If anyone knows it’s a dog-eat-dog world, it’s Rich Anderson, CEO of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. Anderson has had to bear witness to some of the worst atrocities people can conjure up against some of our most defenseless creatures. Fortunately, he gets to be there for the good stuff, too.
The 45 year-old West Palm Beach resident tells a story about Biscuit, a dog rescued after someone tossed him over a bridge.
“A good Samaritan rescued him and brought him to us; he was just a puppy at the time with terrible scars of what clearly was an abusive environment that he came from,” said Anderson.
Biscuit was adopted, but as Anderson says, adoption is never the end of the story.
“About week or so ago I saw him. He was coming in for a vaccination — just to see him as happy as can be is a great feeling. I get to see wonderful stories everyday.”
Wonderful stories that don’t just include the dogs, but, said Anderson, people.
“It’s not just about benefiting the animals,” said Anderson. “We’re benefiting the people in the community bringing these great pets into their lives.”
Vaccination clinics, spaying/neutering, and obedience training are just some of the services the League offers to help ensure adoptees and their families can live happily ever after in their forever homes.
Anderson has nearly 25 years in the nonprofit sector, collecting such stories. Beginning with the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, Anderson also served as development director for the Humane Society of Broward County and as a consultant for the ASPCA; North Shore Animal League; and World Society for the Protection of Animals.
When an opportunity became available at Peggy Adams, he jumped at the chance, joining it in 2011.
“I couldn’t resist,” said Anderson. “There’s so much potential to do amazing things at the local level with the League, but also to build an organization that’s seen as one of the finest animal welfare organizations.”
Some things he said he sees in the League’s near future is a program that will connect nursing homes, schools and other groups looking for therapy dogs.
For now, the League continues its work.
According to its website, in 2013 3,652 animals were placed into adoptive homes, the clinic performed 10,337 spay and neuter surgeries, helped 9,530 animals receive vaccinations and gave 759 people and their pets free training classes. The League also has reunited 262 lost pets with their families.
They have some lofty goals, one initiated along with Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and the Board of County Commissioners is Countdown 2 Zero which aims to end the end the euthanasia of adoptable animals in Palm Beach County by 2024.
On Sept., 6, the Countdown 2 Zero countywide adoption event takes place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., in West Palm Beach, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will bring together more than 30 animal rescue organizations with the goal of adopting 300 animals. For more information visit, Countdown2Zero.org or call Peggy Adams, 561-686-3663.
Q&A:
What’s on your nightstand? “John Adams” by David McCullough and “The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them” by Wayne Pacelle.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Fried clam cakes: a fried, doughy, fritter-type treat from my childhood days in Rhode Island that I make on occasion. I can eat a dozen with ease. Golf. I’m terrible at golf and feel guilty committing four-plus hours to a round of golf, but I love to play. Facebook and Twitter. Some people thinks social media is a waste of time, but I think Facebook is one of the best ways to stay connected with old friends, classmates and colleagues around the country; and Twitter is a great source of instant news and information on endless topics — and both are very effective ways to spread the word about animals in need of new families here in Palm Beach County.
What’s you favorite junk food? Clam cakes
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? My wife and daughters. We cherish that time — almost every day.
Who do you admire most? In today’s world, I admire people who are compassionate and selfless. People who are actively helping to improve the lives of others — people and animals.
What’s playing on your iPod? U2, everything from Johnny Cash to Linkin Park, Macy Gray to Carrie Underwood, Andrea Bocelli to Bruno Mars, Queen to Lady Gaga. I’m all over the place.
https://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/080814-npc-peggy-adams-2.jpg696908Carahttps://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo-ckm.pngCara2014-08-20 16:54:502014-08-29 15:20:45Peggy Adams CEO passionate about benefits to both animals, people
For the eighth year in a row Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach received an A grade, making it one of only five charter schools to receive the rating from the state.
“Just a handful of charter schools get this grade,” Principal Linda Terranova said. “I am very proud of my staff members and students. We have worked hard and it’s harder and harder each year to maintain the A grade with state changes.”
The year the charter school, which has kindergarten to eighth-graders, earned 710 points. They were the highest scoring charter school in the district.
“This has defiantly been a morale booster,” she said. “It keeps up wanting to keep up the great work.”
According to Terranova the school receives points in various cells including math, reading and writing. She explained that the state also looks how students in the lowest 25 percentile show improvement. The school’s scores are based on the middle school scores.
“Just because we have scored well in categories like math, there is always room for improvement,” she said. “We will look at our scores from last year as we plan for this year to see where we can always improve.”
This year Western Academy Charter will see its largest expansion since opening its doors in 2003 with the addition of its STEAM Middle School Academy, which will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
In years past they would only add a couple students each year, Terranova said.
“We would add a class as needed,” she said. “This year we will be adding two classes at each grade level in the middle school,” which means there will be an additional 120 students this school year.
But Terranova noted that “we want to be centered on keeping our school small and personal,” she said. “We know we don’t want to grow too fast.”
Call 561-792-4123 or visit WesternAcademyCharter.com.
https://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/photo16.png200984Carahttps://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo-ckm.pngCara2014-08-13 17:03:572014-08-29 15:20:45Western Academy Celebrates 8 years of A’s
The inaugural “Countdown 2 Zero” adoption event, presented by The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation Inc., will take place Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. This free event will present more than 600 of Palm Beach County‘s adoptable dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and other furry companions available at discounted adoption fees.
The adoption event is a collaborative effort between local animal rescue organizations in an effort to save the lives of healthy adoptable animals in Palm Beach County. To date, there are 33 local animal rescue organizations participating in the event with the combined goal to find 300 animals their forever homes.
This event will have the TAKE ME HOME ZONE where every new parent will receive a great gift bag stocked full of items for their new pet, free rabies tags to new adopters provided by Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control sponsored by The Nam Knights, a free on-site pet shampoo sponsored by the Pet Groomerie, a Picture Perfect Photo Area sponsored by The Little Blue Dog and much more.
Sponsors to date include: The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation Inc. as the presenting sponsor; Avenir Holdings; Baron Signs; C4 Rents; Darbster Foundation; The Little Blue Dog; Theresa Mersentes; The Nam Knights; Office Depot Foundation; The Pet Groomerie; Pet Supermarket; and Valley Crest Landscaping.
Participating partner groups for “Countdown 2 Zero” include: A Second Chance Puppies And Kittens Rescue, Adopt-A-Cat, All For One Pet Rescue, American Humane Society, Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Big Hearts 4 Paws Rescue, Boston Terrier Rescue, Buddies Thru Bullies, Catahoula Rescue, Compassionate Pug Rescue Inc., Crazy Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue, Destiny For Dogs, Dezzy’s Second Chance Rescue, Doberman Rescue Concern, English Springer Rescue, Forever Greyhounds, Furry Friends Adoption & Clinic, Great Dane Rescue of South Florida, Greyhound Pets of America, Have A Heart, Luv-A-Pet Rescue, Luv-A-Bun Rabbit Rescue, Passion for Paws, Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Pet Haven Rescue, Rising Star Rottweiler, RU4Me Pet Rescue, Save A Pet, Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort, Strays No More, Tri-County Animal Rescue and With Love For The Animals.
“Countdown 2 Zero” is public/private community collaboration initiated by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, the Board of County Commissioners and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League to bring animal welfare organizations together and end the euthanasia of adoptable animals in Palm Beach County. For more information, visit http://www.countdown2zero.org.
https://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/index.jpg158319Carahttps://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo-ckm.pngCara2014-08-12 17:12:162014-08-29 15:20:45Three hundred and counting down… Until adoptable friends in Palm Beach County have homes forever
Attorney Owen Evans has joined the tax law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP, as Special Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he was a named member of Eavenson, Fraser, Lunsford & Evans, PL where he represented entrepreneurs, private investors and post-exit, high-net-worth individuals.
Mr. Evans has substantial experience in business, tax and law; and he integrates these three areas into client-specific solutions that not only achieve business objectives but also minimize taxes and protect assets. His practice areas include: transactional tax planning, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, shareholder and partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, asset protection and estate planning.
Mr. Evans obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his LL.M. (a post doctorate degree in tax law) from New York University School of Law.
About Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP:
The law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is committed to providing superior and distinctive client service. The attorneys at the firm focus on tax and transactional issues including estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, estate & tax litigation, asset protection, health care law, transactional law and all areas of individual, limited liability company, corporate and partnership state and federal tax law. Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information please visit www.comitersinger.com or call (561) 626-2101.
– See more at: http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/article/93409/owen-evans-joins-comiter-singer-baseman-braun-as-special-counsel#sthash.0waOHBe7.dpuf
Attorney Owen Evans has joined the tax law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP, as Special Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he was a named member of Eavenson, Fraser, Lunsford & Evans, PL where he represented entrepreneurs, private investors and post-exit, high-net-worth individuals.
Mr. Evans has substantial experience in business, tax and law; and he integrates these three areas into client-specific solutions that not only achieve business objectives but also minimize taxes and protect assets. His practice areas include: transactional tax planning, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, shareholder and partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, asset protection and estate planning.
Mr. Evans obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his LL.M. (a post doctorate degree in tax law) from New York University School of Law.
About Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP:
The law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is committed to providing superior and distinctive client service. The attorneys at the firm focus on tax and transactional issues including estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, estate & tax litigation, asset protection, health care law, transactional law and all areas of individual, limited liability company, corporate and partnership state and federal tax law. Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information please visit www.comitersinger.com or call (561) 626-2101.
– See more at: http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/article/93409/owen-evans-joins-comiter-singer-baseman-braun-as-special-counsel#sthash.0waOHBe7.dpuf
Attorney Owen Evans has joined the tax law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP, as Special Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he was a named member of Eavenson, Fraser, Lunsford & Evans, PL where he represented entrepreneurs, private investors and post-exit, high-net-worth individuals.
Mr. Evans has substantial experience in business, tax and law; and he integrates these three areas into client-specific solutions that not only achieve business objectives but also minimize taxes and protect assets. His practice areas include: transactional tax planning, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, shareholder and partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, asset protection and estate planning.
Mr. Evans obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his LL.M. (a post doctorate degree in tax law) from New York University School of Law.
About Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP:
The law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is committed to providing superior and distinctive client service. The attorneys at the firm focus on tax and transactional issues including estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, estate & tax litigation, asset protection, health care law, transactional law and all areas of individual, limited liability company, corporate and partnership state and federal tax law. Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information please visit www.comitersinger.com or call (561) 626-2101.
– See more at: http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/article/93409/owen-evans-joins-comiter-singer-baseman-braun-as-special-counsel#sthash.0waOHBe7.dpuf
https://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1407888439_evans.jpg240335Carahttps://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo-ckm.pngCara2014-08-12 17:00:042014-08-29 15:20:45Owen Evans Joins Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun as Special Counsel
Owner of vegetarian bistro in West Palm at forefront of animal adoption initiative.
Special to The Palm Beach Post
When it comes to her devotion to animals, Ellen Quinlan puts her money where her heart is.
She and her husband, Alan Gould, own Darbster, a vegetarian bistro in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton and founded the Darbster Foundation (www.darbster.com/foundation), which supports local animal rescue groups.
They are also among the sponsors of the Inaugural Countdown 2 Zero Adoption, an animal adoption event that will be held next month at the Palm Beach County Convention Center
Quinlan, who owns Pension Studio in West Palm Beach, and Gould, who has a software company, recently hosted a Countdown 2 Zero meeting at Darbster where 33 local animal rescue organizations learned more about the event and are expected to take part in it.
Additionally, the duo made a leadership pledge to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of $15,000 a year for five years for spay/neuter. Prior to that, they were paying the surgery fees for hundreds of cats brought into Peggy Adams.
Quinlan, 48, was raised in Boston and became a vegetarian when she was 12. The restaurants are a hobby, she said.
“When we moved here there wasn’t any place to eat (vegan), so we bought the restaurant in West Palm Beach eight years ago,” she said. They added a second location in Boca Raton a year ago.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, spin classes, tennis— and spending time with her three dogs.
Favorite places to get breakfast:
Dunkin’ Donuts and Kingdom of Juices. I get coffee at Dunkin’ Donut and an “Energizer” at Kingdom of Juices.
Dunkin’ Donuts, 3501 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561-653-0046
Café Sapori. They have good food and good service, and they’ll cook vegan.
Café Sapori, 205 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561-805-7313, www.cafesapori.com
Favorite place to have dinner:
Darbster, we eat there (either in West Palm Beach or Boca Raton) five nights a week. I vary what I order. Lately, I’ve been getting BLT, which is made with tempeh bacon, or tacos with toasted cumin tempeh.
Darbster, 8020 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, or in Boca at 6299 N. Federal Highway. 561-586-2622, www.darbster.com
Favorite place to take out-of-town visitors:
If kids are involved, we take them to the Loggerhead MarineLife Center. We’re also big fans of the Norton After Dark on Thursdays and the Seafood Bar at The Breakers.
Loggerhead MarineLife Center, 14200 Us Highway 1, Juno Beach, 561-627-8280, www.marinelife.org
Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave.,West Palm Beach, 561- 832-5196, www.norton.org
On Flagler Drive between Southern and Forest Hill (in West Palm Beach). I can see it when I’m walking the dogs (a boxer, black lab and Jack Russell terrier) in the morning.
COUNTDOWN 2 ZERO ADOPTION
What: Hundreds of Palm Beach County’s dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and furry companion animals will be available at discounted adoption fees.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 6
Where: Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach
Admission: Free
Info: 561-472-8873 or email peggynews@peggyadams.org
https://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/081114-scene-maker-quinlan-1.jpg605908Carahttps://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo-ckm.pngCara2014-08-10 17:14:212014-08-29 15:20:45Darbster owner at forefront of animal adoption event
Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach recently received an “A” grade from the State of Florida for the eighth year in a row.
The school earned 710 points — the highest charter score in the district — and was only one of five charter schools to receive the “A” grade.
“I am thrilled to once again receive an ‘A’ grade from the state,” Principal Linda Terranova said. “We have worked very hard to build an excellent academic program and push our students to the highest level. This ‘A’ grade confirms to me we not only know what we are doing, but that we are doing it for the success of our students.”
Western Academy was designed as an innovative alternative to traditional public school education and opened in 2003. Designated by the Florida Department of Education as a High Performing Charter School and a 5-Star School, it has been an “A” school since 2006. It is also “A+” rated by the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools.
The school currently serves 385 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school’s mission is to equip all children with the skills necessary for success on both an educational and social level. Western Academy addresses the whole child through a multi-sensory approach to learning. The school believes that both the family and the community are essential participants in the education of children, and that together they can help children become socially adept individuals with self-confidence, self-respect, compassion and respect for others and their community.
Western Academy will begin the new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Academy this month as a special academy within the current middle school. It will start with sixth grade and roll up each year into a full middle school program. When complete, the full STEAM program will consist of two classes at sixth, seventh and eighth grade, for a total population of approximately 120 students.
Western Academy is located at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 300. For more info., call (561) 792-4123 or visit www.westernacademycharter.com.
ABOVE: Western Academy Charter School students working at their computers.
https://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Western_Academy.jpg253400Carahttps://www.ckmconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/logo-ckm.pngCara2014-08-08 17:02:112014-08-29 15:20:45Eighth Consecutive ‘A’ Rating For Western Academy Charter School
Peggy Adams CEO passionate about benefits to both animals, people
by CaraSource: The Palm Beach Post
Photo Credit: Allen Eyestone
By Michelle Kaplan
Special to The Palm Beach Post
If anyone knows it’s a dog-eat-dog world, it’s Rich Anderson, CEO of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. Anderson has had to bear witness to some of the worst atrocities people can conjure up against some of our most defenseless creatures. Fortunately, he gets to be there for the good stuff, too.
The 45 year-old West Palm Beach resident tells a story about Biscuit, a dog rescued after someone tossed him over a bridge.
“A good Samaritan rescued him and brought him to us; he was just a puppy at the time with terrible scars of what clearly was an abusive environment that he came from,” said Anderson.
Biscuit was adopted, but as Anderson says, adoption is never the end of the story.
“About week or so ago I saw him. He was coming in for a vaccination — just to see him as happy as can be is a great feeling. I get to see wonderful stories everyday.”
Wonderful stories that don’t just include the dogs, but, said Anderson, people.
“It’s not just about benefiting the animals,” said Anderson. “We’re benefiting the people in the community bringing these great pets into their lives.”
Vaccination clinics, spaying/neutering, and obedience training are just some of the services the League offers to help ensure adoptees and their families can live happily ever after in their forever homes.
Anderson has nearly 25 years in the nonprofit sector, collecting such stories. Beginning with the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, Anderson also served as development director for the Humane Society of Broward County and as a consultant for the ASPCA; North Shore Animal League; and World Society for the Protection of Animals.
When an opportunity became available at Peggy Adams, he jumped at the chance, joining it in 2011.
“I couldn’t resist,” said Anderson. “There’s so much potential to do amazing things at the local level with the League, but also to build an organization that’s seen as one of the finest animal welfare organizations.”
Some things he said he sees in the League’s near future is a program that will connect nursing homes, schools and other groups looking for therapy dogs.
For now, the League continues its work.
According to its website, in 2013 3,652 animals were placed into adoptive homes, the clinic performed 10,337 spay and neuter surgeries, helped 9,530 animals receive vaccinations and gave 759 people and their pets free training classes. The League also has reunited 262 lost pets with their families.
They have some lofty goals, one initiated along with Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and the Board of County Commissioners is Countdown 2 Zero which aims to end the end the euthanasia of adoptable animals in Palm Beach County by 2024.
On Sept., 6, the Countdown 2 Zero countywide adoption event takes place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., in West Palm Beach, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will bring together more than 30 animal rescue organizations with the goal of adopting 300 animals. For more information visit, Countdown2Zero.org or call Peggy Adams, 561-686-3663.
Q&A:
What’s on your nightstand? “John Adams” by David McCullough and “The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them” by Wayne Pacelle.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Fried clam cakes: a fried, doughy, fritter-type treat from my childhood days in Rhode Island that I make on occasion. I can eat a dozen with ease. Golf. I’m terrible at golf and feel guilty committing four-plus hours to a round of golf, but I love to play. Facebook and Twitter. Some people thinks social media is a waste of time, but I think Facebook is one of the best ways to stay connected with old friends, classmates and colleagues around the country; and Twitter is a great source of instant news and information on endless topics — and both are very effective ways to spread the word about animals in need of new families here in Palm Beach County.
What’s you favorite junk food? Clam cakes
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? My wife and daughters. We cherish that time — almost every day.
Who do you admire most? In today’s world, I admire people who are compassionate and selfless. People who are actively helping to improve the lives of others — people and animals.
What’s playing on your iPod? U2, everything from Johnny Cash to Linkin Park, Macy Gray to Carrie Underwood, Andrea Bocelli to Bruno Mars, Queen to Lady Gaga. I’m all over the place.
Western Academy Celebrates 8 years of A’s
by CaraSource: Sun Sentinel
by Nadia Sorocka, nsorocka@tribune.com
August 13, 2014
For the eighth year in a row Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach received an A grade, making it one of only five charter schools to receive the rating from the state.
“Just a handful of charter schools get this grade,” Principal Linda Terranova said. “I am very proud of my staff members and students. We have worked hard and it’s harder and harder each year to maintain the A grade with state changes.”
The year the charter school, which has kindergarten to eighth-graders, earned 710 points. They were the highest scoring charter school in the district.
“This has defiantly been a morale booster,” she said. “It keeps up wanting to keep up the great work.”
According to Terranova the school receives points in various cells including math, reading and writing. She explained that the state also looks how students in the lowest 25 percentile show improvement. The school’s scores are based on the middle school scores.
“Just because we have scored well in categories like math, there is always room for improvement,” she said. “We will look at our scores from last year as we plan for this year to see where we can always improve.”
This year Western Academy Charter will see its largest expansion since opening its doors in 2003 with the addition of its STEAM Middle School Academy, which will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
In years past they would only add a couple students each year, Terranova said.
“We would add a class as needed,” she said. “This year we will be adding two classes at each grade level in the middle school,” which means there will be an additional 120 students this school year.
But Terranova noted that “we want to be centered on keeping our school small and personal,” she said. “We know we don’t want to grow too fast.”
Call 561-792-4123 or visit WesternAcademyCharter.com.
Copyright © 2014, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Three hundred and counting down… Until adoptable friends in Palm Beach County have homes forever
by CaraSource: Sun Sentinel
4:21 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2014
The inaugural “Countdown 2 Zero” adoption event, presented by The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation Inc., will take place Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. inside the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. This free event will present more than 600 of Palm Beach County‘s adoptable dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and other furry companions available at discounted adoption fees.
The adoption event is a collaborative effort between local animal rescue organizations in an effort to save the lives of healthy adoptable animals in Palm Beach County. To date, there are 33 local animal rescue organizations participating in the event with the combined goal to find 300 animals their forever homes.
This event will have the TAKE ME HOME ZONE where every new parent will receive a great gift bag stocked full of items for their new pet, free rabies tags to new adopters provided by Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control sponsored by The Nam Knights, a free on-site pet shampoo sponsored by the Pet Groomerie, a Picture Perfect Photo Area sponsored by The Little Blue Dog and much more.
Sponsors to date include: The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation Inc. as the presenting sponsor; Avenir Holdings; Baron Signs; C4 Rents; Darbster Foundation; The Little Blue Dog; Theresa Mersentes; The Nam Knights; Office Depot Foundation; The Pet Groomerie; Pet Supermarket; and Valley Crest Landscaping.
Participating partner groups for “Countdown 2 Zero” include: A Second Chance Puppies And Kittens Rescue, Adopt-A-Cat, All For One Pet Rescue, American Humane Society, Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Big Hearts 4 Paws Rescue, Boston Terrier Rescue, Buddies Thru Bullies, Catahoula Rescue, Compassionate Pug Rescue Inc., Crazy Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue, Destiny For Dogs, Dezzy’s Second Chance Rescue, Doberman Rescue Concern, English Springer Rescue, Forever Greyhounds, Furry Friends Adoption & Clinic, Great Dane Rescue of South Florida, Greyhound Pets of America, Have A Heart, Luv-A-Pet Rescue, Luv-A-Bun Rabbit Rescue, Passion for Paws, Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Pet Haven Rescue, Rising Star Rottweiler, RU4Me Pet Rescue, Save A Pet, Shepherd Help and Rescue Effort, Strays No More, Tri-County Animal Rescue and With Love For The Animals.
“Countdown 2 Zero” is public/private community collaboration initiated by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, the Board of County Commissioners and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League to bring animal welfare organizations together and end the euthanasia of adoptable animals in Palm Beach County. For more information, visit http://www.countdown2zero.org.
Copyright © 2014, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Owen Evans Joins Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun as Special Counsel
by CaraSource: South Florida City Biz List
Attorney Owen Evans has joined the tax law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP, as Special Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he was a named member of Eavenson, Fraser, Lunsford & Evans, PL where he represented entrepreneurs, private investors and post-exit, high-net-worth individuals.
Mr. Evans has substantial experience in business, tax and law; and he integrates these three areas into client-specific solutions that not only achieve business objectives but also minimize taxes and protect assets. His practice areas include: transactional tax planning, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, shareholder and partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, asset protection and estate planning.
Mr. Evans obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his LL.M. (a post doctorate degree in tax law) from New York University School of Law.
About Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP:
The law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is committed to providing superior and distinctive client service. The attorneys at the firm focus on tax and transactional issues including estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, estate & tax litigation, asset protection, health care law, transactional law and all areas of individual, limited liability company, corporate and partnership state and federal tax law. Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information please visit www.comitersinger.com or call (561) 626-2101.
– See more at: http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/article/93409/owen-evans-joins-comiter-singer-baseman-braun-as-special-counsel#sthash.0waOHBe7.dpuf
Attorney Owen Evans has joined the tax law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP, as Special Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he was a named member of Eavenson, Fraser, Lunsford & Evans, PL where he represented entrepreneurs, private investors and post-exit, high-net-worth individuals.
Mr. Evans has substantial experience in business, tax and law; and he integrates these three areas into client-specific solutions that not only achieve business objectives but also minimize taxes and protect assets. His practice areas include: transactional tax planning, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, shareholder and partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, asset protection and estate planning.
Mr. Evans obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his LL.M. (a post doctorate degree in tax law) from New York University School of Law.
About Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP:
The law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is committed to providing superior and distinctive client service. The attorneys at the firm focus on tax and transactional issues including estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, estate & tax litigation, asset protection, health care law, transactional law and all areas of individual, limited liability company, corporate and partnership state and federal tax law. Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information please visit www.comitersinger.com or call (561) 626-2101.
– See more at: http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/article/93409/owen-evans-joins-comiter-singer-baseman-braun-as-special-counsel#sthash.0waOHBe7.dpuf
Attorney Owen Evans has joined the tax law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP, as Special Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, he was a named member of Eavenson, Fraser, Lunsford & Evans, PL where he represented entrepreneurs, private investors and post-exit, high-net-worth individuals.
Mr. Evans has substantial experience in business, tax and law; and he integrates these three areas into client-specific solutions that not only achieve business objectives but also minimize taxes and protect assets. His practice areas include: transactional tax planning, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, shareholder and partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, executive compensation and equity incentive plans, asset protection and estate planning.
Mr. Evans obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Princeton University, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his LL.M. (a post doctorate degree in tax law) from New York University School of Law.
About Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP:
The law firm of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is committed to providing superior and distinctive client service. The attorneys at the firm focus on tax and transactional issues including estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, estate & tax litigation, asset protection, health care law, transactional law and all areas of individual, limited liability company, corporate and partnership state and federal tax law. Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, LLP is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information please visit www.comitersinger.com or call (561) 626-2101.
– See more at: http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/article/93409/owen-evans-joins-comiter-singer-baseman-braun-as-special-counsel#sthash.0waOHBe7.dpuf
Darbster owner at forefront of animal adoption event
by CaraSource: The Palm Beach Post
Photo Credit: Madeline Gray
Owner of vegetarian bistro in West Palm at forefront of animal adoption initiative.
Special to The Palm Beach Post
When it comes to her devotion to animals, Ellen Quinlan puts her money where her heart is.
She and her husband, Alan Gould, own Darbster, a vegetarian bistro in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton and founded the Darbster Foundation (www.darbster.com/foundation), which supports local animal rescue groups.
They are also among the sponsors of the Inaugural Countdown 2 Zero Adoption, an animal adoption event that will be held next month at the Palm Beach County Convention Center
Quinlan, who owns Pension Studio in West Palm Beach, and Gould, who has a software company, recently hosted a Countdown 2 Zero meeting at Darbster where 33 local animal rescue organizations learned more about the event and are expected to take part in it.
Additionally, the duo made a leadership pledge to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of $15,000 a year for five years for spay/neuter. Prior to that, they were paying the surgery fees for hundreds of cats brought into Peggy Adams.
Quinlan, 48, was raised in Boston and became a vegetarian when she was 12. The restaurants are a hobby, she said.
“When we moved here there wasn’t any place to eat (vegan), so we bought the restaurant in West Palm Beach eight years ago,” she said. They added a second location in Boca Raton a year ago.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, spin classes, tennis— and spending time with her three dogs.
Favorite places to get breakfast:
Dunkin’ Donuts and Kingdom of Juices. I get coffee at Dunkin’ Donut and an “Energizer” at Kingdom of Juices.
Dunkin’ Donuts, 3501 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561-653-0046
Kingdom of Juices, 6611 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561- 444-6720, www.thekingdomofjuices.com
Favorite place to have lunch:
Café Sapori. They have good food and good service, and they’ll cook vegan.
Café Sapori, 205 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561-805-7313, www.cafesapori.com
Favorite place to have dinner:
Darbster, we eat there (either in West Palm Beach or Boca Raton) five nights a week. I vary what I order. Lately, I’ve been getting BLT, which is made with tempeh bacon, or tacos with toasted cumin tempeh.
Darbster, 8020 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, or in Boca at 6299 N. Federal Highway. 561-586-2622, www.darbster.com
Favorite place to take out-of-town visitors:
If kids are involved, we take them to the Loggerhead MarineLife Center. We’re also big fans of the Norton After Dark on Thursdays and the Seafood Bar at The Breakers.
Loggerhead MarineLife Center, 14200 Us Highway 1, Juno Beach, 561-627-8280, www.marinelife.org
Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave.,West Palm Beach, 561- 832-5196, www.norton.org
Seafood Bar at The Breakers, 1 S County Road, Palm Beach, 561-659-8488, www.thebreakers.com
Favorite place to watch the sunrise:
On Flagler Drive between Southern and Forest Hill (in West Palm Beach). I can see it when I’m walking the dogs (a boxer, black lab and Jack Russell terrier) in the morning.
COUNTDOWN 2 ZERO ADOPTION
What: Hundreds of Palm Beach County’s dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and furry companion animals will be available at discounted adoption fees.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 6
Where: Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach
Admission: Free
Info: 561-472-8873 or email peggynews@peggyadams.org
Eighth Consecutive ‘A’ Rating For Western Academy Charter School
by CaraSource: The Town-Crier
Western Academy Charter School in Royal Palm Beach recently received an “A” grade from the State of Florida for the eighth year in a row.
The school earned 710 points — the highest charter score in the district — and was only one of five charter schools to receive the “A” grade.
“I am thrilled to once again receive an ‘A’ grade from the state,” Principal Linda Terranova said. “We have worked very hard to build an excellent academic program and push our students to the highest level. This ‘A’ grade confirms to me we not only know what we are doing, but that we are doing it for the success of our students.”
Western Academy was designed as an innovative alternative to traditional public school education and opened in 2003. Designated by the Florida Department of Education as a High Performing Charter School and a 5-Star School, it has been an “A” school since 2006. It is also “A+” rated by the Florida Consortium of Charter Schools.
The school currently serves 385 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school’s mission is to equip all children with the skills necessary for success on both an educational and social level. Western Academy addresses the whole child through a multi-sensory approach to learning. The school believes that both the family and the community are essential participants in the education of children, and that together they can help children become socially adept individuals with self-confidence, self-respect, compassion and respect for others and their community.
Western Academy will begin the new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Academy this month as a special academy within the current middle school. It will start with sixth grade and roll up each year into a full middle school program. When complete, the full STEAM program will consist of two classes at sixth, seventh and eighth grade, for a total population of approximately 120 students.
Western Academy is located at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 300. For more info., call (561) 792-4123 or visit www.westernacademycharter.com.
ABOVE: Western Academy Charter School students working at their computers.