Thanksgiving is soon upon us and, once again, our children will hear a beautiful version of the first Thanksgiving. They will hear about Native Americans and pilgrims feasting together on corn, turkey and yams, oh, and let’s not forget cranberry sauce.

Many adults who have given up on the myth of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny still cling to the Thanksgiving story they learned as little ones.

I have the same problem with those who dropped out of Temple life after their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. They stopped learning about God and Torah, and, now, even in their upper years, they have a 13-year-old view of God and His word. The problem is that there is much more to these biblical stories. And, there is much more to the Thanksgiving story.

Let me share just a few things with you about Native Americans. Did any of you move down here from Canarsie? Well guess what, it was named after the Canarsee Indians. And for those of you who spent time in Rockaway; guess what, it was named after the Rechaweygh (pronounced – Rockaway) Indians.

Many of the tribes were quite content before the pilgrims came. One tribe lived in one area and another tribe in another area. And, while they lived on the land, they considered it owned by a higher power. They were respectful enough of each other not to move too close. But if another group needed to use some of the land for awhile, or they needed some food or some water… no problem. You see, the Native Americans didn’t fence themselves in, nor did they fence others out. But then the pilgrims came, pilgrims who had this concept of land ownership.

Now, let me focus on the feast of Thanksgiving. The family sitting around the table on Thanksgiving night often follows a tradition of having each one say something they are thankful for. So what, you might ask, were pilgrims thankful for?

The pilgrims there did not have it so easy. They had neglected to bring others with them from their homeland who had the skills that would be needed to survive. This was especially true in regard to food. To get food, you needed to be able to hunt. And not only were they lousy hunters, but, when they did get lucky enough to catch something, they weren’t exactly great in the butchering department either. In other words, they could not catch it, they could not kill it and they could not skin it.

And this is where the religious background came in handy. With so little food to eat they came up with days of fasting. Yes, they would pray on these days. They would pray for something to eat, as they were darn near starving.

The days on which they were permitted to eat became joyous days of thanks … hence, Thanksgiving Day. And their feast probably consisted of some bread and potatoes.

This Thanksgiving, I want you to take the time to research, to learn as an adult. What I’ve written today might not be totally accurate; but, I can tell you this, neither is the story we learned as children. Keep learning. Seek the truth and give thanks!

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach. If you would like to be part of a small, haimishe, Conservative Congregation stop by and become a part of our family. (Services – Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. followed by a beautiful Kiddish and friendly conversation. Temple is located one block South of Hillsboro Blvd on Military Trail).

Chris Evert and Kevin McKidd, 2013.

By Rachel Galvin

Since 1989, the Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic has been bringing in professional tennis players and celebrities in to play together in the spirit of philanthropy.

Besides the pro-celebrity tennis at the Delray Beach Tennis Center and Boca Raton Resort & Club, there also are plenty of opportunities to meet the stars and pros at the Classic Cocktail Party, at the Pro-Celebrity Gala and at Tennis with Chrissie and Friends at the Pro-Am. The event will be held Nov. 21-23.

According to the public relations staff at the event, this year with bring in plenty of celebs, including TV personalities Gayle King, Hoda Kotb and Rob Marciano, singers Gavin Rossdale and David Cook, and actors Kevin McKidd Timothy Olyphant, Maeve Quinlan and Jon Lovitz. They will play against former tennis pros Martina Navratilova, 

The first event was held in October 1989, one month after Ms. Evert’s final U.S. Open.

The program from the first event in 1989.

Her personal assistant, Tami Starr, said, “The first year was held at the Polo Club. Whitney Houston performed. For a couple of years, we built stands at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, then the Boca Country Club. [Now, the Delray Beach Tennis Center].”

Through the years, the event has stayed pretty much the same, said Starr, adding that it brings the celebs, pros and vendors back year after year.

The camaraderie on the court seems to keep onlookers entertained every year.

Ms. Evert’s sister, Jeannie Dubin, explained, “There is a lot of joking around. Jon Lovitz keeps the score. The players and celebs. wear mics on the court. It is a great event.”

The number of people who attend not only benefit the charities that Ms. Evert supports, but also the local area. Ms. Dubin said that people stop by on Atlantic Avenue to have a drink (or get something to eat) in between matches.

Rick Vach, the communications and marketing coordinator of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said, “Celebrities come to the event year after year. It is fun to watch. The Delray Beach Tennis Center does a wonderful job. It is an incredible boon to the community.”

The steady attendance could be attributed to the popularity of the sport, according to Vach.

Jon Lovitz, Mats Wilander, Chrissie, Elisabeth Shue, Kevin McKidd.

He said, “Tennis is the top growing recreational sport in the last 10 years. The number of people playing is on a constant upswing.”

Besides sponsoring the Pro-Celebrity Classic, local businesses can also set up booths and showcase their products and services yearly as well.

The Tri-County Humane Society goes every year to show off their dogs that are up for adoption.

Co-founder Susie Goldsmith said, “We go back because the people who put it on are wonderful friends of the animals. They gave us this opportunity to have the animals there “taking center court.” People can see these beautiful dogs and come over and adopt; don’t shop. It is a win-win all the way around.”

The Humane Society dogs will receive a “Bow-to-Wow” makeover before being paraded in front of everyone in the stadium, escorted by event celebs.

But this is not the only animal-friendly event.

Dog lovers can get some love at the puppy kissing booth for only $1. The money helps the Humane Society.

In addition, man’s best friend shows off some skills at a special K-9 demonstration. Former Navy Seal Mike Ritland, who trains dogs for the military and law enforcement, will bring along his 3-year old Dutch Shepherd to do the demonstrations in between matches.

There is never a dull moment at the event, as there is plenty of entertainment to be enjoyed.

Illusionist Gary Goodman will perform at half-time.

Illusionist Gary Goodman looks forward to performing again this year. He has been part of the center court half-time entertainment for 10 years. He is familiar with performing at athletic functions; he also has worked for the Miami Heat for eight seasons.

“I will be doing grand illusions like you see in Las Vegas,” said Goodman, who performs magic full-time around the country. “I will be working with my female assistant. It will be six or seven minutes of fast-paced illusions.”

Kids can stop by the Festival du Soleil where they will find plenty of fun and games. They can event get their face-painted. Children 10 years and under receive free admission (must be accompanied by an adult).

Although the event is filled with fun, it all comes down to giving back to charity. Since its inception, the event has provided over $21.2 million toward fighting against drug abuse and child neglect in the state.

When asked why she started the event, Chris Evert said, “I wanted to give back as I have been so fortunate. I want to give people a second chance.”

She wanted to give back earlier in her career, but did not feel she could give enough time, opting instead to wait until she was able to devote more of herself to the cause and to oversee it.

Her first event helped The Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County open drug treatment facilities. She later joined with The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a non-profit who helps to prevent issues like drug abuse by pregnant women and mothers. The governor at the time of the event’s inception, Governor Martinez, matched the funds Ms. Evert received, which doubled the funds afterward.

Last year, the event raised $600,000 dollars.

Lonnie Parizek, director of communications at Ounce of Prevention, said that Ms. Evert is “an outspoken advocate for something that affects the most vulnerable populations, such as children who are abused.”

She added that Ms. Evert also gives back through a scholarship [the Vitas Gerulaitis scholarship] for women and girls.

Ms. Parizek said, “It helps women to better themselves and get an education. Thirty-eight scholarships have been given. This year is the 39^th. There are one to two [recipients] per year. Once or twice, it was three. [In order to apply for the scholarship], girls write an essay on their experiences, their goals and dreams.”

If you are ready to watch the matches, meet the celebrities and pros and enjoy the fun, buy your tickets quickly. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 561-394-2400, or visit www.chrisevert.org.

IN BOX:

Event at a glance:

Tennis Pro-Am and Classic Cocktail Reception

Where: Boca Raton Resort & Club

When: Friday, Nov. 21

What: Mingle poolside with participants, enjoy music and sample the hors d’oeuvres while sipping on cocktails in style.

Pro-Celebrity Tennis

Where: Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center

When: Saturday, Nov. 22 & Sunday, Nov. 23

What: Play tennis with the pros and enjoy lunch with the participants.

Tickets: $20 general admission; $40 to $90, premium seating

Charity Gala

Where: Boca Resort & Club

When: Saturday, Nov. 22

What: Dinner, dancing, live entertainment, as well as live and silent auctions.

Tickets: $750; sponsorship packets with other events available.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Having actors Jason Alexander and Pamela Shaw screen their movie Lucky Stiff at the Amaturo Theater in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale was cool Friday night under the glowing moon, but it was the locals who really shined at the 29th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival. Given that we have another two weeks of screenings and parties, the FLiFF29 juggernaut is just gaining momentum.

Evolving from an Off Broadway musical, director Christopher Ashley filled Lucky Stiff with many cinematic touches. While most of the narrative takes place in Monte Carlo, most of the film was shot in a California studio with special effects technology. Throughout the movie, there is cartoon animation that enhances the corny themes that are found in American musicals. While this film is not a great movie, it is a goofy time passer.

Friday night set the stage for a fun weekend at Cinema Paradiso. Florida local Peter Wein, the radio host of Peter’s Living Room, set up his studio in the patio and interviewed the talent who were screening their movies. Along with co-host Audrey Lynn, Peter interviewed the cast and crew of Human Capital, Pie Lady of Pie Town and Traitors. Do a Google search for Peter’s Living Room and The Wei Network and one can hear these far-ranging interviews.

When dark skies began to absorb the Sunday skyline, It seemed as if luck was running out on FLiFF29. However, this miserable weather set the perfect stage for An Honest Liar, the documentary about Plantation resident, James Randi. While the first 2/3 of the movie features The Amazing Randi’s public career as a magician, the final portion of the film focuses on Randi’s private revelation. Randi also provides a lesson on class and dignity as he confronts a public storm that threatens his happiness. Always the consummate showman, at age 86, the Amazing Randi concluded his Q& A with a magic trick, much to the delight of the audience.

Week Two presents the FLiFF29 Centerpiece film, Frank vs. God at the Sunrise Civic Center Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. David Frank (Henry Ian Cusick) suffers travails similar to that of the Old Testament’s long-suffering Job. When his insurance company refuses to pay a claim, due to “an act of God,” Frank decides to sue God.

Given his work on the long-running television show Lost, Cusick appears to be the perfect casting choice as Frank. Cusick will be attending the party following the film; it’s co-sponsored by locals Diane Sobo and Cyndi Boyar.

As to why she decided to sponsor this film, Boyar responded, “I have a friend who is a big fan of Lost and Henry Ian Cusick.

I love the Sunrise Civic Center and this seemed like a natural fit.”

After this weekend, FLiFF29 will be 2/3 complete with many films selling out. For tickets and information, visit www.fliff.com or call 954-525-FILM.

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

DEERFIELD BEACH

Oct. 28 A burglary was reported at 4041 NW 9 Ave., A glass door was broken.

Oct. 29 A man was observed stealing three pairs of shorts from Bealls at 1079 S. Federal Hwy.

Oct. 29 A woman stole 15 cases of Red Bull from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Oct. 26 Conveyance burglary was reported in Starlight Cove, 4111 NW 6. St.Victim parked his vehicle at the Villages of Hillsboro Park. He stated that between 2:15 and 2:35 p.m. on the report date, unknown person(s) entered his Cadillac by smashing the driver side window. Suspect(s) reached into the vehicle and stole $120 that was lying on the driver side floorboard.

Oct. 27 Conveyance burglary occurred at Super Target, 3355 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Unknown person broke into a vehicle and removed tools at the Chevron station.

Oct. 29 Theft – Retail/Shoplifting took place at the Super Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Unknown man and woman stole 13 electronic exercise bracelets valued at over $1,500 from Target. Surveillance video was collected as evidence.

LIGHTHOUES POINT

Oct.10 Victim said someone stole a handgun while the car was at a carwash at 5190 N. Federal Hwy. Loss was $400.

Oct. 12 Someone broke into a residence at 2757 NE 30 St. while the home was being tented for bugs. Victim entered the residence and found that someone had taken a laptop and a 46-in. TV valued at $2,700. Damage to the window of the residence was $500.

Oct. 16 During a traffic stop of a subject riding a bicycle at 4100 N. Federal Hwy., police discovered that the subject had an active warrant for not paying child support. Subject was then found to have a white pill in a cigarette box that was a narcotic.

The Observer has a watch on crime. Check observernewspaperonline.com during the week for breaking crime news. Please call in tips or report suspicious activity. For emergencies, dial 911, for tips or information in Deerfield Beach, call 954-480-4300, in Lighthouse Point, call 954- 942-8080, and in Pompano Beach, call Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

American Principles

Dear Editor:

I believe Republicans favor America’s principles more than the Democrats. This confirms it: There was recently a vote on whether the United States would enter the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. The U.S. Senate voted 53-46 to oppose the treaty.

Why? Because the UN “calls for member states to collect weapons and to disarm UN countries.” Every private gun owner in America would be affected.

Moreover, the UN mandates an international gun registry on all private guns and ammo.

In opposition, our Senate voted to uphold our Second Amendment rights and to prevent the United States from entering into the UN’s arms treaty.

Interesting enough, all Republicans voted against this UN takeover, but most Democrats voted for it. Now, knowing the United Nations for what it is, you tell me –who gives American principles top priority: the Republicans or Democrats?

Jim Moore

Tallahassee

Powerline Road construction

Dear Editor:

I’m sure I am not the only Deer Run resident that would’ve like to have some notice of what kind of construction was going to happen on Powerline Road this week!

The sign was up saying construction started on the 18th but I didn’t see anything in any paper or online when trying to look it up. I would have taken another route instead of sitting in my car for almost 40 minutes getting from Green Road to SW 4 Street.

We were also not informed about not being able to turn south onto Powerline Road.

It may have been discussed at a District 4 meeting but not everyone is able to go to these meetings. It’s gonna be a fun couple of weeks trapped in the neighborhood!

Lauri McGuire

Deerfield Beach

Friends of the Deerfield Beach Arboretum meet

Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Arboretum Constitution Park 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL33442

Speaker: Murray Corman, owner/grower of “the Garden of Delights,” property manager of the Rare Fruit & Vegetable Council of Broward County, radio host of The Garden show on WIOD. Topic: “A Survey of Tropical Fruit You Can Grow.” Plant giveaway. Light refreshments served. Free, open to public. 954-480-4495. www. treezoo.com.

5th Annual Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival

Friday, Nov. 14 to Sunday, Nov. 16

Florida Atlantic University 777 Glades Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Foodies will revel in this smorgasbord of global gastronomy: VIP Dinner Under the Stars and Vineyard Party Friday night, Grand Tasting Saturday night and Craft Beer Battle Sunday. www.bocaratonwineandfoodfestival.com.

150 Fundraiser Dinner

Friday, Nov.14, 6:30 p.m.

Hillsboro Club 901 Hillsboro Mile Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Exchange Club of Pompano Beach annual fundraiser with nautical theme, for charity. $150, includes dinner, drinks, live music, dancing and an entry in the 150 drawdown to win prizes; silent/ live auctions. Dinner tickets for guests: $50. www.exchangeclubofpompanobeach.com.

Yard Sale

Saturday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Peter’s Church 1416 SE 2 Terr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Come to the garage sale inside an air conditioned Parish Hall. Wonderful items to sell. Want a drum set? St. Peter’s has one. Rain or shine. Also Nov. 22.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Saturday, Nov. 15, 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Paul United Methodist Church 244 SE 2 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free dinner for community.

Everyday Green Expo

Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park, Shelter No. 10 401 S. Powerline Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Learn about environmental issues, recycling. Create treasures from trash, kids’ corner, food trucks, planting ceremony, plant sale and more. Free, but $1.50 gate fee per person (children under 5 free). 954-357-5100.

BBQ and Community Movie Night

Saturday, Nov. 15, 5 to 9 p.m.

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

Movie and complimentary BBQ. Sponsored by the LHP Chamber of Commerce. LHP residents only. Visit www. lhpchamber.com or www.facebook.com/lhpchamber.

Orchid Obsession

Saturday, Nov. 15 & Sunday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Held by the Deerfield Beach Orchid Society. Thousands of specimens on sale from 10 Florida growers, displays to be judged by American Orchid Society (AOS) judges on Nov. 15. Orchid supplies for sale, daily lectures. $5; children under 12 free. www.deerfieldbeachorchidsociety.org.

November Beach Tennis G-4

Sunday, Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m. registration 222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Fun day of beach tennis! Must email name/ partner’s name & categories to mybeachtennis@aol.com. Indicate if you need a partner. Categories: Men’s and Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Junior Doubles (12 and under). $20 per player; 2 categories: additional $5. Cash only at check-in. Winner receive medals and IFBT World Ranking Points. www.mybeachtennis.net.

The New Presbyterian Church Concert

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach High School Gymnasium 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Mac McConnell presents The Gospel According to Simon Peter, one-man Biblical Drama Performance. Free. Offering taken. 954.946.4380 or www.newpres.org.

Annual Silver Service Tea

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m.

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

By GFWC Woman’s Club of Deerfield Beach. Speaker: Ana Reyes, rep. for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Public welcome. Free, but reservations a must:. 954-421-4700 or marti@dbwc. org. www.dbwc.org.

Dem. Women’s Club of NE Broward

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.

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

Speaker: Mary Riedel, president and CEO of Women in Distress of Broward County. Topic: update on Women in Distress issues surrounding domestic violence. Refreshments served. Free and open to public. 954-942-8711.

GFWC Woman’s Club of DB meets

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Evening division. Public welcome. Barbara@dbwc.org or 954-421- 4700.

History at High Noon

Wednesday, Nov. 19, Noon – 1 p.m.

Deerfield Beach City Hall Commission Chambers 150 NE 2 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Learn about the history of railroads in Deerfield Beach presented by Richard Lindquist of the South Florida Train Museum. 561- 429-0378, www.deerfield-history.org

Have you ever heard the expression, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” That is a great expression when you are the one telling someone else to make the lemonade. It becomes a little more difficult to be the one who actually has to make the lemonade.

Ephesians 4:32

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

NLT

I believe that one of the keys to a fulfilling life is forgiveness. It is so easy to say “I forgive you,” but sometimes very difficult to actually mean it and actually live it. We must first forgive ourselves for things we have done in our lives. Then, we must forgive others for things they have done to us.

Colossians 3:13

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

NLT

Forgiveness should be a way of life, not just something that we do in order to get through life. When we walk in un-forgiveness, we take our lives out of God’s hands and place our lives in someone else’s hands. We let our lives be determined by others and not what God wants for us. We are no longer able to do certain things, to go to certain places we want to go, or to even have the relationships we want to have or need.

To be truly free, we must choose to walk in forgiveness. It has to be a choice and it has to be a choice that only we can make for ourselves. I’m sure you have realized by now that you will have many opportunities to be offended by someone, and you will also have many opportunities to practice forgiveness. When the opportunity comes, just take it and forgive, and please stay away from excuses.

Here are a few excuses we have used: “But you don’t understand” – the truth is that we don’t understand what un-forgiveness costs us; “it’s not in my nature or personality to forgive” – we must simply choose to forgive and change our ways to avoid the self-made prison that un-forgiveness brings; “you don’t know what they did to me and how deeply they hurt me” – you are absolutely right, I don’t know. I do know that if you don’t forgive that person, you will put yourself in prison and you will hurt other people whom you love deeply as a result. You will also continue to bring more pain into your life because you have now hurt someone that you care about.

The greatest advantage of forgiveness is your freedom. Forgiveness sets you free, not the other person.

Forgiveness is a choice, and it’s up to you to do it or not do it. You can have the greatest benefit or the greatest devastation. It’s up to you to do it. So, please, when life gives you lemons, just make lemonade.

Tony Guadagnino is a pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Church, located at 801 SE 10 St, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954-428-8980, www.clfministries.org.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com The place for movie lovers to be this weekend will be downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) opens Writer/Director Christopher Nolan’s eagerly awaited Interstellar on the recently remodeled 5-storey IMAX screen with new 56 sound speakers. Interstellar is expected to docked at MODS until the final episode of The Hobbit trilogy burrows in for Christmas.

The red carpet for the 29th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF29) will be unfurled Friday night at the Amaturo Theater with a screening of Lucky Stiff. Lucky Stiff is a farcical comedy about a British nephew who must fulfill his late uncle’s wishes, or lose $6 million inheritance. While the film features one of the last performances of FLiFF favorite Dennis Farina, the film will showcase FLiFF honoree Jason Alexander.

Jason Alexander and Pamela Shaw in “Lucky Stiff.”

While best known for playing George Costanza in Seinfeld, Alexander started his career in theater. When he landed his first job on Broadway, he dropped out of his theater studies in Boston.

Working with Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Neil Simon, Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim proved to be enough education for Alexander. He has worked steadily as an actor. It is refreshing to see Alexander pop up in movies like Pretty Woman, Shallow Hal and Star Trek Voyager. He is scheduled to walk the Amaturo Theater red carpet Friday night (be there by 7:10 p.m.).

Also expected to walk the red carpet Friday night is local celebrity The Amazing Randi. With the help of Kickstarter, The Amazing Randi, aka James Randi, has been working with Directors Justin Weinstein & Tyler Measom to create An Honest Liar. This is a documentary about Randi’s unique career as an illusionist. While he gained fame on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Randi built Alice Cooper’s guillotine and used his “free time” to debunk phony psychics. The South Florida premier of An Honest Liar is this weekend.

James “The Amazing” Randi with “the head of Alice Cooper.”

FLiFF29 features a unique movie from Denmark, The Salvation. Best known for his work as television’s Hannibal Lechter, Mads Mikkelsen stars in this Danish western about a settler who kills, his violence breeds violence and the fine line between cowardice and bravery is revealed. This film will be screening Veteran’s Day at Cinema Paradiso-Ft. Lauderdale and is sponsored by Rob Davis.

FLiFF29 will be an intense, but fluid event for the next three weeks. To keep in touch with the latest schedules and times, please visit the website www.fliff.com.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

When you get to a certain age – you have two daily mantras – subliminal words that run through your head like watermarks on stationery: 1) Be Careful  2) Be Grateful.

Regarding the “Be Careful” echo – it repeats in my head with every step I take, every rotation of the four wheels on my car, and every recall of the crazy kinds of accidents having befallen many of my friends and acquaintances.

Always one to have rashly taken risks – be it rock climbing, white water rafting in turbulent waters, traversing rope bridges across deep canyons in the Himalaya Mountains, biking in challenging terrain or any number of other youth oriented adventures, I have happily accepted the “BTDT”* (Been There Done That) motto that has me taking pleasure now in “looking at the pictures.” And since I aspire to becoming the oldest healthy walking-onmy- own-steam with full cognition person — I know that I have to do my part in helping towards that goal, while counting on a major contribution coming from that mysterious source often referred to as God. Thus, “being careful” for starters – is a no-brainer.

Being thankful is even easier. I marvel with gratitude at the elegant stroke of fate that placed my parents in the U.S.A. at the time of my conception. And everything flows from there. My car accident? I wasn’t hurt nor was anyone else. I salvaged my car. My completely turned-around life since becoming a widow last year? I view it as a new challenge, a way to keep good memories alive, to adjust to being alone, to learning how to celebrate mindfulness and to reach into my own cognitive resources to find ways to live a fulfilling life. And what’s a fulfilling life? My friend Barbara once summed it up for me : “Every day, I try to do something for someone else and something for me.”

I’m grateful that every ache and pain I have is liveable. I have learned to view them as friends to greet and dismiss every morning as I distract myself from awareness that they exist and proceed with other thoughts and deeds.

I am grateful that I am not poor – and just as grateful that I am not rich. It is kind of a challenge to figure out how to juggle my spending to keep me afloat and I’ve seen too many rich people pursuing lives that they, themselves, feel to be meaningless – simply because their excess of money allows them to follow a path of ease.

I am grateful to have found my “bliss” – a balance of productivity and wanton nothingness and the tools to minimize stress.

I am grateful for oranges and beaches, and mountains and eggplant – good drinking water and showers, and lowered gas prices and national parks, TV clickers in the “off” position, healthy loving family and respectful political disagreements – for friends and solitude, and PBS and libraries — for the Wright brothers and Richard Branson – Bill Gates and Steve Jobs – the opportunity to vote and to nap in the middle of the day when I feel like it, to hate the movie that everyone raves about and OMG to be able to cook my own turkey for my family on Thanksgiving Day, and to be able to wish you all a way of seeing the glass half full. Happy Thanksgiving.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Oct.20 A man stole a Nikon camera kit valued at $649 from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Oct. 22 An air conditioning unit was stolen from a building at 286 SW 1 Terr.

Oct. 22 A woman was observed stealing 31 cases of Red Bull and a birthday cake from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Oct. 22 A woman reported her car stolen from 5311 NE 10 St.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Oct. 17 Auto theft of a motorcycle was reported at Super Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach. Surveillance video shows that the suspect drove up to the victim’s motor scooter, which was parked in the Target parking lot, near the west entrance. The suspect loaded the 2011, red, Zhejiang motor scooter onto the back of a pickup truck at 5:10 a.m. on the report date. The vehicle was entered as stolen.

Oct. 21 Conveyance burglary occurred in Deer Creek, at 420 Deer Creek Lake Point S. Ln., Deerfield Beach.

Oct. 22 Theft of motor vehicle parts took place at Deerfield Mall, 4758 N Powerline Rd, Deerfield Beach. Unknown person unlawfully removed two, 10- inch Rigid Industries LED bars from a truck outside the business in the parking lot.

Oct. 25 Homicide – willful kill – premeditated murder was reported in Crystal Key Point, 5249 W Lakes Dr, Deerfield Beach.