On March 4, actress Elisabetta Fantone, Gretchen Rossi (of “Real Housewives of Orange County) came to Gimme A Burger in Deerfield Beach to bust up a burger before Fantone’s bachelorette party in Miami. They were accompanied by Rossi’s hubby Slade Smile and Fantone’s hubby-to-be Patrick Cohen. Long Film Company filmed a quick video and the girls gave away an entry to their VIP party. More pics coming soon.

Gretchen Rossi and Elisabetta Fantone

Patrick Dawson films Andrew Kiaroscuro talking to GM Jonathan Wolf.

By Gary Curreri

Jordan Murphy loves fighting.

The Deerfield Beach teenager recently won his third national Silver Gloves boxing championship and said he plans to join the military when he turns 18 and fight for his country.

Murphy, a 14-year-old eighth grader at Lyons Creek Middle School in Coconut Creek, and a member of the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Police Athletic League (PAL) boxing program, recently won top honors as in the 80-lb., 14/ 15 age division at the National Silver Gloves boxing tournament in Independence, Missouri when he defeated Patrick Fair (Ohio) by unanimous decision.

Murphy has three national titles (2010 National Junior Golden Gloves, 2013 Ringside World and now 2014 National Silver Gloves), in addition to four state and four regional titles just for the silver gloves tournaments. He has also accumulated several Junior Olympic state titles and Police Athletic League titles.

“I absolutely believed I would win the championship,” said Murphy, who will compete in the upcoming State Golden Gloves competition on March 27-29 in West Palm Beach and the State Junior Olympics competition in Boca Raton on April 12.

“I knew that I worked hard and that I worked hard for a reason and that was to win,” said Murphy, who has been boxing in the PAL program in Deerfield Beach for the past six years. “Boxing has taught me to behave in school and not to let anything get to you. It has also taught me to work hard to achieve what you want.”

Murphy trains three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for 1-1/2 hours each day. He said the rigorous training gives him confidence when he is about to go one-on-one with his opponent.

“When I walk in the ring I am a little nervous at first,” said Murphy, who has compiled a 52-8 record. “As soon as the bell rings, I know that I have confidence in myself that I am going to win the fight most of the time.”

It was redemption of sorts for Murphy who fought a close fight last year in the finals of the 75-lb., 12/13 age division, but dropped a split decision to Malik Nelson (New Jersey).

Murphy competed in a series of national boxing competitions and came out as the national champ for his class. Murphy trained extensively with his coach, Steve Collazo, and had to win several local and regional boxing matches in order to make it to the nationals.

“Jordan has worked long and hard to achieve one goal, to be the best,” said his coach, Collazo. “He was very determined to win this year, especially after falling short in the finals last year.”

In order to reach the nationals, Murphy captured the Silver Gloves State Tournament in early December 2013 in Ft. Pierce, making him the Florida State Silver Glove 80 lb., 14- 15 years-of-age champ. Murphy then won the Regional Silver Gloves competition in early January in Maryland, making him the Region 3 champ to advance to the Silver Gloves Nationals held in Independence, Missouri.

When he turns 18, Murphy is going to be fighting a bigger cause.

“I am going to join the military and box in the military before I go pro,” Murphy said. “I want to help our country out and fight for freedom and our rights. I kind of think about that when I go into the ring now.”

Murphy also plays baseball in the Junior Division of the Deerfield Beach Little League. He is a pitcher and shortstop for the White Sox and has been on the diamond for the past seven years.

“I like boxing more,” Murphy said.

Collazo said BSO’s Police Athletic League provides youths an opportunity to stay out of trouble by participating in sports and other activities after school or during the summer.

The activities are structured to attract all youths regardless of their previous athletic abilities. PAL’s goal is to provide them with activities that build character and self-esteem, foster positive relationships, enhance self-awareness and promote good citizenship.

All PAL programs are free of charge. All participants must be currently in a school or home schooled. For more information, contact BSO Deputy Butch Santy at 954-778-0174.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

While best known for her Oscar-winning leading role in Gone With The Wind, Vivien Leigh earned her second Oscar as Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.

A reliable British actress on both stage and screen, Leigh’s award-winning performances created an indelible image of a young and aged Southern belle.

Last Sunday night, Australian actress Cate Blanchett earned her second Oscar for playing a DuBois-inspired character in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. While Jasmine (Blanchett) is no Southern belle, she does suffer from similar delusions with that of Blanche Dubois.

The film opens with Jasmine flying into a San Francisco airport to spend time with her sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins). During the long flight, Jasmine annoys the people around her with constant chattering. We learn that the selfabsorbed Jasmine was once married to a Bernie Madoff-like character, Hal (Alec Baldwin), a successful money manager. Being a trophy wife, Jasmine lives a charmed life in the Hamptons, while ignoring Hal’s indiscretions.

Blue Jasmine shares DNA with A Streetcar named Desire. In a way, the travails of Blue Jasmine seem to be the back story of DuBois. After enjoying the debutante’s life for so long, both women’s fall from grace is tragic to watch.

While his family scandals from 21 years ago are still vivid, there is no denying that Woody Allen is a very literate filmmaker. When inspired by the literary masters. Woody Allen’s humor is at its sharpest … with films like Hannah and her Sisters influenced by Chekhov’s 3 Sisters and Crimes and Misdemeanors influenced by Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment …

The Woody Allen ensemble of New York actors (Alec Baldwin, Bobby Carnvale) are appropriately cast. Best Supporting actress nominee Sally Hawkins provides the most transitional performance as Jasmine’s sister. Yet, Blue Jasmine is Cate Blanchett’s movie from beginning to end. Jasmine is an unlikeable character, but Blanchett creates a unique sympathy for the fallen woman.

Oscar season is now officially concluded, but a new season has begun. The Miami International Film Festival opens this weekend with 100 films from 40 countries. Of note, the 2013 Oscar winner for best documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom, premiered at the Miami International Film Festival last year.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

I was sitting in the big chair getting a pedicure at the Vietnamese Nail Salon on a school holiday.

The 10-year-old son of the salon owner wandered aimlessly around the salon, closely watched by his mother and grandmother, and other working relatives. The young boy was friendly and alert, and everything about him signaled “smart.” He stopped by my chair and we exchanged a few words about his vacation and school.

And then, without any warning, he looked up at me and asked, “What do you do when you’re bored?”

Somehow, from that childish stance, I sensed a really thoughtful and serious mind; although, I had to ask him to repeat the question to give myself time to construct an age-appropriate response. And then, no! My response was un-tethered to age. I merely blurted out the unvarnished truth as if I were on a podium giving a lecture.

“Bored?” I repeated “I’m never bored.”

“How come?” he asked, with genuine curiosity.

“Because I love my own company, and I have so many thoughts running through my head that I can seem to be doing nothing, but I am thinking all the time.”

He scrunched up his nose and leaned closer to me. “Yes, but what do you DO when you have nothing to do?”

The “thinking” part was too abstract.

“Well,” I felt I owed him something more concrete. “I read, I write, I listen to music and REALLY listen, I love to invent new recipes from leftover food, I ….”

My voice trailed as he jumped up and ran to one of the back rooms of the salon, leaving me thinking seriously about “boredom.” I didn’t want to tell him that I have occasionally felt considerably more bored in the company of some people than when I am alone.

Within a few minutes, he returned with a few sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 white typing paper, which he evidently retrieved from a printer. He squatted easily at a site close to my chair and began to fold a sheet of paper very purposefully. He looked up at me quizzically.

“Origami! “ he stated, “You know what that is?”

I nodded affirmatively, watching him construct – all with folds — a perfectlysquare paper box about 2” in depth with a tidy reinforced rim around it.

“That’s great,” I said. “What will you do with that?”

Instantly, his mother, who was “doing” my fingernails, pulled several bills from her pocket and tossed them into the box, sending her son directly to the cash register to perform a familiar task, as they conversed easily in their high-pitched Vietnamese language.

He returned to my chair, told me his name and then felt obligated to add that it wasn’t his actual Vietnamese name, which he pronounced for me, and which I couldn’t repeat if my life had depended on it. He had no trouble pronouncing my name. We chatted about school and his favorite subject, math, and some things he could do when he felt bored.

He is one of the “dream” kids, not born here, but who will grow up to be one of our national treasures if he is allowed to remain in this country and become a citizen. And he is not likely ever to be bored.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Feb. 13 A man was arrested and charged with resisting arrest without violence and disorderly conduct at 2151 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The man was screaming for about three hours.

Feb. 13 Someone stole two tires off a truck parked at 3443 SW 11 St. Total loss was valued at $600.

Feb. 14 A burglary was reported at a home at NE 44 St.

Feb. 14 A man reported being punched in the face by a known subject at Tony’s Market at 5105 N. Dixie Hwy.

Feb. 15 A man left a bar at 201 NW 43 Place. He left with a man and a woman. They drove to Miami and then returned to Deerfield Beach. The man reported that the man and woman forced him to give up his wallet and cell phone at knife and gunpoint.

Feb. 19 A woman was stopped for a traffic offense at 4400 N. Dixie Hwy. The woman was found to be in possession of marijuana and was issued a Notice to Appear in court.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Feb. 6 Police responded to a report of a homeless man sleeping near a rear dumpster at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. The subject was discovered with two beer cans and a bottle of wine that was taken from a store. Loss was $14.13.

Feb. 7 Someone broke a window and stole a purse containing credit cards, $50 cash and a Florida Driver’s License in a vehicle at 3778 N. Federal Hwy. Damage to the window was estimated at $500. Total loss was $706.

Feb. 7 The victim said someone took an antique French wood bust from a living room of a residence at 2721 NE 40 Court. Victim said she had a person pick up a dresser so he could sell it and believed he might be involved.

Those Fabulous’ 40s Concert

Thursday Mar. 6, 7 p.m.

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

$12. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. 954-786-4590.

Movies in the Park: “The Lorax”

Tuesday, Mar. 7, 7 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park 4111 NW 6 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Bring blankets/ lawn chairs. Call 954-480-4429 or visit www.Deerfield-Beach.com.

Author Presentation & Luncheon

Saturday, Mar. 8, 11:30 a.m.

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

American Association of University Women (AAUW), Pompano Beach fundraiser. Patsy West, ethno-historian & preservationist speaks on “bathing costumes to bikinis.” $40 (includes silent auction.) Reservations Required: 954- 524-2938.

Huge Yard Sale

Saturday, Mar. 8, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3870 N. Powerline Rd. Pompano Beach, FL 33073

Benefits “no kill” Florida Humane Society. Donations accepted Thursday – Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 954-785-2165. Rain date: March 15.

Soroptimist International Annual “Casino Night”

Saturday, Mar.8, 7 to 11 p.m.

Elks Lodge 700 NE 10 St Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Theme: “Shake your Shamrock,” features dinner, dancing, gaming, raffles, auctions. $65 (includes $100 in chips) Tickets: 954-553-0887. Benefits Woodhouse of Pompano Beach.

Hillsboro Lighthouse Tour

Saturday, Mar. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Transportation from: Sands Harbor Hotel & Marina 125 N. Riverside Dr. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Transportation to and from the lighthouse grounds by boat. $25 per person. Must have flat shoes with rubber soles and closed toes. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must be a minimum of 48″ (4‘) tall to climb the tower. No pets allowed. www.hillsborolighthouse.org.

Music under the Stars: WT Heck and the Indelibles

Saturday, Mar. 8, 7 p.m.

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

FREE concert: Jazz and Blues. 954-786-4590.

About Boating Safely

Saturday, Mar. 8, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Spanish River Park HQ Bldg. 3939 N. Ocean Blvd. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Everyone who completes the class is given a certificate and will be sent a Florida Boating ID card, which is required for boaters under 22 years old. Topics include boating terminology, boat handling, navigation rules, aids to navigation, federal and Florida regulations, safety equipment and other boating techniques. Materials fee is $35. For questions or RSVP, call 561-391-3600 and leave a message.

Mardi Gras Celebration — Chamber GALA

Saturday, Mar. 8, 6 p.m.

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

Held by Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce. A portion benefits International Society for Autism. Info: www.deerfieldchamber.com.

Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert

Sunday, Mar. 9, 3 to 4 p.m.

Boca Raton Downtown Library 400 NW 2 Ave. Boca Raton, FL 33432

Free admission/open to the public. Features “Great American Songs” by Jim Kovalcik Trio. Reservations required. Visit www.bocalibrary.org or call 561-299-8684.

Pompano Beach Garden Club Meeting

Monday, Mar. 10, 12:30 p.m.

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

“Demonstration of Floral Design” presented by Cindy Rieger and Joanne Nelson. Open to the public. Refreshments served. 954-943-0029.

Deerfield Beach Orchid Society Meeting

Tuesday, Mar. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Club of Deerfield Beach 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Orchid Auction (and orchid accessories). Arrive by 7 p.m. to preview items. Guests or new members welcome. No charge for guest visit first two times. After, there is membership fee. Visit: www.deerfieldbeachorchidsociety.org or contact deerfieldbeachorchidsociety@gmail.com.

Greater Pompano Beach Senior Citizens Club meets

Wednesday, Mar. 12, 10 a.m.

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

Activities and events for seniors. 954-786-3902.

8th Annual Festival of the Arts

Thursday, Mar. 6 to Saturday, Mar. 15

Mizner Park 327 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432

Enjoy world-class musicians, authors and other performances. For more info., call 561-368-8445 or visit www.festivalboca.org.

I have this thing about using various melodies for the hymn Adon Olam. Recently, I did it to the tune of the theme from Gilligan’s Island. This was the story of the Skipper and his little buddy Gilligan, along with those who sailed with them on a three-hour tour on the S.S. Minnow, a trip that went horribly awry.

Bob Denver, Bob Hale Jr., Jim Backus … the movie star, the professor and Marianne … every one of these castaways was very different from one another. Each had their own talents, and each learned that, if they were going to survive on that island, then they had better learn to live together as one.

Of course, as far as I can remember, religion never seemed to come up in the show. I guess that was a good thing too, because they would have spent far too much of their time arguing over how many houses of worship to build and which one was better than the other and why.

Most of you remember that old joke about two people who are marooned on a deserted island for several years and, finally, a ship comes to rescue them. When the ship’s captain gets off to meet them, he finds that they have built three houses of worship … and, since there are only two castaways, he has to ask, “Why three?” To which they reply, “One is for me to pray in, the other for him, and the third neither of us would even think of ever walking into.”

According to the Torah, we were like one heart and one soul when we accepted G-d’s Law. That’s right, we were one … and isn’t that what we say of G-d in the Shema, Hear, Oh, Israel, the Lord our G-d is One!

Most of you have heard about the new math. But, while two plus two equaling three might be a bit confusing for you, get this, if you look up the word ONE in the dictionary, one of the definitions will say something along the lines of constituting a unified entity of two or more components … or being in agreement or union.

What on earth does that mean? Does it require two or more to make one?

On Friday nights, we chant L’Cha Dodi which tells us to greet the bride of Sabbath to greet Shabbat as we would a bride. In order for there to be a bride, there has to be another component. There has to be a partner, a groom. Of course, there would be no bride or groom without a mother and father … no mother and father without a bubbe and zaide, etc., etc. And there would be no one if not for G-d.

When Moses gathers all of Israel together again, it is not just to gather them together in one and the same place, at one and the same time, but to instill in them again one and the same vision. Sadly, I have heard far too many politicians on TV lately say that they do not share the same vision. It is time for all of us to gather and find that joint vision again– for that is what makes this country great.

If you want to be Echad … if you want to be one, then you have to EeChed. You have to unite. Let us unite again as one family, one nation, under one flag, under One G-d.

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.