year’s,” Candele said. “I am very happy and actually a little bit surprised, because McLain and Margie were very fast.”

Speed was the order of the day in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge class. Laura Chapot and her trusty partner Bradberry took the blue ribbon in the last class in the International Arena on Friday.

There were 21 entries, and seven were able to keep all of the jumps up. Riding out of the ninth spot in the order, Chapot and Bradberry were chasing a fast time set by Shane Sweetnam and Belle Blue S, owned by Jerry and Maria Sweetnam

and Spy Coast Farm LLC. They stopped the timers in 68.820 seconds.

Chapot and Bradberry were able to shave just enough time off the clock to move into the lead in 68.013 seconds. No one else in the class would be able to catch her time. Third place went to Juan Jose Bancalari on Villeneuve, who was clear in 70.885 seconds.

Nick Skelton continued his great week on Saturday with his second major win in the International Arena. He piloted Beverly Widdowson’s Unique to victory in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic.

Although entries were light in the Time First Jump-off class at 12, it was great competition. Three found the route to the jump-off, with Skelton and Unique returning first. They put down the trip to best with no faults in 39.171 seconds.

“I thought I was up against it because I was going first, and I know that Ashlee is pretty quick,” Skelton said of his jumpoff ride. “I went quick and safe, hoping that I’d done enough. I didn’t think I had, but it worked out.”

Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z, owned by Little Valley Farm, were next in. After four faults at the second jump, they finished in 43.904 seconds for third place. Blythe Marano and Urban, owned by Riverview Farm LLC, were the last to compete in the jump-off. They collected the secondplace ribbon with 44.063 seconds.

The first week of competition concluded Sunday afternoon with an exciting $30,000 Speed Derby held in the International Arena. The class was won by

Irish rider Paul O’Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z, owned by Paul Clarke and Michael Walsh. Both competing for the first time in the United States this winter, horse and rider had a fantastic class and were awarded the top prize.

Twenty-six entries started the $30,000 Speed Derby class. Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Palouchin, owned by Double H Farm, set a blazing fast time right from the start going second in the order and finishing in 77.783 seconds. Pessoa finished the class in fourth place.

Beezie Madden and Neapolitan Holding Co. LLC’s Prima clocked in at 76.867 seconds to place third, and Hillary Dobbs and Marengo finished in 76.215 seconds for second place. No one could beat O’Shea’s time however, as he laid down a nearly flawless round going 22nd in the order and stopping the clock in 75.222 seconds for the win.

After a presentation and victory gallop for O’Shea, the Leading Lady Jumper Rider award was presented for week one competition. Sponsored by Martha Jolicoeur of Illustrated Properties, the award went to Kate Levy.

Also held Sunday were the $10,000 EquiFit High Junior Jumper Classic and the $10,000 Surpass Medium AmateurOwner Jumper Classic. The High Junior Jumper win was awarded to Wilton Porter aboard Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Presidente. The Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was won by Jamie Walker riding her horse 7-Up. Among this week’s hunter winners was Rosalynn, owned by Larry Glefke and rid-

den by Kelly Farmer. The duo was given championship honors in the Sanctuary High Performance Working Hunter division. While eight horse-and-rider combinations competed over a two-day period, Rosalynn stood out. Her five-for-five winning streak was quite a feat.

Reserve champion behind Rosalynn was awarded to Summer Place, owned

by Pony Lane Farm and ridden by Maggie Jayne. Jayne and Summer Place were awarded ribbons in each class.

Bruce Duchossois, riding his own 11year-old Hanoverian gelding Nevada, got off to a good start. They were awarded the championship honors among a starting field of 12 horses and riders in the Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 and Over, Section A division. “Nevada is kind of like a big pony, but when he’s good, he’s really good,” Duchossois said.

Not far behind Duchossois was the reserve champion Lynn Rogers. Rogers was aboard her own horse, Anika B. Shawn Casady aboard Glass Castle was among the junior hunter champions for week one, taking the tri-color in Martha Jolicoeur’s Illustrated Properties Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division. Elm Rock LLC owns Glass Castle, a 10-year-old Belgian warmblood mare.

“I’m very thankful to Susie Humes, Elm Rock LLC, and Ken and Emily Smith,” said Casady, who secured the division championship in a field of 14 riders.

The reserve champion was Caretano, See WEF WEEK 1, page 22

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SCHOOL NEWS

Osceola Honors Scholar-Athletes Of The Month

Elbridge Gale K-3 and K-5 chess team members after the tournament in Boynton Beach.

Elbridge Gale Chess Team Celebrates Recent Victories The Elbridge Gale Elementary School chess team placed 12th in the 2010 National K-12 Chess Championship. The tournament was held Dec. 10-12 in Orlando.

The following students were among the top five in their division: Anthony Limauro, Gabriel Bagnoli, Bryan Petz and Kieran Abesamis. Elana Rosman-Groves was top 10 in her division.

The team also competed in the 2011 District Chess Tournament Jan. 7-9 in Boynton Beach, and the Elbridge Gale chess team cap-

Osceola Creek Middle School has announced the recipients of its Scholar-Athlete Award for December. The award is sponsored by the school police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as role models for others.

December’s honorees carry high grade point averages as well as play varsity sports. Both are eighth-graders.

Girls volleyball honored Sydney Fusco, 14. “Sydney Fusco is a first-year player who was one of my starters this year,” coach Shayne Sanderford said. “She has raw talent that will enable her to become an awesome player in the coming years. I look forward to seeing her play at the high school and college level.”

Fusco also plays soccer at Os-

ceola Creek and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She wants to attend the University of Florida as a medical science major, as a prelude to a career as a nurse practitioner.

Boys soccer honored Kyle Garcia, 13. “Kyle Garcia is one of the best soccer players to have played soccer at Osceola Creek,” coach Tony Bugeja said. “He is a player who stands out on the field. His academics are a mirror image of his athletic talent; he holds one of the highest GPAs on the team. I am proud that Kyle has been awarded; he has worked hard.”

Garcia wants to play soccer in college at the University of Florida, and afterward on the professional level.

Supporting the program are Subway, Domino’s Pizza and

Burger King (located at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd.) and Dairy Queen (at Royal

Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards), which donated free food coupons.

Poinciana’s Hands-On Graphic Design Program

tured first-place team trophies in all divisions (K-1, K-3 and K-5).

This is a new record that has not been beaten in 20 years. Eight out of 12 students in Palm Beach County with the best records were students from Elbridge Gale.

The Elbridge Gale chess team competed at the 2011 South Regional Tournament Saturday, Jan. 15 in Hialeah, where they placed second in the K-3 division and fourth in the K-5 division. The team is coached by math teacher Antonis Loudaros.

Poinciana Day School Graphic Design Club members show off some of the ar twork the y created using computers.

NEW HORIZONS HOSTS MATH & SCIENCE FAIR

Elbridge Gale chess players and coach Antonis Loudaros at the Jan. 15 tournament in Hialeah.

Scholar-Athletes Of The Month — Kyle Garcia, Principal Dave Alfonso, Sydney Fusco and School Police Of ficer Sandy Molenda.

New Horizons Elementary School students recently participated in the school’s mathematics and science fair. A total of 280 students presented individual projects. Students learned the process of experimentation by following the scientific method, starting with a purpose statement, making a hypothesis, gathering data and coming to a conclusion. The first-place and secondplace winners will go on to the district mathematics and science fair in May. Parents were invited to view the projects at the school’s annual evening math and science fair. Parents and students enjoyed dinner and special treats prepared and served by teachers in different grade levels. “It was e xciting to see parents and students come together to enjoy a family night together,” fourth-grade teacher and math/science fair coordinator Cheryl Lay said. Pictured here are first-place, second-place and thirdplace individual mathematics and science fair winners.

The technology program at Poinciana Day School, under the direction of Dan Schaffer, prepares students not just for the daily technological skills that students need, but also provides them with creative technical skills.

All middle school students learn graphic design skills utilizing Adobe programs. These students are being prepared for industry certification that they will take when they are in high school. In addition, students as young as first grade have an opportunity to learn how to use these programs in an after-school graphic design program.

Students explore the entire Ado-

be suite of software including Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver and more. Students learn how to manipulate photos, create stand-out and interactive graphics, visual effects, web projects, drawings including perspective, shading, gradients and more.

“In order to be successful in the future, students must learn to be creative in how they apply their skills and knowledge,” Head of School Ann Simone said. “Design is becoming a crucial component of many fields. Our students’ understanding of graphic design and how it can be applied to various fields will provide our students with an edge to be leaders in the future.”

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Page 19

SCHOOL NEWS

Ideal/Dream School Event Benefits The Needy Four years ago Wendy and Kris Soderman, founders of the Ideal School and Dream Middle School, turned a bad situation into a learning experience. After noticing that the school’s water bill was unusually high for a couple of months in a row, Wendy and Kris discovered that a local family was taking buckets of water from a spigot at the middle school, loading them onto their truck and driving away with them. The Sodermans reported the theft to the sheriff’s office, and upon investigation a deputy discovered not only the buckets of water, but also the squalid conditions the family was living in.

The deputy informed the Sodermans that they were well within their rights to press charges but suggested they see the family’s living conditions for themselves before deciding to do so. When the Sodermans drove by the house one evening, they were shocked to discover that the family of five not only had no water but no elec-

tricity either. The Sodermans assumed that, given their living conditions, the family was probably having a hard time bringing enough food home to eat, too.

Rather than press charges, the Sodermans decided to find a way to make a difference not only for this family, but for other families in Royal Palm Beach who are hungry. Wendy presented her idea to Dream Middle School students, and together they came up with the idea of the I-Can run.

Every Friday from January through April, elementary and middle school students, parents, teachers and school staff run or walk from the Ideal School parking lot to the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station 28 with cans of food. After the cans are dropped off, the firefighters then take them to soup kitchens and shelters in Royal Palm Beach to help feed the hungry in the village. The fourth annual I-Can kicked off this month and runs through April.

The Ideal School and Dream

Politics by Samantha Blair.

Students take par t in the I-Can run.

Middle School are pioneers in the use of Multiple Intelligence Theory in the classroom. Their expertise in innovative education draws students from preschool through

eighth grade throughout Palm Beach County. To find out more about the school, call (561) 7912881 or visit www.dreamideal. com.

WHS Student District Sunshine State Scholar Wellington High School student Felicia Meihong Yan has been named the Sunshine State Scholar for the Palm Beach County School District.

The Sunshine State Scholars Program began 15 years ago through the efforts of the Florida Department of Education and Florida universities. The program

goals are to recognize student achievement and to increase the number of students with outstanding mathematics and science credentials who choose to attend Florida colleges and universities.

Each district high school was invited to select one junior, distinguished in both mathematics and science. Using the academic and

extracurricular history of the school scholars and the results of mathematics and science assessments administered during the fall of 2010, the district scholar and district alternate were selected.

Yan is the daughter of Jiansheng Yan and Jinhui Zhang. Yan, her parents, and a science or mathematics teacher of the student’s

choice, will be invited to a recognition ceremony in Orlando in February. Students will be recognized for academic achievements and have the opportunity to meet with recruiters from Florida colleges and universities.

Yan was honored at the Jan. 19 Palm Beach County School Board meeting.

SRHS To Host Annual Poetry Slam Feb. 17 Seminole Ridge High School will hold its second annual poetry slam Thursday, Feb. 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria. The event is sponsored by the National English Honor Society chapter. Students are welcome to submit an original poem and the $1 entry fee to Carrie Zimmerman in Room 7119 before or after school. A cash prize will be awarded to the winner of the slam.

• Schorr Awarded Scholarship — SRHS has announced that Jared Schorr has been selected as a recipient of the 2011-12 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. Funded through the Com-

cast Foundation, this $1,000 award recognizes high school seniors from Comcast communities for commitment to community service, academic achievement and demonstrated leadership.

• Hawk Artists to Get ‘Silver Keys’ — Seminole Ridge High School artists Samantha Blair and Bobby Hamilton, competing in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, will receive silver keys — the second highest regional award — at a reception and awards ceremony to be held Friday, Jan. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Eg2 Gallery. The gallery is at 477 S. Rosemary Ave. in CityPlace.

Page 20

January 21 - January 27, 2011

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Area Residents Filming Movie ‘Bryden’s Pharm’ In The Acreage

Actors Rob Tassey and Mackenzie McGahee rehearse a scene.

Cameras starting rolling Jan. 1 as filming for the movie Bryden’s Pharm was shot almost entirely on location in The Acreage. Numerous filmmakers, actors and crew members from the western communities were part of the production.

The short film, directed by award-winning director Dave DeBorde and written by Terri Emerson, tackles the insidious, growing problem of prescription drug misuse, known as “pharming.”

Pharming is taking place every day as teens (and adults) visit bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, etc. in search of prescription drugs to ingest, sell or save for pharm parties. The narrative story Bryden’s Pharm will be part of a documentary film dealing with the subject.

The film, starring Mackenzie McGahee, Robert Tassey (Royal Palm Sandbar & Grill manager), Steven Pippen, Ronda Stearns and Christie Schelhorn, is a project created through S.T.A.R.S. Mission International, founded by

Acreage resident Kim Stryker , who is also the producer of Bryden’s Pharm. A number of western communities residents are involved with the film as cast and crew members, including lead actor Pippen (Mike), cast members Steven Murley (Officer White), Stephanie Fisher, Ashley Harrass, Susan Harrass and first assistant camera operator/actor Jeremy Lacey (a film student at Seminole Ridge High School), and Nancy Fisher. Several Acreage residents offered their homes, lawns and even a casket to help with the making of the film.

The cast and crew thank Dean Anthony’s in Wellington and Subway in Loxahatchee for their support. Starbucks on Lake Worth Road, Chipotle on PGA Blvd., and Carrabba’s and Chick-fil-A on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. also helped keep the cast and crew well-fed during the long hours of shooting this important film.

S.T.A.R.S. Mission International is a faith-based program that

Bryden’s Pharm cast members relax on the set. helps teen artists “keep their feet on the ground while reaching for the stars.” Recently, the organization performed a Christmas program for the needy and homeless at Curry Park, caroled at PGA National Resort and Waterway Café this December, and last summer, the teens and mentors worked on the feature film Turkles, written and directed by Frank Eberling, co-produced by Stryker with Rob and Chel Tassey, Christy Lee Tay-

lor and Barbara Lee. For more information or to become a sponsor for Bryden’s Pharm or S.T.A.R.S. Mission International, visit the organization’s web site at www.stars4him.com, or e-mail brydenspharm@att.net or kim@stars4him.com. Also find S.T.A.R.S. Mission International is on Facebook. The nonprofit organization is seeking donations to bring affordable programs to aspiring teen artists.

New Hope Charities Annual Holiday Bazaar Raises Almost $100,000 New Hope Charities held its 17th annual holiday bazaar Dec. 2 at the Sailfish Club in Palm Beach, chaired by Catherine and Andres Fanjul. More than 400 gathered for this spectacular event to raise money in support of New Hope Charities’ services offered to struggling families in the Glades, netting almost $100,000.

This year’s new and improved event offered a unique setup of exotic vendors, exciting food stations and fabulous silent auction items. There was something interesting at every turn throughout the venue.

“We wanted to improve the event this year and give it a different spin — the new and improved holiday bazaar,” Chair Catherine Fanjul said. “This year ’s event was exciting and alive. Everyone had a fantastic time.”

The dance floor was filled with those enjoying the lively music of the Latin band Norberto y Marisela con su Septeto Caribe. Food stations at almost every corner featured American, Italian and Asian cuisine as well as a large carving station of various meats and an extensive dessert table of petit fours. Adding to the fun and interest of the evening was the gracious master of ceremonies Juan Carlos Fanjul.

Major sponsors of the event included Florida Crystals, Sun Capital Partners, the

Kelly Foundation of Kelly Tractor, the William H. Pitt Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos L. Reynolds.

“It is thanks to the support of our generous donors that New Hope is able to continue to reach out to a community in need and positively affect the lives of so many,” Chair Andres Fanjul said.

Money raised at the event will go toward helping children and families in western Palm Beach County’s underserved communities of Pahokee, Belle Glade and South Bay. New Hope Charities serves as a beacon of hope to struggling families in this area. Through the many programs and services offered through New Hope’s family center in Pahokee, this underprivileged population receives the skills and education necessary to overcome illiteracy, poverty and hunger, breaking the cycle of poverty.

The recent years of a down economy have not only increased the need of those already struggling, but it has affected the generosity of donors. Dwindling resources is a reality many nonprofit organizations are facing, and this is also true for New Hope Charities. “In recent years, we just have not been able to raise as much funds as we used to,” New Hope Charities Executive Director Lyanne Azqueta said. “Donors are much more conservative these days, and even though the economy seems to be picking up, people are

Lian Fanjul de Azquet a and Lyanne Azqueta

Allegra Fanjul and Calixto Garcia-Velez

Catherine and Andres Fanjul

still being cautious with their money.”

Despite the economy, through money raised at the annual holiday bazaar and other events, New Hope Charities pushes on to continue to provide adults, children and families in western Palm Beach County with services such as food distri-

bution, day care, after-school care, summer camp, tutoring and homework assistance, computer training, ESOL classes, nutrition classes, family strengthening, a lending library and much more.

For additional information about New Hope Charities, visit www.newhope

charities.org. If you would like to support the organization in its efforts to combat illiteracy and poverty, giving the next generation in Pahokee a new chance at life, send a donation to: New Hope Charities, 626 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

PHOTOS BY ROBER T SADLER PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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January 21 - January 27, 2011

Page 21

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Successful Toiletry, Toy Drive At Villari’s

RPB Villari’s Self Defense Center owner/operator Ken Smith, Allyson Samiljan of the YWCA and Santa (Dave White).

Villari’s Self Defense Center in Royal Palm Beach held a toy and toiletry drive Saturday, Dec. 11 for the benefit of the YWCA’s Harmony House, a nonprofit organization that shelters women and children of domestic violence and abuse.

YWCA Communication and Special Event Coordinator Allyson Samiljan expressed gratitude for not only the baskets and toys, but for the awareness events such as the toy and toiletry drive brings to the problem of domestic violence and abuse.

Throughout the year, many women and children are forced to leave their homes with just the clothes on their backs to escape being battered. Although Harmony House attempts to provide these women and children with rudimentary essentials, it faced a shortage due to the holiday season, the tight economy and competition for limited resources. For info., visit www.ywcapbc.org.

For more about Villari’s Self Defense Center in Royal Palm Beach, call (561) 793-4132 or visit www.villarisroyalpalm.com.

Area Woman Publishes Her Autobiography After three painful divorces and surviving two bouts of cancer, West Palm Beach resident Diane Mele had plenty to write about when she first sat down to write her autobiography 10 years ago.

However, writing about one’s life is no easy task, and often there were periods when she alternated between writing and not writing. But Mele’s commitment to finishing the book remained strong, and today she is the proud author of Discovering Diane: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Finding True Love.

At 74 years old, the Bronxville, N.Y. native is among thousands of Americans who are using their retirement years to pur-

sue unfulfilled dreams or take on new challenges, such as writing a book — something most working adults and parents have little time to do. And writing a 268page book demands plenty of time and requires some professional support as well.

Mele’s search for a local editor and publisher led her to American Life Publishers in Boynton Beach. Patricia Mavo, an editor and historian, founded the company in 2006 to document the diverse and often overlooked lives of ordinary Americans. One of the company’s goals is to provide a means for aspiring authors to get their books published.

Mavo was immediately

moved by Mele’s passion for her work and desire to see it come to fruition. After a year-long collaboration, Mele’s dream of becoming a published author was realized.

Mele is a mother of three, an accomplished seamstress, a travel enthusiast and a breast cancer survivor. She hopes that her accomplishment will encourage others to write their own books.

Discovering Diane ($15) can be purchased through the book’s distributor, Itasca Books, at www.itascabooks.com or by phone at (800) 901-3480. The book can also be purchased through the publisher’s web site at www.americanlifepublishers. com.

Diane Mele

Toy and toiletry drive participants gather at Villari’s in RPB.

Goodyear, Hechanova Complete Navy Training Navy Seaman recruits Melissa Goodyear, daughter of Pamela Berardo of Loxahatchee, and Bernard Hechanova, son of Eva and Skipper Hechanova of Royal Palm Beach, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Goodyear and Hechanova completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Goodyear is a 2006 graduate of Wellington High School. Hechanova is a 2006 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.

Page 22

January 21 - January 27, 2011

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NEWS

Author Discusses Tea Party Movement At Forum Club Luncheon

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report Journalist and author Kate Zernike discussed the impact of the Tea Party movement on American politics when she addressed the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches on Friday, Jan. 7.

A national correspondent for The New York Times who shared the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting, Zernike is the author of Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America. She has covered education, Congress and four national elections for the Times.

Zernike began her comments by asking a question that her editors had kept asking her and she kept trying to answer: “Who are these people?” Her book followed a handful of people active in the Tea Party movement, describing them as 30- and 40-somethings and some a bit older, but most important, she said, they are not as far out on the fringes as people think.

“They looked like my suburban neighbors,” Zernike said.

Zernike tracked House and Senate races across the country last year, and in particular watched how many Tea Party candidates were in each race. Her research found that there were 138 Tea Party candidates in total — nine running for Senate and 129 for House seats. On Election Day, five won Senate seats and 42 won House seats. In many races, she noted, there were Tea Party candidates who threw their hat in the ring where there were no Republicans running.

“There were candidates who won despite extensive personal scandals,” she noted. For example, one candidate in Illinois was in foreclosure on his condo, and “nobody thought he was going to win. Democrats thought this was going to be a great chance to keep the seat. He won.”

Voters wanted change, Zernike

Seniors

Many New Programs

continued from page 1 noon of socialization for seniors,” Trager said. “It fosters the competitive spirit, gets people out and gets people together. One of the things we want to do is provide more social settings for seniors of all ages.”

Another advantage is that it keeps seniors active, Trager said.

And to help aging residents stay healthier, the village has other programs as well.

Wellington will be instituting a senior wellness program sponsored by Palms West Hospital.

Professionals from the hospital will offer “Lunch & Learn” seminars from noon to 2 p.m. to discuss health issues common among seniors.

The first event is March 26 and

Settlement

Residents: Go To Court

continued from page 1 improvements, presumably developer impact fees, although the method is not stipulated, Cirullo said.

During a telephone conference between Callery-Judge, the town, the DCA and more than a dozen interested parties on Jan. 6, the DCA had few substantive comments, Cirullo said. “They are expected to move it forward,” he said.

Once the DCA signs off, and the settlement agreement is signed by both parties, public adoption hearings can be set. “You have many, many steps to go,” Cirullo said.

Resident Doreen Baxter said she thinks the proposed agreement has much giving on the town’s part with little taking. “It’s known that Callery-Judge plans to develop,” Baxter said. “Contesting the comp plan was just part of the plan for [Callery-Judge General Manager] Nat Roberts. These bogus negotiations have cost the town legal fees.”

Baxter said the town has a history of caving in to developers and neighboring municipalities. “I say

Blotter continued from page 6 was arrested Monday for battery on a PBSO deputy after an altercation in the Pointe at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, an off-duty deputy arrived at LA Fitness in the Pointe at Wellington Green in order to work out when he observed 26-year-old Kevin Roc causing a scene and trying to fight other guests. Gym employees escorted him off the property, and the deputy approached Roc and identified himself as an off-duty deputy in an attempt to try and calm him down. According to the report, Roc became

said, and the candidate was not nearly as important as the message. “It didn’t matter who the candidate was,” she said. “They won despite the fact that Democrats tried to paint them with what they called extreme positions, and that included things like getting rid of the Department of Education, Social Security and phasing out Medicare.”

Zernike said two factors played a big part in Tea Party campaigning: the perceived extremism that the Democrats tried to play on versus the energy that the Tea Party candidates brought to their campaigns. “I think they split the difference,” Zernike said. “In the Senate races, I think the concerns about the Tea Party meant that it hurt the candidates, and the Republicans as well.”

In the House, however, the energy carried the day. More than half of the winners were Tea Party candidates.

During exit polls on Election Day, four in 10 voters polled said they were Tea Party supporters.

“That is 40 percent of all voters,” Zernike said. “These people are not necessarily going to rallies, or giving money to Tea Party candidates, or going to Tea Party meetings, but they described themselves as what the Tea Party movement stood for… I think there were discussions of reduced federal spending or the sense that the federal government was too much in their lives, and that very much resonated with people. That’s why you saw this tremendous support.

I think the Tea Party set the agenda for the midterm election.”

Social issues, such as same-sex marriage and abortion, did not rule the day, as they had in other recent elections. It’s not that the Tea Party supporters did not care about those issues, Zernike said, but those issues were too divisive. “If they wanted to get people to sup-

port their causes,” she said, “it was much more important to talk about the economy.”

Another way the Tea Party changed the primary election process was by simply putting a candidate in the race. For the most part, Zernike said, House candidates typically go without challenges, but in the last primary election, the presence of the Tea Party changed all that. “You look at a state like Kentucky, where you had a Republican running against a Tea Party candidate,” she said.

“You look at several primaries where there were incumbent Republican candidates being challenged by Tea Party candidates. It was about moving the Republican Party to the right.”

As much as some people in the Tea Party once made fun of the way President Barack Obama relied on community organizing, they took a page out of his playbook. And while some have labeled the movement an “Astroturf” movement, i.e., fake grassroots, pushed forward by corporate or political organizations, Zernike believes otherwise.

“I think this was motivated by people who were upset or freaked out about the economy and wanted to do something about it,” she said. “The Tea Party started in February 2009, and there are many strands of it that come together. I isolate the two most important ones, the libertarian wing and the right-wing conservative Republicans who tend to be older… It was striking to me how these two groups came together. I was watching a training session in Washington one time, and I looked at the stage and there was a group of 20- or 30-somethings, and the crowd was your older average Washington tourists. The young people on stage were instructing the people in the audience on how to organize.”

The strain between the younger and older members of the Tea Party is going to be something to watch, Zernike said, because they have different views on what should be done with Social Security, Medicare and the two wars.

Many younger members are OK with cutting Social Security and Medicare because they think those entitlements won’t be around when they get older.

“They are also OK for the most part with cutting military spending,” Zernike added. “The older Tea Party supporters are not. They tended to be people who supported the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of them are on Medicare or Social Security or live with someone who is. They tend to believe those programs are working pretty well.”

When she spoke with Tea Party supporters, Zernike also got the feeling that they want Congress to work better and are frustrated with congressional politics. That body,

she noted, now has its lowest approval rating ever.

As for 2012, the impact of the Tea Party is an open question. The movement has not really rallied behind anyone for president. They seem to like former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Zernike said, but many of them don’t think she has the experience to be a presidential candidate. “They love how she rallies the base,” Zernike said.

“But when you look at focus groups and polls, they don’t necessarily think she’s qualified to be president.”

Some people polled like Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, so he could be a name to watch, she said. “People who were polled volunteered his name,” Zernike said. “They love him, but he is not running for president.”

The other thing to watch in 2012 is what happens to the candidates who got swept into office in the Democratic wave in 2006 who will be up for re-election, includ-

ing Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia and Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. Others to watch, Zernike added, would be centrist Republicans such as Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, who some Tea Party supporters don’t think are conservative enough. What’s most striking, Zernike said, is that Tea Party supporters are looking for a challenger for Utah’s Sen. Orrin Hatch, because they also don’t think he’s conservative enough.

Zernike concluded by noting that some of the anger from the Tea Party movement will have less of an impact if the economy begins improving. Another huge factor is the independent voters who swung en masse toward the Democrats in 2006 and 2008, and swung back toward the Republicans in 2010.

For more information about the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, visit www.theforumclub.net.

will cover exercise and nutrition.

The next event will be May 24 and cover high blood pressure and stroke prevention.

“These are two very important subjects,” Trager said. “We see this as part of our responsibility to provide education. We plan to continue the series for the fall season with more topics.”

And the topics were selected because of a survey given to Wellington Seniors Club members at a meeting last year. “We wanted to address the issues that seniors considered their top priorities,” Trager said.

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, seniors can make their physical health a priority by participating in “A Matter of Balance,” a free seminar for seniors that deals with the prospect of falling.

“There’s always the subject, when it comes to seniors and their fragility, of balance,” Trager said.

“This award-winning program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of seniors who have concerns about falls.”

The program is open for all levels of fitness and is offered each week through March 22.

“For seniors who are up in their years and more fragile, this helps them regain some manner of independence,” Trager said. “As we age, our bones naturally get brittle. Most falls require surgeries, and what this course is trying to do is to show people better exercise and better balance. It’s very worthwhile for anyone who has reached that tender age.”

Also helping seniors keep their independence, the village will offer a driving course to help them maintain confidence on the road.

Trager noted it is one of the most popular courses offered to seniors.

“It’s for seniors who are shaky about driving, or who just want to

recall a lot of the safety measures they may have forgotten,” he said.

The one-day course runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be offered on Mondays, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 12.

The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members.

And taking the course gives seniors an extra advantage. “The auto companies are required to give you a discount once you send them a certificate that says you’ve successfully passed the course,” Trager said.

As an opportunity for seniors to showcase their talents, the village will host a one-stroke painting class taught by certified instructor Lori Shankman.

The four-week class runs each Monday in February and costs $75 for residents and $93.75 for non-residents.

“We thought this would be an area of education that seniors would like,” Trager said. “And it

would give them something to do.

It leads to hobbies, and it’s something to keep them stimulated.”

Starting last week, the village began offering free financial seminars sponsored by Morgan Stanley. The seminars are the third Thursday of each month from noon to 2 p.m., and cover financial advice on topics from bonds to investment opportunities.

That’s a topic that interests many seniors, Trager said. “In this economy, with limited incomes, I think seniors really have to be careful how they invest their money,” he said. “They’ve got to make their money go a long way. And to have someone with the portfolio that Morgan Stanley has, and the professional advice, is extremely helpful for them.”

Also hoping to help seniors save money, the village will host a free handyman seminar with Mike Sirucek, who has 20 years of experience in home improve-

ment. Those seminars kick off Tuesday, Jan. 25, and run each Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. “[Sirucek] will be showing homeowners how to take care of small items around their house without calling in a professional tradesman,” Trager said. “Hopefully it will help seniors’ pocketbooks and give them some basic knowledge on taking care of a few things by themselves.”

On top of all the programming, Trager hopes to start taking seniors on day trips, along with other new activities.

“We’re increasing our schedule to get people out, get people together and give them an afternoon of socialization,” he said.

All guests must register prior to the event by calling the village at (561) 791-4000 or in person at the Wellington Community Center.

For more info., visit www. wellingtonfl.gov.

no more giveaways from the town,” she said.

Baxter especially disagreed with the town’s concession to put in northern and western connector roads and the widening of Okeechobee Blvd. to four lanes.

She also suggested that Councilman Ryan Liang has a conflict of interest because his family owns several large properties on the northern border of the town.

Betty Ahlborn said she has to get up early in order to get out on Okeechobee Blvd. now and is concerned about development planned along the road. “I can’t get over one lane,” she said. “It’s absolutely solid.”

Ahlborn added that getting her horse trailer onto Okeechobee Blvd. is next to impossible. She also objected to access roads along the back of properties on Okeechobee Blvd. and the subsequent closing of property owners’ access to Okeechobee. “I think my Loxahatchee I’ve been living in for 30 years is going away,” she said.

Comments by resident Veronica Close were read into the record.

She asked that the question be put before voters in a referendum.

“Our town considers itself fully developed, and further development will result in loss of character,” she wrote. “There is no legal

or statutory requirement compelling you to agree to this settlement.”

Attorney Neil Schiller, representing Okeechobee Blvd. property owner Bill Day, reiterated other speakers’ complaints that inadequate notice was given for Tuesday’s meeting. Schiller added that the 60-plus property owners along Okeechobee Blvd. had not been contacted. “We ask that before the process moves forward, you hold a workshop on Okeechobee Blvd.,” he said.

Planning consultant Kerry Kilday, also representing Day, agreed that property owners should be contacted. “In this case, it would be easy to send out 65 letters,” he said. “This is, in my opinion, an unfinished document.”

Resident Patrick Painter said he strongly disagreed with opening up roads through the town. “This is a community issue,” he said.

“Our community could be eroded easily by slicing and dicing for the convenience of a developer. We’re going to be a thoroughfare, with people going 40 and 50 miles an hour through town.”

Painter also raised concerns that there are deadlines on the development of roadways, which could become the burden of taxpayers if developers are not forthcoming.

“We need to know a lot of things financially,” he said. “I would never commit to these types of things with the state of the economy. This is a top-down edict I don’t like at all, and I would appreciate if you fight for our rights.”

Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan said he would like to have estimated costs for each aspect of the agreement. He added that he felt Callery-Judge should pay for most of the reliever roads. “I know a lot of things went into this settlement, but Callery-Judge forced us into a box timewise.”

Ryan added that he would favor going to an administrative hearing despite the cost.

Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp said he had gone through with the settlement agreement reluctantly. “I haven’t been enthralled with the whole process,” Lipp said. “I was looking for a gun-toting law firm,

but decided to go into negotiations. I think what we have today is not a workable agreement. It needs to work both ways, not just one.”

Councilman Ron Jarriel said he had listened carefully to residents’ comments, especially that they were ready to go to court even if it is more expensive. “This took a lot of pressure off me,” Jarriel said.

“What people want is to go to a judge.”

Jarriel said he still favors development of access roads, which he thinks will actually improve traffic in town. “I support paved roads,” he said, explaining that the paved roads with speed bumps actually drive pass-through traffic away from the community.

Liang said it was good to finally hear from residents. “During the hearings, we could not talk about it,” he said, explaining that they had agreed to the closed sessions

in an effort to save money.

Councilman Jim Rockett said that the town had given up too much during the executive sessions. “We as a town need to call our own shots,” he said. “We should not benefit the community around us. That is why we have a town. In this proposal, we have given up some of that.”

Rockett reiterated that going to court could cost the town $500,000 to $750,000 as opposed to $150,000 to $200,000 for the settlement agreement. “I hear you, you want us to fight for the residents and landowners of Loxahatchee Groves,” he said.

Mayor Dave Browning, who represented the town at the closed sessions, said he also had listened to the wishes of the speakers that evening. “It’s like sitting up here trying to sell a used car,” he said.

“The settlement doesn’t really show where I stand.”

more irate and grabbed the deputy by the throat. The deputy was able to break free, and Roc fled toward the deputy’s patrol car and climbed onto the hood of the vehicle, walking on it. The deputy escorted Roc down from the vehicle and arrested him. Due to minor injuries, the deputy handed Roc over to a second deputy, and Roc continued to resist. Roc was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where he was charged with several offenses including battery on an officer, property damage, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly conduct.

JAN. 18 — A deputy from the

PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was dispatched to a home in Counterpoint Estates late Tuesday night regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 a.m. last Thursday and 11 p.m. Tuesday, someone removed the victim’s air conditioning unit from his window and entered his home.

The perpetrator(s) stole a Playstation and several games, but other items such as laptop computers and televisions were not taken.

The stolen items were valued at approximately $250. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

trian competition, to encourage academics and horsemanship, and to provide the riders with resources to create their desired college equestrian experience. The weekend of events included special seminars and scholarship opportunities as well as the chance to compete in a college format competition.

Riders showed in divisions according to their level of experience, showing both over fences and on the flat. With over 100 entries, classes were divided into sections of 12 and competitors were awarded ribbons through eighth place in each section. Judges included renowned equestrians John French, Nona Garson and Georgina Bloomberg. Horses were provided for the show by helpful local barns.

Students hailed from all over the country, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas to participate. In the Open division, winners on the flat included Isabella Meyer of Atlanta, Ga., Jennifer Delman

of Greensboro, N.C., and Colby Wood of Dover, N.H. Over fences, Kristen Mohr of Hackettstown, N.J., and Marielle Golden of Boca Raton took home blue ribbons.

Samantha Kraus of Mt. Sinai, N.Y., is in Wellington training with Frank Madden and will be competing in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions throughout the winter. Kraus won Section B of the Open Equitation over fences. The CPI provided a fantastic opportunity for the 17-year-old to look further into her college plans in the near future. “I am still in high school and I am waiting to hear back from a bunch of schools that I applied to,” Kraus said. “I don’t know what I want to do yet, but I know that I definitely want to ride in college.”

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.

Journalist and author Kate Zernike speaks at the Jan. 7 Forum Club meeting.

Dick and Pat Johnson (center) are presented an award for Outstanding Public Service by Forum Club Vice President Don Kiselewski and President Wendy Sar tory Link.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

WEF Week 1

Hunter Winners

continued from page 17 owned and ridden by Hannah Goodson-Cutt.

The Amateur divisions continued through last Sunday. Poetic, owned and ridden by Maggie Boylan, was champion in the Bainbridge Amateur Owner Hunters 18-35 division. Boylan came out on top over a field of 18 starters.

Laura Sexton and her Hanoverian gelding, Zoom, missed the championship by only one point to secure the reserve championship.

WEF also hosted the 2011 inaugural College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show during the first week of competition. The CPI was developed with the goal of preparing and educating student riders in grades six through 12 about the format of college eques-

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NEWS

WLMS Student Harrison Paul Shoots Hoops For A Good Cause

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Harrison Paul, a seventh-grader at Wellington Landings Middle School, has raised more than $15,000 to donate to fight a disease that took the life of his grandfather, Burton Paul, in 2007.

“My son was doing a mitzvah project for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah,” said Harrison’s father, Jordan. “He decided to raise money for [research into] the disease that killed his grandfather.”

Burton Paul was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a blood disease that affects thousands of people each year, shortly after Harrison was born. “When my dad was originally diagnosed, he was told he had only six months to live, and he vowed he wanted to beat the odds,” Jordan said.

Burton participated in an innovative program at Boston University Medical Center, where he was one of the first to be treated with stem-cell transplants, and he was able to fight the disease for more than nine years. During that time,

grandfather and grandson became extremely close.

“My father beat the odds for nine and a half years, and by that time, their bond was really unshakable,” Jordan said of the relationship between his son and his father.

When Harrison was asked to come up with a mitzvah project, he came up with the idea to raise money with a free throw marathon, since he is a basketball player at Wellington Landings.

“He originally wanted to throw 1,000 foul shots and get people to pledge money for each shot that he made,” Jordan explained. “I thought that might end up injuring him, so I convinced him to cut it down to 500. He got donations, and he did a great job.”

Harrison created “Baskets For Burt” as a mitzvah project in connection with his upcoming Bar Mitzvah to honor the memory of his grandfather.

Harrison shot his 500 foul shots over a two-day period (Dec. 20 and 21) and completed

68 percent, including 45 of his first 50 shots. He sank 340 out of the 500 total.

More than 80 sponsors agreed to donate money for each basket that Harrison made, with all of the proceeds going to the amyloidosis research programs at Boston University and Brigham & Women’s Medical Center.

In a letter thanking his supporters, Harrison wrote: “It meant so much for me to be able to honor my grandfather and make sure other families can share a bond as strong as my grandfather and I had. He was a giving man, and I feel that with the help of all of you, we have been able to give something back for him. The $15,114 we have raised will help keep families together and experience loving and fulfilling lives without the threat of amyloidosis.”

Donations are still being accepted for “Baskets For Burt.” Information on how to donate and a link to a YouTube video of the event are available at www.amyloidosis support.com/basketsforburt.html.

‘Today Show’ Host To Be In Komen Race

Harrison Paul (center) with Ben Paul, Nick Gonzales, coach Joweii Chan and Ethan Shaw.

NBC’s Today Show host, bestselling author and breast cancer survivor Hoda Kotb will participate in the 20th annual Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure, which will take place Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Meyer Amphitheater in West Palm Beach.

Kotb will serve as the race

grand marshal, be honored in the survivor celebration and walk in the 5K race to raise funds for breast cancer research. Kotb successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2007.

Kotb’s book is titled Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad

Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee. She will sign copies of her book from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Jennifer Miller Jewelry in Palm Beach.

Race activities will begin at 7 a.m., with the survivor celebration at 10 a.m. For more information, call (561) 514-3020 or visit www. komensouthflorida.org.

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© 2010 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 6:00 PM $50,000 EQUINE COUTURE/TUFF RIDER GRAND PRIX © 2010 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

Saturday Night Lights runs every Saturday at 6:00 P.M. from January 22 to April 3.

THIS WEEK’S FEATURED EVENTS: SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1:00 PM $25,000 1.50M SUNCAST® CLASSIC THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1:00 PM $30,000 WEF CHALLENGE CUP

© 2010 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

© 2010 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc.

The FTI WEF runs weekly, Wednesday through Sunday from January 12 to April 3.

For ticketing and box seating options, please contact Annette Goyette 561-779-1660.

WWW.EQUESTRIANSPORT.COM Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Wellington, Florida

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Barbara Foose Offers Riders The Competitive Edge

Nationally certified and licensed massage therapist Barbara Foose knows how to make horses feel good — and horses who feel good are happy, willing and able to work cooperatively with their riders, giving them a competitive edge, the name of Barbara’s business.

Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 29

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Equestrian Idol Returns To Polo Club On Feb. 4

2011 will mark the fifth year for the Equestrian Idol competition, which will be held Friday, Feb. 4 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. For those interested, the EQUUS Foundation is issuing an open call for three new performers. Page 34 Page 40

Shopping Spree A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

Business Suggestions For Making Meditation A Part Of Your Normal Daily Routine

Do you feel as if you never finish all the things you need to do? Are there too many distractions? Are you too busy multi-tasking to take time to relax or meditate? If your answers are yes, yes and yes, you’re not alone. Rob MacGregor of Wellington’s Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do offers some suggestions for those interested in starting a regular meditation regimen. Page 37

Sports Bronco Basketball Girls Are Holding Out For Districts

The Palm Beach Central High School varsity girls basketball team is hoping its talent and experience will guide them through playof fs this season, with the goal to win districts, accor ding to head coach Bruce Gaffney.

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THIS WEEK’S INDEX COLUMNS & FEATURES ...................... 29-30 BUSINESS NEWS .................................37-39 BUY LOCAL................................................. 40 SPORTS & RECREATION ..................... 43-46 COMMUNITY CALENDAR .................... 48-49 CLASSIFIEDS ....................................... 50-55

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FEATURES

Barbara Foose Aims To Give Riders The Competitive Edge Barbara Foose knows how to make horses feel good — and horses who feel good are happy, willing and able to work cooperatively with their riders, giving them a competitive edge, the name of Barbara’s business.

Originally from Spring Grove, Pa.., Barbara learned to ride before she could walk.

Her father was a veterinarian, and much to his dismay, Barbara decided early in life to make riding and showing horses her career.

“Other kids had lives, went to movies, spent time with friends, did kid things,” Barbara recalled. “I just wanted to ride. I rode all sorts of disciplines — Western, saddle seat, hunter/jumper, dressage. I finally settled on threeday eventing as my main area of concentration. People find it daunting. I loved it. All you need to do is have ‘no fear ’ stamped across your forehead.”

In 1985, Barbara settled into show jumping and began coming down to Florida to show on the winter circuit, which back then was staged in a series of venues: Wellington, Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville. Most top riders were essentially show gypsies, following the shows from one barn to the next. In 1999, Barbara decided to retire from competing.

“I needed to reinvent myself,” she recalled.

“I know this sounds a little wacky, but I listen to the universe a lot, and somehow it was time to find another direction in my life — though still involving horses. I’d always been a believer in using alternative therapies on horses

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg like massage, acupuncture and chiropractic, even before these were widely accepted. So that’s where I headed.”

She became a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist. She searched out people who were respected in the field of equine massage and apprenticed herself to them. One major influence was Jack Meagher, who she describes as the father of equine massage.

“Massage doesn’t really describe what I do,” Barbara said. “It also encompasses stretching and strength training. I call it body work, which is more accurate. It’s not just something to help a horse relax, it’s more like therapeutic rehabilitation. Done correctly, body work improves circulation and healing, and through them the horse’s ability to move correctly and fluidly.”

Other benefits include reduced stress, increased energy and mental alertness, improved posture and mobility, lessening the chances of injury and decreased time needed for injury recovery.

So, ever the gypsy, Barbara was once

more following the show circuit, only now not as a competitor, but as an adjunct to other show riders. Her vocation has taken her all over the world, as far as New Zealand, following her clients. What she offers is the name of her business: the Competitive Edge.

“Having been a fierce competitor myself, I know you’re always looking for that something that’s going to take you to the next level or help you outperform the others,” she explained. “Winners always seem to find a competitive edge, and the equine body work that I offer is one of those tools.”

Barbara works with both horses and riders, as they mirror each other, as well as other athletes: race car drivers, marathon runners, baseball players and golfers, as well as just run-of-the-mill non-athletic people. She works with professionals and amateurs, Barbara Foose of the Competitive Edge. and is always willing to accept new clients. She utilizes three different tech- increasing range of motion and decreasing niques. muscle soreness. Lomi Lomi is a Hawaiian Thai Massage involves passive stretching, technique that she describes as a spiritual, similar to yoga. Barbara said it’s excellent for See ROSENBERG, page 30

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FEATURES

Ask More Questions? But What If The Answers Scare Me? I need to start asking more questions.

In December, when I went to the dermatologist for my annual checkup, I told her that I would be visiting people over the holidays and would rather not have her freeze-dry my face with that aerosol can of hers until I was back in Wellington (where I have no friends, so it doesn’t matter how I look).

She gave me a prescription for a face cream, a $30 off coupon and told me to come back and see her two weeks after I’d started using the prescription, whenever that happened to be.

That was more like it — control over my own destiny through the use of a simple cream instead of that rocket launcher she uses. I was happy… because I hadn’t asked any questions.

I should’ve asked.

Experience should have taught me (by now) that doctors avoid giving their patients advance notice of any unpleasantness. They’ll

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER answer direct questions, but they know we abhor coming to them in the first place, so I suppose they’re trying to lull us into complacency — or at least calm us down enough to keep our next appointment.

But direct questions regarding this face cream might have been a good idea. Questions like: “How much does it cost?” and “What are the effects?” and “Would I be better off just letting you blast me with aerated chemicals?”

A trusting innocent, I sashayed out of her office happy and drove straight over to the

pharmacy, where they told me that a 30gram tube of this cream would set me back $150.

“But I have a coupon!” I wailed.

“That’s after using the coupon,” they said.

“But my insurance…”

“Not covered.”

Grumbling, I tucked the tube into my lipstick case and went home. After the holidays (and the accompanying photo-by-cell phone every three minutes), I began applying this cream.

The first night, it felt sort of good, like it was tightening my wrinkles and drawing my unwilling mouth up into a smile. The second night, it felt like mild sunburn was setting in.

The third night, the sunburn worsened, and now, two weeks later, my face is covered with raw, red, peeling abrasions that scare me when I look in the mirror.

Needless to say, my smile is gone.

I go back to my dermatologist for a follow-up visit this week. She will pat my shoul-

der and tell me what a good patient I am and how responsible people like myself often avoid skin cancer altogether, and I will grab her by her starched white lapels and tell her to shut up and get these scabs off my face before I do something drastic.

She will laugh pleasantly (a tinkling, hahaha sound) and gently peel my fingers from her jacket as she tells me that I only have to keep this up for another eight weeks or six months or the rest of my life, or something like that.

If I had asked questions, the outcome might have been different. I might still have the smooth, fairly blemish-free skin I had when I went in there for my “routine” checkup. I might still have $150 in my pocket. And I just might have skin cancer.

So my question to the good doctor is actually this, “How often can I keep coming back here so you can keep me healthy?”

And the answer of “once a year” suddenly sounds pretty good.

‘The Dilemma’ Amusing, But A Fairly Poor Romantic Comedy The new movie The Dilemma is at best problematic. We went because director Ron Howard has made such exceptional films as Cocoon, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and Parenthood. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. The movie is not terrible at all. It presents an interesting problem, the actors are all good, there are a few laughs and it is wellmade. But it is also muddled in terms of where it wants to go.

Ronny (Vince Vaughn) is the best friend of Nick (Kevin James). They’re partners in a design company that seeks to give the feel of old muscle cars to new electric ones. They are both paired up with attractive women.

Nick is married to Geneva (Winona Ryder), and Ronny is living with Beth (Jennifer Connelly). They seem perfectly happy. Then Ronny sees Geneva necking with Zip (Channing Tatum) and faces his big dilemma: How does he tell his best friend that the man’s wife is cheating? Perhaps more to the point is the unposed question: Should he tell his friend?

In the movie, everything goes wrong, not surprising since it is supposed to be a comedy. Ronny winds up going through the mill, managing to damage himself both physically

Rosenberg

Barbara Foose

continued from page 29 magical experience. The third is her signature, traditional massage. Together, these three modalities affect the mind, spirit and body.

“I use a combination of these, depending on what is needed, to benefit my client to the max,” Barbara explained.

When evaluating horses and riders, Barbara watches them work both separately and together, looking for asymmetry and imbalances. Muscular troubles can lead to a wide range of behavioral problems such as refusing or resisting leads, head and neck discomfort, shortened strides and lameness. If she suspects the cause of a problem to be any-

and emotionally in a series of far-fetched episodes trying to get actual evidence to clearly demonstrate Geneva’s wandering.

That brings up whether, of course, it was really his business at all. Marriages are a form of closed society. Who knows what goes on behind the curtains of a marriage? Geneva actually says that to Ronny. She also blames Nick for the problem and claims he has been visiting prostitutes, which after surreptitiously following his friend, Ronny discovers is true.

Being a good buddy, however, he never blames Nick for the marital problems. And, along the way, he alienates his girlfriend’s family and winds up being the target of an intervention for his presumed problems.

Because the film is really about the “bro-

mance” between Ronny and Nick, Geneva has to be the bad character rather than her wandering husband. While Ronny is shown as a blunderer, Geneva is, until close to the end, an unrelieved horror.

Sir Walter Scott’s famous line about “the tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive” would fit most of the characters. Geneva deceives Nick, who has been deceiving her, while Ronny starts deceiving everyone, including himself, as he tries to make things right. In his mind, she is the bad one, the one to be condemned and cast out, while Nick presumably can keep going to his “massage therapists.”

The acting, in parts that are hardly challenging, is good. Vaughn and James do not have a lot of chemistry together, although they are supposed to be close, possibly a function of their huge height disparity. Connelly is excellent as the long-suffering girlfriend trying to figure out what is happening. Ryder is probably the best, actually building a real character out of what should have been a cardboard caricature. That might have been one thing that threw the film off its tracks. She seemed more interesting, more a real person,

than the real leads. Tatum was excellent in his small part.

One of the problems in a film like this is that things could have been resolved rather more simply in a dozen different ways. Ronny could have asked Beth for advice, which would have strengthened their relationship.

And, of course, Nick might have been happier with Geneva, even with her cheating, if Ronny had made other choices.

It was not a bad movie. I doubt Howard could do a film that is simply just bad. But there was no real spark; it seemed essentially like an eternal version of a half-dozen not very successful situation comedies.

As I wrote about some other films out at this time, it is not hard to find better movies around. We need more romantic comedies, but they have to be good, they have to have characters we really like and can identify with, and, above all else, they have to be funny.

Unfortunately, The Dilemma does not qualify on any of these points. It is decent but not great. The problem presented is interesting but not explored in any meaningful — not to mention amusing — way.

thing other than muscular, she always recommends contacting a vet for a more detailed diagnosis.

But often, Barbara is able to pinpoint problems that have obscure, seemingly unrelated causes. One time she was asked to help a jumper who just wasn’t going right.

She watched him go, then went over him and found the problem: two abscessed teeth!

According to Barbara, bodywork is a great diagnostic tool, which can both evaluate current problems and help avoid larger problems down the road. “I have finely tuned palpating skills which help me find things which might be overlooked by specialists,” she said. “Horses, especially regular clients, often show me exactly where

it hurts. They may nip at a spot that’s hurting them, or react — sometimes violently by striking or kicking — when I hit a trigger spot. It’s involuntary, not directed at me but at the pain. During a session, which may last an hour or more, I have a horse’s undivided attention. They lean into me and relax, and I frequently see a lot of releases, like yawning or deep breathing.”

Barbara likes to stay on the cutting edge of her profession. She takes courses to learn new techniques and is available to her clients 24/ 7. She claims to have “an outrageous amount of positive energy,” which she shares with her clients through her bodywork. She never has a bad day.

“I wish more people would use massage as a maintenance tool,” Barbara said. “Weekly

would be wonderful, monthly ideal, or at least yearly for an overall evaluation. Massage can help even old injuries and scar tissue, and the difference can be huge.”

It’s a very different life than her showing days.

“I’ve competed at the top levels, and that gets lonely. Everyone’s out to get you. They want you to fail. Now, in this field, everyone’s glad to see me,” she said. “I’d be doing this even if I didn’t have to work for a living.

I get a great deal of satisfaction in helping people and horses so many different ways.

It’s a great calling and a great life. I really love it.”

For more information, call Barbara Foose at (717) 870-1583 or visit www.barbarafoose. com.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Equestrian Idol Returns To International Polo On Feb. 4 2011 will mark the fifth year for the Equestrian Idol competition, which will be held Friday, Feb. 4 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

This year’s event will feature a new format in which the past Idol winners will pair up with contestants in a musical cabaret. Taylor Blauweiss, Ki-Juan Minors, Jen White Kane and Brian Lookabill are coming back to perform with Dianna Bricker, Hillary Dobbs, Casey Hodges and newcomers Teaghan James and Robert Orthwein. Three more contestants are expected.

Mason Phelps Jr. will again serve as the master of ceremonies. Patricia Keenan and Catherine Herman have taken on the challenge of chairing the 2011 event and making it even better than before. New for 2011, the audience will vote through live mobile texting.

Equestrian Idol will be the first event to be held in the new Grand Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach and will showcase

cutting-edge culinary catering trends and the latest in food styling of the new International Polo Club Catering Company.

Are you an Equestrian Idol hopeful? The EQUUS Foundation is issuing an open call for three new performers. Anyone interested in competing should contact Lynn Coakley at (203) 259-1550 or via e-mail at equus@equusfoundation.org.

The EQUUS Foundation raises its funds almost entirely from event attendance and awarded grants to 60 equestrian and horse-related charities in 2010, bringing the total awards to more than $1.5 million since its first awards in 2003. Tables of eight seats are available as follows: Gold ($5,000), Silver ($3,200) and Bronze ($2,400). Individual seats for the Equestrian Idol event cost $150 per person.

The foundation was established in 2002 as a tax-exempt charity to transform the way horses are treated and perceived in society and build a more compassionate America that values the magical and pow-

erful bond between humans and horses.

The EQUUS Foundation awards grants to horse and equestrian charities in three mission areas: charities that use the horse to benefit the public, promote the health and welfare of horses, and elevate the equestrian sport as a whole. It also provides a network for volunteer recruitment.

The EQUUS Foundation is governed by a board of directors representing a cross-section of the equestrian community, including supporters, participants and professionals.

Board members include Jenny Belknap Kees, chair; Catherine Herman, vice chair; Jane Fitzgerald, secretary/treasurer; Lynn Coakley, president; and board members David Distler, David Goodwin, Patricia Keenan, Frank Madden, Dr. Richard Mitchell, Clea Newman Soderlund, Susan Weber and Visse Wedell.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and hors-

Equestrian Idol co-chairs Patricia Keenan and Catherine Herman.

PHOTO COUR TESY THE EQUUS FOUND ATION

es each year. More than $1.5 million in grants has been awarded since the first awards in 2003. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

For additional information about

the EQUUS Foundation, or to learn more about Equestrian Idol, call (203) 259-1550, e-mail equus@ equusfoundation.org or visit the foundation’s web site at www. equusfoundation.org.

Kravis Center Announces 2011-12 Regional Arts Series The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts has announced the 2011-12 Regional Arts “Music At Eight” and “Music At Two” concert series, featuring many of the world’s most celebrated classical artists. The series is again being sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis.

“The 2011-12 season is very strong with seven symphony orchestras performing 10 of the 15 total concerts in the series, including the first performance in Palm Beach County by the Cleveland Orchestra since starting its residency in Miami five years ago,” said Lee Bell, senior director of programming at the Kravis Center.

Other highlights of the coming series will be the Munich Symphony performing the Mozart Requiem, the sensational Emerson String Quarter appearing at the Kravis Center for the first time since 1999, and a serieslong lineup of world-class conductors including Philippe Entremont (Munich Symphony), Pinchas Zukerman (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), Franz Welser-Möst (Cleveland), Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (Dresden Philharmonic) and Osmo Vänskä (Minnesota Orchestra).

The 2011-12 Regional Art Series will present two local premieres: the Cleveland Orchestra’s Wanderlust by young Nevadaborn composer Sean Shepherd; and a Quintet for strings by South Florida native and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, a Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio premiere. For this latest Zwilich premiere, as well as other new works introduced by the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, the Kravis Center is one of the presenters in the nationwide commissioning consortium.

All Regional Arts Series concerts will be held in the Kravis Center’s Dreyfoos Concert Hall. In addition, Regional Arts concerts will feature a “Beyond the Stage” lecture by

Joshua Bell will perform Feb. 8-9.

PHO TO BY MARC HOM

Sharon McDaniel an hour and 15 minutes before concert time. The Regional Arts Concert Series Programming Associate and a classical music journalist, McDaniel will provide background information about the concert and discuss elements of interest to all audience members, from music novices to experts.

The performance schedule is as follows: Nov. 15-16, the Munich Symphony; Dec. 6, Emerson String Quartet; Jan. 4-5, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Jan. 24, St. Petersburg State Orchestra; Jan. 25, Cleveland Orchestra; Jan. 31, violinist Joshua Bell; Feb. 8-9, Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra; Feb. 28, Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio; March 6,

The Dresden Philharmonic will perform March 6.

Dresden Philharmonic; March 11, Minnesota Orchestra; March 27, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman with the New York Chamber Soloists Orchestra; and March 28, pianist Menahem Pressler with the New York Chamber Soloists Orchestra.

Subscriptions for the Kravis Center ’s Regional Arts Concert Series 2011-12 start at $96 for the six-concert 2 p.m. series and $153 for the nine-concert 8 p.m. series. They will go on sale at 10 a.m. on March 26 at the Kravis Center box office (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach), or by calling (561) 8327469 or (800) 572-8471. Individual tickets will be available for purchase later this year.

The Emerson String Quartet.

PHOTO BY LISA -MARIE MAZZUCCO

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Suggestions For Making Meditation A Part Of Your Daily Routine

By Rob MacGregor Special to the Town-Crier Do you feel as if you never finish all the things you need to do? Are there too many distractions? Are you too busy multi-tasking to take time to relax or meditate?

If your answers are yes, yes and yes, you’re not alone. For most of us, our lives are filled with doing, leaving very little time for just “being.” When a neighbor took one of my meditation classes at Ultima Fitness, she said she really enjoyed it — she felt revitalized.

But then she added: “But I could never do that on my own. I’m way too busy from the moment I get up.”

I’ve heard those comments over and over.

My response: If you can find 15 or 20 minutes several times a week for meditation, you’ll soon discover that you can get more done and have more time. You’ll also find that some things that you thought were so important, on reflection are not really so necessary.

Here are some of the psychological advantages of meditation that scientists have found: better control of emotions, such as anxiety, anger, fear and envy; greater creativity; decreased depression; decreased irritability and moodiness; improved learning ability and memory; increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation; increased happiness; and increased emotional stability.

Here are some of the physiological advantages: lower heart rate; reduced levels of stress (lowered levels of cortisol and lactate, two chemicals associated with stress); reduced free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules can cause tissue damage); improved blood pressure; higher skin resistance (low skin resistance is related to stress and anxiety); drop in cholesterol levels, helping to avoid cardiovascular diseases; improved flow of air to the lungs, easier breathing, which is especially helpful to asthma patients; and it slows down the aging process.

So what do you do if you want to start meditating? Here are some suggestions: • Find a quiet place where no one will in-

terrupt you, especially a place where you can return day after day.

• Find a quiet time that can become your meditation time.

• Try to make meditation a habit, but not a duty.

Make it a joy, something to look Rob MacGregor forward to — your time.

• It’s best to sit rather than lie down, so you don’t fall asleep. If possible, sit on a cushion with your legs crossed. Otherwise, sit in a chair.

• Start with 10 or 15 minutes, gradually expanding to 20 minutes.

• Remember to take several slow, deep breaths to begin, breathing in and out through your nose.

• Find a rhythm in your meditation. Let your thoughts unravel for the first few minutes, slowly releasing them as you turn inward.

• Focus on your breath, breathing gently.

Or focus on a single word or short phrase, something that makes you feel good. Love, joy, peace, God, one. Or maybe a Zen favorite: think nothing. Or count to 20, then back down to one.

• Adopt a calm, passive attitude — a neutral mind in which you don’t judge others or yourself.

• When you’re finished, sit quietly for a few moments, then take your calm mental attitude out into your day.

Remain purposefully mindful of your thoughts and emotions, taking your meditation out into your day.

Rob MacGregor is teaching a six-week meditation course at Ultima Fitness/Xtreme Tae Kwon Do. Ultima is located at 12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 795-2823 or visit www. ultimafitness.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS

PALMS WEST CHAMBER Area Recruiter Publishes Jobs Book Palm Beach County-based re- advice to gaining the edge over the cent candidate-interviewing-toWELCOMES OLI’S FASHION cruiter Jane Conroy recently pub- competition. Conroy’s long suc- placement ratio Conroy has lished an eBook titled Get The Job. cessful track record of coaching job achieved throughout her career.

CUISINE IN WELLINGTON Ibooks Can Help! With an abundance of seekers offers a step-by-step ap- Recently, Conroy made the decision already written about finding proach to acing the interview and to bring her advice to a wider audigainful employment in this tough economy, Conroy offers a fresh and honest approach to gaining the edge on the competition with the right tools and insider information.

Through a creatively written, easy-to-read handbook, a career recruiter reveals her long held insider

getting the job you desire.

Over her 15-year career as a recruiter, Conroy has advised countless people seeking employment.

Her mission was to communicate to them her proven method for landing a job. This method is based on — and validated by — the 89 per-

ences so more people can benefit from the insights she has gained, both from her extensive professional experience and through her strong work ethic.

For additional information on Conroy or her book, visit her web site at www.janeconroy.com.

Gannon Gets AGA Leadership Award The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Oli’s Fashion Cuisine & Bar in the Wellington Green Square shopping plaza, near Fresh Market. Owners Juan Gando and Dustin Parfitt have combined their talents and created a restaurant ser ving Italian- American cuisine. Oli’s is named after the namesake of Wellington, C. Oliver Wellington. Oli’s serves lunch and dinner daily with breakfast on the weekends. Lat e at night, Oli’s turns into a night club open until 2 a.m. and offering a great sound system for dancing. Oli’s menu has fresh-made choices including seafood and homemade pasta, appetizers and sandwiches. For more info., visit www.olisrestaurant.com or call (561) 792-2220. Shown above are Oli’s staff members with Palms West Chamber ambassadors.

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon has been selected for the prestigious 2011 Excellence in Government Leadership Award by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).

The AGA is a national organization that supports the careers and professional development of government finance professionals working in federal, state and local governments as well as the private sector and academia.

The award is presented yearly to a government professional who exemplifies and promotes excellence in government, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards and in-

novative management practices.

The award also recognizes the cumulative achievements of a state or local government professional who throughout his or her public career has served as a role model for others and has consistently exhibited the highest personal and professional standards.

Gannon has worked diligently to transform her office to a 100-percent focus on client services. Gannon also implemented the strictest ethical standards on herself and her staff. She implemented a no-gift policy, an ethics pledge that every employee is required to sign, and she was the first elected official in

Palm Beach County to implement “Ethics Point,” an online reporting system for ethics breeches.

The AGA selected Gannon as its 2011 award recipient, “in recognition of Tax Collector 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.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

Seagull Industries For The Disabled Receives PNC Foundation Grant Seagull Industries for the Disabled, a nonprofit social service agency, has recently been awarded a $10,000 grant from the PNC Foundation.

The grant will be used for renovations at the new location of the Seagull Academy for Independent Living (6250 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach).

Seagull Academy is a charter public high school serving the academic needs of students with intellectual disabilities and helping them build skills for work and independent living. When enrollment in the high school exceeded the space available at the academy’s current location in Lake Worth, Seagull made the commitment to purchase and renovate a new facility.

Students will be moving into their new home in the beginning of 2011. Responding to family and community needs, Seagull’s future plans also call for the academy to

expand to middle school grades. The PNC donation will enable Seagull to help families educate children with intellectual disabilities in a personalized and nurturing academic setting that emphasizes preparation for successful adulthood.

“Our history with PNC goes back to its predecessor National City Bank and before that to Fidelity Federal,” Seagull Executive Director Fred Eisinger said. “It has been a wonderful 25-year relationship, and we treasure it.

Our success is directly related to supporters like PNC.” Seagull Industries for the Disabled provides educational, residential and work programs for teens and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Seagull’s programs include a public charter high school (Seagull Academy for Independent Living), an adult vocational program (Seagull Achievement Center of the Palm Beaches) and two adult residential programs (Seagull

Fred Eisinger, Mar y Helen Johnson and Gerard Conforti.

Place and Seagull Ranch).

Seagull Industries for the Disabled has been a part of the Palm Beach County community for 31 years and today operates in Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Singer Island and Indiantown.

Seagull also operates a thrift store in Greenacres and was named the 2010 Nonprofit of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

For more information, visit www.seagull.org.

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ABWA To Meet Feb. 9 In Palm Beach Gardens The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly meeting Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the PGA Doubletree Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens. Networking will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35, and guests are welcome.

The speaker will be Terry Redding, president and CEO of Online Training Inc. and Redding College. The program title is “Sap versus Zap.” The mission of the American Business Women’sAsso-

ciation is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking, support and national recognition.

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 4431 PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. To make reservations, or for more info., call Sharon Maupin at (561) 624-3816.

For more about the chapter, call Chapter President Carol O’Neil at (561) 3891227 or visit www.abwa pbflorida.org.

Martial Arts Studio Coming To Wellington Regency Centers has announced its leasing of retail space at the Wellington Town Square shopping plaza to TopFlight Martial Arts. The studio has leased 1,335 square feet of retail space, bringing the center to 97 per-

cent leased. TopFlight is slated to open for business this spring. Wellington Town Square is located at 11878 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information about leasing with Regency Centers, visit www.regencycenters.com.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Bronco Girls Basketball Team Holding Out For Districts

By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach Central High School varsity girls basketball team is hoping its talent and experience will be enough to guide them through playoffs this season.

“Like everyone else, we’d like to have a chance to compete and win districts,” head coach Bruce Gaffney said. “That’s what we want.”

And with a successful 12-4 season under their belt so far, the Lady

Broncos are ranked ninth and have a shot.

Returning to the team this year are senior Dominique Morgan, junior Lexus Love and sophomore Kensha’dra Smith. Gaffney noted that Smith is a key player for the Lady Broncos.

“She really controls our team for us,” he said. “She handles the ball.

She directs the offense. And when she’s on, she really generates a lot of offense for us.”

New team members this year in-

Paula Lodge takes the ball down the court for a lay-up.

Ashante Doby runs across the court for a basket.

clude sophomore Dianna David and juniors Mariah-Cauhryn Smelser, Teresa Raniere, Nina Loreano and Ashante Doby, who transferred from Royal Palm Beach High School.

Last year, the Lady Broncos graduated top player Porsche Shakes, along with Amanda Collins, Amber Shuler and Rodnie St. Germaine.

Gaffney said that although the team needs to work on its consistency, he has a deep bench and a well-rounded group of players.

“The ball handling and our postplay win is consistent,” he said. “We have two great post-play players, and good ball handlers.”

With districts looming, Gaffney hopes that it will be enough to get the Broncos through playoffs and into the district championship game.

“They’re a very talented team,” he said. “They’re well-rounded and work hard.”

On Friday, Jan. 14, Palm Beach Central defeated host Wellington High School 53-28.

Palm Beach Central scored several baskets early on, leaving the Lady Wolverines trying to catch up the remainder of the game. Lexus Love led the Lady Broncos with 10 points.

The Palm Beach Central team travels to William T. Dwyer High School on Monday, Jan. 24 for a 7:30 p.m. game.

Quinn Ruderman takes a shot.

Teresa Raniere runs the ball around Heather Brown.

Mercedes Queen faces off against Ashante Doby.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER

WHS Boys, Girls Soccer Teams Share Victories Over Royal Palm On Friday, Jan. 14, the Wellington High School varsity soccer teams traveled to Royal Palm Beach High School for games against the Wildcats. The Wellington teams combined did not allow a single goal, with the girls posting an 8-0 mercy rule victory and the boys winning 2-0.

In the opener, the girls won convincingly without seniors Natalie Puñal, Kaelin Ferreira, Melissa Welch and Chelsea McCaulley, who were given the night off to rest before the playoffs.

Freshman forward Carlie Frullo led the team with three goals. The remaining goals were scored by five different players. Juniors Katie Casey and Brittany Middlebrook each had one, as well as sophomore Anna Talbot and freshmen Darby Bach and Lindsey Guthrie. Freshman goalkeeper Anto-

Wolverine Watch

By Josh Hyber inette Walton recorded the shutout.

The girls’ first playoff game was Monday at Forest Hill High School (where all district playoff games will be held) against Lake Worth High School. The team advanced past Lake Worth 7-1 and was set to play Spanish River High School on Wednesday. Results were not available at press time.

The boys’ game that followed was not quite

the blowout the first game was. Seniors Gonzalo Gelso and Kamil Balcerzak were the Wolverines’ lone goal scorers in the 2-0 win.

Gelso had two opportunities to score early in the game, however both times hit the right goalpost. Balcerzak also had a chance early on, but was called for offside.

Gelso broke the 0-0 tie just before the first half concluded with a highlight reel bicyclekick goal. Senior Nick Brewer threw the original pass onto the field into the 18-yard box, and when the ball bounced up, Gelso flipped his body, and his foot came down at the perfect time, angling the ball into the net.

“It was my first time scoring one, even though I’ve tried it a couple times before,” Gelso said of the bicycle kick. “The only thing I thought of when I scored was, ‘Did I really just score that?’”

Balcerzak’s goal came on a pass from Luis Zamorano midway through the second half.

The boys were back in action against Pahokee High School on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Results were not available at press time.

Although the players could have chosen to go to the opening night of the South Florida Fair, they did not, and instead prepared themselves for the final stretch of the 2010-11 high school soccer season.

In other Wolverine sports news, the boys varsity basketball team defeated Forest Hill High School 66-46 on Tuesday. The team was back in action Wednesday night at Village Academy in Delray Beach, but results were not available at press time.

The Wolverines next game is on Friday, Jan. 21 in Wellington against John I. Leonard High School.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

CATS Team Competes In Stuart The competitive team from CATS Gymnastics of Wellington recently competed at the Harvest Challenge in Stuart.

In Level 2, Alexa Alvarez scored a 9.550 on beam for second place, a 9.6 on floor for third place, a 9.3 on bars and a 9.2 on vault, earning her fourth place all around. Arabella Campbell scored a 9.225 on beam for second place, a 9.375 on bars for third place, a 9.450 on vault, earning her fourth place all around.

Alexis Merritt scored a 9.450 on bars winning third place, a 9.2 on floor and a 9.1 on vault. McKenna Dickinson scored a 9.0 on vault and an 8.950 on floor. Bailey Brown scored an 8.950 on vault and an 8.8 on beam. Kylie Wilhelmi scored a 9.2 on vault and an 8.850 on beam for second place. Genavieve Sylvester scored an 8.850 on vault and an 8.750 on beam. Elizabeth Sylvester scored an 8.975 on beam for fourth place and an 8.850 on vault. Katie Lettera scored an 8.950 on vault and an 8.450 on beam. Together, these girls brought home the fourth-place team trophy.

In Level 3, Carlene Powers scored a 9.325 on bars for second place, a 9.225 on vault for third place and a 9.025 on floor. Faith Campagnuolo scored a 9.525 on

The CATS Gymnastics team with coaches Margarita Martinez, and Felipe and Mario Restrepo. floor for first place and a 9.2 on vault, also for first place. Samantha Baez scored a 9.2 on bars for third place and a 9.050 on floor. Michela Frozini scored a 9.350 on floor and a 9.1 on vault. Kinsey Cribbs scored an 8.950 on floor and an 8.750 on vault.

In Level 4, Alexia Moraes scored a 9.125 on vault, and an 8.925 on floor. Gabriella Hernandez scored a 9.125 on vault and an 8.650 on floor. Renaya Lindsay scored an 8.925 on vault and an 8.625 on floor.

Mia Frozini scored a 9.125 on vault

and an 8.5 on floor. Bianca Sileo scored an 8.9 on vault and an 8.625 on floor. Elia Aird scored an 8.875 on vault and an 8.550 on floor.

In Level 5, Taylor Michie scored an 8.9 on vault for third place and an 8.875 on floor for another third place.

In Level 6, Angella Chandler scored an 8.875 on vault for third place and third place on floor, earning her third place all around. Caitlin Flaherty scored an 8.4 on beam for second place and an 8.725 on vault.

Practice New Fitness Trends For The New Year

There is no better time than the New Year to update your exercise routine with some hot fitness trends that are sweeping the nation.

“If you are happy with your old workout, that’s fine,” said Maribel Bleeker, owner of North Palm Beach Adventure Boot Camp for Women. “But fitness is an evolving field and you may want to revamp your existing routine by adding some new exercises. There is always room for improvement.”

Bleeker noted that every year, the American Council on Exercise and the American College of Sports Medicine, both reputable authorities on health and fitness, investigate and publish the most effective and

beneficial exercises for disease prevention, weight management and overall well-being.

“With all the new research, we gain a better understanding of how our bodies function and respond to physical activity,” Bleeker said.

“And as we become more knowledgeable, we revise the existing exercise guidelines and recommendations to include the new findings.”

Bleeker said new fitness trends include boot camps, core training, strength training, exercise and weight loss, and group training.

For more information, visit www. npbbootcamp.com, or contact Bleeker at maribel@npbbootcamp. com or (561) 315-1239.

Sem Ridge Wrestlers Take Conference Silver The Seminole Ridge High School wrestling team participated in the West Conference Duals on Saturday, Jan. 8, finishing in second place overall.

The Hawks defeated by wide margins Glades Central (54-12) and Royal Palm Beach (54-14), but lost

to Palm Beach Central 44-32.

Named to the All-Conference first team are Joe Brow, Sam Hargesheimer, Nick Keller, Cody Lasagna, Trace Thome and Scott Watson.

In addition, Logan Broberg and Brayden Gillis were named to the second team.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Bloomberg Headlining Inaugural Jump For Home Safe At WEF Professional equestrian and philanthropist Georgina Bloomberg has been selected to serve as honorary event chair for the inaugural Jump for Home Safe, an entertaining event of world-class equestrian competition and unique interactive fun for attendees of all ages.

The event is set for Saturday, Feb. 5 as part of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington.

Actively involved in charitable work, Bloomberg is lending her support to help raise funds and awareness for Home Safe, a nonprofit organization helping victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Home Safe serves more than 14,000 infants, children and adults annually in Palm Beach County and surrounding areas.

Jump for Home Safe is a family-friendly evening consisting of: • VIP seating for jumping equestrian competition, the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes, with Georgina Bloomberg as one of the competitors. The Battle of the Sexes is expected to attract more than 5,000 people.

• Horseless jump contests with awards (for attendees of all ages).

• A dinner under the stars.

• An extensive array of live and silent auction items.

“We’re proud Georgina Bloomberg has joined Home Safe’s efforts to help fight child abuse and domestic violence in South Florida,” said Cherie Copenhaver, event chair and a board member of Home Safe. “She’s an ex-

ceptional role model for young women looking to make positive contributions to society.

In addition to the excitement building for Georgina’s involvement in the fundraising event, we’re equally excited to watch her compete the same night in the $55,000 Nepresso Battle of the Sexes.”

Bloomberg said she is “equally excited, proud and humbled to participate in such a fun event that benefits such a worthy cause as Home Safe. Palm Beach County is my second home, and helping abused and neglected children is paramount for me and should be for the entire community.”

In addition to Bloomberg serving as honorary event chair and Cherie Copenhaver as event chair, individuals named as event cochairs include Charles Moorcroft, J Bar Ranch (Jennifer Bieling), Stepping Stone Farm (Sandy Kelly, Monty Kelly, Amy Momrow and Shaine Brooks) and Sweet Oak Farm (Shane and Ali Sweetnam).

Event committee members include Ann Marie Barry, Amy Carpenter, Caron Dockerty, Gwen Dvorkin, Jessica Eisenfelder, Megan Eisenfelder, Brittany Hammel, Jacqui Hammel, Lynn Holcomb, Janet Lano, Jackie Lano, Ada Molina, Lisa Mills, Alice Nelson, Hannah Patten, Gloria Pierson, Brooke Qualk, Karen Roderman, Kayla Roderman, Maggie Stolzberg and Rob Vargas.

Home Safe is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization helping improve the lives of victims of child abuse and domestic violence, with a growing emphasis on preven-

tion. Home Safe offers four main programs, including specialized therapeutic and enhanced group homes, the Safety Net anti-domestic violence program, the Healthy Beginnings program supported by the Children’s Services Council, and the Foster Family Licensing and Support Unit. Home Safe has seven locations and 137 employees. For more information, visit www.helphomesafe.org.

An accomplished professional equestrian, Bloomberg operates her business of buying, training and selling horses out of her family’s farm Gotham North in North Salem, N.Y. and Wellington. After graduating from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University in January 2010, Bloomberg now continues to pursue her dreams of representing her country in the Olympic games.

She is a board member of the Equestrian Aid Foundation, an Animal Welfare Ambassador for the ASPCA, a member of Friends of Finn of the Humane Society, a board member of the Bloomberg Family Foundation and the Bloomberg Sisters Foundation. In 2006, she started the charity the Rider’s Closet, which collects and redistributes clothing and equipment to intercollegiate riding teams, therapeutic riding programs and riders who cannot afford what they need. Bloomberg currently is writing a series of young adult novels based on true stories from the equestrian circuit. The first, titled The A Circuit (Bloomsbury), will be available on May 24. Bloomberg is the daughter of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Georgina Bloomberg will serve as honorar y event chair for the inaugural Jump for Home Safe on Feb. 5.

PHOTO BY KATHY RUSSELL

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Saturday, Jan. 22 • The Palm Beach County FOOLS (Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society) will host its inaugural “Ultimate Tailgate P arty and BBQ Competition” on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter. Proceeds will benefit Courtney’s Wish, a campaign to raise $6 million to build a children’s cancer treatment center in western Palm Beach County. The event itself is free, but donations will be accepted. Visit www.ultimate tailgatebbq.eventbrite.com for more info.

• A Sidewalk Sale to Benefit the Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 22 from 8 a.m. to noon outside Walgreens at the corner of Orange Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

Teams are selling items to raise money for relay. For more info., call (561) 650-0134.

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hike Apoxee, West Palm Beach’s magnificent 20-square-mile water catchment area, on Saturday, Jan. 22. at 8 a.m. The entrance is on the east side of Jog Road about one mile north of Okeechobee Blvd. Call (561) 616-8790 for info.

• A super-sized American flag that will fly at Ground Zero will displayed in Wellington at the groundbreaking ceremony for Wellington’s Patriot Memorial at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. The Patriot Memorial site is located near Wellington’s new municipal complex at 12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Call (561) 791-4000 for more info.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Tender Loving Care for Families” on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. Bring your favorite people to the Lifestyle Center for an hour of therapeutic family energizing with Dr. Laura Valhuerdi, a chiropractic physician and licensed massage therapist. There is no charge. Pre-registration is required at customer service or by calling (561) 904-4000.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Kids Cooking with Dianne Morin” on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required at customer service or by calling (561) 904-4000.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature Teen Advisor y Posse on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Find out what’s coming and share your ideas for future teen programs. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern

Drive) will host “Chess for Beginners” on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m. for ages 8 to 13. Learn the pieces and basic moves and play a practice game with another new player. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Anime Club” on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Watch anime, eat Pocky and check out the newest manga titles. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The $50,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix FEI CSI 2* will be the first night class of the 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). Visit www.equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867 for more info.

Sunday, Jan. 23 • The 2011 High-Goal Polo Season continues on Sunday, Jan. 23 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington). For more information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www. internationalpoloclub.com.

• Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host a Florida Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration will include a ceremonial tree planting, activity booths, guided tours, native plant sale, light refreshments and more. Early attendees will receive a free tree seedling to nurture in their own landscape. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts. org.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host “Health Starts Here: Kids Bundle up for Nutrition” on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. Healthy Eating and Green Mission Specialist Mary Ann Waldbart will share healthful information and teach kids how to build a nourishing salad while playing a game. All children must be accompanied by a parent and be 6 or older. There is no charge. Pre-registration is required at customer service or by calling (561) 9044000.

Monday, Jan. 24 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host the Workforce Alliance Mobile Resource Unit on Monday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. Workforce Alliance helps match qualified candidates with the right jobs. Help will be available to fill out online applications and learn about other career opporSee CALENDAR, page 49

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR CALENDAR, continued from page 48 tunities. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Dance Instruction will be offered at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Learn various techniques, basic dance steps and different style of dances for ages 18 and over. Session 1 is level 1 salsa Mondays, Jan. 24 through Feb. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Level 2 salsa is March 7 through April 11 and level 3 meringue is April 18 through May 23. The fee for each six-week session is $30 for RPB residents and $40 for non-residents. Call (561) 790-5149 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Legos” on Monday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. for age 8 and up. Get inspired to create your own vehicles or buildings. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Jan. 25 • Na’Amat USA, Cypress Lakes Chapter in West Palm Beach invites its members and prospective members to its 30th anniversary paid-up membership luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. at the Cypress Lakes Auditorium, Bldg. A. Reservations are necessary at $5 per person by calling Rae Hoff at (561) 241-5181.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will feature “Presidents & Their First Ladies, Dramatically Speaking: Harry & Bess Truman” on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. for adults. William and Sue Wills present the compelling story of this first couple’s life in the White House. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will feature “Block Party: Teams’ Choice!” on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. There is no charge. Experience a new way to shop for dinner. Enjoy free samples around the store and your chance to vote for your favorite sample. No registration is necessary. Call (561) 9044000 for more info.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will feature “Deliciously Raw with Renate” on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $20 per person.

Pre-registration is required at customer service or by calling (561) 904-4000.

• Parents Educating Children will host an evening of encouragement and information to enhance the home school journey on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Jog Road Baptist Church (855 Jog Road, West Palm Beach). There is no charge. For more

info., e-mail wicklanderj@bellsouth.net or call (561) 963-0697.

Wednesday, Jan. 26 • Life and business coach Dean K. Piper will be keynote speaker at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at the White Horse Tavern (3401 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington). The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. with registration followed by the program at noon. The cost is $20 for chamber members with an RSVP, $25 for members with no RSVP and $30 for non-members.

RSVP to (561) 792-6525.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will f eature “Yarncraft: Weaving” on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 8 to 12. Learn how to weave using materials provided by the library.

Check out new craft books, too. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a Networking Mixer on Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ncognito Fitness (420 N. State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach). RSVP to (561) 790-6200.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Writers Live Presents: Michael Koryta” on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. This bestselling author will talk about his latest book The Cypress House. A book signing will follow.

Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Thursday, Jan. 27 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. P erform poetr y, shor t prose, an essay or a dance. Play an instrument or sing a song.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will feature “Dinner with a Gourmet Chef” on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. Master Chef Chris Paul of Wild Orchids Fusion will create a multi-course meal using Whole Foods Market’s all-natural ingredients and expertly paired wines. The cost is $35 per person. Pre-register at customer service or by calling (561) 904-4000.

Saturday, Jan. 29 • The 20th annual Komen South Florida Race for the Cure to fight breast cancer will be held Saturday, Jan. 29. For more information, call (561) 514-3020.

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.

Januar y 21 - January 27, 2011

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Shopping available. 561-572-1782

MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/Software setup, support &troubleshooting w w w . m o b i l e t e c . n e t .

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.

PLACE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AD HERE! 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

THE MASTER HANDYMAN — All Types of Home Repairs & Improvements. No job too big or small done right the first time every time 40 yrs of satisfied customers. See me on Angies List. Tom (561) 801-2010 or (954) 444-3178 Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. REMODEL & REPAIRS — Interior Trim, crown molding, rotttenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall,kitchens/cabinets/ countertops,wood flooring.

Bonded and Insured U#19699.

Call 791-9900 or 628-9215

ANMAR CO .—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back!

Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528

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 W estern Communities. Since 1985. U-17189 561-791-9777

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

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. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 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 TOWN-CRIER

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MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting.Carpentry.Lic. #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 of ficers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening.

Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed!

CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

ACCORDION SHUTTERS — Gutters, screen enclosures, siding, soffits, aluminum roofs, Serving the Western Communities. Since 1985.

U-17189 561-791-9777

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

1 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR RENT IN LOXAHATCHEE — Includes utilities & satellite. Rent $650/month references required.

561-985-1349 APARTMENT FOR RENT — 1 bedroom, 1 bath, kitchen, living room, private entrance, electric & cable included. $700 monthly 561-2522622

3 BEDROOM 2 BATH VILLA — completely renovated overlooks golf course, $1,375 monthly 561714-2585

T OWNHOME FOR RENT—2/2 2 car garage. Lakefront seasonal or annual lease. No Pets 561-6442019

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 CLASSIFIEDS 793-3576

WE DO WINDOWS — 20 years professional window cleaning. Residential/Commercial references available. Lic. & Ins. 561-313-7098

3 BED, 2 BATH — 1,104 sq. ft. 1.14 acres of fered at $89,000 OBO. Seller financing available. 17845 38 Lane N. Call 954-561-2600 1.55 ACRE LOT — 2 story barn, with loft horse stall, garage, water, electric, phone, $50,000. Call 561572-1782

COACH HOME FOR SALE IN WELLINGTON — 1869 Sq Ft. Coach home on Lake Wellington.

3 BR, 2BA, Loft, screened porch.

Mayfair at Wellington, a 55+ gated community. End unit in pristine condition with many upgrades.

Must see the only spectacular view of Lake Wellington. 561-236-0420

IN NEED OF A HOUSEKEEPER? — Over 10 years experience for private home in Palm Beach. Excellent references. Please call Amy at 561-371-6367

CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 561-793-3576

TSR PEST MANAGEMENT — Total Pest Solutions – 25 years experience. Professional Guaranteed Service for less than $25 per month. (Average Size home) Call for details. 561-324-2557

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING - Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. W ater heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded and Insured. CFC1426242. 561601-6458

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. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975

SCOTTISIMO: Pro Ring & Tournament player accepting stakers Email:Scottisimo@hotmail.com

HAY FOR SALE — Orchard Grass delicious and yummy bales. Cash & Carry . Good Earth Farm in Loxahatchee 561-792-2666

DIABETIC TEST STRIPS — I buy your sealed, unexpired boxes. Call Mike (561) 463-3876

DENTAL ASSISTANT - Wellington upscale dental office, 2 Saturdays per month a requirement, must have experience and expanded duties certificate, excellent pay and benefits. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

DENTAL OFFICE ASSISTANT MANAGER — Minimum two years dental experience, two Saturdays per month required, must have knowledge of PPO dental insurance, breakdowns and verification.

Excellent pay and benefit s. Please call 561 204 4494 and fax resume to 561 204 2840.

NAIL TECH WITH EXPERIENCE — must do acrylic, to take over full clientele F/T and P/T. Hair Stylist with experience. Must be professional and creative F/T. 561-7905777 EXPERIENCED CONCRETE FORM CARPENTER - Must be local, have ss card, drivers license and own vehicle. Call Earl 561-3295822 or 561-790-0178.

DRIVERS WANTED FULL TIME/ PART TIME —for Wellington Town Car/Wellington Cab. Retirees welcome. Call 561-333-0181 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@wellington.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 temporary to permanent. Please fax resume to 561-333-2680 NEW WELLINGTON NAIL SPA — located in the “Original” Wellington Mall is looking for licensed Nail Technicians, full-time/part-time.

Ideal candidate should be outgoing, and work well with adults and children. Contact Lily Cho for an interview (561) 452-3909

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2000 HONDA ACCORD — 209,000 miles, red w/cream leather interior good running condition, good A/C $3,400 OBO 561-7137794 2008 BMW 3 Series 328i — Exterior: T itanium Silver Metallic Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: 0845 / Stock: 11GC7134A 45,649 mi. $22,409 Internet Price 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited — Exterior: Beige Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Model Code: PTCS44 / Stock: 11GC7427A 52,256 mi. $7,895 Internet Price 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Touring — Exterior: Light Sandstone Metallic Interior: Pebble Beige/Cream Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: RTYP53 / Stock: P2673 30,715 mi. $19,225 Internet Price 2005 Dodge Caravan SXT — Exterior: Black Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: RSKH53 / Stock: 10SF5438B 78,948 mi. $8,215 Internet Price 2008 Honda Accord Sdn 2.4 LX— Exterior: Gray Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Model Code: CP2638EW / Stock: 11S9036A 24,038 mi. $16,678 Internet Price 2009 Honda Accord Sdn EX-L — Exterior: Basque Red Pearl Interior: Ivory Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Stock: P2665A $22,985 Internet Price 2008 Honda Civic Sdn LX — Exterior: Gray Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Model Code: FA1658EW / Stock: 11S8940A 28,234 mi. $16,349 Internet Price

2008 Honda Odyssey Touring — w/ RES/ Navigation Exterior: Taffeta White Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: RL3888KW / Stock: 10G4618A 47,163 mi. $26,958 Internet Price 2010 Hyundai Accent GLS — Exterior: Gray Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Manual Stock: 11T1362A 7,183 mi. $12,455 Internet Price 2005 Hyundai Elantra — Exterior: Red Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Stock: 10E9727A51,038 mi. $7,985 Internet Price 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 — Exterior: Black Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: B0422 / Stock: 10G6166A 22,415 mi. $28,956 Internet Price 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 — Exterior: Blue Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Stock: 10G8527A 20,915 mi. $25,986 Internet Price 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS — Exterior: Black Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: 60552 / Stock: 11S0482A 69,311 mi. $6,985 Internet Price 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS — Exterior: Silver Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Stock: 11T8068A 53,431 mi. $14,256 Internet Price 2007 Hyundai Sonata GLS — Exterior: Blue Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Stock: 11S4001B 67,045 mi. $9,883 Internet Price 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X — Exterior: Green Interior: Other Drivetrain: 6 cylinder Automatic Model Code: JKJM74 / S tock: 11S0695A 40,731 mi. $23,019 Internet Price

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2000 Lexus LS 400 — Exterior: Silver Interior: Other Drivetrain: 8 cylinder Automatic Model Code: 9100 / Stock: 11G4544B 54,664 mi. $14,523 Internet Price 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 — Exterior: White Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Automatic Stock: 11T4251A 1 1,386 mi. $19,658 Internet Price 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis LS — Exterior: Gold Interior: Other Drivetrain: 8 cylinder Automatic Model Code: M75 / Stock: 11G3763B 77,455 mi. $6,325 Internet Price 2004 Saturn Ion 2 — Exterior: Blue Interior: Other Drivetrain: Automatic Model Code: ZAJ69 / Stock: 11S9484B 60,578 mi. $7,865 Internet Price 2005 Scion tC BASE — Exterior: Maroon Interior: Other Drivetrain: 4 cylinder Manual Stock: 10SF2780A 101,443 mi. $6,995 Internet Price 2004 Volvo C70 LPT — Exterior: Gray Interior: Other Drivetrain: 5 cylinder Automatic Model Code: C70LTACV / S tock: 11S3630A 58,730 mi. $12,991 Internet Price

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