Highlands Christian Academy hosted its annual summer basketball camp recently. Trophy winners for opening week pictured (L to R) (Back row): Cameron Caputo, Marvin Jean-Pierre, Herman Robinson, D.J. Kottke, Vance Houston, Tyler Bronson, George Giourgas; (Front row): Jordan Willis, Emily Teason, Allyson Steincamp, Lettie Cronin, Riley Berry, Danielle Domino, Karl Schuberth, Dylan Farrell. Submitted photo

By Gary Curreri

Highland’s Christian Academy held its annual summer basketball camp at the campus recently.

There were two sessions this summer – boys and girls’ grades 7-12 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and grades 2-6 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Reg Cook, the summer sports camp director and former long-time basketball coach and athletic director at the school, began the basketball camp in the early 1980s. Jim Good (head boy’s varsity coach), along with Luke Still (head boy’s JV coach), Josh Good (head boy’s JH coach), and Lindsey Shein (HCA alumnus) were the camp coaches.  Several high school athletes worked the second week of camp to earn community hours.

There were 55 campers in the first session and an additional 60 campers in the second session.

“Once again, our summer basketball camp was a success,” said Jim Good. “It’s a great environment with quality coaches who are not only teaching the game of basketball, but also the game of life. What a great opportunity we have to share our love for the Lord and also our love for the game of basketball.”

Good said the morning session included a devotional given by a coach followed by some warm-up activities, ball handling and dribbling. He said they then began their Gatorade and trophy contests.

The trophy contests included 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 competitions, free throw competition and hot shots. The campers would travel by bus for lunch at a Chick-fil-A or CiCi’s Pizza.  Then, they would return for afternoon 5-on-5 full court games.

Simply Soccer Camp returns

The Simply Soccer summer camp plans to hold its 5th camp in the city of Pompano on Aug. 15-19. Registration will be held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting.

There are three sessions each day (for the Pompano camp) ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (cost is $115 weekly); extended hours camp is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $130 each week, and a Tiny Tot program is offered for kids ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m.to noon for $60 weekly.

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch.

You can register at the Pompano Civic Center at 1801 NE 6 St. in Pompano Beach from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Department at 954-786-4119.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Forty summers ago, I saw my first western on the big screen – Big Jake, a box office champion that particular summer. Big Jake starred John Wayne, his family and his stock company; it featured gorgeous landscapes and a morality tale about family values. The Duke’s grandson, Brendan Wayne, was born the following year and now has a small role (as the Sheriff Taggart’s Deputy) in the current box office champion, Cowboys & Aliens.

The film opens when an amnesiac cowboy named Jake (Daniel Craig) wakes up in the desert with a strange device attached to his forearm. Jake strolls into town and runs afoul Percy (Paul Dano), a spoiled brat son of a cattle baron, Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). It turns out that Dolarhyde and Jake have a bad history together and are headed for a show down.

As a torch-bearing vigilante prepares a lynching, a strange light comes out of the sky. Within moments, the townspeople witness their neighbors get lassoed into the sky. Jake and Dolarhyde put aside their differences to rescue friends and families who have been abducted by sky demons.

With a title like Cowboys & Aliens, one does not need to look deeper for a theological subtext. The sky demons are aliens from outer space, with petty motivations. In fact, the science fiction aspect of this film is routine, yet the film excels when it remains a western.

The best thing about Cowboys & Aliens is the ensemble’s characters.  Character actor Sam Rockwell is given some rare moments to shine as an everyman bartender. Keith Carradine, as Sheriff; Clancy Brown, as Pastor; and Adam Beach, as ranch hand, are given genuine moments of character development.

While top-billed Daniel Craig recalls Clint Eastwood’s younger days, Cowboys & Aliens can be seen as Harrison Ford’s comeback film. Looking more like George “Gabby” Hayes than Indiana Jones, Ford creates a whole character. While gruff most of the time, Dolarhyde is given some quiet moments to shine with a boy who soon becomes an orphan.

While the showdown with the aliens gets a bit clunky toward the end, director Jon Favreau makes up for it by providing great visuals of cowboys riding across the range on horseback. Cowboys & Aliens succeeds as Saturday Matinee popcorn-eating entertainment, but I doubt it will have the durability of Big Jake.

DEERFIELD BEACH

July 30. The Emerald Beach Resort at 660 NE 21 Ave. reported that the office was broken into and a cash box containing $200 was stolen.

July 30. A man was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics at 1200 S. Federal Hwy. He was in possession of pills that were considered a controlled substance.

July 31. A woman reported that her vehicle was broken into and a purse was stolen. Theft took place at 201 E. Sample Rd.

July 31. A man reported his home at 920 Rich Dr. was broken into. He reported that licenses, credit cards, money, a laptop computer and a television were stolen.

July 31. Loss prevention at Bealls on 1079 S. Federal Hwy. reported that two young men stole a shirt and jewelry for a total value of $187.

July 31. A woman was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. She was verbally abusive and kicked an unmarked police car during an investigation. The incident took place at 123 NE 20 Ave.

July 31. A man reported that an employee collecting rent money for a total of $5,200 in cashier’s checks and cashed checks refused to the turn the money over to the victim. The incident took place at 216 SE 19 Ave.

July 31. A man was arrested and charged with trespassing after entering a woman’s home without being invited in at 322 N. Federal Hwy. The woman reported she had dated the man, but they had broken up.

July 31. A woman was arrested and charged with trespassing after refusing to leave a property at 1638 Riverview Rd. The woman’s boyfriend was being arrested.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

July 20. A family reported their home at 5051 NE 24 Ave. was broken into. They reported four firearms and cases for the weapons stolen. They reported an iPod and jewelry stolen. They also reported that a number of other valuable items were not stolen.

July 23. A store manager at McDonalds at 4830 N. Federal Hwy. reported her bicycle stolen.

July 23. A man was arrested on a warrant for possession of marijuana at 2241 NE 35 Court.

July 23. A woman reported a stolen tag from her trailer at 2631 NE 20 Ave.

July 25. A woman reported that a mango tree was stolen from her front yard at 2233 NE 24 St.

Renaming Westside Park gymnasium?

Dear Editor:

It has been brought to my attention that our city commissioners are attempting to have Dr. Leo J. Robb’s name removed from the gymnasium in Westside Park. The reason being given for this is “Dr. Robb was a Racist.” There is not an ounce of truth to this statement, and no one should know better than me, as I worked side by side with him in his office from 1974 until his death.

Dr. Robb did not have a prejudicial bone in his body. How come every time something does not go our way, “the proverbial race card becomes an issue?”

Every summer Dr. Robb would do all the pre-football physicals for members of the Packer-Rattler football teams. He would give each boy a complete physical and notify their parents if there were any issues. These physicals were all done free of charge, all 125 of them. There were many times when Dr. Robb would discount or see patients without charge and without regard for color, ethnic background or religion. Yes, there was a back door to our office, but it was not an entrance for patients. All patients used the front door and sat side by side in the one and only waiting room.

This good man did so much for the residents of Deerfield Beach. His name, above another’s, belongs on that building. He did not see color and neither should we.

Yours Truly,

Mary M. McAdoo

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Asked August 2 whether the city commission has any plans to rename Westside Park gymnasium, Mayor Peggy Noland said, “not at this time.” She said she was approached by District 2 resident David Ricks to ask whether the gymnasium might be renamed for recently deceased [June 23] Parks & Rec Manager 1 Johnny Tigner, who worked for the city for 37 years. “He gave his heart and soul to the children, worked [with youth’s sports] from that gymnasium.”

According to the city, the gymnasium was named in memory of  Dr. Leo J. Robb Jr. on July 9, 1990. The city commission voted unanimously in favor of the naming on June 19, 1990. Jean Robb was mayor of the city of Deerfield Beach from 1980-93.

Ricks said two petitions are circulating in District 2 to show whether or not there is support in the city. He said he would be happy with either changing the name of the gymnasium – or changing the name of Westside Park – to honor Johnny Tigner.

Publisher’s note: To the best of my recollection, there was only one doctor in Deerfield back in the early 1950s. It was Dr. Higgins, and he was extremely busy. Our community was very happy, therefore, to have another doctor come to town when Dr. Leo Robb and his family arrived. Dr. Robb was a fine man and treated everyone who needed his services, especially the young athletes, with great dignity – which is why he was honored by putting his name on the gymnasium.

Proud to Live in Deerfield Beach/LHP

Dear Editor:

Last Friday, a bowling fundraiser at Diamond Strikes Lanes raised over $5,000 and put this year’s Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point Relay for Life over its financial goal of $100,000.  We have exceeded our fundraising goal, but we have done something more important.

Our cities, our schools, our civic organizations, retirement communities like Century Village, local businesses and generous individuals all joined in the fight against cancer. Then there were groups of everyday people, like Healing Spirits, who formed teams of friends and neighbors. They poured countless hours of time into this year’s Relay for Life.
In challenging times, we have come together for the common goal of fighting cancer and supporting cancer survivors. This shows the kind of heart and soul that is alive and well in Deerfield Beach and Lighthouse Point. This is even more important than the money we have raised and I am very proud to live in this generous community.

Thanks you to everyone who helped make it happen.

T.J. Eagen

2011 Event Chair/Relay for Life

Deerfield Beach

RE: Teen Center

Dear Editor:

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a tremendous supporter of programs for Deerfield Beach youth. My years of public service have included tireless work to bring the Deerfield Beach Aquatics Center to reality, and steadfast support of the Police and Fire Explorers programs, and the PAL Boxing League, to name a few. All three of my children participated in city programs, including the Jr. Lifeguard program.

It has become apparent that now more than ever, we must focus on our youth and get them involved in positive activities. This has been reinforced by the tragic incidents of the past two years involving Deerfield Beach Middle School students.

A decade ago, Deerfield Beach Teen Center opened as a place for the city’s older youth to gather. Unfortunately, over the years, participation at the facility has dwindled to the current situation where only about 10 youths visit the facility per day. For the nine months from October 1, 2010 through July 12, 2011, Teen Center operations cost the city $75,000.

Even in this economic climate, we can’t afford not to invest in our youth, but we must make the best use of the funding we have. In my opinion, we are missing the opportunity to reach our teens, just when they need it the most. City staff has met with representatives of Deerfield Beach Middle and High schools, who have echoed this concern.

For this reason, the city is overhauling its teen programs, and instituting a “mobile” concept, where staff will bring programs directly to the community’s youth at both schools. Operations at the Teen Center will cease this fall, and Teen Center funding will be used to support this new concept. By partnering with the schools, the city will be able to maximize our dollars, and increase the number of teens whose lives are impacted by the positive influence of city programs. I fully support this new approach, and I am confident that in the end, our children will be the winners.

Mayor Peggy Noland 

Deerfield Beach

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

It was the worst of times! It was the worst of times … except this Pollyana sees a sliver of “Best.”

Chaos at the Capitol, weeks of wrangling, deals made, deals fade. Leaders dashing in and out of closed doors, hallways, talk shows, anywhere but home, at all hours of the night – pontifications to the max. By Sunday, both Republicans and Democrats were squealing, almost in unison, “Just get it done already!”

Despite the rancor, the accusations, the finger pointing, the political sashaying, it was obvious that the main spokespeople for both points of view felt equally passionate and righteous about their principles, even as bundles of lobbying dollars were securely tucked in their coiffeurs.

But you don’t go to the Capitol to sit on your principles without budging. And with a ticking time-clock snapping at their heels, an exhausted Congress made a deal that everyone basically hated, the operative words being – “made a deal.”

For sure, we don’t know what will happen in the days to come, what follow-up clashes we’ll see, how the “committee” will work, but for now I think we’d be smart to take another look at how we got to where we are and to take big note of what did not happen.

As dysfunctional as it seemed, a certain (limited) civility was present. Rules were adhered to. Procedures were respected. And major ideological diversities were recognized, and accepted as being the fabric of our country. The folks who espouse them will never stop attempting to bring the opposition into their camp – with big mouths and rhetoric, and, yes, and, alas, dollars, but not with guns and torture.

If you are not a political junkie (as I am), you missed probably the most exciting news day of modern memory this past Sunday. It made every political movie and TV sitcom look like waiting for the fish to bite. And powering all the frenetic activity, and blowhard commentary, was the basic truth that the balance between spending and revenue in our country is askew and has been for decades. It was much too easy to slide by when there was no crisis looming.

No leader, no party  and no disinterested citizen is immune to blame. Admittedly, some of the numbered details concerning this stuff is a cure for insomnia, but these past few weeks have been a jolting wake-up call.

We are a country bursting with diversity, changing at speeds heretofore unknown, and if we don’t accept that compromise is what holds us together, then we are doomed … to extinction … or bloody revolution.

The best of times? Maybe not quite, but surely not what the naysayers have put out there. History has chronicled the demise of many great civilizations. It’s possible that this seeming debacle has put the brakes on our journey in that direction.

3rd annual Tastemakers

Tickets are now available for Mizner Park’s 3rd annual dining event, which began offering tickets on Aug. 1. The $30 ticket allows guests to enjoy a two-night progressive tasting and cocktail pairing party at participating Mizner Park restaurants and specialty shops on Sept.13 & 14, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  The ticket also is good for three months of exclusive Mizner Park dining promotions through Oct. 31. For details, visit www.miznerpark.com

Cove Neighborhood Meeting

Friday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m.

529 SE 13 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Please bring your own chair if you need to sit. Deputy James Engle from Broward Sheriff’s Office will share the most recent updates for our neighborhood.

Last Splash Luau

Friday, Aug. 5, 6 to 10 p.m.

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

This family-oriented event (all ages) includes a movie, luau games and other activities, along with splash time in the park’s Splash Adventure water park. $5.50 admission per person does not include refreshments. Advance tickets required. 954-357-5100.

East Village Uncorked

Friday, Aug. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.

Art Over the Bridge –8 to 11p.m.

2600-2700 block of E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

East Village Uncorked is a free monthly art and wine strolling event celebrating featured specialty merchants, restaurants and planned improvements in the East CRA. Hosted by the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Art Over the Bridge is a new event being held in conjunction, featuring art, live music, entertainment, food and drinks. Live performance by singer/songwriter Dina Linero. Music by Miami’s own DJ and video mixer Tom Laroe. For more information, call 954-786-7824 or visit www.pompanobeachcra.com.

Here We Go Again!

Friday, Aug.  5, 2 and 7 p.m.

Olympic Heights Fine Arts Theatre, 20101 Lyons Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33434

Presented by Sol Children Theatre Performing Arts Camp. Admission is $10 per seat. For info, call 561-447-8829, www.solchildren.org.

American Flyers Open House and BBQ

Saturday, Aug. 6, noon

Pompano Beach Airpark , 801 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Complimentary lunch, tour, presentation by certificated flight instructor.

Free FAA WINGS seminar, covering landing techniques and considerations for any who are interested. Each guest eligible to receive certificate for two free hours of instruction in one of the flight simulators. Arrive early. 954-785-1450 or www.americanflyers.net/about/aviation_seminars.asp.

BEALLS Open House

Sunday, Aug. 7, noon to 4 p.m.

Rivertowne Square Shopping Center, 1079 S. Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Prizes, fashion shows, Back to School blitz

954-481-1575

Deerfield Beach Democratic Club

Monday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m.

Century Village, activity center, 2400 Century Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: The Honorable Mitch Ceasar. All are welcome. For info., call 954-415-5658.

My family and I love summer … going to the beach, playing golf, riding bikes and hanging out at the pool. Growing up in the North has made living in South Florida feel like summer all year round. Somebody said to me the other day that even South Florida has seasons. I won’t debate here if that’s true or not, but I will tell you that in New York, where I grew up, summer didn’t last too long. That’s what makes living in South Florida so much fun for our family. We love summer.

Among all the wonderful activities we enjoy during the summer, one in particular is not outdoors. We enjoy getting some snacks and sitting down to watch America’s Got Talent. We love that show. We have watched as a family every year it has been on. We really enjoy the beginning of the show when people from all over come to audition – people who have absolutely no talent, yet believe they do, people who are very talented, but have no idea how gifted they really are.

The part of the show that we love the most is the variety. You never, and I mean never, know what you’re going to get. I mean where else can you watch a magician, a singer, a family riding motorcycles in a giant ball, gymnastics, Latin dancing, three 6-year-olds rapping and a guy diving 40ft. into 12 inches of water, on the same show, on the same night? Only on America’s Got Talent. We find our favorite acts, and then we cheer them on as they move toward the finals.   We look forward to the acts that surprise you, like the little girl last year, Jackie Evancho. She walks onstage and looks like the cutest little girl you’ve ever seen, then she sings opera like a seasoned veteran of the stage. Or, this year, the guy walks on stage, an African American, with dreadlocks past his shoulders, who looks like he just walked in off the street, and then he sings, “My Kind of Town” and you swear you’re hearing Frank Sinatra. We love that show.

Life is like that. I get surprised every day. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” That tells me that God’s criteria is not the same as ours. God looks at what He can do through people, not what people can do on their own. God looks for people that will be willing to give their lives to Him so He can mold them into something useful and be able to fulfill God’s purpose for their life. That’s what makes church so interesting. Just like America’s Got Talent, you never know what you’re going to get. And people will always surprise you.

At our church, we are studying through the book of  Ephesians. Ephesians 2:21-22 says this, “In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him, you, too, are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” What Paul is saying is that God, not you or I, chooses who He wants to use. He says, “You, too, are being built together.” There is a place for you! He needs all kinds of stones for his dwelling.  Looking for a place to fit in, a place to feel loved and welcome? That word “built” actually means “fitted.” That’s what God wants to do with you. He wants to fit you, into His dwelling. That’s why I love our church, like Americas Got Talent, you find the variety that makes God’s family so wonderful.

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

The Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce wants to partner with local restaurants to drive business during the month of August. Chamber representative, Marc Lowe, will be visiting 31 restaurants in 31 days. He will set up facebook events for each restaurant and link your web site if applicable. To encourage diners a 10% Off Coupon is provided below. Diners will print the Coupon and present it upon arrival at the restaurant. View Restaurant of the Day Calendar Diners will know which restaurant the Chamber Representative is visiting each day and will be encouraged to either dine with him but it is not required to dine with him in order to use the 10% Off Coupon.

Participating restaurants will receive:

45 days of advertising on facebook & Chamber’s website

Chamber Representative will blog all positive reviews

Review on 2 websites plus facebook (Urban Spoon & Trip Advisor)

Fee for participating restaurants is $35.00 for Chamber members or $45 for non-members Make check payable to: Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 12th. Restaurant name will be added to the Restaurant of the Day Calendar when the Chamber receives application with payment. First come first served!

Chamber Representative will receive 1 meal & 1 beverage from the “Restaurant of the Day” Chamber Representative may go for lunch or dinner but followers can use their coupon anytime during the day.

Contact John Esposito for more information at 954.889.3210 or 954.415.4678

A Prize of $100 will go to the person that eats at the most restaurants (excluding Chamber Representative) and there will be a drawing in case of tie. Our calendar is filling up fast! It is urgent that you pick your date now!

Download Applications here

 Restaurant of the Day Calendar

1-Aug Olympia Flame Diner 80 S. Federal Hwy www.olympiaflamediner.com

2-Aug Barracuda Bar & Seafood 1965 NE 2 St www.barracudabar&seafood

3-Aug Beach Buns 1602 SE 3rd Ct www.beachbunsdeerfield.com

4-Aug BT’s Oceanfront Restaurant @Embassy Suites 950 S. Ocean Dr www.embassyflorida.com

5-Aug JByrd’s Muddy Waters 2237 W. Hillsboro Blvd www.muddywatersrestaurant.com

6-Aug Lil Ole Caboose 204 Powerline Rd

7-Aug Sweet Toppings 337 SE 15 Ter (Cove) www.sweettopping.com

8-Aug Deer Creek Grille 2801 DC Country Club Blvd www.deercreekflorida.com

9-Aug Oceans 234 234 N. Ocean Blvd www.oceans234.com

10-Aug Bru’s Room Sports Grill 123 NE 20 Ave www.brusroom.com

11-Aug Sushi Song 123 NE 20 Ave. Suite 11 www.sushi-song.com

12-Aug Muscle Maker Grill 230 S. Federal Hwy www.musclemakergrill.com

13-Aug

14-Aug

15-Aug CJ’s Draft House 1825 W. Hillsboro Blvd www.facebook/cjsdrafthouse

16-Aug Kahuna Bar & Grill 249 N. Ocean Blvd.

17-Aug JB’s on the Beach 300 N. Ocean Blvd www.jbsonthebeach.com

18-Aug Patio Bar & Grill @ Wyndham 2096 NE 2 St. www.deerfieldpatiobar.com

19-Aug Ruth’s Chris Steak House 225 NE Mizner Blvd www.ruthschris.com

20-Aug

21-Aug

22-Aug Bobby Bahia’s @ The Hilton 100 Fairway Dr

23-Aug

24-Aug

25-Aug

26-Aug

27-Aug

28-Aug

29-Aug

30-Aug

31-Aug Ruby’s Pizza Pasta & Subs 614 SE 10 St www.rubyspizza.com

–By Rachel Galvin–

On Aug. 2, a large group of Deerfield residents gathered at Quiet Waters Park for the National Night Out on Crime despite the off and on again rain. This event encourages people to turn their porch lights on and come out together to take a stand against crime.

BSO showed off their SWAT equipment, such a large riot shield that can be lifted up and a machine that can lift items out of the way, including a car, which they demonstrated in front of a large audience.

Sheriff Al Lamberti arrived on scene via a helicopter at the most appropriate moment, shaking hands with families who had gathered there. He had visited several Broward County cities also having Night Out on Crime festivities.

Attendees roamed community booths under the pavilion, learned about community programs and services from the city, turned in unused medicines (Operation Medicine Cabinet) and took sensitive documents to be shredded in the shredding truck. People must have felt generous because The Community Blood Centers bloodmobile surpassed their goal for donors that night.

People also ate pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, chips, pizza and more, while drinking soda or water to cool down from the heat.

A snow cone machine also was a big hit among the kids. Kiddies could also climb a rock wall or jump in the bounce house.

The band Smuggling Yo Yo’s played their hearts out on stage where commissioners, the sheriff and State Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke Reed also spoke to the crowd, including new Dist. 2 commissioner Ben Preston. Afterward, raffle prizes were given out.

BSO showed off a SWAT vehicle capable of lifting a car

New commissioner Ben Preston speaks, with other commissioners and Deerfield's mayor

The Smuggling Yo Yo's played

A large crowd enjoyed free food and activities under the pavilion

SATELLITE IMAGES REVEAL THAT THE CLOUD PATTERN IS A LITTLE BETTER
ORGANIZED THAN YESTERDAY WHEN THERE WAS AN EXPOSED LOW LEVEL
CENTER. TODAY THE CENTER IS WELL EMBEDDED IN THE CONVECTION WITH
CYCLONICALLY CURVED CONVECTIVE BANDS...A POSSIBLE CENTRAL DENSE
OVERCAST...AND MORE SIGNIFICANTLY...THE OUTFLOW HAS BECOME
ESTABLISHED IN ALL QUADRANTS. HOWEVER...DATA FROM THE
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT EARLIER THIS MORNING SUGGEST THAT THE WINDS
REMAIN AT 45 KNOTS AND THE CENTRAL SURFACE PRESSURE IS STEADY. 

THE INTENSITY FORECAST IS MORE COMPLEX THAN USUAL. THE CYCLONE IS
FORECAST TO INTERACT WITH THE HIGH TERRAIN OF HISPANIOLA AND
EASTERN CUBA AND THAT IMPLIES WEAKENING. IN ADDITION...GLOBAL
MODELS WEAKEN OR DISSIPATE THE CYCLONE...AND OBVIOUSLY THESE MODELS
CAN DETECT AN UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NOT APPARENT TO ME.
THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO FORECAST INTENSIFICATION WITH SUCH
INDICATIONS FROM THE RELIABLE GUIDANCE. ON THE OTHER HAND...SHIPS
AND THE GFDL/HWRF MODEL PAIR INTENSIFY THE CYCLONE. GIVEN THIS HIGH
DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY...THE OFFICIAL FORECAST CALLS FOR NO
SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN INTENSITY...OR PERHAPS FOR A SLIGHT WEAKENING
AS THE CYCLONE MOVES BY HAITI AND CUBA DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
SOME RE-INTENSIFICATION IS POSSIBLE ONCE EMILY REACHES THE AREA OF
THE BAHAMAS. 

SATELLITE AND RECONNAISSANCE PLANE FIXES INDICATE THAT EMILY IS
MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST OR 285 DEGREES AT 4 KNOTS.  GLOBAL
MODELS CONTINUE TO SHOW A WEAKNESS IN THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE AND A
TROUGH ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THIS PATTERN
FAVORS A TURN TO THE NORTHWEST WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS WITH
A GRADUAL TURN TO THE NORTH AND NORTHEAST BETWEEN 48 AND 72 HOURS.
IT IS UNCERTAIN HOW FAR WEST EMILY WILL REACH BEFORE RECURVATURE...
PRIMARILY GIVEN THAT GLOBAL MODELS WEAKEN OR DISSIPATE THE CYCLONE.
THE OFFICIAL FORECAST TRACK KEEPS THE CENTER OF EMILY WELL OFF THE
EAST COAST OF FLORIDA...AND GIVEN THE SMALL TROPICAL STORM FORCE
WIND RADII ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CYCLONE...A TROPICAL STORM
WATCH FOR THE FLORIDA SOUTHEAST COAST IS NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.