| January, 2015

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 22 January 2015 by LeslieM

Teen deaths – call for body cameras

Dear Editor:

The massive public reaction to the tragic deaths of three black teens at the hand of white police officers [in 2014] has led to a national call for the use of body cameras to record and prevent any future mistreatment of suspects.

There is ample precedent.

Animal protection activists have used body cameras to document egregious atrocities and safety violations by workers in the meat, dairy and egg industries.

The resulting videos have led to a number of corrective actions, as well as felony convictions, meat recalls, and even a $500 million civil settlement.

How ironic then, that agribusiness interests in seven states – Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and Utah – have now enacted “ag-gag” laws imposing severe penalties for using body cameras in their agricultural facilities.

The language is typically drafted by the anti-consumer American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Let’s hope that other vested interests do not impose similar restrictions on the use of body cameras by law enforcement officers.

Dimitri Olsak

Deerfield Beach

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 22 January 2015 by LeslieM

Democratic Women’s Club of Florida meets

Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.

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

Celebration of 42nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Conversation about the history of women’s reproductive rights and what actions to take to oppose 2015 anti-choice legislation. Concluded with candlelight vigil (using cell phone flashlights). Guest speakers: Senator Nan Rich and Kristin Carter. Refreshments served. RSVP: 954-942-8711 or maggie_davidson@comcast.net.

25th annual Nautical Flea Market – Pompano

Saturday, Jan.24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pompano Beach Community Park 2001 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Vendors with boating and diving equipment, nautical clothing, marine surplus items, anchors, mooring products, arts and crafts, food and more. $5, 12 and under free.

Annual Winter Tea at Westside Park

Saturday, Jan. 24, 4 to 6 p.m.

Westside Park 445 SW 2 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Afternoon of food, friendship, entertainment and prizes and tea! For a festive and traditional fl air, hats and gloves are requested, but not required. $15 per person. For more information, call 954-480-4481.

Car show

Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sample-McDougald House 450 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33432

Tour historic house, and see antique and classic cars. For more information, call 954 691-5686.

JA World Uncorked V Experience

Saturday, Jan. 24, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College 1130 Coconut Creek Blvd. Coconut Creek, FL 33066

For ages 21 and older. Foodies can taste samples from premium chefs while listening to LIVE entertainment and participating in auctions, raffles and more. Presented by Premier Beverage and hosted by chairs Bob & Susan Drinon and Renée Korbel Quinn with Junior Achievement’s Circle of Wise Women. This educational “Fork & Cork Affair” benefits Junior Achievement of South Florida. Proceeds from the annual event, along with other Circle initiatives, have raised over $2 million since 2010 and help support JA’s financial education programs for every fifth and eighth grader in Broward County public schools and many private schools. $150 per person. www.jaworlduncorked.com.

8th Annual Family Fun Day

Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m.

Lynn intramural field 3601 N. Military Tr. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Includes Mini Knights Challenge, inflatable & interactive games, meet & autograph sessions with Lynn student-athletes, clinics and free admission to the Fighting Knights men’s & women’s basketball games against Florida Southern. FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact Chad Beattie at cbeattie@lynn.edu or Alex Perez at aperez@lynn.edu.

Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts

Saturday, Jan. 24 & Sunday, Jan. 25 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Along Ocean Way south of pier Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

125 artists in juried show. Live music, food, spirits, student art exhibit and kids’ zone.

Nezrok announces “Bumper Crop!”

Sunday, Jan. 25, 5 to 9 p.m.

American Rock Bar & Grill Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Nezrok will perform songs from their new album “Bumper Crop” following Steve Minotti’s Nashville Style IX In The Round Songwriter’s Series, at American Rock Bar & Grill in The Cove Shopping Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. No cover. Call 954-428-4539 for more information.

Card Party

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pompano Beach Elks, Lodge 700 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Held by Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES, Drove 142. Open to the public. Bring your table of friends or group and have a great afternoon of fun. $4 includes dessert and coffee. Call 561- 479-2002 for reservations.

Open House

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to noon

Lighthouse Christian School 2331 NE 26 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Also on Feb. 26. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 954-941-7501.

The Crests with Tommy Mara

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

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

Part of Winter Concert Series. $12. For more information, call 954-786-4590 or visit www.pompanobeachfl.gov.

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CLERGY CORNER: What Would Dr. King Say?

Posted on 22 January 2015 by LeslieM

The deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown spotlighted what has unfortunately become the perspective of many in this country: that while we have made progress in the experience of racial equality and justice, we still regrettably have a long way to go.

We all saw the public reaction to the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case. Many of us were even more flabbergasted at the decision in the Eric Garner case. From rioting in St. Louis to protests in cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, demonstrators took to the streets to voice their disapproval.

As we reflect upon the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we may inevitably wonder what he would have thought and said had he been alive to witness the current challenges we face.

While there may be some who would claim to know exactly what he would think and say, the truth is that none of us can say for sure. What we do know, however, is how he thought and what he said during the height of the struggle in his day. His words then may give us an idea how he would respond now:

I think we have to look deeper … if we are to find the real cause of man’s problems and the real cause of the world’s ills today. If we are to find it, I think we have to look in the hearts and souls of men … The real problem is that through our scientific genius we’ve made of the world a neighborhood; but, through our moral and spiritual genius, we’ve failed to make of it a brotherhood.” “Rediscovering Lost Values” (Feb. 28, 1954)

Violence creates many more social problems than it solves. And I’ve said, in so many instances, that as the Negro, in particular, and colored peoples all over the world struggle for freedom, if they succumb to the temptation of using violence in their struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and our chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos. Violence isn’t the way”. – “Loving Your Enemies” (Nov. 17, 1957)

We must come to see that the roots of racism are very deep in our country, and there must be something positive and massive in order to get rid of all the effects of racism and the tragedies of racial injustice”. –“Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” (March 31, 1968)

About two years ago now, I stood with many of you who stood there in person and all of you who were there in spirit before the Lincoln Monument in Washington. As I came to the end of my speech there, I tried to tell the nation about a dream I had. I must confess to you this morning that since that sweltering August afternoon in 1963, my dream has often turned into a nightmare. …But, I tell you this morning once more that I haven’t lost the faith. I still have a dream that one day all of God’s children will have food and clothing and material well-being for their bodies, culture and education for their minds and freedom for their spirits … I still have a dream this morning that truth will reign supreme and all of God’s children will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. And when this day comes, the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout for joy.” “The American Dream” (July 4, 1965)

Bishop Patrick L. Kelly is the pastor of Cathedral Church of God, 365 S. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954-427-0302.

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Tigers hope for undefeated season, state title

Posted on 15 January 2015 by LeslieM

sports011515By Gary Curreri

Blanche Ely High School senior Therell Gosier is headed to the University of Miami next year to play football. He still has a few items to cross off his bucket list before he graduates.

Gosier, 19, of Pompano Beach, is hoping to keep the Tigers boys’ basketball team on track for an undefeated season. Blanche Ely entered this week’s action at 15-0.

I knew we would be this good, but I didn’t think we’d be this good early,” said the 6-7, 210-lb. center. “We still have a couple of kinks we still have to work out.

We are trying to do something special,” added Gosier, who averages 14.6 points and 8.5 rebounds a game. “We have a chance to be the first Blanche Ely team to go undefeated and win state this year so mainly that’s our goal to go to state and try to be undefeated. That’s our little edge going into every game.”

Gosier, a two-sport athlete at the school, welcomes the pressure of being undefeated.

It helps us a lot having a target on our back because we know we have to bring it every night,” Gosier said. “Everyone wants to be that first team to knock us off and give us that first ‘L’. So we bring it every game to make sure that no team gives us that first loss.”

Blanche Ely coach Melvin Randall is in his 21st year, including the past 14 at Ely. Randall won state titles in 1997 with Deerfield (Class 5A) and his win in 1999 (Class 6A) came at the expense of his current school Ely, 77-69. After moving over to Ely, Randall won state titles in 2007 (Class 6A), 2012 (Class 7A) and 2013 (Class 7A).

Randall, who has compiled a 489-141 record at the school during that 14-year span, believes this year’s team could be one of the best ever.

This is a special team,” Randall said. “Definitely at the guard play, I haven’t had a team with strong guard play in a while. I have had some good guards, but, with this team, you are talking about four or five that I can put out there. I have the flexibility to do that with this team.”

Randall said the team has played well since the summer when they showed promise during AAU play.

They played on the AAU teams and they did great on the AAU circuit,” Randall said. “Now we have come together and we are keeping it family based.”

Even though the team graduated Lance Tejada (East Carolina) and Josh Floyd (Florida State College at Jacksonville) and Richard Lee went back to Northeast High School, the Tigers have still found a way to win. The team benefited from senior guard senior LaQuincy Rideau, a transfer from Palm Beach Lakes, who lives with his aunt in Pompano Beach.

Senior Javon Heastie, along with juniors Mark Houston and Trevor Goodrum, have all stepped up their games, according to Randall.

The Tigers finished 21-5 last season, i n c l u d i n g four losses to Boyd Anderson and once to Cardinal Gibbons in the Big 8. The team has been undefeated during the season before as it ran off 27 consecutive wins until it lost to Dwyer 70-57 in the regional semifinal in the 2009-2010 season.

We are all coming together,” Randall said. “From the outside looking in, the fans and the spectators, we know we are not there yet. We still have a ways to go. We are better off now than we were a couple of weeks ago. We are still having problems with the rotation. I think they have been rotating well. These people have to understand to see those hard traps and to shift and rotate players. I think, once we get that down pat, it is going to prove that it will be pretty hard for a team to score easily.”

Gosier hopes the team finishes the year the way they started.

I t would be great,” Gosier said. “We would go down in history as probably the best basketball team ever to play at Blanche Ely. Going undefeated and winning states would be a great feeling.”

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FLICKS: Selma and To Kill a Mockingbird

Posted on 15 January 2015 by LeslieM

flicks011515By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Despite a modest $11 million opening weekend box office, Selma is expected to become a box office juggernaut this weekend and by the time the Oscar statues are distributed Feb. 22.

Selma deals with Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

Five years previously, Alabama citizen Harper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird, her only published book. Told from the perspective of an elementary school aged little girl named Scout, this book presents the fine line between imagined and real terror.

The first part of the book deals with Scout, her big brother – Jem, their best friend Dil (inspired by Harper Lee’s childhood buddy — Truman Capote) and their curiosity about the mysterious “Boo” Radley, a reclusive neighbor who is never seen in daylight.

The second part of the book deals with Scout’s father – Atticus Finch, a lawyer who must defend Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping a white woman.

Both stories intersect and provide a satisfying conclusion that best explains why it is a sin “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

A best-seller for 41 weeks, this book earned Harper Lee the Pulitzer award in 1961. Hollywood came a calling and a film was produced in 1962, garnering an Oscar for Gregory Peck’s portrayal of Atticus Finch. (It lost the Best Picture Award to Lawrence of Arabia.) Peck and Lee became lifelong friends. One must wonder how Harper Lee’s words influenced the actions of Martin Luther King and the civil rights march a few years after the book’s publication.

Starting this weekend, continuing through Feb. 28, the Broward County Libraries Division will be celebrating To Kill a Mockingbird as part of “The Big Read.” A program created by the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Libraries, “The Big Read” is designed to unite communities through great literature to discover the transformative joys of reading. All 40 Broward County libraries will be creating special programming for “The Big Read.” For a listing of programs, visit www.broward. org/Library/read.

On Monday, Jan. 26 at 12:30 p.m., Deerfield Beach Percy White Library will be hosting a special program. Copies of To Kill a Mockingbird will be distributed during the discussion, as well as other special surprises.

Enjoy a good read, enjoy an Oscar-nominated film this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Take the time to reflect how far we have come in a

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 15 January 2015 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 24 A burglary was reported at a Cubsmart storage unit at 321 W. Hillsboro Blvd. A storage locker was broken into.

Dec. 24 A vehicle was stolen from a residence at 1330 SW 10 Ave.

Dec. 24 Two men were seen taking old appliances from an enclosed storage area at 864 Spring Circle.

Dec. 24 A man stole a wallet from another man at Publix at 3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Jan. 9 A conveyance burglary was reported at Super Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Suspect followed the victim to her car and while she was unloading the items she purchased, the suspect grabbed her purse from the front seat and ran to a getaway vehicle.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Dec. 20 Police responded to a drunk person causing a disturbance at 4480 N. Federal Hwy. The man was told to pay a $13 tab and he attempted to; however, his credit card was declined.

Dec. 21 Victim returned home on 22 Ave. and discovered his Comcast TV signal was not working. He checked outside and discovered four trees in his backyard had been cut down near the electrical pole. The victim did not give permission to anyone to cut down the trees. Damage to the property was $2,000.

Dec. 21 Police found a driver asleep at the wheel at an intersection at the 3600 block of N. Federal Highway. Two plastic bags of a substance that tested positive for cocaine was discovered. $1,836 in cash was also found in the vehicle.

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HAPPENINGS & MLK, JR. DAY EVENTS

Posted on 15 January 2015 by LeslieM

Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival

Thursday, Jan. 15 to Sunday, Feb. 8

Although the festival begins and ends in West Palm Beach, the over 30 features, shorts and documentaries will be shown also in Boca and Delray. Get all the information at www. palmbeachjewishfilm.org.

Aunt Mary’s Annual Attic Sale

Saturday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Church 2700 NE 36 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Second time around: Household items, furniture, clothes, jewelry, small appliances and more. Refreshments available. 954-943-9154.

Broward Shell Club

Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Admission/ parking FREE. For more information, call 305-301-1296.

Dixieland/ Hot Jazz session

Sunday, Jan. 18, 1 to 4 p.m.

Pompano Beach Elks Lodge 700 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

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

Song of Solomon

Monday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.

The Wick Theater 7901 N. Federal Hwy. Boca Raton, FL 33487

One-time staging of Broadway-bound musical, starring Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli, written by Andrew Beall and Neil Van Leeuwen. $40. 561-995-2333 or click events calendar on www.thewick.org.

11th Annual Taste of LHP

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6 to 9 p.m.

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

Local restaurants serve up samples of their finest creations. Auction, drawings and raffle held. $50 in advance, $60 at door. 954-946-3838 or www.lhpchamber.com.

Free Condo Board Member Certification

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Kaye Bender Rembaum 1200 Park Central Blvd. S. Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Condominium association board members are invited to a free certification course. Licensed Community Association Managers are also welcome to attend and will receive two IFM or Elective Manager credits. Space is limited and reservations are required. This event is presented by Kaye Bender Rembaum. RSVP: 954-928-0680 or Odalis@KBRLegal.com

Middle East lecture

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.

Community Presbyterian Church (Briggs Hall) 1920 SE 4 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Lecture for Prime Timers Group on issues in the Middle East. Public invited. FREE. 954-427-0222 for more information.

History at High Noon

Wednesday, Jan. 21, noon to 1 p.m.

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

Historian and author Sally J. Ling shares insights into eight years of research and discovery that led her to write her latest historical novel Who Killed Leno and Louise? FREE. Light refreshments served. For more information, visit www. deerfield-history.org or call 561-429-0378.

Thank You, Irving Berlin!

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m.

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

The City of Pompano Beach Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department presents “Thank you Irving Berlin!” an informative and entertaining show as Barrington (Barty) Brown shares many stories, words and music through his creative talents at the grand piano. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Herb Skolnick Community Center or online at www. Eventbrite.com. For more information, call 954-786- 4590 or visit www.pompanobeachfl.gov.

Save the date: DBICA meets

Thursday, Jan 22 at 7 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church (Briggs Hall) 1920 SE 4 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Guest speaker: Deerfield Beach Commissioner Joe Miller, Dist. 1.

MLK—Deerfield

Carnival

Westside Park 445 SW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Friday, Jan. 16, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 17 & Sunday, Jan. 18; Monday, Jan. 19, 1 to 6 p.m.

Includes live music featuring LaNorris McFadden & P.R.O.O.F on Friday, Pocket Change on Saturday and Valerie Tyson Band on Sunday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each evening.

Parade

Jan. 19, 10 a.m.

Features former Miami Dolphin Twan Russell as Grand Marshal. Parade begins at The Cove Shopping Center and ends at Westside Park with ceremony to follow at Leo Robb Gymnasium. Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Kenneth L. Gillespie, a Juvenile Division Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida. Note: Roads used by parade will have closures to accommodate. For info., call 954-480-4429 or www.deerfield-beach. com/mlk.

MLK-Pompano

Parade

Monday, Jan. 19, 8 a.m. (Line-up)

Mitchell Moore Park 901 NW 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Celebration

Monday, Jan. 19, 10:30 a.m.

Blanche Ely High School Gymnasium 1201 NW 6 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Special Guest Performers: Canton Jones and T-DOGG For more information, call 754-217-6656.

MLK-Boca Raton

Breakfast

7:30 a.m., Lois Martin Community Ctr. 1350 N. Dixie Highway. Boca Raton, FL 33432

Memorial Ceremony

9:30 a.m.

200 NE 12th St. Boca Raton, FL 33432

Master of Ceremonies: Pastor Tom Tift, FUMC West Keynote Speeches: Rev. Danny Ward, ‘How Love Overcomes’ Ms. Lejeune Goodard, ‘Who is My Neighbor?’

March to Sanborn Square

10:30 a.m. Led by Boca Raton High School Band

Celebration

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Master of Ceremonies: Nhu Nugent, executive director, PROPEL

Music: Gospel, Jazz, R&B Bibleway Temple Ministries, Jai Rose Band, South Florida Heat Wave, St. Joan of Arc Youth Choir, etc. Food vendors, children’s activities and more.

*Pearl City Historical Walking Tour – Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. to noon. 561-395-6029.

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CLERGY CORNER: Wake up and make The Dream come true

Posted on 15 January 2015 by LeslieM

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, and, to us, he stood 9 ft. tall.

Sadly, many in this world have still not woken up to his dream. They continue to keep their eyes closed to the prejudice and hate against our African American brothers and sisters.

Dreams are amazing gifts. We even find dreams in the Bible itself. And the scriptures teach us, as Theodore Hertzl summed up saying, “If you will it hard enough, it is no dream.” In other words, it is up to us not just to dream the dream, but to walk the walk. There is still much work to be done in regard to equality. The Rev. Dr. King Jr.’s dream has come a long, long way; but, it is up to each of us to help bring that beautiful dream to full fruition.

As Jews, we know what it is like to be treated with hate and bigotry. As Jews, we know what it is like to struggle for fulfillment of a dream. As Jews, we know that there is still much work for us to do in this beautiful but broken world in which we live. As Jews, we know that we have to wake the world from its slumber.

Jews walked side by side with the great leaders of the Civil Rights movement, side by side with our African American brothers and sisters, and, just as we continue to struggle on so many fronts for the fulfillment of our dreams, it is also our Biblical imperative to work toward fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream as well.

Let us hope that the day does indeed come when all people, Black, White, Jew and Gentile, can walk up that mountain together and live in blessed peace with the knowledge that we are all, indeed, brothers and sisters as we all come from the same Father, G-d, The Almighty.

As we approach the special day set aside to honor the late, great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach will present one of the greatest plays ever made about someone stuck in a long sleep who, finally, wakes up to a new world.

That’s right, the Temple will be showing a production of Washington Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” … and not just any production, but one where the characters stand 9 ft. tall. The program will be enjoyed by people of all ages and it is the Temple’s hope that many will opt to purchase admission ($10 per person) so that tickets can be given to members of groups like the Boys & Girls Club of Deerfield Beach so they can enjoy this special play on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m., which is the day before this year’s official observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Rabbi Ezring is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach (201 S. Military Tr., Deerfield Beach). His motivational sermons can be heard at the Temple’s weekly shabbat services (9:30 a.m. Saturdays). Rabbi Ezring is a member of the N.A.J.C. and of the A.P.C. He has served as a hospice chaplain and continues to work in pastoral care at several health facilities in the Broward County Area. For reservations, call 954-428-0578.

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Marshall defeats NIU in inaugural Boca Bowl, 52-23

Posted on 08 January 2015 by LeslieM

sports010815Photos by Jim Wilson

Rakeem Cato performed as advertised Tuesday night, Dec. 23, leading Marshall to a resounding 52-23 shellacking of Northern Illinois in the inaugural Boca Raton Bowl.

Cato completed 25 of 37 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and the Thundering Herd handed NIU its third consecutive bowl defeat.

That’s what great quarterbacks do, they put it on the dime,” NIU coach Rod Carey said. “He did and we didn’t get it out. We had a chance to battle for those balls and get ‘em out and make them line up again.”

Marshall (13-1) flirted with a perfect regular-season record. Marshall’s lone defeat — 67-66 to Western Kentucky in double overtime came on Nov. 28.

One game isn’t going to take away what a great season we had,” Carey said. “We just won the fourth MAC championship in school history … the third in four years. And they can’t take that away from this senior class.” Marshall receiver Tommy Shuler caught 18 of Cato’s passes for 185 yards and a touchdown.

Cato did a good job of making plays when he needed to,” NIU cornerback Dechane Durante said. “They were just staying on the field and wearing our defense down. Quick throws … gashing us up the gut. He did a good job.”

The Huskies’ big failure was not taking advantage of red-zone opportunities, settling for three field goals from freshman Christian Hagan. NIU quarterback Drew Hare was off his game, completing 15 of 27 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked three times. “We have to do a better job of protecting Drew, and that’s on us,” tackle Ryan Brown said. NIU took a 7-0 lead with 7 minutes, 33 seconds left in the first quarter on a 19-yard pass from Hare to Juwan Brescacin. Marshall’s Deandre Reaves returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for the tying touchdown.

Cato scored a go-ahead touchdown from 5 yards out to make it 14-7 after the first quarter. NIU missed a scoring opportunity when Hagan missed a 32-yard field-goal attempt wide right. Marshall extended its lead to 17-7 when Justin Haig booted a 28-yarder. At the end of a 64-yard drive, NIU had to settle for a 19-yard Hagan field goal. A 2-yard TD run by Marshall’s Devon Johnson made it 24-10. Hagan’s second field goal of the night, this one from 30 yards, pulled NIU within 24-13 at the half.

NIU recovered an onside kick to start the second half but could not convert a first down on a fourth-down run by Cameron Stingily. “I thought we ran the ball well at times, but not when we needed to,” Carey said. “There were a lot of tears. There’s a lot of heartache in there. And that’s because these guys care. And they poured their whole selves into this thing. But when the dust settles, the first thing they are going to think of is MAC championships and things like that they have been a part of.”

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FLICKS: 2014 in review

Posted on 08 January 2015 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

When Craig Ferguson wrapped up The Late Late Show last month, he and Jay Leno discussed their feelings about ending their own talk shows in 2014. Leno admitted that it was cool to talk to a supermodel when he was 40; but, at age 65, he did not want to look like a creepy old man. Both admitted that the world of entertainment has changed so much in the past decade; both men were wondering why they were interviewing people like “reality stars.” Having served as The Observer’s film columnist for 15 years, I have been wondering the same thing about the current entertainment culture.

In my previous 14 Films in Review columns, I have written about how much fun this column has been to write. As I reviewed falling box office figures and the lowest attendance records, I realized that the movie-going experience has not been as much fun in 2014. Therefore, I feel justified in limiting my “Top Ten” list by 30 percent this year (Presented in reverse alphabetical order):

Cinema Dave’s Top films:

Wild

Jersey Boys

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me

Heaven is for Real

Dolphin Tale 2

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Honorable mentions:

Rudderless

Maleficent

Hercules

Guardians of the Galaxy

Godzilla

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Boyhood

It is my hope that the motion picture industry was taking a deep breath before releasing a series of blockbusters. By owning the Marvel Comics, Star Wars and Pixar properties, expect Disney to dominate the Box Office in 2015 with such titles as Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens and Inside/Out.

Master Marketeer that Mr. Mouse is expect many live action theme parks to coincide with box office successes. We’ve already seen rides like The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean become movies. Johnny Depp is currently in production with the 5th Pirate movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales. Tomorrowland opens this summer and features George Clooney as a scientist who controls time, space and dimension. Disney’s Animal Kingdom and 20th Century Fox are creating an Avatar land to coincide with the release of director James Cameron’s 2016 sequel.

Not to be outdone, Universal Studios, which already partners with Warner Brothers for the Harry Potter parks, is working with Legendary Pictures to resurrect classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Wolf Man, along with the return to Skull Island, King Kong’s home.

I was optimistic about the film business in our neighborhood; we had a strong revenue stream of work from major studios with projects like Iron Man 3, In Her Shoes and television shows like Magic City, Burn Notice and The Glades. Yet, Atlanta has absorbed business that South Florida lost [due to lack of incentives and] due to our lack of professionalism in the industry. Florida Film professionals need to become more results-orientated, with less emphasis of fame seeking and celebrity stalking.

2015 will be a pivotal year for our neighborhood festivals. Palm Beach International Film Festival and the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival will celebrate important anniversaries (20th and 30th, respectively). It is my hope, in 2014, that I will walk away from a movie feeling good about the industry again.

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