| February, 2012

Founders’ Days – Deerfield Beach

Posted on 28 February 2012 by LeslieM

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Fire at 4100 N. Dixie

Posted on 28 February 2012 by LeslieM

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PNC Bank – Taste of the Town

Posted on 28 February 2012 by LeslieM

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Lions enjoy best season; Bucks Tigers move on in playoffs

Posted on 23 February 2012 by LeslieM

Zion Lutheran’s Vince Stubbs (left) goes up for two points in a game against Wellington Christian’s Charlie Brown.Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

While Blanche Ely and Deerfield Beach boys’ basketball teams are within one game of the state final four in their respective classes, another local team, Zion Lutheran Christian School, had a stellar season.

Zion Lutheran boys basketball coach John Guion said he couldn’t have been happier with his first year at the school. The Lions finished the season at 16-6, but suffered a first round loss in the district tournament.

“We set the bar high for the future of Zion basketball,” said Guion, who moved to South Florida from North Carolina to take over the program.

“We look to improve upon our success next season. Losing in the first round of districts was a disappointment that will fuel our hunger to get better in the off-season. I want to especially thank our administration, parents and student body for the support they gave us through the season.”

Guion moved from Charlotte, North Carolina. He has family and friends in South Florida.

“I really liked the feel of the place,” Guion said. “I knew they were coming off some rough years and that they had an Athletic Director here, Cody Loomis, who wanted to do things the right way, and turn the program in a right way.”

“I know their middle school team had also gone to nationals and had success there,” added Guion, who had four players from the middle school team playing varsity this season: Vince Stubbs, Manny Rojas, Keith Stone and Hunter Redeker. He said the team also got a stellar season from senior Bruno Mendoca who averaged 23 points a game.

“They had a good feeder program and I knew that I could develop a program here, not just a basketball team.”

Guion said the intensity of playing high school basketball and the structure of playing a varsity school was an adjustment for his young team. He said he gave them “small bites” of what to expect.

“They had never heard of a scouting report before,” said Guion, whose team ran off eight consecutive wins at one point.

“I wanted to give them time and not overwhelm them. I thought we’d come in here and, if we got them to have a .500 season, that would have been a great job. This was the most resilient group of kids I have ever been around. We still have a lot of maturing to do.

“It wasn’t important for us to win this year,” Guion added. “We just wanted to compete every night, get better at what we are doing and see the growth there. Winning wasn’t the obstacle. We just want to build the program the right way.”

 

Ely rallies; holds off Raiders

Benji Bell scored a game-high 24 points as host Blanche Ely (27-2) rallied for a dramatic, 56-52 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas in a Class 7A regional semifinal on Tuesday night.

The Tigers, ranked No. 19 in the most recent ESPNHS Powerade Fab 50, will now travel to Atlantic for a regional final on Saturday.

“St. Thomas really outplayed us for the first three quarters,” said Blanche Ely coach Melvin Randall. “We just started to pick it up and dug in during the fourth quarter and played Ely basketball … I think I aged about 10 years.”

 

Bucks top Cypress Bay

Marcus Owens led Deerfield Beach with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Terence Johnson added 18 points as the host Bucks held off a late charge by Cypress Bay, 64-57, to advance to its first regional final since 1999, when it won the Class 6A state championship.

The Bucks (24-4), who also received eight points and a game-high 14 rebounds from Janoris Jenkins, will host Spanish River on Saturday night.

Fifth-year coach Kenny Brown said his team, composed mostly of sophomores and juniors, has the ability to win state if they cut down on the turnovers and missed free throws that plagued them Tuesday night.

“They just have to settle down,” said Brown, whose starting unit has been intact for three years. “It is so hard for some reason for them to relax and we are winning. I am like, why are we rushing? Take your time, spread the floor and play basketball.”

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FLICKS: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Oscar events

Posted on 23 February 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Despite a critical pummeling, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island has been resilient at the box office.

Currently, the IMAX treat at the IMAX Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery until March 9 (when John Carter opens), this film is a fun adventure movie for the whole family.

A loose sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth:
3-D, Josh Hutchenson returns as Sean, a teenage rebel with some intelligence. He has received a secret ham radio code from his long lost grandfather, Alexander (Michael Caine), a character who could be Kungaloosh, a member of the dearly-departed Adventurers Club. Despite protests from his Mom (Kristin Davis) and Stepfather (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), Sean embarks on a quest to find his grandfather.

This film is a trademark of producer Charlotte Huggins, whose previous MODS IMAX credits include Encounter in the Third Dimension,  Alien Adventure and the first Journey.

Oscar events

Four years ago, while promoting his original Journey, Hutchenson was honored by the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF).

This Sunday, PBIFF will  host an Oscar party at Mizner Park. Officially sanctioned by Oscar, the event will feature a LIVE broadcast in the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater. Admission is FREE. Dress like your favorite actor. Bring a towel and sit on the grass. Silent auction will feature the second Cinema Dave Adventure Pack. Enclosed in a large painter’s box, this pack will feature movie memorabilia, social science artifacts and my book The Adventures of Cinema Dave in the Florida Motion Picture World. www.pbifilmfest.org.

Meanwhile, The Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will host their Oscar party at Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale starting at 6 p.m.

Meals will be named after this year’s Oscar contenders, including Moneyball Miso Soup, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Thai Curry Coconut Shrimp Soup, Hugo Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Midnight in Paris Stir Fried Veggie Rice, The Artist Steamed Dumplings, War Horse Teri-yaki Meatballs, Tandoori Chicken and for dessert … The Tree of Life Ginger & lemon cake, refreshing The Descendants Sorbet Bar and The Help Rice Pudding with a complimentary glass of Sake. (www.fliff.com)

Regardless of whether you Journey 2 the Oscar parties in Cinema Paradiso or Mizner Park, Billy Crystal will be host at both events. Stay tuned past the Oscars and you might see my old classmate “Jake Byrd” from the red carpet on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

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Crime Watch

Posted on 23 February 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

Feb. 17 A man was arrested and charged with two counts of grand theft auto and one count of petty theft. The man stole two motorcycles and one leather jacket from RIVA Motorsports at 3671 N. Dixie Hwy.

Feb. 18 A man reported that his home at 580 NE 41 St. was broken into through an open window. He said that speakers and a Sony PlayStation were stolen.

Feb. 18 A man stole a can of Pringles from a Shell gas station at 301 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The man was issued a trespass warning and a notice to appear in court.

Feb. 19 A man reported his car parked at 763 NW 42 Pl. broken into and a Red Mag light stolen from the vehicle.

Feb. 19 A woman reported her car stolen from 265 SE 10 St.

Feb. 19 It was reported that a man stole a phone valued at $700 from Verizon Wireless at 199 N. Federal Hwy..

Feb. 19 A woman reported that someone smashed the driver’s side of her car window at 900 SE 21 Ave. and stole her purse.

 

DEERFIELD — District 4

Feb. 16 Traffic arrest took place at 200 S. Powerline Rd. at 2:42 a.m. Deputy observed a white pick-up truck traveling north on Powerline Road with one headlight inoperative. Deputy explained it looked as if the vehicle was canvassing the warehouse area. Truck also contained rebar and concrete support beams. A traffic stop was initiated and the subject initially did not stop. The subject failed to maneuver a turn and struck an FPL pole at the 200 block of S. Powerline Road.

Subject/driver fled on foot and was apprehended through a K-9 track. Detective responded to location and debriefed one of three subjects who showed them where the grand theft or burglary occurred 1 mile south of Atlantic on Lyons Road., a construction site for the turnpike. Pompano deputies and detectives responded to follow up on incident.

Feb. 14 Firefighters kept townhome fire in check. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews kept a fire from spreading. At 4:01 p.m., a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report a fire at 2046 Woodlands Way in Deer Creek. Caller advised there was smoke spewing from the roof of the two-story villa and nobody was answering the door. Firefighters quickly located the fire in the attic and pulled part of the ceiling down to reach the seat of the fire and extinguish it. Firefighters also used thermal imaging cameras to check for fire extension. Several adjacent units were evacuated as a precaution. Fire damage was contained to the front part of the home. Cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction in the attic and was determined accidental. No injuries were reported.

 

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Feb.13 The manager of Publix Supermarket at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. reported that two fraudulent payroll checks from a business in Miami were cashed at the store. One check was for $491.12 and another was for $492.52.

Feb.14 Two men were arrested and charged with stealing two cardboard bails from Publix Supermarket at 3700 N. Federal Hwy.

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Letters to the Editor

Posted on 23 February 2012 by LeslieM

Save our view;  Keep dune vegetation off beach

Dear Editor:

I heard a disturbing thing at the commission meeting [two weeks ago]. It seems the city is trying to win a grant of $30,000 to which they will have to add their own matching amount to total $60,000.

What’s so disturbing about that — you might wonder? That’s better than Publix’s ketchup 2 for 1 sale.

Well, it’s what the assistant city manager said he wanted to do with the money that is disturbing. He wants to put plantings on our main beach grassy area. In patches, he said. Not everywhere.

This was tried before, and the public uproar put an end to it.

This would be a disaster for our lovely beach view.

If you doubt that, go to the south end of the beach and look at the dunes there. The sea oats and other plantings are growing, spreading, vigorously and TALL. Sit on a bench there or walk on the sidewalk and you see grass, not ocean.

If patches were placed on our main beach it would eliminate places to sit, but worse, the patches will spread to the rest of the beach. After all, sea oats and other plantings of the kind are basically hardy weeds. We know how well plants grow in our climate. I stuck a pencil in the ground and it grew. And, according to regulations, once you put plants on the beach, you will not be allowed to remove them.

Our main beach is what Deerfield Beach is all about. It is our bragging right, our main attraction, the reason we say proudly, “I live in Deerfield Beach, yes, the one with the beautiful beach … Right, Deerfield Beach, the place where you can sit in the shade of a Palm tree on a grassy hill and not get all sandy.”

These plantings, as anyone with half a brain would see, will not help with the erosion of the beach. The beach is not eroding up along the grass line, it is eroding at the water line.

These plantings will not prevent the sand, on stormy or hurricane days, from blowing across the grass and road. The wind is much higher and stronger than the grass so these plantings will not eliminate the need to string the black fabric sand fences.

AND, the damage to the view of our beach would be so devastating to the enjoyment of our beach and our view that it wouldn’t, under any circumstances, be worth the loss. The clean-up costs are just the price we pay for the beautiful view.

Use the money to put the required plantings around the new pier restoration. We have to put plants in along there, add some plants to the south beach dunes, they are an eyesore anyway. Add plantings along the back of JBs and Ocean’s 234.

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach

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Happenings

Posted on 23 February 2012 by LeslieM

DB After Hours

Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

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

954-427-1050.

 

IHOP offers Free Pancakes

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals and IHOP celebrate National Pancake Day.

Donations to Shands Children’s Hospital, U of F and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

 

Bullying Prevention Class

Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m.

ATA Black Belt Academy of Deerfield, 1520 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

FREE. Teaches emotional control and de-escalation techniques. Children 5 to 11 yrs. To reserve space, call 954-596-2700.

 

Community Health Fair

Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 a.m. to noon

E. Pat Larkins Center, 520 Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

In honor of Black History month, Broward Health N. Broward Medical Center will provide free carotid artery screenings, blood pressure checks, colorectal cancer screening kits, stroke assessments. Cholesterol and blood sugar screenings available to first 60 people to register.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. (must fast 12 hours prior to screening). Dr. Mayuri Gupta, gastroenterologist, will speak on common gastrointestinal disorders, treatments. Dr. Ridwan Lin, interventional neurologist, will speak on latest stroke prevention, treatment. Also cooking demonstration and tasting.

Visit www.BrowardHealth.org for info.

 

Keeping Up the Pace Fashion Show/Luncheon

Saturday, Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m.

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

Held by Narcissus Chapter 289, Daughters of Penelope. Benefits PACE Center for Girls.

Reservations: 954-427-5453.

 

3rd Annual Tea in the Garden

Saturday, Feb. 25, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

100 NE 44 St. , Pompano Beach, FL 33064

English Tea and pastries. Learn about local hunger issues, explore the tropical Food Forest and stroll Tiki-lit garden paths while listening to live music. $15 per person/$25 per couple. Family package available. Held rain or shine. Limited seating. Purchase tickets at www.teainthegarden.info or call 954-247-1087.

 

Luncheon/Fashion Show

Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.

Via Mizner Golf & Country Club, 6200 Boca Delmar Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33433

Donation: $35. Featuring fashions from Mario Pucci, Boca Raton. Sponsored by Bonnano Lodge# 2549, OSIA, which supports various charities. Open to public. Advanced reservations required. 561-479-4187.

 

Children in the Arts piano competition

Saturday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

FREE event. Open to public. Light refreshments served. 954-786-4111.

 

Deerfield Beach Green Market

Sunday, Feb. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Cove Shopping Center, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Theme: Orchid show.

954-480-4430 or www.DeerfieldBeachGreenMarket.com.

 

Mardi Gras Celebration

Sunday, Feb. 26, 1 to 4 p.m.

Henry’s Hideaway, 1500 S. Andrews Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Presented by Hot Jazz & Alligator Gumbo Society. Admission $10. 954-563-5390 or 561-394-0269.

 

“Pops in the Park,” featuring Florida Youth Orchestra

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m.

Frank McDonough Park, 3500 NE 27 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

FREE family concert. Hosted by LHP Cultural Arts Committee. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Keep pets at home. 954-784-3439.

 

IntraCoastal History Tour

Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Deerfield Island Park, 1720 Deerfield Island Park, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

$5/person, ages 6 and up.  Pre-registration required: 954-357-5100.

 

Relay for Life team party

Tuesday, Feb.28, 6:15 p.m.

Dixon Ahl Hall, 2220 NE 38 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Register your team (Deerfield Bch., LHP and Hillsboro Bch.) RSVP to Nona Breitenstein at nonabreit@gmail.com or 954-304-4248.

 

Broward County Mummers String Band

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m.

Herb Skolnick Community Center, 800 SW 36 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33069

$8. 954-786-4590.

 

Save the date: St. Ambrose 18th Annual Carnival

Thursday, March 1 to Sunday, March 4

St. Ambrose Church, 380 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL  33441

Carnival rides, games, food, entertainment. Last year’s event brought in 10,000. They expect more this year. It benefits the church and school. For details, visit www.stambrosecarnival.com.

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CLERGY CORNER: The gift of time

Posted on 23 February 2012 by LeslieM

“Doe Adar a female dar…” Yes, I know the lyrics actually say, “Doe a deer, a female deer,” but we are just starting the Hebrew month of Adar. Adar is the month in which we celebrate the Festival of Purim where we read The Book of Esther. And, just a few days after we celebrate Purim, we move our clocks ahead as Daylight Savings Time begins.
Time is an amazing thing. It is a gift. Some people seem to have forgotten the value of time. Some take time for granted. In the Book of Esther, we find that we are (or at least were) running out of time, and then, wonder of wonders, the wicked Haman, who tried to put an end to our time, finds he has run out of time.
I’ve thought a lot about time in recent days. It probably had something to do with a couple of visits to medical specialists. In one office, I was kept waiting 45 minutes and, when the doctor finally saw me, she apologized profusely and let me know she was well aware of how valuable my time, not her time, but mine, was. She let me know she would try to do better in the future.
And then there was the other specialist, who kept me waiting two hours beyond my scheduled appointment and, when he entered the room, there wasn’t even so much as an “I’m sorry you had to wait so long.”
At one of the Health Centers, I asked the people at the Healing Service how many of them had watches on. Several raised their hands and I asked what time it was. Again, several responded, calling out the correct time. That’s when I said it was a good time to count our blessings. Here are a few we came up with:
• If you have a watch, you are blessed because there are many people who do not own one.
• If you can fasten the strap from the watch around your wrist, you are blessed because there are people who, no matter how hard they try, cannot perform this feat of manual dexterity.
• If you can see the face of the watch, you are blessed because there are people who cannot see at all.
• If you can read the time, you are blessed because there are those who have such severe dementia they can no longer remember how to tell time.
• And, if you can tell someone else what time it is, you are blessed because there are those who can no longer speak.
Now, let me ask you a question, dear readers. Why is it that we never seem to notice how many blessings we can count from something as simple as a watch? Could it be that we just never take the time?
Time is not only found on the hands of our watches. Time is on our hands. The question is what are we going to do with the time we have? The choice is up to you! Take some time to think about it and don’t forget to set aside some time to count your blessings.
Shalom my friends,
Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of Health Care settings in the area including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.

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Locals enjoy success in NFL

Posted on 16 February 2012 by LeslieM

Deerfield’s Jason Pierre-Paul celebrates winning Super Bowl. Submitted photo

By Gary Curreri

Two years ago, Deerfield Beach’s Jason Pierre-Paul was a relative unknown.

The 23-year-old Deerfield Beach High School graduate was a first round draft pick in 2010 for the New York Giants (15th overall). Now he has quite a resume starting with Super Bowl XLVI champion after the Giants held on to defeat the New England Patriots, 21-17, recently.

“It didn’t really hit me until the parade,” said Pierre-Paul, a 6’5”, 278-lb. defensive end, named to the Pro Bowl this season despite not being on the ballot. “It is a great feeling. I’m having a great time. I am soaking it all in until it is ready to go again for next season.”

Pierre-Paul had a breakout season this year as he was named to the Pro Bowl after he recorded 65 tackles, 16.5 sacks, a safety and two forced fumbles during the 2011 season. Pierre-Paul became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, forced fumble and blocked field goal in the same game in a 37-34 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 11. With injuries plaguing the Giants’ starting defensive ends, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, Pierre-Paul received a significant amount of playing time, including 12 starts.

Pierre-Paul’s father, Jean, who is blind, took in his son’s Super Bowl performance in Indianapolis in person.

“I talked to him about it,” Pierre-Paul said. “He said it is a blessing to see me play. He said this is the happiest he has been in his lifetime. Even though he couldn’t see me, he knew I was doing good. He listens to the game and my whole family tells him what is going on and he understands it.”

The Giants were 7-7 and facing elimination before winning its last two regular season games and finishing the year winning six straight. Pierre-Paul said the team never gave up and he is looking forward to defending the title and contributing again.

“I knew I could be good,” Pierre-Paul said. “Two years ago, I was going into the draft and now I am a playmaker in the NFL. I am still learning the parts of the game and I am taking it all in.”

Another local, Blanche Ely High School grad, Patrick Peterson, also had a stellar rookie season for the Arizona Cardinals as he set several NFL marks and was also named to the Pro Bowl.

Peterson had the most punt return yards by a rookie in a season with 699, tied for most punt returns in a season for touchdown with four, longest game-winning punt return touchdown in overtime with 99 yards.

Peterson was selected fifth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2011 NFL Draft and immediately made his mark on his first NFL play when he intercepted a Philip Rivers pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Pompano’s Patrick Peterson. Submitted photo

Peterson, 21, a 6’-0”, 219-lb. cornerback, was selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl and was the only rookie to be selected to the 2011 All-Pro First Team, as a kick return specialist. He finished the season with 64 tackles, a sack, 2 INTs and four punt returns for TDs.

Peterson said his teammates, Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes, have kept him grounded.

“Those guys have definitely given me the keys to success and taught me how to be a professional,” Peter-son said. “They taught me how to grow up fast – faster than I probably needed to.”

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