| June, 2014

Immigrants show up on Hillsboro Beach

Posted on 29 June 2014 by JLusk

Hillsboro Beach residents were quite surprised Sunday morning (June 29) when  the authorities showed up. They were not certain what was happening, only it looked like the SWAT team came in guns-in-hand. It turns out that the commotion came about when 17 immigrants, mostly from Haiti, came to Hillsboro Beach about 5 a.m. The 17 were taken into custody and the man who brought them on their long journey escaped. Luckily, the immigrants appeared to be in good health. Unfortunately for the immigrants, their journey will be round trip and the eight men, seven women and two young boys, aged 2 and 10, will be heading back to their homes.

 

 

 

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Local skater wins prestigious award at Sunshine State Games

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

LaraAnnunziata

Pompano Beach’s Lara Annunziata won the Dorothy Dodson Award for the highest score in the Intermediate Division at the recent Sunshine State Games Figure Skating competition at the Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Don’t let Lara Annunziata’s size fool you.

The 11-year-old Pompano Beach girl recently came up big at the recent Sunshine State Games Figure Skating competition at the Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex.

Annunziata brought h o m e the most prestigious honor from the Sunshine S t a t e Games as she captured the Dorothy Dodson Award for the highest score in the Intermediate Division. She finished third in the short program and won the long program in the division. “I wasn’t surprised I won it because I work hard every day,” said Annunziata, who will be entering the sixth grade at Shepherd of the Coast Christian School. “I like trying new things. I like doing jumps.”

It was a surprise,” Annunziata added. “The day before I was working on my double axel and I couldn’t do it. The day I was going to compete, I landed them. I was so shocked.”

Annunziata landed the element in practice, but fell in both the short and long program. It still didn’t take away from her efforts.

I was happy that I landed it in practice because it was clean,” Annunziata said.

Her performance at the Sunshine State Games didn’t go unnoticed by Nancy Mariani, the director of skating development for the Panthers Figure Skating Club.

The fact that she won the (Dorothy Dodson Award) is huge since it is her first year in the division,” Mariani said.

Annunziata was a bronze medalist in the juvenile division last year at regionals and a finalist at sectionals where she placed seventh. The top 4 qualify for Nationals. This is her first year in the intermediate division and she’s been skating for six years. She got her start at the same time her sister, Gabby, 14, began skating. Gabby is taking a break from the sport.

I want to skate in the Olympics,” Annunziata said. “I will have to try new jumps.”

After coming so close to advancing to nationals last year, there is hope of making it this year.

Hopefully, I will make it,” Annunziata said. “I will have to land all of my jumps.”

Annunziata also has post- Olympic plans.

After the Olympics, I want to coach,” said Annunziata, who trains three hours a day, every day. “Sometimes, I go to school and get out an hour early. Sometimes, I will miss some work in school and, sometimes, I can’t go to parties. I take ballet class once a week and that helps me with my skating too. It is all worth it though.”

LOCAL GOLFERS FARE WELL IN JGA COMPETITION

Several local golfers recently turned in strong performances in the Junior Golf Association of Broward County tournament at the Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club and Springtree Golf Club.

Pompano Beach residents Isak Nilsson (40-41-81) and Wyatt Rubin (36-45-81) tied for third in the Boys Championship Division.

Pompano Beach’s Dylan Glatt carded a 47 to finish in a tie for fourth in the Boys A Division, while Deerfield Beach’s Katie Williamson carded a 39-39-78 to win the Girls Championship Flight.

Pompano Beach’s Lara Annunziata won the Dorothy Dodson Award for the highest score in the Intermediate Division at the recent Sunshine State Games Figure Skating competition at the Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex. Photos by Gary Curreri

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For Sale

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

flyer0619web

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FLICKS: How to Train Your Dragon2, Le Chef & Living Easy with Eyes Closed

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

It was during the ending of the first movie that I realized that How to Train Your Dragon was going for something deeper. With the onslaught of animated motion pictures, one felt a sense of diminishing returns, although the visuals, humor and musical score made the original Dragon film a cut above most offerings at the time. Would How to Train Your Dragon 2 survive high expectations?

It is the first moments of both brilliant and supple animation that one knows they are going on an epic journey. The first view is that of Nordic water. As the scope expands, one sees the depth of details on the island village of Berk. Our hero,

Hiccup (voiced again by Jay Baruchel), and his best friend, Toothless the dragon, are surveying uncharted isles. The two run afoul dragon poachers, who want to enslave dragons to take over Hiccup’s hometown. Hiccup warns his father and tribal chief, Stoick (Gerard Butler) and sidekick Gobber (Craig Ferguson) about the threat. When the name of “Drago” (Djimon Hounsou) is mentioned, Stoick prepares for the worst, (as Stoick said earlier, “Men who kill without reason are men you cannot reason with”).

Dragon 2 takes on a darker tone with a touch of Scottish melancholia. Parents be warned, there is a traumatic scene that is as stunning as Lassie getting shot in the paw. Somehow the film ends in triumph that does not seem forced.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a full epic presented in 98 minutes, with a score worthy of an Oscar nomination. Guillermo Del Toro and Drew Suzen are acknowledged in the credits for their contributions, most likely for so many visual Easter eggs. How to Train Your Dragon 2 has earned it’s box office and critical success.

A French comedy with English subtitles, Le Chef opens tomorrow. It stars Jean Reno and Michael Youn as bickering chefs who unite to challenge the status quo of snooty food critics and corporate downsizing. Based on a true story, this light comedy provides much mouth-watering close-ups of French cuisine.

Living is Easy with Eyes Closed (Vivir es Facil con los Ojos Cerrados) is inspired by John Lennon’s visit to Spain, circa 1966. Spoken in Spanish with English subtitles, a classroom teacher uses Lennon’s lyrics to teach English to his students. Planning a road trip to meet the myopic Beatle, the teacher takes two passengers on his quest, a runaway and a pregnant teenager.

There are plenty of dramatic choices this weekend at the movies.

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GUEST EDITORIAL: Justice delayed is justice denied

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

By William E. Bucknam

1,988 days. That’s the number of days it took former Deerfield Beach Mayor Al Capellini to receive justice, from the day of his arrest on Dec.12, 2008 until the afternoon of May 23, 2014.

I was the only member of the public sitting in Courtroom 6900 in the Broward County Courthouse when Circuit Judge Marc Gold finally had his fill after listening to the evidence in Capellini’s trial for nearly two weeks. After hearing arguments on Capellini’s motion for a directed verdict from the prosecutor and the defense late that afternoon, Judge Gold asked rhetorically, “Where is the evidence of corrupt intent, where is the evidence of corrupt intent?” Finally, at 5:37 p.m. on the 1,988th day, Judge Gold put an end to this madness and granted the defense motion for a directed verdict of not guilty and that brought an end to Capellini’s nightmare.

Over the more than five years that this case was pending, I was constantly disappointed and somewhat appalled by the failure of the several judges to which it was assigned to act favorably on the numerous motions to dismiss that were filed by Capellini’s counsel, David Bogenschutz. Obviously fearing the electoral consequences of granting such a motion to a Republican mayor and then having to face the wrath of predominantly Democrat voters in Broward County resulted in complete judicial inaction and continuance after continuance. Kudos to Judge Gold for finally having the courage to do the right thing and grant the directed verdict of not guilty after listening to all of the evidence and preventing the government from being able to challenge his decision on appeal.

I was the last person to be surprised by Judge Gold’s bold move on May 23 since I had written two highly critical editorials for this newspaper about this case shortly after Capellini’s arrest: “Equal Justice Under law” on Jan. 15, 2009 and “Charge Against Capellini-The Ultimate Cheap Shot” on Feb. 12, 2009. In the first editorial, I pointed out that Broward State Attorney Michael Satz brought the overblown charge of unlawful compensation against Capellini while he sat silent and failed to take any action to investigate or prosecute two sitting Democrat County Commissioners who stood accused of far worse crimes than Capellini.

Years later, Satz was apparently shamed by my editorial into taking action against County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin, who finally pleaded guilty in April 2013 to misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to three years’ probation and a $3,000 fine. The more serious felony charges were dropped in consideration of the effects that Parkinson’s disease had on her health.

The United States Attorney’s Office finally pursued federal charges against County Commissioner Josephus Eggeletion after Satz continued to fail to act. In December 2009, Commissioner Eggeletion pleaded guilty to federal charges of moneylaundering conspiracy and failing to report income on his tax return. He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 30 months in federal prison. Satz later decided to pile on some state charges and Eggeletion pleaded guilty to charges of accepting cash payments and a golf club membership from infamous Tamarac developers, Bruce and Shawn Chait.

In “The Ultimate Cheap Shot,” I decried the fact that the prosecution of Capellini was purely political since State Attorney Satz filed the charge and had Capellini arrested a mere 29 days prior to the end of candidate qualifying and the very day after Capellini filed his papers to run for reelection. The net effect of Satz’s action was to have Capellini immediately removed from office by the Governor and to saddle him with a criminal charge that would ultimately cripple his reelection campaign and end his political career, which is precisely what happened. It is interesting and no real surprise that this charge was filed shortly after one Democrat power broker was unsuccessful in convincing Capellini to bolt from the Republican Party and to become a Democrat.

Al Capellini not only had his name dragged through the mud for over five years, he was also seriously harmed financially. He has written proof that loans for his engineering firm were turned down by banks solely because of this pending case. He also has letters from prospective clients rejecting his services solely because of this case. How will he be made whole for this collateral economic damage and exactly where does Al Capellini go now to have his good name restored?

Fortunately for him, Capellini will have all of the money he has paid in legal fees fully reimbursed. Defense Counsel, David Bogenschutz, recently rendered an invoice totaling $1,035,015.45 for his representation of Capellini over the past five plus years and, unfortunately, this will be paid in full by the taxpayers of Deerfield Beach.

In my humble opinion, this money should come out of the retirement account of Michael Satz and if he should ever deign to run for reelection again, I hope the voters and taxpayers of Deerfield Beach will remember this case and force him into a long overdue retirement.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

June 8 A man reported that a homeless woman he befriended stole an iPad mini and car keys from him. The incident was reported at 656 SE 19 Ave.

June 9 It was reported that a package and an envelope were stolen from a residence at 642 SE 19 Ave.

June 11 A man reported that he saw someone toss some liquid onto his condominium window wall and walkway. Incident was reported at 90 NE 19 Ave.

June 12 A home at 300 SE 18 Ave. was broken into and $3,000 worth of Oakley glasses and a camera were stolen.

June 13 A safe was stolen from a home at 941 Crystal Lake Dr. The safe contained personal documents.

DEERFIELD – DISTRICT 4

June 20 Burglary to a business was reported at Enterprise Commerce Center, 1650 S. Powerline Rd. Three company vans belonging to Closet Factory were broken into. Miscellaneous trade tools, valued at $5,000, were taken.

June 20 Theft – Retail/ Shoplifting took place at Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Two females were arrested for grand theft after shoplifting from Target.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

May 30 During a traffic stop at 3000 NE 36 St., the subject exited the vehicle and police noticed 16 grams of marijuana in the rear passenger seat and a smell of cannabis from the vehicle.

May 31 An officer was checking a residence at 2797 NE 26 Ave. and discovered an open rear door. The resident was contacted and told police they had just left the residence.

May 31 An officer observed a subject in front of a bank at 3800 N. Federal Hwy. consuming alcoholic beverages. A records check revealed the subject was on probation and was not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

Hillsboro Blvd. Lane Elimination

Dear Editor:

At the June 17 Deerfield Beach commission meeting, consultants explained their plan to eliminate two traffic lanes on Hillsboro Boulevard.

Some of what they proposed is very good, a longer and better marked right turn lane approaching US 1 is needed. Also, a raised median strip with left turn lanes would improve safety.

It’s interesting that two of the consultants said that in their planning process they looked for “fatal flaws” and found none. However they did not mention the effect of increased road closures because of increased rail traffic.

East bound traffic will have to merge three lanes into two after waiting on a long freight train. Also, there will not be bus stops so if a bus does stop for passengers, it will block one of the two lanes. Both of these are flaws that could cause accidents and road rage incidents that could be fatal. This passed the commission by one vote. Commission rules allow any commissioner on the prevailing side to bring the issue up for reconsideration.

They voted based on a flawed report and I think the commission should reconsider it. Let’s keep the raised median and improved right turn lane and let’s keep six lanes.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

Guest Editorial

RE: Deerfield Green Market shut down

Dear Editor:

I spoke at the June 17, city commission meeting. The topic was, the termination of the Green Market at The Cove Shopping Center.

The first Green Market was from North Miami Beach, coincidently where Keven Klopp came to Deerfield from with a $10,000 check to help the start up. Did anyone ever give you money to start your business? Actually, the other markets, about 6, never received 1 cent. They never completed the contract.

The second Green Market was run by the Cultural Committee, who I honestly forgot to mention. They worked for FREE, with the promise from the commission that any profits at the end of the markets would go to scholarships. Guess what? They profited between $8,000 to $10,000. But Keven Klopp decided any profits should go back to the CRA. These hard-working seniors were furious and NO scholarships were given.

The lady who ran the Saturday Green Market in Boca also ran ours. Deerfield got Saturday’s leftovers with NO management, and it was a bomb.

Then came Arthur D’Amato, a former resident of Deerfield Beach, who actually ran the best Green Market, and he was terminated. Another city blunder.

Once again, I apologize to the wonderful Cultural Committee, forgetting to mention them was not intentional.

Steve Krevoy

Cove Bagel Deli

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

Dixie Divers Summer SCUBA Plus Camp

Through Aug. 9

Dixie Divers 455 S. Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Ready to dive? Dixie Divers is holding some special activities for kids ages 10-17. Call 954-420-0009 to find out more.

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church celebrates 95 years

Friday, June 27, 7 p.m.

Royal Fiesta 1680 SE 3 Ct. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Guests include former priests-in-charge Rev. Nancy Mc- Carthy, Rev. Nancy Wynen and Rev. Dr. Ronald Fox, as well as the newly appointed Bahamian Consul to the U.S. St. Mary’s youth praise dance group will perform. Gala dinner will feature buffet and cash bar for $50 per person. For tickets, call 954-675-9483 or 954-428-5020.

NE Focal Point Annual Senior Prom

Friday, June 27, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

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

Appearing live are Shane LeMar and The Ink Spots. Light refreshments served and prizes for Prom Court. Dress to impress. 954-480-4447.

Meet to Beat the Heat

Saturday, June 28, 6 to 8 p.m.

1920 SE 4 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

FREE. Enjoy snow cones and food, face painting, Milo’s Dog Rescue, Lighten Up and Live Program, great music and more.

Yard Sale

Saturday, June 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Peter’s Church 1416 SE 2 Terr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Also July 5. Items priced to sell. Held inside air-conditioned Parish Hall — rain or shine.

Sundays at the Butler House- “Jammin’ In June”

Sunday, June 29, 2 to 5 p.m.

The Butler House 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Concert featuring Zella and Phil of “It Takes Two” and performance by Starlite Express Twirlers. Local artists, crafters, kids’ crafts. Bring blanket/chair. Free event with optional purchases for food, gifts. Picnic-type food includes hotdogs, lemonade, fresh Florida watermelon, ice cream. Butler House tours. Parking is available at the Post Office, with limited parking adjacent to the Butler House. Event organized by D. B. Historical Society and sponsored by Frank Congemi.

Veterans Job & Resource Fair

Monday, June 30, 5 to 8 p.m.

Jaco Pastorius Community Center 4000 N. Dixie Hwy. Oakland Park, FL 33334

Hosted by State Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed. Vendors and vets FREE. For more information, call 954- 786-4868.

Pompano Beach Highlands Civic Assoc.

Tuesday, July 1, 7 p.m.

Highlands Park 1650 NE 50 Court Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Miguel Ascarrunz, interim director of the Broward County Emergency Management Agency, will provide tips on how homeowners can make their residences more hurricane resistant and advice on steps to take before, during and after a windstorm event. For more information, visit www. pbhighlands.org.

Star Spangled Spectacular Concert

Wednesday, July 2, 7 p.m.

Herb Skolnick Community Center 800 SW 36 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33069

The American Legion Symphonic Band’s repertoire consists of patriotic selections, concert band classics, Broadway show tunes and stirring marches mixed with exciting arrangements of jazz and swing. $10 (at the door) per person. Back by popular demand is Tenor Soloist James Perkowski singing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” Band Conductor is James McGonigal. For more information, call 954-786-4590.

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CLERGY CORNER: Meet to Beat the Heat

Posted on 26 June 2014 by LeslieM

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

[Revelation 7:16-17]

I am one of those weird people who loves hot weather.

I love it when the sand on the beach is so hot it burns the bottom of my bare feet. The easy fix is with an inexpensive pair of flip flops in order to trade a scorched Earth run for a leisurely stroll to refreshing ocean water. But who hasn’t seen and heard the inexperienced tourist’s barefoot run “Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch” with every rapid step? Remember, don’t laugh at the tourists!

Despite a thousand things to do in South Florida year-round, the pace slows in the summer. And it is easy for me to marginalize the heat. I don’t work outside. Those who do work outside understand that the famously inviting Florida sunshine can be oppressive, even dangerous, if not respected.

Several decades ago, God planted Community Presbyterian Church a few blocks south of Hillsboro Boulevard between the Intracoastal Waterway and the beach. It is a perfect gathering spot to “Meet to Beat the Heat” in more ways than one.

Several years ago, the church and Montessori school decided to open church grounds Saturdays at Six p.m. in the heat of summer. This summer’s gatherings will be held the fourth Saturday of each month, the first being Saturday, June 28.

What to expect when you come? First of all, Meet to Beat the Heat is free, just like God’s grace and love. Even more important, Meet to Beat the Heat is wholesome fun. Face painting for children, great food, sodas and snow cones, music inside and out, even a short funny but meaningful video program with prizes for seniors all ensure an enjoyable outing. And to be certain we Meet to Beat the Heat, especially for the seniors, the video program is inside, where the air is cool.

Another feature of every Meet to Beat the Heat is to highlight community nonprofits and public health and safety services. Police officers, firefighters and the Bloodmobile are regulars. We’re thrilled this year to have Milo’s Dog Rescue committed to bring pets for adoption at each of our Meet to Beat the Heat gatherings. We are also looking forward to demonstrations this year by Grupo Capoeira Revelacao.

So come a bit early or stay late for a walk on the beach. There is no danger of burning your feet. And if, by chance, you need a prayer or a new friend to care, then this is the place for you. You may even become one of those weird people who love hot weather.

Reverend Dennis Andrews

Reverend Andrews is a minister at Community Presbyterian Church of Deerfield Beach (Steeple on the Beach) located five blocks south of Hillsboro on A1A.

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Highlands hosts 29th annual hoops camp

Posted on 19 June 2014 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

Herman Robinson and Danielle Domino each look forward to the Highlands Christian Academy basketball camp every year.

Robinson, 16, of Deerfield Beach, and Domino, 15, of Parkland, are both sophomores and starting point guards for their respective boys’ and girls’ teams at the school.

This is good,” said Robinson, who attended the camp in his fifth grade year and the past three years from his 7th, 8th and 9th grade years. “I get a lot of drills out of it and I get better. It depends on how hard you work.”

Robinson, who has attended Highlands Christian Academy since the fifth grade, followed up his week of learning with a week of giving back. It is also his second year working the camp.

It’s interesting because I get to see what I am like to the coaches that are here,” Robinson said. “I also see what I was like when I was their age. I want to give them my full attention and teach them things that I already know like respect.”

Basketball delivers hard work and patience and mostly everything, including teamwork,” Robinson added. “I have a passion for it … a strong passion for it. I want to go all the way to the professional ranks, whether it is NBA, D-League or overseas.”

Domino is the youngest of three siblings to play at the school. Her older brother, Derek (college football) and Drew (college basketball) also prepped at the school. She’s been at the school since the 2nd grade and been on the varsity since the 7th grade after she moved up late in the season from the JV and has been on the varsity ever since.

It teaches me to work hard and how to work with people,” said Domino, who has attended the camp since the 2nd grade. “Especially when we are playing 5-on-5, it builds teamwork and good work ethics.”

This is her 3rd year working the camp.

It is a lot of patience because I am with the little kids, the third graders, but I like working with them because I get to show them how it is done and build them up for the future,” Domino said. “I like to teach them to work hard. You just have to be quick with it (your message) because they have a short attention span. We teach a lot of the fundamentals. Whatever you do best, you try and teach them.

I love working with little kids,” Domino added. “I want to coach when I get older, if I am not playing. I want to go to the WNBA, but college is my first priority right now. I want to play college basketball.”

Jim Good has been Athletic Director at the school for the past four years and the school’s varsity boys’ basketball coach for a decade.

The camp featured 53 boys and girls in its first week of camp, including students in grades 7 through 12. It has nearly 50 children in this week’s camp, including students in grades 2 through 6.

Good said it was rewarding to have students/athletes who grew up attending the camp now coaching the younger campers in the second week. Good has been involved in the camps for the past 17 years.

Any time you have a player who goes through that camp and then comes around the next week and switches roles and now they are the coach, it’s rewarding as a coach, to see them give back,” Good said. “They are great role models for the younger kids.”

sports061914It marked the 29th year of basketball camps at Highlands Christian Academy. Former athletic director and boys varsity basketball coach Reg Cook started them in 1985. It is the most popular of all the summer athletic camps offered by the school.

The camps featured a morning devotion followed by warm-up runs and stretches, followed by an emphasis on ball handling and dribbling. The group was divided up into stations to work on lay-ups and shooting. A certain skill was emphasized each day. Several contests were done throughout the week, which included 1-on- 1, 2-on-2, free throws and hot shots. Full court, 5-on-5 full games were played in the afternoon after lunch.

We update the drills and we also had an all-star game with the older group,” Good said. “We select the 10 best players in the high school groups, break out the uniforms, and they play the coaches. The coaches are undefeated in the four years we have played.”

Good said about 70 percent of the campers attend Highlands Christian Academy and the remaining players attend schools in the surrounding communities. The two most notable campers to attend the Highlands Christian Academy basketball camp include Brandon Knight (Milwaukee Bucks) and Andrew Smith (now a senior at Liberty University).

Knight attended the camp when he was in the 4th grade and went on to star at Pine Crest School, and played a year at Kentucky, before being a first round pick of the Detroit Pistons.

It is the only two weeks of basketball that the school offers. In future weeks, they will offer softball, soccer, track and field, volleyball and golf.

We have three goals,” Good said. “One is for them to have fun, the second is to work hard and the third is to glorify God

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