Wellington Cares’ Tea & Trinkets Luncheon
Common Indoor Pollutants…
Living Green
COMMON INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS AND HOW TO ELIMINATE THEM
Owning a well constructed home that’s energy efficient is what residents in West Palm Beach, Florida, want, don’t they? While an ‘airtight home’ has its benefits, it also has a downside. Many energy-efficient homes create an environment in which unhealthy air develops. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be 100 times more polluted than the air outside your home. Here are some of the most common indoor air pollutants and how to eliminate them:
MOST COMMON INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS IN WEST PALM BEACH
When pollutants contaminate the air in your home, you may suffer from allergy symptoms, such as a sore throat, itchy skin and dry cough. You might also catch more colds. Some of the most common indoor air quality threats include:
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Microbial growth
HOW TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN WEST PALM BEACH
Waging war on these common indoor air contaminants is easier than you think. There are many ways to improve your home’s air quality, which includes:
Installing a Humidifier or a Dehumidifier
High humidity levels in Florida make the air in your home a breeding ground for microbial growth that leads to unpleasant odors and allergic symptoms. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers help regulate the humidity and prevent microbial growth.
Installing a Whole-House Filtration System
You typically install a whole-house filtration system within your HVAC unit, filtering conditioned air before it circulates through your home. You can also invest in a portable air purifier that removes invisible irritants that linger in your home’s air.
Installing an Energy Recovery Ventilator
These unique types of ventilators exhaust stale air out and draw fresh air inside your home through your air ducts. As a result, you breathe cleaner air.
Scheduling routine HVAC maintenance is another great way to ensure your heating and cooling system isn’t deteriorating your indoor air quality. Contact Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air today at 561-570-4111 to learn more about our HTPA Cool Club Maintenance Plans and how one can benefit you.
March Mayor’s Column
Mayor’s Column
March
Mayor Anne Gerwig
March means Spring is just around the corner. Days are getting longer which also means we will have more time outdoors. This month, please take full advantage of all our Great Hometown has to offer.
This month, Wellington kicks off the seventh annual “Let’s Move: Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge” with a celebration at the Wellington Green Mall on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018. Starting at 8:00 am, in the Wellington Green Mall Food Court the Village Council will lead a “Walk” through the mall. Immediately, following the walk Ultima Fitness will lead a “Stretching Demonstration in the Wellington Mall Live 360 Fitness Studio. Residents may register by visiting LetsMovePBC.org. Participation is FREE and open to all. Log your time under the “The Village of Wellington” team.
Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 11th; don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks one hour ahead. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. It is a simple safety practice that may save a life.
We are in high gear for the fiscal year 2018-2019 Budget. Wellington’s long-term financial plan is in progress and includes financial condition analyses and forecasts for the next five years. The budget kicks off this month, with all departments preparing their budget requests, and the capital plan will be put together in April. The budget staff looks forward to presenting a balanced and fiscally sound FY 2018-2019 budget that continues to make Wellington a Great Hometown.
Several of our major capital projects included in the current budget are underway:
- Drainage improvements for inlets, piping, swales and roadway along Forest Hill Blvd. at Montauk and Wellington Trace intersection
- Addition debris removal device and pump at Pump Station 5
- Construction of the Binks Pointe multi-use pathway and canal crossing for connectivity with Flying Cow pathway
- Construction of additional turn lanes and drainage improvements on Big Blue Trace at Barberry
- Construction of the Dorchester Park observation deck and park amenities
- Resurfacing of the Tiger Shark Cove and Margate playgrounds
- Rebuilding Village Park fields #6, #7 and #21
- Installation of shade structures and lighting enhancements at Scott’s Place
- Adding more parking at the Tennis Center
- Renovation of Village Park concession stands
- Rebuilding of Village Park dugouts
- Extension of the Brown Trail Bridle Trail and pipe replacement and road improvements for Wellington Trace at the C-15 Canal.
We are gearing up for major utility capital projects with construction anticipated to start mid-year. We will keep everyone advised as the project work schedule gets finalized. Stay up-to-date with our social media and website updates for these major projects.
This month, Wellington is ready to help create a world with more birthdays. The Village will join the American Cancer Society Saturday, March 10, for this year’s Relay For Life to support the fight against cancer. Relay begins at the South Florida Fairgrounds with a Survivor Lap at 3:30 PM, an inspiring time where survivors are honored by participants in support of their incredible fight. One of the most memorable events during the night is the Luminaria Ceremony at 10:00 PM, where everyone has the opportunity to light candles and take a moment to honor those who have beat the disease, those who are still fighting, and those remembered for their courageous fight against cancer. Funds raised at Relay For Life support programs and services for patients and families in our community.
The 2018 Municipal Elections take place on Tuesday, March 13. Wellington residents can request their VOTE BY MAIL/Absentee ballot, by 1) calling 561-656-6200 and requesting it over the phone; OR 2) emailing absentee@pbcelections.org and requesting it via email; Or 3) visiting http://www.pbcelections.org/items.aspx?id=28 , to request online. Don’t forget to look up your precincts and polling locations.
St. Patrick’s Day is on Friday, March 17th. Have fun while being responsible. And don’t forget to wear green!
Speaking of green, Wellington’s Green Market continues each Saturday this month. The Wellington Food Truck and Music series happens every Thursday evening at the Amphitheater. We also have free ongoing entertainment at the Amphitheater, with great food, movies, and outstanding music. Find the complete schedule of events taking place this month by clicking here: CLICK HERE
Spring Break for our local schools runs from March 19th through the 23rd and we all know how much our kids look forward to that. Fortunately, Wellington has a wide variety of outdoor activities this month for everyone to enjoy. The Village offers several camps during Spring Break including basketball, soccer, sand volleyball, and TumbleKids.
Get your baskets ready for Wellington’s annual Egg Hunt! The Egg Hunt returns to the Village Park softball fields, located at 11700 Pierson Road, on Saturday, March 31st. The event begins promptly at 10:00 a.m., and will be divided into four age groups: ages 2 and under; ages 3 to 4; ages 5 to 7; and ages 8 to 10. At each egg hunt, two eggs will have a pink bunny ticket inside, indicating a special prize. Families are encouraged to arrive early as traffic congestion may occur.
The Lakeside Family Fun days events continue this month on March 10th featuring a variety of activities between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., including kayaking, paddle boarding, bounce houses, lawn games, and demonstrations with local organizations under the pavilion. Additional scheduled activities include yoga, meditation, zumba, art activities with the Wellington Art Society, a reptile meet and greet, and more. Then join us on March 20th for the first Family Fun Nights on the Lakeside “Mardi Gras” event starting at 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This event will include: a live jazz band, food trucks, face painting, a balloon artist, lawn games, and a Mardi Gras boat parade. The boat parade starts at 7:00 p.m. Those interested in participating may contact Jack Brownson at jbrownson@comcast.net. For updates and additional information please visit wellingtonfl.gov/Lakeside.
On behalf of the Council, I want to wish our residents a happy Passover, Good Friday, and Easter.
As the saying goes “spring is a time of new beginnings.” This year, that saying holds true for us here at Village Council. We are looking toward the future and are excited to work with you to ensure that Wellington remains a Great Hometown.
The US Army Field Band, Jazz Ambassadors, come to the Wellington Amphitheater
Wellington Amphitheater to Host The U.S. Army Field Band,
Jazz Ambassadors, on Sunday, March 11th
The internationally acclaimed Jazz Ambassadors of Washington, DC will continue its long tradition of presenting free public performances when it appears at the Wellington Amphitheater on Sunday, March 11th, at 6:00 p.m.
The Jazz Ambassadors is the official touring big band of the United States Army. Formed in 1969, this 19-member ensemble has received great acclaim at home and abroad performing America’s greatest original art form, jazz. Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors are programmed to entertain all types of audiences. The band’s diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals, and patriotic selections, many of which are written or arranged by members of the Jazz Ambassadors.
The Jazz Ambassadors has appeared in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and throughout Europe. Recent notable performances include concerts at the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Jazz Education Network Conference, and an appearance on the Colbert Report. Gordon Goodwin, Bobby Shew, Ernie Watts, and the Dave Brubeck All-Star Quintet are just a few of the outstanding jazz artists who have shared the stage with the Jazz Ambassadors. The band has been featured in joint concerts with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Pops, the Colorado Pops Orchestra, and the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. The band’s rigorous touring schedule and reputation for excellence has earned it the title “America’s Big Band.”
Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating for the March 11th performance. For more information on this event, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Amphitheater. To learn more about The Jazz Ambassadors visit www.armyfieldband.com.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/enews.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch WellingtonTV for the latest happenings.
Adjoin Your Joints
Natural Insight
Adjoin your Joints
By Sabeen Faquir
This article was originally published at AroundWellington.com May 1, 2016
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Do you suffer from arthritis? This is inflammation of the joints caused by the degeneration of cartilage in the joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, a grating sensation, or bone spurs. If you experience joint pain and stiffness for more than a few weeks, it is advisable to see a doctor.
Talk to you doctor about the following options to alleviate some of your discomfort from arthritis pain: fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, or collagen. While I have found research supporting the use of fish oils for brain health, I have found less information supporting its use for inflammation. In fact recently, researchers have failed to prove the anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oils for obesity or atrial fibrillation (Root et al). But, DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid, a constituent of fish oil, was found to have anti-inflammatory properties through the induction of PGE2 or prostaglandin E2, an inhibitor of the pro-inflammatory COX 2 (cyclooxygenase 2) enzyme (Liu et al). And studies support the use of fish oils for global assessments of pain and activity of disease for those with rheumatoid arthritis (Proudman et al).
Also ask your doctor about glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen. To understand why to take these, it is important to understand the anatomy and physiology of a joint. A normal joint is where two ends of bone meet. The ends of each bone are covered in cartilage and the joint is surrounded in synovial fluid. The cartilage is made of cells that produce collagen. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are found in cartilage. Cartilage is a generally flexible tissue without much blood flow. Because of this reason, getting nutrients to the joint is difficult.
How do glucosamine and chondroitin work? Well, glucosamine builds cartilage and chondroitin draws water into the joint. This water keeps the joint spongy. In one study, patients with low back pain, were given an oral dose of 500mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and 500mg of chondroitin sulfate twice a day for the first month and then once a day for the next two months. In this open, uncontrolled study, participants reported a 90% reduction in the consumption of NSAIDs (Singh et al). Now, if this was due to the placebo effect, it is uncertain.
More than glucosamine and chondroitin, I recommend collagen. Recent studies prove it improves the state of the cartilage in joints. It would be the same as a doctor recommending stock made from chicken bones to a patient. In one study, WOMAC scores from the use of a type II collagen supplement were compared to those of glucosamine with chondroitin and a placebo group. The scores of the collagen group were significantly better than those of the other groups (Lugo et al, 2016). In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 40mg of a patented undenatured UCII supplement improved knee-joint extension in healthy individuals who experienced problems in joint function and pain due to a strong exercise regimen. It even allowed the participants to exercise pain-free for longer periods of time (Lugo et al, 2013).
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Disclaimer: The content of this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease.
Sources
Catherine L Hill, Lynette M March, Dawn Aitken, Susan E Lester, Ruth Battersby, Kristin Hynes, Tanya Fedorova, Susanna M Proudman, Michael James, Leslie G Cleland, Graeme Jones. Fish oil in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised clinical trial of low dose versus high dose. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2014-207169
Yan Chen, Yong-Can Huang, William W Lu. Low-dose versus high-dose fish oil for pain reduction and function improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2015-208754
Martin Root, Scott R Collier, Kevin A Zwetsloot, Katrina L West and Megan C McGinn. A randomized trial of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on arterial health, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome in a young healthy population. Nutrition Journal201312:40
Anil Nigam, MD; Mario Talajic, MD; Denis Roy, MD; Stanley Nattel, MD; Jean Lambert, PhD; Anna Nozza, MSc; Peter Jones, PhD; Vanu R. Ramprasath, PhD; Gilles O’Hara, MD; Stephen Kopecky, MD; James M. Brophy, MD; Jean-Claude Tardif, MD. Fish Oil for the Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Yueqin Liu, Li-Yuan Chen, Milena Sokolowska, Michael Eberlein, Sara Alsaaty, Asuncion Martinez-Anton, Carolea Logun, Hai-Yan Qi1 andJames H. Shelhamer. The fish oil ingredient, docosahexaenoic acid, activates cytosolic phospholipase A2 via GPR120 receptor to produce prostaglandin E2 and plays an anti-inflammatory role in macrophages. Immunology. Volume 143, Issue 1, pages 81–95, September 2014
Susanna M Proudman, Michael J James, Llewellyn D Spargo, Robert G Metcalf, Thomas R Sullivan, Maureen Rischmueller, Katerina Flabouris, Mihir D Wechalekar, Anita T Lee, Leslie G Cleland. Fish oil in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial within algorithm-based drug use. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2013-204145
Singh, L. Alekseeva, V. Alekseev, G. Triadafilopoulos. SAT0419 Glucosamine–Chondroitin Sulfate Reduces Pain, Disability and Nsaid Consumption in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Large, Community-Based, Pilot, Open Prospective Observational Study. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2013;72:A724
James P. Lugo, Zainulabedin M. Saiyed and Nancy E. Lane. Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrition Journal 2016 15:14
James P Lugo, Zainulabedin M Saiyed, Francis C Lau, Jhanna Pamela L Molina, Michael N Pakdaman, Arya Nick Shamie and Jay K Udani. Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2013, 10:48
Born to Run
Paws-itive Press
Born to Run
Greyhound racing now – horse racing and polo ponies next
By Barbara Masi
Those of you who know me personally are aware of the work I do with the training and adoption of retired racing greyhounds. They become pets and fully trained service dogs to veterans in need. My love for the breed started 17 years ago when I adopted my first greyhound. I knew little about the breed – about sighthounds in general – but I learned quickly. I not only read books about the breed but also grew to know those involved in the industry.
Currently, there is a push to end greyhound racing in the state of Florida. This is not good for the state, for those involved in the industry and neither for the dogs.
First of all – there is the income the dogs bring to the state as many people come here for entertainment and the dogs are a huge draw to tourists which fill the hotels and restaurants. There is also the income from racing and betting on the racing.
Then there are the people involved in the industry – greyhound owners. Trainers and handlers and those who work at the tracks. Estimated at over 3000 within the state – it would be irresponsible to end an industry and put these people out of work. Some have been doing this all their lives and their greyhound farms are legendary.
But let’s get to the crux of the matter – the dogs themselves. Never has there been such a beautiful athlete as the greyhound. Graceful and muscular, these dogs are magnificence on four feet. They are the fastest dogs in the world, and they have been bred specifically to run.
All dogs love routine and the routine experienced by the greyhound while racing is strict and unending. They wake up at a certain hour, go out at certain times during the day, eat at a certain time and school or race every few days once rested from the previous time. This is a seven day a week job for the trainers – at scheduled times of each day from early morning to late at night. Not a glamorous job with part of it being the disposal of dog poop … but one done for the love of the breed.
During the years I have been involved with the adoption of these dogs, I have been in touch with many of the owners, trainers and handlers not just in Palm Beach County but throughout the country. All of them are devoted to the pups …. The proper care and treatment of them is a priority. The dogs are kept in crates during part of the day and overnight – you could not have that many dogs in one place without having them each have “their own space” to rest. And they do sleep a lot – part of being a greyhound. Crates are large enough for them to turn around, stand up and make themselves comfortable. Often you will find a child – perhaps the son or daughter of the trainer – curled up in the crate asleep next to one of the dogs.
Dogs are born and bred to do certain “jobs” and those that are born to herd do best when herding – those who use noses to find people / things are best when doing that job and I could go on forever with this. But greyhounds were born to run and they love to do so. When we take our pets back to the Palm Beach Kennel Club they try to pull us onto the track when they hear the sound of Rusty as he leads the way. When the former trainer / handler comes to visit the pets (even after YEARS in adoption) they remember them.
Injuries happen to ALL breeds of dogs – whether in your backyard or at the dog park. Many broken bones and toes, and other injuries from sharp twigs or parts of fences happen to pet dogs but the scars from stitches are mostly due to greyhound thin skin – whether after being pet out to adoption groups or perhaps they come with these bruises from the compound.
There is a chain of custody protocol before the dog races. When they get to the track from the compound, they are turned over to the lead outs and the state has a representative there. Their trainers are not allowed any interaction with the dogs for a period of perhaps 2 to 5 hours. This guarantees no interference with the pup before it goes on the track to compete. Highly regulated once again.
There are people who believe the industry is what it was in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’swhich was less regulated than now. The rise of the number of adoption groups and the regulations imposed by the state of Florida have improved what goes on in the industry. Those who are against greyhound racing are against the breed of dog that the greyhound is…the breed born to run!
100 thousand retired racing greyhound pets out there can’t all be “victims” – and some are now even performing as service dogs for veterans (and others). When one door closes – another opens for these magnificent creatures.
Think of when the government will rule against horse racing or the pride of Wellington – ponies being allowed to play polo. You are all next – horse owners that “abuse” your animals by making them live a life of routine and then have them work for a living.
Open House at Wellington Prep on March 14th
Open House at Wellington Prep on March 14th
We will have an open house on March 14th, 2018 from 6:30 – 8:00pm for Wellington Preparatory School, enrolling students from kindergarten through 5th grade. We also will have teachers available to discuss our preschool voluntary prekindergarten program (VPK) which includes an accelerated academic class, a bilingual class and a traditional class. Please join us on campus to meet the classroom teachers, violin, art, Spanish and PE teachers, and to tour the facility.
Kravis Center Announces 2018 Lebow Award Winners
Ten Palm Beach County Students Earn Lebow Award For
Excellence In Shakespearean Performance
(West Palm Beach, FL) – The Ninth Annual Alan Lebow Award for Excellence in Shakespearean Performance was held on January 27 in the Kravis Center’s Khoury Family Dance Rehearsal Hall. Awards were presented to ten Palm Beach County students from four local high schools following a competition process.
Created by Kids’ Dreams, Inc., in memory of its co-founder, Alan Lebow, the award program engages students from Title I high schools and provides the opportunity for them to perform short selections from William Shakespeare’s works before a panel of distinguished judges. The student competition took place on January 13, at which they performed their selected work and were evaluated and scored by three judges in five categories of performance: concentration, emotional commitment, energy, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.
The Top Winner, earning a $1,000 cash prize, was Morgan Kennedy, a junior at Boynton Beach Community High School. Two other Top Winners, Daniel Powers and Mitchell Saulog, both seniors at Royal Palm Beach Community High School, each earned $750. Kennedy, who had earned an Honorable Mention in the 2017 competition, this year performed a monologue from Much Ado About Nothing.
Three students earned Honorable Mention awards and $500 each: Ashley Rivas, a senior at Boynton Beach Community High School, Carlos Riviera, a senior at Atlantic High School and Kathleen Wilkinson, a junior at Boynton Beach Community High School. Four other students received recognition as Distinguished Participants and earned $250 each. A total of $5,000 was given to the top 10 winners.
Judith Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of the Kravis Center, welcomed guests to the Lebow Award ceremony and recognized Patricia Lebow, president and co-founder of Kids’ Dreams, for her commitment to providing arts opportunities for children in the community. She also welcomed Amanda Lebow Distenfeld, Vice President of Kids’ Dreams and daughter of Alan and Patricia Lebow, this year’s award presenter. In 2015, Kids’ Dreams made a gift to the Kravis Center to permanently endow the Lebow Award.
“My father loved Shakespeare’s works and would recite passages to us around the dinner table,” said Lebow Distenfeld. “My parents understood that beyond the beauty of Shakespeare’s words, the discipline it takes to study and practice a soliloquy and perform before an audience helps students gain confidence and prepare for whatever career paths they pursue in life.”
Palm Beach State College President Ava Parker gave the keynote address, and after the ceremony, all the students who had participated in the Lebow Award were invited to attend a performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The performance, produced by Aquila Theatre Company, was held in the Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse.
For more than 25 seasons, the Kravis Center has helped students of all ages fuel their imaginations and expand their lives through comprehensive arts education programs. Last season, nearly 60,000 children from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties attended performances through the S*T*A*R Series. To learn more about the Kravis Center’s educational programming, please visit kravis.org/education-community.
AWARD WINNERS
Top Winners
Morgan Kennedy (Boynton Beach Community High School)
Daniel Powers (Royal Palm Beach Community High School)
Mitchell Saulog (Royal Palm Beach Community High School)
Honorable Mention
Ashley Rivas (Boynton Beach Community High School)
Carlos Riviera (Atlantic High School)
Kathleen Wilkinson (Boynton Beach Community High School)
Distinguished Participants
Saneya Graves (Boynton Beach Community High School)
Sefania Jacques (Atlantic High School)
Savanna Sweeney (Boynton Beach Community High School)
Kathie Torres (Royal Palm Beach Community High School)
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Grandma’s Place Luncheon Committee Celebrates Success!
Grandma’s Place Luncheon Committee Celebrates Success!
On February 1st, Committee Members of Grandma’s Place 3rd Annual Luncheon gathered at Café Sapori to celebrate their success. The Committee Luncheon was hosted by Joan O’Connell, the Luncheon Chair. Members in attendance were: Manda Galin, Patti Hadden, Roxanne Jacobs, Beverlee Miller Raymond, Toni O’Brien, Dina Rubio, Donna Scully, Valerie Seifert, and George Swan.
Committee Members toasted to netting almost $58,000 then enjoyed a fabulous lunch. They then got right back to work planning the details for the 4th Annual Holiday Luncheon, which will be held on Tuesday, November 27 at The Beach Club.
Proceeds of the luncheon support the mission of Grandma’s Place to provide shelter and loving care to children who have suffered abuse or neglect and have been removed from their homes; and to provide supports to parents/caregivers of children with special needs to maximize each child’s safety and success.
To receive an invitation, make a donation to the live or silent auction, or become a luncheon sponsor, please call Roxanne Jacobs at 561-753-2226.
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Caption (l-r) Patti Hadden, Beverlee Miller Raymond, Joan O’Connell, Valerie Seifert, Manda Galin, Roxanne Jacobs, George Swan, Toni O’Brien, Dina Rubio and Donna Scully.
