DEERFIELD BEACH

June 16 A woman reported her car stolen from 3750 NE 3 Ave. The keys had been left in the car.

June 16 It was reported that an unknown person walked into a business office at 550 Fairway Dr. and stole a laptop computer.

June 17 It was reported that a man robbed a pizza delivery driver of 5370 NE 5 Terr. of $73.50 worth of food and $22 in cash.

June 17 A loss prevention specialist at Publix at 3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd. reported that a man stole six boxes of cold medicine valued at $36.

June 18 A man reported that two men who were caught on video surveillance entered a company vehicle and stole various items. An attempt was made to steal the vehicle by breaking the ignition switch. Incident was reported at 1650 S. Powerline Rd.

DEERFIELD – District 4

June 20 Auto theft of a motorcycle took place in The Waterways, 4369 SW 10 Place. The victim’s motorcycle, a 2009 Honda CRV600PR, bearing FL tag 77UET, was taken from his reserved parking spot in the Enclave Waterways apartment complex. Victim advised BSO that he parked the motorcycle at approximately 9:30 p.m. on June 19 and discovered it missing on June 20 at approximately 5 p.m. The victim advised BSO that the complex gate was not functioning properly on Thursday. It was open when he entered the complex.

June 21 Auto Theft of a truck/bus occurred at Enterprise Commerce Center, 1601 NW 49 Ct. The victim advised BSO that his 2005 Freightliner Columbia, bearing GA tag IC84MX, along with his 2003 53-ft. utility trailer, bearing FL tag 3746CI, containing 10 pallets of food, were taken from the rear of the address between June 20 at approximately 8 p.m. and June 21 at approximately 12 a.m.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

June 2 A subject stole diapers from a CVS at 3580 N. Federal Hwy. and fled in a vehicle. Police initiated a traffic stop and they located the merchandise valued at $80.96.

June 2 Someone broke into a 2012 Land Rover that was parked at 3500 NE 27 Ave. and stole credit cards, $200 cash, a purse and a wallet. The loss was $795.

RE: Street Lights

Dear Editor:

A couple of weeks ago, I saw an article in the Deerfield Observer [June 12] giving thanks to Broward County for listening to the Observer when they requested a turn signal be placed at Federal Highway and NE 2nd.

This prompted me to fireoff a torrid of emails to city officials, asking them how could this be done so simply in less than a year when District 2 residents had been requesting this for the last 30 years and I had, most recently, been petitioning the City since September/October of 2011 to look into adding turn signals and street lights along with bringing the truncated domes up to code at Hillsboro and MLK.

Then, after the tragic death of a friend in early 2012, I stepped up those efforts to ensure that the pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety concerns in that area were taken seriously so that this senseless tragedy did not happen again. To no avail.

There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of run around, and then finally, an answer. We were told that the City didn’t have the money, then we were told that traffic doesn’t warrant a turn signal.

So I took it upon myself to videotape the conditions at that intersection at night, so I could present it to the commission. I was denied my many requests by the then-mayor, District 2 commissioner and city manager.

I kept fighting, petitioning, and presenting my legitimate concerns and request but was thwarted by the then city commission and staff at every turn.

FDOT came out and installed the yellow truncated domes that are now present at the intersection of MLK and Hillsboro bringing that section up to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance.

Fast forward 2 years and this brings us to that Observer article. After reading it, I fired off e-mails and asked the current mayor if I could now show my video.

The mayor gave me permission to show my video and gave me time to speak on the issue. Then, when FDOT responded to the City, advising they would indeed now install the signal and would look into the street lights during the 2016 resurfacing, she was the only one to reach out to me and inform me of this.

I wrote a blog post indicating that I would write a congratulatory letter if the City/ FDOT or whoever would take care of this issue for District 2, so here goes…

“Thank you FDOT and The Honorable City of Deerfield Mayor for answering the many prayers and request of the District 2 residents for the last 30 years. Also, for answering my personal request since 2011.

“So, on behalf of all the residents of District 2, I once again want to say, “Thank You for finally listening to us.”

David Cody

Deerfield Beach

4th of July Celebration — Deerfield Beach

Friday, July 4, noon to 9 p.m.

Main Beach Parking Lot 149 SE 21 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Food, arts and crafts, kids’ zone and free entertainment. Fireworks show begins at 9:05 p.m. On North Stage, from 12:30 p.m. until fireworks, see bands: Flyin’ Blind, Steve Minotti & the Hotheads, Not Steve, Doug & Dan, Jesse Taylor, Billy G, Late for Dinner and special guests.

Road and facility closures:

• International Fishing Pier will be closed at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2 and will reopen at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 5.

• On July 4, at midnight, Ocean Way from Hillsboro Boulevard to SE 4 Street will close, reopening on the morning of July 5.

• On July 4, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge, as well as A1A, from NE 1 Street to SE 3 Street, will be closed to traffic.

• The Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge will remain in the locked down position from 7 to 11 p.m.

Parking on the barrier island will be limited during the event. Complimentary parking will be available at The Cove Shopping Center, located at 1580 SE 3 Ct, and St. Ambrose Catholic Church, located at 380 S. Federal Hwy. Attendees can make the short walk across the bridge to the event or take the complimentary shuttle service between The Cove Shopping Center and the beach or St. Ambrose Catholic Church and the beach.

The Shuttle service will run as follows:

• Continuous shuttle service from 11a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

• NO shuttle service from 5:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. due to the closing of Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge.

• Continuous shuttle service will resume at 11 p.m. and run continuously until 12 a.m. www.deerfield-beach.com/4thofjuly or 954-480-4429.

Beach Bash & Fireworks Extravaganza — Pompano Beach

Friday, July 4, begins at noon

Pompano Beach Fishing Pier to the Great Lawn 10 N. Pompano Beach Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Watermelon eating contest, relay races, arts and crafts projects, airbrush and glitter tattoos, bounce houses, food and live entertainment! Starting at 2 p.m., bands include Poor Life Decisions, Grayson Rogers and the Blues Brothers Soul Band. Also, game show “What’s The Deal?” 9 p.m. – fireworks. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome; personal fireworks, glass containers, alcohol and pets prohibited. 954-786-4111.

Fabulous 4th—Boca Raton

Friday, July 4, begins at 6 p.m.

Spanish River Sports Complex 1000 NW Spanish River Blvd. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Free event. 6 p.m. – family fun, 7 p.m. – live band, 9 p.m. – fireworks. Free Trolley Service will be available. Info: 561-393-7995.

Yard Sale

Saturday, July 5, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

All sorts of wonderful items priced to sell. Inside air conditioned Parish Hall. Rain or shine. 954-695-0336.

Summer Horse Camps

Monday, July 7 to Thursday, July 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tradewinds Park & Stables 3600 W. Sample Rd. Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Also July 14-17, July 21-24. For ages 9 to 16 to get real experience caring for horses and riding them. All campers must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Participants should also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Students must bring their own snacks and lunches. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Fees range. Limit: 12 campers/session. Other camps in August too. For details, call 954-357-8870.

Deerfield Beach Orchid Society Meeting

Tuesday, July 8, 7:30 p.m. SHARP

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

Speaker: Dr. Brian Monk, of Blullama Orchids, will speak on warm-growing miltonias. For more information, e-mail deerfieldorchids@gmail.com or visit www.deerfieldbeachorchidsociety. Org

Job Fair to Hire 60 School Bus Operators

Monday, July 7, 3 to 6 p.m.

E. Pat Larkins Community Center 520 Hammondville Rd./MLK Jr. Boulevard Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Bring a resume and a transcript of driving record with no more than five points on driving record in past five years. For more information call 954-586-1132.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Class

Thursdays, July 10 to Aug. 21, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Fire Station 102 1441 FAU Research Park Blvd. (3rd floor training room) Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

FREE training teaches the citizens about the basics of disaster preparedness, basic first aid in disaster situations, fire safety and utility controls, how to suppress a small fire, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, terrorism and more. Students will learn how the Deerfield Beach CERT Team is utilized in the community following a disaster (such as a hurricane, tornado, etc.), as well as how CERT helps the community, our police and our fire/rescue services in non-disaster times. To register, e-mail your name, address and cell phone number to CERT@Deerfield-Beach.com or call Carol Sjursen, CERT Coordinator at 954-803-6338.

When I was a kid growing up in the Midwest, we played a lot of sports, but soccer sure wasn’t one of them.

Then, one day, some young soccer star from out of the country appeared on one of the talk shows. And let me tell you something, I might have learned to shoot baskets in school, I might have learned to hit a ball with a bat, and I sure as shooting learned to duck from those games of dodge ball, but when I saw this soccer star doing what he was able to do using only his feet, well, it was miraculous.

You might not be aware of it, but the Torah talks about soccer, at least, sort of.

After all, do any of you remember the name of the man who brought soccer to America? That’s right, his name was Pele. The name Pele in Hebrew is Peli, or Peles, and means, “miracle.” And as we read about the rebellion against Moses that was led by Korach, we find the name of O’ne Ben Peles. Hmmm, could that have been who soccer legend Pele was named after?

O’ne Ben Peles is mentioned right along with Korach and Dasan, and Aviram. And, at the end of this horrific rebellion, Korach dies, Dasan dies, and Aviram dies. But O’ne son of Peles does not get consumed. How is it that the son of Peles survives when the others do not? Well, according to the Talmud, a good wife can literally be the difference between life and death.

You see, Korach’s wife kept hocking him a chinick, she kept pushing him with lines that in our modern day might go like this, “Why are you such a bum? Where is your ambition? Why aren’t you doing more to be in a higher position with higher pay, and more power? I would have been much better off if I had married Moses instead of you. You are nothing but a little grasshopper.”

But, O’ne Ben Peles’ wife does not make her husband feel small. She does not belittle him. She softly advises him, letting him know that if he continues to be involved in the Rebellion, he will gain nothing, because if Moses wins, Moses will be the leader, and, if Korach wins, Korach will be the leader. But, either way, you will not be the leader. You will be O’ne Ben Peles and I happen to love O’ne Ben Peles just as you are.

Korach probably had times that he had to listen to his wife kvetch and didn’t like it. But O’ne Ben Peles’ wife had a good goal in mind and she kept her eye on the ball and on her husband as well.

In the Talmud (Baba Metziah 59 b), we read, “Thy wife is short, so bend down and consult her.” O’ne Ben Peles was wise enough not only to bend down to consult with his wife,’ he was wise enough to take her advice.

Around the time we light the Sabbath candles, a husband recites an ode to his wife called “A Woman of Valor” (an Eishes Chayil). Fire in Hebrew is Aish. Wife in Hebrew is Eesha. For they light a fire within us. A fire can be used to warm someone or to prepare nourishment. A fire can also burn and be destructive.

On this Independence Day, let’s celebrate safely and may all our fires be warm and nourishing like those of an Eishes Chayil.

Shalom, my friends, and a very joyous 4th of July.

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.