By Gary Curreri

S’kaydrah Woods made a triumphant return to South Florida as she capped off her middle school career with a victory in the 200-meter dash in the recent Broward County Middle School Track and Field championships at Coral Springs High School.

The Pompano Beach Middle School eighth grader moved to Central Florida last year with her father but came back in time to turn in a huge performance at the track meet.

Woods was second in the 100-meter dash (13.00) and the 400-meter dash (58.68) before winning the 200-meter dash (26.43) and her efforts helped her school finish fourth with 30 points in the girls competition.

“Track is like a job,” said the 14-year-old Woods. “I love to do it. I like track because it is hard and you have to work for it. You just can’t go out there and expect to win and I like working hard. I like to compete.”

The three-time Junior Olympic champion in 2009 plans to compete this summer in the Junior Olympics with the FINESSE Track Club.

Another Pompano Beach Middle School track athlete also picked up a first place finish with a strong effort.

Marc Maurency, 15, won the boys 800-meter run by nearly four seconds over Arthur Ashe’s Deandre Miles as he completed the race in 2:08.89. Maurency, an eighth grader, came in third last year in the same event.

“I want to do this forever,” said Maurency, who shaved six seconds off his previous best time and helped the boys’ team finish second overall. “I want to go to the Olympics. I love track.”

Maurency said the win was very satisfying.

“This is the biggest thing that ever happened to me and this shows me I can do anything I want if I just set my mind to it,” Maurency said. “A lot of people told me I couldn’t do nothing, but I just proved them wrong. When I went through the finish line, that was the best moment ever.”

Pompano’s Benjamin Victor won the high jump with a 5-8 jump, while Deerfield Beach Middle School’s Jenicka Theodor placed fourth in the long jump for its only points of the meet.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

There are people who have seen Marvel’s The Avengers three times already, making little time for Dark Shadows, which opened at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery IMAX Theater last weekend.

Grossing a respectable $28 million, the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration, Dark Shadows, is a loving tribute to the old afternoon soap opera on ABC Network television.

This film has its ups and downs. On a positive note, director Tim Burton’s affection for the subject pays dividends for monster mavens, including cameos from Sir Christopher Lee, Alice Cooper and the original cast from the television soap opera. Sadly, this tribute drags in the second half and the fine line between comedy and terror loses its clever touch.

Opening tomorrow, Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story is a documentary about the older brother of the current Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This film is a biography of Yoni told within the timetable of the raid on Entebee, circa July 4, 1976.

Culled from letters and Yoni’s creative writing, Follow Me is eyewitness history about Israel’s early statehood. The Netanyahu family is presented as a typical loving family, who happen to have bombs dropping in their backyard.

As the violence becomes more personal, Yoni’s letters reveal a man whose concerns grow from trivial matters to that of national security. At age 18, Yoni joins the Israeli Military. After 12 years of honorable service, Yoni Netanyahu served in the Special Operations Unit during the successful raid on Entebbe.

First screened locally at the 17th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival last month, Follow Me is an introspective documentary. In particular, one sees Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s steely resolve today when talking about his big brother’s sacrifice for the Israeli homeland.

Next weekend, the Memorial Day blockbuster movies kick into high gear with entertaining, but not very serious, flicks. While serious, Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story is a heartfelt documentary that will induce laughter and tears.

“Whither thou goest, I will go.” (The Book of Ruth)

We recently celebrated Mother’s Day, and I had a scene replay in my head about my mother of blessed memory that I thought I would share with you today.

It happened many years ago, when I was much younger than I am now. I had had a major upset and did not like my mother’s response to it. The truth is that I no longer remember what it was that had gotten me so upset, but I do remember the rest of the story. I got so angry that day that my 7-yearold self decided I was not going to stay in my house, I mean, my parent’s house, a moment longer. And so, I screamed at my mom that I was going to run away from home.

My mother might not have had more than a high school education, but she had a lot of saichel, a lot of common sense, and her response to my anger was truly amazing. She told me that if that’s the way I felt, she would go get a suitcase for me. I followed her upstairs and watched as she went into the closet and pulled out not one, but two, suitcases.

I said, “Momma, I’m only 7 years old. I don’t have all that much to take with me. I only need one bag.”

And she said, “I know, but the other bag is for me.”

I asked her why she needed a bag and she said that if I was going to leave, then she was going with me. And she added, “Why don’t we go downstairs for a minute and I’ll make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for each of us in case we get hungry on the road.”

It sounded like a good idea to me. After all, I was already feeling peckish. But as I watched her, I noticed that she made three sandwiches.

I asked why and she said, “Well, I think when your father hears that you are leaving, he is going to want to go with you too.”

Then she took out more bread and put together two more PB & J sandwiches and I asked who those were for. She said they were for my brothers because she suspected that if I was leaving, they were going to want to go too to protect me and make sure I was okay.

Funny thing … I never left the house that day … and, I learned a very important lesson about family sticking together.

My mother and father may no longer be on this Earth, but my brothers are still here. We talk to each other pretty much every day, and, even though we live quite a geographical distance from one another, we still look out for and protect one another.

A part of me is with each of them and a part of them is with me. I can’t think of a better Mother’s Day gift for our dearly-departed mother and father. Nor can I think of a better way to honor their memory.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of Health Care settings in the area, including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.

By Dave Montalbano

www.AdventuresofCinemaDave.com

The hype for Marvel’s The Avengers began quietly four years ago after the credits in an empty theater when the crowd departed “Iron Man.”

Sgt. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) surprised Tony Stark, alias Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and asked him to join “the Avenger’s Initiative.”

When The Hulk, Thor and Captain America were introduced, the “Avenger’s Initiative” began to take form, a plan to unite the afore-mentioned superheroes and their sidekicks in defense of planet earth.

Sgt.Fury’s precaution proved to be justified, as Thor’s brother and demi god, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), plots to enslave planet Earth. For the first time in four movies, Sgt. Fury appears worried. Picking up where the previous movies left off, Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Dr. Bruce Banner, alias Hulk, (Mark Ruffalo) are assembled.

With great superpowers, come great egos.

Upon their first meeting, Thor and Iron Man get into a fistfight. Captain America can’t understand his teammate’s narcissistic tendencies, while Dr. Bruce Banner tries to keep his temper in check. Until the Avengers learn how to play well with each other, Loki’s road to world domination seems assured.

From this point, Marvel’s The Avengers crosses the wall from fantasy to reality, especially given the high expectations of this superhero team up and box office potential. The astronomical box office records for a non-holiday weekend are now a given, but the plot, characters and spectacle remain variables. Until you see the movie…

Director and co-writer Joss Whedon managed to give every Avenger and their sidekicks a moment to shine with great visuals and brilliant dialogue about teamwork, sacrifice and individual heroism. This film is so insightful and relevant, Coach Erik Spoelstra should take the Miami Heat to go see this movie to motivate them to sweep the NBA crown.

Beyond the clarity of vision, Marvel’s The Avengers presents simple moments of subtle depth. When Loki makes his first cruel appearance in Germany and demands that people kneel before him, it is the courage of one elderly individual who refuses, based on memory of the Nazi tactics. This little moment teaches a major history lesson about living a life in freedom.

Are heroes an old fashioned notion? Marvel’s The Avengers debates this question with good old-fashion popcorn eating fun. Yep, this film will be on my Top 10 list for 2012.

Despite a 1-11 season, there are two FAU Football players that have a chance to continue their football careers.
Former FAU running back Alfred Morris was selected by the Washington Redskins on the final day of the NFL Draft, April 28, in the sixth round, as the 173rd overall pick.
Morris is FAU’s all-time leading rusher with 3,529 yards. The Pensacola native also holds FAU career records for total touchdowns with 31, rushing touchdowns (27) and all-purpose yards (3,843). He now has a chance to join Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III in the Washington backfield.
Morris was named offensive MVP of the football team and FAU’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
FAU has now had a player drafted in the last three NFL Drafts. Morris joins Rusty Smith in 2010 (Tennessee Titans) and Rob Housler in 2011 taken by the Arizona Cardinals.
Former FAU defensive end Kevin Cyrille has signed a rookie free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings, following the completion of the NFL Draft.
The 6’-4”, 275 lb. Cyrille finished his FAU career as the school’s all-time leader in quarterback hurries with 14. He also ranks among the Top 10 in five defensive categories despite only playing three years after transferring from Western Michigan University.
Last season, Cyrille started 11 of FAU’s 12 games and has 36 total tackles. He was second on the team in both tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (4.5), while leading the team in quarterback hurries with nine.
The Miami native is among 15 Vikings’ rookie free agents that will travel to Winter Park, Minnesota for the team’s rookie mini-camp which began, Friday, May 4.
A year ago, former FAU wide receiver Lester Jean made the Houston Texans roster but spent the season on injured reserve. He is expected to compete for a starting spot in 2012.
In other football news, FAU and the University of Miami Hurricanes have agreed to play a three game series. It will begin with FAU traveling to Miami on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. FAU will play host to the Hurricanes in 2015 then return to Miami in 2016.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

We go through many ups and downs in life. We have times where we feel great and everything is going wonderful in our lives. However, we have those moments where we feel the complete opposite of great and wonderful.

Today, most of us have a cell phone and/or electronic device and we have learned how to do an amazing thing called “charging up our phone or device.” It is remarkable how we will charge our phones and electronic devices so we can continue to use them without interruption.

What do we do (if anything) to charge up our batteries when we get worn out and run down? We need to make sure we give ourselves and our bodies just as much attention as we do our phones and devices. We have to find ways to recharge our batteries. I am sure we all have many different ways to do this. Some may simply do nothing, read a book, go to the beach, go shopping, exercise, etc. The list could go on forever. With all the things that we do differently to recharge our batteries and regain our strength and focus, I must point out one common thing that can recharge all of our batteries. We must look at spending time in God’s presence.

PSALM 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

NLT

God can charge you up, no matter what has drained you – and He is the only one who can do that. Be sure to spend time with God. We can do that by going to church, praying (just talking to God), reading the Bible, and by singing worship songs and hymns. There is also one other thing that I have found that helps me recharge – helping other people in a time of need, which not only brings great joy to your life, but brings you a new energy that you did not have before. We can create an environment for ourselves to recharge anywhere and anytime we need. So remember to keep your batteries charged so you can keep going.

Pastor Tony Guadagnino

Christian Love Fellowship Church

By Gary Curreri

Greg Norman returned to his roots, sort of, and hopes to give the city of Pompano Beach a “memorable” golf course.

Norman, 57, the former World No. 1 ranked player who had 20 wins on the PGA Tour, two British Open titles and 80 wins worldwide, was on hand at the Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course on April 26 for the groundbreaking ceremony of his redesign. This will create a signature course bearing his name.

Redesign of the Pines Course at the Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course is Norman’s first work on a public course, which is where his career got started in his native Australia.

“My golf career started on a public golf course and I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t have the access to public facilities,” Norman said. “With that being said, the game of golf can only be started and promoted and grown through public facilities.”

The Greg Norman Golf Course Design company was established in 1987, has opened 74 courses worldwide and has an additional 39 projects in various stages of development. The project began April 2 and the former Pines course is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 16. Norman’s group was the low bidder.

He said the course would be accessible by all walks of players.

“It will be for someone who can hit the ball 40 yards in the air or 300 yards in the air,” Norman said. “They made a big move, a courageous move and I think, from an overall economic side of things, it will be one of the cheapest moves they would have done, in the long period of time. They will see that.”

Bob Loring, head golf professional at Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course, looked around at the gathering on-hand for the ground breaking and smiled.

“I have been in the golf business for 26 years and this is the most exciting thing that has happened to me as a golf professional,” Loring said. “To have Greg Norman and a Greg Norman Signature Golf Course is just great!”

Dr. Richard Porraro, 75, a member of the Pompano Golf Advisory Board, said because the current course has good soil, it would save on the overall cost.

“It’s an unbelievable day,” Porraro said. “I have been a resident of this city for 48 years and played this course when I was a kid. To think that we would have a signature golf course and the first in the man’s portfolio is phenomenal.”

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

This Saturday at 6 p.m., the fastest two minutes in sports commences at the Kentucky Derby. Like the Superbowl and World Series, the

Kentucky Derby is a transcendental sport that gives everybody an excuse to party, even without being a fan. Unless there is Triple Crown contention, the spotlight will fade after this competition.

While The Cup is about the Melbourne Cup Race and NOT the Kentucky Derby, this film explains what goes behind stables leading up to the championship spotlight. Based on a true story, this film focuses on the Olivers, a family with a pedigree as horse jockeys.

As Jason Oliver (Stephen Curry) prepares for the race of his life, the 2002 Melbourne Cup, his only brother dies in a practice run. In cruel irony, The Oliver father died in a similar fashion when Jason and his brother were children. With the big race days away, the ethical question arises, should Jason race or not?

Without too many bells and whistles, The Cup is a straight forward drama. The action scenes raise it to a higher level when the Melbourne Cup begins. While performances are adequate, Brendan Gleeson steals the show as the stoic mentor to the Oliver family.

For those seeking lightweight comedy, the Farrelly brothers entertaining tribute The Three Stooges fills the bill. A victim of 11 years of expectation, this film features Sean Hayes as Larry, Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe and Will Sasso as Curly.

The film strings together three short subjects and presents an original story about why these three guys stay with each other, despite slaps, pokes and harmless eye gouging. While the belly laughs are inconsistent, this film is full of loving details.

Given the recent headlines about testimony given by Jennifer Hudson regarding the true-life murder of her family, her cinematic gospel, backed up by the Stooges, is pure joy. The slapstick is epic, but details like these will warm your heart.

When The Avengers opens tomorrow, Cabin in the Woods will likely be pushed aside. Co-written by Joss Whedon (Ironically, the director of The Avengers), this horror film has developed a cult following through wordof- mouth. Part H.P. Lovecraft, part Jason Voorhees, part Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods fulfills this monster maven’s expectations and is pure popcorn-eating Saturday matinee fun. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

I am the female half of a mixed marriage. It wasn’t always thus. My husband converted from the political party of our youthful courtship to “the other.” I have remained more or less in the fold – leaning toward independent.

I’ll be honest. This is not a particularly bonding situation. It has had two significant effects. One is good. One is not-so.

I’ll work backwards. In the “not-so” category, whenever he begins to spew “talking points” and arguments of personal destruction, I simply walk out of the room. However, when he is rational and honest and I hear the words coming from a sincere belief system, he opens my mind to thoughtful re-evaluation of my own long term DNA-held positions that I grant are more emotional than rational.

As a people, we desperately need to acknowledge that deeply-held, sincere convictions exist on both sides of every issue.

And aside from motivations of greed, political advantage, power plays and extreme hubris, it is a healthy environment that encourages civil dissent and the articulation of

reasons behind positions that are divergent.

Trouble is most people come to politics from places other than thought and study and true understanding of issues. They/we are influenced first by parental upbringing, then by community of peers and, then, by a combination of personal experiences, influential mentors, intensive readings and the media.

Wouldn’t you love to hear an intelligent debate by candidates on the role of government in society – including where and why there should be limitations, logical and without rancor?

And wouldn’t you love to hear an intelligent debate – without name calling and attributions of ill will – on the subject of healthcare, including how to balance the limit of expenditures with the needs of an ever long-living society?

And how about a quiet and thoughtful two-way discussion on immigration policy, balancing the practical societal problems presented by illegal entry, the obstacles to legitimate citizenship and the demand by industry for low-wage workers?

And, although it is commonly acknowledged that the U.S. is way down on the ladder of well-educated citizens, those required to meet the needs of a global economy, we have not

yet acted on the many proposals to bring us up to par. And how do we secure an ever-collapsing infrastructure?

I truly believe that, with passions set aside, there will be more theoretical agreements than anyone can now envision. Where, other than in highbrow think tank circles, are these issues, and other significant ones, brought to the average “Joe” and “Josie” in independent nonpartisan venues?

This “rant” is a plea for balance, open mindedness and acknowledgement of some merit to the position of “the other.” We know that, in the months to come, we will be bombarded (tortured?) with attack ads from both sides. We know that they will include exaggerations, words taken out of context, some downright deliberate distortions of facts and, no doubt, a good percentage of fear mongering. Both sides will be equally responsible for distribution of divisive material. While we’re waiting – let’s just listen – to the other side.

I remember a time many years ago when one of the most used holy books in my library was falling apart. I discovered that the library at FAU had some wonderful craftsmen on the floor of the Judaica Collection. These artists have a knack for bookbinding … and, let me tell you something, it is not easy to find a good bookbinder these days. It is a dying art.

I brought my book over to them and one of the binders gently took it in his hands. I could see by the way he held it that he knew this was a holy book. I got the impression that this was a man to whom all books are sacred.

I asked him what I should do and he told me to leave it with him and he would see if he could give the book some added life. In the end, he was able to bind that book back together so well that I have been using it for a good 12 years now. What a wonderful job this master binder did.

When I think of my love for books, I can’t help but think of a novel called Farenheit 451. It was about a time in the future where firemen have a very different job than they do in our current world because, instead of putting out fires, in the futuristic world of Farenheit 451, a fireman’s job was to start them and, sadly enough, it was books that they were supposed to burn.

One of the closest people in my life is in a book club. She was supposed to get a particular book to read called Fifty Shades of Grey. I called the library to find a copy of it for her and found out that it was deemed too risqué for the Broward System. So, I called Palm Beach and found that they have a few copies of the book. I also found that the book that one library may as well have chosen to burn was so popular in the other that, if I put in on reserve, I would be waiting weeks or months until after her book club had already finished reading and discussing the book in detail.

A book can be banned and a book can be burned, but, sometimes, when you ban a book, you only make it more desirable, more popular. While fire can destroy a book, the heat from a fire can also be used by one who sees books as holy to seal the glue that binds the pages back together again. A fire can be used to burn books, even holy books, but a flame can also provide us with the light we need to see the written

word.

Lag B’Omer is soon upon us. It is a time when we traditionally light bonfires and those fires remind us of the light that can be found in the Torah and in those who teach the inner meanings of G-d’s word.

May the flames of literacy grow inside you and may the books you choose to read warm your heart and light your soul.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of healthcare settings in the area including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.