On April 7, at about 2 p.m., the corner of Hillsboro and Federal was blocked off. Sirens blared, motorcycles revved their engines and runners ran all to benefit Special Olympics. Even the SWAT team was on hand.

Some of the runners had traveled all the way from the Miami-Dade line. Members of the Special Olympics joined at the beginning and ending of the race. Their goal — to carry the torch and pass it across the Palm Beach line to hand it to a new team of runners. But when they arrived, the runners were not there not receive it. Undaunted, they looked forward to the planned celebration at Dan Witt Park figuring they could hand it off there.

This run is part of a 1400-mile statewide relay that will culminate on May 13 in Buena Vista at the opening ceremonies of the Florida Special Olympics Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Those wanting to donate to the Special Olympics can call 954-262-2150. www.specialolympicsbroward.org.

Bealls discount for giving to Relay for Life

Friday, April 8 & Saturday, April 9

1079 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Donation of $3 to Relay for Life gets pass for 15 percent off. 954-481-1575.

Mammography Screening

Friday, April 8, 8:30 a.m.to noon

NE Focal Point, 227 NW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For women between the ages of 35 and 40 years. After 40, must be 366 days between exams. Must not have problems with breasts such as lump, discharge or previous major surgeries, including mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation. No breast implants.  Must not be pregnant. Bring – proof of ID (driver’s license, insurance card, social security card), proof of mailing address. Bring previous films with you. Will accept most insurance plans, except HMOs. $75 for private pay or uninsured. 954-480-4446 or ctowle@deerfield-beach.com to schedule appointment or ask questions.

Autism Speaks Walkathon

Saturday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. (registration)

Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University,

3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. , Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314

Join walk or sponsor with donation. Deerfield Beach Elementary offers one of the best cluster programs in the state with the goal of helping these children succeed. To join the walk team, 954-601- 6625. To donate: www.
walknowforautismspeaks.org/broward.

US Coast Guard Aux. Safe Boating Course

Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

$50 with $5 fee for facility. Materials and lunch provided. Registration: 954-421-0502.

Guided Kayak Tour

Saturday, April 9 – Session 1- 9 a.m; Session 2-11 a.m.

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

All necessary gear provided, including kayaks. Personal guide present. Must bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses w/strap and clothes that can get wet. $60 for 2 people/$40 for 1. Reservation required. 954-420-0009.

Pancake breakfast

Sunday, April 10, 9 a.m. to noon

Elks Lodge, 700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES, Drove 142. Adults $5, children $2.50. Open to public. 954-725-5192.

Lenten Cantata – “A Service of Darkness”

Sunday, April 10, 10:30 a.m.

Community Presbyterian Church, 1920 SE 4 St., Deerfield Beach  33441

Beautiful choral meditation on last words of Christ by Sancturary Choir. Community welcome. Admission FREE; freewill offering accepted. 954-427-0222 or www.communitych.org.

Commissioner Kristin Jacobs speaks

Monday, April 11, 7 p.m.

Activity Center, Century Village , 2400 Century Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

954-415-5658.

Pompano Beach Garden Club Meeting

Monday, April 11, 12:30 p.m.

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

Jerry Behan, from Deerfield Arboretum, speaks on “Palms & Flowering Trees.” Refreshments served; new members welcome. 954-783-3106.

The Falconaires, U.S. Air Force Academy Band concert

Monday, April 11, 7 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Main Beach Parking Lot

SE 1 St. & Ocean Way, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

FREE. Refreshments available for purchase. Bring beach chairs/ blankets. Wear red, white & blue, bring flag. 954-480-4433 or www.Deerfield-Beach.com.

Deerfield Beach Woman’s Club Annual Installation Luncheon

Tuesday, April 12, noon

Royal Fiesta Ballroom , 1680 SE 3 Court, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Theme: “In Your Springtime Bonnet.” Beverly Pester entertains. $25. 954-421-4700.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Wednesday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon

NE Focal Point, 301 NW 2 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Speaker: Chris Dragomer, MSW, Community Education Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Assoc. Topic: Managing difficult behaviors of Alzheimer’s. Other meetings: April 20 &27. 954-480-4460.

St. Ambrose Singles/ Couples Dance

Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 to 11 p.m.

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

Dance, meet new people. After 10 years, this may be one of last dances, due to lack of attendance. $8 includes refreshments, DJ. 954-943-7158.

By Gary Curreri

Charlie Pal lines a double to centerfield in a game Friday night against Coral Springs Charter at Cypress Park in Coral Springs. Photos by Gary Curreri

George Petik has made a name for himself in Broward County High School baseball and actually thought about retiring until he was coaxed into returning one more year.

The 58-year-old Petik, who has been a staple in dugouts around the county at Cardinal Gibbons, Nova and now at Pompano Beach High School, entered the week one victory shy of a milestone 400th win.

“It means you have been around a long time,” Petik said with a laugh. “It means you have had a lot of good players and you have had a lot of good assistant coaches because without the players and the assistant coaches, you are nothing.”

Petik said he planned to retire this season, but returned for another season.

“My daughter Shelby said at the beginning of the year, ‘Dad, this will give you a chance to win 400,’ and I thought, ‘I got to be able to win nine games,’” said Petik, of Ft. Lauderdale. “I would like to think I made some positive impact on some kids’ lives, I hope so. It is a meaningful thing.”

“You don’t coach to win X number of games. I coach because I enjoy seeing a player go from here to there,” said Petik, motioning his hands from a few inches apart to a foot apart. “If we teach him as much as he is willing or capable of absorbing and then he goes out and does it, that’s fun!”

Pompano Beach was slated to play Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday night and North Broward Prep on Friday. The Tornadoes defeated Ft. Lauderdale, 5-4, earlier in the season.

This is Petik’s fifth season as head coach at Pompano. He was head coach at Cardinal Gibbons for 17 years where he became the first Broward County team to win a state championship in 40 years in 1987. Petik is 399-194-2 and went 26-4-2 the year Gibbons won the state title.

He was an assistant under Pat McQuaid for four years at Nova before leaving for Pompano. Petik works at Margate Middle School and has been in the Broward County School system for more than 30 years.

Petik’s squad dropped a 7-2 decision to host Coral Springs Charter on April 1. The Tornadoes are 2-4 in the District 14-3A race having split with Coral Springs Charter and Pine Crest and also lost to American Heritage-Plantation and North Broward Prep.

Pompano Beach has had some lopsided victories this year over Coconut Creek, 14-0; Coral Glades, 18-4; Northeast, 20-0; Stranahan, 20-1, and Pembroke Pines Charter, 15-5. The team also trailed Pine Crest by seven runs after five innings on March 25 before rallying for a 20-14 win.

Pompano Beach had been led by seniors – Kenny Sanchez (LF), Jarod Sundook (3B), Charlie Pal (2B) and juniors – Kenny Harrell (SS) and Ryan Richman, who has tossed two no-hitters this year.

The Tornadoes (8-4) haven’t reached the postseason since 1971 under coach Herm Hatfield when it lost in the first round to Miami Beach, 4-0. It is something that Petik would like to do, but knows it is a very tough district.

“We need to be on our ‘A’ game and they need to be a little flat for us to be able to compete,” Petik said. “That can happen. We just need to do everything right.”

Tyler Keller fires a pitch in a game Friday night against Coral Springs Charter at Cypress Park in Coral Springs.

By Dave Montalbano

VIPs: Al Zucaro, Yvonne Boice, Richard Jenkins, Randi Emerman and Tristan Rogers at Silver Screen Splash. Photo by Rachel Galvin .

The 16th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival closed their festival with a triumphant note, boasting sell-outs for international movies that were locally screened. With a solid financial foundation, the core team of organizers has weathered the storm and talks are underway for PBIFF 17.

For those suffering from film festival withdrawal, the inaugural Palm Beach International Women’s Festival begins tonight in West Palm Beach and Lake Worth (through the 10th – www.pbwiff.com). Sharon Gless of Cagney & Lacey fame will be honored. One person PBIWF should considering honoring next year would be surfer champion Bethany Hamilton.

Hamilton was the 13-year-old surfer prodigy who lost her arm to a tiger shark. Through sheer will and determination, Hamilton returned to the sport she loved and, within a year, she was honored by ESPN as the “Comeback Player of the Year.”  Recently turning 21, Hamilton still surfs competitively and published “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.”

It is an inspirational story, one that Hollywood hucksters could easily turn into a maudlin Hallmark Hall of Fame broadcast. Fortunately for the ticket buyer, great care went into this production. Hollywood has produced a pure family movie that will be remembered for many years to come.

Dennis Quaid and Linda Hunt portray Pa and Ma Hamilton, respectively. These cool parents home school their children, which allows Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb) extra time to practice her surfing. After winning a local surfing tournament, Bethany begins to attack corporate sponsors.

Unlike the buildup for Jaws, the shark attack in this movie is a jarring surprise. The sequence is not sensationalistic like Piranha 3-D, but done with realistic urgency. This sequence, along with the climactic surfing sequences, are edited quite well. One can see the action within the frame on screen and it avoids attention deficit disorder editing.

Top billed AnnaSophia Robb carries this film from beginning to end with a restrained performance. In her scenes with Dennis Quaid, these two actors bring a sense of conviction to their discussion about biblical faith. Soul Surfer is a movie about heart and faith, a film about families and for families. It is also one of the best movies released in 2011.

By the way, April 9-17 is the Downtown Boca Film Fest (www.dbff.com).

Pay cuts & layoffs

Dear Editor:

How can the city of Deerfield Beach offer the general employees union a promise of no layoffs for two years [recently three years has been offered] if they take a 5 percent pay cut and start paying 10 percent of their health insurance? Home prices continued to decline in January and February. They may need to lay off more or increase taxes again to balance the budget.

Before the union makes a move, they want to see complete financial information from the city so they will know how much they can squeeze out of the taxpayers. They know full well that the taxpayers have lost income and are lucky if their employer pays 50 percent of their insurance, for the ones who still have a job.

The non-union management employees aren’t any better. While demanding a 5 percent cut, there is no proposal for them to take a 5 percent cut from the city manager on down. Most of them have been paid over-the-top salaries for their job for years.

Even though the city raised our taxes on Oct.1, they continued these over-payments for six months before reducing them to the highest allowable rate. How about those who retired with inflated pensions based on their inflated salary? Is the city going to reduce the pensions down to what they should be? The managers know that private sector managers and small business owners have taken salary reductions in the past few years. Some have lost it all, the evidence of that can be seen in all the empty commercial space in Deerfield Beach. Reducing an overpaid manager down to the highest allowable salary is not sharing the sacrifice.

When the commission increased the millage rate 17 percent, they promised to do better this year. I don’t know if they can live up to that promise.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

Beach lighting

Dear Editor:

There have been two letters in the past two weeks complaining about the lighting at the beach. One letter made it clear that the actual problem is not the lighting, but the fact that the bricks in the decorative sidewalk, after only a few years of use, are no longer level and the uneven edges provide a hazard to the elderly and awkward among us.

The matching sidewalks on Hillsboro Boulevard are already coming apart, and that project is not even completed yet.

The city officials in charge of these projects may wish to revisit the decision to use brick in these areas — someone has sold them an inappropriate surfacing material for the purpose, or it has not been installed properly.

I look forward every year to turtle nesting season, and the dim lights that reduce our excessive light pollution and afford us an opportunity to actually see the night sky again.

For those who find it to be a difficulty, I have recently been made aware of an amazing invention that can help them — the flashlight! This remarkable portable device can direct a strong beam of light exactly where one is walking, providing even better clarity than typical street lighting is capable of doing. This “flashlight” is not only inexpensive, it can be held in one hand, and some versions can be worn on the head, leaving both hands free to fend off rogue baby sea turtles.

All humor aside, one of the reasons we appreciate Deerfield Beach and want to live here is the natural beauty it provides. This beauty has suffered greatly during my lifetime here due to the influx of a large population and the diminishment of our open spaces and natural environment. Attempts to preserve our remaining open space and native wildlife in Deerfield Beach are extremely limited. This single small gesture toward our cohabitants on the barrier island is highly welcome.

Karen L. Newcombe

Deerfield Beach

Hillsboro/Deerfield dredging

Dear Editor:

So now it has come to light that Deerfield Beach has sacrificed our beautiful coral reef off our beach for the sake of beach renourishment for our neighbor, Hillsboro Beach.

This is not the first time this contractor has been in this kind of trouble. An easy search can find several instances where this contractor has either damaged coral reefs or exceeded allowable turbidity levels which severely damage reef and fish populations.

Where is our Chamber of Commerce on this issue? Just check with the local dive shops and you will get an understanding of how important this very accessible reef is to our city. This reef used to provide a great snorkel dive for divers with minimal experience who can’t afford a trip offshore to the other sites in the water off our beach.

This was one of the exact reasons I chose to run for office in this city because I do not believe our elected officials have any idea about how to protect the health of our city’s environment.

Last weekend, March 27, I took water samples inside Boca Inlet, which were significantly affected by the dredging and measured levels that far from the dredge at 20 percent above the allowable levels which are to be measured about 150 meters from the dredge site. If a violation still was present miles from the dredge site, the levels near our reef were off the chart!

It’s important that we follow through with Florida Department of Environmental Regulations to make sure the dredge contractor is held accountable for the high levels of turbidity, the permit violations, and the mitigation and restoration necessary after their negative impact to our reef.

Our elected officials and hired Managers of this City should meet with DEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make sure this contractor does not leave town without being held fully accountable for the damage that has been done.

This is just another example of the City of Deerfield Beach cutting another bad deal. This reef has been an important part of our economy for as long as I have known of Deerfield Beach. Too bad no one in City Hall understands this.

Next time, remember these kinds of things and let’s change the representation we have in City Hall until we get a group that “Gets it!”

Ron Coddington

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Assistant Director of Environmental Services Chad Grecsek, regional manager of Coastal Systems International Penny Cutt and project manager with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. Ben Leonard addressed the issue at the April 5 Deerfield Beach city commission meeting.

Cutt explained that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ordered a cease and desist on April 1 for impact to the hard bottom from the unauthorized discharge. Only two times during the project did they exceed turbitity and have to shut down. Two reasons turbitity levels were occasionally higher: 1) because the cutter head encountered lenses of coral fragments and 2) the shore parallel dikes were implemented. Provided the sand is removed from the hard bottom in a careful and efficient, timely manner, there should be no long-term impact to aquatic functions and values, she said.

They haven’t started on the Deerfield portion yet. It will take two, maybe three days to finish the project — a portion of which is in Hillsboro. Cutt said they hope to be up and running again on Friday or Saturday.

DEERFIELD BEACH

March 28 Residents near SE 12 Avenue observed a suspect stopped on the bridge area and threw an object into the canal. Police came, and are investigating the incident. Object turned out to be a stolen ATM machine.

March 29 Home on NE 44 Court was burglarized and various electronics were stolen.

March 30 Police responded to shots fired near the 300 block of SW 14 Street. Reports were of 5-6 Haitian males arguing before a rapid succession of gun fire. Police found 12 spent casings, but no suspects.

March 30 Debra Tomasello was arrested for falsely selling air time on the radio and then using the customer’s credit card numbers to spend over $20,000 in merchandise, gift cards and to pay bills.

March 31 A victim came home on SW 1 Terrace to find a black male inside her home stealing TV, jewelry and checkbooks. Suspect fled.

March 31 Air conditioner, refrigerator and stove were stolen from a vacant home on NE 2 Terrace.

April 1 Golf cart left with its keys inside was stolen from outside 41 N. Federal Hwy.

April 1 John McFadden, of Lauderdale Lakes, was arrested for stealing two cars from NE 2 Street.

April 1 Man pretending to do landscaping behind a home on SW 14 Court distracted the homeowner so another unknown suspect could sneak into the home and steal items.

April 3 Six unsecured vehicles parked on SE 15 Avenue were burglarized. Another car on SE 8 Street was also burglarized, as well as two more on SE 6 Street, in addition to a home on SE 8 Avenue.

April 3 Unlocked vehicle on NW 38 Terrace was burglarized.

DEERFIELD – District 4

April 2-3 BSO deputies responded to several vehicle burglary reports throughout the city. In almost all cases, the victims did not lock their vehicles and left items of value in plain view. Please lock your vehicle doors and do not leave items of value in sight. Residents are reminded to call 911 immediately to report suspicious activity.

April 5 Unusual incidents were reported early morning in the Hammocks at Riverglen area,100 block of NW 42 Way. Deputies responded in reference to a burglary in progress involving two white or Hispanic males breaking into vehicles and taking garage door openers. Suspects fled in a northeast direction. Perimeter was set up and K-9 and aviation units responded. K-9 tracked for several blocks but came back with negative results. There were several vehicles broken into and a garage door was opened. As of 3:50 a.m., total loss was approximately $450.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

March 27 Car had its windows smashed near 4060 N. Federal Hwy. and a purse in plain view was stolen.

March 28 1999 Chevy Suburban  parked at a home NE 28 Court was stolen.

March 28 Lawnmower and blower were stolen from a home on NE 20 Avenue.

I got a late night call from an elderly woman. She told me her name and asked if I remembered her, letting me know that she was the woman who was very hard of hearing. I let her know that I did indeed remember her and not to worry as many of the people I care for are hard of hearing. She let me know that she had been very sick and I immediately told her that I was very sorry to hear that she had been ill. She went on to inform me that she was okay now, and I told her how delighted I was that she was feeling better and that we should say a prayer of thanks to G-d for her recovery.

But before I could even begin, she let me know that she might be in need of my services soon. I asked what for and she let me know that she suspects she might soon be very ill again. I started to tell her that she shouldn’t worry about that, but should instead be sure to follow the doctor and the therapist’s instructions so that she could maintain her rebuilt health.

But, she insisted that she needed to talk. She told me that she wanted to know if I would officiate at her funeral. I told her that, when the time came, if my schedule permitted, I would be honored to preside. I asked her where she was going to be buried and she couldn’t remember the name of the cemetery so I gave her the names of a couple of the local Jewish Cemeteries and one rang a bell.

I asked her about her current condition and about her family and, then, as the hour was late, I asked her just why she had called so late in the evening and she responded, “Well, Rabbi, I just called because I wanted to ask you how much you charge for a funeral.”

So I told her and she immediately shouted through the other end of the phone line, “What was that … I can’t hear you … I’m very hard of hearing you know!” This woman, who most certainly had difficulty with her hearing, had no problem hearing every other word of our conversation. But when something was said that she didn’t want to hear … suddenly she was deaf.

Passover is soon upon us. In preparation, we are supposed to clean the chumatz out of our houses. Perhaps, we should also use this time to clean out our ears so that we can hear things more clearly. Then again, there is a time where it is not such a bad thing to close our ears so that we cannot and do not hear. I am referring to when someone is speaking Lashon Hora … when someone is saying something bad or wicked about someone else… Usually when someone is saying something that puts someone else in a bad light, they somehow feel that they are raising themselves up. But on Pesach, on Passover, we are supposed to get rid of the Leaven, of those things that rise. And remember, sometimes when you lift yourself up too high, you are setting yourself up for a big fall. Pesach is coming, may you rise to the occasion.

Shalom My Friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a Hospice Chaplain and Member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains. He also provides Professional Pastoral Care Services to a number of health centers in Broward County.

Burglars struck The Hammocks and Gates of Hillsboro communities yesterday morning stealing items left in plain view in unlocked vehicles. In some cases, garage door openers were targeted which would allow thieves to return and burglarize the victim’s home. Please lock your doors and do not leave anything in your vehicle. Detectives are diligently working leads in an effort to solve these cases.

Join Special Olympics athletes and approximately 300 law enforcement officers from agencies throughout Broward County as they take part in a 32-mile countywide torch relay to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. The Special Olympians will run with the Olympic torch at the beginning and at the end of run and will then celebrate the completion of the run with a fun picnic at Dan Witt Park, located at 4521 NE 22nd Avenue in Lighthouse Point

The Broward Law Enforcement Torch Run is part of a 1,400-mile statewide relay that will culminate at the opening ceremonies of the Florida Special Olympics Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista on May 13, 2011.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office is also asking for support and sponsorship from local businesses and organizations. All contributions will go directly to Special Olympics programs in Broward County. The goal this year is $75,000. Anyone interested in making a charitable donation is asked to contact Ms. Linda Mills at Special Olympics Broward at (954) 262-2150. For additional information concerning the run, please call Broward County Torch Run Coordinator, BSO Lt. Colonel Tim Gillette at (954) 321-4895.

8:30 am Start at A1A and Miami-Dade/Broward County line in Hallandale Beach

9:00 am A1A and Hollywood Boulevard

9:30 am A1A and Dania Beach Boulevard

10:10 am Federal Highway and Eller Drive (North of Griffin)

10:30 am 17th Street Causeway west of bridge

11:00 am A1A and Terramar

11:20 am Federal Highway and 13th Street

11:40 am Federal Highway and Oakland Park Boulevard

12:00 pm Federal Highway and NE 55th Street (North of Commercial)

12:15 pm McNab Road (SE 15th Street) and Federal Highway

12:30 pm Atlantic Boulevard and Federal Highway

12:45 pm Federal Highway and NE 24th Street

1:00 pm Federal Highway and NE 39th Street

1:20 pm Federal Highway and SE 10th Street

1:45 pm Broward/Palm Beach County line (followed by picnic at Dan Witt Park in Light House Point)

The Observer announces the return of DBLL TV. Now playing – 2010 Season. Stay tuned for upcoming games from the 2011 season.

April filming schedule

April 11 – Threshers vs. Rockhounds (Minor)

April 11 – Marlins vs. Yankees (Major)

April 15 – Mudhens vs. Blue Claws (Farm)

April 23 – Volcanoes vs. Hooks (Minor)

April 28 – Red Sox vs. Phillies (Major)