August, 2015 – Broadcasting Live from BurgerFi Wellington
August, 2015 – New Community Center on Track
August, 2015
August is a busy month around the Village of Wellington. The new school year is underway, demolition for the Wellington Community Center is on track, and Village staff is busy putting the final touches on the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 budget.
I’d like to start by asking you to please pay close attention when driving through school zones. Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will be out in school zones enforcing the speed limits. Anytime you see a school bus, use extra caution since children may dart out into traffic either getting on or off the bus. For some of these children, it is their first time going to school and they may not be familiar with guidelines they should follow.
Our community boasts great schools, students, and teachers. Recognizing that our schools are an integral part of what makes Wellington a Great Hometown, the Village works with them hand-in-hand. We provide direct financial support of $275,000 through the Keeli Spinelli grant program.
Last month, we said goodbye to and old friend, and now we are eager to welcome a new one. The new community center is right on track. The rubble and debris is giving way to panoramic views of Lake Wellington. Last month, council members approved adding an entry lobby at the north end of the building, an extension of a second floor balcony, and a porte cochere at the driveway entry. These additions will take full advantage of the facility’s picturesque location and make it a valued resource for our community.
From new construction to a new budget— Wellington staff is starting the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Budget process based on the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans for the provision of services and capital assets. The first phase of the Budget process, which consists of presenting the overall Village Budget, is complete. The second phase, Departmental Budgets, is now in the works.
See the table below for preliminary rates compared to FY 2015:
Have you taken the Budget Challenge?
Head to our website wellingtonfl.gov, take the challenge, and let us know what you think the budget should look like.
When you finish taking the Budget survey, take a few minutes to give us your input on the development of the Equestrian Master Plan. The survey will assist Village staff in gathering data related to traffic and seasonal fluctuations of horses and people. All responses to the survey are anonymous. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://epajuly.surveyanalytics.com/
Finally, I encourage you to sign up for our monthly newsletter, where we keep you up to date on matters that affect our community. Click on the following link to start receiving updates: http://wellingtonfl.gov/living/wellington-newsletter/signup
I look forward to seeing you around our Great Hometown this month!
August, 2015 – K-Park Meeting
K Park Town Hall Meeting
The Village of Wellington will hold the third in a series of K Park Town Hall meetings on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Wellington Landings Middle School located at 1100 Aero Club Drive. Staff is soliciting input from Wellington residents on the future of the K Park property located at the southwest corner of State Road 7 and Stribling Way.
The meeting will consist of a brief presentation on the site’s history, followed by an interactive polling session to gain insight on how residents would like to see the K Park property utilized. The meeting will wrap up with public comments. Residents will have one more opportunity to attend and participate in the K Park discussions. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Village Hall, Council Chambers.
Watch previous meetings on the Village’s website at wellingtonfl.gov/kpark.
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 Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
August, 2015 – Preserving Homeownership Clinic
Preserving Homeownership Clinic
The Village of Wellington will host a “Preserving Homeownership Clinic” to educate Wellington residents on programs and options to assist homeowners who may be facing foreclosure. The workshop will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from 10:00am – 3:00pm at Village Park located at 11700 Pierson Road.
Representatives from The Urban League of Palm Beach County and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County will offer a Foreclosure Prevention Education presentation at 1:00pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask panelists, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certified Housing counselors questions.
Numerous Palm Beach County mortgage lenders have been invited to this event and there will be an opportunity to speak one-on-one with those lenders in attendance.
The “Preserving Homeownership Clinic” is free and open to all residents of the Village of Wellington.
Urban League of Palm Beach County is a HUD approved housing counseling agency and a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving all residents in Palm Beach County. The organization provides comprehensive housing counseling and financial education programs and services free of charge. For more information visit www.ULPBC.org or to make an appointment call 561.833.1461.
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 Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
August, 2015 – Cucumber Salad
Yummy Treats
Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
2 cucumbers, very thinly sliced
1 red onion, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons low-fat sour cream or 2 tablespoons yogurt
salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
DIRECTIONS
- After slicing the cucumbers, squeeze as much water out of them as possible. You can do this by laying them out on a plate with another plate pressed on top of it. You could put this whole thing in the fridge for an hour, letting the cuke slices dry out.
- Mix cucumbers and onions together.
- Mix rest of ingredients together in a closed bowl and give a shake.
- Add to cucumbers, chill till very cold & serve
August, 2015 – Breaths of Hope
Breaths of Hope
Creativity excites the passions of men
Sound heals the cunning sharpness of grim
Dark as the onyx of stone
Bleak is the lifeless land
The world cries from affliction
Earth sighs from the killing that bloodies the land
Eyes look to their leaders, not knowing where to follow
Confronted with all that is wrong
Weeping from the deceit that blinds
Not seeing the beauty that can rise
Spirits will be lessoned
And, the thunder will strike with horror
But, at the core
Beings are still the creatures of great
Within the eyes of every man, there is optimism for light
Every land has an essence of dawn
Every nation can calm the terror that reigns
Blood will be shed, and souls will cry
But, beneath the fire of hell
There is a world that can recover
Goodness is still in the hearts of every man
Within ourselves we can mend the broken dreams
The wounds will cut deep
Passions will boil like a volcano
But, those spirited voices can work to bring Peace
Peace that is longed for
Calmness that can comfort the pain
Look upon the sun that rises
Follow the clouds that linger
A brighter day is on the horizon
Allow the flames to fizzle
Let your breath blow away the ashes
Songs of vigor
Breaths of hope
***
August, 2015 – Exploring Lima, Peru: A City of Contrasts
Travel with Terri
Exploring Lima, Peru: A City of Contrasts
Story and Photos by Terri Marshall
Lima rises above the cliffs of the Pacific coastline where paragliders soar above the foggy shore. Historic colonial buildings are nestled amid contemporary high rises. There are stunning museums, a UNESCO World Heritage site, legendary cuisine, and a beachfront boardwalk. Many travelers scurry through this sprawling metropolis on their way to Machu Picchu, Cusco or the Peruvian Amazon, but Lima is a worthy destination on its own. Here are a few reasons you should spend a few days exploring this city of contrasts.
Museo Larco

Housed in an 18th century viceroyalty-era mansion, Museo Larco is the place to learn about ancient Peru. The Cultures Gallery showcases pottery, stone and wooden pre-Columbian artifacts depicting more than 5,000 years of Peruvian history. A Ceremonial Vessels Room displays collections of bowls, cups and vases used in the sacred rituals of the ancient Peruvians. The stunning Gold and Jewelry Gallery is filled with gleaming precious jewels worn by the priests, priestesses and rulers of ancient Peru. The separately housed Erotic Art Gallery displays a collection of pre-Columbian erotic pots with detailed illustrations of all manner of sexual activity between men, women and beings from other worlds. Not to be missed is the vitrine that depicts sexually transmitted diseases.
Inside the walls of the Museo Larco, the charming Café del Museo is the perfect spot to have lunch. The terrace overlooks a garden draped in brilliantly colored bougainvillea. The Peruvian fusion menu offers a selection of small plates as well as more substantial meals. The ceviche is a must.

Plaza de Armas
Lima’s historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the heart of the 16th century settlement established by Francisco Pizarro. There are a number of significant structures surrounding the plaza including the colonial style Archbishop’s Palace built in 1924 with some of the most exquisite Moorish-style balconies in the city. The baroque-style Palacio de Gabierno occupies an entire block and is home to the president of Peru. A uniformed presidential guard is always on hand and there is a ceremonious changing of the guard every day at noon.
San Francisco Monastery
Monasteries, convents and churches erected in honor of patron saints are a major part of Lima’s historic landscape. The bright yellow 17th century baroque-style San Francisco Monastery consistently surrounded by pigeons is one of the most interesting. San Francisco has a stunning lattice dome, gilded side altars and a library that resembles something out of Harry Potter filled with an astounding collection of books dating back to the first Spanish priests to arrive after the conquest of the Incas. In the catacombs of San Francisco there is an impressive albeit creepy collection of bones. There are approximately 75,000 bodies buried under San Francisco and many of the remains are exposed and separated by bone types – femurs, tibia and so on. A large circular stone pit filled with skulls sits in the center of the dark, claustrophobic passageways.
Huaca Pucllana
In the center of the affluent Miraflores district of Lima there is a great adobe and clay pyramid built from seven staggered platforms. Named from the Quechua word “pucllay” which means a place for ritual games, it served as an important ceremonial center of Lima culture between the years of 200AD and 700AD. Four completely in tact Wari mummies were discovered at the site in 2010. At night the ruins are illuminated casting a golden hue over the site. It is truly spectacular and the best place to view it is from the terrace of the Huaca Pucllana restaurant. The cuisine showcases Peruvian flavors at its base and stands out for its devotion to the use of locally sourced products. The food is unforgettable as is the experience of dining beside a centuries old pyramid – in the middle of the city.
Bohemian Barranca
In the 1920’s the Barranca district of Lima was home to the rich and famous, but as the city grew the rich moved away and Barranca fell into disrepair. This once deserted district overlooking the cliffs of the Pacific is now gentrified. Today the streets are lined with brightly painted art-deco houses and brilliant blossoming trees. There is a thriving artistic community, galleries, and museums. Small “ranchos” built into the cliffs house tiny bars and restaurants.
Inaugurated on Valentine’s Day in 1876, the “Puente de Los Suspiros” (Bridge of Sighs) is the district’s most famous landmark. The wooden bridge survived the War of the Pacific and a few earthquakes. In keeping with tradition, young couples still meet on the bridge. Legend says that anyone who makes a wish and then crosses the bridge for the first time without taking a breath will have his wish fulfilled. Don’t miss the church of La Ermita after crossing the bridge. It’s a bit dilapidated but still beautiful and for some reason a favorite of vultures.

Parque del Amor
Located along the Miraflores coast, the Parque del Amor (the Love Park) is a favorite destination for all types of lovers. There are quirky mosaic sea walls, colorful flower beds, towering palm trees and Victor Delfin’s famed sculpture “El Beso” (The Kiss). The Miraflores Boardwalk runs along the shoreline overlooking the rugged coastal cliffs. Try your luck at paragliding or rent a bike and cycle along the coastline.
***
Terri is a New York City based writer who is happiest when she’s globetrotting. She is the Special Projects Editor for TravelSquire.com, the National Chocolate Examiner, the Globetrotting Grandmom for TravelingMom.com and a contributor to several other publications. Tough life, right? You can find more of Terri’s work and adventures on her website: www.trippingwithterri.com Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TrippingwithTerri and on Twitter @trippingwterri .
August, 2015 – Summer Vacation from a Kid’s Perspective
Summer Vacation from a kid’s perspective
By Bennett Lewis (age 11)
It’s summer and mom wanted to take a break from writing Mommy Moments, so I thought I’d help her out a little.
Top 10 Boring Things Moms and Dads want us to do on summer vacation
10. Write letters to our relatives
9. Practice math games on computer
8. Walk the dog
7. Pull weeds
6. Swimming lessons
5. Play outside
4. Practice instruments
3. Read a book
2. Wash dishes
1. Clean my room
However, these are the Top 10 FUN things kids want to do on summer vacation.
10. Play board games
9. Goof off at restaurants
8. Water/mud fights
7. Amusement parks
6. Go to the beach
5. Arcade games
4.Watch TV
3. Play video games
2. Watch You Tube videos– mostly Minecraft
1. Play Minecraft
As you can see, our ideas of a fun summer vacation are a little different. Hope you all had a great summer vacation! Happy Back to School days!!
***
Bennett is going to be a Middle Schooler this fall. He is an energetic, Minecraft maniac, who loves playing soccer and going to the beach.