| June, 2012

Local skater hopes for Olympics

Posted on 27 June 2012 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach’s Briley Pizzelanti hopes her Italian heritage will lead her to an Olympic medal someday in figure skating.

The 16-year-old Pizzelanti, who recently completed her sophomore year at Boca Prep International School, has a goal of getting her Italian citizenship, getting on the Italian national team and doing some competitions for them in the junior division.

“Hopefully, I will do really well for them and then maybe compete for them at the senior level and then go to Worlds in the junior and the senior division,” said Pizzelanti, who won the Junior Ladies Freestyle (Unrestricted) Division at the Sunshine State Games Figure Skating competition at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs.

“I’d like to make the Olympics someday,” Pizzelanti said. “I love skating so much. It is such a big part of my life and, to be able to go out and skate for my country, would be amazing.”

Pizzelanti said her school schedule (10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) enables her to skate more.

“It helps a lot,” Pizzelanti said. “I am able to skate for two hours in the morning and then an hour in the afternoon. I am also able to do dryland training.

“I love everything about skating. I love being able to train really, really hard all year and then be able to go out and show everyone what I have been practicing and how hard I have been practicing all year.”

Pizzelanti, who has been skating since she was 4, struggled in the warm-ups and was noticeably upset prior to her routine. She was able to put it all behind her and skate a clean program.

“I have been working a lot on that the last couple of years,” Pizzelanti said. “My mom has also coached me on that. She says whenever you have mistakes in the warmup, the competition is a totally different event and you can’t go by what you did in the warm-up.”

There were nearly 400 skaters from around the state – the largest competition ever in the Games. “The numbers of skaters from Florida and the southeast who competed last year at the regionals was extremely large,” said Betty Stark, who has served as sports director for figure skating at the Games for the past 26 years. “I think that has helped the sport gain exposure.”

“It has highlighted the sport and now people are saying those kids from Florida are good,” Stark added. “The coaches are doing a great job and the level of skating over the years has really improved.”

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FLICKS: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted & Brave

Posted on 27 June 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

As the locally-produced Rock of Ages floats into Summertime box office oblivion, it seems as if you have to be a team of superheroes (Marvel’s The Avengers) or animated characters (Madagascar 3, Brave) to have any box office traction this summer.

Released three weeks ago, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted finds our heroes, Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) and Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) enjoying the easy life living in Africa.

Yet, the four friends miss their zoo in Manhattan. Consulting with the penguins, the four heroes revamp their makeshift aeroplane and decide to cross the Atlantic.

Of course, things go wrong and the four friends crash land in a Monte Carlo Casino. The intrepid Captain Chantel Du Bois (Frances McDormand) gives chase … and chase … and chase … until the film’s conclusion.

The visuals are fantastic and Chris Rock’s one-liners are being quoted on the street. Children will be engaged for the hour and a half, but adults will be checking their watches.

Brave is Disney/Pixar’s 13th release. Given this partnership’s box office returns and Oscars on the shelf, one feels a sense of diminishing returns with Brave.

Set in mythical Scotland, Princess Merida (Kelly MacDonald) is an un-ladylike tomboy, much to the displeasure of the queen (Emma Thompson). Seeking to enhance the bonds between the three regimes, t h e k i n g ( B i l l y C o n n o l y ) o f f e r s h i s daughter’s hand in marriage. The clichés kick in and with a spoonful of supernatural occurrences, it makes for an entertaining afternoon for mothers and daughters.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 27 June 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

June 23 A man reported that his neighbor stole his van from 1480 SW 11 Way.

June 23 A man reported being pushed to the ground by a man who then stole his gold chain. The incident took place at 1100 SW 1 Way.

June 24 It was reported that a motorcycle was stolen from Public Storage at 3350 SW 10 St.

June 24 It was reported that a home was burglarized at 511 NE 45 Court. The interior of the home was checked and no items were missing.

June 24 A man was arrested and charged with forgery of a credit card and grand theft. He used a fake credit card in an attempt to deprive West Marine of $1,749.48 worth of merchandise. The incident was reported at 110 Federal Hwy.

DEERFIELD – District 4

June 4-5 Conveyance burglary was reported in the Gates of Hillsboro on NW 2 Court between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Unknown subject smashed drivers window and drivers rear window and ransacked the vehicle. However, nothing was taken.

June 4 Auto theft took place at the Pine Tree Apartments at 500 Lock Rd. between 12 and 5 a.m. Unknown person stole company work vehicle from Pine Tree Apartment parking lot. Vehicle contained about $40,000 in tools that were stolen. Detective was on scene. Vehicle was entered in TTY.

Remember, if you see anything suspicious call 911 immediately.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

June 14 The manager of a CVS store said he saw a man place a canister of mineral ice valued at $18.99 in a bag and leave the store without paying. The manager said he could have taken other items. The man left in car. Incident was reported at 3580 N. Federal Hwy.

June 16 A woman reported lawn equipment stolen from her home at 2800 NE 46 St. Estimated value of the equipment was $1,000.

June 17 A husband and wife reported their home at 2131 NE 33 St. burglarized. Drawers were rummaged through. A debit card was stolen and used at a gas station. Two watches and earrings were also stolen.

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 27 June 2012 by LeslieM

BSO Checkpoint

Thursday, June 28 – 6 to 10 p.m.

1300 block S. Dixie Highway, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

BSO will be conducting a checkpoint inspecting vehicles for defective safety equipment, drivers’ licenses, registration and proof of insurance.

 

Upscale yard sale & boutique

Saturday, June 30 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2700 NE 36 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

New and gently-used items, chic assortment of clothing for adults & children, jewelry, paintings, books, etc. Benefits Chrysalis Healthcare, Inc. 954-943-9154.

 

About Boating Safety Course

Saturday, June 30 – 8 a.m.

Dixon Ahl Recreation Center, 2200 NE 38 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Held by United Coast Guard Aux. Flotilla 3-7. $45 includes material and lunch. Meets requirements for the Florida’s Boater Education Identification and Card, required for all boaters born after Jan. 1, 1998. Info: 954- 557-0582.

 

Bill Elliott Birthday Celebration

Saturday, June 30 – 5-11 p.m.

304 NE 1 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

LIVE music, raffle and prizes. Proceeds benefit The William Elliott Education Fund and provide travel expense for the Elliott family while honoring him at The Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, CO. Contact: rohm003@comcast.net.

 

Percy White Book Nook: 14 Days of Freedom

Monday, July 2 to Monday, July 16 – library hours

Percy White Library, 837 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Buy one item, get a second item of equal or lesser value free! All books, DVD, VHS, Children’s, audiobooks, jewelry and misc. 954-360-1380

 

 

4th of July Fun!

Pompano Beach

Beach Bash & Fireworks Extravaganza

Wednesday, July 4, 10 a.m. beach bash begins

Pompano Beach Fishing Pier, 222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Fireworks Extravaganza Begins at 9 p.m. Watermelon eating contest, relay races, arts and crafts projects, airbrush and glitter tattoos, bounce houses and LIVE entertainment! For more information, call 954-786-4111.

 

Boca Raton

Fabulous 4th at FAU

Wednesday, July 4 – 6:30 p.m. start

Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

Festivities (including kids activities and games) begin at 6:30 p.m., “Boogie Brothers Band” at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. For more information, call 561- 393-7806, #2.

 

West Boca Raton

July 4th Celebration

Wednesday, July 4, 6:30 p.m.

Sunset Cove Amphitheater, 12551 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33498

Free concert by Whitestone Band with hits from 50s-70s. Fireworks by Zambelli. Picnic baskets and lawn chairs permitted. No pets, BBQs or personal fireworks.

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CLERGY CORNER: We are bound together

Posted on 27 June 2012 by LeslieM

If you look up the word “Independence” in the dictionary, you might find an archaic definition showing that the word refers to someone who is competent, someone who is able.

Of course, if you look up a very similar word – “independent,” you are more likely to see what you thought the other word independence meant: “not subject to control by others.” Then again, in Merriam Webster, you might also read “not bound by or committed to a political party.” Wow, there’s a definition of the word that probably surprises you.

I have been talking to a lot of people about this great country of ours lately, and, as I have done so, I have heard far too many people who are totally and utterly bound to a particular political party, much to the detriment of the entire country.

As a Rabbi, I cannot help but compare July 4th to the Exodus story in the Bible. You see, the story of the Exodus wasn’t just about personal freedom. It was about national freedom, and, while we rejoice in that great American document, the Declaration of Independence, July 4th isn’t just about individual independence. It is much more a celebration of our achieving national independence.

We, the American People, achieved independence from British tyranny. We no longer had to rely on Britain or British Rule. A new nation, a great nation, was born. But it is only if the various states of our nation, and the populace of each of those states, realize that it is what binds us together that makes the difference.

In the third verse of the Shema, we read about the Tzitzit, the fringes that are to be worn on the corners of our garments. When we read about the Tzitzit, we traditionally gather the fringes together in one hand. Let this be a reminder that, on this 4th of July (while we watch the fireworks displays together, whether we are white, black, yellow or brown … Jew, Christian, Muslim or Atheist … having come here from all corners of the Earth), we should focus less on our differences and more on what binds us together.

Let us think of Betsy Ross. She didn’t tear the material for the flag apart. No, she took individual pieces of material, separated by size, shape and color, and she sewed them. She bound them together.

Oddly enough, rather than Independence Day, perhaps we should be celebrating In-Dependence Day, for each one of us is a part of those Stars and Stripes – the Red, White and Blue … and maybe it is time for us to admit that we are dependent on one another, and this great country is dependent on each and every one of us.

As Neil Diamond wrote, “On a boat or on a plane, they’re coming to America.” I have talked with many people from overseas and, let me tell you something, there are still many people around the world who have the dream that we or our ancestors or our ancestor’s ancestors had. They long to be able to come to America. They long to raise their hand. They long to recite the oath that enables them to proudly say, “I am an American,” and with those simple words, they will feel more freedom then they have ever known.

May G-d Bless each of us and may He Bless these United States of America. Shalom my friends and a very happy 4th of July.

Rabbi Craig H. 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.

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Shooting in Mayo Howard Park; suspect charged

Posted on 27 June 2012 by JLusk

  • Updated 6-28 1:04 a.m.
  • Roderick Tyrone Ferguson, 25 of Deerfield was arrested and charged
  • with first degree murder of  Glenn Thervil, 30, also of Deerfield over
  • cigarettes.

 

Just after 4p,m.  Wed., Jun 27 BSO were called to the park, at 1131 S.W. 11th Way, Deerfield Beach,

for reports of a shooting.  BSO arrived on scene with BSFR paramedics who pronounced the male victim dead.

The possible shooter appeared to have surrendered to BSO and was being held in the back of a cruiser .

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Pompano girl wins medal in Special Olympics

Posted on 20 June 2012 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach’s Christa Osmond, 17, earned a gold medal at the Florida Special Olympics State Equestrian Sports Championships held in Tampa recently at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

Osmond, who received a gold medal in dressage and a silver medal in the barrels event, was one of five athletes, all students in the therapeutic horseback riding program at Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida, based in Coconut Creek, to return home with a medal.

Making the trip to Tampa, along with student athletes, were coaches Alison Plaza, Horses and the Handicapped’s program director; Katie Baker, volunteer manager and riding i n s t r u c t o r ; and Mandy DeBord, executive director of Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida. Also making the trip were four horses: Jose, Hallory, Fred and Fire.

“We very proud of all our s t u d e n t a t h l e t e s w h o worked very hard to prepare for the state equestrian championships,” DeBord said. “They showed dedication and determination and were very impressive.”

The trip for the team was made possible through the support of veterinarian Dr. Jerry Rudnick and several volunteers. For more information about Horses and the Handicapped of S o u t h F l o r i d a , v i s i t www.handhmagic.org.

 

Sunshine Senior Softball League seeks players

The Sunshine Senior Softball League of Pompano Beach seeks players 55 years of age and older to participate in their Spring/Summer League. Games are on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Pompano 4-Field Complex on NE 10 Street in Pompano. Applications and information are available online at www.leaguelineup.com/sssfl or by calling Bart Grillo at 954-421-6892.

 

Soccer Camp

Simply Soccer will hold three additional summer camps in the city of Pompano. The dates are June 25- June 29, July 23-27 and August 13-17. 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, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. ($100 weekly); extended hours camp is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $125 each week; a Tiny Tot program is offered for kids ages 5 and 6

from 9 a.m. to noon for $55 weekly. Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information,

call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Department at 954-786-4119 or 954-786-4111.

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FLICKS: Rock of Ages & The Dictator

Posted on 20 June 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

When Rock of Ages began production in South Florida, I was happy that this film was boosting the local film industry. At the Buck’s 30-year reunion last summer, Don Abbatiello showed me pictures of his stunt work in the film. With this kind of perspective, it is hard to dislike Rock of Ages, much like it is hard to hate locally-filmed movies like Hoot, Caddyshack and Body Heat.

Rock of Ages is no Marvel’s The Avengers or Prometheus, but is a two-hour revival of 1980s MTV, complete with sizzling guitars and big hair Stealing some plot lines from Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musicals, Rock of Ages introduces us to a pretty blonde from Oklahoma, played by Julianne Hough.

She skips into Los Angeles and meets a young man her age played by Diego Boneta, a singer who works for the proprieters of The Bourbon Room (played by Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand). The Bourbon Room will host the final performance of Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise), a rock god who has seen better days.

Clichés pile up when socalled political conservatives (Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones) want to censor the heavy metal rock star and close down The Bourbon Room. The only cliché missing would be a Mickey Rooney cameo during the sappy climax.

The Dictator is a rude, crude and socially unacceptable contrast to Rock of Ages. This is another politically incorrect comedy from Sacha Baron Cohen.

Unlike his serio-documentary comedies, The Dictator hires actors like Sayed Badreya, Ben Kingsley and Anna Faris, who hopefully know that they are playing fictitious characters. There are genuine belly laughs from the exhibitionist Cohen, but the laughs are more shocking than humorous.

Given the low budget of The Dictator, the film has earned back its production budget; it is doing better overseas than in America. Yet, one wonders if Cohen’s comedies have reached the point of diminishing returns, like Adam Sandler. Ten years ago, Adam Sandler was a box office god; his recent film, That’s My Boy, was a Father’s Day box office disaster last weekend.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 20 June 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

June 14 A break-in was reported at 538 NE 46 Court in the Breezy Hills Mobile Home Park. Nothing was reported stolen, but a bedroom was disturbed.

June 14 A man entered his home at 1331 S. Dixie Hwy. and saw that his brother’s laptop computer was missing. He then saw a man enter through the front door and throw his brother’s MetroPCS phone into the living room and flee.

June 15 A woman reported that her home at 831 NE 51 Court was broken into and a TV, Blu Ray player and Xbox were stolen. Estimated value of the stolen items was $1,668.

June 16 It was reported that 26 chargers were stolen from Crystal Lake Golf Club at 3810 Crystal Lake Dr. Estimated value of the chargers was $12,000.

June 16 A woman reported that her home at 225 SW 1 Terr. was entered and two window air conditioning units were taken.

June 17 It was reported that a man stole two air conditioning units from the rear of an apartment building at 651 NW 42 Court. Estimated value of the units was $2,500.

June 17 A women stopped at a Mobile station at 1200 W. Hillsboro Blvd. to purchase gas. She entered the station to pay for the gas. When she returned to her car, she noticed that her purse was missing. The purse contained cash, credit cards and a cell phone.

 

DEERFIELD – District 4

June 4-5 Conveyance burglary was reported on NW 38 Way, NW 5 Dr. (three vehicles), NW 3 Place, Gates of Hillsboro and Starlight Cove between 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Unknown suspect(s) entered five vehicles. Four of the vehicles were unlocked and, in the fifth, the suspect smashed the driver’s side window. iPod and laptop were missing.

 

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

June 6 It was reported that an altercation occurred between two women at the Publix Supermarket at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. One of the women was issued a trespass warning barring her from returning to the Publix. But she refused to sign the warning without consulting an attorney.

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Letters to the Editor

Posted on 20 June 2012 by LeslieM

Rash of truck thefts

Dear Editor:

I would like to reach out to all the residents in the area and let them be aware of the rash of auto thefts that have been occurring in the immediate vicinity. Two of my neighbors on opposite corners had their pick-up trucks stolen within weeks of one another and, last night, I became the latest victim of auto theft right from my own driveway.

I not only lost my work vehicle, but also the tools with which I make my living. The officer answering the call was polite and professional, letting me know that basically, there isn’t much they can do and the possibility of me recovering my truck and tools is slim to none.

I read the publication each issue [of the Observer] and enjoy all the information and recommendations your newspaper provides.

I believe you ran an article about how we can better protect ourselves in our own homes. Maybe you could re-issue a short reminder, as we head into the summer months, when many residents head out-of-town on vacation.

Let us all continue to look out for each other as a community. Even when we are home, we need to stay vigilant. Please remember to lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight. Always lock your vehicle and report any suspicious activity to the local police.

Dan O’Brien

Lighthouse Point

 

Enclave at Hillsboro Beach – request for support

Dear Editor:

Since 1923, Hillsboro Beach has hosted one of the nation’s premier private clubs with a location, facilities and membership of the highest caliber.

Currently, there is an opportunity for Hillsboro Beach to add another jewel in its crown, burnishing the town’s reputation as the prestigious and selective oasis of tranquility in South Florida.

An ultra-luxury destination boutique hotel and spa of the likes of a Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Waldorf-Astoria or Shangri-La strives for and maintains a low-impact serene and sophisticated presence. Focused on the majestic Atlantic Ocean, guests can enjoy seclusion, serenity and rejuvenation throughout the property, including its lush landscaping, pools and spa.

The property consists of 11.212 acres, stretching from the Intracoastal Waterway on the west, to the Atlantic Ocean on the east, with S.R. A-1-A approximately bisecting the property. Current zoning is RM-16. Applicant/property owner is requesting approval for up to 358 hotel rooms/suites.

In order to build and operate such an attractive complex, it would be necessary for the destination resort operation to have access to unrestricted water resources for the extremely lush and beautiful landscaping and green area required for such a project.

Therefore, it is proposed that the project would build, at no cost to the town, a desalination water plant designed for double the capacity of the existing town water plant. It is expected that because the source of this water is the Atlantic Ocean, an unlimited resource, that normal water restrictions which affect the rest of South Florida would not be applicable to the Town of Hillsboro Beach or its residents, resulting in a “Green Hillsboro” instead of a “Brown Hillsboro.” The project would contract to supply water to the town for 15 years without water rate increases, which the residents have been experiencing over the past few years.

It is proposed that this could be built behind the existing police dept. building, paying de-minimus rent, freeing up the existing town-owned water plant facility and saving the town the expense of further upgrades and replacements of that facility and the major water pipes running along Sample Road and under the Intracoastal. At the end of the 15-year contracted period, the desalination plant would be transferred to the town for free.

In addition, the project would guarantee to replace any utility supply lines required to be repaired or upgraded within the town during the life of the operation of the desalination plant at a savings to the town of at least 30 percent less than any other bidder, and would also install conduit for FPL electric lines to be buried at the time of any such repair or replacement (reducing problems of overhead electrical wire damage during storms).

John Kennelly

Hillsboro Beach

 

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