Tuesday, June 28, 6:30 p.m.
City Commission Chambers
100 West Atlantic Blvd.

The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board will hold a special meeting to consider the acquisition of property located at 370 N. Flagler Avenue (SE corner of N. Flagler Ave. and NE 4 St. Call 954-786-5535.

By Rachel Galvin 

On June 19, the Gab Group put on the 1st Annual Mizner Park Downtown Drive in Boca Raton. From Model Ts to sports cars (like Lamborghinis) and even a car owned by Elvis, the streets around the shopping destination were lined with hot autos that patrons clamored to see up close.

Families like the Ramirez’s (Lilliana, Dalier and daughter Amanda) used looking at the cars of yesteryear as a great getaway for Father’s Day.

Elvis once owned this vehicle.

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach Middle School 8th grader Denise Spann (left) finishes second in both the 400-meter and 200-meter dashes at the Broward County Middle School Track and Field Championships at Cooper City High School recently. Photo by Gary Curreri

Denise Spann took the loss hard in the Broward County Middle School Track and Field Championships.

The Pompano Middle School 8th grader hoped to win the title in the girls’ 400-meter dash after placing second last year. She was the top seed in the event having qualified with a time of 59 seconds flat.

The Margate 14-year-old gave it her all; however, rival Shankeise Shivers, from William Dandy Middle School, was a little better and handed Spann her first defeat of the season in the event. Shivers, also an 8th grader, clocked a 57.30, while Spann was right behind at 58.87. It was one second off her career best AAU time of 57.77.

“I was just trying to come in and do my best, and my great opponent, Shankeise, had the better race today,” Spann said. “It is good to get the competition here because during the year you are used to winning a lot. This will make you work harder for it.”

Following the race, she dropped to her knees and sobbed and then had to prepare for her second race of the night – the 200-meter dash. Spann said she’s been running track since she was 9.

“It is fun when you win and you have to have a lot of dedication for the sport,” said Spann, who runs every day of the week with meets on the weekend. “Sometimes, you are going to lose. You learn how to be humble and not be cocky going into a race. If you go in cocky, you are not going to win.”

Spann placed second in the girls’ 400-meter dash with her second best time of the year at 58.87. She was third in the girls’ 200-meter dash (26.70) and was also a member of the fifth place 4×400 relay that clocked a time of 4:39.31.

Spann’s best finish in AAU track came at last year’s nationals for 13-year-olds when she placed seventh overall in the 800 as she clocked 2:21.69.

“On a scale from 1-10, it’s a 10 because I don’t do anything else, and I am really good at it,” Spann said. “I want to go to at least the Olympics.”

Deerfield Beach Middle School’s Cadeebra Calecote took fifth in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.98, and teammate Ariyan Herring was seventh in the girls’ 100-meter dash as she clocked a 13.61.

Deerfield Beach Middle School’s Luis Ayala won the boys shot-put championship with a toss of 45-03.00, while teammate Malik Flemming placed third in the boys 100-meter dash with a clocking of 11.75.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

With the Buck’s 30-year Class Reunion on the horizon on Aug. 19*, this columnist has been contemplating the crossroads of middle age. This is why a movie titled How to Live Forever takes on additional meaning.

Opening tomorrow, How to Live Forever is an upbeat documentary about sucking the marrow out of life, even when the opening segment features the Funeral Director’s Convention in Las Vegas.

The son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler, writer/director/host Mark Wexler, has created a quirky documentary about the meaning of life. From nursing homes in rural America to the peaceful gardens of Okinawa, Wexler discovers that the meaning of life is to enjoy life.

Wexler learns many life lessons, samples exotic low calorie food and is given a lesson in “Laughing Yoga,” which is worth the price of admission.

The Today Show’s Willard Scott is involved, Phyllis Diller delivers some zingers about senior citizen birth control and writer Ray Bradbury discusses the importance of passion. While this documentary wraps up on a somber note (dealing with Mark Wexler’s grief over the loss of his artist/mother), the closing credits conclude on an upbeat, optimistic note.

If How to Live Forever is a pep rally for life, then Buck is about quiet confidence needed to live an authentic life. Buck Brannaman served as a technical advisor to Robert Redford’s last western The Horse Whisperer. Brannaman is a traveling cowboy who “helps horses with people problems.”

Brannaman should know about “people problems.” A roping rodeo prodigy by age 8, Brannaman was also a victim of child abuse from his backstage drunken father.  Through self-discipline and hard work, Brannaman broke the circle of domestic violence and raised a well-adjusted daughter who is following in his footsteps.

The reviews for Buck have been mixed, divided between urban and rural critics. The rural reviews grasp the concept of cowboy stoicism, while urban critics find Buck superficial. Being conscious of one’s perspective is the key to understanding the true drama of this great documentary that focuses on the importance of the quiet moments of one’s authentic life.

*DBHS Reunion – Class of ‘81: Special rate of $79 available at Hilton Deerfield Beach (free shuttle service to and from Deer Creek Country Club). Call 1-800-624-3606, ask for group rate, make reservations before July 20, 2011)

RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

On Tuesday, June 7, Deerfield Beach city commission passed an ordinance to implement a municipal public service tax on utility services such as electric, water, gas and fuel oil/kerosene, which will go into effect October 1, 2011.  Implementation of a public service tax is an example of doing the right thing, even though it may not be popular. I’d like to take this opportunity to address the issue.

Prior to the city commission’s approval of the public service tax, we were one of only four municipalities in Broward County that had no public service tax. The other three cities have populations of 2,500 and less — our population is 75,000, with  the financial demands to match. As I look around the county, I
see other cities that have weathered the economic crisis far better than Deerfield Beach because their revenue is diversified, and not solely reliant upon property taxes. Nearly 46 percent of the city’s revenue is derived from property taxes, placing the brunt of the tax burden on property owners. In general, cities that have a public service tax have proportionally lower millage rates, as the tax stabilizes the city’s revenue stream.

The city commission has gone on record to say that implementation of this tax must come with a corresponding decrease to the millage rate, and we stand by that statement. In fact, the City Manager has targeted a decrease of 1.5 mills as the goal for this year’s budget.

The public service tax will also be used to fund a revenue bond to provide for important capital projects, such as improving the city’s roads and parks system. Our infrastructure is the key to our economic future, as these are the elements that attract high caliber businesses, as well as young families and professionals. All of the above are critical for our city to survive and flourish.

For the average resident, the public service tax is equal to less than $10 a month, but the benefits that this income stream will bring to our city are immeasurable. If you love this city as I do, I urge you to think not only about the services that you and your family rely upon and enjoy, but also about the future of Deerfield Beach for generations to come. By making the difficult decision to implement a public service tax now, my fellow commissioners and I are planning for the future of Deerfield Beach.

Mayor Peggy Noland

Deerfield Beach

Giving benefit of doubt on kayak, goes awry

Dear Editor:

On Saturday morning, my husband, Phil Lane, woke up, went to our dock and realized his fishing kayak was missing.

We have lived here for almost three years and have always left our kayak and equipment unsecured. On that morning his kayak, personal floatation device and paddle were missing.  We called BSO, they made a report, and in mid-afternoon my husband went looking for his kayak in my son’s kayak.

He rode around for approximately two hours and when he was almost home, about a block away, he noticed some kids loading up their kayak. When he looked at the yard, there was his kayak. Long story short, he got his kayak back.

The kid’s story was that his friends “found it” floating three days ago. But by the time my husband spoke to him, he admitted his friends may have stolen it.  His mother spoke to my husband and cried and told him it was his friends. My husband made the mistake of letting them go. We later called the sheriff to tell them the story and they advised us against dropping the charges, but we did.

Well, last night, my dog woke up barking and I jumped up out of bed. This time we have the kayaks next to our bedroom window and I saw a kid jumping over the fence.  The police were called and BSO tracked down the person responsible.

We have been Deerfield Beach residents for a long time. We have twin boys, age 15, who are law-abiding citizens and we tried to give these juveniles the benefit of the doubt. I want to make sure all The Cove residents are on alert. Unfortunately, they need to safeguard their property. Many in the area have had items removed from cars, bikes stolen, etc. [See video on web].

Michelle Alban Lane

Deerfield Beach

Park going to the dogs

Dear Editor:

Around the corner from where I live, there’s a pretty little park where I take my grandsons. Not anymore! Unfortunately, many dog owners seem to have the same idea to visit this pretty little park. But that’s where the similarities end. These “people,” and I use the term loosely, allow their pooches to defecate everywhere without picking up the precious bundle left behind. The park has plastic bags and trash receptacles so there is no excuse. What is the problem here people, laziness? Tell me, if your pet has an accident in your home, do you just leave it? Come on folks, the parks are for everyone, let’s not use it as a toilet for your animals. This lady is tired of doing the new dance called “The Feces Side-Step.”

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

TRASH

Dear Editor:

We are all lucky enough to live in the beautiful town of Deerfield Beach, so why do people insist on throwing their trash all over? The new Cove Parking Lots project is very nice, but there’s not a trash can in the lot, although the future plans must include them. The local restaurants and bars are not doing their part in picking up after their patrons. The American Rock bar and New Two Georges partrons leave bottles and cans everywhere. Both sides of the bridge crossing the Intercoastal are filthy with trash. Why don’t we all pull together and try to do a better job of keeping Deerfield Beach a cleaner place to live?

J. Huffman

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: Trash receptacles were removed from The Cove to install new paver sidewalks. New receptacles are ordered and will be installed upon completion of the sidewalks, according to CRA Coordinator Kris Mory.

DEERFIELD BEACH

June 15 Copper piping was cut off 184 water heaters at Tivoli Trace Condos, likely within the last couple of weeks.

June 16 Driver of a bus at Century Village left the bus running and unattended and an unknown suspect drove away with the vehicle, later located on W. Hillsboro Boulevard roughly an hour or so later.

June 16 An 86-year-old woman reported a second robbery by a contractor at her home in Century Village. The suspect was working in her home and left with a checkbook. Police are reviewing since this was the second incident in this location.

June 17 A 2000 silver Ford Crown Victoria was stolen from a home on SE 4 Court.

June 17 Jeremy Lamar, an employee at Target on W. Hillsboro Boulevard, was arrested for stealing two electronic tablets from the store.

June 17 Thieves cut the lock on a pile of business storm panels stored behind a business on Federal Highway and removed the property worth at least $300 per panel.

June 18 Thieves attempted to rob Olympia Flame Diner on Federal Highway, but nothing went missing.

June 18 A black male who appeared homeless broke into Pops Fish Market. When police arrived, he crawled out from the business and fled on foot where two packages of fish were found in the road.

June 18 Police responded to a smashed-in drive-thru window at Super Food Store on NE 48 Street and found several cigars stolen from the display case. Police later located the suspect, a juvenile, on Siesta Key Boulevard when a disturbance call came in.

June 19 Police are looking for two men and possibly a child who burglarized Audio Visual Innovations on S. Military Trail, taking two computer monitors.

DEERFIELD — District 4

June 19 Burglary to a business occurred at Audio Visual Innovations, 718 S. Military Trail. Deputies responded to alarm and found smashed out window. Callout responded and advised two computer monitors were stolen. Surveillance video was reviewed and showed two males and possibly a child on video committing burglary. Rock was used to break glass door. Scene was processed.

June 18 Auto theft was reported in the Meadow Lakes/Meadow Ridge area, 1238 Military Trail, between 1:30 and 10:45 p.m. Victim stated that unknown suspect(s) removed his 2006 Mazda four-door. Victim had both sets of keys, no glass was on the ground. No video was available.

June 16 – 18 Auto theft took place at Deerfield Mall, 3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Victim reported he left his vehicle at the Deerfield Mall parking lot for two days and, when he returned, the vehicle was gone. Deputy checked the tow logs of local towing companies with negative results. Affidavit was signed.

June 19 Auto theft was reported at Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd. between 3:45 and 4:45 p.m. Unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s 2006 Ford F-350. Suspect(s) broke window to gain access, victim had left keys under seat while mountain biking.

If you see suspicious activity, call 911 immediately.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

June 14 An unlocked car parked on NE 28 Court was vandalized.

June 15 A victim had a suspect contact her, pretending to be her grandson, saying he was in jail in Spain and he needed her to wire him bond money to get out. This happened three times, for a total of $6,853, before the victim realized she was being scammed.

South Florida Biz to Biz Expo

Thursday, June 23, 4 to 9 p.m.

Hilton Hotel, 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

VIP ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Raffle prizes, food, drinks, chair massage, entertainment. Seminars on business topics. $10. 954-565-5750.

Fishing for the Dream Tournament

Friday, June 24, 6 to 8 p.m. & Saturday, June 25, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club, 2701 NE 42 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Kicks off with Captain Party, including silent auction on June 24 at 6 p.m. The next day, boats will be fishing from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weigh-ins will take place at the club at 2 p.m. June 25.  Post-tournament BBQ and pool party from 2 to 5 p.m. to follow. Proceeds go to non-profit organization
Deliver the Dream, which provides retreats for families experiencing serious illness or crisis. www.DeliverTheDream.org.

Clambake

Friday, June 24, 5 to 8 p.m.

American Legion Post 162, Palm Plaza Shopping Ctr., 820 SE 8 Ave. , Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Maine lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, baked potato, corn, sausage, soup or salad. $21, open to public. 954-421-6097.

Floatin’ Family Movie Night – Megamind

Friday, June 24, dusk

Deerfield Beach Aquatic Center, 501 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

FREE. Bring raft, chair or float. Concessions available. 954-480-4200.

Jamaican Spirits

Friday, June 24, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Venezia-Las Olas Condominium, 111 S.E. 8 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Presented by Venetian Arts Society & Young Professionals of the Pompano Beach Chamber. Benefits Food For The Poor. Steel drum sounds, food, spirits, beer art and a concert featuring Willie Steward. $35 pre-sale, $45 at door. Self-parking or $5 valet. For tickets: 954-547-2175. www.VenetianArtsSociety.com

Splash Luau

Friday, June 24, 6 to 10 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Movie, luau games and other activities, along with splash time in the park’s Splash Adventure water park. $5.50-per-person admission fee does not include refreshments. Space limited. Advance ticket required. 954-357-5100. www.broward.org/parks.

The Mystery Plays

Friday, June 24, 7 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday, June 26, 2 p.m.

Sol Children Theatre, 3333 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33431

Rated PG-13, due to adult content. $12 (includes refreshments). Info and reservations: 561-447-8829. www.solchildren.org.

Brothers Keeper Car Wash

Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Deerfield Thrift, 165 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

$5. Hot dogs and drink for $3 ($1 toward fundraiser). Tax-deductible. Proceeds help those returning from prison (and their families) to become productive citizens with safe and affordable housing, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, employment, life skills, anger management, socialization and restoration of rights. 954-418-0216 . www.iammybrotherskeeper.net.

Pier Clean-up

Saturday, June 25, 8 a.m.: Diver sign-up, 9 to 11:45 a.m.: Clean-up, Noon: Volunteer lunch at JB’s

Deerfield Beach Pier, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Rescheduled to this date due to bad weather (originally June 11).Yearly event. Help remove waste collected by divers or help sign up divers to go into water. Pier clean-up also needed. Call 954-420-0009.

Hands across the sand

Saturday, June 25, noon

Deerfield Beach Pier, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Clean up the beach and meet fellow beach lovers/activists. 954-778-5087 or www.handsacrossthesand.com.

Legal help for seniors

Tuesday, June 28, noon

NE Focal Point Senior Center, 227 NW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Presented by Michelle Moyel, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida. Find out how to get help. 954-480-4446.

Bingo

Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.

American Legion Post 162, (Palm Plaza Shopping Center), 820 S.E. 8th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Every Wednesday (and also Sundays at 4:30 p.m.). Progressive Jackpot. Open to public. 954-421-6097.

If you are tired, can’t deal with the pressure any longer, and sick of the direction your life has taken, the Lord is speaking to you today.  Just picture the prodigal son who was at the very lowest depths of despair, yet somehow he heard the voice that told him “go home.”  When the son arrived, he found a father not ready to punish him, but to love him. A father not ready to reprimand him,  but to reinstate him. God is waiting for you today with outstretched arms of love, simply saying to you this day…”come home.”

2 THESSALONIANS 3:13

13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

NIV

Don’t grow weary doing good, just do what God tells you to do. Do not waste time worrying about what someone else thinks, because if you do, eventually they will wear you down. When you are tired and worn out, you are more likely to slip and stumble, give in to temptation, and make mistakes. Do not grow weary or lose heart.

GALATIANS 6:9

9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

NLT

Are you tired of running, tired of hurting, and just plain tired of being tired? There is an answer!  There is a way!  God is calling you right now to simply “come home to Him.”  The problems don’t go away and the consequences of your actions don’t magically disappear. But by coming home, you start to deal with the issues, put them behind you and become restored into fellowship with your God who loves you. Then, slowly, you will see the joy, the peace and the happiness return to your life.  Do not ever quit, do not ever give up, and do not ever give in.  I am reminded of a story I once heard, and I want to share it with you.

THE DONKEY

One day, a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well.  The animal cried piteously for hours, as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey. So, he invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.

Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down.  A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.  Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest well, just by not stopping, and by never giving up!  Shake it off and take a step up!  Always remember you WIN!

Pastor Tony Guadagnino

Christian Love Fellowship Church

Pastor Tony Guadagnino is the senior pastor of Christian Love Fellowship Church.

Deerfield Commissioner Forum for District 2 to be held on July 11, 2011 at The Deerfield Country Club at 7 p.m.  All candidates have confirmed attendance and will be there. The public is invited and will have a chance to submit questions to the moderator, time permitting. The moderator will be Dr. Mary Drabik, provost of South Florida Bible College. The address is 50 Fairway Dr., Deerfield (in District 2).

Late Monday night, Hillsboro Club maintenance worker Guy Gianino was relaxing with colleagues outside the workers’ dorms of the exclusive enclave when they heard muffled voices.

“Then we heard cries of, ‘Help! Help! Help!'” Gianino, 58, said. The sounds came from the Hillsboro Inlet that borders the southern edge of the oceanfront club.

What the workers heard were panicked cries from passengers of a 15-foot Cobia open fisherman boat that began taking on water around 10 p.m. and sank.

Before the night was over, one person would die, a boy would lose his father, and a friend’s life would be forever changed.

When Gianino and others gathered at the inlet sea wall, it was the crowd’s turn to scream.

“Swim, swim!” they shouted to the three survivors who had been separated by the incoming tide.

“The current was moving and, of course, the water was black and there is not much light out there,” Gianino said. The spot is on the north side of the Hillsboro Inlet and east of the span.

He said he laid his 5-foot-10 frame over the concrete sea wall and coached the child, 9-year-old Kenneth Williams Jr. of Deerfield Beach, to shore.

“I knew when I saw the life preserver I could get him,” Gianino said. “I was fully extended three to four feet from the wall to the water’s edge, and the child had to extend his arms up. I was only able to get him by the fingertips.”

After pulling up the boy, Gianino said he called 911. Meanwhile co-workers rescued David Goodrum, 46, of Pompano Beach, who was also wearing a life vest.

After reaching the dispatcher and seeing police arrive on the bridge, Gianino said he looked back out at the inlet and glimpsed Kenneth Williams Sr., 36.

“The father was 75 to 100 feet off the wall, and you could barely see his head,” Gianino said. He watched the elder Williams go under the water.

“I felt helpless. You want to do something, but it all happened so darned fast.”

Gianino said he noticed a light shining up from the sunken boat toward the surface. Then it went dark.

Young Kenneth Williams was running along the shore, screaming, “My dad, my dad!” Gianino said. “He was hysterical. And then he ran down the sea wall to be with the other person who was pulled over [the sea wall]. They were distraught. It’s a terrible thing.”