By Scott Morganroth

A week ago, I drove by the new FAU Football Stadium and, after seeing the progress, it looks like everything is moving along in time for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, a half a mile on campus, the football team is conducting Spring Practice drills, as it prepares for the 2011 season. The annual Spring Football Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 23.

The Men’s Basketball Team concluded its season on March 16 in Coral Gables, as the Miami Hurricanes ousted the Owls from the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) by routing them 85-62. The Owls set a school record with 21 wins and finished the year with a 21-11 mark. FAU also set a school record for longest winning streak at the Division One level with eight.

This past weekend, the baseball team concluded a three-game series against the South Alabama Jaguars by winning two games at Stanky Field in Mobile, AL. The Owls won two of the three contests as their record stands at 19-13 overall and 7-5 in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Owls have faced a couple of key state schools.

On Feb. 22, Florida hammered FAU 13-2 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.

Twenty-four hours later at FAU Stadium, the Owls rebounded with a 7-4 win over the Miami Hurricanes. The two teams squared off again on March 15, but Miami avenged its loss with a 7-4 win at Coral Gables. Their final meeting will take place in Coral Gables on May 17.

Alex Hudak leads the team with a .439 average and also is tops on the squad with 50 hits. Nick Deljudice has 25 RBIs along with a .336 average. Andy Mee has four homers and a .323 average and 23 RBIs, while Raymond Church has amassed 17 walks.

Paul Davis is the team’s top pitcher with a 6-1 record, a 2.26 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched. RJ Alvarez leads the team with 39 strikeouts and has a 4-2 record. Josh Gonzaqa has compiled a 4-2 record with a 3.11 ERA with two saves.

The Owls will face Louisiana Monroe this weekend at FAU Stadium. After this series, FAU will travel to Orlando and face the University of Central Florida Knights on Tuesday, April 19.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

CASA MAYA – Business After Hours

Thursday, April 21, 5:30 p.m.

Casa Maya Grill, Cove Shopping Center, 301 SE 15 Terr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

954-570-6101

Join us for a networking event at a great restaurant! Connect and thrive, meet local business members and enjoy the evening.

HORIZON CLUB – Member Breakfast

Thursday, May 5, 7:30 a.m.

Horizon Club, 1208 S. Military Tr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

954-481-2304

DEERFIELD BEACH

April 5 Thieves broke the lock on a work van and stole $1,000 in tools off S. Military Trail.

April 5 Police are searching for a suspect who followed a pharmaceutical distribution company driver to six delivery locations and followed in at three of them. On another date, a driver was held at gunpoint and ordered to open the pharmacy — at which time the suspect fled because the driver could not.

April 7 A landscaping trailer was stolen from a home on NE 9 Avenue. It was worth $5,000.

April 8 More than 744 gallons of gas were stolen from a pump at 301 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

April 10 Two $500 phones were stolen from an AT&T store on W. Hillsboro Boulevard.

April 10 About $2,500 in hockey equipment was stolen off an apartment patio on NW 44 Terrace.

DEERFIELD — District 4

April 9 Robbery by sudden snatching was reported at
2:20 a.m. at  1790 W. Hillsboro Blvd. (gas station). Victims reported they were pumping gas when nine persons approached them and pulled a gold chain valued at $2,000. Subjects also punched the victims in an attempt to get them to fight. Area was checked with negative results.

April 10-11 Conveyance burglary occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in Deer Point, 329 NW 36 Ave. Victim parked and secured his car on April 10. Upon returning to his car, all vehicle doors and trunk were open. Burglars took tools out of the trunk and ransacked the interior. The vehicle alarm was disabled somehow. The front windshield was cracked by the burglars for an unknown reason.

April 10-11 Auto theft occurred between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. in Deer Creek, 2460 Country Club Blvd. Victim reported that an unknown person stole her brown 2011 Honda Civic, possibly by entering an unlocked door and using a key she keeps in the center console.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

March 28 A silver 1999 Chevy Suburban was stolen from a home on NE 28 Court.

March 28 A home on NE 20 Avenue had a lawn mower and blower stolen from its open garage.

March 28 The owner of Tower construction and Technical Services called police to Staples, 3742 N. Federal Hwy., to report fraudulent use of the company credit card, possibly by a former employee.

March 29 A Jeep parked on NE 26 Street was burglarized, likely because doors were left unlocked. In addition, at least five other cars in the area were also burglarized.

March 30 A parent dropping a child off at Education Station left her purse on the front passenger seat. The window was smashed in the approximately six minutes she was in the daycare center.

March 31 A van was stolen from a home on NE 45 Street.

Teen violence

Dear Editor:

I have written the Sun-Sentinel, Channels 7 and 10 and nothing. [Can you] possibly help? There was a young man (age 15) beat in the head with a lead pipe on Monday [April 4] in Cresthaven [in Pompano]. He and friends were in the wrong place at the wrong time. A local gang spotted them and hit this boy in the back of the head so bad that it cracked his skull and penetrated his brain. He has since had two surgeries to save his life; now the threat of pneumonia and a brain clot is there. He was sitting in the back of the truck and didn’t even get out. He is in the Pediatric Trauma Unit at Broward General. Prognosis isn’t perfect yet.

There have been witnesses to who did it etc. yet police have made no arrests, they did not even look for the weapon.  Since there were a few of these kids in the truck, the Gang Unit of BSO considered them a gang. They are not. However, the children who did this are recognized as gang members by BSO.

My issue is that everyone rallied and supported for Ratley and Brewer … what about this child hanging on for his life? He is a member of our community. His family pays taxes. His family has no insurance and the mother will lose her job due to the fact that she has to be at the hospital with her son. Why aren’t people doing fundraisers? Donations? For God’s sake, it hasn’t even been on the news. Doesn’t anyone want to get the word out to the people who live nearby where this happened, so they may protect their children. Or is everyone afraid?

This child is very bad off, yet the community knows nothing! He, too, needs the support and at least the well wishes of neighbors and friends. Please help me get the word out.

Mrs. Dana Wade/Little Harbor

Deerfield Beach

Cove improvements

Dear Editor:

CRA Director Kevin Klopp responded to my March 31 letter in the Observer, where I complained about the lack of maintenance to a landscaping project that had cost hundreds of thousands of dollars when installed.  Commissioner Miller had also tried to get answers, but had no success.  It was not until Kevin Klopp was given a heads up in reference to my letter that an army of city workers corrected the problem.  Mr. Klopp’s answer was that the CRA had not had time to employ a private contractor.  With the state of the economy, and the number of local landscaping firms crying for work, that explanation is hard to believe.

Another subject is the eyesore that is now the abandoned sign tower.  Business owners in The Cove were told that the project would start in January of 2011 and be completed in three to four weeks.  It started in January, is now abandoned, and now is scheduled for completion in August of 2011, seven months later.  Why?  The entire commission agreed to a nine-month phased plan for The Cove that was presented to the owners.  Now we hear that Phase 2 and 3 are to be combined and started in May 2011. This will further impact the businesses and is not the plan originally approved by this commission. Phase  1-2-3-4-5  were to be done in order …

Steve/ Cove Bagel & Deli

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Agenda item #2 at the April 12 CRA meeting was to “approve proposal to construct Cove Shopping Center Parking Lot Improvement Project Phase 3 sidewalks as part of Phase 2.” The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board, comprised of the city commission, unanimously approved the item.

Both Phase 2 and Phase 3 involve the southern end of The Cove Parking Lot.

According to CRA Coordinator Kris Mory, the action simply means that sidewalks in Phase 2 (about 275 linear feet) and Phase 3 (about 175 linear feet) would be done during the next phase of construction beginning May 1. The rest of parking lot improvements for Phase 3 will still be done during Phase 3, slated to begin June 15. “This was something generated from other business owners in The Cove. Basically, we’re just doing what they wanted us to do.”

She said the tower under construction will be done during Phase 2 improvements, in the next month or so.

“Phase 4b” [the fifth portion of the project] involves planting of Royal Palms and lush landscaping in The Cove entryway.

Entire project is due for completion by Oct. 31, 2011.

My family and I have lived in Argentina for the past 3½ years before coming to Deerfield Beach last June.  Our house in northern Argentina was close to a large river and we lived three blocks from the beach. Each summer, we would spend two weeks at the shore. You can tell that my family and I love going to the beach.  Imagine how excited we were when we arrived in Deerfield Beach and realized that our house was only a short distance from the ocean. I remember how ecstatic we were when we packed up the car and all of our beach toys and headed for a day in the sun. Soon after arriving, I encouraged the boys to play a little soccer in the sand. The lifeguard quickly blew his whistle and said, “No balls allowed on the beach.” We decided to get a little creative and started to throw a Frisbee. “No,” said the lifeguard, “you can’t do that either.” I then went into the water with the boys and we started to wrestle and tackle each other. Once again, “NO.” I was beginning to think Deerfield Beach was boring and we were doomed to a life of sedentary towel sitting.

We left at the end of the day determined to make the best of our situation.

A short time later, my wife came into the house very energized.  She said, “I found another part of the beach that we didn’t know about and it’s a lot of fun.” What happened was, after not finding parking at the south side, she ventured north of the pier and found volleyball courts, people playing soccer, surfboards, boogie boards, music and everyone, everywhere, having a great time. She had discovered that we only knew a part of Deerfield beach, and that upon further discovery, there was another section that had all the elements we loved about the beach.

Thinking about this experience, I believe this is exactly how our relationship is with God. We think God is all about “No,” when, in reality, he’s all about “live.” John 10:10 says this, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Christ came so we could have a full and blessed life. We, like my family and I, go to the beach on the south side of the pier and have expectations of what we can do. We then get frustrated because life is not all we had planned and hoped. When all we have to do is head to the north side of the pier and find all the things we love about the beach. Life with Christ is exactly like that. We insist on meeting Jesus on our terms and then we blame Him because our life is not fulfilling. If we are willing to venture north of the pier and meet Jesus on his terms, then we will find an abundant and fulfilling life.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Life in Christ is not about rules and our ability to follow them. Christ wants to give to you, help you carry your burdens, give you rest and help you experience a full and abundant life. Finding an abundant life in Christ is as easy as taking a step in the right direction. He will open up for you a whole new world you never imagined possible.

Pastor Deron Peterson is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach.

Sisterhood of Temple Beth Israel Meeting

Thursday, Apr. 14, 11:30 a.m.

201 S. Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker, Irving Baker, on the impact of Christianity and Islam on Jewish history. Mini lunch served. $2.50 donation requested. Guests welcome. 954-421-7060.

Music in the Park: Pathway to the Stars

Friday, April 15, 7 p.m.

Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Free. Musical showcase conceived and dedicated by Concert Benefactor Florence “Flossy” Keesely and her Flossy Dream Foundation.  Features Jan McArt, first lady of Florida’s Music Theatre,” international singing sensation Doug Crosley, Ziegfield Dancers, among others. Bring blanket or chair (chair rentals also available for $2). 561-393-7827.

Boy Scout pasta dinner & silent auction

Saturday, April 16, 5 to 7 p.m.

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

Presented by Boy Scout Troop 119 of Deerfield Beach. Includes salad, dessert and beverage. Cost $5 (children under 5 free). 954-428-4667.

Trump coming to Boca

Saturday, April 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Sanborn Square, 72 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, FL 33432

Real Estate mogul Donald Trump will be the keynote speaker for the 3rd Annual Tax Day Tea Party, which will be filled with music and info.

Hillsboro Lighthouse Tour

Saturday, April 16, 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sands Harbor Resort & Marina (north side) , 125 N. Riverside Dr. , Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Three amateur radio clubs will participate on this Florida Lighthouse Day. Current HLPS membership or a $15 transportation fee required. For info: 954-942-2102 or www.hillsborolighthouse.org.

Boca Green Market

Saturday, April 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Royal Palm Place, S. Federal Hwy. & S. Mizner Park Blvd., Boca Raton, FL  33432

Live music by West Boca High School jazz band, vendors, and more. 561-368-6875.

17th Annual Arts Exhibition

Sunday, April 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

LHP Yacht and Racquet Club, 2701 NE 42 St., Lighthouse Point, FL

Showcases local art of various media founded by Norma Cerino. Brunch available. 954-942-7244

Sunrise Palm Sunday Service

Sunday, April 17, 7 a.m.

Community Presbyterian Church , Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

(Across from parking lot between SE 2 & SE 3 Streets)

Free. 954-427-0222 or www.communitych.org.

Evening Under the Stars

Wednesday, April 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Hillsboro Lighthouse, 901 Hillsboro Mile, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Light refreshments, desserts and beverages will be served. Music by Shane Le Mar Entertainment. RSVP Deadline:  April 15.  $10 for SFCGA Members, $20 for non-members. Reservations can be made at: www.thesfcga.com.

11th Annual Cuisine of the Region

Wednesday, April 20, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Embassy Suites , 950 S. Ocean Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Top local chefs offer samplings of their cuisine. Wines from around the world, gourmet desserts and more. A live and silent auction. Tickets are $50/ advance, $60/ door. 954-480-4460.

Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert

Wed. April 20, 2 p.m. & Sun. April 24, 2 p.m.

Herb Skolnick Center, 800 SW 36 Ave. , Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Benefits KP Productions, supports Senior Outreach Program – providing entertainment to seniors in Alzheimer, Assisted Living & Daycare Facilities. $15. 954-274-8537. www.kpproductions.org.

Save the Date:  17th Annual Spring Fling Family Fun Day

Saturday, April 23, noon to 3 p.m.

Children’s Museum & Memorial Park, 498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

Games, arts & crafts, entertainment, rides, face painting, world’s largest Easter Rabbit, unique egg hunt, concert by The Puppetone Rockers and more. 561-393-7827.

Save the Date: Pig Out in the Park

Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sullivan Park, 1601 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bands performing throughout the day: Mikayla Duvall, Southbound Train and Uproot Hootenanny. Bounce house, dunk tank, lemonade stand, face painting, delicious BBQ and more. Sign up for Mayor’s Challenge Singing competition — with studio time as prize. (Deadline for registration May 1: 954-464-7584).

An elderly victim was robbed of her purse as she stepped off a bus near her Century Village home.  The victim sustained minor injuries during the attack.  Detectives from the Deerfield Beach District and the BSO Robbery Unit worked jointly to identify and apprehend the suspect.  The suspect was charged with Strong Arm Robbery.

Updated as of 4:22 pm on April 13 – Sylvia Poitier has turned herself in at the Broward County Jail just before noon on April 13. Once the Broward Sheriff’s Office releases more information about the charges, they will be posted.

Criminal charges have officially been filed against Deerfield Beach commissioner Sylvia Poitier. According to the Broward State Attorney’s office, Poitier is facing five misdemeanor charges related to voting conflicts of interests that could have benefited family members.

Prosecutors with the Broward State Attorney’s office and the Broward Sheriff’s office worked together to pull the charges together against Poitier whose brother manages a charity that she used her position to allegedly direct money towards according to the charges. The complaints originate with a vote two years ago, in March 2011, that Poitier voted fora grant in facor of the Westside Deerfield Businessmen Association. When she made the vote, a conflict of interest was not filed noting she shouldn’t vote for the $30,000 grant. Poitier’s brother, Lionel Ferguson had loaned $47,000 to the group and had not been paid back yet. Despite the city not approving the grant, it was a conflict because of the direct influence she used to benefit her brother receiving funds owed.

Poitier, 75, has been on the Deerfield commission at various times since 1975, including serving as vice mayor. This time, she was elected in 2008, winning a re-election bid this past March 2011. Poitier turned herself in this morning just before noon and was  released on bond at 3:17pm

She faces 5 counts of  FALSIFY PUBLIC OR COURT RECORDS all first- degree misdemeanors.

Allen West’s congressional offices are on high alert after a suspicious substance was mailed to West’s post office box in Deerfield Beach. On Friday, a campaign worker went to a post office box in Deerfield Beach to routinely pick up West’s mail. West is a U.S. Representative in Washington representing a large swath of both Broward and Palm Beach counties.

When the worker returned to West’s Boca Raton office with the mail, an envelope with a white powder and what is described as a “derogatory” letter enclosed. In the letter, anthrax was specifically mentioned.

Local police and fire have provided additional protection to West’s office while the material is tested at a lab in Miami to determine exactly what the substance is. West’s office was blocked off by police, and his office condemned the incident in a public statement.

“I thoroughly condemn this act which does nothing but evidence the sick and deranged nature of the perpetrator,” West said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “I will continue to serve the constituents of Florida’s Congressional District 22 with honor and integrity.”

Free Concert by the United States Air Force Academy Band, The Falconaires. Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m., at the Deerfield Beach Main Beach Parking Concert Plaza. Sponsored by the City of Deerfield Beach, the CRA and the Cultural Committee. For more information, 954-480-4433 or www.usafacademyband.af.mil