By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

The 17th Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) wraps up tonight in Palm Beach Gardens.

Most of the films, especially the documentaries, proved to be serious fare. After viewing Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story and Free China: The Courage to Believe, one leaves the theater feeling annoyed by trivial topics like parking meters, bad customer service and chasing the brass ring of social circles.

Besides attending the world premier screening of Zombie Hamlet, Actress June Lockhart accepted her lifetime achievement award at the beautiful Lake Pavilion on the Waterfront in West Palm Beach. In her 15-minute acceptance speech, Lockhart talked about citizenship. She is actively involved in Los Angeles charities like International Hearing Dog and helps raise funds for Santa Monica Police Department Mounted Patrol and Big Band of Barristers. Though she was the fictional matriarch in Lost in Space, in reality, Lockhart has been an advocate for the N.A.S.A space program.

When asked about the future of N.A.S.A, June answered, “There is a great necessity for private companies to get involved. They have always been involved. There is so much science that comes out of research and it pays dividends.”

Being third generation thespian, Lockhart is very grounded in her approach to show business.

She said, “It is not a matter of survival, regarding work. Dad (Gene Lockhart) told me to audition for its own sake, meet the people, but don’t sweat an audition. Therefore, there is not pressure to get the job. It is only a means to an end.”

There is life after PBIFF.

Tomorrow night, at the Movies of Delray (7421 W. Atlantic Ave.), producer Zack Norman will attend the 7 p.m. screening of his ensemble comedy, Overnight, which will also be playing at the Muvico Pompano (2315 N. Federal Hwy).

DEERFIELD BEACH

April 13 It was reported that a business at 2531 W. Sample Rd. was broken into. The alarm and phone lines were cut and $5,908 was stolen.

April 13 A man reported that rear tires and rims were stolen from a truck parked at 840 NE 41 Court. Value of the tires and rim was estimated at $800.

April 13 It was reported that an exterior air conditioning unit was stolen from 4201 NE 2 Ave.

April 15 A man reported that someone entered his home at 2417 Lob Lolly Lane by prying open the garage door. Dresser drawers were ransacked.

April 15 A man reported that someone opened the garage door at his home at 2363 Deer Creek Trail. Once inside the garage, the person entered one car and stole $7 in change and an iPod connection cable, then entered another car and stole $5 in change.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

April 7 A woman reported that she left her purse with her two wallets inside a dressing room at T.J. Maxx at 3722 N. Federal Hwy. She returned and found her purse, but reported that the two wallets were missing. The wallets contained $800 in U.S. currency and $300 in Canadian currency. They also contained credit cards and a Canadian driver’s license.

April 10 A woman reported that someone entered her home at 2170 NE 44 St. and stole a television, two Gucci purses and an Xbox 360. Total loss was estimated at $3,100.

RE: DB Commission responds to citizen comment

Dear Editor:

In a recent [Letter, 4-12-12, Observer] by the  , they claimed they do not routinely respond to comments made by a resident during a commission meeting.

A resident? They were referring to the former Mayor JeanRobb, and they claimed that her comments were so outrageousthat they had to respond. Yet, there are much moreimportant issues that have been brought before the commission that have yet to see the light of day:

A) A resident was the victim of a hit-and-run at anintersection where the lighting is inadequate. The CRArecently purchased a [circuit board] in The Cove ShoppingCenter to light up a Christmas tree. Isn’t it more importantto light the area where the young person was killed, especiallywhen the cost for such a project would be $3,000 to$5,000?

B) Ignoring the savings of $50,000 by refusing to movethe municipal election to November 2012 from March 2013.Are they afraid of a bigger turnout that just might cost themtheir seats? The commission has refused to put it on theagenda for a vote, so the voters can see just which commissionersdon’t care about saving the taxpayers money.

C) And who on the commission wrote the full-page letter?And which of the commissioners were part of this retaliatoryaction? Was their getting together to put the letter togetheran obvious violation of the Sunshine law? Time will tell when the state attorney is made aware of the circumstancessurrounding the creation of this full-page letter.

Steve Krevoy

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

A recent letter from the Deerfield commission referred to citizen comment. Those comments were made by me, former mayor Jean M. Robb.

The commission chose to dismiss my claim that Carl Pete rhad been brought to Deerfield Beach by former manager Larry Deetjen and was supposed to retire at age 62 after five years. I verified the accuracy of that statement with a call to Larry Deetjen. He knew Carl from Grand Rapids, Michigan and had encouraged him to come to Deerfield for five years.Former mayor Al Capellini disclosed his conversation with Mike Mahaney over the hiring of Charles DaBrusco as anAsst. Engineer in 2007. Capellini was told that Carl was soon to retire and DaBrusco would become the Chief Engineer.

When the city lost the mediation after the firing of 106workers, my question was: ‘why didn’t the Human Services person follow the Employees’ Rules and Regulation Handbook?’The city’s reply was he was only onboard for two weeks prior to the mass firing. Wasn’t that enough time for him to read the book? Instead of being terminated, the person responsible for the debacle was given a $40,000raise.My assertion was that the CRA director who was hired should ethically not have taken another position with the same municipality.

My assertion was based on conversations with the CRA directors in a number of counties.

I also stated that in the 13 years I served as mayor, I had four different city managers, none of whom had assistants.The city claims Deerfield was smaller then. Yes, we had40,000 compared to the present 75,000, but we did not have50 percent of our budget being handled by BSO. So why do we need a manager, an assistant city manager, an executive to the city manager and an administrative support specialist?

The city’s reply is that the city manager is still responsible for overseeing law enforcement and fire-rescue operations.I thought that is what Sheriff Lamberti, Chief De Jesus and Chief Sudler were being paid to do.

The city claims that the article [which appeared in another local newspaper] stating that the city wanted to squeeze more money from city employees was inaccurate and incomplete.The commission [also] said that without economic concessions, the city could not have been able to reduce the millage rate by 1 mill. Wasn’t that the reasoning they gave us behind the passage of the utility tax? Which is it?

It is difficult to keep track of all the information this commission has fed us. We were told that the city would save $2 million with the BSO merger. They have now changed that figure to $1.5 million.

The city was doing the merger to get out of the pension business. Yet 100 firefighters chose to stay with Deerfield’s system so the city will be out of the pension business in the next 60 to 70 years.

As to why the BSO merger had to take place so fast,without public input, it was because six firefighters who were in the DROP plan would have had to retire. With the BSO merger, those six could remain and eventually dip into the BSO plan.

The commission seems to think I no longer support the merger. That is simply not true, but the contract does have some stipulations that should have been more thoroughly debated before passage, in particular, the DROP plan recipient.

Permit me to comment on the vice mayor’s performance at the public hearing of the PMSA appeal. It was like watching someone pull the wings off a fly, and no one on the dais had the good sense to say “Enough is Enough.”

It disturbs me that whoever wrote the recently-published city response did not have the courtesy to refer to me as the former mayor, not just as the resident. It is a title I earned after 13 years of service, and not using it shows a real lack of class.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Cresthaven Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Thursday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Social Hall

901 NE 33 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Refreshments served. 954-786-7536.

Cove Neighborhood Watch meets

Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m.

DB Chamber of Commerce

1601 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For info or to be put on distribution list, e-mail DFBCove@gmail.com.

Sisterhood of Temple Beth Israel meets

Thursday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.

201 S. Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Mini lunch served. 954-421-7060.

28th Annual Pompano Beach Seafood Festival

Friday, April 20, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Scrumptious seafood, LIVE entertainment, including 38 SPECIAL, vendor booths with arts & crafts. New entrance north of Atlantic Blvd. at the fishing pier. Parking available east of Intracoastal, 222 North Pompano Beach Blvd. Free trolley transport. 954-941-2940 or www.pompanobeachseafoodfestival.com.

Skinny Jimmy & the Stingrays play with king of surf guitar Dick Dale!

Friday, April 20, 10 p.m.

Dada, 52 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33441

561-330-3232

Saturday, April 21, 8 p.m.

Respectable Street Café, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401

561-832-9999

Sunday, April 22, 8 p.m.

Churchill’s A Sort – English Pub, 5501 NE 2 Ave., Miami, FL 33137

305-757-1807

Hear Deerfield surf rock band play! FREE Friday night. Saturday and Sunday night, opens with Cutback for Dick Dale. $20 in advance [slammie.com or 1-800-594-TIXX] $25 at door. Info: www.atomicgrog.com.

3rd annual Earth Day event

Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Crystal Lake Middle

3551 NE 3 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Yard sale, food, music, vendors, entertainment, environmental materials and more. Free plant when you sign in with your child. Info. for vendors – 954-257-0183.

Preserving YOUR History

Jerry’s Artarama

242 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free mini workshop with guest speakers from the Deerfield Beach Historical Society, Society of Florida Archivists, Professional Photographer and Professional Photo Organizer. 954-429-0378.

Arboretum Plant Sale

Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Arboretum

Constitution Park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Tropical plants, orchids, fruit trees, flowering trees and more. Food and drink available.

Car wash

Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach

233 NE 26 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Washing cars, bikes, trucks … anything with wheels.

Concert for American Cancer Society

Sunday, April 22, 4 to 8 p.m.

T.J. and Janet Eagen’s house (in The Cove)

1372 SE 5 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Featuring James McVay, Jim Sheridan and Steve Minotti. $10 donation to The American Cancer Society 954-861-6651.

Young Professionals mixer

Wednesday, April 25, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Oceans 234

234 North Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33432

Division of the PB Chamber, Young Professionals is a networking group geared towards professionals in their 20s and 30s. $10, includes one free drink and 40 percent off bar bites. Bring business cards for networking. Chance to win raffle prizes. RSVP: 954-941-2940 or e-mail lcharles@afsgconsulting.com.

I was recently talking to a group of young professionals and I asked them to tell me what they thought was the holiest city in the world today? Now, before giving you the answer, let me share the fact that about a third of those in attendance were Christian, about a third were Muslim, and about a third were Jewish. With that being said, can you guess?

Well, most of the Christians said Bethlehem, although a few called out Rome. Can you guess which city the majority of the Muslims in the group thought was the holiest? Mecca was the primary answer. And last, but certainly not least, can you guess which city the vast majority of the Jews in the audience called out? Okay, this one was a no brainer. They called out “Jerusalem.”

It is a question that I got from the writings of Rabbi Joseph Abrams of Atlanta. And then I decided to change the question just a tad. I was going to ask them if they could tell me what the holiest city in Florida is, but at the last minute I asked this instead, “What is the holiest house in all of South Florida. Several immediately called out their house. Others called out the house of their Priest, their Pastor, their Imam, their Rabbi.

I told them to think a bit more and they did. They started calling out Houses of Worship – St. Anthony’s, Temple Torah, House of the Good Shepherd, First Baptist. I told them that I thought they were really using their heads now, but I also let them know I disagreed. I let them know that I am a student of human behavior and that, rather than just listening to what people say, I tend to look at people’s behavior to get my answers.

So, do you have any idea what I said was the holiest house in South Florida? Here it goes. Are you ready for this? I said, the casino – the one in Hollywood or the one in Coconut Creek.

Now, before you prepare to condemn me for my answer, let me explain myself. The Casino is the one place I know that people of many different faiths gather together regularly under one roof. They gather together without getting into fights or arguments with one another. They enter and they obey the rules of the house. They bring money into the house and, while they are there, they pray more than they do most anywhere else. When they leave, they leave most of their money behind and, yet, amazingly, each one looks forward to coming back again.

So tell me, where else can we get people of so many different faiths to spend a day in peace together under one roof, where each one can pray in their own unique way, where everyone follows the rules of the house without complaint or need for explanation, where each brings money for the house and often leaves it there, where each expresses their desire to become a winner?

Life is a gamble my friends. Take a chance on life and make wherever you’re at a holy place.

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.

Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a busy car burglar who broke into 14 cars in Deerfield Beach on April 15.

The suspect was captured on home surveillance video checking the doors of the vehicles parked in a homeowner’s driveway and looking inside them with a flashlight.  When he couldn’t get inside those cars, he moved to the neighbor’s home.

At around 10 a.m. BSO units responded to 2330 Deercreek Trail when the occupant of the home noticed the garage door was open and all three vehicles had been ransacked (one inside the garage and two in the driveway).  The burglar also stole a TV and iPod.

Fourteen vehicles were broken into at the Deer Creek Neighborhood on April 15 between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.  Anyone with information about the burglaries or the burglar is asked to call BSO Detectives at 954-480-4300 or Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-TIPS (8477)

SEE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF THE MORON RIPPING OFF CARS ON OBSERVERTV–Click “Crime Stoppers”

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and BSO deputies were dispatched to 1600 block E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach at 12:44 p.m. after a worker was crushed  by a dump truck on the west side of the Hillsboro Blvd. ICW bridge. The victim, an adult male, was rushed to North Broward Medical Center by BSFR in very critical condition. BSO Traffic Homicide Unit investigators are on the scene and there is a significant traffic impact to the area.

LIVE VIDEO during the investigation on OBSERVERTV

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

In the past five years, The Avengers has easily become the most hyped comic book movie since the end credits of Iron Man. At the 2008 Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF), Iron Man’s costar Sayed Badreya walked the red carpet promoting his short subject Prisoners.

(This weekend, Badreya will be seen as an orderly in The Three Stooges).

Standing by my side on the red carpet was a Deerfield Beach High School student and photographer, Jeremy Emmerman. Look for Jeremy’s name at the end credits of The Avengers; he was one of the photographers.

Jeremy’s story is just one example of how PBIFF impacts our community on a local level. Two years ago, the festival was rumored to be going extinct, but last year’s fest revealed its resiliency; it has outlasted two competing festivals. This year, the staff, board and volunteers took additional steps to be more inclusive with the community.

The fact that PBIFF returns to Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center is a major bonus to our local community.

Formerly the Cartoon Museum, the screening room on the second floor will feature two fine documentaries about Jewish culture and Israel on Sunday afternoon – Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story and Violins in Wartime.

Set against the backdrop of the second Lebanon war of 2006, Violins in Wartime features master violinists teaching a music class to young prodigies who have gathered in Israel. Through the horrors of war, music provides solace for dark times.

This 50-minute documentary provides the intimate carpentry of Amnon Weinstein the Violin maker, the film’s central character. Master Soloist Ida Haendel, one of the master soloists in the film, will be at the 4 p.m. screening.

For those who feel like venturing to Palm Beach Gardens or Lake Worth venues, visit http://pbiff.festival genius.com/2012/schedule/ week for more details about screenings and events.

Who knows? One might see a local celebrity … like the return of Eric the Doorman this year!

DEERFIELD BEACH

April 6 A woman reported that while she was pushing a cart through Deerfield Mall, an unknown suspect stole a shopping bag containing $79 worth of merchandise. Incident was reported at 3824 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

April 6 A man reported that someone smashed out a rear sliding door at his home at 443 SE 13 Court. A laptop computer and two cameras were stolen.

April 6 A man was arrested and charged for attempting to break into an apartment at 1461 SE 2 St. The man attempted to break into an apartment window with a hedge clippers.

DEERFIELD – District 4

March 30 Conveyance burglary took place in the Villages of Hillsboro Park, 4000 NW 6 St., between 5:20 and 6:10 p.m. Burglars targeted items left in vehicles at the Villages of Hillsboro Park on Friday. Three vehicles were burglarized by smashed windows with cellular phones and wallets targeted. While visiting the park, please do not leave items of value in your vehicle.

March 31 Residential burglary was reported in Woodlake Circle in Deer Creek between 8 and 10:30 p.m. Victim reported leaving for dinner and, upon returning, finding the rear slider (pool area faces golf course) slightly ajar. Victim reported subject was in residence and went through belongings. It appeared subject left as the victim returned home. Victim was unable to determine if anything was missing at this time. Scene was processed.

NOTE: The previous week, two residential burglaries were reported on Woodlake Circle in Deer Creek. Suspects entered through slider doors and targeted jewelry. If you notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call 911.

April 8 A woman reported that her residence at 711 NE 51 Court was broken into. A video game system, video camera, digital camera and jewelry were stolen. Total loss was estimated at $4,330.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

March 30 A woman was arrested and charged with stealing $167.52 worth of items from CVS at 3580 N. Federal Hwy. It was determined that the woman had three convictions for petty theft, so the charges were increased to felony petty theft. The woman had received a previous warning from CVS for trespassing. She was also charged with trespass after warning.

April 1 A woman reported that while she was at Packy’s, at 4480 N. Federal Hwy., someone went into her purse and stole a money pouch. The pouch contained $87, a Florida driver’s license and credit and debit cards.