Keep Deerfield beach clean, please

Dear Editor:

I have written before and personally delivered a letter to Mr. Miller’s office regarding the dogs and bikes on the beach, but got no response. Now that he is re-elected, I am hoping to pursue my complaint.

We have a very beautiful beach and the word is out.  Everybody comes to our beach from all over and leaves the vicinity with garbage overflowing and trash all over.  A lot of people who live here walk on the paved area of the beach.  One time, I saw so many dogs that I started counting them.  For the one hour I was there, there were seven dogs.  I did not count those little ones in the strollers and thank God for those smart owners.

Some of these people have the nerve to be angry when they are told ‘no dogs on the beach.’  They either cannot read the big sign or they are too stupid to care.  After all, nobody is really going to issue them a ticket.  Sometimes, you see dog poo on the beautiful paved path that we have.

If we are serious about having no dogs or bikes or skateboards on the beach, then let’s reinforce it.  Otherwise, take out the sign and let all of the dogs come.  It is a big joke!  The money you collect from imposing a fine seriously on these offenders will more than pay for personnel who can ticket them.  And then you will see a big improvement on the beach because they know they can’t get away with it.

The beach is crowded enough to dogs and bikes and skates.  Please help us get this problem addressed by contacting the right people who can make the difference.

I thank you for your time and appreciate your assistance.

G. Wilson

Deerfield Beach

Trees safe for now

Dear Editor:

The Hillsboro Boulevard Tree Landscaping project (AKA: the chainsaw massacre) has been put on hold pending further notice. Thanks to Commissioner Ganz, the project is being reviewed and will not proceed as planned.

Wonderful words, “on hold.”  Even more wonderful would be “PROJECT CANCELLED.”

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach

RE: “Obama wants more jobs? He needs to decrease taxes … for everyone!”

Dear Editor:

Your Publisher’s Perspective in the April 28 publication of the Observer is nonsense. If it were up to me, the tax on earned income above $250,000 would be 90 percent. The only people who have sympathy for individuals in that tax bracket are people who are in the upper bracket, politicians, and anyone who profits from statements supporting the rich. If cutting taxes produced jobs, where are they?

Tom Ciulla

Deerfield Beach

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Forget last summer’s girlie man movies like Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time and Sex and the City 2, with Fast Five’s opening gross of $86 million, the Summer 2011 blockbuster season has begun!

Currently screening at the Museum of Discovery’s IMAX, Fast Five has the energy, action and humor expected from a Summer Blockbuster.

While some of the action sequences have a taint of Attention Deficient Disorder editing, the stunt work, car chases and heists are well-directed. The climactic fight between Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson and Vin Diesel does not disappoint, but it is the quiet moments that will resonate … in particular, when Vin Diesel’s outlaw character reminisces about going to church with his father and the Sunday afternoon barbecues for the neighborhood.

Written and directed by Max Winkler, Ceremony is the kind of movie that most filmmakers don’t make anymore. Children’s writer Sam (Michael Angarano) tricks his friend Marshall (Reece Thompson)  into driving to Eastern Long Island. What is first promoted as a youthful road trip becomes a journey toward obsession. Sam wants to disrupt the wedding of the love of his life, Zoe (Uma Thurman).

Given that Sam is in his twenties and Zoe is in her forties, Ceremony is an odd movie with allusions to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jonathan Ames. Angarano’s Sam makes the convincing transition from fake Marlboro Man look-a-like to that of man-child who finally becomes an adult. There is much situational humor.

Also opening this weekend is Werner Herzog’s 3-D documentary The Cave of Forgotten Dreams. Best known for his intense films like Fitzcarldo, Aguirre: The Wrath of God and Grizzly Man, Herzog obtained exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc Cave of Southern France, believed to include the oldest pictographs on earth.

The Caves of Forgotten Dreams is a beautiful and approachable film. Herzog, who also narrates, brings a childlike joy through his grandfatherly German accent. The visuals are exceptional and the stories told about the artifacts are life-affirming.

Opening this weekend at the Movies of Delray will be 100 Voices: A Journey Home, winner of the Audience Award at the 16th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival. This documentary celebrates song and faith as a group of Cantors travel to Poland to sing.

There is so much to do this Mother’s Day weekend, make the most of it!

60th National Day of Prayer Ceremony

Thursday, May 5, noon

Deerfield Beach City Hall campus, 150 NE 2nd Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Presided over by Commissioner Joe Miller, along with local spiritual leaders. The National Day of Prayer was established by the United States Congress in 1952, with the intention that it would be a day when members of all faiths could pray together in their own way. Refreshments served. 954-480-4433.

National Moms Night Out

Thursday, May 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Town Center Mall, 6000 Glades Road, #100, Boca Raton, FL 33431

FREE event features giveaways, raffles, samples, pampering and dance lessons from Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Boca and more. 561-368-6000.

Local resident’s art shown

Thursday, May 5 through Monday, May 30

Francine Bishop Good Artists Workspace, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

Deerfield artist Regina Vila Verde, who was stricken at age 4 with Polio, has turned her life experiences into symbolic expression through her art. www.vilaverdeart.com.

Mother’s Day Weekend to Remember

Friday, May 6 to Sunday May 8

Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, 417 S. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• Friday, 6 p.m. – “Hot-Hot Fish Fry & Cool-Cool Jazz,” featuring DJ Needles and rap/hip-hop artist Al Sermon, who performs under the name XEL, and acoustic guitarist Michael Demchak. Gate opens at 5:30 p.m. $15, $7 for children. Menu features fish or chicken. Proceeds to Saint Mary’s Parish & Building Fund.

• Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon – “Perfect Pancakes & Rummage Riot,” $5. (Rummage-sale vendors can rent tables for $20.)

• Sunday, 11 a.m. – Special service, children and youth give musical presentation and “something for the moms” immediately following the service.

More information, 954-428-3040.

“Music in the Park:” The Five Boroughs

Friday, May 6, 7 p.m.

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

Free family entertainment. Bring blanket/chair (chairs available for $2). Snacks available for purchase. 561-393-7806 x2 or www.myboca.us/rec/specialevents.

Art on the Boulevard

Friday, May 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

Greight Spaces, 2611 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Hosted by Greight Spaces Interior Design. Evening of free art & Music. Art sold commission-free. Light refreshments. 954-788-9044.

Pig Out in the Park

Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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

Tastings of BBQ from local competing cookers, more than 20 vendors. Three live bands: Makayla Duvall, Southbound Trane & Uproot Hootenanny. Kids’ corner with bounce house, dunk tank, lemonade stand & face painting. Singing competition. Food available for purchase. $7 entry. Meet Observer staff at our booth. ObserverTVwill be broadcasting live. Discount Parking at USA Garage with coupon – www.deerfield parking.com/coupons. 954-464-7584.

Walk for Bladder Cancer

Saturday, May 7, 10:30 a.m.

Huizenga Park, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Check-in and free coffee starting at 9:30am. www.
firstgiving.com/fundraiser/marciabogdan/walkfor
bladdercancer.

LAST DAY: Boca Green Market

Saturday, May 7, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

561-368-6875.

TUNES-FOR-TOTS

Saturday, May 7, 7 to 11 p.m.

Deerfield Country Club, 50 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

TUNES-FOR-TOTS is a South Florida community of local singers who perform to benefit children’s charities for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida.

Event hosted by “Jammin Jimmy.” Table Reservations available with dinner only. Minimum Suggested Donation is $15. Food & drink available. http://tunes-for-tots.com/upcoming-events or call 954-427-4400.

Mother’s Day Dance

Sunday, May 8, 2 to 5 p.m.

Star Ballroom, 2309 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Dancing and refreshments. $15, 2 for $25. Proceeds benefit the NE Focal Point Senior Programs. 954-480-4447.

Deerfield Beach Democratic Club

Monday, May 9, 7 p.m.

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

Denis Eirikis, IM4Transit.org, to speak. Sock Drive – bring white Sweat Socks for the Troops. 954-415 5658.

Choose Peace, Stop Violence Community Conversation

Tuesday, May 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Deerfield Beach High School, Cafeteria, 910 SW 15 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hosted by N. Broward Prevention Coalition and United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse. Dinner and entertainment by DBHS Jazz Band and guest speakers. RSVP by May 6 to 954-462-4850 ext. 141 or nvaniman@unitedwaybroward.org.

Save the Date:

Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point Relay for Life

Saturday, May 14, 5 p.m. to Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m.

Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Food, entertainment, raffles, auctions and cancer education. 954-427-2885.

Save the Date:

Deerfield Beach Rotary Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament

Friday, May 13, 7:15 a.m. (check-in), 8 a.m. (Shotgun start)

Deer Creek Country Club, 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Proceeds for scholarships go to local students by Rotary. Call for pricing and info, prices range as low as $100 (sponsor) or $125 each for foursomes. 954-640-6225.

One of the most endearing characters in the annuls of Winnie the Pooh is an elderly donkey named Eeyore. His name came up recently when someone asked me if they were spelling the name of the Hebrew Month that just began correctly. Actually, in most transliterations the month is spelled I-Y-A-R, as in Iyar. But, I found something fascinating with connecting the Hebrew month of Iyar with the lovable character known as Eeyore.

For instance, when Eeyore is first found by Pooh and his friends, he is found floating in the water. On Passover, we retell the ancient story of the baby Moses being found, just as Eeyore was, floating in the water.

Eeyore spends a lot of time wandering and, as you are most certainly aware, our people spent a lot of time wandering through the wilderness. As we wandered, we set up temporary huts, which we still put up in our yards each year on the Festival of Sukkoth. Those huts are made out of a bit of wood and branches or thistles.

Now, it is true that Eeyore likes to eat thistles, but, it is also true that his house was built out of sticks, and, just as when we spend time in the Sukkah, we realize how fragile life can be and how everything we have can be wiped out in an instant, so Eeyore finds that a house of sticks is not necessarily the best thing to build a house out of.

This donkey, this lovable character, always ready to lend a helping hand to his friends, also comes out with one of the greatest lines for us to connect to our faith. He says, “If honey’s what you’re looking for, I know just the place to find it.”

There was a wonderful musical out many years ago that points the way in lyrical fashion as they sing about The Holy Land of Israel with the words, “This is the land of milk and honey.”

By the way, Eeyore isn’t the only name that is similar to the month of Iyar. There are women who are dubbed with the Hebrew name, Iora, and if you know what Oro means in Spanish, then you probably can guess that Iora means “gold.” One of the most famous songs of all time in Israel is Naomi Shemer’s “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav,” which means, Jerusalem of Gold.

During the month of Iyar, we observe Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and then, the very next day, we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. It may sound almost ludicrous to go from a national day of mourning right into a national day of rebirth and joyous celebration, but it sure fits the month of Iyar.

According to the Sages, Iyar is a time of healing. The word “Iyar” is an acronym for “Ani Hashem Rophecha” (“I am HaShem your Healer.”)

On Passover, we celebrated our freedom from slavery. We spent so many years as slaves and then, one day, suddenly, we were freed from the pain of our taskmasters’ whips. Today, many of us are still enslaved by various forms of illness. In this month of Iyar may we, like Eeyore, should be ever ready to help a friend in need and may our visits and ministrations be as sweet as honey. And to those of you who are dealing with illness, remember that just one day can make all the difference in the world.

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.

Deerfield Beach

April 25 Deputies were called to Deerfield Beach Middle School in regard to a large fight between  Haitian and African American students. Pepper spray was deployed to subdue several students and to stop the melee. Four students were detained. Two were released to their parents and two were medically cleared and taken to the Juvenile Arrest Center.

April 26 A home on SW 7 Avenue had $1722 and jewelry stolen.

April 27 Two Boca Raton residents were arrested for stealing personal belongings from a victim on the beach.

April 29 Samuel Caraballo, of Deerfield, was arrested for slicing his victim with a machete four times after an argument.

April 29 A victim was standing near 839 W. Sample Rd. when two black male juveniles snatched their necklace from their neck and fled.

May 1 On SE 5 Court, a victim who purposely parked his truck behind his 2006 GMC to prevent its theft had it stolen anyhow. The victim parked the truck behind because thieves had targeted his GMC before, but thieves forcibly moved the truck and then stole the GMC.

May 1 A 1957 Chevy BelAir Coupe with a metallic blue bottom and a light metallic blue top was stolen from a home on SE 14 Drive.

Lighthouse Point

April 21 A home on NE 42 Street was burglarized and $7,672 of jewelry stolen.

April 21 A car parked outside First Southern Bank, 3050 N. Federal Hwy., had its rear window broken; alarm did not sound. A work laptop worth $2000 and two Bibles were stolen.

April 22 Thieves pick-pocketed Dollar Tree in Shoppes of Venetian Isles.

In the 2011 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Writing Assessment results released today by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), Broward County Public Schools fourth, eighth and 10th grade students demonstrated significant increased performance.  According to results of the assessment, Broward students out performed the statewide averages in each of the three tested grades, with fourth and 10th grade students scoring in the top 11% of districts in the state (60 counties with lower average scores) and eighth grade topping 20% of school districts in the state.

The average score for Writing among Broward students was 4.2 for Grade 4, 4.3 for Grade 8, and 4.1 for Grade 10.  These scores exceeded the state averages.  A majority of students in the fourth (97%), eighth (97%) and tenth grades (95%) scored at or above the AYP proficient level of 3 or higher.  Beginning this year, proficiency for school grades will be a score of 4 or higher. In Broward, 86% of grades four and eight and 80% of grade 10 scored a level 4 or higher.

Additionally, Broward’s eighth grade students performed as well or better than students from the state’s four other largest school districts (Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Orange and Palm Beach). Fourth grade students produced greater results than students in all counties except Hillsborough, while 10th grade students out performed all counties with the exception of Palm Beach.

Over a five-year period, the percentage of students writing at level 4 or higher has increased by five or more percentage points in each grade.

•       Fourth grade students show an 11 percentage points increase (from 75% in 2007 to 86% in 2011).

•       Eighth grade students show a 5 percentage points increase (from 81% to 2007 to 86% in 2011).

•       Tenth grade students show an 11 percentage points increase (from 69% in 2007 to 80% in 2011).

“In acknowledging and recognizing our outstanding teachers and educators, particularly during this Teacher Appreciation Week, we are especially proud of our teachers and support personnel,” said Broward Schools Superintendent James F. Notter. “Through some extreme and challenging circumstances, they have shown that their commitment to our core business of teaching and learning results in increases in academic achievement for all students.”

The program will be presided over by Commissioner Joe Miller, along with local spiritual leaders. The ceremony will take place at the northwest corner of the Deerfield Beach City Hall campus on May 5 from noon to 1 p.m. at 150 NE 2nd Avenue, Deerfield Beach.

The National Day of Prayer was established by the United States Congress in 1952, with the intention that it would be a day when members of all faiths could pray together in their own way. The public is invited to attend the observance. Refreshments will be served.

Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives have caught up with two men who burst into a Deerfield Beach business in January terrorizing the store clerk and customers to get their cash and belongings.

Just before 10 p.m. on January 17, the two armed robbers, with bandanas over their faces, went into the Brazilian Depot Food Court, punching the cashier in the face and ordering all the patrons to get on the floor. Surveillance cameras were rolling as the two men emptied the register and a lockbox underneath it, then proceeded to take jewelry, money, cell phones and other valuables from every customer in the restaurant.

Acting on an anonymous tip, BSO Robbery detectives identified Russell Brooks, 37, and Reginald Black, 36, as the two men involved in the robbery. Armed with a warrant, BSO’s Fugitive and Robbery detectives searched for the suspects in the area of Deerfield Beach on Friday, April 29 and spotted them near Deerfield Beach High. They took them into custody without incident.

Brooks was released from prison October 2008 after serving a sentence for obstructing a crime investigation and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and has prior convictions for robbery.

Black was released from prison July 2006 for attempted murder, robbery with a firearm and shooting/throwing a deadly missile into a building or conveyance.

They each face a charge of robbery with a firearm and are being held at the BSO Main Jail.

While the recent focus has been on the arrest and suspension of Sylvia Poitier, former Deerfield Beach commissioner started his trial today, May 3 for misappropriating campaign funds. Specifically Gonot is facing charges of grand theft in the third degree, official misconduct and falsifying public records.

Gonot was charged near the end of 2008 and is just now going to trial after over two years of hearings and delays.

–By Rachel Galvin–The district 22 winners for the Congressional Art contest were announced April 30 at Sugar Sand Park by Congressman Allen West. Students submitted their works of various media in hopes of winning a 4-year scholarship to Savannah College to study art, 2 round trip airline tickets to Washington D.C. and a chance to have their work displayed in the corridor that runs from Congress to the Capitol. The ultimate winner will be announced in D.C. and the winning artwork will be displayed in the capitol for one year.

The winner, Steven Taylor of Lake Worth Christian, created a work commemorating his great, great, great, great grandfather’s invention of a 7-man motorcycle. Unfortunately, he passed away before the creation could go into production. But his idea was drawn out in charcoal at the hand of his ancestor. Taylor isn’t sure yet if he will attend Savannah College, but is very excited about winning.

Second place winner was Eleanor Schlechter from Benjamin School, but she was absent this day. Third place was a tie — Jalin Rinderman from Cardinal Gibbons and Christian Sendler from Benjamin School.

Pictured: Steven Taylor with Congressman West, Jalin Rinderman and Christian Sendler.

To see the video, go to ObserverTV.