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Attorney Anthony Barbuto Expanding His Wellington Law Practice

Attorney Anthony Barbuto Expanding His Wellington Law Practice

Anthony Barbuto is licensed to practice law in three different states, but he settled in Wellington and has been practicing his craft here since 2008. “The law is not what brought me to Florida. Family is what brought me to Florida,” he said. “I liked it, and I stayed. I took the bar, and I stayed.”

While Barbuto Law & Associates P.A. has been around for some time, he more recently formed Barbuto & Johansson P.A., a practice devoted to personal injury law, with fellow attorney Carly Johansson.

“The thousands of clients that I have, they’ll call me up and say, ‘Hey, Anthony, I had an accident,’ or, ‘I know someone who had an accident; can you help me?’ and I wasn’t really focusing on that area,” Barbuto said. “But now I’m going to keep helping my clients in this particular area.”

Barbuto Law & Associates still remains the general practice, managing civil litigations, estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, family and equestrian cases. Clients will still go to Barbuto’s current location at 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington for those types of queries, but now can meet specifically for personal injury cases there under Barbuto & Johansson.

“Carly has worked with me for several years. She has some background as well in personal injury, and it’s a project that we decided to be partners on,” Barbuto said. “She has a strong litigation background… and I worked for an insurance defense firm, so we decided we have very good synergy together.”

Barbuto has been a Wellington resident since 2008, when he succeeded longtime community lawyer Ann Porath at her firm’s practice upon her retirement.

“I came to Wellington from Fort Lauderdale, working for an insurance defense law firm,” Barbuto said. “Ann was the first lawyer to practice in Wellington on a full-time basis back in the 1980s. She was preparing to retire, so I came and took over her practice.”

Born and raised in Wayne, N.J., Barbuto is licensed to practice law in Florida, California and New Jersey. He took each state’s bar exams, one after the other.

He is proud to be a resident in Florida, and even more so a member of the Wellington community. “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in Florida,” he said.

Barbuto does have a home away from home. He and his wife, Rovena, and son, Leonardo, spend at least six weeks each year in Florence, Italy, where Barbuto met Rovena, who is a native of Italy.

“I still work, but I do very much enjoy traveling to Italy,” Barbuto said. “We have family there, and we’re trying to raise my son, when he starts talking, to be fluent in the Italian language.”

Many of Barbuto’s clients live in the equestrian communities of Wellington.

“We’re very busy with equestrian law. We do equestrian-related issues, ranging from agricultural classification applications [to] lease agreements for stalls or barns,” he said. “We do equestrian litigation when there are disputes relating to maybe misrepresentation of the sale of a horse [and] disputes relating to the ownership of a horse. We do horse issues in probate. There are horse issues in divorces.”

Barbuto has also helped clients from Wellington who own homes in Italy.

“I have a lot of Italian clients. I have clients in Italy who are involved in the equestrian business and have business interests or real estate interests here in the U.S., so I do still work there, not only work from Italy for my clients here, but I still generate business and meet with clients in Italy,” he said.

Barbuto is a member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. He does community service work throughout the year through the village’s adopt-a-street program. He is also a member of the Florida Bar’s Animal Law Section.

“If someone is interested in tax law, there are certain sections of the Florida Bar where a lot of the tax attorneys get together,” Barbuto explained. “So, the section that I’m involved in is animal law and the real property and probate law.”

Barbuto is also a licensed roofing contractor. The license is useful when he deals with construction cases at his practice.   

“It’s something I obtained around 2001. My father is in the commercial roofing business,” Barbuto said. “I renew it each year, but I don’t actually have a [roofing] company.”

No matter where Barbuto is in the world, he is devoted to his practice and the people he serves.

“I really love Wellington for many reasons,” he said. “I’m a resident of Wellington. I’m a homeowner in Wellington. I live in Binks Forest with my wife and son. I love the community and the people. I’m very grateful for that, so I don’t plan on leaving.”

To contact Barbuto Law & Associates, call (561) 798-2907 or visit www.barbutolaw.com. To contact Barbuto & Johansson, call (561) 444-7980 or visit www.injurylawfirm 4all.com.

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Alec Domb Enjoys Being Active In The Wellington Community

Alec Domb Enjoys Being Active In The Wellington Community

Alec Domb is a lawyer by trade, but he has also been a community leader in Wellington for many years who continues to run his law practice locally and seek ways to stay involved in the Wellington community.

The Law Office of Alexander L. Domb P.A. is focused on real estate, guardianship, probate, estate planning and the litigations associated with those areas of law practice. “In Florida, there are more guardianships for adults than there are for children,” Domb explained. “The guardianship revolves around their mental capacity, whether it involves dementia or Alzheimer’s. Can they manage their own affairs? Do they need a private guardian or a professional guardian? Can one of their relatives do it, or does it have to be a professional?”

Domb said he believes that there is a great importance to work with a practiced lawyer when it comes to personal assets in life.

“There is a set of documents that every Florida resident, citizen should have, including a will, a durable family power of attorney, a healthcare surrogate designation, which covers HIPAA issues, and a living will. You need these four documents,” he said. “These are the essential elements, and, of course, the higher up you are in years, the more urgent it is that you have these documents, because something could happen to you.”

Domb works to protect people’s liberties when he manages a guardianship case.

“My job is to make certain that their rights are protected in that proceeding, and that the person who is petitioning to be the guardian is actually qualified… and it is in the best interest of the allegedly incapacitated person for that person be their guardian,” Domb said.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, N.Y., Domb made his way to South Florida, where he attended the University of Miami and earned his law degree at Nova Southeastern Law Center. He initially started his firm with a partner and took any case that came to the office.

“My law practice has evolved over the years,” Domb said. “I started out as a litigator and went into private practice from school with a partner. We practiced ‘door law,’ which is anything that walks in the door, and we went from there.”

Domb was involved in real estate up until the downturn in that market 10 years ago. He still owns a title company and continues to help homeowners with their documentation.

“There isn’t a title problem I haven’t seen or had to work through over the last 31 years,” he said. “I’ve seen them all. I’ve worked them all. I’ve fixed them all.”

He has lived in Wellington with his wife, Melody, since 2005. He enjoys what the village has to offer socially and continues to look for new ways to be involved. He particularly enjoys the equestrian aspect.

“I’ve lived in a few places, and I like it here. I like the people. I like the community. I’ve met a lot of really nice people,” Domb said. “I’ve gotten involved to do what I think is right and help people to accomplish what I think is right. There are an awful lot of people who have never been west of 120th Avenue, who have no idea what goes on out there. It’s all fabulous, the horse show, the dressage arena, [the International Polo Club] and all of the ancillary places that feed all of that.”

Being a former president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Domb believes there are many benefits and experiences that come from involvement in village life.

“You can get nothing out of the chamber, or you can get a whole lot out of the chamber. It depends on how much you choose to involve yourself. I ran the total immersion program,” Domb said.

Since his term as a board member with the chamber came to an end, he has remained active in community organizations, helping develop Wellington Cares, a nonprofit organization that helps seniors in the community.

“I did the 501(c)(3), the tax exemption status and all that for them,” Domb said. “I joined the Palms West Hospital Board of Trustees because I knew a few people on it, and they asked me, and I think I can do some good and help people. I’m happy to do that.”

Along with continuing his law practice in Wellington, Domb plans to continue to involve himself as an active member of the Wellington community.

“I’m going to continue to be involved in some way because I feel it’s important that if you live in the community and work in the community, you should be involved in the community,” Domb said.

The Law Office of Alexander L. Domb P.A. is located at 11199 Polo Club Road, Suite 1. For more information, call (561) 578-8900.

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Laurie Cohen Brings A Unique Perspective To Her Role As The Village’s Legal Advisor

Laurie Cohen Brings A Unique Perspective To Her Role As The Village’s Legal Advisor

After four years on the job, Village Attorney Laurie Cohen signed a contract for another two years in the post last month. That means she will continue to bring her unique perspective to her position as Wellington’s in-house attorney.

Cohen has worn multiple hats during her almost two decades in Wellington. She started off as a wife, mother, neighbor and friend when she moved to Wellington with her family in March 1998, when her oldest son, Stuart, was not quite one year old.

“I was looking for a community that felt like home and a place where my children could actually grow up and have the same feeling about where they grew up that I had about where I grew up,” she said.

Cohen grew up in Maryland, attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate degree and worked in New York for almost 10 years before attending law school at Nova Southeastern University, graduating in 1995. Within a few years, Cohen was looking for a place to settle down.

“I wanted a place that had good schools, I wanted a place that had great family neighborhoods and I wanted a place that felt safe,” she recalled. “When I drove into Wellington, I immediately knew that this was the place that we needed to be.”

The Wellington of 1998, however, was quite different from the Wellington of today.

“At the time, there was no mall. It was very much still a small town. You didn’t have any of the stores and restaurants and things that you have now,” she said. “The equestrians were here, but it wasn’t as noticeable as I think we have now. There has been a tremendous amount of growth since I moved here.”

Between her work as an attorney and raising a young family, Cohen didn’t have much free time. However, when a seat become vacant on the Wellington Village Council in 2003, she put her name in for appointment. She was elected to a full four-year term on the council in 2004, serving until 2008.

Cohen has utilized her relationships, connections and experience gained as a councilwoman with her work as village attorney, a title she has held since 2013.

“Although that experience is helpful to me as the attorney, I try very hard to keep my role as the village attorney separate from my prior service as a councilwoman,” she said.

Her current role, she said, is now advisory for both the council and the village. “I advise council when questions arise on matters that are coming before them. I try to help them navigate the rules of ethics and the Sunshine Law. I try to give them my best legal advice without injecting my own, personal opinion as a resident,” Cohen said. “I try to help them understand all of the nuances of the various matters that come before them, because it is so varied. It could be contractual, it could be land use, or zoning, and some of these things can be quite complex… I spend a fair amount of time talking with them about applications that come through and really just trying to be an advisor to the council and to the various departments.”

Cohen deals with many issues while advising Wellington’s various departments, be it purchasing, engineering, platting, human resources, code enforcement, bid protests, ethics, land use and more.

“You have to know a little bit about a wide variety of issues that come before you, because it is extremely varied,” she said. “All of these things come before you, and you’re just constantly dealing with one issue after another.”

With a background in commercial litigation, where litigation focuses on a wide variety of matters that attorneys often have to learn about as they are litigated, and cases are worked on from start to finish, municipal law is different, but similar.

“What is extremely different is the pace at which you have to be able to think and react,” she said, likening municipal law to being a general practitioner.

In her role as village attorney, Cohen addresses issues that come up in the course of doing the daily work of the village and constantly shifts gears to focus on an issue, provide advice, and then return her focus to what she was working on previously.

Cohen’s time on the council, and longevity in the community, have served her well. She was already familiar with many of the major issues of the community, the parties for pending lawsuits and many of the lawyers who come before her regarding various matters.

Even as Wellington has grown, it still retains the small-town feel that drew Cohen here in the first place.

“I love the fact that I can go to the grocery store and see people I know and see my kids’ teachers and all of that. I love that about this town,” she said.

Over the years, just as Wellington has grown, so has Cohen’s family. Stuart is now 20, and her younger son, Eric, is 17. Family friend Joshua, 19, is also living with the Cohens. Between the three boys and her husband, Irwin, Cohen finds herself surrounded by men, she joked, although the family dog and cat are both female.

Cohen was honored to have her contract as village attorney renewed for another two years.

“This is a wonderful job,” she said. “I love my job. I’m very pleased to be working with the village, and I’m excited about the next two years. I think there are some interesting things that the council will be dealing with. It’s exciting to be involved in those issues and to be advising the council and the departments.”

As Wellington evolves, Cohen sees the community continuing to be a great place for families to raise their children.

“There will probably need to be some redevelopment of various areas within the community, but that’s not unexpected. We are getting to be an older community now, and many of the neighborhoods have existed prior to incorporation,” she said. “I think there will be opportunities for redevelopment, and those will be interesting and exciting things for the council to consider. I hope that we continue to have great schools and great neighborhoods like we’ve always had.”

Part of what makes her role as village attorney so special is her team and colleagues.

“I work with great people,” Cohen said. “I feel extremely honored and proud to be working with these people who are so well qualified for the jobs that they’re doing. It’s not often that you actually wake up looking forward to going to work, and I have that feeling every day. I really do love the work that I’m doing and the people that I’m working with. I have a great respect for all of them. It’s such a privilege and a pleasure to come to work every day.”

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Women Of Wellington Reach Out To Help Animals, Children And More

Women Of Wellington Reach Out To  Help Animals, Children And More

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce added its WOW factor — the Women of Wellington committee — back in 2013 to help women connect with each other and share new business opportunities. But, as so often happens when women get together, the group soon began reaching out to help others.

The group has helped a number of nonprofits over the past several years, and in March, WOW conducted a highly successful adopt-a-thon in conjunction with Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control.

“Twenty amazing women came out to film segments with an adoption-available dog or cat at Animal Care & Control,” said Michela Green, executive director of the chamber. “Elizabeth Harfmann, community outreach manager at Animal Care & Control, made this all possible. She met with our group daily and provided us with a dog or cat to showcase.”

Harfmann provided all the pertinent information, such as the pet’s breed, age and personality, and then a WOW member filmed the video, introducing herself and the pet she was showcasing.

The initiative began on March 1, with a new video posted each day on the chamber’s web site. In addition, the pets’ photos and bios were distributed through social media and an e-mail blast to chamber members.

Green set the goal at 31 pets, hoping to have one pet adopted for each of the 31 days in March. By the end of the month, WOW had successfully found homes for 26 — but no one was stopping there. Calls continue to come in.

“This was a new initiative, never before done by our group,” Green said. “Last June, I adopted a beautiful 5-year-old dog, Flower, from Animal Care & Control and was able to see how many incredible dogs and cats were available, and how fantastic the volunteers are and how hard they work to get the dogs and cats adopted.”

As it turned out, seeing photos of adorable furballs in need made quite an impact among Wellington’s business professionals. “I think this affected every person who received the videos and photos — not only those who got to be part of the initiative,” Green said. “We received numerous phone calls and e-mails from members who shared an interest in pet rescue and wanted to help.”

And let’s not forget about the 26 success stories, each with its own tug at the heartstrings.

“There was one that I was able to personally witness,” Green said. “I was speaking about the program at a local restaurant, and a staff person overheard me talking about what we were doing and actually met me the next day. She and her husband adopted a dog! It was amazing to see the process and how much they loved him at first sight.”

Following the success of the Adopt-a-thon, WOW is turning its eyes toward children in May. The women are taking part in National Foster Care Awareness Month by supporting Place of Hope, a state-licensed children’s organization providing family-style foster care, family outreach and intervention, maternity care, safety for victims of sex trafficking, transitional housing and support services, foster care recruitment and support, as well as hope and healing opportunities for children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect.

“Throughout the month, we will be utilizing social media to grab the attention of people with the posting of statistics, ways to get involved, and how people within our community are making a difference,” said Brittany Russell, co-chair of WOW. “Then, in mid-May, we will have a luncheon coordinated by the WOW committee and hosted by Place of Hope.”

The mission of the luncheon is to invite local women to the Place of Hope campus, allowing them to see firsthand the outreach and services offered there.

“The guests will tour the campus and learn about the various programs that are making a difference within our community,” Russell said. “Then we will create a call to action in order to facilitate and encourage engagement in whichever way best fits their abilities to get involved.”

Over the summer, the WOW members will meet to develop outreach plans for next season.

“We have exciting summer socials and idea-sharing initiatives planned to help prepare for the launch of our 2017-18 agenda,” Russell said. “We love to get together with other like-minded women throughout the impact, as well as gain new insights and stay relevant.”

Next season’s kickoff will take place in August, the beginning of a new series of networking opportunities that go far beyond the chamber.

“We are going to be very intentional in creating a call to action for each cause we work alongside in bringing awareness to their mission,” Russell said. “Our goal is to really focus on being a liaison, to connect women with organizations that spark their interest and to help them follow through in any way they are able to help — whether it is by volunteering, raising awareness or donating.”

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce itself presents a golf tournament each October, Winterfest in December, the ColorFest community to plan out our goals… This allows us to bond as a strong council of women eager to make a positive

5K run in February and the Flavors Food + Wine Festival in April. New on this year’s agenda is a fashion show, slated for September.

And if you’re thinking about adding a furry family member, Green is standing by to help out.

“Adopt, don’t shop!” she said. “I will personally meet anyone who is interested in adopting a pet at Animal Care & Control.”

For more information about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce or the Women of Wellington, call (561) 792-6525 or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

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Gandhi’s Restaurant Lovingly Serves Up Authentic Indian Cuisine

Gandhi’s Restaurant Lovingly  Serves Up Authentic Indian Cuisine

Gandhi’s is a truly authentic Indian dining experience. Guests are initially greeted by a large image of Gandhi in the cozy living room-style waiting area. The area is furnished with items from the owners’ personal collection, chosen and placed so as to encourage conversation and education. All of the items, in addition to being beautiful and intricate, have a story.

Owners Raj and Sherry Vohra, who have been married for 17 years, opened Gandhi’s in January 2016 and have been presenting this unique dining experience ever since.

They’ve lived in Wellington for the last 12 years, Raj said, and wanted to share authentic Indian culture and food with the community. He and his wife were proud to name the restaurant in honor of the Indian independence leader.

“Because Gandhi was the father of the nation, and because the decision to open a restaurant was probably one of the most important decisions we will ever make in our entire life, we wanted something to really represent what we were trying to do here, which was create a sense of community, teach about a culture of love, which is India, and expose people to the amazing qualities of Indian food,” Sherry said, adding that Gandhi’s is a place “where food and people matter.”

The restaurant offers three unique dining experiences: a white glove service dining experience, a sit-down street food experience, and a grab-and-go tea and dessert cafe. During the day, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. traditional Indian street food is available. At night, the casual dining area reverts to fine dining, where bright red turbans are worn, and food is served on traditional Indian ware.

“Nothing comes out of a can, container or jar here,” Sherry said. “We make our own cheese here. We make our own yogurt here, so everything is in its highest probiotic state. Everything here is gluten free, except for our breads. If people call ahead, we can certainly back out ingredients that we need to.”

Sherry sees herself as the host of the experience and often greets guests with homemade Mango Lassi or Sweet Lassi, or a mug of chai tea to warm the soul.

She also enjoys introducing guests to the intricacies of Indian cooking.

“I make every cup of chai. That’s my way of loving all of our guests when they come in,” Sherry said. “If you went into a home in India, the very first thing we do is offer water and then a beautiful cup of tea with a traditional Indian biscuit.”

That concept carries over to every dish on the menu. “It’s made with love. Every dish, by the time it goes to the place, for each and every guest who eats with us, is perfection,” Sherry said.

When you tell someone that something is spicy, Sherry explained, people often think about heat, rather than flavor. With Indian food, it is full of layers of flavors that infuse the food all the way through. The spices are layered into each component of the cooking process, she said.

“With Indian food, it’s very complicated and complex, because the infusion and the mixology of the sauces is what gives the food that very unique quality and taste,” Sherry said. “Right now, with the reintroduction of Indian food back into society, it’s about teaching people that Indian food doesn’t need a gallon of water to douse the heat, but it is full of beautiful, wonderful, amazing flavors like cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, goda masala, cloves, and it’s infused during the whole process.”

In her restaurant’s food, Sherry sees the colors of India.

“You have all of these colors which are uniquely India,” she said. “When you go there, you’ll see the colors of Diwali and Holi, and like Easter eggs, it’s a beautiful infusion of color. Indian food is a lot like that.”

The recipes at Gandhi’s are authentic North Indian. Whole spices go into each and every dish to bring out the flavors, Raj explained. The process for each dish takes time.

One of the most popular, or signature, dishes is the Chicken Tikka Masala. It comes with homemade naan bread and rice.

“Some people think it is just Chicken Tikka Masala, but it’s actually a mixology for the sauce, just like you would a cocktail,” Sherry said. “You have to have just the right amount to really bring out the tradition and flavor of the dish.”

The Chicken Tikka Masala has a tomato-based sauce that’s homemade, Raj said. Approximately 10 different spices go into the sauce, which takes almost three hours to prepare before it is served over the chicken breast.

All of the spices mix and mingle to create a unique flavor. “There’s the whole flavor of India in one meal,” Raj said.

The rest of the menu features a variety of North Indian traditional meals, as well as curries, lamb chops and shrimp, scallops, goat curry, vegetarian dishes such as Muttar Mushroom, Baingan Bharta, Paneer Tikka Marsala and more. Desserts include homemade ice creams, such as Chef’s Kesar Badam Kulfi, Pistachio Kulfi, Gulab Jamun and more.

And, as you leave the restaurant, Gandhi is leaving with you.

“This is a destination restaurant. It’s the closest you’re going to get to India without going to India,” Sherry said.

Gandhi’s food is available for dine-in, catering, take-out, private VIP dinners, delivery through Delivery Dudes, as well as offering the restaurant for special occasions. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with hours from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Gandhi’s is located at 4075 S. State Road 7, Suite F2B, in the Marketplace at Wycliffe. For more information, call (561) 328-9441 or visit www.mygandhis.com.

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Jennifer Davis Of Elegant Estates Specializes In Finding Unique, Difficult-To-Find Items

Jennifer Davis Of Elegant Estates Specializes In Finding Unique, Difficult-To-Find Items

Ever since she was a child, Jennifer Davis, owner and operator of Elegant Estates of Wellington, has had a flair for design.

“My mother would come home, and I’d have every piece of furniture moved to a different section of the house,” Davis recalled. “It’s what I’ve always done. I come in here on my day off and start moving –things around.”

Elegant Estates is an antiques and fine furniture consignment store featuring unique, difficult-to-find items. It is located on Fortune Circle in Wellington.

Originally from New York, Davis and her family moved to Wellington when her daughter took up show jumping. Davis even competed herself for a few years with the hunter jumpers.

“I started working in North Florida for a shop that Rachel Ashwell owned called Shabby Chic,” Davis said. “She started the whole ‘shabby chic’ trend.”

After eight years working with Ashwell, Davis purchased Elegant Estates. That was 10 years ago.

“Most recently, I was involved with two projects with Gracie Street Interior Design. I supplied the furnishings, art and accessories to decorate and design the two-story VIP tent at Deeridge Farms for the Palm Beach Masters and the Deeridge Derby,” Davis said. “It’s one of the nicest horse shows in the world, and it was a privilege to work with Gracie Street.”

It wouldn’t be possible without her assistant, Jayne Meserlian, Davis said. Tilly, Davis’ dog, is always in the store, too.

Refinishing furniture is a passion for Davis, who will strip and refinish furniture for clients, plus items to sell and others to adorn her own home. “My garage is filled with good finds,” she said.

Currently, Davis’ specialty has been finding furniture for other designers. Her store has unique items from all over, ranging across the globe — particularly England — at all price points.

“If you can’t find it here, you probably won’t find it anywhere,” Davis said.

The store features a little bit of everything: equestrian items, artwork, chandeliers, rugs, dishes, bronze sculptures, scarves, equestrian collectibles, furniture and accessories.

Clients and interior designers will tell Davis what they’re looking for, and when she’s out and about at estate sales and events, she is always on the hunt for those items.

“It’s about supplying the right items for the right place that they’re designing it for,” Davis said.

It’s like a treasure hunt, she added. “I never know what the next good find is going to be,” Davis said.

One of the best things she has found, and her current favorite, is an antique ceramic wood-burning stove from Italy that arrived at the store on April 20.

“It’s unique; I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said of the stove, which dates back to the early 1900s. “I was at an estate sale in Palm Beach. I met a woman who is selling her home, and she asked me to come and see if I was interested in anything, and there it was, on her back patio… she imported it from Italy.”

Davis enjoys making her customers happy, which she said is the most rewarding part of her treasure hunts.

Understanding what a client is looking for, and their budget, while being able to learn their taste, is imperative when working with an interior designer, she added.

“It’s not something you can learn; you either have it or you don’t… finding the right thing that is going to be special to them,” Davis said.

Interior designers frequently bring their clients to Elegant Estates to browse the ever-changing selection of items to see what would add the perfect finishing touch to a room, or provide the perfect cozy couch, leather chair, desk, illuminating table lamp, or equestrian artwork to decorate the walls.

Davis describes the store as “fun and eclectic” and “a little mixture of everything; treasures I’ve found along the way in my travels.” She stocks everything from contemporary styles to antiques.

“We have fun in here,” Davis said. “You never know what you’re going to find next. Nothing is the same. Every day, something is different, coming in or finding something different when I’m on the road. And, I love the people I meet. I love helping them.”

The most rewarding part of the process, Davis said, is when clients — many of them are equestrians — come back and show her pictures of the treasures in their homes.

Elegant Estates is located at 11260 Fortune Circle, Suite J-2, in Wellington. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and by appointment on Sunday. To learn more, visit the store, call (561) 793-7332, e-mail jdav614@aol.com or visit www.facebook.com/elegantestateswellington.

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Still A Teenager, Soccer Standout Jaiya Anderson Is Already A Big Winner

Still A Teenager, Soccer Standout  Jaiya Anderson Is Already A Big Winner

Jaiya Anderson’s first name means “victory” in Sanskrit, and the 16-year-old is a big winner, having overcome leukemia to become a strong, stabilizing force for both the Wellington High School girls soccer team and the Wellington Wave travel soccer team.

Anderson plays sweeper on both teams, providing tough defense, leadership and victories. Although the Wolverines lost to rival Boca Raton 3-2 in double overtime in the Class 5A regional semifinals, the team finished with a superb 22-2-1 record.

Anderson spearheaded the defense that allowed just nine goals all season. She was named to first-team All-County by both the Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel. She also scored six goals and added five assists.

Anderson made the high school varsity team as a freshman and started at right midfield. “I was surprised; there were a lot of really good players,” she said of her ninth-grade accomplishments.

Now finishing up her sophomore year at WHS, Anderson has played for the Wave travel program for the past four years, always at sweeper, although she moves to forward if the offense needs a spark. “I like playing forward better, [and] I like to stop the other team from scoring,” Anderson said.

Brazilian-born Marcone Oliveira is Anderson’s head coach for the Wave. The travel team plays in numerous tournaments and leagues throughout the spring and summer.

“Jaiya is a very special player,” Oliveira said. “She is very dedicated and always works hard to get better. She improved her technique a lot, and her understanding of the game. She is a very important player on our team.”

Anderson is a big fan of the U.S. Women’s National Team and attended a national team game at Florida Atlantic University several years ago. She also watched games of the short-lived MagicJack pro team, led by Abby Wambach, in Boca Raton during its only season in 2011. Her favorite players are Alex Morgan, Julie Johnston and Tobin Heath — a forward, a defender and a midfielder — all her positions.

Anderson wants to play soccer in college but will have to add another skill to her repertoire. “I don’t head the ball; I’m too scared,” she said, remembering that her doctor warned against it because of possible concussions.

Choosing a child’s name can be daunting. For Anderson, it was perfect foreshadowing.

“My cousin suggested I name her Jai, but I wanted a ‘y’ and an ‘a’ at the end,” explained Anderson’s mother, Yulanda.

Her mother didn’t realize the significance of her daughter’s name at the time. It has a secondary meaning.

“It also means bright people who bring smiles to people’s faces, and that’s the perfect name for her,” Yulanda said. “She’s always smiling; everybody loves her. So it fits.”

Her daughter slightly disagreed, with a smile. “I think I’m shy,” Anderson said.

Yulanda is a single parent, and Anderson is an only child. Yulanda is also an only child; her mother lives in Miami. The family is very close.

Anderson and her mother both love watching horror movies together but won’t watch them in the dark. She also likes watching Pretty Little Liars and American Ninja Warriors.

Anderson began playing soccer when she was 5 years old, playing in the Royal Palm Beach recreation league at Katz Field. Although she didn’t like to practice, she was a good player, and the sport came naturally.

Tragedy struck when she was diagnosed with leukemia on June 21, 2011, about five months before her 11th birthday.

“I remember lying in the bed, half asleep, and the doctor came in and talked to my mom and grandma,” Anderson recalled. “It changed my world. At the time, I asked ‘Why me?’ I was crying to my grandma… That’s the only breakdown I had.”

What calmed her was the understanding that she wasn’t alone. “Seeing other kids in the hospital, I saw they had the same thing, and I’m not the only one,” Anderson said.

Michelle O’Boyle is the founder and executive director of the Kids Cancer Foundation, which helped Anderson and her mother get through some tough times. Anderson occasionally attends Kids Cancer Foundation events as her schedule allows with school and soccer.

“Throughout treatment, her love for soccer made her determined to get through treatment and get back out on the soccer fields,” O’Boyle recalled. “She is a very brave and courageous girl, who has always been very committed and focused on soccer. I think that helped her endure the two and a half years of treatment for leukemia. She is an amazing young lady.”

Anderson endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy and several painful procedures, but she persevered. She missed almost two years of school.

Anderson’s last treatment was Oct. 18, 2013, and her port was removed about seven months later, a week after school ended in May 2014.

“I don’t celebrate those days; I just remember how many years it has been,” said Anderson, who lost her hair and had to wear a wig. “I didn’t like that. I didn’t want to go out of the house.”

Eventually, she went out of the house, although she wore a lot of hats. And, true to her name, a resilient Jaiya Anderson was victorious.

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Rosanne And Michael Currie Of The Currie Realty Group Work Hard On Behalf Of Clients

Rosanne And Michael Currie Of The Currie Realty Group Work Hard On Behalf Of Clients

The husband-and-wife team of Rosanne and Michael Currie of the Currie Realty Group have been successfully serving the western communities since 1999. Their dedication to creating and acquiring the best deals for their clients is their professional calling card.

The Curries are very good at what they do. Then again, they were also very good at selling soft-serve ice cream.

“When Michael and I got married in 1977, we had purchased a Carvel ice cream store that was in my family,” Rosanne recalled. “For the first two years in business, we worked from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week. We wanted to build up the business and save enough money to purchase our first home.”

Thankfully, their plan worked.

“We purchased our first home in 1981 in Long Island, New York,” Michael said. “That is when my interest in real estate first began. I decided to take all kinds of real estate investment courses, and the rest is history. I have been licensed since 1983.”

Soon after Michael got his license, Rosanne joined him as his assistant. That’s when she took an active role in the business. “I learned so much from him in reference to buying, selling, renting and negotiating,” she said. “I’ve always worked in sales, so I worked very well with people and was always a top salesperson.”

The Curries eventually started a family. They have two children — a son, Dean, and a daughter, Jenna. Together, they would vacation in Pembroke Lakes. The South Florida lifestyle appealed to them, which is why they ended up here in Wellington.

“I researched the State of Florida, coming down once a month to see where we were going to move the family,” Michael recalled. “After lots of research, we settled in Wellington, since schools were very important to us.”

Looking at different communities, they zeroed in on Coral Springs and the up-and-coming Wellington area. “I went to the schools, police and fire departments. I asked lots of questions and liked what I heard and saw,” Michael said of his research into Wellington.

When Rosanne got her real estate license in 2001, the Currie Realty Group was born. They specialize in buying, selling, renting and property management throughout Palm Beach County, with most of their business in Wellington. The Curries credit their success to the consistent effort they put into their work.

“We outwork all the other agents,” Rosanne said. “The lights are always on at Currie Realty. When you call us, we always answer our phones. We don’t just input your house on [the Multiple Listing Service]… We advertise it on our own web site, as well as on Realtor.com, Zillow and approximately another 150 other home sites. When we get a listing, we take it from listing to closing, never leaving your side.”

Being partners both personally and professionally gives the Curries another edge over the competition.

“Rosanne and I offer a husband-and-wife, family point of view, so the buyer and seller can make an educated decision when buying or selling a home,” Michael said. “We each bring something different to our team. Since women make most of the buying decisions in our business, Rosanne relates perfectly with all the buyers and sellers, and nobody does it better closing the deal.”

While she focuses on closing the deal, he negotiates the contracts. “I am the numbers man, and Rosanne is the salesperson,” Michael said. “We have the winning combination.”

For more information about the Currie Realty Group, call (561) 385-1111 or visit www.currierealtygroup.com.

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Townhome In Wellington’s Edge Offers Resort Lifestyle On A Budget

Townhome In Wellington’s Edge Offers Resort Lifestyle On A Budget

If you’ve been looking for a home in Wellington but thought you could never afford the lifestyle, there are plenty of properties available for those with lower budgets. For example, this property in Wellington’s Edge. Located across from the Mall at Wellington Green, Wellington’s Edge offers single-family homes, villas and townhomes, like this one in Pelican Key. Its pastel exterior and island-style metal roof give it a vacation vibe all year long, as do the neighborhood’s three community pools, tennis courts and clubhouse, complete with a fitness center. A manned, guarded entrance gives residents peace of mind, and the many lakes and preserves throughout the community keep nature close at hand.

Front Entrance: As comfortable in Key West as in Wellington, this three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home has a charming feel. A large green space runs adjacent to this well-landscaped end unit, making the front yard seem even larger than it is.

Family Room: One of the nicer upgrades to this Pelican Key townhome is the installation of glass French doors and matching side windows. Even with the media center nearby, the outdoors beckon.

Dining Area: Because of how this home is situated, with the front door facing south, the homeowners are never blinded by the sun while perusing the morning paper or enjoying an evening meal. Aside from the dinette area, there is barstool space in the kitchen.

Kitchen: Clean and crisp, this white kitchen beckons. A tall, cabinet-style pantry keeps all ingredients and staples within arm’s reach, and in case of spills, the ceramic tile is quite forgiving, offering easy clean-up.

Great Room: Light, bright and open are key words to describe this living space, with its tall ceilings and loft overlook. Beyond the bookcase and knee wall is the entrance foyer. While all windows have accordion shutters, impact-resistant glass has been installed in all the upstairs windows.

Master Bedroom: The first-floor master bedroom offers unrestricted access to the bathroom area. For those with limited mobility, not wrestling with heavy doors can be a real help. Walk-in closets also make things easier.

Exercise Room: This space, one of two upstairs guest rooms, is currently being used as exercise room, but it could also be a library, home office or craft space. There is additional bonus space in the loft area.

Bathroom: Simplicity dominates this spacious bathroom, allowing the homeowners to personalize the neutral space.

Screened-In Patio: Kick back and relax on this screened-in lanai, which offers a nicely landscaped, secluded place to escape.

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Dr. Richard Kelleher Of Palms West Veterinary Hospital Loves Helping Animals In Need

Dr. Richard Kelleher Of Palms West Veterinary Hospital Loves Helping Animals In Need

They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. That might explain why Dr. Richard Kelleher became a veterinarian.

“Ever since I was young, I have been just fascinated by animals and the creatures around me,” Kelleher said. “Growing up in New Jersey, I had fish, lizards, pocket pets — it was a God-given passion. When I took our dog to the vet, I think it must have made an impression on me. Animals are such innocent, helpless creatures. It feels good to be able to give them the help they need.”

Kelleher attended Virginia Tech for his undergraduate work and went on to receive his veterinary degree there. He has been in practice for 17 years now, eventually moving to Florida, where he has been an associate at the Palms West Veterinary Hospital for the past four years.

Much more than a standard veterinary office, the Palms West Veterinary Hospital functions much like a hospital. Animals stay briefly or overnight, depending on their needs. Some may need to be hooked up to an IV.

“There’s always a doctor present and a nurse present 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Kelleher said. “We also are an emergency and critical care hospital. If another vet doesn’t have overnight care, and that’s what the animal needs, they can transfer them here.”

With eight doctors on staff, the facility is well-equipped to treat any medical, surgical or dental issue that may arise. Owned by Dr. Ira Grossman, the Palms West Veterinary Hospital primarily serves dogs and cats, although some of the veterinarians work in equine practice on their own.

A calming environment in the waiting room was designed to put your pet’s nerves — and yours — at ease. And, just like at a hospital for humans, the staff is always looking toward the next big breakthrough.

Kelleher is particularly enthusiastic about recent innovations in veterinary care that are especially helpful to Florida pets.

“Florida is such an allergenic state,” he said. “But there are a lot of newer medications to relieve pets of the symptoms of their allergies that are very safe and relieve them of a lot of suffering. One of these innovations has come out within the last four to five years and one — an injection — as recently as eight months ago. They are extremely safe. The allergy injection helps control itching, poses no complications with other medications and can last four to eight weeks.”

Without paying for allergy testing, sometimes pet owners don’t know specifically what is causing their animal’s discomfort.

“I’ve been doing this for a while, and it’s extremely gratifying to see pets that have come in in bad shape — whether they have skin issues or injuries — and being able to treat them and return them back to the family,” Kelleher said. “It’s like the family receives a revitalized child.”

The Palms West Veterinary Hospital is located at 556 Folsom Road in Loxahatchee Groves. For more information, (561) 798-2780 or visit www.palmswestveterinary.com.

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