RE: What’s in a buoy?

Dear Editor:

A buoy marks a specific site in or near the water. The four buoys in The Cove Shopping Center can certainly be representative of their nautical surroundings.

The “Cove” area is part of the Hillsboro River system that eventually empties into the ocean through Hillsboro Inlet.

The inlet is a well-marked part of our landscape accentuated by the black-and-white lighthouse at its entry.

It would be nice to connect our “nautical” signatures with a unifying color, bringing all elements together.

I suggest repainting the buoys to help complete this task. The buoy in the roundabout is not an obstacle that interferes with vision, but can enhance the character of the community.

The soon-to-be-started Sullivan Park improvements, and the plans for Deerfield Island will be an addition to our community and will certainly make it a “Nautical Destination.”

Ira Wechterman

Resident and member Deerfield Beach Marine Advisory Board

Preserving citizens’ quality of life

Dear Editor:

The Original Save Our Beach, Inc. (O.S.O.B.) is a not-for-profit organization of residents of Deerfield Beach that cares about preserving our citizens’ quality of life.

O.S.O.B. members have served on county boards, the city commission, other city boards, and as officers and volunteers for charitable organizations. They are owners of businesses, and are residents like you.

They have spent countless volunteer hours for over 10 years, promoting smart development projects in all parts of our city.

This group’s foresight and dedicated efforts preserved the only open space (the Main Beach Parking Lot) suitable enough to hold a carnival and music grandstand at the beach.

If you enjoyed the 2015 68th Founders’ Day parade and celebration Kiwanis organized for your pleasure, for the benefit of so many charities, and to support local businesses, you also need to give kudos to the O.S.O.B. for its continuing effort in making Deerfield Beach a wonderful place to live and visit.

Marti McGeary

Co-President www.originalsaveourbeach.org, Deerfield Beach.

DBICA meets

Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.

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

Topic will be about crime watch. For more info., call 954- 571-2061.

Church Yard Sale

Saturday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church 1920 SE 4 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Miscellaneous items, bikes, large wall unit, wedding dress and more.

2nd Annual Curio Nocturno

Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 to 11 p.m.

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

A slightly risqué and dark masquerade New Orleans ball will commence at this historic home including fare you would normally find near the Bayou. Music will range from Baroque to the waltz, adding modern beats in the evening. Striptease dancers entice. Black tie and costumes requested. MUST wear mask. $65 includes everything mentioned plus two drinks. Percentage of proceeds helps to preserve the historic home. For info., call 954-691-5686 or visit www.curionocturno.com.

Florida Highwaymen

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2 to 5 p.m.

Historic Butler House 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach FL 33441

FREE. Meet Al Black and Mary Ann Carroll, two of the original 26 artists known as the Florida Highwaymen as part of the Black History Month. This group of self-taught African American artists painted Florida landscapes from the 1950s to 1980s. Florida Highwaymen were inducted in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004. For info., call 561-299-8684.

Hot Jazz & Alligator Gumbo Society

Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 to 4 p.m.

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

Mardi Gras Festival. $10. For info., call 954-563-5390.

N. Brow. Dem. Club meets

Wednesday, Feb. 25 7:30 p.m.

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

Speaker: Barry Dockswell, Pompano Beach city commissioner. He will update the club on the progress, renovation projects and latest developments in creating the “new Pompano Beach.” FREE, open to public. Refreshments served. For more info., call 954-783-8232.

St. Ambrose Carnival

Thurs., Feb. 26, 5 to 10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27, 5 to 11 p.m. Sat., Feb. 28, 1 to 11 p.m. Sun., March 1, 1 to 8 p.m.

St. Ambrose 380 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Carnival games, rides, treats, live music, raffles and more. For more info., visit www.stambrosecarnival.com.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, Feb. 28, 5 p.m.

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

Celebrate 30 years of Ministry with Bishop Patrick L. Kelly. For more info., call 954-427-0302.

Pig Out in the Park

Saturday, Feb. 28 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hillsboro Boulevard & Intracoastal Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Enjoy some finger-lickin’ good grillin’ while listening to some foot-stomping tunes. There is even a singing competition from 10 a.m. to noon. Prizes are given for best grilled up grub. Head on down with the whole family! $10, 4 for $30. Info./ tickets: www.DeerfieldChamber.com or at Chamber office: 1601 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

I was scheduled to officiate at a funeral for a young man who, in the past, we would have referred to as “mentally retarded,” but that is not just a politically incorrect term to use, it is a downright offensive one.

So what is the proper term? Well, it might seem open to debate, and, since I wasn’t sure, I asked some professionals and I also asked the family of this young man. The American Psychiatric Association would chart it as intellectual developmental disorder” or “intellectual disability.” One member of the family used the term “mentally challenged,” and several others said that he was “special” and used the term “differently-abled.”

This young man used to live in Philadelphia, but moved down here for several years before going back to The City of Brotherly Love to live near family.

And his family did something that was so loving, so touching, that it tugged on the strings of my heart.

You see, it would have been very convenient for them to bury their brother up in Philadelphia. But they traveled with that casket that held their baby brother and they brought him back here to be buried in Florida. They did so, because this young man adored his parents, and his parents are buried here. So they made sure to fulfill a promise that he would be laid to rest right by them.

In the Torah, we find a similar promise being fulfilled as when Jacob passes away it is up to his survivors to fulfill a pledge that his remains be taken to be buried alongside his ancestors.

Before Jacob dies, we read about him calling family members to his side to bless them. When most people think of getting a blessing, they think of words that someone says to them or of prayers recited on their behalf.

But one of the things we learn in the Torah is that we, each and every one of us, should be a blessing.

Each of us has our own individual strengths and our own individual weaknesses. In other words each of us is “special” and each of us is “differently-abled.”

Just before the funeral of the young man, one of his cousins said, “Of all the people in the world, I never thought I would learn so much from him.” The Talmud asks, “Who is wise?” and answers, “The one who learns from everyone.”

In keeping with this lesson, I chose to focus on the blessings that each person at that funeral could learn from that young man. For instance, The Talmud tells us that, in order to be happy, you need to be content with what you already have.

This young man never asked for more than he had. He was happy with his lot. This young man never had a bad word to say about anyone, and Lord knows the rest of us could sure learn from his example.

He lived a simple life and he was content, and, get this, while for much of his life, his parents assisted him, when his father passed, this young man (who many would assume incapable of much of anything) took on the role of primary caregiver for his mother, doing whatever he was able to see to her comfort, and doing so with the greatest of love and devotion.

Let us learn from Jacob in the Bible and let us learn from this young man whose name also happened to be Jacob … regardless of our weaknesses, we all have the ability … no, we have the Biblical imperative, to “be a blessing.”

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach (201 S. Military Tr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442). Regular Shabbat services are open to everyone on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Don’t forget!

On Stage at Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach:

•Feb. 22 – 1 p.m. – The Holocaust Survivor Klezmer Band

•March 3 – 3 p.m. – The Ramat Gan Israeli Dance Theatre

Tickets – $18 per event for reservations, call 954-428- 0578.

By Bryan Hursh

Striking out on last season’s goals, the Boys’ Varsity baseball team looks to fix the mistakes that led them to a 4-17 season. Losing key players LHP Johnny Grassi and 2nd Baseman Aaron Johnson, the Bucks are looking to bounce back from a tough season with veteran pitching and new transfers Freshmen Andrew Galinat, Junior Kyle Galinat and Senior Donny V. the Bucks’ look to contend for their first district title since 2004.

“We lost a key arm in the rotation last season, but we believe that with our new rotation we can fill the gaps and keep a lot of games close this season.” said Senior Captain Kyle Miller.

“With the right mindset and attitude, and when we all play together we can accomplish great things this season,” said Junior Catcher Trent Youstein. “We need to take it one game at a time and close it out.”

Built with young talent and experienced pitching, the Bucks look to gain some early momentum and use it to propel them through the season, the coaching staff is optimistic of a successful season.

“With the right moves, these boys can accomplish great things. All they have to do is just buy in,” said Vincent Tozzi, athletic director.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

In the midst of Academy Awards season, two new movies are actually opening this weekend. Both Mommy and Above and Beyond are very diverse motion pictures. Each film will appeal to different audiences.

Mommy is a film from Montreal, Canada spoken in French with English subtitles. It was Canada’s submission to the Oscar race and was a Jury Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival. Mommy is a simple story about a mother dealing with her mentally ill son.

The film opens with a car accident, as Mommy — Diane “Die” Despress (Anne Dorval) — cusses out the driver she hit. She is picking her son Steve (Antoine- Olivier Pilon) up from Detention. Steve’s behavior was so atrocious that detention can’t reform him and further disciplinary behavior modifications are expected.

Under this gloomy premise, Mommy has some beautiful moments. The Depress family makes friends with next door neighbor Kyla (Suzanne Clement), a shy academic with a stammer. From the emotional rollercoaster ride from happiness to sadness, the acting feels too real. This film is an exhaustive drama in the vein of a Eugene O’Neill or Tennessee Williams play.

Above and Beyond is a spirited documentary about the formation of the Israeli Air Force, circa 1948. Produced by Nancy Spielberg, this film features interviews from surviving aviators and family members. Among the most recognizable faces is Pee Wee Herman (Paul Rubenfeld), whose late father was one of the most heroic pilots of the first wave of Israeli pilots.

Featuring a mix of archive footage seamlessly edited with special effects from Industrial Light and Magic, Above and Beyond is thrilling history retold. There is personal loss, but there are also so many life-affirming moments of young aviators in search of adventure. It is only through the wisdom of aging that these young adventurers realized they accomplished so much more for their family, faith and friends.

Tomorrow Freddy Krueger, Elvira, Dr. Who, Steven Bauer. Linnea Quigley and Herschell Gordon Lewis invade the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center for Shock Pop. This is the biggest movie/comic book convention to come to South Florida in over a decade. For more information, visit www.shockpopcomiccon.com.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Jan. 27 A home at 2921 S. Waterford Dr. was broken into, and electronics and jewelry were stolen.

Jan. 27 A suspect was arrested for petit theft and issued a notice to appear in court after stealing a knife from Sports Authority at 3810 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Jan. 28 It was reported that a uniform was stolen from United Parcel Service at 1332 NW 3 St.

Jan. 28 A man reported being struck in the face two times by another man at 3275 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Jan. 29 Conveyance burglary took place in Quiet Waters Park at 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL. The victim’s window was smashed and her bag, containing her wallet and debit card, were stolen.

Jan. 29 Theft – Retail/Shoplifting occurred at Super Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL. Unknown suspects stole an XBox 1 system ($349.99) from Target. Surveillance video was collected as evidence.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Jan. 21 Someone broke the front window of an apartment at 2741 NE 30 Ave. The loss was $152.

Jan. 20 Someone stole carpet from a garage at 2211 NE 32 Court. The loss was $2,000.

Jan. 19 A victim said his decal was either lost or stolen off his vehicle while it was parked at 2741 NW 32 St.

Crime Mapping To review crimes in your neighborhood, go to CrimeMapping. com or click the Crime Mapping icon on the City of Deerfield Beach webpage for the most current happenings.

The District 4 Crime Alert will soon be replaced with this great tool. Commissioner Bill Ganz, city staff and the Broward Sheriff’s Office have worked together to provide this for you.

Improvements to The Cove, and Deerfield

Dear Editor:

I have lived in The Cove since 1968 and I am overjoyed to finally see improvements here.

The Cove is an older neighborhood and I was told that because of the age of the neighborhood and condition of our streets, they would be paved first — and they were.

This commission, thanks to the leadership of the District 1 Commissioner, has not only paved The Cove area streets but completely re-landscaped the entryways to 12 and 15 Avenues and entirely remade SE 5 Avenue, SE 2 Street and SE 3 Court, with improved drainage, new sidewalks, trees and landscaping.

This area had been neglected over the years, but now is part of our city that we can all be proud of.

Sullivan Park, another neglected area, is on the way to being a wonderful water sports, child and fisherman-friendly gem — thanks to CRA staff planning, resident involvement and the District 1 Commissioner’s full support.

I am also delighted to see that streets throughout the city are being repaved. This is long overdue.

Thanks to the city commission for responding to residents and making paving a priority.

Let’s keep the positive momentum going in District 1.

Marge Hilton

Deerfield Beach

Friends of the Deerfield Beach Arboretum meet

Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

Constitution Park 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: Scott Lyons, who operates Sublicious Farms in Oakland FL. He is a mushroom grower. This is a fascinating, little known, field of agriculture. Plant giveaway, light refreshments. Free and open to public. For information, call 954-480-4495 or visit www.treezoo.com.

Annual Pet Expo

Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pompano Citi Centre 1955 N. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Held in the courtyard, this free event will include a Pet Costume Contest, a Doggie Fashion Show, product sampling, and a Puppy Kissing Booth, sponsored by radio station, 99.9 Kiss Country. Visitors who bring donations to the event to help support participating rescues and charities will be entered in the Grand Prize Valentine’s Giveaway raffle which is valued at over $1,000. www.PompanoCitiCentre.com/events.

Pompano Beach Tennis

Sunday, Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m.

212 Pompano Beach Blvd. (south of the pier) Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Categories: Singles, Mixed, Doubles, Men’s & Women’s, Juniors. $20 per player (1 category), $5 each additional category; $10 for Juniors under 12. Prizes for winners! RSVP: mybeachtennis@aol.com.

A Patriotic Spectacular

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach High School Gymnasium 1400 NE 6 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Free concert by the New Presbyterian Church Concert Choir and The King’s Brass directed by Steven P. Hammaker and Organist, Lisa Wilson, as well as The Jubilation Brass, The Youth Choirs, Voices in Bronze and the Pompano Beach High School ROTC Color Guard. Pre-concert in the Pompano Beach High School Cafeteria at 1 p.m. performed by The Jubilation Brass. An offering will be taken. Info.: 954-946-4380 or visit www.newpres.org.

S. FL Chamber Ensemble Program 4: Love Letters

Sunday, Feb. 15, 3 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Center 1801 NE 6 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a pairing of love letters and compositions inspired by love, featuring Beethoven’s famous immortal beloved letter paired with the Moonlight Sonata, along with letters and music by Mozart, Liszt, Janacek and Tchaikosky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture. $20, $15 for students and seniors. Enjoy free wine and chocolates during intermission. Tickets are available at the Emma Lou Olson box office or by calling. 954-803-3762.

Arts Spark Kids Fest

Sunday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Tr. Boca Raton, FL 33486

Over 30 workshops. Activities range from dance, storytelling, circus arts, gymnastics, martial arts and cheerleading, to art, theater, drawing and music. Rick Hubbard will have an ongoing Kazoobie Kazoo Show. There will be strolling entertainers, face painting, sand art, food vendors, outdoor music and more. $10 for kids 16 and under, adults free with paid child(ren). Sponsored by Suzy Q Events of Boca Raton and Jerry’s Artarama of Deerfield Beach. 561-347-3900.

Walk A Mile For a Cure

Sunday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m.

Deerfield Beach

Benefits the American Cancer Society. $15. Includes T-Shirt and breakfast. To register: www.deerfieldbeachfoundersdays. Com.

Sand Volleyball Clinic

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:45 to 8 p.m.

Meadows Park 1300 NW 8 St. Boca Raton, FL 33486

Free clinic. First time ever in Boca Raton. Sand Turtles Volleyball training for adults and kids ages 8+. For more information, go to: www.sandturtlesvolleyball.com.

Have you ever heard of the term “tough love?” People will say, “I think that person needs some tough love.” There is a new saying that is true that I heard the other day, and I think it’s the opposite of that term “tough love” because “love is tough.” Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, and it is easy to love on special occasions like this. However, there are still many days left out of the year where some days are easy to show love, and some days we have to work hard at showing love to others. How about showing someone love who does not love you back or even someone who may not treat you the way you believe you deserve to be treated? Love should be a big part of our lives. Love is something meant to be expressed, not something to be kept a secret. It seems like people even have a hard time saying “I love you” when we should say it all the time, and we should also show it all the time. It is tough sometimes, but it is not impossible. Why is it that we can say that we love our car, job, dog or even our favorite restaurant, but we cannot say it to each other? We have a hard time saying ‘I love you’ to the ones who really mean the most to us.

We have to understand that we need God’s help to love others in the same way that He loves us. We always want to put conditions on love, but God does not do that to us. We speak with our actions and say ‘I will love you’ if you do this for me, treat me this way, or buy me this, etc. God does not work on the point system and neither should we. God tells us to love others, period. There are no conditions on that love. God does not say love someone if they do something for you or make you feel a certain way. God says love each other, and if God tells us to love, we must be able to do it. Love is so many things, but it is not conditional. Let’s look at what love is.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud

5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

NLT

Love gives us the ability to be sensitive to the needs, hurts and desires of others and also to feel with them, and experience the world from their perspective. Love gives us the ability to give with no conditions or expectations. Love builds up and encourages; it is determining what is best for someone and doing it. Pray and ask God to help you love the way He loves and He will help you. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day. I LOVE YOU!

Pastor Tony Guadagnino is the pastor at Christian Love Fellowship church, located at 801 SE 10 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. For more information, visit www.clfministries.org.

MS Society held its 32nd annual luncheon Jan. 23.

By Rachel Galvin

Long tables filled with auction items awaited guests at the Broward County Convention Center Jan. 23. The occasion was the annual MS Gala benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Honored at the event was David Schulman, who received the Society’s highest volunteer award, the MS Hope Award. At the event, guests learned the personal reason behind his dedication to finding a cure for the disease, his wife of 45 years, Carrie, who has been battling through it with David by her side. His children and grandchildren were among the many presenters who stood and/ or spoke in his honor.

Presented by the company Schulman is a general agent for, Mass Mutual/ DBS Financial Group, the event included a fashion show by Mayda Cisneros, a sit-down three course meal served family style and a video presentation, including introduction of several guests with MS and how the society has benefited them.

Among them was Joanne Postis, a Mental Health Counselor diagnosed in 2010.

Postis said, “[The MS symptoms] started with a limp and tingling in my arms and legs. My right side was weak. I was not able to write as fast. The tiredness was the most debilitating. It took them two years to figure out what it was. It took me falling and getting a concussion to finally be able to see a neurologist. I had to stop working in 2011. The scariest thing is that you have to be able to have someone take care of you.”

She added, “The MS Society has been amazing, [offering] counseling, when I was first diagnosed, financial assistance, a support group, women’s retreats, day meetings, education …”

Postis, working to “transform her purpose,” has ridden in an MS bike ride the last two years in addition to participating in walks. She said any funding toward the society helps and is hopeful about finding a cure.

Tareeq Pupani also struggled to be diagnosed. For him, the symptoms were different with cramps, burning eyes, headaches and tremors. It turned out he not only had MS, but also Lupus, which made the diagnosis more complex.

“It took them 18 months to figure out,” said Pupani, a Certified Project Manager who was diagnosed in 2004. “one of the biggest things is the fatigue.”

He also has biked, walked and more to help the society, who he said has been there for him.

“It made me feel I was doing something, not just complaining,” he said.

The society, he added, “has helped me to understand things I could do day to day to make life easier, the medicines out there and the research going on. I don’t think I could have done it without support.”

Doug Bonds, whose life partner was diagnosed with MS, said, “The National MS society was there to guide us on everything from where to buy ramps to finding the best doctors.”

Among the sponsors for this event was JR Dunn Jewelers, from Lighthouse Point, who donated a live auction item, a Rolex worth $10,000, and offered a 25 percent discount on purchases, giving a portion back to the charity.

“We have been doing this for about nine years,” said owner Jim Dunn. “It is one of the easiest charity organizations to work with. It is a wonderful cause.”

Approximately $550,000 was raised this day for the Society, according to the MS Society President of the South Florida Chapter Karen Dresbach. About 1200 people attended.

Hope Award recipient David Schulman and family.

Mayda Cisneros launched her new collection.

JR Dunn Jewelers was one of the event sponsors. Pictured-owner Jim Dunn.

Guests could bid on auction items electronically through bid pal.

About 1200 guests attended.