| October, 2012

FLICKS: FLIFF survives the Bahamas & brings celebrities home

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

As we watched Hurricane Sandy, the 27th Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival presented Giancarlo Esposito with his Career Achievement Award in Grand Bahama Island, after much improvisation. Due to Sandy’s wind and rain, outdoor festivities were moved indoors.

The celebrity focus moves locally this weekend. Oscarnominated for Baby Doll, actress Carroll Baker will attend a screening Sunday night at Cinema Paradiso of But Not For Me, costarring Clark Gable. After the screening, Carroll will be interviewed by Professor Hirsch and will talk about her work in such classics as Giant, How the West Was Won, Ironweed and Kindergarten Cop.

Carroll’s daughter Blanche Baker will likely be in attendance. An Emmy Award-winner for Best Supporting actress for the miniseries Holocaust, Blanche has an impressive resume within her own right. She wrote, directed and stars in the title role in Ruth Madoff Occupies Wall Street, a short subject that will be screened Saturday night at the Sunrise Civic Center.

Tonight at 9 p.m., Director Julia Dyer and actress Molly Parker will bring The Playground to Muvico Pompano. Costarring character actor John Hawkes, this film is a dark drama about suburban life among the beautiful people. If you miss the Pompano screening, The Playground will be playing at Cinema Paradiso and the Sunrise Civic Center on Friday and Saturday, respectfully. Some of the best of this year’s FLIFF films are documentaries featuring music. David Bromberg, Unsung Treasure is a delightful historical documentary. Falling under the spell of the Reverend Davis’s Blues influence, Bromberg thrives in this art form and jams with Dr. John in New Orleans. Bromberg’s dedication leads the young prodigy into musical magic with Phoebe Snow and George Harrison. When he dropped out of the spotlight, Bromberg’s creativity grew.

Blues also influences Joe Camilleri: Australia’s Maltese Falcon. Though Australian, the Joe Camilleri story is similar to that of the Blues Masters from New Orleans and Chicago. Music becomes redemption for a rowdy youth who could have chosen a life of crime.

On Election Day, Cinema Paradiso will screen Mr. Cao goes to Washington, a documentary about a successful Republican politician who won a congressional seat in New Orleans. Representative Cao is scheduled to attend and his story is fascinating.

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Pompano Beach volleyball takes district title

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach girls volleyball coach William Strachan wasn’t sure what to expect out of his team this season after losing five starters to graduation.

The Tornadoes finished 21- 4 last season as it lost to Jensen Beach in the regional semifinals, and Strachan knew his team would have to develop quickly to have a shot at the post season.

“Coming into the year, I thought we would take our licks this year, but we are playing well,” said Strachan, who is in his fifth year at the school. “We are relatively young. We have two seniors on the team and the rest are underclassmen. We graduated six seniors last year, but it was most of our offense. We lost a couple of all-county players.”

It didn’t stop Pompano Beach from capturing its second consecutive district championship as Paige Alsten had 21 kills and 13 points in the District 16-5A championship win over Mourning High School on Oct. 29.

The Tornadoes (17-7) polished off Mourning in relatively quick fashion as it won in three games – 25-19, 25- 12, and 25-17. Pompano Beach was slated to play Riviera Beach Suncoast on Wednesday night in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.

“It was just a matter of fine tuning the discipline,” Strachan said. “We have a lot of beach talent. We are like a pipeline to college beach volleyball. We are making up in athleticism. There is a difference between the indoor and outdoor game, but our ball control skill is there.”

Pompano Beach senior Savannah Davis has committed to FIU’s sand program, which will make its debut this spring. She will join another pair of Tornadoes’ graduates who have gone on to play beach volleyball in college.

The Pellitteri sisters, sophomore Stephanie and freshman Kristina, went on to Florida State, where they helped the Seminoles finish third in the nation last season. Younger sister Brittney Pellitteri, a junior at Pompano Beach, is likely headed to a college sand volleyball program as well.

The team has also received strong play from sophomore Casey Calhoun and freshman Cori Smothers this season.

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Everything’s Coming Up Rosen: One more time: The nag is here

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

 

Obfuscate = confuse, bewilder, stupefy, obscure. Don’t let that happen to you!

Five more days to Election Day.

Hopefully, you have already mailed your absentee ballot, having had much time to study it carefully, and to have sought out clarification on all the amendments. It has long been traditional for Florida Constitutional amendments to be written in such language as to force voters into cognitive gymnastics, in an attempt to figure out if YES really means what they intend it to mean, and to even know what they intend it to mean.

No matter how much people are urged to study ballots before they go into the booth, there will be many who will have looked at their ballots for the first time in that booth, and, in an attempt to answer all the questions, will, only then, begin to read the amendments. In case you haven’t seen one yet, it’s very long and wordy.

Absentee ballots give you the leisure to fill them out on your terms in the privacy and convenience of your own home. But if you’re like several of my friends, you experience a kind of prideful thrill at direct contact with the voting booth, so take advantage of early voting, which has already begun, and will continue until the end of the day on Saturday Nov. 3. It’s a great time to talk to your neighbors.

For all the voting information you may need, including places for early voting, (Broward) 954-357-7050 or www.browardsoe.org, or (Palm Beach ) 561-276-1226 or www. pbcelections.org.

A source of information regarding the meaning of the amendments is the Florida League of Women Voters hotline, 1-855-358-6837, www.bereadytovote.org; (Spanish) www.VamosA Votar.org, which has already received over 1,500 calls, most from voters frustrated by all 11 of them.

Some of those calls have taken as long as an hour, as a League representative has patiently answered questions and provided the requested information. Many people have called the League, apologizing for what they perceive as their own “stupidity” because the true intent of the amendment is obfuscated within a barrage of legalese.

Folks! You are NOT stupid if the amendments make little sense to you. They were designed that way. And alas, it is your responsibility to check them out before voting – and to seek advice from people you respect.

In a recent memo, Florida League President Diedre Macnab urged, “If you don’t understand the amendments, don’t skip them, reject them. Defeating incomprehensible, misnamed, intentionally confusing proposals will send a message to the legislators.”

If you’ve got something to say to legislators – this is one significant way to do that. Also, don’t minimize the effect of letters and phone calls. Your legislators care deeply about what you think, and most often, act accordingly.

Dull as it often it, politics affects lives. Get your ballot counted!

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

Oct.26 A man reported his home at 3831 NW 3 Ave. broken into. Both bedrooms were ransacked and custom jewelry was stolen.

Oct. 26 A man reported that two men approached him at 5171 NE 8 Ave. One man produced a handgun and demanded everything he had. The man turned over a gold necklace valued at $500. The owner of the nearest residence walked up. The man with the handgun demanded his possessions. The man turned over a wallet containing an ID, $60 and a cell phone.

Oct. 26 It was reported that the administrative office for Lime Tree Apartments at 431 SE 13 Court was entered. The machine that credits tenant laundry cards was broken into and money removed.

Oct. 27 Deputies responded to a call of man with a gun demanding money from the Food Store at 555 E. Sample Rd. The man fled, dropping clothing and money.

Oct. 27 A woman reported that she awoke to the sound of a gunshot. She later found that a round had passed through her front window and into a wall. A shell casing was found in the street. Incident was reported at 540 NE 45 St.

Oct. 28 A man was arrested and charged with a narcotics felony. He had been stopped following a traffic crash at 500 S. Dixie Hwy. The man was found in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

 

DEERFIELD – District 4

Oct. 21 Conveyance burglary was reported in the Harbors at Riverglen on NW 46 Avenue. Victim parked her 2010 Toyota Camry in her grandfather’s driveway. While she was assisting him into the home, she left her purse inside the vehicle and the doors unlocked. 15 minutes later, she returned to discover her purse containing credit cards and her iPhone stolen.

Remember, if you see anything suspicious call 911 immediately.

 

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Oct. 22 A man who had been working at Dollar Tree at 3780 N. Federal Hwy. was stopped by police for stealing a few items from the store. A man who was acting as his look-out was also stopped. The man who committed the theft was terminated from his employment at the store and both men were issued trespass warnings by police. One was later arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. The other man was arrested on an active felony warrant from another county.

Oct. 24 Two men were observed running from a home at 2325 NE 28 Court. It appeared they had atempted to break into the home. The men escaped in a pickup truck.

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Letters to the Editor

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

Surfateria overview

Dear Editor:

Although [Monday] night was disappointing, I realize that sometimes procedures may be more important than the long-term picture in the city commission atmosphere. I do still think very highly of Deerfield Beach and wish whomever is awarded the [pier] restaurant a successful 10-year lease life.

I am still looking for locations in beach communities – preferably on an oceanfront property with an indoor/ outdoor floor plan.

Mike Coner

Lighthouse Point

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

Luminotti plays

Friday, Nov. 2 – 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

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

Info: 561-750-5208.

Memories, Milestones & Memoirs A writing workshop

Friday, Nov. 2 – 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Boca Community Center 150 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

Three-session course: Nov. 2, 9, 16. Cost: $54 for Boca residents, $67.50 for others. Info: erosen724@aol.com or www.emilyrosen424.com.

Boy Scouts Multi-Family Rummage sale

Saturday, Nov. 3 – 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Ambrose Church 80 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Rain or shine. Benefits Troop 119.

Holiday Boat Parade Decorating Class

Saturday, Nov. 3 – 10 a.m. to noon

Lowe’s – Pompano’s Citi Center 1851 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano, FL 33062

FREE tips on how to decorate for Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Holiday Boat Parade, held Dec. 9. To be in parade, preregister: 954-941-2940 or boatparade@pompanobeachchamber.com.

 

Holiday Sidewalk Sale

Saturday, Nov. 3 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach Elks Lodge 700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES 142. Holiday Crafts and stocking stuffers. Public welcome.

Community Health Fair

Saturday, Nov. 3 – 9 a.m. to noon

Lighthouse Point Fire Station 3140 NE 22 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Presented by City of LHP and Broward Health North Hospital. FREE health screenings. 954-943-6500.

Business Networking Open House

Monday, Nov. 5 5:30-7 p.m.

Pompano Beach CRA Business Resource Center 50 NE 1 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

FREE Event. Light Refreshments. 954-586-1111.

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CLERGY CORNER: Vote your way

Posted on 31 October 2012 by LeslieM

I didn’t want to write this column.

You see, there are two subjects I try to avoid because every time I write about them or talk about them, a conflict ensues. The first subject might surprise you since I am a member of the clergy, but I try not to discuss religion. The funny thing is, try as I might, it seems to be a necessity in my position.

But as much as religious discussions seem to cause arguments, there is another subject that seems to cause even more animosity. I am, of course, talking about politics. I am always a bit taken aback at how many people ask me for my opinion as to who they should vote for in an election.

Even some of my congregants have asked me to give my view on the upcoming presidential election from the pulpit. So let me make this perfectly clear, I hope and pray that each of you will vote for the candidate that I’m rooting for. But, if you opt to vote for the other candidate, I promise, I will not call you an idiot. If you do not vote for the candidate I support, I promise that I will not say that you just don’t get it.

So you might be wondering which candidate I’m supporting. Well, I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not going to tell you. I will not tell you who I’m voting for, and, I will not tell you who you should vote for. What I will tell you is to vote for the candidate, not of my choice, but of your choice.

I was at a political shindig recently and, during the break, I was talking with a few people and someone else came over and, for some reason, assumed that we all saw things as they did. They said, all those people that are planning to vote for that other candidate are such idiots and that they just don’t get it.

I was apparently one of the idiots she was talking about, so I smiled and said, “Thank you very much.” She looked at me incredulously and said, “Are you really supporting that jerk for president?” When I responded that I might be, she said, “You just don’t get it.”

What an ego, to think that you know so much of what goes on in the world of politics and in the world in general that if anyone else does not share your view you can so easily write them off as idiots who just don’t get it.

I remember one of my great mentors who shared a story from the Sages with me. As I recall the story ended with this moral, “Don’t think that you’re right and that the other person is wrong, you might both just be wrong.”

As the prayer book that we use at Temple Beth Israel says, “May G-d bless the duly elected leaders of this great country.” Notice it doesn’t say, “G-d bless the Democrats or G-d bless the Republicans.” It says, “G-d bless the duly elected leaders.”

Regardless of which candidate is elected president, may we unite in asking G-d’s blessings on our duly elected president, and of these United States of America, and may we remember that that is what we are supposed to be … UNITED … One Nation under G-d … Amen.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

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International Fishing Pier, Public Beach & Middle School Aquatic Complex Closed

Posted on 26 October 2012 by Observer

The Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier is currently closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.  Until the structure is deemed safe, patrons will not be permitted on the pier. It is anticipated that those damages closer to the shore will be repaired in the next several days.  Access to that portion of the pier will then be re-opened.  Areas with more significant damage at the far end of the pier will require that segment to remain closed for a more extended period of time which has yet to be determined.

The public beach remains closed to swimmers. Surfing is permitted to patrons that wear a leash. Body boarding is also permitted to those patrons that wear fins. The Ocean Rescue Division strongly cautions against these activities.

The City’s Middle School Aquatic Complex will remain closed today due to weather and debris in the pool.  For more information regarding these facility closures, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 954.480.4433.

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CORRECTION – N. Broward Early Voting Sites

Posted on 26 October 2012 by JLusk

Early Voting In Broward County- General Election

October 27 – November 3  2012, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily 

  • North Regional Library

1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek

  •  Supervisor of Elections Office inside  E.Pat Larkins in Pompano Beach

520 Martin Luther King Dr., Pompano Beach

  • Pompano Beach City Hall

100 West Atlantic Blvd.  Pompano Beach

———————————–

In the sample ballot published in the October 25th edition of “The Observer,” we inadvertently omitted our recommendation in the race between Ellyn Bogdanoff and Maria Sachs. We regret this omission and we strongly urge our readers to vote for the reelection of  Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff.

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FLICKS: The Sapphires, Deadfall & Cowgirls ‘n Angels

Posted on 25 October 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

As Giancarlo Esposito accepts his Career Achievement Award in the Bahamas this weekend, locally the 27th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) continues its three ring cinematic circus at Cinema Paradiso, the Sunrise Civic Center and Muvico Pompano.

Last Saturday night, Muvico Pompano opened FLIFF in grand style.

Premiering to a sold-out crowd, The Sapphires lived up to expectations. Based on a true story about Aboriginal soul singers with the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this film had people dancing in the aisle. If you are seeking a feel-good movie with R & B soul, check it out.

Deadfall followed and was the antithesis of The Sapphires. A film noir thriller set in a Courier & Ives snowy landscape, Deadfall held audience interest for 95 minutes. Within the first 15 minutes of the story, the audience is introduced to nine characters and their conflicting motivations. Credit Director Stefan Ruzowitzky for telling a simple story with character depth.

Ruzowitzky was in attendance Saturday night and answered questions about the film. Having won an Oscar for The Counterfeiters for Best Foreign Language film of 2007, Ruzowitzky talked about directing his first American film with an ensemble cast, featuring Eric Bana, Kris Kristofferson, Olivia Wilde and Sissy Spacek.

“I was not intimidated, but it was a privilege that Sissy Spacek had trust in me. Many big stars do not have guidance from a director. A director should be like a mirror and provide a reflection for the actor,” he said.

In direct contrast to the cynicism of Deadfall, Cowgirls & Angels premiered at the Sunrise Civic Center to another sold-out audience. This family movie earned its laughter and tears while providing a fine performance from 13-year-old Bailee Madison.

While receiving her Star on the Horizon Award, Madison shook hands, hugged and signed autographs for free for her fans. These gracious moments were a reminder of what “Class Act” celebrities ought to be for film fans.

Muvico Pompano has been granted an exclusive screening of George Romero’s zombie classic, Night of the Living Dead, which has been remastered in 3D. Get all the details on this and other upcoming films and events at www.fliff.com.

Happy Halloween!

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