Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Bringing Specialized Pediatric Care To Wellington

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Bringing Specialized Pediatric Care To Wellington

Wellington provides a unique quality of life filled with an abundance of parks, quality schools, charming neighborhoods and engaging equestrian interests. Joining the community will be Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, with its first pediatric specialty center in Wellington set to open its doors in early 2019.

The new center will be the largest specialty center outside of the four-floor freestanding children’s hospital. Known in South Florida as one of the region’s leading pediatric hospitals, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital offers a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a child-friendly environment. Located in Hollywood, the pediatric hospital has several satellite physician offices throughout Broward County and southern Palm Beach County.

The Wellington location, which has already broken ground, is located on State Road 7, north of Lake Worth Road and south of Forest Hill Blvd. The new specialty center is a 30,000-square-foot facility and will house board-certified pediatric specialists, an outpatient surgery center, pediatric rehabilitation services and comprehensive imaging services with state-of-the-art technology.

The Pediatric Specialty Center in Wellington will provide services such as pediatric otolaryngology/head and neck surgery (ENT), pediatric general surgery, pediatric orthopaedics and U18 sports medicine, pediatric pulmonology, pediatric endocrinology and pediatric neurology. In addition, there will be pediatric rehabilitation services, including pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and sports physical therapy as part of the U18 sports medicine program.

The Pediatric Specialty Center was designed to foster collaboration with area pediatricians, as well as other healthcare providers, by extending the hospital’s highly specialized pediatric services closer to home for patients and their families in the Palm Beaches. This will be the third pediatric specialty location in Palm Beach County for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, with the other two located in Boca Raton.

“We are excited to expand our services into Wellington and meet the growing and diverse needs of Palm Beach County,” Vice President of Palm Beach Operations Dawn Quaranta said. “Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital understands the importance of becoming a community partner. Our specialists provide high quality comprehensive care for children in the region.”

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, part of the Memorial Healthcare System, is a freestanding, four-story, 226-bed facility. The hospital showcases an overall “Power of Play” philosophy with each floor displaying themes of sports, arts, games and dreams. Patients, families and visitors experience a whimsical world in which treatment and healing intertwine with medical expertise to provide an experience like no other in the Florida healthcare landscape. This patient and family-centered care culture will be incorporated into the Pediatric Specialty Center in Wellington.

“Since opening our doors, our culture of patient-centered and family-centered care has been consistent. It means that families and healthcare professionals are true partners, working together to serve in the best interest of the patient,” said Chantal Leconte, administrator and chief executive officer of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

This practice has earned the hospital a world-wide recognition as a “Planetree Designated Person-Centered Organization.” It was the first children’s hospital in the world to receive this accreditation. This provides the hospital and its facilities a unique commendation for the compassion and care provided to patients beyond the clinical treatment, and places them in a distinguished network of only 86 other healthcare organizations worldwide with the same designation.

On the clinical front, the hospital has more than 650 physicians on staff, the region’s largest diversity of board-certified pediatric specialists. It has developed into a premier, specialized, quaternary care facility qualified to treat some of the most complex and critical medical conditions. Hence, it has been ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report among the best children’s hospitals in the nation for five consecutive years.

“From its beginnings, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital was designed to stand out as a strong advocate for children’s health and wellness,” Leconte said. “As we extend our services to areas where patients need us, we look forward to further developing our partnerships with pediatricians in the Palm Beach community.”

Through the years, its clinical expertise has grown to offer programs from rehabilitation to dialysis, as well as oncology, cardiac surgery, intensive and emergency care, to name a few. In 2010, the hospital received federal approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to launch a pediatric heart transplant program, clearing the path for the first heart transplant in the hospital’s history. Since then, the cardiac surgery team has performed 45 pediatric heart transplants. The hospital is now preparing to launch a pediatric kidney transplant program.

Established in 1992, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital combines advanced technology and the expertise of the largest, most diverse group of board-certified pediatric specialists in the region. With its 2011 expansion, the hospital now has 226 beds and is South Florida’s newest freestanding children’s hospital. It is part of Memorial Healthcare System, one of the largest public healthcare systems in the country. The hospital has pediatric specialty practices in Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Miramar, Weston and Hollywood.

For more information about the Memorial Healthcare System, visit www.mhs.net. For additional information about Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, visit www.jdch.com.

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Take A Trip Into The Wild At Lion Country Safari

Take  A Trip Into The Wild  At Lion Country Safari

For 50 years, Lion Country Safari has proven to be a roaring good time across its four-mile drive-through safari and 55-acre walk-through adventure park. Five decades later, it’s still as wildly popular as ever — a Palm Beach County gem that continues to shine, especially in the summertime.

“Every visit is a different experience,” said Haley Passeser, public relations associate for Lion Country Safari. “People can drive at their own pace in the comfort of their own vehicle and stop and take pictures when they would like. We’re really the only one people can drive through themselves.”

Florida’s only drive-through safari includes 1,000 animals. It has recently been ranked as one of the 10 best wildlife parks in the nation, and one of the best savanna exhibits in the world. The park is a destination for many residents and out-of-town visitors alike, where they experience up-close animal encounters within inches from their vehicles — similar to being on an African safari, where animals roam freely like they do in the wild. It’s also home to the country’s largest herd of zebras and one of the largest herds of giraffe in North America.

“It’s really naturalistic, not only in the landscape we provide and the habitats we have here, but also the manner in which they’re in the social groups,” Passeser said.

And the animal families are expanding. “When you drive through, there’s a bundle of babies running around,” she said. “It’s really cute.”

Since last September, six babies have been welcomed, including two water buffalo, as well as four giraffe calves. With the world’s giraffe population going through a silent extinction — a 40 percent decline of the wild population over the past three years — Lion Country Safari has partnered with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Giraffe SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program, and also supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

“Coming in to hang out with the babies is a great opportunity while they’re still young,” Passeser said. “They all hang out like a giraffe daycare around their moms.”

For those who want a wilder experience, there are several tour options available for an additional fee, including a one-hour guided walking tour through Safari World that includes an encounter with three different animals.

Visitors looking to capture some great moments on camera can take the 90-minute guided photo tour that brings animals to you while driving through the preserve with vehicle windows rolled down.

The newest tour is geared toward the youngest of animal lovers. Kids age five and under can take the toddler tour, where they go behind the scenes to see prehistoric animals or a personal experience at the petting zoo.

“We wanted to develop something more geared toward them that’s kid-friendly to keep their attention, not run too long, but also still fit in interaction and information,” Passeser said. “We have some animals that aren’t typically on the petting zoo floor like our mini zebu cows or our donkeys, so we try to include our encounters or feedings with those animals as well.”

Kids who dream of becoming a zookeeper can have their chance at one of the safari’s summer camps. The safari day camp for kids ages 6 to 13 is a huge draw. Campers get to learn about conservation, in addition to special interactions. “They get to do behind-the-scenes activities regular visitors don’t get to do, so it makes it extra-special for them,” Passeser said. “Anything from one-on-one time with the keeper, like making diets, to up-close and personal encounters. For example, during rhino week, they meet the rhino keeper and get to touch the rhinos before they go out first thing in the morning.”

On hot summer days, the two water slides at Lion Country Safari are a perfect way to cool off, including a 108-foot-long freefall slide, as well as a 214-foot-long loop water slide. There’s also the water wars water balloon challenge and a 4,000-square-foot water spray ground, complete with newly resurfaced padding. Many umbrellas dot the seating area to keep families cool. Several refreshment stands serve up cool drinks and snacks, or for a meal, try the African-themed restaurant with its revamped menu. Be sure to visit one of the several gift shops as well.

There are dozens of animal exhibits in the walk-through park, including animal theater, giraffe feedings, flamingos and reptiles. Or hop on a ride, like the carousel, dry slides, an elephant amusement ride, mini-golf or paddle your way by boat near islands filled with monkeys and chimpanzees. Visitors can also view the animals in action aboard the Safari Queen pontoon boat tour.

“Our chimp habitat island setting is really special and unique to us. In the wild, chimpanzees are naturally nomadic, as they move around and forage for food and build new nests every night. They like to be on the move quite a bit, so we like to simulate that and make it as natural as possible,” Passeser said. “We’ll create giant popsicles, throw a bunch of produce in a bucket and freeze it, and provide the chimps with a great snack on a hot day.”

For a more rustic adventure, the nationally ranked KOA Campground is next door, where campers can hear the nighttime sounds of Africa. Lions can be heard first thing in the morning within a five-mile radius.

Rain or shine, visitors are welcome every day of the year from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $26 for kids; those 2 and under are free. For a discounted rate, buy online.

For a substantial savings, check out the Summer Savings Pass. It’s $58 for adults and $48 for children 3 to 12. It includes four parks, with unlimited visits to Lion Country Safari, the Miami Seaquarium, the Museum of Discovery & Science and Zoo Miami until Sept. 30. With huge savings like that, it’s time to get wild!

Lion Country Safari is located at 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, off Southern Blvd. For more information, call (561) 793-1084 or visit www.lioncountrysafari.com.

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Dr. Kate Brazzale Treats Vulnerable Patients With Compassion And Understanding

Dr. Kate Brazzale Treats Vulnerable Patients With Compassion And Understanding

Dr. Kate Brazzale still makes house calls. However, as director of pediatrics for Trustbridge, a nonprofit hospice organization serving Palm Beach and Broward counties, Brazzale is probably the last physician parents want to see coming to their door — and the compassionate Brazzale understands the dilemma.

“I’m not a savior, I’m not an angel,” the English-born Brazzale said. “There are so few resources for terminally ill children outside of the hospital. While hospice and children shouldn’t be in the same sentence, the limited time that a terminally-ill child has left should be spent at home with their family.”

Her territory where she makes home visits includes all of Palm Beach County, and she can go from trailers to multi-million-dollar mansions in less than an hour. It’s not the house that matters to Brazzale, it’s the family inside. She holds the child in her arms. She sees them deteriorate.

“I’m the last person they want to see,” said Brazzale, who has lived in Wellington for more than 10 years. “I’m a doctor first; my instinct is to improve upon possibilities. Contrary to what people may think, I’m here to try to carve out some positive time for people and families in dire situations. I don’t want people to be suffering and merely waiting for death — I want them to be living right up until they die.”

But it takes a toll on Brazzale. A regular cozy movie night with her husband and two young children at their home surrounded by trees becomes a welcome respite from particularly arduous days.

Dr. Faustino Gonzalez, chief medical officer of hospice services at Trustbridge, is extremely proud of Brazzale. He trained her, and she was the first graduate of their fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine program in 2009.

“She set the bar,” Gonzalez said. “She is the yardstick that we measure other graduates by. She has a visceral understanding of what it takes to care, the empathy, the ability to put herself in the shoes of the patient and the patient’s family.”

Brazzale took a meandering path to becoming a physician. Both her parents are doctors in England, but she opted to try other professions. At first, she wanted to be an architect, attending the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture in London. That lasted a semester. She opted to switch courses and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree with honors in human sciences at University College London. During that time, Brazzale had multiple temporary jobs at Whittington Hospital, working with oncologists and palliative nurses. Immediately following her undergraduate years, she worked in pharmaceutical sales before deciding to study further, returning to medical school at the very same university at age 24. “Everything seemed to pull me that way,” Brazzale recalled.

Currently, Brazzale treats approximately 130 patients in hospice care, all based at home, and sees them in order of need.  She also does some work on inpatient hospice facilities, as well as palliative consultations. “Children are always less predictable and need closer supervision,” said Brazzale, who usually spends about an hour visiting with each patient and their family.

Her goal is to visit about 25 patients per week when making house calls. However, when doing rounds on various inpatient hospitals and facilities, that number swells greatly. The paperwork involved with each case accounts for almost doubling the work load.

“I have some great nurses,” Brazzale said. “Motivated, enthusiastic nurses make a team. We all share our ideas. Hospice is physician-lead, but nurse-run. There’s no room for any egos.”

Gonzalez marvels at Brazzale’s skills, especially for her calm demeanor and empathy toward patients nearing the end of their lives.

“She’s a whole person, a classic physician, someone who’s well-rounded… there’s more to them than their clinical skills,” Gonzalez said. “Therapeutically, she’s an excellent physician. Taking care of people [in hospice] requires the ability to empathize without taking it home. She’s kind, she’s smart.”

After a day on the road, Brazzale completes her work in her home office, dictating notes, writing prescriptions, sending out e-mails and texts, and organizing herself and the team for the next day. But she always tries to make time for her family.

“Having children made me more confident,” said Brazzale, who describes herself as an introvert. “My children ground me and help me value core life principles. Many times, they inadvertently offer me wisdom via their ability to verbalize exactly what is on their minds in straight talk.”

Brazzale loves to read and said that for her, running is “incredibly therapeutic.” She also plays the cello and piano, and enjoys art and sculpture, so much so that she often puts large canvases flat on the front lawn and, together with the children, gets creative, artistic and messy, resulting in several “masterpieces” that grace the wall of the family home.

“I have yet to conquer my kid’s homework — the curriculum is very different from the way I learned,” said Brazzale, who also admitted to working on her cooking skills, creating new dinners together with her enthusiastic seven-year-old daughter every Wednesday night.

Brazzale believes curiosity about people and their lives can lead to helping a great deal.

“I get to hear so many amazing stories,” Brazzale said. “I am privileged to be shown so many wedding photos, vacation photos, family snapshots — it reminds you that each encounter is with a whole person who has touched many others. I truly believe it is very important to all us clinicians to see the person as they were in their prime — before they became ravaged by sickness and exhaustion. The simplest way this can be done is perhaps with a beautiful, typical portrait-type photograph or cheerful snapshot displayed near their bed, whether they are home or in a facility. All those involved in their care are grateful to be reminded of their humanity and appreciate the ability to relate.”

In addition to her position at Trustbridge, Brazzale has been a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Family Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale since 2012 and an affiliate assistant professor of medicine at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami since 2013.

She believes the most important teaching lessons happen during the discussions that take place during brief car rides in between patient visits. Her first directive — don’t wear a white coat to home visits, because most people are more comfortable having medical personnel in their home without this typical, more formal apparel.

She also teaches the students that they must blend in and respect the family and household within minutes of walking through the door. They must be able to pick up on cues, and echo the environment, setting the tense family and patient at ease. She believes that without making the family and client feel comfortable, there is no way to invite the trust necessary to enable any form of team work.

“I love teaching, I want to re-enthuse them, remind them why they got into the job,” Brazzale said. “I am passionate about what I do. Every child I am privileged to care for teaches me more; every parent I encounter humbles me further.  Every day I hope my knowledge and awareness continue to grow. I cannot imagine doing anything else.”

Learn more about hospice services through Trustbridge at www.trustbridge.com.

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Binks Pointe Luxury Townhome Community Now Open To Residents

Binks Pointe Luxury Townhome Community Now Open To Residents

Years in the making, the new Binks Pointe community has arrived, and residents can finally purchase these high-end, luxury townhomes located off Binks Forest Drive, just across the street from the prestigious Wellington National Golf Club.

As the original families of Wellington look to downsize and new couples seek homes in the family-friendly community, Binks Pointe couldn’t have found a better time for its grand opening.

Perfect for families or the semi-retired, each of these three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath homes comes with a two-car garage, impact doors and windows, and use of the 4,750-square-foot clubhouse with its spacious Grande Hall, bistro bar area, fully equipped fitness center, game room, catering kitchen, heated swimming pool, sundeck, putting green and horseshoe pit.

Priced from the $370,000s, each of 90 units has an open plan, quality finishes and high ceilings.

“We’re a very small, intimate builder,” Mike Smolak of Schickedanz Builders Group explained. “We’ve been in South Florida since 1981. We make every effort to make our homes as quality-minded as possible, and that goes not only from the structure itself, in meeting — and exceeding — all the building codes, but to our service. If you’ve got a problem, we’re going to be there to take care of it. You don’t have to call an 800 number somewhere. We’re accessible.”

Sales agent Teresa Appelgate stressed that it is a family-owned builder business with the highest of integrity and quality.

“Our clients are never disappointed when they close,” she said. “I meet the buyers, help them with their color choices and so on. We’re getting young families that are here specifically for the schools — Binks Forest Elementary School, for instance — and many current Wellington residents from the Binks Preserve and the Binks Estates, who know the value of the Binks Forest area. They want to downsize, so they can lock and leave without worrying about mowing the grass, putting up hurricane shutters and dealing with a pool. We are also getting some seasonal equestrians looking for a second home. It’s a very nice neighborhood for people — and they still get a new house, not a re-sell.”

Schickedanz Building Group chose Wellington carefully, even as the community approached the maximum build-out for new construction. They liked its “hometown character.”

“For the people who want to live in Wellington, the schools may be important for them, the Wellington lifestyle would be important to them,” builder Garry Schickedanz said. “There aren’t that many opportunities in Wellington to buy a new home.”

Wellington has been named among the “Top 100 Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine based on it having more than two dozen neighborhood parks and its reputation as the international epicenter of equestrian sports. The community’s newly renovated, world-class Wellington National Golf Club is within walking distance of Binks Pointe.

The townhomes of this small gated community feature walking trails with numerous gazebos, a nature preserve with a boardwalk and lookout, and abundant guest parking.

“When you walk into this townhome, it feels and lives like a home,” Smolak said. “You’ve got volume ceilings on both the first and second floors — it just gives you a feeling of expansiveness. We’ve incorporated a covered patio on the first floor, and above it, off the master bedroom suite, is a covered balcony. You’ve got a huge master bedroom area, along with two very large walk-in closets, over 12 inches of vanity top with two sinks. You’ve got a shower that is just magnificent. You’ve got to come see that to believe it. It has frameless doors and two showerheads.”

Appelgate agreed that the homes are surprisingly spacious.

“That’s one comment that we do get frequently,” she said. “When people come in, they say it doesn’t feel like a townhouse. The volume ceilings, the downstairs open area, there aren’t a lot of chopped-up areas.”

When designing the Binks Pointe townhomes, Schickedanz Building Group took into consideration what is of primary importance to families today:

  • The main living space offers 8-foot-tall doors, LED lighting and oversized tile. The carpeted stairway has a red oak handrail with black ornamental balusters. The entire home has been pre-wired for telephone, cable television, high-speed internet and entertainment system speakers, and has a built-in security system.
  • The eat-in kitchen features solid quartz countertops with a backsplash, maple cabinetry with soft-close drawers and doors, under-cabinet xenon lighting, a stainless-steel appliance package, crown molding, recessed lighting and a separate breakfast bar.
  • The powder room has polished chrome fixtures and a pedestal sink, while the second bathroom offers maple cabinetry and a quartz vanity. The master bath offers maple cabinetry with soft-close drawers and doors, a quartz vanity top with a dressing table and two sinks, that awesome shower and a linen closet.
  • The master suite has an elegant coffered ceiling, 8-foot-high double-entry French doors, two spacious closets with 8-foot mirrored sliding glass doors, and a covered second floor balcony with a railing.

“In today’s world, there’s nothing more important than quality,” Smolak stressed.

By mid-June, eight units had been completed. One was being used as a model, one buyer was moving in at the end of the month, and three families were already firmly ensconced in their new luxury townhomes. A seven-unit building will soon be move-in ready, and a second model is being prepared to show an interior unit.

The new Binks Pointe development will have only 17 buildings at close-out, making it a rather friendly little neighborhood. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, you may want to hurry.

Binks Pointe is located at 15700 Binks Pointe Terrace, just off Binks Forest Drive. Model tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.binkspointe.com or call (561) 508-1324.

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European Wax Center Brings Unique Expertise And Stellar Customer Service To Wellington

European Wax Center Brings Unique Expertise And Stellar Customer Service To Wellington

After practicing law for 24 years, Lisa Monica Schiller was looking to own her own business. She was a regular guest of the European Wax Center, so she was familiar with the company’s product and quality of service. When she discovered that EWC had a prime franchise territory available, it was a match made in Wellington.

“I couldn’t imagine a better opportunity for me than owning an EWC franchise,” said Schiller, whose new business opened in May near Whole Foods Market on State Road 7.

“Corporate did its research and saw a need for an EWC in the Wellington area,” Schiller explained. “I was lucky enough to be presented the opportunity. I can’t imagine a better location than Wellington’s unique hometown, family environment. Our center is the perfect addition to a community that expects and deserves the highest quality services. Where better to offer the ultimate wax experience and pampering from the moment a guest steps into the center to the moment they strut out?”

Since her grand opening, Schiller has been thrilled with the community’s initial response. “The business is seeing a rapid increase in new guests and a consistent increase in our repeat guests,” she said. “Our scheduling books are getting busy, and our guests seem to be thrilled with the services.”

Schiller said that EWC’s success can be attributed to exceptional customer care, premium quality services and products, and the belief that luxurious waxing should be attainable to anyone seeking beautiful skin. Regular waxing, she noted, ensures that hair grows back softer, finer and sparser, making ongoing maintenance much more comfortable.

Her new location has been steadily building clientele with her local marketing.

“This includes our refer-a-friend program — for every friend referred, the guest receives $10 on their account — our advertising, our e-mail and local mail campaigns, meeting people out and about in Wellington, partnering with neighboring businesses, and our involvement with the local chamber of commerce and the community.”

The focus, however, is on providing the ultimate guest experience so that existing clients are so happy with the experience that they tell others.

“One of our first acts as a new business was to join the Wellington Chamber of Commerce,” said Schiller, adding that she and her manager are members of the chamber’s Medical & Wellness Committee. “Additionally, we were the host business for the Women of Wellington’s Luau Summer Mixer to benefit Animal Care & Control. We are very excited to have been able to host this wonderfully successful event. We have additional events in the works throughout the second half of 2018 with local businesses and charities.”

Schiller is proud that her franchise has become an integral part of the Wellington community.

“Our facility, like each and every EWC, features the highest level of professionalism, timeliness, unparalleled products and the top experts available in waxing and customer service — all in a chic and sophisticated European-inspired center,” she explained. “But the number-one reason our guests return is that they love the way we consistently deliver smooth, silky skin from the most comfortable wax experience they’ve ever had.”

The store also carries its own line of pre-wax and post-wax maintenance products that continue to work between waxes to ensure visibly smooth and hair-free skin. “The EWC product line will improve the way the skin looks, feels and responds to the hair regrowth process,” Schiller said.

Summer is a great time to try out the EWC experience, she said.

“We are offering our summer product limited-edition travel kits with some of our most popular products, as well as our back-to-school brow kit,” Schiller said. “Additionally, through the summer, we will be offering $10 off any $45 or more full-priced services for anyone who mentions that they saw our ad — or this article — in Wellington The Magazine. We will also offer, throughout the summer, our specially priced wax pass, which allows guests to buy nine services and get two free, or buy six services and get one free. Plus, we offer our 12-month unlimited bikini, eyebrow, underarm or full-face wax pass, as well as our student wax pass, which allows those with a valid student ID to purchase four services and get one complimentary.”

Schiller expects to add other promotions over the next few months.

“Guests should also check back through the summer for surprise promotions, specials and new product launches, including our newest face mask, which not only hydrates, but is the only mask on the market that contains hair growth inhibitors,” she said. “And for first time guests, we will continue to offer women their first eyebrow, underarm or bikini line complimentary, or 50 percent off their first Brazilian, and for men, their first eyebrow, nose, ears and brows treatment is complimentary.”

As a brand, EWC is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled experience, Schiller said.

“Our center offers our guests a luxurious waxing experience with our proprietary, trademarked comfort wax, in a modern environment featuring crisp, clean centers, with our private waxing suites and the most professionally trained waxing experts with exceptional service,” she said. “There are other businesses that offer wax services, but here at EWC, that is all we do, and it’s what makes us the experts in waxing.”

Founded by siblings David and Josh Coba in 2004, the EWC concept is to bring its unique waxing expertise and experience to women and men across the United States. The Wellington location is open seven days a week, with late evening hours to accommodate busy schedules.

“And with close to 700 centers open nationwide, guests can enjoy our first-class experience that is competitively priced and consistent every single time at every location,” Schiller said. “Plus, guests have the luxury of using their wax passes in any EWC throughout the country.”

European Wax Center in Wellington is located at 2557 S. State Road 7 in the Whole Foods Market plaza. For more information, call (561) 257-5099 or visit www.waxcenter.com.  

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Enjoy Affordable And Delicious Japanese And Thai Cuisine At Kabuki

Enjoy Affordable And Delicious Japanese And Thai Cuisine At Kabuki

Kabuki has brought its affordable and delicious Japanese and Thai cuisine to Wellington. The third location of the local restaurant chain opened on State Road 7 in April.

Owner Ting Yamsiriwong opened the first Kabuki location in downtown West Palm Beach on Clematis Street in 2011. A Palm Beach Gardens location opened shortly thereafter.

Because many customers who dined in the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens locations work in those areas but live in Wellington, Yamsiriwong eyed this area for his latest venture.

“I like to spread my business out,” he explained. “Many of my clients in the other locations had asked when we would be opening in Wellington.”

The Wellington location has already proven to be quite different than the other two locations, mainly due to the many families filling the restaurant’s tables every night. “I love it here,” Yamsiriwong said. “It’s a totally different crowd. We serve a lot more families here.”

Aside from the full menu of dishes ranging from hand-crafted sushi rolls to different stir-fry dishes and pad Thai dishes, a key reason why many Wellington families are dining at Kabuki is the several affordable specials offered every day.

Kabuki’s lunch special is particularly enticing. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., patrons can choose any of the available entrees for a discounted price starting at $8.95, or a you-pick-two special in which customers can choose two different sushi rolls or one entrée and one sushi roll for $12.95. All lunches also include a soup or salad to start.

Some of the available lunch entrees are Kabuki’s variety of curries — red, panang, green, pineapple and massaman — stir-fry, teriyaki chicken and sashimi. The available sushi rolls for the lunch special are Kabuki’s California roll, spicy krab roll and spicy tempura roll.

“We wanted to have a way to draw people in and make sure to do so in a reasonably priced way,” said Ann-Marie Sementelli, the restaurant’s manager. “This is a lunch you can do and not break the bank.”

For those looking for a way to unwind after work or enjoy time off on a weekend, Kabuki offers a long-lasting happy hour every day of the week starting at 3 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m. Select cocktails, sakes and well drinks are offered at half price. Beers, such as the Singha, are offered for as low as $2.50. Kabuki’s signature Pom Margarita — made with Jose Cuervo Silver tequila, triple sec, pomegranate liquor and lime — is offered for $6 during happy hour.

“I would say these are all classic drinks that we’ve made into our own. For us, it’s all about the pricing, presentation and quality,” Sementelli said.

Also during happy hour, select small dishes and tapas are all $5 or $6. Signature sushi rolls are available for $5, while unique dishes like Kabuki’s fried empanadas — filled with stuffed minced chicken, sweet potato, curry powder and plum sauce — are available for $6.

“My goal was always to be in the restaurant business,” Yamsiriwong said. “I like having a business [in which] people don’t have to spend a lot of money and they can have a comfortable place.”

On the regular menu, some of Kabuki’s most popular dishes are the Tuna Yukke, the Pineapple Fried Rice and the Kabuki Lobster Roll.

The Tuna Yukke — Kabuki’s most popular appetizer — is best described as a tower of tuna. It is made beautifully with stacked and diced raw ahi tuna, a layer of avocado, a layer of orange, smelt roe and kimchee sauce on top. The simple dish is a restaurant and customer favorite.

The Pineapple Fried Rice is famous for its many appetizing ingredients and beautiful presentation. The mixture of rice, shrimp, chicken, pineapple, onions, tomatoes, cashews and raisins is served ready to eat inside of a half of a pineapple.

Also known for its elaborate presentation, the Kabuki Lobster Roll is as impressive as it is rich in flavor. Served on a small sushi boat, or large plate, the sushi roll is made with lobster tempura, asparagus and avocado with red tobiko, eel sauce and spicy mayo on top. On the side is a portion of kani lobster salad and a martini glass filled with fried lobster.

For Yamsiriwong, owning Kabuki and serving the people of South Florida has been an ongoing dream. But what truly fulfills and rewards him is making customers happy by serving them good quality food.

“I like the concept of what we’re doing here,” he said. “I’ve been in the restaurant business for 30 years, but there’s nothing like South Florida. I want to have the Kabuki name out there, but it’s more than just the profit. I like to see customers smile and be happy about our food.”

Kabuki is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is located at 2465 S. State Road 7, Suite 100, in Wellington. For more information, visit www.kabukiwpb.com or call (561) 323-4888.  

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Large, Horse-Friendly Paddock Park Estate Features Plenty Of Amenities

Large, Horse-Friendly Paddock Park Estate Features Plenty Of Amenities

Located in the heart of Wellington’s equestrian community, this Paddock Park Phase II home was built with recreation in mind. Located on a waterfront, horse-friendly lot of nearly three acres, the main home has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a summer kitchen, heated pool, basketball court, cabana bath and an outdoor shower. There is also a two-bedroom, two-bath guest house on the property. A state-of-the-art private gym is located in one-third of the three-car garage, and there is a separate entry to a nanny suite. As versatile as the 4,600-square-foot house is, the large lot has room for expansion, with plans available for an eight-stall barn.

 

Living Room: Gleaming, oversized tiles and plenty of skylights throughout the home add a museum-like spaciousness to an already open floor plan. Plenty of glass doors offer easy access to the outdoor entertainment area with its built-in grill, a key feature of the property. The space is centered around an impressive wood-burning fireplace.

 

Family Room: The expansive feel of the main floor continues through the living room, family room and den. A loft area overlooks it all, and a central vacuum system makes clean-up easy.

 

Dining Room: Arched windows and double doors lead to this quiet, semi-private formal dining room. There is also a family dining room, breakfast area and snack bar.

 

Bar Area: A wet bar is conveniently located between the kitchen and one of two family rooms. The kitchen itself offers top-of-the-line Jenn-Air appliances, quartz countertops, an island and more.

 

Master Bedroom: Complete with elegant volume ceilings, the spacious master bedroom suite opens directly onto the pool deck featuring a screened and heated pool.

 

Front Elevation: The home features bricklike pavers and stately palms along the convenient circle drive. Just around the corner,

a three-car garage stands ready to serve its owners. A concrete barrel tile roof adds pizzazz, as well as an extra layer of security.

 

Patio Area: The breezy, open-air patio is great for entertaining, with its ping-pong table and easy access to the pool.

 

Master Bedroom: The master bedroom features remote-control shades and is spacious enough to offer a sitting area, separate his and hers closets and an en suite bath.

 

Master Closet: Keeping clothes and accessories organized is a snap with all the built-in shelving in this bright, sunlit closet/dressing room.
Master Bath: The pristine white master bath suite features a walk-in rainforest shower, dual sinks and a whirlpool spa.

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Jathy Garcia Enjoys Bringing A Woman’s Perspective To A Male-Dominated Industry

Jathy Garcia Enjoys Bringing A Woman’s Perspective To A Male-Dominated Industry

Owner of what she describes as a “plumbing boutique,” Jathy Garcia is shattering glass ceilings as the operator and public face of Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air. Through the family-owned and operated business, Garcia is adding a woman’s perspective to an industry often dominated by men.

“I know people don’t meet many women in this industry, and it has become something that I have a strong passion and love for,” Garcia said.

Garcia was born and raised in South Florida. A resident of the western communities for decades, she has a background in property management and marketing, and transitioned into the plumbing business in 2000 when she and her husband, Abiel Garcia, officially started their own plumbing company.

Garcia’s background in marketing and management, along with her husband’s years of plumbing experience, have allowed their firm to provide reliable and well-rounded plumbing services to clients throughout Palm Beach County.

“Fusing both of our backgrounds together has made us an exceptional team that offers exceptional service to all of our customers,” Garcia said. “My husband is the qualifier of the company, and I’m more of the face of the company. I have my background in marketing and doing the business side of things, and he has the expertise of knowing how to do the work and overseeing the technicians. We’ve always been a team.”

As a woman in a trade profession, Garcia not only has managed to become a self-sufficient employer, but also has been able to incorporate unique business qualities into a field that oftentimes lacks the structure and organization of a non-trade profession.

For starters, Garcia has emphasized, more than anything, gaining and maintaining the trust of her clients. Hiring trustworthy employees has become a top priority for Garcia, and something that she feels has shaped her business to be successful in the industry.

“We live in an era where we always wonder who is coming into our houses,” she said. “We have amazing software, [through] which our customers actually get a picture and a bio of the technician before they even arrive. Little details mean a lot. We background screen all of our guys and do drug tests like all other companies.”

Having the right personality when talking to clients is another expectation of Garcia’s employees. She requires that her employees be personable and educative when explaining plumbing and AC issues and solutions.

“We go the extra mile. Our guys actually have to pass a personality test. Again, to meet with the criteria of this being a woman-operated business, I want them to understand that they need to have the right personality. It’s all about teamwork and educating the consumers,” Garcia said.

Garcia also guarantees that plumbers and AC technicians will always be respectful of all clients’ homes.

“People think of plumbers, and they think of dirty guys who just come into your house, but we are all about cleanliness,” she said. “As a woman, I value being clean. So, our guys are always in uniform, they wear shoe coverings to go into people’s homes, and we have special mats that they put down to protect coverings — just things that I feel a woman thinks about more.”

Garcia explained that ensuring technicians are trustworthy, have the right personalities to work with people and are respectful of people’s homes are some of the qualities that she, as a woman, has brought to the trade business.

“I always have the mindset of ‘what would I expect,’ so we try to portray that with every customer. We treat others as we want to be treated,” Garcia said.

Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air ultimately runs on the foundation of teamwork. Garcia’s purpose, for the last 18 years, has been to ensure that her team provides the best services possible. “We wouldn’t be here almost 20 years later if it wasn’t for the team that we have,” Garcia said.

Garcia naturally stands out in the world of plumbing and air-conditioning services, but she also has uniquely incorporated a new important mission into her company: encouraging clients to make environmentally conscious plumbing and air-conditioning choices.

“We have been coaching our customers on the money-saving fixtures and equipment available,” she said. “For instance, changing toilets that waste eight gallons of water per flush for new toilets that will do a one-gallon flush.”

Garcia and her husband incorporated the air-conditioning services to their business — originally known as Hi-Tech Plumbing — in 2015, as they are hoping to provide people with all-inclusive services that often times go hand-in-hand.

For Garcia, her hard work and dedication truly pays off when she is part of helping clients deal with the unwanted problems of broken AC units or leaking pipelines.

“If we are going to do something, we’re going to do it 100 percent,” she said. “We only think about our AC or plumbing when it’s broken, so it’s all about seeing the smile on their faces when they know their plumbing is back to normal or that their AC is finally kicking in.”

Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air offers services throughout Palm Beach County, with a concentration in the western communities, for residential and commercial properties. For more information, call (561) 790-6966 or visit www.hi-techplumbingandair.com.

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Busy Life In Wellington Keeps Eda LoVerso Young-At-Heart

Busy Life In Wellington Keeps Eda LoVerso Young-At-Heart

Wellington resident Eda LoVerso was born on New York’s Long Island, and though this is where her story begins, reminiscing fondly of her parents and siblings, it’s not until she recalls meeting her late husband that her voice takes on a sparkle. She lovingly brings up memories of a life well-lived.

“I met him. We fell in love, and we had a beautiful life together,” she said of her 64-year marriage to Joseph LoVerso Sr., who passed away in 2005.

LoVerso met her future husband at a wedding. He was a guitarist, and LoVerso came from a musical family. She credits her initial attraction to the fact that he was a musician. Eda was a keyboard musician, and was taken with the way Joseph played, particularly the song “My Prayer,” which the band played at the wedding where they met. It became the couple’s song.

“He was a part of a group of musicians. I met him, and it was a very strong infatuation at first,” said LoVerso, who was 17 at the time. “I needed a lot of prodding to my parents for them to consent for me to marry at that age, but they liked Joe and saw potential.”

In the 1940s, young couples often eloped, but the LoVersos had what Eda describes as a “beautiful church wedding,” which was important to her parents and to the bride, who remains a devout Catholic and speaks of her wedding as if it were just yesterday.

“My mother was a designer who made one-of-a-kind dresses,” LoVerso recalled. “She made me an exquisite dress, and my crown was beautiful, made of artificial lilies. I carried a bouquet of a dozen real lilies.”

The couple married just six months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Music was an enjoyable side job for Joseph, a gyroscope technician who worked for Sperry Gyroscope. He had received a deferment from military service because of his job working on giant gyroscopes for battleships.

Just over a year later, their first child came into the world. Pregnancy and motherhood took a bit of getting used to for LoVerso.

“Well, it was scary at first, but it was a learning experience,” she said. “But you know, things come natural to you after a while. I eventually got the hang of it.”

Two children followed their first son, Frank. Daughter Grace came along five years later, followed by their second son, Joseph Jr.

LoVerso stayed home for 15 years before taking on a part-time job, but in the interim, she and Joseph Sr., enjoyed making beautiful music together. Through the years, they played and entertained folks at various events.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Their sons, also musicians, entertain locally. New Yorkers might recognize their six-piece band, named for the famous Whitestone Bridge in New York. LoVerso follows the band Whitestone like a regular groupie. Whenever she has the chance to be in the audience, that’s where she is. Her sons are certain to play their parents’ song.

Listening to music remains an enjoyable pastime for LoVerso, but the music stopped for her and her husband in 1997, when daughter Grace was suddenly taken from them. Following her passing, the couple stopped playing at events.

“It’s something I am still living with,” LoVerso said. “We didn’t have that same feeling about playing. That’s the only fall in my life that I’ve experienced. Other than that, my life has been beautiful. I am blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

LoVerso credits her large family with helping her get through those dark days. “My family; they are there for everything,” she said. “Without their support, I don’t think that we could have survived.”

Today, LoVerso lives with her son Joseph Jr. and his family in Wellington. At first, she didn’t like the idea of moving in with family. When Joseph Sr., passed away, her sons began encouraging her to move from her home and to live with one of them. However, LoVerso was still very active, walking three miles a day. She pushed the idea aside.

However, in 2015, following a hip surgery, her sons brought up the idea again. LoVerso still wasn’t keen on the suggestion, but this time it made more sense, and she accepted Joseph Jr. and his wife Karen’s invitation to move in.

“It was very traumatic for me to give up my house. I lived in Wellington’s Edge. I loved it. It was a nice, cozy little place, but I agreed that they were right,” LoVerso said. “After I got used to the idea, because it is a big step, they made me feel most comfortable. I have a wonderful daughter-in-law.”

Her family played a big part in helping LoVerso make the transition, but adjusting to the arrangement could also be credited to her happy and indomitable spirit. She has become acclimated to living in a house with her family, and especially enjoys her grandchildren, whom she said keep her young.

LoVerso added that watching the kids through their various stages of growth reminds her of when she was the same age. She enjoys identifying with them, and perhaps this is the connection to how she stays young-at-heart.

Additionally, LoVerso is a strong believer in getting along with people. The old idea that mother and daughters-in-law have to be rivals doesn’t play well with LoVerso. Cultivating good relationships comes easy for her.

“I’m Italian and very expressive with my feelings,” she explained. “I feel I am very warm toward them, and I get the same reaction back.”

For women who are not quite as natural in embracing their sons’ wives, LoVerso offered some advice.

“Don’t get involved with any of their problems,” she said. “Let them settle it between husband and wife. Be as close to your daughter-in-law and as loving as you can be toward your daughter-in-law. Only see the best in her. Be warm, and try to continue that warm feeling. It works.”

LoVerso has slowed some since her hip surgery, but not so much that a stranger would notice. She still tends plants on her patio, loves to cook and bake, and has a deep love for numbers and puzzles.

LoVerso jokingly admits that her penchant for crosswords, word games and bingo is akin to an addiction. She makes her way regularly to St. Rita Catholic Church, where she’s a member of Forever Young and plays bingo. She also attends the Wellington Seniors Club, where she has met many new friends.

“Nowhere, that I really know of, offers so much for seniors,” LoVerso said. “They really have all these programs, just to make it easier for us. They deserve all the mention that I can give them. They are just a wonderful group.”

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Mark Plaxen Helps Clients Save Money When Buying And Selling Real Estate

Mark Plaxen Helps Clients Save Money When Buying And Selling Real Estate

For Mark Plaxen of 93 Realty, his decades-long involvement in Wellington real estate began as means to an end.

“I got involved in real estate initially because I felt that it was a great investment,” Plaxen recalled. “I started with $50,000 and bought $1 million worth of preconstruction homes, which consisted of three homes in local developments — two in Black Diamond; one in Olympia. When I sold the three, I closed on them all within a day. I made $100,000 on the investment.”

Plaxen grew up on Long Island. He graduated from UCLA, where he majored in business. He and his family have been residents of Wellington for two decades. He has had a first-hand view at the prolonged growth spurt that the area has undergone.

“After moving to Wellington, Money Magazine reported that it was one of the 20 best communities to reside in the U.S.,” Plaxen said. “When we got here, the village had 20,000 people. Now it has more than 60,000.  Wellington has become a unique area with homes ranging from $250,00 to the multi-millions. Our equestrian properties distinguish us from any other town in South Florida.”

Plaxen’s field of expertise is a boon to those customers who have never ventured into the real estate market before.

“I specialize in first-time home buyers, as well as golf communities with seniors,” he said. “My clients benefit by being represented by someone who has more than 20 years’ experience. Additionally, I have a great team of lenders, title companies, licensed contractors and inspectors.”

He believes that 93 Realty occupies a special spot in the marketplace.

“Our firm is unique from other Realtors, as we offer to list a house for only 1 percent,” Plaxen said. “Most traditional offices list homes for a total of 6 percent. I recently sold a home in Olympia for $175 per square foot. It sold for $845,000 without a pool and saved the seller almost $17,000 in commissions. There is no difference between us and a full-service broker. Your home is placed on all popular web sites, such as Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow. If you’d like an open house, that’s never a problem. We also provide electric lock boxes, which notify us when agents come and go.”

Plaxen’s years of experience as a Realtor have taught him exactly what he has to do to satisfy the needs of each and every customer.

“A good agent works hard for the buyer and educates them,” he said. “There should be no reason for a buyer to hesitate taking an agent into new homes being built. It’s important for them to understand that the commission in Florida is paid by the seller or landlord. We started a new program at 93 Realty: if you buy from us, we’ll rebate you one-third of the commission. For example, if a home costs $500,000, and the commission is 3 percent or $15,000, the buyer then gets a $5,000 rebate. That’s a huge benefit.”

When it comes down to it, Plaxen invites future home buyers to contact him. “Let me help you purchase your dream home!” he said. “Wycliffe is a great place to live. If you want a tour of the property, or to play a round of golf, call me.”

To contact Mark Plaxen of 93 Realty, call (561) 352-0298 or e-mail mplaxenpa@gmail.com.

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