| August, 2012

Edwards wins prestigious camp award

Posted on 30 August 2012 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

Lighthouse Point’s Delaney Edwards enjoyed a stellar high school tennis season last year at Cardinal Gibbons and continued that torrid pace at the IMG Academy in Bradenton this past summer.

Edwards, 15, who will be a sophomore with the Broward Virtual School this year, trains locally at the Rineberg Tennis Training (RTT) Academy based in Deerfield Beach. She began playing tennis at age 4 and has had the same coach, Dave Rineberg, since she was 6.

“I have a full-time coach (Dave Rineberg) at home so IMG is just a good change once in a while,” Edwards said. “I like the competition they offer with all the international kids, and I also enjoy using their gym and the fitness program.”

Edwards was recently named the Gatorade “G Standout Award”/IMG Academy Athlete of the Week for tennis. This is a prestigious award handed out during IMG’s summer camp season to an athlete who displays heart, hustle and soul, exhibiting a true desire to reach their true athletic potential.

All IMG Bollettieri Tennis camps feature a core tennis academy program that is progressive and builds on each day and week by incorporating the “Bollettieri Method” aimed at individual improvement.

“I was happy when I got the award because it showed that my hard work there was noticed,” said Edwards, who returned last year after taking a year off because she was burned out. “It also represented a start for a comeback.”

Edwards said her best memory from her high school season was when she decided to join the Chiefs during mid season.

“It was a turning point for me because I wanted to get back to playing matches,” said Edwards, who teamed with Kristin Wiley to finish second in the state high school tourney in doubles last year. “It was also great to come back to school after states with a silver medal.”

Edwards’ immediate goals are to regain a top national ranking in the Girls 18s and earn some good results in upcoming tournaments. She doesn’t plan to return to high school tennis this season.

“I am hoping to play a few ITF tournaments, as well as two pro circuit events in September,” said Edwards, who also works with Dave Remple at RTT. “I haven’t really thought about my future goals since I just recommitted to tennis so, for now, I take it day by day … my coach always says ‘never look back, enjoy the moment, and always move forward.’”

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FLICKS: Robot & Frank; Gateway’s Classic Film Festival

Posted on 29 August 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Opening in theaters this weekend, Robot & Frank kicked off the 17th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival, becoming the audience favorite. A touch of drama with a slice of science fiction, Robot & Frank deals with many domestic issues in an entertaining way.

Frank (Frank Langella) is a retired jewel thief who lives in suburban New York. His children (played by James Marsden and Liv Tyler) fear that their father cannot live by himself, so they purchase a domestic robot to do his chores.

Feeling that this robot is crimping his style, especially when it comes to wooing a perky librarian (Susan Sarandon), Frank rejects the mechanical midget man. After a series of misadventures, Frank realizes that he can program a new partner in crime.

Langella plays a composite role of so many of his former characters, an educated man with many petty flaws that he does not acknowledge. Producers are devising an Oscar campaign for Langella’s balanced performance. Beyond good performances, Robot & Frank tells a good short story.

Among the theaters where this film is being shown is the Classic Gateway Theater, 1820 E Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304, where they are also holding their 1st Annual Classic Film Festival, August 31 through Sept. 27. Epic films to be shown include many films honored by the American Film Institute, films like Gone with The Wind, Citizen Kane, Some Like it Hot, The Wizard of Oz, China-town, West Side Story, North by Northwest, Shane, Annie Hall, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Singin’ in the Rain.

Arthur Friedman, the operating partner of the Classic Gateway and a lover of classic movies said, “Ever since I was a kid, I learned that the theatrical experience cannot be duplicated on television, video or any other new technology.

There’s something about being in a theatre with an audience, watching a great movie that is magical. Having an emotional experience – laughing or crying, being thrilled or just simply enjoying – together with family, friends, neighbors and the rest of the audience … is a feeling beyond words.”

Hopefully, attendance at this film fest will be good enough to create the 2nd Annual Classic Film Festival.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 29 August 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

August 20 A man was arrested and charged with grand theft. He entered Target at 1200 S. Federal Hwy. and stole meat, a suitcase and razors.

August 20 A woman reported that more than $1,000 was taken from her apartment at 702 SE 2 Ave. There was no sign of forced entry. The woman believes her ex-boyfriend took the money because he has a key to the apartment.

August 21 A man reported his residence at 5050 NE 10 Ave. broken into. He reported that a television, $5,000 worth of jewelry, and a gun were stolen.

August 23 A woman reported that her home at 4375 SW 10 Place was broken into and two laptop computers were stolen.

August 23 A man reported that his home at 2762 SW 14 Court was broken into and ransacked.

August 23 It was reported that a residence at 3478 Palladian Circle was broken into. A rear sliding door was smashed. Once inside, the individual stole a laptop, sports memorabilia, cash and jewelry.

August 23 A business at 100 S. Military Trail was burglarized by at least two men. They cut a hole in the roof, entered a safe, and stole $7,000 in currency and checks.

DEERFIELD BEACH – District 4

August 14 Residential burglary was reported in Crystal Heights on SW 12 Street at 2:27 a.m. – a several month time delay as victim is out of state. Unknown person pried open front door. Two flat screen TVs were stolen. Scene was processed. A locksmith secured the residence.

August 15 Auto theft was reported on S. Powerline Rd. at 1:04 p.m. Caller said the company truck, 1999 Ford F450, was last seen on August 8 parked in back of their building. There are no liens on the truck. Keys are located in the office. There were no suspects, witnesses.

Remember, if you see anything suspicious call 911 immediately.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

August 16 A woman reported that her car parked at 2411 NE 51 St. was entered and money in the car was taken.

August 16 It was reported that a car parked at 5220 NE 26 Ave. was entered and rummaged through.

• See more LHP crime at ObserverNewspaperOnline.com.

Burglary Arrests — LHP

August 22 at 1:24 p.m., Lighthouse Point Police Department arrested four males –19-year-old Jerquian Brown, 30-year-old Dominique Brown, 24-year-old Terrall Davis, and 21-year-old Terrence Wilkins — all from Boynton Beach – for armed burglary, after a concerned citizen reported suspicious persons in his ncighbor’s yard. Officers were dispatched after a subject was observed knocking on the front door of a residence and there was no answer. Two subjects were observed entering the backyard of this residence in the 3800 block of NE 22 Way. One subject was immediately taken into custody as he fled on foot from the location and was found to be armed with a .380 caliber handgun stolen during another residential burglary in Boynton Beach. The second subject also fled on foot and was apprehended a few blocks away.This subject was found to be in possession of a backpack containing a large quantity of jewelry and cash. The third and fourth subjects who participated as the driver and lookout fled in a vehicle were taken into custody after they were spotted fleeing the area. The suspects gave statements to investigators, which implicated them in two residential burglaries in Lighthouse Point and three residential burglaries in Deerfield Beach. Deerfield Beach detectives responded and were able to additionally charge the suspects with armed burglary. Citizen participation contributed significantly in the apprehension of these four suspects for armed burglary. “This is a great example of community involvement,’ said Lt. Jack Vaccaro, PIO.

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Letters to the Editor

Posted on 29 August 2012 by LeslieM

Not just a Number: An open letter of appreciation to a local, family-owned company

Dear Editor:

27 years ago I was fortunate to find not just employment in our community, but as it has turned out, an extended family in the very best sense of the word.

Being a single father of two boys, going through a 10-year bout with cancer, having the peace of mind that my job was not going to disappear was and is a great comfort. Recently, as my fight with cancer has escalated, the advantage once again of working in a family environment has hit home. I have been and continue to be truly blessed. I can only hope that my company and others like it will continue to survive and thrive – not only for our local economy, but for our nation’s ways that so many gave their last best measure to preserve. (I am a Vietnam Veteran.)

The life I have enjoyed and those of my fellow employees could not have been possible without the values and compassion missing from the heartless corporate world.

Thank you J. P. Miller & Sons for always being there.

Sincerely,

John W. Cox

Deerfield Beach

 

1982 Deerfield High reunion coming in October

Dear Editor:

I am currently on the class of the 1982 Deerfield Beach High School 30-year reunion committee. Many of the students and teachers of the class of 1982 are still living here in Florida. Our reunion is planned for Oct. 5 and 6 and we want to get the word out to individuals we have not been able to contact. For more information, call 561-223-3935 or email dbhsclassof82@gmail.com.

Lori Steinmetz

Coconut Creek

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 29 August 2012 by LeslieM

Greater Pompano Beach Republican Club

Thursday, August 30 – 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

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

Broward County Field Director, Scott Spages, will talk about limited government, fiscal restraint, and free market principles. Come meet Adam Hasner, who is running for Congressman for District 22. Discuss with fellow Republicans the movie “2016,” now in theaters.

 

Green Market at FAU opens

Thursday, August 30 – 4 to 8 p.m.

FAU Stadium Plaza, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

FREE. Held each Thursday this fall semester. Kickoff theme: “A Day at the Beach.” Bring beach chairs and umbrellas to this event, which will feature organic foods, musical entertainment and various outdoor activities around the stadium. Ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. For more information, call 561-297-0197.

 

Final Meet to Beat the Heat

Saturday, Sept. 1 – 6 to 8 p.m.

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

Free food, ice cream, sheriff safety info. Bible trivia and children’s activities. 954-427-0222. (One-year anniversary of Saturdays at Six!)

 

Sample-McDougald House Tours

Monday, Sept. 3 – noon to 5 p.m.

Sample-McDougald House, 450 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The historic 1916 House will be open to the public for tours. $5 (includes guided tour and light refreshments.) For info., call 954-691-5686.

 

Pompano Beach Highlands Civic Improvement Assn. Mtg.

Tuesday Sept. 4 – 7 p.m.

Pompano Highlands Park, 1650 NE 50 Ct., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Speaker: Kimberly Spill, City of Pompano Bch. Emergency Manager. All are welcome. For information, call 954-933-6393, email: pbhighlands@gmail.com or visit www.pbhighlands.org.

 

Volunteers needed at NE Focal Point

The NE Focal Point Senior Center, located at 227 NW 2 St. (Eller Street), Deerfield Beach, is in need of volunteers at the Senior Center reception desk and in the Thrift Shop office to answer telephones and perform some clerical activities. Call Claire Riccardi, Volunteer Coordinator, at 954-480-4447 for more information and registration.

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CLERGY CORNER: Prepare or panic

Posted on 29 August 2012 by LeslieM

In the book of Ecclesiastes, it says that there is a time for everything under the sun.

There is a time to prepare, a time to practice, a time to take the test, a time to maneuver obstacles, but I do not see a time to panic or a time to live in fear.

God has a plan and a time for things in our lives, and He does not need us adding anything to His plan like fear or panic. God did not say that we would never have storms in our lives, but He did promise to be with us through our storms in life. We must learn to trust Him and know that we can make it through with Him by our side. Remember that God will not allow us to go through anything we cannot handle.\

Proverbs 17:22

22: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. NLT

When storms come, we must prepare for them because if we are not prepared, we will panic. Please do not prepare and panic. If you spend the time to prepare for the storms in your life, then why would you waste your time in fear of the storms? If you pray, then you should believe what you prayed for and, if you are not going to believe, then why pray? Every storm we go through helps prepare us for the next one that will come if we learn from our experiences. Every storm should bring us closer to God and enable us to trust and rely on Him more and more. Fear, mistrust and panic will crush our spirit and God wants better than that for us. A broken spirit will take your strength and crush you, but being cheerful, content and happy will, like good medicine, make you feel better.

Jeremiah 29:11

11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV

God is the one who has the plans for our lives and we need to follow His plans. We need to submit our lives to His will and obey His rules, not just the ones that do not interfere with our plans.

If there were a hurricane coming, it would do no good to only board up half of your house. You would be unprepared for the storm. When we take our eyes off God and put our eyes on the storm, we get distracted. Fear and panic are distractions in our lives and those distractions produce delays in what God has for us. Some things that distract us are:

· Television; sports and entertainment

· Material extremes – an overindulgence in anything will become a distraction

· Storms in life – whether a hurricane or a spiritual storm

· Work, when placed above God and commitments we made to God

Prepare for every storm in life by getting your house ready for a hurricane and getting your body and spirit ready for God’s plan for your life.

Pastor Tony Guadagnino

Christian Love Fellowship Church

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TS Isaac–schools closed Monday–Broward & Palm Beach

Posted on 25 August 2012 by JLusk

      Due to the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Isaac in Broward County, all Broward County public schools and District offices will be CLOSED on Monday,  August 27, 2012. **Palm Beach County Schools also closed.

        District officials are in contact and monitoring the storm’s track with Broward Emergency Management officials. While the storm’s impact is not fully known, officials agree there is the risk and potential for heavy rain and possible flooding throughout Broward County and high winds, which may cause power outages.  

        Information and updates will be shared with the public and the media as soon as available. Parents, students and BCPS employees will receive information via ParentLink (robot calls). Updates and information will also be provided via Twitter, Facebook, BCPS Rumor Control Hotline (754-321-0321), BECON-TV and local media.

        As soon as the storm passes, District officials and staff will assess any damages and conditions of schools, administrative sites and the safety of roadways. Following this assessment on Monday, a decision will be made about the resuming classes and normal operations on Tuesday. This information will be posted and shared as soon as available.

 

 

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After a storm, with power knocked out ; Getting your business back online

Posted on 22 August 2012 by LeslieM

By Jim Lusk

After a storm passes through, there are a few things you can do to temporarily restore phone service and Internet access, as well as power up your equipment until all the services are back. Yes, it is possible to answer your business phones and have Internet access the day after a major hurricane without power.

PHONE SERVICE

There are three types of phone service: regular hardwired, cable service and VOLP. If you have regular traditional ATT phone lines, they supply their own power and do not require electricity to operate with a portable single or two-line phone. You can forward your numbers to a cell phone if you have call forward remotely, but when the cell tower runs out of fuel your back where you started.

Instructions:

First, unplug line 1 and 2 from your phone system box.
Plug the phone wire into a regular home phone.
If you have multiple lines and want 2 lines working, you can pick up a 2-line phone at most stores, and if both lines are on one cable, plug it into the line 1 and 2 jack on the phone or you can buy or bring two separate old fashioned phones using one for each line.
Buy a 100’ regular phone extension cord for each phone to let you move the phones to your operating location.

INTERNET ACCESS

Depending on your provider, you may not have an Internet connection with a power outage at your location. There are several factors that control cable services. Locations that have cable broadband need transfer stations along the route to amplify the signal and keep it strong, so if power is out at any of those stations, it will take out your service. Comcast has made many improvements since Wilma and they have generators but it still could take some time for an area-wide blackout. If their service is hot, you will need only to supply the modem with power from a generator.

T1 and DSL service will most likely stay up but will require powering the modems as well with a generator or inverter from a vehicle. If you don’t have a generator and have a laptop with a car charger, you can have Internet service by using one of the dial-up services that offer a free trial and hook up to your office or home phone line . I have confirmed that AOL offers one and also Net Zero.

Instructions:

Download software from one of the free providers onto your machine or burn it on a disk and put it in a safe place in case you need it.
Make sure you have a phone cord extension to plug into your machine.
Plug up the phone line to the machine (I used our line 4 after Wilma and had Line 1 and 2 hooked to a Radio Shack 2 line phone so we could answer calls, make calls to find our staff and work online at the same time).

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Apocalpse wins state-record fifth title

Posted on 22 August 2012 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

Fittingly, when the Florida Flag Football League State Championship (FFFL) in Melbourne concluded, the team left standing was the Pompano Beach-based Apocalypse team.

James Panui, Quinton McLendon and Derrick Brown each scored touchdowns as Apocalypse defeated the Palm Beach Knights, 19-7, to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive FFFL state title recently in Melbourne, FL.

Apocalypse surpassed the previous record of four consecutive victories held by Palace Saloon of Tallahassee. Following the tournament, Brown was inducted into the Florida Flag Football Hall of Fame.

“All the credit for this championship goes to Tony Walton, our linebacker and defensive coordinator,” said Apocalypse coach Craig Miller. “Our offense was sputtering and not as high-octane as in the past. Our defense kept us out of the fire. Tony won MVP for the tournament.”

Playing a double elimination tournament against the best flag football teams in the state, Apocalypse defeated four teams to win it all. The local squad defeated the Impact (Orlando), 23-12; Ruff Ryders (Miami), 20-18, and the Palm Beach Knights, 24-12, to advance to the finals where it defeated the Palm Beach Knights again. It marked the second year in a row that Apocalypse defeated the Palm Beach Knights in the championship game.

Local headed to paralympic games

Pompano Beach resident and 41-year-old double amputee Bradley Johnson left this weekend for London where he will compete in the Paralympic Games as a member of the 2012 U.S. National Sailing Team.

After finishing his undergraduate degree in criminology in 1992, Johnson had his eyes set on attending law school at the University of Florida (UF). However, his life took a dramatic turn the day he took his law school entrance exams. While traveling on I-75, his automobile hydroplaned and slammed into a guardrail, which severed Johnson’s left leg below- the-knee and right leg above-the-knee. However, Johnson didn’t let the accident deter him from achieving his dreams as he went on to obtain his law degree from UF in 1997.

In 1999, while at the Hanger Clinic for a prosthetic follow-up appointment, Johnson saw an ad for the National Disabled Summer Games hosted by Disabled Sports U.S.A; this compelled him to seek out a viable sport in which to compete with the objective of achieving Paralympic glory. Johnson then took up sitting volleyball and competed in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

It was there he was introduced to the U.S. Sailing Team coaches. Upon returning to the states, Johnson, who has always had a passion for the water, went on to join a sailing team and compete in the 2004 Paralympic Games. He took home a bronze medal!

In addition to chasing his Paralympic dreams, Johnson is a practicing attorney, an advocate for equal rights for individuals with physical disabilities and a motivational speaker.

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FLICKS: The Expendables 2 & Free Men

Posted on 22 August 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

With slightly less momentum than the original flick, The Expendables 2 opened strong with a nearly $29 million opening weekend – more than double ParaNorman (which is an underrated motion picture for families). While all the leading men have seen better days, there is no denying the fun that percolates through the silver screen.

Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his team of mercenaries called the Expendables (Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Liam Hemsworth, Randy Couture) are recruited by Church (Bruce Willis) for a mission. When one of the Expendables is killed by master terrorist villain (Jean-Claude Van Damme), the Expendables plan payback.

Eventually, Chuck Norris and Arnold Schwarzenegger join the Expendables to root out the villainous villain. As the action commences, Director Simon West is wise enough to frame Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis and Norris in a single shot.

The action is loud, graphic and over-the-top; yet, it fulfills its entertaining purpose. Think of The Expendables 2 as a modern-day Gene Autry/Roy Rogers Saturday matinee cowboy flick, minus the singing around the campfire.

Lacking the automatic assault rifles of the modern era, Free Men is a World War II drama with quiet action. A French film with English subtitles, Free Men is based on real life incidents involving Muslims and Jews.

Younes is a young Muslim black-marketeer who becomes an informer for Nazi police. As Jewish immigrants are rounded up, Younes sees his income diminishing. When he consults with the head of his Mosque, Si Kaddour Ben Ghabrit (Michael Lonsdale), Younes learns that his mentor is harboring political criminals, Jewish refugees.

In direct contrast to The Expendables 2, Free Men is a simple film with complex character motives. It is a good movie that will be remembered for Lonsdale’s dignified performance as a humanitarian hero, which is ironic since he is best known for his role as a James Bond villain in Moonraker.

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