By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

For almost 15 years, Roadside Attractions has distributed independent motion pictures with consistently profitable results and mostly critical acclaim. Super Size Me was their first documentary to be nominated for an Academy Award, The Cove won the “golden idol” and has become a blueprint for many documentaries about animal rights.

Regarding their fictional projects, they have earned a reputation for high artistic standards with a frugal budget. Winter Bone, Biutiful and Albert Nobbs earned Oscar nominations for Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem and Glenn Close, respectfully. With this success rate, highpriced actors often take a cut in salary to be in a motion picture distributed by Roadside Attractions.

Thanks for Sharing must have been produced when Mark Ruffalo and Gwyneth Paltrow had some free time during the production of The Avengers. With moments of light-hearted comedy, this film deals with sexual addiction.

Much like an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting, Thanks for Sharing introduces three characters on a first name basis. Adam (Ruffalo) is celebrating five years of “sobriety” (actually, celibacy). Adam’s sponsor is Mike (Tim Robbins), a married man with a troubled son Danny (Patrick Fugit). New to the Sex Addiction Meeting is Neil (Josh Gad), a medical doctor who makes inappropriate moves on his boss and females in the subway.

At first, dealing with addiction is treated like a comedy. Adam and Phoebe (Paltrow) exchange banter like Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn. Being the youngest of the three, the overweight Dr. Neil gets involved with moments of slapstick and video technology. Being the oldest of the three, Mike shares some quiet moments with his wife (Joely Richardson) while performing miracles for strangers.

Of course, relationships unravel and the three men must confront outside forces that make their addictions more profound. At this point, the film tries to change its tone from comedy to tragedy. The transition is not successful, despite some interesting performances. (Kudos to rock singer Pink, a.k.a. Alecia Moore, as the one with the worst sexual addiction issues).

Based on the Judy Blume novel, Tiger Eyes, which opens tomorrow at Cinema Paradiso, won the Best Feature Award at the recent Palm Beach International Film Festival. Jewtopia also opens tomorrow. Based on the Off- Broadway play, this comedy about the marriage of a Jewish woman and gentile man stars Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Jon Lovitz and Rita Wilson as potential in-laws.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Sept. 5 A woman reported that her keys and hand-held computer were stolen after she left them on the beach to go running. Incident was reported at 100 S. Ocean Blvd.

Sept. 5 A man reported that someone stole all factory rims and tires from his car parked on blocks at 627 Anderson Circle.

Sept. 6 A home at 4315 NW 5 Ave. was broken into and a television, power tool and weed wacker were stolen.

Sept. 9. A man reported his car parked at 170 SE 3 St. broken into and prescription medication stolen.

Sept. 10 A pickup truck parked at 3701 W. Hillsboro Blvd. was broken into and a camera stolen.

Sept. 10 The manager of a Winn Dixie at 1019 S. Federal Hwy. reported that five women entered the store and stole $857.41 worth of seafood and steak.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Sept. 13 Commercial burglary took place at Rent-ACenter, 1835 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The subject signed a rentto- own agreement on 07/06/ 13 to purchase a laptop and led TV. The subject has not paid for the items. The subject has been evading attempts from the victim to return items or make payment. The victim has proper documentation for the State Attorney to file theft charges. Total loss is $2,097.98.

Sept. 13 Residential burglary was reported in The Waterways,1212 SW 48 Terr.The victim left home on Sunday 09/08/13 and returned on Friday 09/13/13 to find her Red Honda 7500 watt portable gasoline generator stolen from her garage. No suspects. No video surveillance available.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Sept. 6 It was reported that a woman caring for a 92-yearold woman fraudulently used the woman’s credit card to make purchases. Incident was reported at 2730 NE 46 St.

Sept. 6 A man reported his home at 2920 NE 53 Court burglarized and a television valued at $800 stolen.

Sept. 8. A man reported that he was assaulted by a coworker at Sicilian Oven Pizzeria, 2486 N. Federal Hwy.

Back to Work!

Last month, we got back into the swing of things with the first meeting since June when we broke for Summer Recess.

A great deal was accomplished over the summer. With unemployment rates lower than the state and national rates, a seaport that makes us a relevant force in the global community, and with investments into county assets that draw tourism and create even more economic growth; Broward County is hard at work for you, and it is indeed working.

As we plan the future use of your tax dollars in a series of two budget hearings on Sept. 10 and 24, the Board of County Commissioners will discuss and vote on the Fiscal Year 2014 Broward County Budget. The County’s General Fund reserves are in a healthy state and have received favorable ratings from multiple credit reporting agencies. In fact, Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has revised their Financial Management Assessment (FMA) from “good” to “strong” based on the county’s financial management practices. The common theme from all the reporting agencies is that local governments are strongly discouraged from utilizing onetime funds, such as reserves, to fund recurring expenses such as personnel salaries and benefits for other constitutional officers in the county. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommends that regardless of a county’s size, at a minimum, their reserves should maintain no less than two months of General Fund operating revenues or General Fund operating expenditures. The informal policy of the Board of County Commissioners has been to not expend funds from the reserves unless there is a dire emergency. This practice negates the need for short-term borrowing during the first two months of the fiscal year before property taxes are received.

Our responsible budgeting leaves us in a stable position to handle any and all situations we may face here in South Florida with the threat of disastrous hurricanes such as Katrina, Rita and Wilma. We’re still waiting on reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) related to Hurricane Wilma, and, despite that, we still thrive in the economic climate the rest of the nation is facing.

We owe it to the residents of Broward County to continue being responsible with county’s millage rates, even during an economic uptick.

The real economic stimulus is when tax payers get to keep more of their-hard earned money and spend it how it best suits their needs. This is what really helps to make Broward County a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

Chip LaMarca

Broward County Commissioner

AARP Driver safety program

Thursday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NE Focal Point Senior Center 227 NW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For seniors over 50 years old. Gives updated information on current Florida Statutes. $14 for 6-hour course ($12 for AARP members). Space limited, reservations required. Call 954- 480-4447 or email tsutton@deerfield-beach.com.

Deerfield Beach Computer Club meets

Friday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.

Century Village Le Club Activity Center 3501 West Dr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

$1 per person, except first-time guests. Call 954-725-9331 or visit www.db-cc.org.

The Great Sun Nation’s family picnic

Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tradewinds Park, Appaloosh Pavilion 3600 W. Sample Rd. Coconut Creek, FL 33066

Recruiting event looking for new “tribes.” Program developed over 80 years ago, inspired by Native American culture and teaches dignity, patience, endurance and care while nurturing the relationship between parent and child. Includes food, wildlife show, snow cones, games, bounce house. Kicks-off the 2013-2014 camping season! Tradewinds: 954- 357-8870.

½ way to St. Paddy’s Day

Saturday, Sept. 21, Noon to 7 p.m.

American Legion, Post 162 820 SE 8 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Irish fare, like corned beef and cabbage, available daylong. Music at 4 p.m. (F.Y.I — guests are always welcome at breakfast, held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon!)

Women of Color Series: Breast Cancer Early Prevention & Risk Factors

Saturday, Sept. 21 10 to 11:15 a.m. – Check-in 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. – Educational program 12:30 to 1 p.m. – Lunch Q&A 1 to 1:30 p.m. – Wrap-up, raffle

E. Pat Larkins Community Ctr. 520 NW 3 St. (MLK Blvd.) Pompano Beach, FL 33060

FREE workshop hosted by State Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke- Reed. Featured speaker: Dr. Cassann Blake, M.D., Complex General Surgical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic. RSVP: Gilda’s Club, 954-763-6776 or betsy@gildasclubsouthflorida.org.

Deerfield Beach Democratic Club

Sunday, Sept. 22, noon

Deer Creek Country Club 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Honor Broward County Public Defender, a.k.a. “Help Me Howard,” Howard Finkelstein as Man of the Year. For information, call 954-415-5658.

Dixieland/Hot Jazz Session

Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 to 4 p.m.

Henrys Hideaway 1500 S. Andrews Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Presented by: Hot Jazz & Alligator Gumbo Society. $10. 954-563-5390.

Countess de Hoernle’s 101st Birthday

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 12:30 p.m.

St. Jude Church, Mt. Carmel Banquet Hall

21689 Toledo Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33433

Hosted by St. Jude Parish Carmelite Community. Honorary Chairs: Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Assaf, Mr. & Mrs. Ben Krieger. $50 per guest. For information and reservations, call 561- 314-1250 or email marie@stjudeboca.org.

N. Broward Democratic Club meets

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.

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

Free, open to the public. Speaker: Lili Bach, state council political coordinator for SEIU FL. Refreshments served. 954-309-6755.

Simon® Fashion Now

Friday, Sept. 27, 7:15 p.m. & Saturday, Sept. 28, daylong

Town Center at Boca Raton® 6000 Glades Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Find runway fashion shows throughout the day, as well as giveaways, swag bags, special services and more. Students will go head-to-head in Design Wars, showing off their original fashions in hopes to win. For more info, visit www.simon.com/simon-fashion-now.

Many people come to Yiskor Memorial Services with a mixture of emotion. They may still be grieving. They may be sad or angry over their loss, and, yet, they also long to find ways to honor the memory of their loved ones. Yiskor gives people a chance to do that.

Honoring memory has been on my mind a lot lately; after all, we recited the Yiskor Service on Yom Kippur and will do so again on Sukkoth. So, I have been focused on ways to create holy memories.

I know that many people are always looking for a huge miracle in their lives. Many are so busy watching for a big miracle that they seem to miss all the little miracles that occur on a daily basis. For instance, take the pumping of the human heart. This miraculous organ loyally does its rhythmic beating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether we are awake or asleep. Yet, how often do we take time to thank G-d for this miraculous organ?

Most of us don’t even give a thought to the beating of our heart until we experience severe palpitations; then, we take note. And how many of us take the time to thank G-d when those momentary palpitations stop and our heart goes back into normal sync?

What if the heart is not capable of going back into normal rhythm by itself? What then? Well, how many of us have thanked G-d for giving us the intellect and the ingenuity to create life-saving devices like a pacemaker or a defibrillator?

As you can see, I am focused on the heart so let me get to the heart of the matter pertaining to honoring our dearly departed.

In the past, anytime someone was going through the loss of a momma, a Yiddishe momma, one of the questions I would ask is if the momma had played Mahjong. The response was always accompanied by an immediate smile with a, “Yes, she did; she loved the game; in fact, I have her Mahjong set.”

And I would explain how it would honor their momma’s memory if, whenever they played the game, they used their momma’s set. And sure enough, each time they played using that set, they would remember the joy that that game gave to their momma, and they would realize how they were keeping that joy, her joy, alive.

But nowadays, when I ask about Mahjong, the response is usually, “Oh yes, momma played the game, but I don’t.” And, when I ask what they are going to do with momma’s Mahjong set, I am usually told that they plan to sell it on e-Bay.

And that’s when I try and get their heart in sync with honoring their momma’s memory. I suggest that, instead of selling the set, they take some of the tiles and have someone drill a hole in each one and put a chain through it making necklaces that can be given to every member of the family and to the friends who used to play Mahjong with their momma.

This gives something of sentimental value … something of heart that each of them can wear near their heart, and my prayer is that, each time they wear it, they should be filled with joyous memories.

And that is my wish for each of you, my dear readers. May you hold joyous memories of your dearly departed close to your heart.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and of the Association of Professional Chaplains, He works professionally in this capacity with a number of healthcare facilities in the area, and with hospice.

Rabbi Ezring is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach. We welcome you to join our warm and caring family for Shabbat and festival services. We’ll make your heart glow…who knows, you might even fall in love with Shul all over again.

By Joe Malmuth

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski, Getty Images

What makes a good outdoor concert? Plenty of sunshine and cool breezy weather, lots of good food and drink, positive vibes from your fellow concert goers, and of course, good LIVE music. What happens if it’s rainy, hot, humid, and stagnant? What if your friends had to cancel last minute? What if you drop your first drink of the night all over yourself?

You experience one of the best concerts of your life!

I have always known that John Mayer is a great musician, songwriter and performer, but I was blown away at his ability to connect with his audience of roughly 14,000.

Mayer, traditionally pegged as a blues guitarist, has this uncanny ability to morph into this soulful, free spirited, leader of the new jam band culture that sprang up out of the wet, muddy lawn at Cruzan Amphitheater that sultry Sunday night [Sept. 8].

With his stage backdrop a scene from a starry night over a red-rock canyon, he made statements through his guitar that tugged everyone a little bit closer to the stage. Once you were hooked, he commented on how the air, thick with South Florida humidity, made him feel like we were all sharing the same substance of being, the same sub-atomic particles, the same existence.

Between his unifying, existential sermons, his music rose above the steamy night and helped everyone forget the miserable weather and lose themselves in that starry backdrop on the stage.

He and his band were perfect in every note. He continued to play this coy, cat-and-mouse game with the audience, pulling them in further and further, leaving them hoping to hear their favorite tune along with the fresh cuts from his newest record, Paradise Valley.

Every track blended seamlessly into the next, creating a symphony of good vibes for both beatnik and straight-laced concert-goers whom Mayer seems to cherish in an honest and open way.

Musicians in the crowd couldn’t help but feel like they had just wrapped up an intimate, open jam with an old friend as the evening drew to a close.

A satisfying quiet seemed to permeate the droves returning to their cars to leave; everyone sharing in the same understanding that for a few brief hours, we were all connected and it was a good thing.

Thanks for freezing time for a while, John!

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Since the terrorist attacks 12 years ago, I’ve made a point of doing something constructive every Sept. 11. Whether over-tipping at a bar or donating my Thespian services to a film production (by director Jose Prendes). This year, though a Kickstarter campaign, I will be involved in an independent film titled Reach Me, written and directed by John Herzfeld. This is an uplifting story about a “self-help” book (titled Reach Me) that inspires people. This ensemble cast features Sylvester Stallone, Kyra Sedgwick, Kelsey Grammer, Thomas Jane and Tom Sizemore. Sizemore received the Lifetime Achievement Award last May, from the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Next month, the 28th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicks off Oct. 18- Nov.11. For the third year in a row, Muvico Pompano will be included in the mix. Actress Lea Thompson (Back to the Future, Howard the Duck, Some Kind of Wonderful) is scheduled to attend an Oct. 20 screening to promote her latest movie The Trouble with Truth.

FLIFF is making an attempt to balance independent artistic inspirations with mainstream entertainment values, best represented with Anna Paquin’s appearance. Currently on the vampire television show True Blood,

Paquin earned a Best Supporting Oscar for The Piano, starring Holly Hunter. She is also best known for her role as Rogue in the X-Men movies, including next year’s future blockbuster – X-Men Days of Future Past. Paquin, along with director Shana Betz, will be opening the fest with Free Ride.

Paquin portrays a single mother who is immersed in the South Florida drug trades. After the screening at Cinema Paradiso on Friday night, Oct. 18, there will be an opening night party at Villa di Palma hosted by philanthropist Steve Savor.

Legendary actors Tab Hunter, Ed Asner, Ann-Margaret and writer of Boys Don’t Cry, Aphrodite Jones, are expected to be honored this year. Tickets are selling at a faster pace this year. Get your tickets soon. For more information, contact the box office at 954-525-FILM (3456) or visit www.fliff .com.

Mademoiselle C, a documentary about Carine Roitfeld, the operations manager for French Vogue, opens tomorrow [just as Fashion Week ends in NYC]. This film looks at Roitfeld’s transition from the magazine medium to starting her own business involving QR Codes.

DEERFIELD BEACH

August 31 A man reported his home at 464 NW 3 Ave. entered and air handler coils and a tool box stolen. Total loss was estimated at $2,650.

August 31 A man reported his home at 736 NW 2 Way entered while he was sleeping and two cell phones stolen.

Sept. 1 A woman reported her home at 179 SW 3 St. entered and her HP ProBook laptop valued at about $1,000 stolen.

DEERFIELD – District 4

August 30 A resident had a FL tag with a valid decal stolen from her vehicle at her residence in Deer Run, 3400 SW 3rd Ct.

Sept. 1 It was reported at 491 Jefferson Dr. in Deer Creek, that between 08/31/13 at 7:30 p.m. and 09/01/13 at 12:15 p.m., unknown persons, gained entry into the victim’s 2000 Ford work truck by prying the driver’s door lock. Once inside the vehicle, the suspect(s) took two concrete cutting saws valued at $1,800. The saws were located in theback seat of the vehicle. It was raining and the vehicle could not be processed.

Sept. 2 Commercial burglary took place at Target 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Target Loss Prevention reported a theft by a juvenile that had occurred between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Photos and video were obtained and placed into evidence. Subject used a cutting tool to steal two cell phones from the locked shelf.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

August 29 Police broke up a fight between two men in the parking lot of Venetian Isles Plaza at 3700 N. Federal Hwy.