Where Runway Meets Broadway

Friday, Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wick Theatre and Costume Museum

7901 N. Federal Hwy.

Boca Raton, FL 33487

The Wick Costume Museum’s Gala Fundraiser features vintage fashion and costume brilliance ranging from the 1880s to the 1980s. Gala Luncheon Event: $150, of which $100 is tax deductible. Visit www.thewick.org or call 561-995-2333 for more information. The museum opens to the general public on Sept. 24.

5th Annual Breakfast Palooza

Saturday, Sept. 24, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Church of the Living God Fellowship Hall

186 SW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bid on the finest home baked goods in town, homemade and preserved from grandparents and great grandparent’s cookbooks. Also enjoy entertainment. Donation: $15 (includes breakfast and chance to win a designer handbag.) $6: Children 12 and under. For tickets, call 954-235-7944 or email bfulmore235@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.breastedsoldiers.org.

Smithsonian Museum Day Live

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free Tours. Donations accepted.

• Historic Butler House

380 E Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• Old School Museum

232 NE 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• Florida Railway Museum

1300 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

For more information about these events, visit

www.deerfield-history.org or call 954-429-0378.

Fall Yard Sale

Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St Peter’s Anglican Church

1416 SE 2 Terr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Great variety of items, priced to sell. Held in air-conditioning inside. Rain or shine. For information, call 954-695-0336.

4th Annual Festi-Fall

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

380 S. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Handmade arts & crafts, holiday gift jewelry, baked goods and much more. Admission: $2, Children under 12 free with donation of canned goods. Proceeds benefit Zonta Club service projects. For more information, call 561-392-2223.

Safety event

Saturday, Sept.24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet

1801 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Certified car seat installation technicians and participating agencies will install and/or inspect your car seat. There will also be fun activities for children and equipment dis-plays by BSO and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue. Free event. Visit www.sheriff.org for more safety tips and information.

Authors and Autographs

Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Local authors will sell and autograph their books. Fee: Donation. For more information about these events, visit www.deerfield-history.org or call 954-429-0378.

6th Annual Two Georges at the Cove Golf Tournament

Monday, Sept. 26, 1:15 p.m.

Deer Creek Country Club

2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Four man scramble with a 1:15 p.m. shotgun start. Cost: $150 per person (includes range balls, fees, carts, beer/soft drinks on course and dinner & awards banquet to follow at Two Georges at the Cove.) Also contests, raffle prizes and 50/50 drawing. Proceeds to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. For more information or to register, contact Denise Buzzelli at 954-427-0353.

Save the Date: 20th Annual Dunn’s Run

Sunday, Oct. 2, 7:30 a.m.

Beginning at Deerfield beach

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

5K Walk/Run-5 mile along the beach. Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Register now at: www.dunnsrun.com. For more information, call 954-537-1010 or email cjohnson@bgbc.org. See more, including pre-event packet pick up dates on pg. 5.

Barktoberfest/K9 Splash Adventure Event

Quiet Waters Park

Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

401 S. Powerline Rd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Rescue groups/adoptions, doggie marketplace, kiddie face painting, bounce houses and more. K9 Splash Adventure — 8 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. One small dog only session, 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. (25 lbs. or less). Sessions begin on the hour. Dogs must be sociable/well behaved and must have proof of current rabies vaccination and tag.$5 per dog — 50 min. session. Two sessions per day. Gate entrance fee: $1.50, age 5 and under: free. For more information, call 954-357-5100.

Sign up now for Writing Workshop

Friday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Faulk Center for Counseling

22455 Boca Rio Road

Boca Raton, FL 33433

Every Friday through Nov. 18. Join instructor Emily Rosen, M.A., M.S. for Memories, Milestones, Memoirs and More Writing Workshop. It can be painful, frustrating, freeing, revealing, validating … but, mostly, it’s fun and supportive. $30 per session/$150 If you sign up for all six on first day. R.S.V.P. to erosen424@aol.com. Visit www.emilyrosen424.com for more information.

Have you ever been faced with opposing but equally intriguing points of view? Take the perspective of small things for example. Some will say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” while others will tell you that “little things mean a lot.” We’ve all heard a variation of “He can’t see the forest for the trees” countered by “the devil is in the details.” One side recommends paying attention to the small things, while the other advises prioritizing what is most important, and keeping the big picture in mind. How is one to determine which option to take? Both propositions sound reasonable, and in our hurried way of life we are reluctant to spend more time than necessary on anything.

I think a good measure of discernment is necessary to correctly manage the small stuff/big stuff conundrum that we will all occasionally face.

Discernment is the ability to distinguish between good and bad, between an investment and a mere expense, between short-term pleasure and long-term benefit, and other such contrasting facts and experiences of life. Our maturity as adults is often demonstrated in our ability to make those kinds of distinctions. Some are easy to make, of course, but there are others that will require more thought and deliberation.

A tiny scratch on the car door might not be a big deal, but a tiny spot of oil on the driveway can signal a serious problem. It may seem a small thing to be cordial when registering a complaint with customer service but it may mean the difference between satisfaction and exasperation. Little things have the potential to become big things or to impact the big picture. All the more reason to pay more attention to them rather than dismissing them offhand. In business and relationships the small things add up and can affect our advancement, promotion, and success.

In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus rebuked some of the religious leaders for emphasizing minor issues while neglecting weightier matters. He called them “blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” The point is that proper discernment and careful attention will enable us to give both big and small issues the appropriate value. After all, the big picture is a collaboration of the small details as they are understood, organized, managed and executed.

I loved to read Aesop’s fables when I was a child. As I’ve grown older, the stories and their meaning have taken on greater importance. The story of Androcles and the Lion tells how the slave Androcles escaped and sought refuge in the forest. He happened upon a Lion groaning in pain and faced with continuing his escape or tending to the wounded animal, he paused to remove a thorn from its paw. Later both the slave and the Lion were captured, with Androcles sentenced to death by being thrown to the hungry Lion.

The anticipated slaughter took an unexpected turn when the Lion raced toward Androcles intent upon devouring him until it recognized him as the kind stranger who had eased to his pain. The Lion licked his face with affection, and caused the Emperor to demand an explanation. Upon hearing the story, both Androcles and the Lion were set free. The slave’s little thing, pausing to tend to the wounded animal, led to a bigger consequence: his life and his freedom.

May God give us the wisdom and the grace to properly discern between the various matters of our lives, and to give the appropriate attention to both the big issues and the small things that we face. May we discover that what Jesus said in Luke 16:10 was true, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.”

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

By Bryan Hursh

Coming off their bye week, Deerfield Beach High School defeated Blanche Ely 30-3 in the third annual McDougle Bowl. This extends the five game winning streak the Bucks (1-1) have over the Tigers (1-2).  Senior quarterback Nick Holm lead the Bucks with 289 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 17 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown.

“Nick’s a good football player,” head coach Jevon Glenn said, “he’s consistent, he’s steady, and he did what I thought he should do.”

The Bucks senior wide receiver Jerry Jeudy verified that he is one of the best in the country (No. 21 on the ESPN 300 and Alabama commit), recording 10 receptions from Holm for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Leroy Henley also added seven receptions for 122 yards.

“I feel like the offensive line did a great job tonight,” Holm said. “A lot of guys going out and catching balls makes it easy for me.”

The Bucks defense, led by senior defensive end Deslin Alexandre, held the Tigers offense to a total of eight yards, including  43 rushing yards.  The Bucks also intercepted Ely sophomore quarterback Ward Karinzo two times and sacked him a total of five times. Alexandre lead Deerfield’s defense with three sacks and 3.5 tackles.

“The focus we had coming into the game was we were not going to let what happened against Hallandale happen to us again” Alexandre said.

Two weeks ago, the Bucks lost to the Hallandale Chargers 22-21 in overtime where the Chargers went for the 2-point conversion instead of a field goal.

“Our kids are hungry,” Glenn said, “We have high standards and we are chasing them. I saw a keen focus in our athletes coming into tonight’s game”.

Even with a huge margin of victory, the Bucks lead the game with 14 penalties for 140 yards, which lead the Tigers to their only points of the night, a 27 yard field goal with 2:53 minutes left in the game.

“At the end of the day [when] we came into the game it wasn’t really about them; it was about us cleaning up some stuff that we needed to and we still have some stuff we need to work on.” Glenn said.

Holm was named Deerfield’s Most Valuable Player, receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the McDougle Family Foundation to the college of his choice. Sophomore James Harris was Ely’s Most Valuable Player, also receiving a $1,000 scholarship. The Bucks will travel to Atlanta, Georgia next week to take on nationally ranked No. 13 Grayson Rams while the Tigers will take on the Boyd Anderson Cobras.

(Left): Deerfield Beach senior Nick Holm was awarded a $1000 scholarship as the Bucks’ MVP. Pictured with Holm are the McDougle brothers, Stockar (R), Jerome (L). (Right): The McDougle brothers with scholarship recipient James Harris, who also won $1000 as Tigers’ MVP.

By Rachel Galvin

At the grand opening of the Blooming Bean Coffee Company on Sept. 10 at Bailey Contemporary Arts (BaCA), guests listened to live entertainment, drank free coffee and bought pastries, cookies and more.

“Our pastries are made by local culinary artists and include vegan, gluten-free and sugary treats,” said owner Rick Stephenson. “This has been my wife’s [Sharon] vision for years. We wanted to create a place where you can bring kids to participate in the art or music while mom is enjoying coffee.”

Before it had its own location, Blooming Bean Coffee was working with the city of Pompano and serving up coffee at local events, green markets and at BaCA.

“For 20 years, I knew I was going to do this,” said Sharon. “I just didn’t know where. It is about bringing the community together.”

Proceeds from the locally roasted coffee locale help to stop child trafficking. They contribute financially to organizations like Hepzibah House and There Is Hope for Me. They want to go into the community and teach people about this problem and also mentor young people, girls especially, so that they can learn entrepreneurial skills and be able to stand strong (and not succumb to bad influences and peer pressure of those who may want to harm them).

“We want to captivate [the young girls’] hearts and help them find their passion, tell them they are of value,” said Sharon.

Also at the event, artist Steven Mikel was in the other room creating sepia-toned paintings made with coffee, both realistic and abstract. He mixes coffee with water and cooks it down until barely any water is left and uses that as his media. He either paints with it or he will paint it across the canvas and use a twisted wet T-shirt to pull coffee off. (www.stevenmikel.com)

Blooming Bean is located within Bailey Contemporary Arts [BaCA] in the Old Town Arts District in Pompano Beach (41 NE 1 St.). For more information, call 954-295-2225 or visit www.bloomingbeancoffee.com.

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach High senior quarterback Nick Holm turned in a MVP performance to lead the host Bucks to a convincing 30-3 victory over Blanche Ely before an estimated standing-room only crowd of 4,800 on Friday night in the 3rd annual McDougle Bowl.

Holm, who passed for 289 yards and two scores and added another score on the ground, was named MVP for the Bucks and received a $1,000 scholarship from retired NFL players and brothers Stockar and Jerome McDougle.

The brothers, who partnered with the BCAA and other area businesses, also awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Blanche Ely senior James Harris as the Tigers’ MVP.

Stockar McDougle (1996 Deerfield Beach grad) and Jerome McDougle (1997 Blanche Ely grad) are heavily involved in the community and are happy with the growth of the game’s prominence. It is part of the McDougle Family Foundation’s “Firstability” program, which focuses on a balance between academics and athletics.

“It’s tough because you really want to see a successful game,” said Jerome, 37, who played with the Philadelphia Eagles (2003-07) and the New York Giants (2008) after finishing with the University of Miami, where he won a national championship in 2001.

“I bleed orange and green and I want to see them do good,” he added. “We’ll get there. It’s what we always say with Firstability and the McDougle Family Foundation. We want kids to keep fighting when they are down and getting back up and never giving up. We have to set the example. We are down now, but I believe we will fight back as a school and we will get back and win one…they can’t win them all. It is a little bittersweet.”

Jerome McDougle said it is a great cause.

“I mean the stands were packed, even with people on the side. You just want them to come out and enjoy themselves. Then to be able to give two student athletes scholarships that they will be able to use when they go to college. It is an all-around good thing to do combining sports and academics.

Stockar McDougle said the game has huge implications.

“What we are doing is bigger than the game and much bigger than the jerseys that these kids wear,” said Stockar, 39, who played with the Detroit Lions (2000-04), Miami Dolphins (2005) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2006-07) after a college career at the University of Oklahoma. “It is all about unifying two communities – the city of Deerfield Beach and the city of Pompano Beach.

“A lot of these kids may know each other, they may even be family members and that is what it is all about, letting them know it is bigger than just sports,” he continued. “It is about education. It is about being well-rounded and being a good person and that’s why we are willing to come back and invest in our community.”

Holm said the team needed the win after it dropped its season-opener 22-21 to host Hallandale in overtime. Deerfield Beach (1-1) had a bye week after the loss.

Holm and Jerry Jeudy, an Alabama commit, teamed up for scoring tosses of 34 and 13 yards and Holm scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper as the Bucks seized a 20-0 halftime lead. Jeudy finished with nine catches for 131 yards, while teammate Leroy Henley caught 6 passes for 101 yards.

The Bucks’ Jaylan Knighton added an 11-yard TD run and Ledin Rivera kicked a 25-yard field goal. Blanche Ely (1-2) averted the shutout on a 27-yard field goal by Charite Wensley with 9:41 remaining in the game.

“It was big for us to get the early lead, build some momentum and show Ely who we were,” said Holm, who finished 14 for 23 with one interception.

“We needed this win,” said Holm, who went 14 for 23 with one interception. “It’s a big rivalry. There was a little talk back and forth during the week on who was going to win. We had a pep rally today and it was good to come out with the win. This was our first win of the season.”

Deerfield Beach is 9-3 in the all-time series dating back to 2004, having won the last five contests after dropping three straight from 2009-2011. The Bucks were the 10th ranked Class 8A team in the state, according to Associated Press.

Blanche Ely coach Carl Wilburn took over at Blanche Ely after the Tigers finished 2-9 last season — including a first-round exit in the playoffs to Dwyer. The team split its first two games this season winning against Plantation last week after dropping its opener on the road to North Marion.

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

The People vs. Fritz Bauer is a slice of history from the 1950s. The film details German Jewish concentration camp survivor Fritz Bauer’s (Burghart Klaußner) in pursuit of Arch-Nazi bureaucrat Adolph Eichman (Michael Schenk). Despite his moral justification, Bauer is vexed by his German colleagues and meddling supervisors. Bauer pursues another course of action with the Israel Secret Service organization, Mossad.

Spoken in German with English subtitles, The People vs. Fritz Bauer is a backstage drama about a thrilling subject. We witness a happy domestic life in Argentina as Eichmann assumes another identity of a respective neighbor. Bauer and his agents are in hot pursuit, but closeted secrets nearly derail bringing in this undercover Nazi. The People vs. Fritz Bauer opens tomorrow.

On a far more happier historical subject, Sully opened with stellar box office numbers. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks in the title role, Sully is an action-packed thriller. Given that many of us know the ending of the story, it is a miracle that this film holds an audience in suspense. Then again, this film should not have been titled Sully, but Miracle on the Hudson.

Sully opens with the title character and his copilot, Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) being investigated for landing a jet airliner in the Hudson River. Research and computer simulation makes the claim that the jet had enough fuel to return to LaGuardia Airport 30 seconds after landing. Given his 40+ years of flight experience, Sully insists that landing in the Hudson River saved 150 lives and that the computer projections are wrong.

The central conflict of Sully is man vs. machine. The special effects enhance this theme as we witness the plane landing on the Hudson from three different perspectives. Yet, it is the heroism of the New Yorkers that makes Sully such an enjoyable film. Given that this incident happened a mere eight years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Sully reveals the redemption of the American character. If the primadonna behavior of overpaid professional athletes is making you feel down, then go see the behavior of real Americans in Sully.

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week. This documentary directed by Ron Howard features 30 minutes of actual footage from the Shea Stadium concert and concludes with the final Beatles concert in Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Produced by the surviving Beatles and their widows, this film will be shown at Silverspot Cinema in Coconut Creek (www.silverspot.net) and at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale this weekend with special events. (www.fliff.com).

Deerfield Beach

Aug. 29: Someone reported that a truck at Valiant Power South at 1801 W. Sample Rd. was broken into and two battery chargers and copper wire was stolen.

Aug. 30: A woman reported that a Chevrolet Cavalier owned by her cousin was stolen from Stop and Go at 3774 NE 3 Ave.

Aug. 30: A man and a woman who were inside the Athletic Factory, at 2301 W. Sample Rd., reported their vehicles broken into. The man said his wallet was stolen; the woman said her purse was stolen.

Aug. 31: A man said his trailer parked at 731 SE 1 Way was broken into and $6,600 worth of landscaping equipment was stolen.

Lighthouse Point

Aug. 14: Two lion statues were missing from a front yard at 2616 NE 24 St. The loss was $1,600.

Aug. 15: The victim lost her wallet that contained credit cards, $30 cash, and a driver’s license. The victim believed it was one of two female subjects that had bumped into her and took the property while she was shopping at a store at 3780 N. Federal Hwy.

Aug. 15: The victim said someone broke into a soda machine at a park at 4521 NE 22 Ave. and damaged the coin slot. The damage was estimated at $500.

Conversation Piece: a Modern Salon

Friday, Sept. 16, 7 to 10 p.m.

Bailey Contemporary Arts

41 NE 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Artist Jonathan Rockford, comedian Robert Bass and musician Wayne Perry will discuss the topic: Art/Tech/Collaboration. These events are presented in conjunction with the Round Table Project. Reception precedes discussion. Tickets: $10 (Pre-Registration.) Available on Eventbrite. For more information, call 954-284-0141.

1st annual Deerfield Beach Jr. Anglers Day

Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 a.m. to noon

International Fishing Pier

200 NE 21 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Youth fishing event includes: fishing clinics/exhibitors, goodie bags, arts & crafts, face painting and balloon art, Free for children ages 5-13. Register now at www.dfb.city/registration or by visiting any community center. Parking on barrier island is on a first come, first serve basis and is metered parking. Complimentary shuttle service will be available at the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex (445 SW 2 St.) to the International Fishing Pier. This shuttle service will run continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, call the Community Events and Outreach Division at 954-480-4429 or visit www.dfb.city/jranglersday. (See more on the front page)

Clean Up Deerfield Beach

Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to noon

South of Pier (park near fire station)

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bring water and sunscreen. Pick up parking pass at chickee hut (limited number available.) Place parking pass on dashboard of your vehicle for duration of cleanup. Email coastalcleanup@broward.org to register for this year’s cleanup event. Include your name, contact information, organization, site at which you wish to participate and number of attendees. For more information, please visit www.broward.org/NaturalResources/BeachAndMarine under Coastal Cleanup.

Church of Christ 38th Anniversary Celebration

• Sunday, Sept. 18

— 9 a.m., Sunday school

— 10 a.m., morning worship, Guest Minister,

Brother Alvin Daniels

Deerfield Beach Church of Christ

360 SW 2 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

— 12:30 p.m., Lunch

— 2 p.m., Song Fest, featuring Majestic Voices, Harmony of

Hope & Grace Notes, followed by abbreviated service.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex

445 SW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• Sunday, Sept. 18 to Wednesday, Sept. 21

— 7:30 p.m., Nightly, Minister, Henry L. Ward

Deerfield Beach Church of Christ

360 SW 2 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For more information, call 954-609-8215.

Deerfield Beach Chapter of Hadassah meets

Monday, Sept. 19, noon

Le Club-Activity Center, Room C

3501 West Dr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

First meeting of the season features a guest speaker from the Broward Sheriff’s Office regarding safety tips/crime prevention for seniors. Refreshments served. For information, call 954-427-9920.

Pompano Fine Food & Wine

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m.

Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek

555 NW 62 St.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

Features local restaurants showcasing their finest dishes to guests who have the opportunity to taste wines and great food from around the world. Also, Chinese auction, silent auction and live auction.VIP tickets: $85/4 for $300. General admission: $60/4- $200. To order tickets, visit www.pompanobeachchamber.com or call 954-941-2940.

General Federated Woman’s Club of DB meets

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.

Woman’s Club

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For more information, call 954-421-4700.

Save the Date Events: 5th Annual Breakfast Palooza

Saturday, Sept. 24, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Church of the Living God Fellowship Hall

186 SW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bid on the finest home baked goods in town, homemade and preserved from grandparents and great grandparent’s cook-books. Also enjoy entertainment. Donation-$15 (includes breakfast and chance to win a designer handbag.) $6-Children 12 and under. For tickets, call 954-235-7944 or email bfulmore235@gmail.com. Visit www.breastedsoldiers.org

Smithsonian Museum Day Live

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free Tours. Donations accepted.

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

• Old School Museum 232 NE 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• Florida Railway Museum 1300 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Authors and Autographs

Sunday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Local authors will sell and autograph their books. Fee: Donation. For more information, visit www.deerfield-history.org or call 954-429-0378.

“Ki Hoadam Eitz Hasode” – a Man is likened to a tree, (Deuteronomy 20:19.)

But Why? Why are we compared to a tree? Isn’t there a more befitting metaphor?

There are people who only leave an impact when there is no major heat, warmth and passion in their lives. When the game is waning and there is not much action going on, they become sensible. In the morning and evening hours, when they are very young or quite old, when things are quiet and calm, they are ready to give of themselves to others and invest in eternity. As long as the sun in their life is burning hot, they are too caught up in themselves to reflect on how they are impacting others.

“When are you coming home dad?” our children ask us. And the answer: When the sun begins to set. When I get older, and finally make it, when I retire, then I will begin to spend time with my children, with my soul, with my G-d, with my spouse.

The problem is that those who needed our shade and our comfort during those days, don’t needed as much now when the sun has began to set. They missed the opportunity…

However, there is a life which can be likened to the shadow of a tree. Under the branches of a tree, you can always find shade and comfort. No matter if its morning, midday or evening, the tree always casts its healing shade and invites every passerby to bask in its tranquil and reinvigorating environment.

This represents the type of person who never ceases to remember that he or she is an ambassador of G-d at this very moment to bring light, clarity and love to the people around him and her. No matter where he or she stands in life – if the sun is just rising, or its fully aglow, or it is on its way down – this person never fails to be a leader, to serve as an agent of love, hope and trust. This person does not get drunk on his own accomplishments, but remembers his duty to those around him, the loved ones, to community, to our nation, and to our world.

The Talmud relates the following story:

An old man was planting a tree. A young person passed by and asked, What are you planting?

A carob tree, the old man replied.

Silly fool, said the youth. Don’t you know that it takes 70 years for a carob tree to bear fruit?

That’s okay, said the old man. Just as others planted for me, I plant for future generations.

Friends, are you and I “planting” something in our lives which our grandchildren will be able to look at and say, “Thank you grandpa; thank you grandma?” That is why the Torah compared us to the tree in the field.

Is your jar full?

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things — your G-d, your soul, your family, your children, your health, your friends, your passions, your conscience — things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to build a relationship with your soul, with your spouse. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

When he had finished, there was a profound silence. Then one of the students raised her hand and with a puzzled expression, inquired what the beer represented.

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of L’chayim’s.”

As we approach the High Holidays we must take inventory of our deeds. We must realize that to be a tree is to give shade to those around us no matter what type of leaves or fruits we may or may not have.

Join a community, help others, give of your time, give of your money; just make sure your sharing your shade.

Join us for the High Holidays at our new location. Call to reserve: 347-410-1106. Email: tzvidechter@gmail.com.

Membership not required.

By Rachel Galvin

If you have ever been stricken with fear at the idea of speaking publicly in front of a crowd, or just being on stage period, then Improv is for you. Aside from Toastmasters, which is another excellent organization, doing Improv is a great way to get your feet wet in the world of performing, whether you are an actor or need to do a business presentation. Doing Improv is an opportunity to be free and explore a part of yourself you may not have even known you had inside you. Plus, it is a great chance to laugh and learn with many new friends.

Improv is also an excellent tool for those pursuing film or theater. Sometimes, a director will ask you to Improv a scene in a film, or even for an audition. Being prepared is always paramount and having one more thing to put on your resume is a plus.

If you are thinking of getting involved in Improv, there is a place to go just around the corner in Boca Raton. The company, which started in 2012, is called Sick Puppies Comedy. They offer five different levels of classes from beginner to expert, as well as stand up classes, sketch comedy, and more.

“Our beginners Improv class is titled ‘Permission to play,”’ said one of the founders, Casey Casperson. “We do a lot of exercises that help you come out of our own head. Word association, movement, music and silliness are incorporated early to teach everyone that if one person does something weird, they look like an a**. If everyone does it, it’s art. So let’s make art together. We get into some scene work and, toward the end of the series, we start to dive into [Improv] games.”

He added, “The majority of students take Improv classes to overcome some sort of fear or shortcoming regarding presentations or public speaking,” he clarified. “The main benefit is that it provides you the confidence in yourself to know that you are enough. Everything you need to be the best version of you is right there, inside your mind. Improv teaches you to trust your instincts and helps you understand your point of view and, most importantly, the point of view of others.”

Casperson works primarily with Sick Puppies, but sometimes is asked to do a guest set with other casts. There are other troupes in South Florida. He also teaches companies how to improve themselves through Improv.

“Improv lets me explore all of my emotions, premises, theories and ideas. I can be anyone that I want and say anything that I think that the character believes to be true,” he said. “Improv is always opening night and closing night. But the main thing that keeps me coming back for more is our cast. These are the best people on the planet. Improvisers are collaborators. We want to work together to make incredible art.”

Another founding member Aniela McGuiness agrees with that sentiment.

“To see someone follow their dreams by creating a space and teaching others to follow their dreams is awe inspiring, and that is exactly what Casey Casperson did with Sick Puppies Comedy,” said McGuiness.

Sick Puppies also holds a lot of special events in which people can watch and interact. The troupe has a special event called “The Other World” show on Sept. 17 in which the cast develops an alternate parallel universe and creates a series of narratives that make you ask “If this is true, what else is true?” On Sept. 24, they are creating “The Play,” an Improvised play from start to finish based on one word suggestions. This is a way for those seasoned in Improv to practice and show off their stuff, and have a lot of fun with the audience in the process.

“Improv is for everyone. It’s not about being funny because, if humans are acting honestly, they are naturally funny. Improv teaches you to be a better listener, a better friend, a better companion, a better soul. If everyone could be the best version of themselves and stop judging their thoughts, we would have an incredibly productive and funny world,” said Casperson.

Their next beginner’s Improv class is Sept. 21. Sick Puppies Comedy is located at Center Stage at 7200 W. Camino Real #330, in Boca Raton. For more information, visit www.sickpuppiescomedy.com.