Look for article in this week’s paper. Pics and story coming soon here online.

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy head track coach Jarod Ebenhack laughs at the notion that the school should invest in a track.

With the success the boys and girls varsity teams have had the past several years, at the very least, it makes for some lighthearted discussion.

“It’s a matter of funding,” said Ebenhack, who has been at the school the past four years and guided the team to three boys district championships in the past four years (2014 they were second) and district titles for the girls in 2013 and 2015. The team was runner-up in 2014 and this year. The girls’ squad this year is composed mostly of middle schoolers, while the boys are made up of mostly upper classmen. “To build a basic track would cost around $300,000.

“If we wanted a really good track, it would run about $700,000,” Ebenhack added. “We have everything else – shot put, pole vault and high jump pits, along with long jump and triple jump pits. We practice on various fields around campus and I actually paint a 400-meter track with all of the marks for hurdles and exchange zones around the football field. I think it makes it easier for us because we train in the grass and on the sand, that we go even faster on a track because we are running on a faster surface.”

The boys’ team suffered a tough blow this weekend as soccer standout Elijah Kerr, who runs the leadoff leg for the region’s second ranked 4×100 relay and is the anchor leg for the top-ranked 4×800 relay, broke his foot playing soccer and is out.

“We have good replacements, but it definitely affects the certainty of our performance when you are putting two guys in there who haven’t practiced it regularly,” Ebenhack said. Until 2013, the boys had never won a district championship in track before.

Sophomore Ryan Szklany is the school’s top distance runner with school records in both the 1,600-meter run (4:28) and the 3,200-meter run (9:44). Senior Hunter Walton just eclipsed the school record in the 800-meter dash (2:03).

Senior Chris Julien, the school record holder in the 100-meter dash (11.07) who finished seventh at state last year after winning the regional title in the 100, could win both the 100 and 200-meter dashes at the regional meet.

Junior Justin Ebenhack is on three relays that have school records and is the district champion in the 400-meter dash; Senior Kenny Armstrong won the district titles in both shot put and discus.

Junior Sara Carroll qualified in four events for states the past two years and is hoping to do the same this year. She is also the school record holder in those events – 100-meter hurdles (15.9), 300-meter hurdles (47.99), triple jump (35-10) and high jump (5-4).

“I think the future is really bright for the girls and they can really be dominant for years to come if they stick together,” said Ebenhack, who had started an elementary school track program a couple of years ago. “The majority of our girls team is middle schoolers.

We have a lot of really good young athletes. We are just going to get better.”

The boys were the top-ranked team headed in the regional. The other teams expected to contend for a regional title are Westminster Academy and the South Florida Heat. The girls were expected to finish in the top 5.

“It’s awesome to see them perform,” said Ebenhack, whose boys cross country team has won four consecutive district titles. “They have caught the vision of what kind of work ethic it takes to do it.

“Originally, I really had to push them,” Ebenhack said. “In the past I really had to push them. I am at the point now where I just give them a workout for the day and they will push each other. They will be cheering on each other. It is exciting to see.”

The team has about 70 athletes in the overall program, including middle school and high schools. They are taking 26 to the regionals. Last year the team took 14 to state, which represented about 10 percent of the student body. There are about 160 students at the school this year.

“I’d like to take most everybody to state this year,” Ebenhack said. “Everything will have to fall into place.”

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

As I prepared for my screening of The Huntsman: Winter’s War, I had to compliment Carmike Cinema’s management [Broward 18 in Pompano] for their bustling box office and concession sales. Over the concession bar were two television screens dedicated to sports channels, so I was able to keep track of the Heat, Panthers and Marlins. Cinemas are becoming more timely and intimate. This concept really hit home when the manager informed me that he was redoing the weekend schedule to insert special screenings of Purple Rain, starring the late singer Prince [like many other national theaters].

Modern technology has made mass entertainment more impulsive. While tonight is supposed to present the final screenings of Purple Rain, if box office is good, one can predict this film being held over until Captain America: Civil War opens next week (May 6).

While The Jungle Book dominated the latest box office figures, the much maligned The Huntsman: Winter’s War opened with a respectable box office sum of $20 million. A prequel to Snow White and the Huntsman, which starred Kristen Stewart as Snow White, this new film focuses on the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) and the supposedly dead evil queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron).

It has been a Leap Year since Snow White and the Huntsman was last seen on the big screen. In that time, television shows like Grimm and Once Upon a Time have provided much reinterpretation of the ancient fairy tales. Given the cultural and financial success of Disney’s version of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen”, (Frozen), it was only a matter of time before Freya (Emily Blunt) replaced the mythology of Snow White.

We learn that Freya and Ravenna were sisters. With her nasty disposition concealed by her two-faced charm, Ravenna manages to cook Freya’s child.

Heartbroken, Freya goes north, freezes her heart and wages war on all mankind.

As Freya assembles her military and develops her military academy for orphans, we meet the Young Huntsman, who is infatuated with a red-headed archer named Sara (who grows up to look like Jessica Chastain). The Huntsman and Sara share swashbuckling adventures together and eventually get caught in the snare of the evil queens. Will anyone live to be happily ever after?

Based on the poor rating on RottenTomatoes.com, The Huntsman: Winter’s War is likely to be nominated for multiple Razzy Awards. However, there is a sense of fun about this movie and the actors appear to be having a good time swashbuckling. While this film is too dark to take impressionable children to, the crowd really warmed up to the action sequence in which the Huntsman, Sara and some dwarfs steal the magic mirror from a Minotaur guardian. The Huntsman: Winter’s War will be a bigger hit on DVD.

Deerfield Beach

April 12: A man reported that his home at 5310 NE 8 Terr. was burglarized and keys to his car were stolen. He had the ignition on his car replaced. The man reported that two men tried to steal the car but were unable to get it started.

April 12: Someone entered an unlocked car parked at 39 NE 11 Way and stole golf clubs, shoes and headphones.

April 12: Someone entered a work vehicle at 100 SW12 Ave. and stole tools.

April 12: A vehicle was stolen from 2039 Deer Creek Woodlands Way.

April 19: An unknown suspect pried open the deadbolt on the front door at 2784 SW 15 St. to force entry. Jewelry and electronics were stolen from the upstairs bedroom.

April 19: An unknown vehicle traveling at high speed hit a forklift at 2257 W. Hillsboro Blvd. and then left the scene.

Lighthouse Point

March 24: Property valued at $155 was stolen from a vehicle that was parked at 2340 block of Vintage Dr.

March 24: The victim, a cabdriver, said he picked up a fare in South Beach and the subject asked to be dropped off at a drug store located at 3580 N. Federal Hwy. The subject then said she was unable to pay the $110 fare.

March 24: A female subject entered a store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. and stole $728.26 worth of baby supplies and formula. She claimed a friend had the receipt. She was arrested.

No change to garage sales in Deerfield

Dear Editor:

I wanted to thank all of you [District 4 residents] who responded to my request for input regarding a possible change to our Garage Sale Ordinance. The response was tremendous. And I personally found it very helpful, giving me guidance as to what the community would like to see happen with this issue. In the end, the vast majority of people felt strongly that they did not want to see changes to the current ordinance.

At the April 5 Commission meeting, the City Commission unanimously agreed to not change the ordinance. The issues that were prompting the consideration for changing the ordinance will be handled through Code Enforcement.

Again, thank you for your feedback.

Bill Ganz

Deerfield Beach

District 4 Commissioner

Dining Out for Life

Thursday, April 28, 5 p.m. to closing

Tijuana Taxi Co.

1015 S. Federal Highway

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Tijuana Taxi Co. will donate 25 percent of all food sales after 5 p.m. to Broward House, which has been helping Broward residents impacted by HIV/AIDS for 28 years. Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting a great cause! Call 954-708-2775 for information.

Spaghetti Dinner

Friday, April 29, noon to 7 p.m.

First Zion Missionary Baptist Church

125 SW 1 Ct.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and soda. Donation: $5 per person/$15 per family of 6. Each additional person: $2. For information, call Lorrine Cummings, 954-421-0592.

Spring Yard Sale

Saturday April 30, 8 a.m. to noon

St. Peter’s Anglican Church

1416 SE 2 Terr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Air-conditioned indoor yard sale! Great variety of items priced to sell. Rain or shine event. Call 954-695-0336 for information.

10th Annual Fiesta De Shred

Saturday, April 30

• Registration, 8 a.m.

• Contest, 9 a.m., schedule determined by conditions

Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier

200 NE 21 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33073

Island Water Sports’ 10th annual Fiesta De Shred brings together skimmers and surfers for a sombrero slinging showdown. All proceeds benefit the Kiwanis scholarship fund to send at risk youth to Surf Camp. Early registration: $25 for surf and skim; $50 Pro skim division; $10 ea. additional division. At the event: $35 for surf and skim; $60 Pro skim division. Register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fiesta-de-shred-esa-south-florida-tickets-15751834160. For information, e-mail linsey@islandwatersports.com.

Tour the Historic Butler House

Saturday, April 30, 10 to 2 p.m.

Historic Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Learn about the heritage of Deerfield Beach’s farming pioneers, including the Butlers. Donations welcome.

9th Annual PigOut ‘n Deerfield Beach

Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park, Shelter #10

401 S. Powerline Rd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Prepare to Pig Out! Deerfield’s annual BBQ competition features both professional and backyard cooks, SingOut@PigOut singing contest, live music, Wyatt Earp Wild West Show, Kid’s Corner activities, vendors for food and drink. Everyone can sample the contestant’s entries and vote for the People’s Choice! $15 per person, or 4 for $40. Visit www.deerfieldchamber.com.

Animal Adopt-a-Thon

Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Lighthouse Point

2016 NE 36 St.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Adorable dogs and snuggly cats are looking for fur-ever homes where they can be safe and loved. Pet adoptions from Forever Family, Little Paws of Love and Everglades Angels. Raffles and refreshments. Call 754-205-6150 for information.

Chili Cook Off and Tennis Round Robin

Saturday, April 30, 1:30 to 6 p.m.

Frank McDonough Park

3500 NE 27 Ave.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Trinity Church event to benefit Youth Sports and LHP Tennis Center. Tennis check-in at 1:30 p.m., matches 2 to 4 p.m., $20 per person. Juniors 4 to 5 p.m., $10 per person. Chili cook-off from 3 to 6 p.m. $5 tastings, includes drink and cornbread. Call 954-556-0542 for information.

Camping Special at Quiet Waters

Sunday, May 1 through Monday, Oct. 31

Quiet Waters Park

401 S. Powerline Rd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

The Escape Special is $25 per night Sunday through Thursday. The Family Fun Package offers $50 sites for Friday and Saturday. Campers are eligible for $7 all-day admissions to Splash Adventure; 20 percent off Ski Rixen USA passes or group lessons; 20 percent off bike rentals and 10 percent off all merchandise (excluding food) at Bike America. Two campsites with teepees and 25 sites with platform tents. Each site has running water, fire ring, picnic table, grill and electricity. Restrooms and shower facilities throughout campground. No RVs. Call 954-357-5100.

Deerfield Farmers Market

Sunday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pioneer Park

NE 5 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free. Buy your week’s worth of healthy food direct from the folks who grow and make it. Farm delivered produce, homemade pickles, jellies and treats, fine handmade soaps and much more.

Highlands Community Meeting

Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m.

Highlands Park

1650 NE 50 Ct.

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Mayor Lamar Fisher will discuss new developments and upcoming improvements in Pompano, and answer residents’ questions. For more information, visit www.pghighlands.org.

Worth the Drive!:21st Las Olas Wine and Food Festival

Friday, April 29, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Las Olas Boulevard, between SE 6 Avenue

and SE 11 Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The Las Olas Wine and Food Festival benefits the American Lung Association. Live music, culinary and mixology demonstrations, cooking competitions, private VIP lounges and MYO cocktail experiences, interactive retail displays and more. Get your taste buds ready! Tickets $100 per person; $150 VIP. Visit http://lasolaswff.com.

The film Miracles from Heaven recounts the real life story of Anna Beam. Suffering from an incurable condition, the 10-year-old girl has a near death experience (NDE) that dramatically changes her life. Made on a modest $13 million budget, the heartwarming story has delighted audiences worldwide and earned about $70 million at the box office. In recent years, there have been increased accounts of people who reportedly had a NDE. Studies focused on the after effects of such an experience have revealed common traits among those who supposedly died and came back to life. An amazing ability to live in the present, an abiding sense of deep confidence, decreased interest in material possessions, a strong sense of life’s purpose and a greater spiritual awareness are among those traits.

Though all survivors do not exhibit all of these traits, they possess enough of them to show how life-changing a NDE is. One’s outlook may change, his disposition may be significantly altered, and life is not lived in the same way as before. In some instances, one may even be completely different after having died and come back to life.

A similar change can be noted in the lives of true Christian believers. Spiritually, they have experienced death and now possess a changed outlook on life. Believing in Jesus Christ means that we have died to sin and have been raised to new life. Paul, the apostle, confirms this in Romans 6:4, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

There should be a distinct difference in our motivations, focus and prospects compared to what they were before we experienced new life. Many believers have attested to the change that following Christ has made in their lives, and to their lives. The late gospel singer/songwriter Walter Hawkins had a popular song on one of his albums that proclaimed, “a change, a change has come over me; He changed my life and now I’m free.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul puts it this way, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

This change is revealed in the interactions of the risen Savior with His disciples in the gospels. In the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension, the Lord confirmed for His followers back then, as well as for those who follow Him now, that salvation is more than just the restoration of fellowship with God, it is a call to service, an assignment in the kingdom, and life’s purpose is now to live in such a way as to bring glory to God.

Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to His disciples were deliberate and intentional. They confirmed that He was indeed alive, but also included specific instructions about the ministry His disciples had been preparing for. He commissioned them to take His message to their people and ultimately to the nations of the world. Their obedience to the Lord’s directives brought about the establishment of the Christian church and way of life, which has impacted the world for 21 centuries.

Having celebrated the annual observation of Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers must now engage in self-examination of their own lives. The truths of our faith must be lived out and validated in our witness to the world. Then, others will know that there is not just life after death, but there is life after resurrection as well.

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

By Gary Curreri

When Gus Cohn tells his friends that he competes in triathlons, he gets strange looks.

“First,” said the freshman at Pompano Beach High School, “they ask me what it is. Then, I guess they dismiss the idea. “I prefer to be on my bike. I guess they find it strange, a little bit.”

Cohn recently placed first in the Boys 15-17 Division of the inaugural Boca Raton Youth Triathlon with a time of 19:29. The event featured 123 athletes ranging in age from 5 to15 and took place at the Peter Blum Family YMCA in Boca Raton. Cohn used to play basketball and football and eventually turned to triathlons.

“I think it’s fun,” he said. “It’s three sports in one and you don’t get bored too much. Seeing yourself get faster is probably the most fun out of everything.”

There are simple goals when he competes, and considering he has only been racing for 2-1/2 years, he has been pleased with his progress. Cohn said he is not surprised at his success because he trains a lot and gets faster each time he goes out.

“First, I am trying to beat everyone on the team,” said Cohn, who is a member of the South Florida Lightning Youth and Junior Triathlon Team, which trains locally. “I just give it all that I’ve got and see what my time is.

“I think I am going to do this as a side hobby and an amateur sport,” Cohn said. “I am not looking to do this as a living. If I really, really enjoy it, maybe I will go to Ironman. I think the best part of the sport is that it builds character, and I like the biking.”

“Youth and Juniors Triathlon is a rapid growing sport,” said South Florida Lightning Youth and Junior Triathlon Team coach Racheal Wood, of Deerfield Beach, who started the program in 2011. “It is perfect for young athletes, providing them with the chance to be well-rounded and develop a high level of physical fitness.”

Athletes on both teams are expected to attend practices on a regular basis. If you are interested in being a part of the team, contact Wood at rachealwood@gmail.com or 954-263-4588. You can also visit the website at www.sflightning.com.

Pompano hosts day at Marlins game

The City of Pompano Beach Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department has planned an event to see the Miami Marlins Baseball Team take on the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, June 21.

The all-inclusive event includes a pre-game BBQ party beginning at 4 p.m., tickets, and transportation to and from the game. The bus will depart from the Herb Skolnick Community Center at 5 p.m. All ages are welcome and an adult must accompany children.

Tickets are only $50 per person and include the food party, round trip transportation and a home plate box seat (handicapped accessible).

Tickets can be purchased at the Herb Skolnick Community Center located at 800 SW 36 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33069. Tickets must be purchased by May 13. For more information, call 954-786-4590.

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Two decades before Edgar Rice Burroughs created Tarzan, an orphan raised by apes, Rudyard Kipling created Mowgli, an orphan raised by wolves. While Tarzan headlined his own series of African adventures in 25 novels, Mowgli is the main human character from an ensemble of characters featured in Kipling’s The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book, which is set in the mysterious jungles of India.

Released in 1967, Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book was the last animated film influenced by a dying Walt Disney. The film is best remembered for its bouncy tunes (“Bare Necessities”) and optimism, which Disney insisted upon. However, Kipling’s original tales contain stark lessons about jungle law, mortality and dark truths.

Director John Favreau manages to balance the scary and the humor in the newest incarnation of The Jungle Book. From the breathtaking opening scenes to the final closing credits, this 105-minute family film needs to be seen on the big screen.

Kipling’s original The Jungle Book is a series of short stories in which Mowgli’s rite of passage is the narrative core. From alpha wolf Akela (voiced in the movie by Giancarlo Espositio), we learn the Law of the Jungle. From Baloo the sloth bear (Bill Murray), we learn the importance of letting the bare necessities of life come to you. For Mowgli (Nell Sethi), each encounter prepares this feral boy for his showdown with Shere Kahn (Idris Elba), the lame tiger who killed Mowgli’s parents.

The character animation is superb and expertly matches the vocal talent. Baloo the bear shares DNA with Murray’s lackadaisical Ghostbusters character. Elba’s voice is suitable for the villainous menace of Shere Kahn. In a cameo role, Scarlett Johansson’s vocal intonations provide slippery seduction as Kaa the Snake.

During the 2017 awards season, expect The Jungle Book to achieve many awards for visualization.

Pay the extra couple of bucks and see this film in 3-D, and the bigger the screen the better. The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science IMAX Theater will screen this film through Thursday, April 28.

Breathe deep, dear readers, the Summer Blockbuster Season has begun. Before Captain America Civil Wars, X-Men Apocalypse and Independence Day Resurgence start crowding each other, go see The Jungle Book on the big screen.