| April, 2015

FLICKS: Furious 7, X+Y and Walking Man

Posted on 09 April 2015 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Over the Easter weekend, Furious 7 broke box office records for an April release. With a gross of 147 million, this film owes much to the well-promoted tribute to the late Paul Walker, who passed away last fall from a tragic car accident.

The tribute is a fine one, with visions of poetry. People left the movie in tears.

For a full evening price ticket, it is disappointing to write that Furious 7 is not a successful movie overall. The set-up is good. As always, the characters are engaging and new villain Jason Statham gives both Vin Diesel & Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson their lumps. The first big action sequence in the mountains is thrilling; but, as the action progresses, the reliance apon computerized special effects diminishes any sense of danger.

As long as Vin Diesel feels like producing this Fast and Furious series of movies, expect a “Fast 8” in 2017. This 15-year-old series revolves around a core group of individuals that resembles a family dynamic. Every two years, it’s nice to check up on these people.

Last Thursday evening, the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) announced that X+Y won the Best Feature Film Award. This unique motion picture features a young mathematical genius, Nathan (Asa Butterfield), who goes on a field trip to Asia. Considered autistic, Nathan makes new friends and learns that his estrangement from people has more to do with a blocked trauma from his past.

Omo Child: The River and the Bush tied with Walking Man for Best PBIFF documentary. Directed by Josh Salzberg, Walking Man presents a bipolar father and son who go on a cross country walk to bring attention to teenage suicide prevention.

It is a road movie, but, along the way, we meet young people who have attempted suicide. Back home, the mother explains the up and down behavior of the father and son. Whereas the son’s mood swings would occur on a daily basis, the father would have a manic/depressive episode that lasted three years.

The climax is presented as a confession from the mother and father. We learn the importance of maintaining communication with empathetic people. What makes Walking Man a successful documentary is the candor about this painful, but important, subject.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 09 April 2015 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

March 24 A perpetrator was arrested and charged with breaking into a residence at 317 SE 12 St.

March 25 A woman reported that her former boyfriend punched her in the face and stole her cell phone at 700 N. Deerfield Ave.

March 25 A suspect stole $103.41 worth of razors from Publix at 3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

March 26 A woman reported medication missing from her home at 640 NW 3 Ave. after having guests in her home.

DEERFIELD – District 4

March 15 Residential burglary was reported in Pine Tree Apartments at 750 Lock Rd. Unknown subject(s) smashed the sliding glass door and took two TVs and a Play Station 4.

March 15 Theft occurred in Deer Creek at 3206 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Victim reported that her pocketbook and wallet were stolen from All Shoes department store.

March 17 Auto theft took place in Pine Tree Apartments at 500 Lock Rd. An F350 Power Stroke was taken from the apartment complex.

March 19 Conveyance burglary was reported in Riverglen at 280 NW 45 Ave. Unknown subject(s) smashed the rear passenger side window to the victim’s vehicle. Subject removed the victim’s purse.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

March 12 Witnesses reported seeing a group of juveniles breaking into vehicles at 4500 N. Federal Hwy. Police found several unlocked doors; however, nothing appeared to be taken.

March 19 Someone knocked over a 2011 scooter parked in front of McDonald’s at 4830 N. Federal Hwy. Damage was $150.

March 23 Someone stole a tag off a motorcycle while it was parked at 2330 NE 50 St.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 09 April 2015 by LeslieM

New regulations heat up hot water situation

Dear Editor:

The U.S. Dept. of Energy, as part of the National Appliance Conservation Act, is mandating higher efficiency water heaters as of April 16, 2015.

What this means to Century Village (and other communities) is that since any water heater replacement after that date will require a compliant water heater and since the units fit under the counter by the sink, this poses a significant problem – a 2 in. taller water heater will not fit!

No one wants to redesign their counters to be able to change out a water heater. An alternate tankless heater, while a solution, is not a good solution since the electrical demands of the unit are much greater and would require probable transformer changes for the buildings to allow all of the residents to switch to the inline tankless heaters.

I was sufficiently concerned about this situation and called the manufacturer of my present unit.

Luckily, they decided to manufacture a compliant hot water heater that was wider but not taller. The new unit model will still fit under the present counters. As long as one manufacturer makes a unit that still fits, we are good.

So, when the time comes for your present water heater to go bye-bye, make sure the contractor does not try to sell you a new kitchen — just a new water heater.

Michael Routburg

Deerfield Beach

Celebrating Spring

Dear Editor:

I do look forward to spring weather, green grass and flowers in bloom.

The advent of spring is also a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf on our dietary habits.

In fact, hundreds of communities welcome spring with an observance of the Great American Meatout — celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Visitors are asked to go vegan, at least for a day, and to explore a healthy diet of vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes, and grains.

Meatless Monday” has been making huge advances in public schools, universities, institutional cafeterias and restaurants.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is recommending reduced meat consumption. Stock market analysts are warning clients about potential “death of meat.”

Almost 50 percent of the respondents in a special GlobalMeatNews poll said they had actively reduced their meat consumption. Accordingly, per capita U.S. meat consumption has dropped by more than 10 percent since 2005.

Each of us can celebrate our own advent of spring by checking out vegan foods in our local supermarket and vegan recipes on the internet.

Peter Sullivan

Ocala

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 09 April 2015 by LeslieM

Friends of the DB Arboretum

Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m.

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

Speaker: Irina Kim-Sang, managing partner, Miami Vertical Gardens. Her company creates vertical gardens on indoor/ outdoor walls. Learn how you can too. Plant giveaway. Light refreshments served. Free, open to public. 954-480-4495, www.treezoo.com.

Girls Night Out: Get Pampered

Thursday, April 9, 6 to 9 p.m.

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

$12 per person. Admission includes manicures, hair curling or ironing; makeup tutorials and five-minute massages. Complimentary beer or glass of wine courtesy of Amato’s Italian Grill, and light food samplings from Pompano Citi Centre’s restaurants. 954-943-4683 or visit www.PompanoCitiCentre. com.

Relay For Life at Mississippi Sweets

Thursday, April 9, 5 – 8 p.m.

Mississippi Sweets 123-7 NE 20 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Benefits Relay For Life (held April 18-19) Awesome raffle baskets, 50/50, fun & games with prizes, $5 donation gets you FREE drink and raffle ticket! Parking validated for hour. 954-421-2210, relayforlife.org/dblpfl .

8th Annual Surfers for Autism

Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12

South side of Deerfield Pier Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Children and young adults with autism and related developmental delays spend the day being guided into waves by expert instructors. See more pg. 1.

Grill-n-Chill

Friday, April 10, 6 to 8 p.m.

Trinity Church & School 3901 NE 22 Ave. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Hot dogs, chips, drinks and ice cream available for purchase in the parking lot and spring book fair held in Fellowship Hall. 954-941-8033.

Night of Hope

Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.

Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort, Royal Palm Room 2096 NE 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Fundraising Feast presented by Cafe Med Ristorante. Unique international tasting tour celebrating food and wine pairings with Executive Chef Tulio, cooking live. Silent auction, speakers and live entertainment. $200. Benefits Jordan Porco Foundation, a 501(c)(3) founded by Ernie Porco in memory of his late son, Jordan Matthew Porco, who died by suicide. Advance RSVP required: e-mail events@thegabgroup.com or call 561-750-3500. www.rememberingjordan.org.

Earth Day event

Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tradewinds Park 3600 W. Sample Rd. Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Celebrate Mother Earth. $1 per individual; 25 tickets for $20. Games and crafts, bounce houses, live entertainment, hay rides, food trucks, model steam train rides, farm tours and demonstrations, 4-H educational activities and pony rides. Florida Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists onsite sharing information on landscaping and wildlife, respectively. Gate fee applies: $1.50 per person; children under 5 free. 954-357-8870

Pompano Beach Garden Club

Monday, April 13, 12:30 pm.

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

The program “Desert Roses in Xeriscaping” will be presented by Robert McKee. He is the owner of Lucky Sumo Sanctuary. Refreshments served. Info: 954-943-0029.

Deerfield Beach Orchid Society

Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 pm SHARP

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

Speaker: Dr. Brian Monk, on Tolumnia Oncidium miniatures. Guests welcome. No charge to visit the first two times; after that, annual membership fee. www.deerfieldbeachorchidsociety. org.

Senior IB Art Show

Tues. April 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Deerfield Beach High 910 SW 15 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33064

Victoria Englehart’s IB art students show off their artwork in this annual event.

Democratic Women’s Club of NE Broward meets

Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m.

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

Speaker: Linda Geller-Schwartz, director, National Council of Jewish Women, Palm Beach Section, on Human Trafficking and the Trafficked Teens Project. Refreshments served. Free and open to the public. Info.: 954-942-8711.

Great American Cleanup

The Great American Cleanup, which is a Keep America Beautiful program, is the largest ongoing litter collection event in the country! It’s very easy – just organize your group, pick a date through April 17, select a public location, pick up your supplies from the City, and get busy!

Register at www.Deerfield-Beach.com/GreenEarth- Fest or call 954-480-1425.

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CLERGY CORNER: Not Shaken

Posted on 09 April 2015 by LeslieM

Sometimes in life things happen that we don’t expect and we get shaken to the very core of our being. We get caught off guard and events in life just rattle us. It is not a matter of being ready for bad things to happen but to know where your help and strength comes from when they do. When you learn to rely on God for your help and strength, then the devil can’t rattle or shake your life anymore.

HEBREWS 12:27-29

27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

29 For our God is a devouring fire. — NLT

The kingdom that we belong to, as children of God, is unshakable so let’s give thanks to God by worshiping Him with fear and awe. The fire of God will devour things in our lives that don’t belong like – poverty – sickness – gossiping – lying. You will not waiver and you will not be shaken. You will stay strong and courageous. The only unshakable thing that remains will be you.

PSALM 62:2

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. — NLT

God is always with us and right beside us. God, and God alone, is our rock and our refuge. Nothing else will do – just God. We will not be shaken! When we are continually shaken, it steals our motivation and energy. It is like we are stunned or in shock; we get scared and don’t make any decisions at all, good or bad. The devil is not just trying to knock you down he is trying to destroy you. When the devil is trying to shake your life, you will shake his instead because you will trust in God and be unshakable. When the devil shakes, you will be set free from your chains and then you will be filled with courage and boldness. When you pray and worship God, the devil shakes. You will never be shaken, but your circumstances will be and your chains will be. You don’t ever shake or waiver – you shake the things and circumstances around you, instead of life shaking you. YOU WIN! You will stay strong and courageous.

LUKE 6:38

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full — pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. NLT

Although, when God is shaking your life, you win. When God shakes you, it is to make room for you to receive more and more. He is shaking everything together. Therefore, start to stir up those things on the inside of you and start to say and start to believe, “I shall not be moved!” When you agitate someone, you get their attention; so begin to irritate those things in your life that you don’t want and tell them to get out. You will stay strong and courageous.

Tony Guadagnino is the pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Church, located at 801 SE 10 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. For more information, call 954-428-8980 or visit www.clfministries.org.

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Woman killed when car hits pole

Posted on 03 April 2015 by JLusk

A Jacksonville woman was killed early Friday morning when her car hit a pole in Deerfield Beach. The Broward Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.

A preliminary investigation showed that Carrie Ann Laird, 37, was westbound on Southwest 10 street at a high rate of speed. A witness told investigators Laird may have been racing another vehicle when she lost control of her 2005 Nissan 350Z and veered off the roadway. There was no evidence indicating that the other vehicle made contact with the Nissan.

Laird lost control of the car, and it struck a pole. She was not wearing a seatbelt. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue pronounced her dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about this crash can contact Detectives Carlos DeJesus at (954)321-4840 or call Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.

INVESTIGATORS: THI Dets. DeJesus, Morales; Sgt. Michael; Deerfield Beach, BSFR
THIS REPORT BY:  Dani Moschella/PIO4/3/15 1600


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Randall earns national honor

Posted on 02 April 2015 by LeslieM

SPORTS040215By Gary Curreri

With Blanche Ely High School’s boys basketball team set to play in the Dick’s Sporting Goods National Invitational in New York this week, its coach Melvin Randall learned was named USA Today’s All-USA National Boys Coach of the Year.

It’s s a great honor,” said the 52-year-old Randall, who led the Tigers to its third state championship in four years. “I can’t take all the credit because I have some players that worked extremely hard all season. This speaks volumes for not only the kids, but my coaching staff as well.”

Blanche Ely is hoping to pad its 28-0 record when the third-seeded Tigers tip off against No. 6 Findlay Prep of Nevada at noon Thursday at Christ the King High School in Queens, where the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be played. The championship will be played at Madison Square Garden.

Randall, whose team defeated Kissimmee Osceola 72-60 in the state final in early March, became the first boys’ basketball coach from Broward to win six state championships. He also won two titles with neighboring Deerfield Beach High School.

In his 23-year coaching career, Randall has an overall record of 505-145. He was also named the Florida Dairy Farmers’ Class 7A coach of the year.

Dolphins hold camp

The Miami Dolphins organization was in town last week to help kickoff its NFL Flag Football program that will start up in a few weeks.

Former Miami Dolphins tight end Troy Drayton, 44, who is the Youth and Community Programs Manager with the Miami Dolphins, held a clinic for about 35 youngsters last Tuesday, while his former Penn State College roommate Reggie Givens, 43, also a former NFL and CFL linebacker player, came out on Saturday and hosted another 45 youth football players.

Both are heavily involved in the Dolphins Academy football program that puts on hundreds of camps a year throughout the state.

We just want to get them to come together on the weekend with your peers and your fellow athletes in your age group and do something constructive,” Givens said. “You are out here in the air, working on your physical fitness and agility, and you can take this in any sport. Even though we are out here for football, you can take this in any sport you do — baseball, soccer, basketball, any sport you want.”

I just love giving back, working with kids and keeping them active,” Givens added. “That’s a positive thing no matter what happens. They will take this throughout life. If you get them going now, they are always going to grow. Physical fitness is a huge thing that is in America and a huge thing we are lacking in.”

Deerfield Beach’s Diesal Eagleson, 11, a Quiet Waters Elementary School fifth grader, enjoyed the camp.

This is really fun because I like football,” Eagleson said. “I am learning how to catch, run and jump. I don’t play football on a team, but I am thinking about doing it now after this.” Pompano Beach’s Jeremiah Fowler, 12, is a member of the

Pompano Beach Steelers football team and said he’s been playing for fi ve years. It was good to refine his skills.

This is good because I am learning more stuff and how to play football to get ready for the season,” said Fowler, a sixth grader at Deerfield Beach Middle School. “I am learning how to move my feet quick and I think the best part is catching a football.”

We are hooked up with them now because our flag football program is NFL Flag so they were helping us promote flag football and they were tying us into their Play- 60 campaign,” said city of Deerfield Beach Athletic Coordinator Blaise Leone. “It was a lot of fun. When the Dolphins do something, they do it right and it is top shelf. The kids were excited. We had a lot of fun.”

The city is still taking registrations for the program, which will begin on April 14-15. The cost is $50 for residents and $60 for non-residents.

This is the first year that the league has partnered with the NFL and the players will receive NFL replica jerseys. Last year, the city’s flag football program fielded seven teams.

We are looking to have a lot more this year,” Leone said. “We have always had a flag football season, but having the Dolphins involved has taken it to a whole new level.”

For more information, go to the city’s website at http://www.deerfield-beach.com or call 954- 480-4433.

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FLICKS: X+Y, The Record Man, Walking Man, Hidden Assets & The Lost Key

Posted on 02 April 2015 by LeslieM

PBiFF2015Ellar Coltane and Randi Emerman Axler (2)By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

The April zeitgeist known as the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) wraps up tonight at Boca Raton Cinemark Palace 20 with While We’re Young, starring Amanda Seyfried, Naomi Watts, Ben Stiller, Adam Driver and Charles Grodin.

The final party will be at Yoko-San Restaurant, 99 SE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton.

When The Observer started covering PBIFF in 2003, young Ellar Coltrane was just beginning work on his 2014 movie Boyhood [which received an Oscar for actress Patricia Arquette]. After a whirlwind of promotion,[including picking up a Shooting Star award at PBIFF], this fine young gentleman will be returning to Texas as he makes plans to attend college in New England.

Directed by FSU alumnus Mark Moorman, The Record Man provides nostalgia for people who grew up in South Florida during the 1970s. With George McCrae receiving the key to the city of West Palm Beach, the sold-out audience responded with religious fervor, including singing along with Steve Alaimo, KC and the Sunshine band.

2006 PBIFF voluntePBiFF2015 Mr and Mrs George McCrae (2)er Mitchell Egber produced The Record Man and organized the music for the gala event Saturday Night at the home of Marty & Joyce Kobak. Besides hob knobbing with guests like Connie Francis and Tom Arnold, the party featured live performances by George McCrae, Jimmy “Bo” Horne, Charlotte McKinnon and the Derek Mack Band.

While celebrities and parties draw attention, the purpose of a good film festival is to feature the work of independent filmmakers. Asa Butterfield stars as mathematical genius with poor social skills in X + Y, a British drama with much dry humor. Although laced with profanity, this is a family film shot in Great Britain and Asia. It is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year for its logical unpredictability.

Josh Salzberg brought his documentary Walking Man to town, a father/son road movie about suicide prevention. With echoes of the Reese Witherspoon movie Wild, Salzberg brings a raw authenticity about healing by a cross country walk through the state of Missouri.

Word-of-mouth has been strong for the Alfred Hitchcock inspired Hidden Assets, directed by local actress Jacqueline Journey.

The Lost Key has inspired discussions about the meaning of intimacy.

It’s sad that we have to wait another year for such an intimate festival … PBIFF.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 02 April 2015 by LeslieM

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

DEERFIELD BEACH

March 17 A vehicle was stolen from 500 Lock Rd.

March 17 A woman reported her home at 309 SE 3 St. broken into and a jewelry box containing jewelry and a laptop stolen.

March 17 Visitors from Canada reported that $700 was stolen from their room at Embassy Suites at 950 S. Ocean Dr.

March 19 A car parked at 280 NW 45 Ave. was broken into and a purse stolen.

DEERFIELD – District 4

March 23 Auto theft was reported in Deer Creek at 2345 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Victim parked his vehicle, unlocked, and with the driver’s window rolled down, in front of his office. He observed the vehicle leaving his parking space and departing the scene.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

March 9 Victim, at 2050 NE 39 St., was told by her bank that her identity was used to create fraudulent transactions on E-Trades.

March 12 Victim said she received an email at her residence at 4103 NE 22 St. from a man identifying himself as a soldier and in need of her services as a pet sitter. The victim said she received a check from the man in the amount of $2,930 for pet supplies and was told to send two money grams for $1,030 each. The victim was told by the bank that the check was fake. She was not responsible for the monies sent.

March 12 A witness observed eight male juvenile subjects breaking into a rental vehicle at 4500 N. Federal Hwy. Nothing appeared to be taken.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 02 April 2015 by LeslieM

Relay for Life coming in April

Dear Editor:

We all know too many people whose lives have been touched by cancer.

I/we can’t sit still and not take action against this disease that has hurt so many. That’s why I’m participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® movement.

[SAVE THE DATE: Deerfield, Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Relay for Life on Saturday, April 18, 5 p.m.]

Relay For Life is my opportunity to celebrate my battle against cancer and loved ones who have won theirs, remember those no longer with us, and fight back against this disease that robs so many of so much.

More than just walking the track, I’m fundraising! Because of the donations collected, more people in more communities:

Have the information and tools they need to help reduce their risk of getting cancer or find the disease early, when it’s easiest to treat

Have a place to turn for help 24/7

Benefit from the progress being made toward finding cancer’s causes and cures

Get access to lifesaving screenings and treatment

Please join me in fighting cancer and consider supporting fundraising efforts. Dollars raised bring us one step closer to a world with less cancer and more birthdays, a world where not another life is lost to the disease.

Thank you so much for your support. Together, we will finish the fight!

Claire Schubert

Hillsboro Beach

RE: Buses at Century Village

Dear Editor:

I am a resident of CVE (Century Village East). This is in response to Kathy Richards’ column in your [news]paper about the bus situation.

I have been suffering with wounds on both my legs for 5 weeks because of the steps on the bus.

I am in pain and I was told it is a long process to heal.

Is there anything we can do to wake up MM (Master Management)? I would like a reply. HUD (the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development) will never do anything.

Elaine Rosenberg

Deerfield Beach

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