DEERFIELD BEACH

Jan. 6 A man reported his car stolen from his home at 1460 SW 11 Way. The man said he knows the woman who he believes took his car.

Jan 6 A man stole $50,000 worth of jewelry from his mother’s safe and fled the home at 20 SW 12 Ave. The man pawned the jewelry. The man agreed to return some of the jewelry. After getting off a train, he was arrested and charged with theft.

Jan. 6 A man reported that someone used a rock to break into his home at 468 NW 1  Ave. Once inside, the individual stole $1,000, a laptop and a jewelry box.

Jan. 7 A woman reported that her car parked at 401 S. Powerline Rd. was broken into and a purse with credit cards, a driver’s license and a camera were stolen.

Jan. 7 360 NW 42 St. A woman reported her home broken into and $100 and a laptop computer stolen.

Jan.7 928 SE 14 Terr. A man reported that a spear gun and weight belt next to his vehicle were stolen. The car was parked at 928 SE 14 Terr.

Jan. 8 An employee of Marley’s Diner at 699 S. Federal Hwy. reported that a man attempted to break into the restaurant by kicking in the rear glass door. When the man realized the restaurant was occupied, he fled by car.

Jan. 8 An individual broke into a home at 1413 SE 2 Ave. by smashing out the rear sliding glass door. The individual stole a video camera, a digital camera, collectable coins and gold jewelry.

Jan. 8 A man was arrested and charged with stealing two six packs of Mike’s Hard Lemonade from Publix at 1337 S. Military Tr.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Jan. 7  Conveyance burglary was reported in Quiet Waters Park at  401 S.Powerline Rd. between 1:40 and 1:45 p.m.Victim reported that unknown suspect(s) broke out the passenger side window of a 2009 Toyota Corolla and removed the purse from the floor board. Scene was processed and latent fingerprints obtained. The purse contained credit cards, DL, and a camera all valued at approximately $500 total.

Jan. 4-5 Grand theft occurred at 1401 Green Rd. between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. City of Deerfield Beach employee reported that unknown suspect(s) removed a 40-cubic yard roll off a box from behind the Party Warehouse. The bin could only be removed by a truck designed for such removal. Valued at $4,000 and light blue in color. Canvass negative.

Jan. 5  Residential burglary arrest took place in Deer Run at 387 SW 34 Terr. During an ongoing investigation, arrestee was identified as the third suspect in two residential burglaries which occurred in July 2011, where suspects forced entry through the front door or back doors of the residences. Once inside, suspects ransacked the interiors and removed electronics and jewelry. Suspects utilized socks from the home to avoid fingerprints and pillowcases from the beds to take the property. On Jan. 5, 2012, suspect was due in court and was placed into custody.
*If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, please call 911.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Jan. 3 The auto lots manager of C & K Auto Imports at 4800 N. Federal Hwy. reported that a left passenger rear view mirror was stolen from a car parked at the business. Video surveillance showed that two men worked together to steal the mirror.

Help the Salvation Army. Allow the Bins.

Dear Editor:

Jim and I are fans of the Salvation Army. We support them with donations and volunteering, and have taken their disaster response, first aid and CPR classes. Over Christmas, Jim and I uncrated, sorted and stacked hundreds of boxes of toys at the Salvation Army facility in Ft. Lauderdale. The Salvation Army is one of the few charities that uses most of their money for their clients, not administrative uses, advertising or begging letters. They do good work and a lot of it.

So, when one of the hard working volunteers showed up at the Deerfield Beach commission meeting and asked permission to place bins for clothing donations, I was all for it. I was shocked to hear the commission turn them down, citing a regulation against outdoor storage.

Look around the city. Not only will you find clothing donation bins, but many other instances of outside storage. Restaurants are allowed to have outside seating, but the regulations do not say they can have outside storage.

In fact, it is NOT allowed, but many have carts and bins for storing service items. I believe some have fully-stocked bars. What is a dumpster if not an outside storage container? How about vending machines, they certainly qualify as storage.

Once again we have Deerfield Beach using selective enforcement. I hear that the owners of the clothing storage bins that are in violation can’t be contacted to remove them. Well, DUH! Gather them up for scrap if they are such egregious violations. Want to know where they are? Ask the Salvation Army guy, he had pictures of them.

What’s the excuse for not allowing the bins? They might overflow and be unsightly. Really? Well, that would be the time to sanction them, not before it happens. I think regulations similar to those about garbage cans and dumpsters should do it.

Guess what I found while reading our codes; outside storage is allowed as a conditional use in some of our districts, nobody bothered to tell the Salvation Army man about that.

I think an ordinance allowing a legitimate charity to have donation bins on public property and, with permission, on private property should be enacted. Have a heart. These are very hard times and charities are suffering from reduced donations. Charity starts at home. Let’s give it a home in Deerfield Beach.

Bett Willet

Deerfield Beach

MOVIE: Ghostbusters

Friday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.

Main Beach Parking Lot, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

“DB Film Fest” provided by Paragon Deerfield 8. Bring blanket or lawn chairs. Refreshments available for purchase. 954-480-4430.

Miami Subs Grill helps 4Kids of S. FL

Sunday, Jan. 15, 22, 29, 4 to 7 p.m.

Miami Subs Grill, 750 W. Sample Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Any Sunday in January – 20 percent of all sales go to 4Kids of South Florida.

History at High Noon

Wed. Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m.

Old School Museum, 232 NE 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free, donations welcome. Special guest, John Cutrone, Director, Jaffe Center for Book Art at FAU.  1/19 – Wine & Cheese at Butler House, 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield, 6 to 8 p.m. $5. Items will be on sale to benefit historical society. 954-429-0378.

Democratic Women’s Club meets

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

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

39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Speaker: Former Florida House Leader and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, a supporter of women’s reproductive rights. Installation of officers. Refreshments will be served.  954-942-8711.

Candidate debate night

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m.

Dixon Ahl Hall, 2220 NE 38 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Moderated city-wide debate for all candidates running for two open positions on city commission. Hosted by The Lighthouse Point Gardens North Condo Association. Audience can submit written questions.

Save the Date: Miles for Meso

• Symposium

Saturday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m.

Hilton, 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• 8K Run & 2 Mile Tribute Walk

Sunday, Feb. 12, Pre-registration: 6 a.m., race: 7:30 a.m.

Spanish River Park, 3001 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

Proceeds benefit Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.  Symposium features speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Raja M. Flores from Mount Sinai Medical Center. Race info.: 561-361-1950. RSVP for symposium- mesosurvivor@
aol.com or 954-303-5960.

As most of you are probably aware, it is traditional to drop the ball in New York’s Times Square. I have often wondered about that. Why on Earth would we want to start the New Year by dropping something, unless, of course, we want to drop some of our old habits. But, I have to tell you that, rather than seeing that ball drop, I would much rather see it lifted higher and higher.

What was it that the old song said, “Your love is lifting me higher and higher than I’ve ever been lifted before.”

A very short time from now, we will be observing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. I can still hear the Psalm he quoted ringing in my ears: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come.” (Psalm 121:1)

For too long, people had been knocked down and treated like something less than human. For too long, people had been treated as slaves. For too long, people have wandered in the wilderness. They need to be lifted and they need to be lifted higher than ever before. It is going to require G-d’s help, but Martin Luther King Jr. knew something that many people seem to forget. We are G-d’s helpers, or at least, we should be.

That most famous of New Year’s Songs says, “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind…” Well, I disagree. I think we need to bring old acquaintances to mind… and not only bring them to mind, but forgive them and reconnect with them. In fact, I believe we should lift them up.

Ask yourself, “Why am I here?”

My favorite troubadour, James Taylor wrote, “…me and Melissa, well, we fell out of love, ran out of luck, seems like lightning struck. I’ve been thinking of leaving, but I can’t raise a buck. James I’m wondering could I borrow your truck?”

This lyrical request is coming from an old friend who James had long lost touch with. So, you might be wondering how James Taylor answers this old acquaintance’s request. Let me share the next part of the song with you as Sweet Baby James writes: “…that’s why I’m here, got no better reason; that’s why I’m standing before you; that’s why I’m here.”

Wow, James gets it … and I have to tell you that I am lifted every time I hear him sing. The other day, someone asked me what my job as a Chaplain entailed and, before I could get a word in edgewise, someone else in the room said, “He is here to lift us up.” And, at that point, all I could add was, “You, too, are here to lift people up.” May we all use the unique gifts that G-d gave us to lift up someone who is down … and, with each other’s help, may we be able to lift them higher and higher.

Shalom My Friends,

Rabbi Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of Health Care settings in the area including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.

Two men who were accomplices in an illegal gun sale that ended in a suspect’s death have now been charged with murder.

Johnny Wright, 23, died Tuesday afternoon after he pointed a gun at undercover law enforcement officers and was fired upon by a BSO deputy and a Coral Springs Police officer. Jean Marcel Coulanges and Elvence Saint Aulien arrived in Saint Aulien’s car, apparently planning to steal the money that undercover officers were paying them for three guns.

At one point, Coulanges pointed a rifle at the undercover deputy as they attempted to steal the money. Wright pointed a handgun at officers as he fled on foot, at which time he was shot and mortally wounded.

Coulanges, 18, of Coral Springs and Saint Aulien, 19 of Margate were booked at BSO’s main jail, charged with first degree murder, and will be held without bond.

Noah Flegel (R) with coach Dean LaVelle. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Noah Flegel doesn’t mind leaving the other competitors in his wake.

The 14-year-old Lighthouse Point teenager has won two world championships and capped off his stellar year with being named Sports Illustrated for Kids 2011 ‘SportsKid of the Year’. He graces the cover of the December magazine.

“It is really cool to look at yourself on the cover of a magazine,” said Flegel, an 8th grade honor student at North Broward Prep. “It is really neat. I think it is really good for the sport, especially since we are trying to get wakeboarding into the Olympics. It should definitely help for that. It has really been good for me and really good for the wake-boarding industry. It’s been a really cool opportunity.”

Flegel said he wasn’t sure what his chances were. However, as he was named Top 10 and then Top 3, he thought he had a pretty good chance.

“I was really excited when I heard I had made it to the Top 3,” said Flegel, who said he and his North Broward Prep classmates were checking the Internet between periods the day the magazine was announcing the Top 3.

“We were all screaming when we saw it,” said Flegel, who was waterskiing at the age of 3. Not bad for someone who saw other kids wakeboarding in the Interacostal and thought it might be a fun sport to try.

Noah and his brother Keenan had to wait for their opportunity. They became Dean La-Velle’s first clients some eight years ago. LaVelle said he saw enormous potential in the brothers, but had to wait his turn. Keenan, 16, has since gone on to wake surfing and has won a world title two years ago.

“A couple of years ago, Noah really took off,” said LaVelle, who also trained pro wake-boaders Steel Lafferty and Raimi Merritt. “He would learn a good bit, but he literally wouldn’t ride all winter because he would rather go surfing. They are actually big time surfers. They would just wakeboard when they need to. In the last couple of years, he started to stay out more and ride his wakeboard. It keeps him current on everything that is out there.”

“The one thing I would like to pass on to these aspiring athletes is to make the uncomfortable … comfortable,” added LaVelle, a six-time world champion. “Noah does this so smooth and quick. He is going to be with the top, top guys and be one of the best in the sport ever.”

Among his wakeboarding stops was Milan, Italy last year where he won the International World Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) world title. Flegel said he never thought he would be landing so many difficult tricks, including landing a 900-degree spin, but now has his sights on a pro career.

“I had no clue,” said Flegel, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the 14-18 age division.

“I thought it would be something fun to do and keep us out of trouble and not bored. My friends are really excited for me. I want to go as far as I can take it, but I want to keep having fun. Hopefully, I can become pro and do well.”

Flegel also gives back, part of the family values his parents, Todd and Kirsten, have instilled in him.

“We went to an orphanage in El Salvador during a recent surf trip and donated a bunch of money and played with the kids,” Flegel said. “We just hung out with them for the day.”

“We also feed the homeless. We try to do it every month at a local church here. We just all prepare a bunch of food and then go serve it. We give them lunch and a little bag. It is really cool to help people out, especially knowing how hard it is for them.”

Flegel was honored recently at his school with an assembly where he received a Sports Illustrated for Kids varsity jacket and a poster of the cover. The humble Flegel said it was a nice touch.

“It was really cool,” Flegel said. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me, even better than winning a competition!”

Noah Flegel has won two world wakeboarding titles and graces the December cover of Sports Illustrated for Kids after being named the 2011 ‘SportsKid of the Year.’ Photo by Gary Curreri

In the summer of 2009, I wrote an article about Jim McNalis and his statue of “The Lady,” Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who was finally released in 2010 from a nearly two decade imprisonment by the country of Myanmar (Burma). Jim was granted an audience Dec. 28.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

You know you got to go through hell before you get to Heaven.

– “Jet  Airliner,” Steve Miller Band

This song lyric best summarizes my thoughts about 2011.

This year, I faced the devilish dark soul of show business, yet have been saved by the grace of so many Back Stage Angels: volunteers at Mega-Con, PBIFF, Spooky Empire, FLIFF, the Geeks of Comedy, C.J. Comics and anyone who purchased The Adventures of Cinema Dave in the Florida Motion Picture World.

While celebrity scandal and divorce made mainstream headlines, Florida was blessed with visitation by many Class Acts: Max Winkler, Kyra Schon, Doris Roberts, Jon Provost, Pamela Poitier, Orianthi, Pat Novak, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Danny Murphy, Doug Jones, Steve Hunter, Tommy Hen-riksen, John Hamblin, Chuck Garric, Peter Ford, Dennis Farina, Barry S. Anderson and The Amazing Randi.

2011 Top films, in reverse alphabetical order: X-Men: First Class, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Muppets, Midnight in Paris, Hugo, The Help, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Artist.

Honorable Mention: War Horse, Soul Surfer, The Rum Diary, Into the Abyss, Insidious, Happy Feet 2, Gains-bourg: A Heroic Life, Drive, Dolphin Tale and Born to be Wild 3-D.

The Oscars are set for Feb. 26. Look for Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs and the movie Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

Warner Brothers is projected to be King of the Box Office next year, based on two movies: The Dark Knight Rises (opens July 2012) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opens 12-14-12, a week before the “end of the world” on 12-21-12, according to the Mayan Calendar. Although, world-renowned magician and hoax debunker James Randi predicts, “The end of the world will not happen.”

So we can rest easy, and I can expect to write another 52 columns.

Dear Reader, thank you for your interest in Flicks, which now begins its 13th year with The Observer.

War vs. Human Needs discussion

Thursday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.

Century Village, 159 Keswick C , Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

No fee, hat passed. R.S.V.P. required. For info contact: bobbende@gmail.com.

Cove Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Thursday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.

529 SE 13 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

R.S.V.P. and questions: DFBCove@gmail.com.

Luminotti plays The Wishing Well

Friday, Jan. 6, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

111 SE Mizner Blvd. , Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Ease into the new year with classic rock band Luminotti, playing favorites from the ‘70s and beyond. 561-750-5208.

Volunteer Day

Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.

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

Held by Friends of the Deerfield Beach Arboretum. Bring your own work gloves. Will supply water and lunch. 954-480-4494 or Jerry@ treezoo.com.

Tedder Flea Market

Saturday, Jan. 7, 8 a.m. to noon

Parkway UMC, 100 NE 44 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33064

Monthly Flea Market & More! Call about space availability – 954-942-8310. Sponsored by Tedder Neighborhood Watch & Parkway UMC.

Relay for Life fundraiser

Saturday, Jan. 7, 1 to 5 p.m.

Shoppes of Hillsboro , 2221 W. Hillsboro Blvd. , Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Get info on Relay for Life. Hosted by Team Jazzercise. Silent auction. Blood mobile on site. Vendors: $50 for booth, plus raffle gift. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society.

Deerfield Beach Green Market

Sunday, Jan. 8, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Cove Shopping Center, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Theme is health, beauty and wellness. Food items, valuable information, demonstrations and products. 954-480-4430 or www.DeerfieldBeachGreenMarket.com.

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, Jan. 8, 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.

Deerfield Beach Democratic Club meets

Monday, Jan.  9, 2 p.m.

Century Village Activity Center, 3501 W. Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: The Hon. Mike Satz (State Attorney). 954-415-5658.

Pompano Beach Garden Club meets

Monday, Jan. 9, 12:30 p.m.

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

Scott Bryan from Secret Woods Park will talk about “The Good and Bad Fungus among Us.” Refreshments will be served. 954-943-2699.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Wednesday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to noon

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

Weekly Caregiver Support Group every Wednesday. 954-480-4460.

We all love new stuff.  We love that new car, new house, new watch, new shirt, or really a new anything. We love to put that word “new” in front of a word because it changes the meaning of what it really is (at least in our own minds, it becomes something special).

That new thing we get as a gift or buy with our own money gets our special attention. We treat those new things with tender loving care (TLC). Since we all say “Happy New Year,” I want to challenge you to treat the NEW decisions you make for your life with tender loving care. This is a new year, and we are going to make new decisions for our lives so we better choose wisely.

I said this last year, and it is worth repeating again this year, so please stop! Stop!  Do not do it! Please do not make a New Year’s resolution. New Year resolutions do not last and we typically do not follow through with them. Almost half of every American makes a New Year’s resolution and only 8 percent of them actually keep them. New Year’s resolutions are really a waste of time and something not really intended to be permanent. If we truly want to change anything in our lives to make things better, we would be better off asking God to help us change the things we want different in our lives.

HEBREWS 4:16

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There, we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

NLT

God is always working on us to help change the things that we need to change and want to change. It is not just a one-time quick fix; it is something that takes place repeatedly. We give ourselves to God once, but we need to transform and renew our lives for Him constantly.

If we want to be successful on a new diet or getting rid of a bad habit that we have, we really need God to help us. The best thing for us to do is develop new habits in our lives, so we receive the desired results we are looking for.

Making a New Year’s resolution is us thinking there is always a way out, or it is OK if we fail. However, allowing God to help us is the beginning of us starting something new that we are going to be doing for the rest of our lives.

In order for us to change things in our lives, we have to change the way we live our lives. In order for us to change the way we live our lives, we have to change what we say and do. In order for us to change the things we say and do, we need God to help us make our changes permanent and not temporary.

Please do not make a New Year’s Resolution and instead allow God to change the way you think for results that last a lifetime.

Pastor Tony Guadagnino

Christian Love Fellowship Church

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 31 A man reported that his work van parked at 964 S. Deerfield Ave., was broken into, and $1,683 in tools were stolen.

Jan. 1 A man was arrested and charged with grand theft. He stole $381.40 worth of merchandise from Target at 1200 S. Federal Hwy.

Jan. 2 A man stole beer from a 7-11 store at 1900 S. Powerline Rd. The man escaped in a car.

Jan. 2 Two cars were broken into at 4131 NE 2 Ave. The cars were ransacked. It was reported that nothing was taken from one car. A gift card was taken from another car.

Jan. 2 A home at 1110 SW 6 Ave. was broken into. Three flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer, two gaming systems, 40 to 50 games and jewelry were stolen. Total value of the items stolen was estimated at $10,000.

Jan. 2 A woman asked a woman who she was sharing an apartment with to leave the apartment at 167 SW 1 Terr. The woman broke into the other woman’s car and stole an iPad. She then fled.

Jan. 2 At La Quinta Inns & Suites, 351 W. Hillsboro Blvd., a man approached another man and asked for a cigarette. When the other man tried to get a cigarette, the man took the other man’s wallet containing $950. The man who stole the wallet had been observed in the hotel’s lobby during the day.

Jan. 2 A fenced compound of a warehouse at 260 NW 1 St. was broken into and a soda vending machine was stolen.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Dec. 15 A man reported his vehicle parked at 2446 NE 20 Ave. broken into and money stolen.

Dec.15 A man reported that a five-piece sterling set, jewelry and a boat motor were stolen from his home at 2860 Marina Circle. He believes his daughter stole the items. The man found some of the items at Value Pawn and asked that a hold be placed on the transaction. This request was honored.

Dec.15 A man reported that his wife, who suffers from dementia, was missing. The report was made at 2330 NE 35 St. The woman was later found by Coconut Creek Police Department.