Grand Openings at Liberty Tax Service, Royal Palm Beach and Boynton Beach
Liberty Tax Service, the world’s leader in income tax preparation is proud to announce the Grand Openings for two (2) of their new franchises located in South Florida. Liberty Tax Royal Palm Beach 1161 Royal Palm Beach Blvd will held its Grand Opening celebration on Friday January 15th at 3 PM. Music, prizes, pizza, and refreshments were be served. Raffles were held throughout the event for Free Tax Preparation services. On Friday January 22nd at 3 PM, the Boynton Beach location held its Grand Opening party. That location is at 4956 Le Chalet Blvd., Suite 7, Boynton Beach.
The offices are owned and operated by local Wellington businessman Bob Salerno, former CEO of Ultra Cleaners, LLC, drycleaning chain. Also, owned by Donald K. Porges, CPA of Boynton Beach. Donald is a lifelong accountant having studied at CW Post University and has had his accounting practice for over 40 years. Donald started out in Connecticut and then migrated to South Florida in 2006. Donald is a leading authority on tax law and owns the largest accounting firm in Boynton Beach. Donald offered tax advice at both Grand Openings.
Liberty Tax provides tax preparation services for Individuals and Corporations. Liberty Tax also provides Bookkeeping Services, Payroll Services, Check paying service, Cash Advances, Identity Protection Services, Credit repair, and Health, Life, and Liability Insurance.
Tax returns were prepared during the open houses and they can be scheduled by appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
Corporate Office:
Liberty Tax Service 1716 Corporate Landing Virginia Beach, VA 23454
January, 2016- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Raises More Than $360,000 During Polo for a Purpose Personal stories of survival, exclusive auction, and rousing match highlight special day of polo
Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vhfts6u5kmsulxc/AAASjueFEniVn9c-cZxtetlfa?dl=0
(WELLINGTON, FL. January 28, 2016) – Polo aficionados and leukemia and lymphoma survivors gathered for a special day on the fields during the January 18, 2016 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Third Annual Polo for a Purpose event. The fun-filled day was co-chaired by PJ Rizvi, Penny Bradley, and Visse Wedell, all Wellington residents, along with survivor and polo star Brandon Phillips who served as Honorary Chairman. This year’s annual event raised over $360,000 towards LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Board member Jason Guari emceed the event, which included a cocktail reception followed by an exquisite gourmet lunch. Guests also took part in an exclusive silent auction, and then wrapped up the tent festivities with a thrilling live auction led by Jonathan Duerr. During the pre-game gathering, Brandon Phillips, PJ Rizvi, and Bruce Steinberg and Piper Apfel who are both survivors, spoke about the importance of raising funds for LLS to assist in finding a cure. Rizvi’s emotional speech was filled with stories and memories about her late sister, Penny. Phillips shared his personal story of surviving Leukemia and continuing to pursue his passion for polo. He also spoke about the incredible bond he has built with both Bruce and Piper and the impact they’ve all had on each other’s lives.
“Being a cancer survivor changes your life,” said Phillips. “You have to be able to make an impact on others who are going through what you have experienced. Though it has been many years since I fought my battle, it is not the same for others. We cannot quit until there is a 100% survival rate.”
Spectators and partygoers alike then met in the stadium for a thrilling four-chukker match between Team Hadden Landscape and Team Pegasus Builders. The pulse-pounding match featured top players Brandon Phillips, Nic Roldan, Jeff Hall, Jeff Blake, Sugar Erskine, Chris Nevins, Carlitos Gracida, Jr. and Martin Pepa vying for the coveted winner’s cup. Attendees watched the action from either their tents or the general stadium seating, which included access to the 7th Chukker lounge.
Sponsors of the event include: Presenting Sponsor Peacock Ridge, Hadden Landscape, Inc., Pegasus Builders, Penny A. Bradley, Visse Wedell, Postage Stamp Farms, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, The Reuben Foundation, Mari and Ash Vasan, Amy Smilovic, Lisa Finerman, The Wedell Family Foundation, Engel & Volker and Everglades Dressage. All proceeds from the Third Annual Polo for a Purpose benefit LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. While this event raises funds for lifesaving blood cancer research, it also helps support local patients and their families by providing critically-needed financial aid.
For more information on this event, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please contact Pamela Payne, Executive Director, at 561.616.8682 or pam.payne@lls.org
Heat oil and syrup—toss in almonds and sesame seeds—add nori and mix well over low heat. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper Spread mixture on lined cookie sheet into a thin layer. Bake @ 350 for 15 minutes or until looks golden brown on edges. When cool, break into pieces. Enjoy!
The best vegan source of calcium is sesame seeds and almonds. Some other great sources include broccoli, cabbage, collards, dandelion greens, dulse (a seaweed), kale and prunes. Your body will absorb them much easier if they are uncooked.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Philippine American Society
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —The public is invited to attend “Affairs of the Heart,” the 16th annual formal Valentine’s Dinner Dance, hosted by the Philippine American Society (PAS) of Palm Beach County. The event will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2016, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Marriott hotel on Okeechobee Boulevard. Hors d’oeuvres begin at 7 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m. and dancing to follow. The event will benefit the scholarship program for Filipino-Americans high school students and the organization’s mission of promoting Filipino heritage, culture and traditions to Filipino-Americans and to people of all cultures.
PAS President Marlyn Sepanik said the annual event is a much-anticipated, well-attended gala. “The Dinner Dance brings Filipinos together with community supporters in a fun setting,” said Sepanik. “People are looking for something fun to do for Valentine’s Day. By attending our fundraiser, you have it all: romance, dinner, dancing and supporting a good cause all at once!”
Tickets to the Dinner Dance are $70.00 each, and a large portion of proceeds from funds raised from the event support the PAS scholarship fund for deserving students. To purchase a ticket, contact Marlyn Sepanik at (561) 289-0837, Mercy Abellana at (561) 315-2316, Cristina Regino at (561) 723-9323, Lloyd Flores at (561) 352-6527 or Conchita Mateo at (561) 386-1209.
About the Philippine American Society, Inc.
The Philippine American Society, Inc. (PAS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of Palm Beach County with a mission of promoting Filipino heritage, culture and traditions to Filipino-Americans for future generations and to people of all cultures.
PAS is a community-centered organization that exists to promote and enrich the Philippine culture through educational, civic and charitable programs in unity with other Filipino organizations. In the process, Filipinos are empowered and enabled to be bold leaders in the world.
March, 2016- WELLINGTON ART SOCIETY ART SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Donna Donelan
The Wellington Art Society is currently accepting applications for several $1,000 art scholarships to be awarded to graduating seniors who live and attend high school in Palm Beach County. The scholarships are available to students planning a college major in visual arts at either a 2 or 4 year institution. On line application Information has been sent to all art teachers and guidance counselors at each school or apply on line at www.YouJudgeIt.org/was
Criteria for the scholarship is as follows:
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in visual arts and an overall GPA of 2.0 and complete at least three art classes.
An artist statement and career goals along with up to 6 jpeg photographs of their art work.
A letter of recommendation from a faculty member and an unofficial transcript of the student.
The Wellington Art Society Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 and has provided many talented young artists with funds for their art related expenses such as art or photographic supplies, books or tuition for visual arts classes. Proceeds from the Art Society’s art exhibitions, Art Fest on the Green and the Whole Foods Market solo art exhibits help support the scholarship fund.
The Wellington Art Society is a non-profit charitable organization In its 35th year. It is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, allowing both local and regional artists to display their art work in local galleries, interact with other artists and serve the community through. their art.
January, 2016- Sunshine Warms Spectators at Sunday Polo
Mo & Sally, Dave Denver, Sarah Marince, John Wash
Sunday polo was graced with abundant sunshine and crisp, cool weather that hovered in the mid-50s, while stylish spectators enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to wear their winter fashion best. Eight teams competed on different fields in hopes of advancing to the final round of the 2016 Joe Barry Memorial Cup. The featured match of the day resulted in Enigma taking the victory over Villa Del Lago in the second half, with a final score of 11-7.
Sarah Marince, a rising star in the country music industry, rocked the stadium with a pitch-perfect delivery of the National Anthem, followed by Wellington Regional Medical Center’s CEO, Robbin Lee, tossing the coin that signaled the start of the match.
Enigma’s Carlucho Arellano’s impressive stickwork earned him the MVP award, which was presented by Equestrio magazine’s editor, Heather Buchanan, while his extraordinary steed, Morisette, was named Best Playing Pony, and was bestowed the honor by Scott Velozo, communication and public relations manager at The Palm Beach Post.
January, 2016- Annual Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball Hall of Fame Game Hot Dog & Egg Cream Picnic
History was made today in Wellington, Florida at Stickball Park when Steve Kanowitz, Vice President of Gutterman’s Inc. of New York and Gutterman Warheit Memorial Chapel of Boca Raton, FL was invited to attend the annual festivities and be introduced to the team that is sponsored by Gutterman Warheit Memorial Chapel….The Dukes of Flatbush.
Upon arrival he was introduced to Marty Ross, the Commissioner of the Stickball League and Harry Klaff, the Director of Operations. In addition there was a huge surprise when Carlos Diaz, the King of Stickball in the United States came in from New York to watch the game. Steve then was introduced to the members of the team who immediately told him they don’t want to do business with him and wanted to know if he came in a hearse. The funeral jokes continued for several minutes which seemed to loosen everyone up and set the fun tone for the afternoon.
The series of photographs were taken in the sequence that they happened. Just before the game Steve said he wanted to try batting practice….he had not played stickball in 63 years. Everyone held their breath when he stepped up to the plate praying he wouldn’t hurt himself. Unbelievable…he hit the ball and everyone cheered. Next he posed beneath the street sign from Brooklyn which took him back on a nostalgic return to his childhood. Marty Ross presented Steve with a team hat. The National Anthem was sung and Steve went to the pitcher’s circle to throw out the first pitch (he has been talking about this pitch for weeks hoping not to embarrass himself). Unbelievable again!!! He throws the perfect pitch and the crowd goes wild.
At this point I want to apologize to my fellow Gutterman employees for planning Steve’s participation in this sanctioned event. If you thought his ego was large before….OMG…I unfortunately created a monster and the Florida staff will be suffering until he returns to New York where he will inflict this on the northern staff.
Steve invited his friend Art to attend and I had them pose together for the next picture. What a nice man…hard to believe he is friendly with Steve. Took a quick shot of Steve enjoying the hot dogs and finally the last picture. I was hoping he would find today relaxing and leave work behind…but he can’t! I snapped a picture under the table and caught him calling work…you can take Steve out of the office but you can’t take the office out of Steve.
All joking aside it was a fun day and great PR day for the company with lots of new friends
My husband Steve and I have been very fortunate to have had many delicious meals in our travels around the United States. But only a handful of them could be considered truly great dining experiences; so memorable that we could never, ever forget them. And now the meal we had in Brickell at Cantina La Veinte rounds out the handful!
To me, a great dining experience involves many things. Great food is obviously most important, but so is service and ambiance. La Veinte is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever been in. The ceiling soars to great heights and is filled to the top with magnificent objects of art from the chef’s native Mexico. The floors are reminiscent of the ones of the early 1900’s. In fact the small white and black tiles reminded me of the floors in my grandparents’ home that they built in the 1920’s. Huge windows look out onto the waterway of this 280 seat restaurant and if you go downstairs to the lower level it is actually open air with that same amazing view. I understand that on weekends there is a mariachi band downstairs which we missed because we went on a Tuesday evening.
So now let’s get to the other two aspects of a great dining experience. Before I describe our unbelievably delicious meal I want to let you know that the service was impeccable. Each dish was described to us in detail by our knowledgeable waitstaff. And if you left your seat they immediately refolded your napkin. The staff was warm and friendly and totally added to the enjoyment of the evening.
Chef Santiago Gómez is young (32) but very accomplished. He and his wife Fernanda hosted a group of us for a Media Dinner that was a culinary Mexican journey designed to take us on a tasty trip to taste Chef Gómez’s own interpretation of classic Mexican cuisine. Along with the meal we tasted a flight of tequilas presented to us by the charming and vivacious Don Julio representative Vanessa Leon. This was truly fine dining at its best!
Soft Shell Crab Taco Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
Upon being seated we were served Don Julio margaritas and Guacamole with tortilla chips which made us all feel at ease and started the conversation flowing. Next we were presented with a Soft Shell Crab Taco which represented Campeche. This soft flour tortilla with jalapeno sauce contained the crispiest fried soft shell crab I have ever tasted. Following that we were taken to Mexico City with Sweet Corn with Smoked Mayo, Queso Fresco and Epazote which was sweet and slightly smoky and had a sauce so delicious that no one could resist drinking it.
Corn with Smoked Mayo, Queso Fresco and Epazote Photo Credit: Steve AxelrodBuñelo and Duck Confit with Mole Negro Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
To continue our journey through Mexico we made a stop at Oaxaca for Buñelo and Duck Confit with Mole Negro. Chef talked to us lovingly about the mole with its 16 ingredients including chiles that they burn to a char giving this long cooked sauce (over 10 hours) its signature smoky, slightly bitter and deep chocolate flavor. With this course we sipped the Reposata tequila which complimented the smokiness of the dish beautifully with its cinnamon and clove nuances from being aged in Bourbon barrels. From Oaxaca we travelled to Mérida, Yucatán with the Panucho De Cochinita, shredded mojo pork, with masa, black beans and pickled red onion. From there we headed to Veracruz for Arroz a la Tumbada. This masterpiece was a seafood broth risotto topped with the most perfectly cooked sea scallop and was anointed with truffle oil. The scallop had a crisp sear top and bottom and was sweet and creamy in between. It was at that point that my husband turned to me and said that he thought each dish was his favorite until the next one came!
Our next course took us to back to Oaxaca for Grilled Filet with Chicatana (ants!) Butter, Turnip Purée and Quelite Salad. This dish was very flavorful and textually pleasing as well. I have to admit I have said I would never eat bugs but I guess that is why they say “you should never say never”. I did eat them and lived to tell about it. Guadalajara, Jalisco brought us Braised Short Rib with Three Chile and Agave Demi-glace over Potato Guajuillo Purée. The short rib was so tender it melted in your mouth and the sweetness of the agave tempered the chiles just enough to leave just a little after burn. But wait, there is still more, counting the guacamole there were ten courses in all! We went on to Acapulco for Branzino with Talla Sauce on a bed of Plantain Purée. This was the last of our savory courses but the momentum did not let up. The branzino was topped with a spicy chile sauce but the sweet plantains eased the burn of the chiles.
Braised Short Rib Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
Last, but most definitely not least, our dessert plate took us on a journey to Nayarit with a Mango Sphere with Lime and Cilantro to refresh our palates, then to Celaya for delightfully crisp Churros with Cajeta and lastly on to Chiapas for Chocolate Ganache and Crispy Quinoa with Hibiscus Foam. Dessert was paired with the Don Julio 1942 and was the perfect sip with this lovely trio of desserts.
It is obvious that I loved this meal. It was so good that my husband and I look forward to driving back to Miami in the very near future for more of Chef Santiago Gómez’s delicious food. This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. This is very high end gourmet fare at its very best.
Cantina La Veinte
495 Brickell Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
786-702-3238
Disclaimer: This meal was compliments of Cantina La Veinte, but the opinions expressed are 100% my own.
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Bartering has been around since the beginning of civilization. I remember laughing when a college friend told me that his family would barter hair cuts for chickens when he was a boy, growing up in a small town in Massachusetts. However, the wisdom of doing barter became clear to me when I embarked on my own business ten years ago. That’s when I first met Scott and Cathy Ebberbach, a dynamic couple who have been ITEX brokers in our area since 1993 and proponents of the art of bartering long before that.
Cathy and Scott Ebberbach, Itex brokers
I interviewed Scott Ebberbach to catch up on what’s going on with ITEX, “the Cashless Marketplace” and asked him why “barter is better.” He said he grew up in New York and was mentored by Jewish businessmen who repeatedly told him, “You’ve got to make a profit, boy.” As he grew older, he discovered that he learned after all is said and done, we are only getting 28 cents on the dollar, after inflation, taxes and everything else that cuts into today’s dollar. “You’ve lost about four times the buying power right away,” he says. “I never bought into that concept. I began bartering at an early age.” He explains that bartering is an “out of the box” approach to economics, an approach that he appreciates.
“When I was a young boy (pre-Bar Mitzvah), the school across the street was throwing out a bunch of those nice wooden desks. I collected them. I traded them for baseball cards, comics and other things that I wanted,” he recalls.
These days he enjoys being an ITEX broker. “ITEX dollars are just another currency. They are equivalent, dollar for dollar, to what would be charged in a cash transaction.” The job of the broker is similar to being a referee, according to Ebberbach. When he is introduced to a new business person, he asks, “Where should we market you?” He gets a synopsis of the business, posts this on the ITEX website and sends the information out to all of the local ITEX clients. The ITEX Marketplace, founded in 1982, is a network of business members, offering a wide variety of products and services throughout the United States and Canada. “I see it as a fair method of retail,” says Ebberbach, “where you can make limitless profit.”
In almost every business, if you are not selling at 100% capacity, you can use ITEX dollars to your advantage. For example, when I had the print version of Around Wellington® Magazine (which is now online only), there were months when we did not fill up the pages with as many ads as planned. In those instances, what would a magazine put in those spots – PSA’s? Filler material? With ITEX clients, you are filling those spots with advertising and getting paid in ITEX dollars, which can be used toward anything from pest control to dental visits to home furnishings. So as a few fellow magazine owners explained to me, why let that empty space go to waste? Over the years, I’ve used ITEX dollars toward holiday gift baskets, a rug from Medina rugs in Royal Palm Beach, monthly pest control, grout cleaning for our tile, and many other helpful things.
“What are some of your more exotic ITEX items that you have seen bought or sold?” I asked Scott Ebberbach. He mentioned exotic cars including Rolls Royces, yachts, jewelry, real estate, renovations to their historic house, time shares throughout the world, sports event tickets, rare baseball cards. “It really can be anything that has any value.” He’s also seen some very valuable paintings sold through the ITEX marketplace.
One of the most rewarding ITEX transactions took place when they had a new client and noticed that she was embarrassed by her smile. Scott persuaded her to go for a series of dental appointments using ITEX dollars. “I remember when she smiled for the first time without covering her mouth – she gained her self-respect again,” he says. As a massage therapist, she was able to get her smile taken care of through ITEX, something she never felt able to do with cash.
Throughout the ITEX network, there are over 20,000 members coming from a variety of different fields. A few of the ITEX members / vendors in the Wellington area include: a chiropractor, a dog groomer, a dentist, a dry cleaner, a parenting-focused magazine and, yes, AroundWellington.com.
For business owners who would like to become ITEX members, there is no start-up cost. On a monthly basis, there’s a $20 cash fee and $10 ITEX dollar fee, which go toward administrative expenses. On every transaction there’s a 6% charge in cash, whether you are buying or selling.
ITEX brokers are the first to tell you that they do not expect ITEX dollars to replace cash. As it says on their website, “we aren’t here to replace cash, we are here to maximize your time, or get full value for your inventory.” That’s the magic of ITEX. Some consider it “play money.” Some consider it a creative approach to buying and selling. It’s a refreshing alternative to cash transactions. It can be a great way to fill in the “holes” in your schedule if you provide services or to move inventory if you are selling goods.
The historic (and haunted) Daffodale House in Monticello, FL, owned by the Ebberbachs.
The Ebberbachs are an interesting family. They also own a historic house in Monticello, Florida called the Daffodale Estate, which they run as a bed and breakfast. Circa 1897, the Daffodale Estate is known for its history of ghost sightings, and Monticello is known as the “most haunted town in Florida.” Check out more about the Daffodale Estate by visiting their website – http://www.daffodaleestate.com/ They are the perfect, friendly couple to welcome you into their historic home, if you’d like to visit. Many visitors each year, who enjoy the possibility of a ghost sighting, make the trip to the Daffodale Estate and enjoy this very different, lovely part of Florida.
“We are now a barter family,” Scott Ebberbach announces happily, explaining that their son Adam met the CEO of ITEX a few years ago, bought a franchise and moved to Vancouver, Washington. They are also not shy when it comes to publicity and are currently being considered for a reality TV series called “Barter Junkies.”
Scott and Cathy are a warm and welcoming couple to introduce you to the world of bartering. If you could use a boost for your business, call them today.
2016- International Polo Club Announces Wellington Regional Medical Center’s Sponsorship
Robbin Lee, CEO of Wellington Regional, and Pam Tahan, COO of Wellington Regional, presenting the Joe Barry Memorial Cup to Team Enigma Photo Credits: LILA PHOTO
