RE: Hillsboro Blvd. lane elimination

Dear Editor: [In the April 10 Observer newspaper] The city wants to reduce Hillsboro Boulevard from 6 lanes to 4 lanes from Dixie Highway to Federal Highway to make it a Complete Street and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

I think lane reduction will make that stretch more dangerous because of the bottleneck caused by planned rail traffic increases.

The Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad is in the process of adding more powerful locomotives to haul more freight coming into the expanded Port Everglades. Also, plans include adding Tri-Rail and All Aboard Florida trains to the FEC tracks. All of this expansion will increase traffic from 14 trains a day to over 100 a day, which will cause HUGE traffic backups.

These backups will extend further and last longer because motorists will be merging from 6 to 4 lanes.

Frustration could lead to road rage incidents, making this stretch more dangerous.

Hillsboro Boulevard does not fi t the government’s concept of a Complete Street, but it is complete with 6 lanes, sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists, and the right lane has bus stops for mass transit.

Lane reduction combined with dramatically increased street closings for rail traffi c is a really bad idea.

Anne Lloyd

Deerfi eld Beach

RE: Here we beach again-in Deerfield

Dear Editor: [In the June 5 Observer newspaper] Why could not the State of Florida or County, or City, through law of eminent domain, look into the possibility of claiming those parcels of the beach held privately for the good of the public?

Vince Opromolla

Deerfi eld Beach

Papa’s Raw Bar Grand Opening

Thursday, June 12, 6 to 8 p.m. 4610 N. Federal Hwy. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Eat, Drink & Be Local! Happy Hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m until closing. $1 off all beer, $3 off wine by the glass, $3 drunken oyster shooters. Check out live entertainment schedule: www. papasrawbar.com. 754-307-5034.

Luau Party & Polynesian Show

Thursday, June 12, 6 to 9:30 p.m.

The Pavilion 301 Yamato Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Authentic Polynesian live entertainment with music, songs and dances of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa and New Zealand-Maori, with cultural information in between. Mai Tai’s and Pina Coladas all evening for just $7, including tax. Happy Hour discounts in effect until 7 p.m. 10 percent of sales benefits The Polynesian Culture Association. Fee includes punch and lei. Open to anyone under 18; those under 21 must sit in dining area with someone over 21. www.paviliongrille.com or www. PolynesianCultureAssociation.com.

Father’s Day weekend

Saturday, June 14 to Sunday, June 15

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek 5550 NW 40 St. Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Father’s Day Giveaways on Saturday and brunch on Sunday! 954-977-6700 or visit seminolecasinococonutcreek.com.

14th Annual Juneteenth: Blues & Sweet Potato Pie Festival

Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Apollo Park 240 NW 16 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Presented by The Friends of the Northwest Branch Library. Live entertainment from Davy Nuby Band, foods from different cultures, watermelon eating contests, egg toss, Sweet Potato Pie Contest. Special guests Windell Campbell and Joy Woods will tell stories. Free.

Downtown Drive for Father’s Day

Sunday, June 15, noon to 6 p.m.

Mizner Park 327 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432

Classic car show. Free to public. Proceeds from car owners benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation. Free concert at 7 p.m. with FAU Summer Concert Band. 561-362-0606.

Shutterbug Photo Hunts

Sunday, June 15, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Fern Forest Nature center 201 Lyons Rd. S. Coconut Creek, FL 33063

Learn photography and about history of park. Join photo contest. Bring digital camera that accepts standard SD cards. Park will provide cards, but will retain them after the hunt, so bring flash drive if you want to take copies with you. Sturdy boots are recommended to cover more rocky terrain. $10 per team or family unit. 954-357-5198.

Summer VPK

Through Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NE Focal Point 301 NW 2 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For students entering Kindergarten in August who have not attended VPK. Lunch and snack included for free. Preschool Director Jayne Hafer just won Director of the Year for the state of Florida and the preschool won finalist for Center of the Year through the Florida Association for Childcare Management. 954-480-4449.

Democratic Women’s Club of NE Broward

meets Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m.

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

Speaker Lynne Joshi, president Broward County League of Women Voters, on Florida Congressional Redistricting Court case, three Constitutional amendments on Nov. 4, 2014 ballot. Free, open to public. Refreshments served. 954-942-8711.

Help Boca Raton Children’s Museum

Thursday, June 19, noon to 6 p.m.

Chico’s 5250 Town Center Dr. Boca Raton, FL 33486

10 percent of sales at the store go to the Boca Raton Children’s Museum. 561-368-6875..

Sundays at the Butler House

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

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

Theme: “Jammin in June.” Free. Concert by It Takes Two. Also, Starlite Express Twirlersand New Young Patriots. Picnic style food for purchase. 954-429-0378 or www.deerfieldhistory.org.

GFWC Deerfield Beach Woman’s Club Meets

Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m.

Woman’s Club of Deerfield Beach 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Be a part of friendly goodwill among women who are carrying on the spirit of charitable, educational and civic improvement in our community. 954-421-4700.

Vacation Bible School

Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, 9 a.m. to noon

First Presbyterian Church (The Pink Church) 2331 NE 26 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Children age 6 through grade 5 take an incredible journey into the wilderness with Moses! As an ‘Israelite Camper,’ kids step back in time to discover what life was like. ‘Tribe Time’ will be filled with projects and Bible lessons! $30 per child. Lunch available for additional $25. Limited enrollment. Contact: kcavanaugh@thepinkchurch.org

City of Lighthouse Point 2014 Summer Camp

The City of Lighthouse Point’s 2014 Summer Camp program will run from June 18 through July 25 and is open to all boys and girls ages 6 through 13. Summer Camp hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Off-Site Summer Camp Activities (additional fees apply) activities include, but are not limited to: Off The Wall Laser Tag, Planet Air Sports, The Wow Factory, Skyzone Indoor Trampoline And more!

Summer Youth Sailing Program

The Summer Youth Sailing Program will run from June 23 through July 24 and is open to all boys and girls ages 9 through 13. Summer Camp hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m., Monday through Friday.

Registration Information:

Registration for all Summer Programs will be held on June 16 and 17 in Dixon Ahl Hall (2200 NE 38th Street Lighthouse Point, FL 33064) from 8 a.m. to noon

Registration Fees:

Lighthouse Point: Residents $250

Non-Lighthouse Point Residents $400; Pram Sailing Program Residents $125; Pram Sailing Program – Non-Residents $225 All children wishing to participate in the program must register. For more information: 954-784-3439 or visit www. lighthousepoint.com.

in the City of Lighthouse Point between July 28 and August 1 at Frank McDonough Park (3498 NE 27 Ave, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064).

First Kicks 3-4 years 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. $80

Mini Soccer 4-5 years 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. $105

Half Day 6-9 years 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. $125

Half Day 10-14 years 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. $125

For more information, visit www.callengersports.com.

On May 29, 2014, J. David Bogenschutz, Esq, attorney for former mayor Al Capellini, submitted his bill for services to Mayor Robb and the City of Deerfield Beach. The legal fees and costs (December 2008-May 23, 2014) equal $1,035,015.45.

Bogenschutz gave a detailed report of time spent, stating it equaled 67 plus months of  “significant discovery, depositions, complicated and multiple legal pleadings and motion practice.”  The hours totaled 1,200 for him, plus an additional 250 hours for associate attorney Ashley Dutko, plus the “eight trial days resulting in acquittal.”

In addition, he listed $153,265.45 in “hard costs” over the 5 1/2 years. He continued to mention a breakdown of fees, stating that the number was actually a conservative one.

PDF of letter and invoice

By Rachel Galvin

For director Gaetano Fasulo, as well as about 60 cast and crew, their movie, “Bonk,” a romantic Christian comedy, was a labor of love. Created for the Gideon Film Festival, to be held July 11-16 in Orlando, the film was filmed in locations all over the Deerfield Beach area, including the Eller Building (home of the Observer). The film, the first of many by the group, premiered May 30 at Centro Cristiano church in Deerfield Beach. Boca Live, who usually performs at Church of All Nations in Boca Raton, led the large crowd in worship through their powerful music. For more information, visit http://christianfilmers.com.

(On left): Boca Live performed.

(On right): Director Gaetano Fasulo with Director of Photography Gabriel Kipling Tyner.

By Gary Curreri

Residents have an opportunity to take advantage of World Cup soccer fever this summer as the Simply Soccer camp returns for its 26th year in Coral Springs.

Soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. Simply Soccer, the longest running soccer camp offered by the city, will be held at Mullins Park behind the Coral Springs gymnasium. There won’t be a similar camp this year in Pompano Beach.

There are three sessions each day ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tiny Tot program for ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Full day campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch.

Dates are June 9-13, 16- 20, 23-27; July 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-Aug. 1; Aug. 4-8, 11-15.

For information, call 954- 345-2200.

ELY WINS IN JENKIN’S DEBUT

Blanche Ely High School ended its spring football contest against visiting Miami Jackson on a high note as it chalked up an impressive 31-14 victory.

The Tigers’ star basketball player, Therrell Gosier, who has been turning heads off the basketball court and on the football fi eld this spring, didn’t disappoint. He caught two passes totaling 55 yards on the team’s fi rst drive to set up a 1-yard run by Teddrick Moffett for a 7-0 lead, and added a 3-yard TD catch for a 14-0 fi rst quarter lead.

“I’m just trying to help my team win a state title,” Gosier said after the game. He is being heavily sought after by Clemson, West Virginia and Nebraska, among others. “I’m looked at as the leader of the receiving corps. I think my ability to stretch the fi eld will mean a lot. It will give our slot guys more room to work with, open the fi eld.”

After Miami Jackson cut the lead in half on a 75-yard TD run by Desmond Phillips, Ely put the game away on a 28-yard scoring toss to Ladderick Smith and rolled to the win to give fi rst year head football coach Nakia Jenkins some momentum heading into the season.

Jenkins said the Tigers wouldn’t be doing too many 7-on-7 tournaments during the summer heading into the school year.

“I really don’t believe in them too much because, to me, it throws you off a little bit because your quarterback needs to get used to an offensive line,” said Jenkins, who said his team will be a part of the 7th Annual Miami Dolphins 7-on-7 High School Football Tournament presented by Under Armour and the National Guard from June 13-15.

“They have been great to us the last few years,” Jenkins said. “We may do one or two local ones, but my focus is to get my seniors in some camps so they can get looked at so the kids don’t fall through the cracks. The camps are really big to give them some notoriety.”

POMPANO SOFTBALL TO WRAP UP SEASON

Continental will play the International squad in the city of Pompano Beach’s Men’s Thursday night softball league championship on June 5 at 7 p.m.

A win by the International squad would give the team the title, while a loss to Continental would force an 8:15 p.m. winner-take-all contest.

Levinson Jewelers/Jacks Hamburger won the Men’s Softball A Division playoff bracket with a 19-7 victory over Lifetime Kia.

A new competitive league will be starting soon, and games will be played on Monday nights at the Four Fields Complex in Pompano Beach.

“Any bat will be allowed and a pitching screen will be placed in front of the pitcher for protection,” said Bobbi Palat, a recreation leader for the city. “Twelve home runs will be allowed.”

The fee is $400 for residents and $500 for non-residents. There will be a 12-game season with a double-elimination tournament at the conclusion of the regular season. The winning team will receive a free entry into next season.

Leagues are also starting for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. It will be the same entry fee of $400 (residents) and $500 (non-residents). There will be a free entry into the league for next season and there will be two separate brackets for playoffs.

For more information, contact Palat at 954-786-4119.

(On left): Cinema Dave meets Heather Langenkamp

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.live journal.com

Like last year’s The Lone Ranger, Maleficent was skewered by urban elitist film critics upon release. Much like the recent release of Mom’s Night Out, there is a disparity between public perception and mainstream critics. With $69 million box office revenue, Maleficent proves that everything old is new again.

At a recent Spooky Empire convention [May-Hem, held May 30-June, 1 in Orlando], Grumpy himself — actor Lee Arenberg from the television show Once Upon a Time- addressed this disparity.

“You do not know how much power the fans hold. Critics had judged The Lone Ranger even before it was released. Studios are putting more emphasis on computer metadata as generated by the fans.

While Walt Disney studios is best known for their animated fairy tales, the studios recent adaptations have taken on a darker tone. Last summer, the Magic Kingdom was forced to close their gates on “Villain’s Day” due to overcrowding. With this emphasis upon villainy, one has to ask “Do heroes matter?”

Best known for playing Freddy Krueger’s arch nemesis “Nancy” in The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, actress Heather Langenkamp addresses this question in her documentary, I am Nancy. Featuring writer/director Wes Craven and Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund, Langenkamp asks the question, “Why Freddymania and not Nancymania?”

I am Nancy is a poignant documentary that is fan-based. The fans who Heather interviews come from all walks of life, i.e. doctors, lawyers, children, paraplegics, hearing impaired, victims of domestic violence. While most people agree that Freddy Krueger is “cool,” most people are really “Nancy.”

Instead of being a victim (for whatever reasons), Nancy chooses not to empower evil.

Langenkamp knows her success; she’s happily married with kids, owns her own business and acts occasionally. She definitely understands that fine line between fantasy and reality.

Fairy tales, villains and monsters like Maleficent have been with us since the dawn of time. Through history, one sees how each generation interprets these stories. These interpretations often reflect a culture in decline or on the rise. As Langenkamp says at the end of her documentary, “Be Nancy.”

(On left): Cinema Dave meets Godzilla.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

Addiction is a terrible thing. And pretty much everybody who understands it will admit that it takes great strength and determination to beat it. It’s pretty easy to just say: Get over it – or you can stop if you want to – but alas – the psycho-emotional component is a trap hard to escape.

So, there’s liquor, drugs, food and cigarettes and any number of “fetishy” things, and I’m here to report on how I found the best cure for my particular addiction(s). In a few words, I am addicted to “excess;” as in, if one (of anything) is good, two is better and three is ideal … and one addiction is not enough, combined with the inability to throw anything away, a penchant for collecting pens, elephants, old matchbooks and print articles of particular interest to me, and letters (remember letters?), and a compulsion to shop anything that says “Buy one, Get one Free.” Know ye well that this does not augur well when in the process of downsizing one’s living quarters by about 2000 square ft.

Thus, the cure … Take away that 2000 sq. ft.of living space for starters – and for sure there is some physics theory that says something to the effect that there is a limit to how much solid stuff can actually fit into a specific amount of space. And so the “tossing party” begins. We – I say “we,” but it is actually only me – “do” categories: Saving … donate … give away … sell … garbage. And here, of course, is where I break the addiction.

And then a funny thing happened to me. I became obsessed with the “garbage” category. And furiously did I dump the junk of my life, what I had thought to be the sustenance of my life — the stuff that I would have been too embarrassed to give away, donate, and certainly would not expect to sell. Why did I save this? Why did I acquire it in the first place?

You can call it cold turkey. That’s how I eliminated about 90 percent of my worldly possessions. Ah, but wait.

Then came the move — and there is still too much – and now I am dealing with having to eliminate about 90 percent of what is left – resorting to the same categories.

Soon, this torture will end. Soon, I will be settled in with just the right amount of “stuff.” And, already, I can see how effective the cure was. Retailers, marketers, hawkers of various wares, all of you out there, I give you fair warning. I am not your patsy any more. If I don’t need it, I don’t buy it. And if I need it, I buy only one.

I feel like a new person. I have shed my stuff. It’s better than taking a bath. It feels so good.

DEERFIELD BEACH

May 17 A home at 812 SE 15 Court was broken into through a window. Three cell phones, Xbox games, a laptop and jewelry were stolen.

May 19 A diesel truck was reported stolen from the Extended Stay parking lot at 1200 SW 11 Way.

May 20 A man reported that his son broke into his home at 63 SE 5 Ave.

May 20 A car was reported stolen from the parking lot of La Quinta Inn at 100 SW 12 Ave.

May 21 An attempt was made to break into Furniture restoration at 282 NW 1 St.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

May 3 Two subjects were observed at a pain management clinic located at 2100 NE 36 St. after hours. Subjects told police they were looking for a vending machine. They were taken into custody and later that morning a purse was found near where their car was parked, containing narcotics believed to have been taken from the clinic.

May 4 A paddleboard valued at $1,600 was stolen from the rear of an apartment located at NE 28 Avenue.

May 4 A GPS Radar united, valued at $5,000, was damaged when someone attempted to steal it from a 47-ft. boat docked at 3701 NE 25 Ave.

The Deerfi eld Comedy Show II

Thursday, June 5, 8:30 p.m.

American Rock Bar & Grill 1600 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfi eld Beach, FL 33441

Headliner: “The Reverend” Bob Levy, from Comedy Central, MTV, Howard Stern Show, Opie & Anthony, Today show, Artie Lange Show.. Hosted by Franco Harris. Feature: Perry Sak. Guest spots: Jacky B., Michael Cintron. Tickets only $10. Info: 954-428-4539 or visit www.AmericanRock- Bar.com.

Health Awareness Day

Saturday, June 7, noon to 4 p.m.

Westside Park 445 SW 2 St. Deerfi eld Beach, FL 33441

Free event, open to the public. Healthcare vendors. Food and refreshments served. 754-224-9182.

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday June 8, 9 a.m. to noon

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

Hosted by Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES, Drove 142. Adults $5/Children $2.50. Open to the public. 954-255- 3130.

Deerfield Beach Orchid Society Meeting

Tuesday, June 10, 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Club of Deerfi eld Beach 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfi eld Beach, FL 33441

Speakers: Ken & Judy Russ on “backyard growing.” www.deerfi eldbeachorchidsociey. Org.

Teen Travel Camp

Wednesday, June 11 to Friday, Aug. 1

345 SW 11 Way Deerfi eld Beach, FL 33441

Field trips, including bowling, ice skating, Rapids water park, kayaking, movies, laser quest and more. Ages 13-15. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./extended hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is going on now. $630 for residents, $820 nonresidents. 954-571-4568.

Hair Loss Event for Women

Wednesday, June 11, 4 to 6 p.m.

Hecker Dermatology Group, P.A. 3500 NE 5 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL, 33064

Complimentary event. RSVP requested, limited space. Refreshments served. Call 954-783-2323 to RSVP or email frontdesk@heckerderm. Com.

Save the date: GFWC Deerfi eld Beach Woman’s Club meets

Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m.

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfi eld Beach, FL33441

Be part of friendly goodwill among women who are caring on the spirit of charitable, educational and civic improvement in the community. Volunteers needed at NE Focal Point Looking for a way to give back over the summer? The local NE Focal Point is always in need of volunteers at their senior center and thrift shop. Give them a call to get more details.954-480-4447. NE Focal Point is located at 227 NW 2 St. in Deerfi eld Beach, 33441

About a month before Shavuot began, a Director of Therapeutic Recreation, wanting to make the festival special for the Jewish residence, asked me what things she should get for the holiday. In fact, she went further than that. We have been working together for some time now, and she said that she knew that, on Passover, we have a Seder. She knew that, on Chanukah, we have the Menorah. She knew that, on Rosh Hashana, we blow the Shofar. She knew that, on Sukkoth, we build a hut or booth. And then, she admitted to me that, for the life of her, she couldn’t remember what we do for Shavuot.

Many of you might be in the same boat as she was. Many of you might not remember what we have for Shavuot, and there is a good reason for that. There are no distinctive things like that for Shavuot.

So, of course, we switched to looking at special foods for the festival. She knew that Chanukah was a time for latkes or jelly donuts. She knew that Passover was a time for Matzah. She knew that Rosh Hashana was a time for apples and honey. And she knew that Yom Kippur was a time of fasting. But again, what about Shavuot?

And, come to think of it, why do we have this food or that food for the various holidays?

The latkes and jelly donuts that are eaten on Chanukah are fried in oil, thus reminding us of the miracle of the oil. The matza on Passover reminds us of how, in our haste to leave Egypt, we did not have time to wait for the bread to rise so we ate the unleavened bread. The apples and honey eaten on the New Year are a way of wishing one another a very fruitful and a sweet year ahead.

So what do we eat on Shavuot? On Shavuot, we traditionally eat dairy foods and, of all of them, there is one particular one that stands out. I am referring to a delectable little thing filled with “yumminess” (yes, I made up the word)… a blintz.

A blintz is a little crepe-like edible filled with cheese. (And for those of you who are lactose intolerant, you can now get them filled with Tofu). Oddly enough, if you take two blintzes and put them side by side, they take on the shape of the Torah, and Shavuot happens to be the time in which we celebrate the giving of the Torah.

The Rabbis have long asked those under their tutelage why we say the “giving” of the Torah, instead of the “acceptance” or the “receiving” of the Torah. And one of the answers given is that on each and every given day of our lives, at each and every moment, we have to decide if we accept the yoke of the Torah into our lives or not. I think that is why I like the term “receiving” of the Torah. So many times I have been asked, “Did you receive my message?”

Getting the message is important. Hearing the message is important. Reading the message is important. But in the end, after all is said and done, it is in the doing that we bring the Torah to life; and as they sang so beautifully in Fiddler on the Roof; “L’Chaim, L’Chaim, To Life!”

Shalom my friends, Chag Sameach,

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. He is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach.