| August, 2013

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 22 August 2013 by LeslieM

Citizens, take an interest in your city

Dear Editor:

I sit in the audience during many Deerfield Beach city commission meetings listening to our leaders tell us what a wonderful job they’re doing, and saying our city is in great shape.

Transparency in our local government just isn’t there, folks. They don’t answer letters promptly, forget to return phone calls, or just plain ignore anyone who has a problem or something negative to say about operations.

At meetings, they talk down to citizens making a complaint or they have an inappropriate remark about the person’s appearance, spelling or discredit their background any way they can.

Those actions alone discourage many of our voters from attending city meetings or volunteering … folks don’t want to feel public scorn or reprimanding from our commission.

The only time we seem to get a “full house” at one of our meetings is when the public has a major complaint about how things are being run in our city government.

Things like the Utility Tax passed without a public vote, or the transfer of our Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue Dept. to Broward County, leaving our firefighters with a pension program second to none …It will probably bankrupt this city in a few years if not corrected immediately in this current budget.

The rapid addition of upper management personnel, BIG salaries, secretaries and expenses, while at the same time “outsourcing” almost half our budget just doesn’t make any sense to me at all.

Citizens of Deerfield Beach, rise up, accept the challenge to take back our city government now, or forever pay the price for your lack of involvement!

Trust me, you’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be many dollars ahead.

Fred Foreman

Deerfield Beach

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 22 August 2013 by LeslieM

Greater Pompano Beach Democratic Club Meets

Thursday, August 22, 7 p.m.

E. Pat Larkins Community Center 520 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33069

FREE and open to public. Speaker: Gubernatorial candidate Senator Nan Rich. Food and refreshments will be served. 954-691-6019.

Stand Your Ground Community Forum

Thursday, August 22, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.

Cathedral Church of God 365 S. Dixie Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Special guests: State Attorney Michael Staz, Broward County Circuit & County Court Judges Ilona Holmes, Christopher Pole, Kathleen McHugh, State Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, Bishop Patrick Kelly, Attorney Gordon Weeks from the Public Defender’s Office and more. Also discussed: “Black on Black crime” in the black community. 954-708-4562 or email: scottytds@aol.com.

Women’s Leadership Connection Luncheon

Friday, August 23, noon

Marriott Pompano Beach Oceanfront 1200 N. Ocean Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Featured speaker: Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry. Tickets: $30-members/ $35- non-members, must be purchased in advance. 954-941-2940 or online at www.pompanobeachchamber.com. None will be sold at door.

Zion’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament

Saturday, August 24, shotgun start: 8 a.m.

Pompano Beach Golf Course 1101 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Played on new Pines/Greg Norman signature layout. Entry fee-$75, includes awards lunch. Contact: Chaplain Forde at sforde@zion-lutheran.org.

Women’s Equality Day Brunch

Sunday, August 25, 11 a.m.

Deer Creek Country Club 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Awards given out to Legislator of the Year, Warrior Woman, “Good Guy” Award and more. Tickets: $50. Mail checks to NWPC/FL, PO Box 936363, Margate, FL, 33093. www.nwpcfl.com.

Toastmasters Club Paradise

Monday, August 26, 7 p.m. The Old Schoolhouse 232 NE 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Rev up your communication and leadership skills. Mayor Jean Robb will be in attendance. 954-427-8171.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of South Palm Beach Kick-Off Celebration

Monday, August 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Boca Raton Marriott 5150 Town Center Circle Boca Raton, FL 33486

RSVP A.S.A.P. to Audra Afflitto at audra.afflitto@cancer.org or 561-394-7751 ext: 5310.

2nd Annual Emerge Woman’s Conference

Thursday, Aug. 29 to Saturday, Aug. 31

Renaissance Boca Raton 2000 NW 19 St. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Entrepreneur strategies, networking, branding, team building, guest speakers and more. For prices and information, visit www.emergeevent.com or call 561-632-7183.

SAVE THE DATE: DBHS Class of ’83 Reunion

Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct.5

JB’s on the Beach and Wyndham Hotel

Please contact Kris Jensen at 561-876-8577 or Kljensen7@hotmail.com or Carol Borough Perez at cborough@yahoo.com

St. Ambrose Men’s Club trip to Mardi Gras Casino

Friday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. St. Ambrose Church

380 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

$11, includes transportation, $5 free play, $3 food voucher. Reservations required before Sept. 1. Call: 954-856-6062.

 

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CLERGY CORNER: Back to School with the Golden Rule!

Posted on 22 August 2013 by LeslieM

Our busiest days were when our three children were young and in school. I remember thinking, “Do they have to play so many sports, be on so many traveling teams, play musical instruments and join six clubs? Good grief!”

Looking back, I know I took a lot for granted.

We were a two parent family living in our hometown. We had good jobs. That meant we could afford one of those minivans with the sticky seats. The family nest, like the family school, was nice enough and safe enough. Siblings and grandparents were nearby. Church was a blend of family and friends. The weekly Bible study was at a neighbor’s house.

I miss those days!

My wife has been a public elementary school principal for several years now. Elementary schools tend to be happy places. The little people are usually excited to be there, which is great to see, and the big people are usually happy to be there too.

Almost everybody looks forward to the end of a school year, but you can still feel the excitement, some call it anxiety, when time rolls around for school to start again.

A new school year means new classmates, new teachers, new classrooms, new books, new technology, maybe even some new clothes.

From the parking lot to the front office, from building maintenance to food service, from transportation to recreation, from the new counselor to the new coach, from the new teacher who prepares her first classroom to the teacher about to retire who prepares her last, schools need rules to function well and the most important is golden.

Jesus says, In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you.” (Matthew 7, NET)

How can anything that sounds so simple be so hard? Good grief!

It doesn’t matter if it’s an elementary school, a middle school or a high school. If it’s a public school, especially in South Florida, then you can bet it is a diverse place and we all know students bring a lot more with them from home than a backpack.

Long before the youngest student arrives at school a unique personality is being formed. God-given seeds of talent are either being left dormant, nurtured or trampled. Young life experiences, mostly accumulated outside the school, are shaping every child’s expectations and dreams.

The highest ideal for school is that it be a safe place to lift expectations, to encourage learning, to inspire dreams.

But the pressures of school are not to be denied. Kids want to fit in, but not too much. They want to blend in, but, hopefully, only in a positive way; and how troubles loom large for the ones who don’t find a niche, a sport or a club; for the students who are different, too quiet and alone; for the ones who have troubles at home?

The truth is public schools need help in a lot of different ways these days. I write to encourage that we take the golden rule to school, that we volunteer to help a public school this year.

Google your public school corporation website today. Take a few moments to fill out the on-line Volunteer and Mentor Application or call a public school near you. I filled out the form online myself for Deerfield Beach Elementary and it only takes a few minutes. www.getinvolvedin education.com/volunteers/ application.htm

And just so you know, I realize you do not have to follow Jesus to practice the Golden Rule but it will not surprise you to know I believe Jesus is the only “everlasting way” to live by it. And if this causes you grief, then rest assured it is Good Grief! See ya in school!

You are also invited to join us Sunday at 8:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. for the message “The Golden Rule” based on the 7th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

Reverend Andrews is Minister at Community Presbyterian Church of Deerfield Beach (Steeple on the Beach) located five blocks south of Hillsboro on AIA. See more at www.comm unitych.org or on Facebook.

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Local helps Sunrise win state softball title

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

Pages 09-16By Gary Curreri

Noelle McGuire couldn’t have thought of a better way to spend her summer vacation than to be with her friends while making a little history along the way.

The 17-year-old Deerfield Beach teenager played a key role recently in helping her fast pitch travel softball team – the Sunrise Thunder – win the United States Specialty Sports Association 18-Under South Florida B State Championships with a 1-0 victory over the Palm Beach Pride Heat at Lake Lytal Park in West Palm Beach.

Sarah Maloney tossed five shutout innings, gave up one hit and struck out six for the Thunder in the championship game. Tiffany Thompson scored the winning run in the third inning when Heather Bramos was struck by a pitch with the bases-loaded. Bramos went 10 for 11 with seven RBI’s in the state championships.

We’ve been through a lot,” said McGuire, who played second base for the Thunder and also plays for the Pompano Beach High School team where she is a senior. “We are competitive and we are good. We have a good bond.

Winning a tournament like this is good for us because it gives us a good reputation,” added McGuire, whose team captured its firstever state championship together. “Winning this is great. This shows that hard work pays off and all of the hours we put into this was worth it.”

McGuire said the team would practice three days a week during the summertime for two hours a day. When her high school season starts, that amps up to five days a week.

The Thunder finished the tournament 6-0 and outscored the opposition, 47-6, in the tournament. Lenny Schlecker, who has coached the Thunder since 2007, said most of the team would continue playing softball in college. The team also went on to finish second in the South Florida A State Championships in Ft. Myers when it dropped a 5-4 decision to the Tampa Heatwave a week later.

McGuire has been on the team for two years and has played softball for 10 years.

I like to come out on the weekends,” McGuire said. “I love the girls on my team and it makes it fun. I want to play college softball and I work hard every day. I work on my hitting at home. Our team is great and we are like a family. I would rather be in a softball uniform than anything else.”

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FLICKS: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

cinemadave.livejournal.com

With very little fanfare, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief opened in 2010 and earned a respectable box office gross. Based on a series of novels written by Rick Riordan, the film boasted a fine supporting cast, including Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean. Fans eagerly awaited the sequel, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, which has now been released; but three years is a long time for a sequel based on juvenile fiction. The young leads Logan Lerman (as Percy) and Alexandra Daddario (as Annabeth) return, but the cost-cutting is very apparent.

In the first movie, Percy is a dyslexic kid who discovers that he has an affinity for water. Labeled a freak by the “cool” kids, Percy attends a Special Educational program and learns that his father is a god on Mount Olympus. At the school, Percy meets other “freaks,” who are actually “half bloods.”

After saving the world in the first movie, Percy and Annabeth learn that their school is in danger of being destroyed by an ornery Cyclopes (Derek Mears). The shield that protects the school is crumbling and it is up to Percy and his friends to find the Golden Fleece that was originally obtained by Jason and the Argonauts.

Despite the budgetary restrictions, this is an enjoyable film with clever moments. We eventually find out about a West Palm Beach connection and learn that the Sea of Monsters is another name for the dreaded Bermuda Triangle. Since the young cast is so likeable, it would be silly not to sit back and enjoy the ride, for this is a good family film.

For a free family experience before school starts next week, the 50th Anniversary Screening of King Kong versus Godzilla will be held at Imperial Point Library Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Admission is FREE and popcorn will be served while supplies last. Like the new Percy Jackson film, in this King Kong film, one feels the good intentions despite the budgetary restrictions

I was three reading levels behind my peers and 9 years old when I saw King Kong versus Godzilla. Forty-one years later, I have been the film columnist with the Observer for 14 years and have just self-published my second book, a mythical novella titled Davy Jones & the Heart of Darkness, which is available through Amazon.com.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

Remember, if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately.

DEERFIELD BEACH

August 6 A vehicle parked at 3321 SW 4 St. was entered and golf clubs and a blue bag were stolen.

August 6 A man was arrested and charged with a narcotics felony at 92 NE 42 Court. During a drug investigation, the man tried to deliver cocaine to an undercover officer.

August 6 A woman reported that a man snatched her purse at 5 N. Federal Hwy. The purse was later found, but an iPhone, wallet, driver’s license and $300 in cash were stolen.

August 6 A group of people went to the beach at 200 NE 21 Ave. They placed their belongings in a bag. A man was seen taking items from the bag. It was reported that five iPhones and chargers were stolen.

August 6 A man reported being struck by a man he knows at 217 Ocean Dr. The man was knocked out and taken to Broward Health North.

August 7 A man was arrested on an active warrant for possession of cocaine at 700 S. Dixie Hwy.

August 7 A man was arrested and charged with burglary of a home at 373 NW 3 Court, after entering a woman’s home and beating her.

DEERFIELD – District 4

August 2 Arrest was made at Publix, 3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Subject stole approximately $16 worth of merchandise from Publix. He put the items in his pants and passed all points of sale without paying. The Loss Prevention officer stopped him outside the store.

August 2 Arrest was made at TD Bank, 3325 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Subject entered the TD Bank in Coral Springs and attempted to open a bank account under the victim’s name and using a counterfeit ID. The subject fled after bank personnel found out she was using a fake ID. The subject then went to the TD Bank in Deerfield Beach and attempted to open another bank account with another victim’s information and using another fake ID.

The subject was apprehended and taken into custody. A search revealed a fake ID with victim’s information and suspect’s picture, papers with other victim’s personal information, as well as a fraudulent check for $432. The deputy also discovered Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and a needle during the search. Subject admitted being addicted to Dilaudid and that she commits check/bank fraud, as well as ID theft. The subject was charged with Grand Theft (attempt), Check Fraud, ID Theft/Fraud, Possession of Counterfeit ID, Possession of Hydromorphone and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

August 4 A vehicle parked at 2611 NE 51 Court was burglarized and sunglasses and a radio faceplate were stolen.

August 5 A woman reported her apartment at 3602 NE 21 Ave. burglarized and a television and two watches stolen. Estimated loss was $10,850.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

Anyone else receive a high water bill?

Dear Editor:

I am sending you the same letter that I sent to the water department of Deerfield Beach. I would like to know if you know or have any information of any other person who received a bill this high like I did or any other problems with their water bill.

To whom this may concern:

I’m writing this letter to inform you that I’m disputing the amount owed on my water bill dated June 25, 2013. I received the bill on July 1 and it was addressed to Felix Rodriguez, my deceased husband, but the bill itself doesn’t reference my address but rather an incorrect service address.

Please note the bill is in the amount of $116 and due July 25. When I received the bill, I was surprised to notice a $10 service fee on the statement; therefore, I called your office on July 2 and spoke to Sandra Leone to discuss the fee. Sandra informed me the $116 was not my bill, that I had a bigger problem, and recommended I come into City Hall to discuss.

On July 3, I went to City Hall and spoke to Sandra. She informed me the amount owed on my account was $525.22! … I was shocked! Sandra first told me I had a leak in the water line, but later confirmed my meter had been checked and there was no leak. She then informed me that someone stole my water!

I have resided at this address since 1989 and I have never paid a bill of this extent.

I also have a lock on the faucets outside the house, therefore refuting that someone stole my water. I find it coincidental the address on the original bill never had grass on the front of the house before; but, in the month of May, they added a new lawn. One can surmise the owners had to water extensively to get the new lawn to take.

There are too many things that don’t add up on this water bill and I am not paying the amount of $525.22 that it states I owe. I request you to perform an investigation into this issue and inform me in writing of the results.

Rosa M. Rodriguez

Deerfield Beach

RE: Proposed millage, fire fee increases

Dear Editor:

The city of Deerfield Beach has proposed a 20.17 percent increase in the millage rate and a 29.63 percent increase in the fire assessment fee.

This is on top of the increase in property assessments because of rising values. I urge the commission to say “no” to any increase and the resulting out of control spending.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

Greater Deerfield Beach Democratic Club meets

Thursday, August 15, 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Club 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Meets every third Thursday. Refreshments. RSVP: greaterdeerfieldbeach democraticclub@gmail.com.

Summer Movie Series: “Madagascar 3”

Friday, August 16, 8 p.m.

Annie Adderly Gillis Park 601 Martin Luther King Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

FREE admission to movie, popcorn/cotton candy. Bring chairs. Call 954-786-4111.

Toasting & Tasting Experience

Saturday, August 17, 6 to 9 p.m.

SunTrust Bank 800 S. Federal Hwy. Boca Raton, FL 33432

Sponsored by Boca Chamber and presented by Boca Raton Children’s Museum. Features multi- cultural exhibit, wine, food, music and entertainment. $45 per person. Call 561-368- 6875 or www.cmboca.org.

Voice lessons

Saturday, August 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Source 230 Lock Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Hosted by Gene Townsel. 561-436-0868.

11th Annual Glenn Frazer Memorial Golf Tournament

Saturday, August 17 & Sunday, August 18

Deerfield Country Club 2801 Country Club Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Benefits the Florida Humane Society.

Bingo

Tuesday, August 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (food served), 7 p.m. (Bingo)

American Legion Aux Unit 142 171 American Legion Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Registration

Tuesday, August 20, 4 to 7 p.m.

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

Free VPK offered 9 a.m. to noon for children ages 3-5 years. Breakfast, lunch, snacks served. 5+ Quality Rated School w/certified teachers. VPK registration by appointment only. Schedule online at http://familycentral.org/ vpkparentsbc. Call 954-480-4473 for further information. First day of classes, Monday, August 19.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, August 21, 10 a.m. to noon

NE Focal Point 301 NW 2 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Caregiver training, support group for individuals caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease, memory impairments, dementia, cognitive limitations. This week’s speaker, Marlene Lieberman, talks about Senior Care Planning on “Caregiver Burnout.” 954-480-4463. Group also meets Wednesday, August 28.

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CLERGY CORNER: We are family

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

In case you haven’t noticed it lately, Miami (and South Florida in general) is not what it once was to “our people.” There was a time that when a Jew from Brooklyn or “De Bronx” dreamed of retirement, that dream included moving to Sunny South Florida to live out the goldenah yoren, the golden years. And, with so many retired down here, it became the norm for many of their children to move down here to be near them. It became the hot spot for those who had gone through divorce as they, too, came, (albeit for other reasons) to be near their parents. This all gave the bubbes (grandmothers) and zeydes (grandfathers) of South Florida the joy of having their grandchildren nearby.

Sadly, that is no longer the norm. South Florida is no longer the dream retirement spot for our people and we now have many bubbes and zeydes who seldom get to see their grandchildren. And for many of those Grandparents, it is no longer possible for them to travel up North to visit their precious little angels.

Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach has 100 of the sweetest bubbes and zeydes you could ever hope to meet. Few, if any, actually have grandchildren who live down here in Florida.

The High Holy Days are coming up and the bubbes and zeydes of Temple Beth Israel (and those of other Congregations as well) would love to have little ones sitting next to them in the Shul.

Being able to “adopt” a precious little angel as a grandchild and having that adoptee and their parents adopt a grandparent. Well, that could just make the greatest of New Years for everyone involved. And, at the same time, selfishly, yes, it would bring more members into the congregation … young members, vibrant members … and this would insure a minimum of two more generations for the Temple. It is a win/win situation all the way around as it has the potential to increase the joy and well-being of so many in our midst.

While you’re thinking about it, let me share a story that was e-mailed to me about just how loving and patient a zeyde can be. A woman is in a supermarket behind a zeyde and his badly behaved 3- or 4-year-old grandson. It is obvious to her that the zeyde has his hands full with this little one screaming for candy and cookies. Meanwhile, zeyde is doing his shopping and saying in a soft voice, “Easy, Moshele, we won’t be long…”

The little one has another outburst and the woman hears the zeyde calmly say, “It’s okay, Moishele, just a couple more minutes and we’ll be out of here.” At the checkout counter, the little imp starts throwing items out of the shopping cart and zeyde calmly says, “Moishele, relax, don’t get upset. Stay cool.”

The woman who had been following him is quite impressed with the zeyde’s patience and says, “You are amazing! I don’t know how you did it. That whole time you kept your calm and kept saying things would be okay. Moishele is very lucky to have you as his zeyde.”

The zeyde responds, “Thanks, but I’m Moishele. The little shmegegee’s name is Jacob.”

This year, bring your little ones with you to our Shul. Become a part of our family. There might just be a new bubbe or zeyde in it for you or your child. Looking forward to seeing you there on the Holy Days and all year round.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and of the Association of Professional Chaplains, He works professionally in this capacity with a number of healthcare facilities in the area, and with hospice. He is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach.

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DFB SP Comm Meeting Part 1

Posted on 08 August 2013 by LeslieM

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