Some faux pas are unavoidable.

But wearing the same dress as another woman? Totally avoidable.

At least that’s what Andrew Jones thinks.

With that in mind, the Stuart resident recently launched DressRegistry.com, a Web site where women can post details about the frock they’ll wear to an upcoming event.

The idea is to avoid having a “fashion twin” at a charity ball or other shindig.

“Apparently, it’s humiliating whether it happens to an eighth-grade girl or to Laura Bush,” Jones said.

He bought the domain name eight years ago, after overhearing his wife and a friend discuss their attire for an upcoming gala.

Jones spent years developing a database engine to keep track of users’ dresses, working with the Indian River State College Business and Technology Incubator in Stuart. Finally, in mid-December, he rolled out a soft launch, just in time for the inaugural balls in Washington, D.C.

More than 500 women signed up to use the free registry for the balls, and the site attracted 92,000 unique visitors, Jones said.
Next, he wants to add fashion content to advise women on what jewelry to wear with what neckline, for example.

“It turns out women are going to the site to help influence their shopping,” he said.

Marlins pitcher Scott Proctor (left), plays with his 3-year-old daughter, Mary Elizabeth, and wife, Carrie. Photo by Sarah Grile

JENSEN BEACH — There’s no disputing Scott Proctor’s passion for baseball. After a tough loss, the new Marlins reliever once burned his glove on the dugout steps at Yankee Stadium — “a sacrifice to the baseball gods,” he explained.

Proctor persuaded his wife to name their first child,  5-year-old Camden, after Baltimore’s baseball yard.

Their youngest, 18-month-old Cooper, got his name from the New York town that’s home to the Hall of Fame.

“It helped me understand what really matters,’’ he said. (more…)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Because of budget cuts resulting in staff layoffs and buyouts this year, less workers mean the county is hoping more people volunteer to help keep some popular programs afloat.

The county has trimmed a total of 250 1/2 positions this year for fewer than 720 full-time employees — a total similar to the county’s total in 2000-2001.

“Without volunteers, programs (such as Waggin’ Tales and the genealogy program) wouldn’t exist,” Library Director Susan Kilmer said. (more…)