By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

With Black History month wrapping up and the Academy Awards looming, 12 Years a Slave is the film to see. With 9 Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe winner for Best Picture in Drama, this film is a wellcrafted motion picture that stands side by side with previous Best Picture Oscar winners like Gandhi, Schindler’s List and All Quiet on the Western Front. Like the previous mentioned winners, 12 Years a Slave will not invite repeat viewings — one viewing is enough to make this film memorable.

The title speaks for itself. It is based on the autobiography written and published by Solomon Northup before the Civil War. Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a black musician from New England who is kidnapped and sold into slavery on a Southern Plantation. In his 12 years as a slave, Northup is sold by conniving rat (Paul Giamatti), brutalized by an entitled rich kid (Paul Dano) and performs brutal acts under the orders of an alcoholic overseer (Michael Fassbender). Yet Northup is given moments of beautiful grace from a fellow slave (Lupita Nyong’o), while learning Christian values from Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) and practical carpentry from Bass (Brad Pitt).

Director Steve McQueen (no relation to the actor who died 34 years ago) has created a human motion picture with brilliant artistic and technical detail. McQueen takes his time to let the story unfold. He fills scenes with shot composition inspired by Old World Master Painter Francisco Goya, scenes that are brutal and beautiful at the same time. The Hans Zimmer musical score is not intrusive, yet will lead people to an appreciation for acoustic music, especially bluegrass, blues and gospel.

Win or lose the Oscar race, 12 Years a Slave is one of the best pictures of 2013.

Based on a stage play by Neal Bell, In Secret opens tomorrow in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton. The cast is an intriguing matchup between young and experienced talent. Elizabeth Olsen portrays Therese, a sexually-repressed young woman under the thumb of her husband (Tom Felton, Harry Potter’s nemesis “Draco Malfoy”) and domineering aunt (Jessica Lange, on break from American Horror Story). Set in Paris, circa 1860, Therese is besotted by Laurent (Oscar Isaac), a friend of her husband. With this kind of setup, you can guess what happens in In Secret.

On a lighter note, the UltraCon of South Florida commences this weekend at the Ft. Lauderdale Sheraton Suites at Cypress Creek. The brainchild of local comic book entrepreneur Irving Santiago, this con has invited actors from The Walking Dead, Star Trek as well as UFC Fighter Mike “the Wolverine” Rio. The demented clown duo from Orlando, Giggles & Thug, also plan to terrorize Cypress Creek this weekend.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Feb. 5 A man and a woman stole a Kurio table valued at $99.99 from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Feb. 6 An individual was arrested and charged with retail theft. The person stole food from CVS at 1827 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Feb. 6 Two men were observed entering a home through a window at 356 NW 3 St. The men fled the scene.

Feb. 6 A man stole an Xbox One from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Bvd. The man was seen on video surveillance.

Feb. 6 A woman left her wallet on a bar at 2096 NE 2 St. Someone entered the wallet and stole her Florida driver’s license and a credit card.

Feb. 6 Someone entered a home at 4326 NW 6 Ave. and stole a flat-screen television from the living room.

Feb. 8 Someone entered a home at 1925 NE 3 St. and stole a Mac Book Pro valued at $2,000 and a cup with $100 in cash.

DEERFIELD — District 4

Feb. 5 Burglary to a business was reported at Enterprise Commerce Center, 1701 Green Rd. The subject(s) pried open the rear door to the empty warehouse, cut through the drywall into Cell Runners. It cannot be determined if anything was taken at this time.

Feb. 5 Criminal mischief occurred at Pine Tree Apartments, 1741 NW 2 S t . The victim advised BSO that between 12:01 and 9:15 a.m., unknown suspect(s) broke his bedroom window by unknown means. Entry into the residence was not made nor was anything taken or disturbed inside. The victim advised BSO that he has not had any problems with anyone and did not see any suspicious persons in the area.

Feb. 5 Suspicious activity was noted in Deer Run, 100 S. Powerline Rd.

Feb. 6 Theft was reported at a CVS at 1827 W. Hillsboro Blvd.The suspect stole $23.04 in food items from the CVS store. Subject was arrested and transported to jail.

Feb. 6 Second-degree petit theft was reported at Deerfield Mall, 3852 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Feb. 7 Theft took place at Pine Tree Apartments, 1761 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The subject(s) fraudulently got the elderly victim to withdraw $9,000.00 from her Sun Trust account.

Feb. 7 Fraud occurred at Starlight Cove, 695 NW 38. Ave. The victim called to reference someone who attempted to open a Discover card in her name twice in the past three months.

Feb. 7 Trespass warning was reported at Deer Creek, 650 Jefferson Dr.

Feb. 9 Trespass warning was reported at Deerfield Mall, 3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

LHP

Feb. 4 Someone entered an unlocked vehicle parked in front of a residence at 4430 NE 28 Ave. and stole five drink tokens, a Cardinal Gibbons Cup and $20 in coins from the center console. Police said the loss was $50.

Feb. 4 Someone entered a 2012 Toyota Highlander parked in a driveway in front of a residence at 4440 NE 28 Ave. Police said it didn’t appear anything was taken from the vehicle.

Feb. 6 A man entered a bank at 3600 N. Federal Hwy. and handed the teller a note demanding $5,000 in cash with “no alarm, no movements or I will take hostages.” The teller handed the man money from the counter and he fled the bank with an estimated $7,100.

RE: “Medical” marijuana

Dear Editor:

The “people” are asking to legalize MEDICAL marijuana at this time and not asking to legalize it as in Colorado and Washington.

To the publisher: I truly see your plight with your workers and with your business.

However, when it comes to medical marijuana:

1) When it is used for people who are having seizures, especially children who have up to 300 a day, the pill they take is a purified Cannabidol.

( www.medicaldaily.com/fda-approves-marijuanabased-epilepsy-drug-usekids-clinical-trials-261998)

It has NO THC in it. It does not get the patient “high.” Children who have taken it end up seizure-free.

2) As for medical marijuana in a rolled form, let me tell you that one of the biggest attorneys in the U.S., name withheld, smokes up to 10 cigarettes of marijuana a day. His disease is then under control and he functions normally without pain or distress. He is not lounging under some palm tree, high as a kite!

Regarding cancer and emphysema, they have tested but four men, who also smoked tobacco and claim it MAY have helped cause, but was not the only cause it. Same went for lung cancer. However, studies cannot be done properly, as marijuana is an illegal substance. Therefore, it is hard to test.

(Statistics www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death#sthash.pbJretph.dpbs)

Besides seizures, glaucoma and epilepsy, someone’s mother, sister, father, daughter etc. is suffering from cancer.

They receive chemo and lose weight. The more weight lost, the weaker they become and the less the drugs and chemo will work.

MEDICAL marijuana (a different grade, which is watched closely by the government) not only helps these victims of cancer by easing their pain, but helps them with their appetites, which chemo takes away and affords them the chance to GAIN weight, making the chemo and drugs more effective, thus SAVING lives.

This is a medical marijuana issue and NOT one of legalizing it to all.

I urge people to do your research before fighting against it. Your vote could save a human life.

Dana Wade

Deerfield Beach

DB Island Club Assoc. meets

Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church 1920 SE 5 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Guest speakers: Deerfield Beach Vice Mayor Joe Miller and Public Information Officer Rebecca Medina, includes PR video on all the “Hot Spots” in Deerfield Beach.

Garden Club of Lighthouse Point Celebrate 55th Anniversary

Thursday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.

St. Paul’s Education Hall 2700 NE 36 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Annual salad luncheon and Chinese auction. Orchid program by Hyla Levine, Queen Barn Orchids. $10 non-members/ guests. RSVP, limited space. 954-942-9310.

Zion Lutheran School’s 50th Anniversary Social

Friday, Feb. 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Galuppi’s on the Green 1103 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

$25, includes food, drink and $5 raffle tickets.

Bully Defense Seminar

Saturday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m.

Elite Force Martial Arts 4754 N. Federal Hwy. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

All kids welcome – age 5+. 954-785-1348.

Children in the Arts Piano Competition

Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.

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

Free recital/open to the public. Competition of kids of all ages and levels. 954-786-4111.

Tea in the Garden

Saturday, Feb. 22, 4 to 6 p.m.

The Fruitful Field 100 NE 44 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33064

5th annual fundraising event includes English tea (at 5 p.m.) and pastries. Explore the tropical food forest and vegetable growing areas while listening to LIVE music. Fruitful Field not only educates, but also inspires new ways to feed those who are hungry. www.thefruitfulfield.org.

City of LHP: Girls Softball Registration

Saturday, Feb. 22, noon

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

Register for: Coach pitch softball ages 6-8, Junior girls ages 9-11, Senior girls ages 12-15. Call 954-784-3449 to find out more.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Sunday, Feb. 23, 1 to 4 p.m.

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

$10. Presented by the Hot Jazz & Alligator Gumbo Society. 954-563-5390.

Relay For Life fundraiser at Tijuana Flats

Monday Feb. 24, 5 to 8 p.m.

Tijuana Flats 278 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

20 percent of anything you purchase will go toward our Relay for Life. “Heads n Tails” Contest, “Hot Sauce and Tortilla Chip” eating competition – 2014 Saucy King and Queen will be crowned. Free prizes raffled every 30 minutes. 954-304-4248, www.relayforlife.org/dblpfl.

DAV offers help

Tuesday, Feb. 25 and Wednesday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

American Legion, Post 162 820 SE 8 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Disabled American Veterans Mobile Service Office will personally provide counseling and claim filing assistance. FREE to all veterans and their family members. 727-319- 7444.

Winter Concert Series: The Fabulons

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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

$12. Tickets: 954-786-4111.

North Broward Democratic Club

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

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

Speaker: Ft. Lauderdale City Commissioner, Dean Trantalis, on climate change. FREE. Refreshments served.

Florida Renaissance Festival

Through March 16 (Weekends), 10 a.m. to sunset

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

$20-adults/$9-children ages 6-11/Kids 5 & younger FREE. www.ren-fest.com or 800-3-REN-FES.

(Great thanks to Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin for getting the creative juices flowing.)

I know you probably weren’t expecting a Rabbi to bring up Valentine’s Day, but, in case you haven’t figured it out in reading my columns here in The Observer, I am a romantic at heart. So, when I studied the Torah Portion the other week, I couldn’t help but find connections between them.

This Torah reading gave a description of the special clothing, the Kohanim, that Aaron and his sons were to wear. Since Valentine’s Day was coming up, many ads were pushing clothing and jewelry. They showed items of adornment that can be worn on the head, the neck and on the wrist. Why are these items shown as gifts for Valentine’s Day? Well, aside from the fact that the stores are hoping to make lots of money, hopefully, these types of gifts are a way of telling someone you love that they are special to you.

After all, I would not advise you to get the love of your life a new vacuum or a new mop along with a Cupid Card. Why? Because that would not be a very good way of saying that they are special.

So how does this connect with the Torah Reading? Well, for that, we have to look at why Aaron and his sons had special vestments to wear and I can think of no better way of finding the answer then looking at that last piece of the coordinated outfit, the frontlet that the priest was to wear on his forehead, because that piece was inscribed with the words “Holy to the Eternal.”

Of course, reading this, you might think for a moment that only the Priests were special to G-d, that only the priests were to be holy. But we are told to be “A Kingdom of Priests …”

In other words, we are all supposed to be special and we are all supposed to be holy. We are also supposed to emulate G-d. If G-d feeds the hungry, then we are to feed the hungry. If G-d clothes the naked, then we are to clothe the naked. And, if G-d finds people holy … if G-d loves others, then we to are to find people holy and love them.

Now, please don’t get me wrong, in Judaism we are not exactly fond of tattoos, so I am not suggesting that you have your loved ones tattooed on the forehead with the words “Holy to me.” But, I would suggest you try this to add to the holiness and the love in your life … each time you look at those you love, imagine those words on their forehead. Remember that we have the ability to decide what is holy and special to us.

In a perfect world, we would all be special to one another; but, for now, having just celebrated Valentine’s Day, at least see those words on your spouse, on your parents, on your children and then let those words change how you treat them.

Before you do something like getting angry or giving the silent treatment, before you tell them you don’t have time for this or that, don’t just imagine the words “Holy to me” on their forehead. Show them how Holy they are to you and show them how very much you love them as, when you do, you truly show them that they are consecrated unto you.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach. We welcome you to join our warm and caring family for Shabbat and festival services. We’ll make your heart glow…who knows, you might even fall in love with Shul all over again.

The real New York way!

By Becki Coffy

If you are looking for a unique breakfast and lunch restaurant in Deerfield Beach, look no further than The Cove Bagel and Deli.

This special eatery offers a full breakfast selection and an authentic deli with all the delicious meats and salads you enjoyed back home and have been searching for here in town.

With 40 years in the business, Steve and Karen Kay opened their restaurant in Deerfield Beach 10 years ago. The help of their children, Stacy and Adam, truly makes this a family affair. From babies to Baby Boomers, there is something to meet everyone’s satisfaction.

The menu is quite extensive, and it really was difficult for my husband and me to select just one dish to sample. My husband decided to enjoy something from the breakfast menu, so I chose something from the lunch side.

Had I realized they offered Eggs Benedict, my decision would have been made for me! Breakfast is served all day and only farm fresh eggs and the freshest ingredients are used. The three-egg omelets are enormous and filled with cheeses, meats, fresh vegetables, Nova or you may create your own. Muffins, English muffins, toast and, of course, bagels are available with your meal.

My dining partner chose The Cove Slam, which includes French toast or pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. The pancakes were light, fluffy and definitely some of the best we’ve had in Florida. The bacon and sausage had great flavor and were cooked just the way we like it. A unique dish that I intend to try in the future is the crunchy French toast — French toast smothered with frosted flakes and grilled to a crisp finish.

For my selection, I chose the classic Reuben sandwich stacked high with mounds of National Deli corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on grilled rye and served with French fries and two huge half sour pickles that were fabulous.

Steve, the owner, also brought us a piece of marble chiffon cake, complimentary to all his customers on the weekends, while the supply lasts. He often offers complimentary items so his customers can sample something they may not usually order.

The lunch menu offers homemade matzo ball and chicken noodle soup, plus the soup of the day and 10 types of burgers, including a turkey burger and a turkey patty melt. All burgers are served with fries, lettuce, tomato, onion, coleslaw and pickle – no skimping here! Fish and chips, chicken tenders and shrimp in a basket are all available for $7.99. Triple Decker club, chopped liver, tongue, tuna, chicken, egg, shrimp and whitefish salad sandwiches help round out the menu. Be sure to try any of their “hot opens” – turkey, brisket or roast beef with gravy and French fries.

For those looking for lighter fare, there are grilled chicken sandwiches and seven salad choices from which to choose. Cove specialties include cheese blintzes and potato pancakes. Don’t forget to try one of their famous super deli sandwiches – corned beef, pastrami and brisket to name a few.

Our wonderful waitress, Connie, says she has a pastrami sandwich every day. The ingredients used in the restaurant are never frozen, and the salads are made in small batches throughout the day so that everything is amazingly fresh. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Although seating is available inside and out, we sat inside and enjoyed looking at all the memorabilia collected over the past 45 years. Whether hanging on the wall, sitting on the shelf or hiding in the corner, there was something to bring back great memories from a simpler time.

Outside seating is petfriendly and they will even bring a bowl of water out for your furry companion!

The Cove Bagel and Deli is located in The Cove Shopping Center on Hillsboro Boulevard at the Intracoastal in Deerfield Beach. Breakfast and lunch are served all day. They are open six days a week from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (closed on Mondays). A children’s menu for both breakfast and lunch is offered. Catering services and free delivery to local businesses and residences is available. 954- 481-8600.

Steve and his wife, Karen, make a point of learning their customer’s names and making everyone feel welcome and at home. The prices are affordable, the portions are large and the food is delicious. The Kays really live up to their motto, “The old-fashioned way is still the best way.”

Be sure to stop by and enjoy all that The Cove Bagel and Deli has to offer. Steve and Karen have made this more than a restaurant, they’ve made it part of the neighborhood. Until we eat again.

If you truly have Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis or certain types of cancer (the main “legal” reasons now being mentioned), and your doctor recommends for you to smoke marijuana for relief, be sure to get it in writing from the doctor. That is so that when you suffer the negative consequences of smoking marijuana, such as emphysema or cancer, there is someone else to blame and perhaps sue.

It is shameful how this issue is being manipulated by certain politicians, especially a certain former governor, who is proving again that he has no shame, and will do or say anything to try to “win” an election.

Negatives far outweigh any benefits from people smoking pot, at least based on my experience as an employer. One of my first negative experiences a number of years ago was when I sent three of my young mechanics down to a Caribbean Island to install some of our equipment on a sugar plantation. The job should have taken a week.

However, three weeks went by and we had not heard from them. This was before cell phones. Therefore, I called the customer, who checked on them and complained that my guys were just sitting around smoking “pot.” I ordered them back home, fired them immediately and sent a supervisor with some others to finish the job. That one incident cost us tens of thousands of dollars and lost a multi-million dollar customer. Lunch time started becoming a problem as some of our folks began indulging themselves in their pot smoking during lunch and came back to work causing accidents. Our workers compensation rate doubled, then doubled again before we figured out what was causing the accidents and took proper action with drug tests, etc. However, just one of the after lunch “accidents” put a man in the hospital for several months and cost over a million dollars in medical costs.

As a final example, a few years ago thousands of brochures on our products had to be thrown away when our man in charge got high on pot and changed the instructions to the printer to weird colors which made them unusable. We fired him, of course, but thousands of dollars were lost, as the brochures had to be corrected by others and reprinted.

These are just a few examples, and we are just one small company. The Florida Supreme Court recently agreed to put the issue on an upcoming statewide vote requiring only 60 percent approval. Certain special interest entities who will make big money are positioning themselves already to finance pushing it through. If it passes, and I’m being told there’s a good chance it will pass, many people will lose their jobs as many employers will simply “throw in the towel” and invest elsewhere.

—David Eller, Publisher

By Dave Montalbano

www.cinemadave.livejournal.com

The Jewish Holocaust was the primary theme of two recently-released motion pictures, Aftermath and The Last of the Unjust. When Comedy Went to School takes a look at the lighter side of Jewish Culture, proving the old adage that “living well is the best revenge.”

This documentary features some of the most influential comedians of the 20th Century: Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen and Jerry Seinfeld. Using concert footage of these comedians in their youth, the audience will receive an education in how to develop a comedy, from the set-up to the punch line.

Buried under the multi-million- dollar Oscar marketing of The Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle and Saving Mr. Banks, Lone Survivor has quietly broken the $100 million threshold at the box office. Based on the New York Times nonfiction best seller, Lone Survivor made my Top 10 list for presenting an epic, yet human, movie within a twohour time frame.

In the summer of 2005, Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg) and his Navy SEALs team accept the assignment to eliminate al Qaeda leader Ahmad Shah in the mountains of Afghanistan. During the mission, the special forces team runs into mountain herders, who may, or may not be, sympathetic to the al Qaeda leadership. Caught in the crosshairs of choosing survival or following the rules of engagement set in motion by Washington politicians, the team makes a choice that ultimately leads to tragedy. (One of the SEALs who died, James Suh, was a Deerfield High graduate.)

Watching what happens to the team is a teeth-grinding experience. Yet, in the midst of the brutality, you will see moments of grace from our brave military volunteers, as well of Afghan Muslim leaders whose code of honor is mightier than the iron command of al Qaeda.

With the exception of a few technical awards, it is too bad that Lone Survivor is being ignored by the Academy Awards this year. It is truly one of the best motion pictures released in 2013.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Jan. 29 A car at 124 SE 3 Court was broken into and $30 worth of loose change was stolen.

Jan. 29 A tailgate was stolen from a truck parked at 1200 SW 11 Way.

Jan. 30 A home at 236 NE 42 Court was broken into and ransacked. Two laptop computers and one tablet were stolen.

Jan. 31 A man reported that someone attempted to break into his home at 709 NW 1 Way.

Jan.31 A stand-alone apartment at 311 NE 43 St. was entered and a laptop and $500 were stolen. A window in the main house was also broken, but it does not appear that entry was made into the house.

Feb. 1 A man walked into Walgreens Liquor Store at 1325 S. Military Tr. and stole a bottle of liquor.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Jan. 15 A store manager observed a man take two beverages valued at $7 and drink them while he was in a store at 3580 N. Federal Hwy. The subject left the store without paying for them.

Jan. 15 Victim’s ex-boyfriend entered her residence at 4340 NE 28 St. and took a laptop, a laptop bag and a purse. Loss was estimated at $900.

Jan. 16 Victim returned home to residence located at 2110 NE 33 St. and discovered a rear sliding glass door was off the track. It was unknown if anything was taken from the residence.

RE: Charter changes

Dear Editor:

The mayor of Deerfield Beach wants to do away with the codes that protect the beach from over-development, codes that were overwhelmingly voted in by the residents.

She seems to think that allowing larger development on the beach will eliminate drug rehab and “sober” houses, in her words, in last week’s Observer, “what is being proliferated in the beach area today” on the barrier island.

These establishments are a protected use, according to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Blaming the current code for this is beyond absurd. The argument that property owners are being forced into selling their properties to the rehab folks just doesn’t hold water. No one can be forced to sell or rent to someone if they don’t want to.

The mayor wants the commission to “step up and create its own new ordinance to deal with the changes in the beach area.” She doesn’t say what she wants in the ordinance. She may have forgotten, but the city attorney, and the commission, put in place all the legal restrictions they could in regard to group homes.

Allowing codes that would allow higher and wider development on the beach goes against everything the residents of Deerfield Beach want. As a witness, the 75 percent vote count in favor of the referendum on building codes. Beach property owners are able to build 55 ft. tall buildings, which should be enough for anyone to make a big profit in 2014, as well as in 2002.

Far from threatening development on the beach,Charter Section 11.01 is protecting what we have and allowing rational building, as witnessed by the new hotel on the beachfront, which is built to code.

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach