By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

The 85th Oscar ceremony has come and gone. While Argo won best picture, the awards were pretty divided between Django Unchained, The Life of Pi, Lincoln and Skyfall. Perhaps the biggest highlight included Shirley Bassey singing Goldfinger followed by Adele belting out Skyfall, the most memorable James Bond song since Timothy Dalton was 007. In fact, Oscar had better music than the Grammy Music Awards from a few weeks ago. Next week, The Miami International Film Festival (MiFF XXX), held March 1-10, will celebrate its 30th year making it the longest running film festival in South Florida. I am looking forward to interviewing veteran character actor James Cromwell and director Michael McGowan. The two are in town to champion Still Here, an excellent drama slated for local release in May.

Twenty Feet from Stardom opens MiFF XXX this Friday night. This documentary is about “back up” singers to famous rock stars like Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen. Vocalist Darlene Love will be in attendance and is expected to sing. Another documentary, Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story makes it’s South Florida debut. This documentary concerns Ungerer’s neurotic obsession and finding his outlet through the visual arts. Director Brad Bernstein presents a 98-minute moving portrait of Tomi Ungerer from children’s illustrator to subversive artist. From the United Kingdom comes Venus and Serena, a documentary about The Williams Sisters of West Palm Beach. Filmed in 2011, this film follows the tennis circuit in which both sisters battled serious health ailments. Blackfish is about one of the biggest mammals in the world, the Orca Whale. Since Orlando’s SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed in a “rare” accident, Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite discovers evidence to the contrary. If you liked The Cove, you may want to check out Blackfish. For those interesting in adventuring in Miami for the next two weeks for MiFF XXX, check out www.miami.festivalgenius.com/ 2013.

By Gary Curreri

The last time Deerfield Beach won a state title it defeated Blanche Ely in the 1999 championship game. Now, both teams, in different classes, have the same aspirations.

Blanche Ely, the defending Class 7A champion and top ranked team in the state, survived a scare and held on for a double overtime, 85-79 victory over visiting Palm Beach Lakes to advance to Lakeland for the state semifinals this week.

The Tigers are hopeful of becoming just the third team from Broward County to win back-to-back state championships on Saturday night.

Marcus Owens scored 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, while Joshua Huntley added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks (28-4), who will play the state’s fifth ranked Hagerty (Oviedo) squad in the state semifinal on March 1. It is the Bucks first trip to Lakeland since 1999 when it last won the state title.

Deerfield Beach coach Kenny Brown said the team learned a lot in its two losses to Blanche Ely down the stretch. Blanche Ely handed Deerfield Beach its only two losses in its past 10 years.

“Those losses taught us we have to play 32 minutes of Bucks basketball,” Brown said. “We learned that we had to come out and play tougher and play hard. This is a different team now. I know that defense wins championships, but I am an offensive guy and we work on shooting.” Blanche Ely needed to work overtime to punch its ticket to the state tournament in Lakeland – double overtime actually. The Tigers (25-1) will face Bartow in the Class 7A state semifinals next week at the Lakeland Center.

Richard Lee led the Tigers, who are ranked No. 18 in USA Today’s Super 25 national poll, in scoring with 22 points. Lance Tejada and Dallas Cameron scored 19 and 20 points, respectively, as Blanche Ely rallied from a 63-58 deficit with a little more than two minutes remaining. Khalil Thomas finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks as the Tigers outscored Palm Beach Lakes, 11-2, in the second overtime.

Deerfield Beach

Feb. 22 A man reported his home at 1120 SE 12 Ave. broken into and electronic equipment valued at $4,100 stolen.

Feb. 23 A man reported his car stolen from 41 Deer Creek Rd.

Feb. 23 A man was arrested and charged with felony narcotics at 500 NW 37 St. He was first stopped for riding a bicycle without a headlight and found to be in possession of marijuana.

Feb. 23 A woman reported her car window smashed at 773 Siesta Key but nothing was stolen.

Feb. 23 A woman reported an attempted auto theft at 131 W. Hillsboro Blvd. She said the passenger window was shattered and the ignition punched out.

Feb. 24 A woman reported that a home at 4714 NW 3 St. was burglarized and jewelry valued at about $2,000 was stolen.

Feb. 24 Someone broke into a car parked at 400 SW 2 St. and stole ammunition, jewelry and clothing.

Deerfield–District 4

Jan. 30 Commercial burglary took place at Comfort Suites,1040 E. Newport Center Dr. Unknown suspects stole two retractable step tailgates from two Ford F-250s valued at $800 each. The scene was processed for fingerprints.

Feb. 1 Residential burglary was reported in Waterford Courtyards South, 2704 SW 15 St. Complainant reported that unknown person(s) had broken into his residence. Point of entry was by smashing out a slider window. Taken from the residence were a PS3, iPad and electronic games. The area was canvassed.

Lighthouse Point

Feb. 13 A woman reported a 10 ft. bronze statue stolen from her home at 2600 NE 43 St.

Feb. 13 A woman reported two bicycles stolen from her home at 3001 NE 51 St.

Feb. 5 A woman was arrested and charged with petty theft at Publix at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. The woman stole 17 items valued at $107.87.

RE: “Reconsider beach parking permit restrictions”

Dear Editor:

I strongly agree with the current ruling that beach permits be offered to full-time residents only. Here’s why.

There’s limited parking at our beach and those living and working in Deerfield Beach all year certainly earn the right to park at their beach first!

I’ve been a loyal patron to restaurants, stores, clubs and beaches for the 15 years before moving to Deerfield Beach and have worked two jobs in order to stay here. It’s amazing to finally be able to easily park at the beach that I live here for!

Oh, and regarding the accusations to “Madam” Mayor and the city commissioners — of “inequities and discrimination” of seasonal residents — I find it offensive and ludicrous and deserving of an apology from you.

Louise Volpe

Deerfield Beach

Many thanks

Dear Editor:

We would like to thank the permanent residents present at the Deerfield Beach city commission meeting on Feb. 12 at City Hall, who asked for fairness and equality between the permanent and seasonal residents, regarding beach parking stickers.

Snowbirds requested to reclaim their previous rights to purchase beach parking stickers, just like the Floridians.

One permanent resident felt entitled to privileges on the grounds that she pays taxes for the full year; also, it is in the winter that she goes often to the beach; in the summer, the sand is too hot.

In the audience we could hear: “wear shoes” or “go earlier or later in the day.” Permanent residents, we thank you and appreciate your acknowledgement that snowbirds pay more taxes for less services.

Kudos to the very charming lady who quipped, regarding the wait for a parking spot, “It is like everything else in life: first come, first served.”

One outcome of permanent residents requesting discrimination against snowbirds could result in “no winners” if the suggestion of one commissioner is adopted: “eliminate stickers for everybody and put pay-and-display meters everywhere.”

Margaret and Danny Benzacar

Deerfield Beach

Relay for Life “Give Back” Night

Thursday, Feb. 28, 5 p.m. to close

Tijuana Flats 278 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

15 percent of sales donated to Relay for Life. Raffle Baskets, door prizes. 954-834-0227.

Annual Black Heritage and Women’s History Month Banquet

Saturday, March 2, 7 p.m.

Johnny Tigner Community Ctr. (Westside Park) 435 SW 2 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Keynote speaker: Congressman Alcee Hastings. Soul food buffet and entertainment. $25 per person. Purchase tickets at Johnny Tigner Community Ctr. African attire recommended, but not required. 954-480-4480 or www.deerfield-beach.com.

March For A Cure Fashion Show-Luncheon

Saturday, March 2, 11:30 a.m.

Lighthouse Point Yacht Club 2701 NE 42 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Donation for luncheon: $50. Presented by Narcissus Chapter of the Daughters of Penelope. Proceeds benefit Children’s Cancer Research. Reservations: 954-421-6161.

American Flyers Open House

Saturday, March 2, noon

Pompano Beach Airpark 801 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

BBQ lunch, facility tour and presentation by a certificated flight instructor. Every guest receives certificate for two free hours of instruction in one of the flight simulators. 954-785- 1450 or www.americanflyers.net/about/aviation_seminars.asp.

60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration

Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33429

Evening of entertainment. Master of Ceremonies will be comedian, musician Artie Sax. $20 contribution. Info: 561- 395-8285 or www.stgregorysepiscopal.

Boca Raton Children’s Museum Community Yard Sale

Saturday, March 2, 8 a.m. to noon

Boca Raton Children’s Museum 498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

Unique items for sale, including holiday decorations and lights, antique toys, handmade crafts and collectibles. Participants must provide their own table, spaces are 8-feet long. Registration: $25 per space. Food and beverages available for purchase. Deadline to rent a space is March 1. Proceeds benefit Boca Raton Children’s Museum. 561-368- 6875.

Zion Lutheran Church & School rummage sale

Saturday, March 2, 8 a.m. to noon

Zion Lutheran Church & School, Katie Luther Chapel 959 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

“Spring Clean” rummage sale! 954-421-3146.

PB Highlands Civic Improvement Assn. Mtg.

Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.

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

Speaker:Tiffany A. Holliman, Broward Water and Wastewater Services. 954-933-6393.

FREE seminar for homeowners

Tuesday, March 5, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1601 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hosted by Community association law firm Kaye Bender Rembaum. Targeted to board members and property managers of condominium, homeowner and cooperative associations. 954-776-1999, ext. 255 or www.KBRLegal.com.

SAVE THE DATE Elks Bingo Bash

Sunday, March 10, 10:30 a.m.

700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

$60 per person, reserve in advance today: $30. Deposit required, includes choice of seat. Reserve before March 5 and be entered in a special drawing. Giveaways and prizes all day. Doors open 10:30 a.m., paper distribution: 11:30 a.m., games begin: 1 p.m. Break for free dinner buffet. Reservations/questions: 954-781-2300.