By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

Time for a break, for a bit of fluff. Time to get away from “serious.”

Venus de Milo lovers seem to be in a conspiracy these days to “make it up to her.” She, without arms; and they “all arms.”  Was it Michelle Obama who set the style? I am not a fashionista, but just take a watch at live TV these days. All one sees in female fashion is  – arms. I guess one could say, “We’re a nation up in arms!”

While once, women were ashamed to expose their flab, today, bare arms are waved at the public like American Flags. Some of us are still around to remember the sheath on very young women from “Mad Men” days. Seems they never left the racks.

Here is what I don’t understand, and perhaps it has something to do with my own body thermostat. All hot summer long, one would think that TV studios would be an icy haven, a low temperature cocoon in which to work.  So where are the goose bumps? None! Smooth, well-creamed, visibly “abbed” arms. Okay – so maybe they are all workout gals. But aren’t they COLD?

I, for one, never walk into any air conditioned place without some kind of wrap for my cold, flabby arms, which are usually concealed anyway. Have I committed the chic-crime of the century  by choosing  function over fashion?

So I’m thinking that, in this draggy economy, these folks are buying half a dress. Perhaps, they are looking to save money. The sleeve-material from five dresses could easily make another dress, especially as necklines keep dropping, thus saving another couple of yards. But, alas, no! The cost of sleeveless dresses does not in any way reflect the reduced cost of material. Bummer!

I do, however, plan to keep a sharp winter watch on arms. Unless TV studios broadcast from below the equator, I’m thinking that sooner or later, these TV ladies will need a cover up. Of course, as the winter political season heats up, there may be enough hot air in cable and news studios to keep bare-armed women warm. Who knows?

Next time, I plan to get serious.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Aug. 26 A man reported that someone entered his apartment at 773 Siesta Key Circle and stole a television, laptop computer and a shotgun.

Aug. 27 It was reported that two pickup trucks were broken into. Nothing was reported stolen. The incident took place at 3912 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Aug. 27 A woman reported that her home at 261 NE 40 Court was broken into, but nothing was stolen.

Aug. 27 A man was arrested and charged with criminal mischief. He was accused of damaging a vehicle parked at 5331 NE 8 Ave. by smashing the windshield and puncturing four tires. Damage was estimated at $316.

Aug. 27 A woman was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. She was found in possession of two bags of marijuana. She was issued a notice to appear in court.

Aug. 28 A car was broken into at 1000 E. Hillsboro Blvd. The victim reported a purse with credit cards stolen. The credit cards were later used at a Shell gas station and a McDonald’s.

Aug. 28 A man was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license at 500 SW 3 Ave.

Aug. 28 A car parked at 4101 NW 6 St. was broken into and a wallet with driver’s license and credit cards was stolen.

DEERFIELD — District 4

Aug. 20 Conveyance burglary in Constitution Park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. between 5-5:15 p.m.  Victim states that unknown person(s) entered her vehicle by smashing out a window, then  removed her purse.

Aug. 24 Armed robbery at Mobil gas station, 1200 W. Hillsboro Blvd, at 5:30 a.m. Complainant, who is the night clerk, reported that a 6’ tall, 170 lb. male wearing a ski mask  ran into the store with a gun in hand, took approximately $200 and fled the area. Video surveillance was obtained and the scene was processed. NOTE: A similar robbery with the same suspect description took place at a Walgreen’s in Tamarac just after this incident.

Aug. 24 Felony arrest – narcotics – took place in Deer Creek, 425 Lake Point South Lane. Deerfield SET team and members of SID served a search warrant. Suspect was arrested for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana over 20 grams. (1,816 grams – 7 plants) Arrestee was transported to the main jail.

Please remember, if you see suspicious activity, call 911 immediately.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Aug. 17 A man reported that his WaveRunner was stolen from his rear dock lift at 3001 NE 46 St.

Aug.17 A woman reported that a package left by her front door by United Parcel Service was stolen. Incident took place at 4111 NE 21 Way.

Aug. 18 A maintenance supervisor at Lighthouse Point Yacht Club reported that a glass mirror in the gymnasium was broken. It was also reported that chairs and trash were thrown into the pool. The incident occurred at 2701 NE 42 St.

An Unfair Assessment

Dear Editor:

The fairest tax of all is no tax. The next fairest is a “fair tax”… pay for what you use or might use. This does not mean everyone pays the same. It costs more to put sprinklers in a 10,000-sq-ft warehouse than a 1,000-sq-ft one. It costs more to protect a 10,000-sq-ft house from a fire than a 1,000-sq-ft house.

Apparently, Deerfield Beach would, for fire protection, tax a 1,000-sq-ft homeowner the same as a 10,000-sq-ft homeowner. Deerfield Beach intends to assess large and small homes the same. This is unfair.

Jack Kornfield

Deerfield Beach

Crabby Jack’s Fire

Dear Editor:

[Sunday morning] I woke and walked out to my patio. The smoke had just broke over the tree line —  I live three blocks away from Crabby Jack’s. I threw on a part of shorts and jumped into my truck. I got there at 7 a.m., just as the first fire trucks arrived and started putting water onto the blaze. There were about 10 people there on the street. It looked like something out of a movie scene, flames flaring 50, 60 ft. into the air and trees on fire. It was amazing to witness and feel the heat from the fire across the street.

Jeff Graves

Deerfield Beach

East Village Uncorked

Friday, Sept. 2, 6 to 9 p.m.

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

Free art, wine, strolling, featured specialty merchants, restaurants and planned improvements. Free parking available. 954-786-7824.

Saturdays at Six

Starting Saturday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church, Briggs Hall, 1920 SE 4 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441-5099

New contemporary, casual, weekly worship service dubbed “Saturdays at Six” is being inaugurated this Saturday. Cross on roof of hall also re-dedicated after a long absence due to hurricane damage. 954-427-0222.

AARP Defensive Driving (COP and CERT members) registration

Deadline to Register: Sept. 3

Deerfield Beach West Sub-Station, 580 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Class: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. Fee: $12/AARP members, $14/non-members. Class size limited. To register, contact: santanal@comcast.net. 954-449-9760.

Friends of the Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Volunteer Day

Saturday, Sept 3, 9 a.m.

Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Constitution Park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Bring own work gloves. Water and lunch supplied. 954-480-4494 or Jerry@treezoo.com.

Pre-Labor Day Concert  Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach

Sunday, Sept. 4, 2 p.m.

201 South Military Tr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Cantor Irvin Bell, piano: Richard Shapiro, and Florine Rosenfield. Donation: $5/person at door. 954-421-7060.

Bo Raney Memorial Ride

Sunday, Sept. 4, 9 a.m.

Shelby’s Restaurant, 3952 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Motorcycle clubs, independents and cars for escorted ride leaving at noon from Shelby’s to Lauderdale Grill, 1901 Cordova Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316. Drawings, giveaways all day. Registration fee: $25 per bike or car (max. 2 people). Register: www.DWD4VETS.org or 954-857-7964. Additional raffle tickets available for donation. Proceeds benefit Death with Dignity.

Rineberg Tennis Training Academy (RTT)

Tuesday, Sept. 6

Deerfield Beach Tennis Center, 222 N. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Director of RTT Academy is professional tennis coach Dave Rineberg, who started his career at Deerfield Beach Tennis Center about 20 years ago and has coached a multitude of players, including Venus & Serena Williams. Rineberg has published a book called Venus & Serena, My Seven Years as Hittng Coach. To sign up, call 561-350-3250 or e-mail: KMC84DR@aol.com.

Highlands Neighborhood Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.

Pompano Highlands Park, 1650 NE 50 Court, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Pompano Beach Highlands Civic Improvement Assn. welcomes Mr. James Harris, Shoal Creek Properties, who will show plans for residential development located adjacent to North Broward Park. Residents – ask questions, make suggestions. 954-933-6393, www.PBHighlands.org.

LHP Girls Volleyball registration

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.

Dan Witt Park, 4521 NE 22 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Ages 10 to 15. 954-784-3439.

AARP Driver Safety Program Six-Hour Course

Wednesday, Sept. 7 and Thursday, Sept. 8, 1 to 4 p.m.

LHP Library, 2220 NE 38 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064  

Save money on insurance, learn to drive safely, current Florida Statutes regarding U-turns, cell phones and more.  Age 55+. Call 954-946-6398.

General Membership board meeting

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Athletics Complex Press Box , 501 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Meeting is to only elect Board of Directors. You do not need to join to vote. If interested in selecting who runs Deerfield Beach Little League, attend meeting. Cost of voting is $5 per ballot. Information, call 305-785-3357.

Save the Date: 3rd Annual Ministry Fair

Monday, Sept. 26, Tuesday, Sept. 27, Thursday, Sept. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

S. Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary, 1100 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Vendors: Apply today! Exhibit business or ministry for $25 donation (includes table and 2 chairs). Each student required to do minimum of 20 Christian Service hours at local church or para-church organizations. Opportunity to introduce your ministry/ business to student body.  Limited space available. 954-545-4500 or www.sfbc.edu.

According to the United States Department of Labor, “the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union, which held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later on Sept. 5, 1883.

In 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and, in 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Through the years, the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them, developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York Legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on Feb. 21, 1887. During the year, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and, on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

Labor Day … a great time to sit, relax, enjoy family and friends, and rest. In John 11:38-42, we have the story of Mary and Martha, who are often contrasted, as though each believer must make a choice: be a worker like Martha or a worshiper like Mary. We all have special gifts and talents and should use those talents to glorify God. It would seem from this story that, while labor is important, we need to have balance between work and time for worshiping God.

Consider Martha’s situation. She received Jesus into her home and then neglected Him as she prepared an elaborate meal that He did not need! It’s hard to believe that a seasoned hostess like Martha did not have everything in order in preparation for the Lord’s visit. What Martha did not realize is it is far more important what we do with Christ than it is what we do for Christ. Mary seemed to understand this balance and put this into practice when, after finishing her work, she had gone to sit at the feet of Jesus to learn from Him. Martha, feeling neglected, complains to the Lord, expecting Him to scold Mary for neglecting her work, as though she could care less about her responsibilities.

There are few things in the Christian life that are as damaging as trying to work for Christ without taking the time to commune with Christ. “For without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Mary chose the better part, the part that could not be taken from her. She knew that she could not live “by bread alone” (Matt. 4:4).

Instead of criticizing others and feeling self-pity for ourselves, maybe we should take time to examine our lives and see if, in all our busy schedules, we have neglected the Lord. The problem was not that Martha had too much work to do, but that all her work distracted her from what was really important in her life.

The key is to have the right priorities. Unless we spend time each day with Christ, we will soon end up like Martha, too busy and not blessed. If you are struggling, then let me ask you a question, how is your devotional life? The usual response is, “I can’t remember the last time I had a good quiet time or prayed.” And then, we wonder why we have problems! Don’t forget that just a few short verses earlier Christ said this, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you,” He said, “for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:28-29).

Have a wonderful Labor Day!

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