Fall Baseball Registration

Monday, August 25 thru Friday, Sept. 12

Middle School Athletic Complex, 501 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Ages 4 to 15. Ages 8 & under: $50-residents/$60-non-residents. Ages 9 to 15: $65-residents/$75-non-residents. For information, call 954-480-4426 or 954-480-4427.

2014 Greater Pompano Beach Business Expo

Tuesday, August 26, 5 to 8 p.m.

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

Find out about other local businesses, network, enjoy refreshments. There will also be raffles.

For more information, visit www.pompanobeachchamber.com.

Authors & Autographs

Sunday, August 31, 2 to 5 p.m.

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

Part of Sundays at The Butler House. Free Entrance. Over 25 local published authors will be autographing and selling their books. Also used book sale, ice cream social and concert by The Ron Nabors Duo. All donations support the programs of the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. 561-299-8684.

Walking Club

Begins Tuesday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Westside Park , 445 SW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Held Mondays through Fridays. Free walking club for the entire family. To participate, sign up inside Westside Park Rec. Ctr. Walk newly renovated walking path at own pace and come inside to log your miles each time to receive prizes for specific mile levels. For more information, call 954-480-4481.

Save the date: Relay For Life Committee Round Up

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Hampton Inn 660 W. Hillsboro Blvd Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

The Relay For Life of Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point & Hillsboro Beach seeks members of their communities who would like to serve on the planning committee. This community-based walk-a-thon celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those who we have lost to cancer and raises funds that primarily support cancer research. They have a few positions and welcome participation. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by August 29 to Karen Hardy at karengle@yahoo.com or 954-242-5485. For more information, call 954-481-1221 or visit www.relayforlife.org/dblpfl

Fill the Boot

Monday, August 25, starting at 9 a.m.

Local 3080 Union Hall 304 NE 1 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Members of the Metro Broward Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 3080, along with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will host a special event to celebrate their 60-year partnership and kick off the firefighters’ annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to benefit children and adults affected by neuromuscular disease throughout the Metro Broward area. City officials, fire chiefs, firefighters, MDA staff and families will be in attendance. Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer and Fire Marshall for the state of Florida will be among the speakers. Michael J. Ryan, Mayor of Sunrise, will also be sharing thoughts. Representatives from the cities of Sunrise, Tamarac, Coral Springs, Margate, Coconut Creek, Lighthouse Point, Lauderhill and Oakland Park confirmed their plans to attend. Hundreds of members of Local 3080 will fan out across the county with boots in hand for this year’s drive on August 26-Sept. 2.

Funds raised through the 2014 Fill the Boot events will help support MDA’s programs of worldwide research, specialized healthcare services and day-to-day support , which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Gold Coast Christian Camp in Lake Worth.

As the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s largest national sponsor, the IAFF fuels MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. The IAFF is a major contributing sponsor of the MDA Show of Strength Telethon, and IAFF contributions from charity baseball games and other local events help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization’s unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and firefighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2013, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $26.2 million. To date the IAFF has raised $530 million for MDA.

For more information, visit www.mda.org.

For the past several weeks, many of us have been complaining about the weather “conditions” here in sunny South Florida. We’ve complained about the heat; although it’s true some love that heat; and we have complained about the deluge of rain that we have had.

Then there’s the Middle East; everyday people ask about the “conditions” over there. Every day the news is filled with reports as to what conditions this side or that side is requiring just to sit down at the table together.

There are even conditions in regard to marriage. In fact, if you look at a Ketuba, a Jewish marriage contract, you would find the “conditions,” the solemn obligations of marriage, including I will love, I will honor and cherish you; I will protect and support you, and I will faithfully care for your needs as prescribed by Jewish law and tradition. I pledge you all my love and devotion, and I take upon myself the fulfillment of all the duties incumbent upon me as your spouse.

So you see, marriage comes with “conditions.” In fact, pretty much every relationship I can think of comes with “conditions.” I know there is something we refer to as unconditional love, but that love can grow grossly awry if certain “conditions” aren’t met.

Even the Almighty puts “conditions” on us. The covenant we made at Mount Sinai has been likened to a wedding: G-d the groom, we the bride and the Torah as the wedding contract.

Of course, the secret to any relationship is communication and all too often we fail to communicate properly. And, before you know it, that union we have, that closeness, that warmth, suddenly turns cold. And, if it doesn’t turn cold suddenly, it sure as heck turns cold over time.

I often tell people that they should go to a counselor for a tune-up, that they should go to see what state their relationship is in. They should stop in to see what “condition” their “condition” is in. Oddly enough, it’s one of the reasons we pray to G-d; it’s one of the reasons we come to our House of Worship; we stop in to see what “condition” our “condition” is in, our “condition” with G-d.

I was talking to someone the other day. I tried to encourage them to come to join us at Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach. They said they didn’t need to join a temple or a community; they told me their faith was in their heart. Now, please don’t get me wrong. I hope each of you has faith in your heart, but I also hope that you have more of a commitment than that; I hope that you have faith in your head, in your hands, in your feet, in your home, in your business, in your community, and, yes, in your marriage.

A marriage can easily fall apart when one partner constantly says, “I love you,” but their actions never show it because they’re never there for you. The same is true in our contract with G-d. You can’t just say “I love you.” Your relationship requires actions, commitment and communication. Marriage is a continuing process, if you don’t grow with it, if you don’t regularly check in to see what “condition” your “condition” is in, you may be heading for a separation or a divorce.

The same is true with our faith and our relationship with G-d. Go to your House of Worship, communicate with G-d, communicate with your Congregational Family, contribute; and when you pray, take a good hard look inside yourself and see what “condition” your “condition” is in.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

If you enjoy reading this column or are in need of a “Spiritual Tune-Up,” why not join us for a Shabbat Morning Service at Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach. We’d love to see you there. The Temple is located at 201 S. Military Trail.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

The Expendables 3 opens tomorrow with a sense it’s the last hurrah for the old action stars.

Four years ago, it was a novelty to see Stallone and Schwarzenegger in the same scene at the same time; but the couple has made four movies together and the novelty has worn thin. The good news is that the film does hold up as an action movie with sly Hollywood humor. Bruce Willis is out; Harrison Ford replaces him with double entendres about Willis’ missing character.

The Expendables team (Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Jason Statham) rescue Wesley Snipes from a runaway train and blow up a prison.

After The Expendables are tricked by the master villain (Mel Gibson), Stallone decides it’s time to retire the team and reboot with a young team of mercenaries. Taking a page out of The Dirty Dozen, Stallone uses Kelsey Grammer to recruit the young talent. The mission is a failure and Gibson gloats.

The action scenes are as overwhelming as one expects, but tongue-in-cheek humor keeps the filmed glued in reality. Of the three Expendables, Gibson is the best antagonist to match Stallone. Both are cold professionals whose staring contest is scarier than blowing up a building or flying into a helicopter blade.

For those seeking action entertainment minus loud explosions, check out The Discoverers. In this film, a 21st Century family reunite with a quirky grandfather (Stuart Margolin), who likes to reenact 18th Century history. The family learns to cope with the great outdoors without cell phones and the Internet. As the father, Griffin Dunne is getting his best notice in two decades.

I could not wrap up this column without mentioning the loss of Robin Williams. For 37 years, Williams has been a household name and managed to reinvent himself to the point that no one could take him for granted. My generation knows him as “Mork,” current college graduates know him as the “Genie” and today’s young people know him as “Teddy Roosevelt.” He made us feel good; but nothing is more poignant than the tears of a clown — when no one is around.

We have also lost actor Danny Murphy, who lived in Florida. Paralyzed for over 30 years from a diving accident, Danny rose above his disabilities and lived an adventuresome life. He began his acting career in his early 40s with cameo roles in films like Something about Mary, Shallow Hal and Fever Pitch. Last autumn, Danny premiered CinemaAbility, an award-winning documentary about how Hollywood perceives people with disabilities. He was an inspiration to everybody who ever met him.

[This week, we also lost legendary actress Lauren Bacall, known for films like “To Have and Have Not.”]

By Gary Curreri

Rain failed to dampen the spirits of a sellout crowd of 244 golfers and netted an estimated $25,000 for the 7th annual Frankie Foundation golf tournament recently at the Woodlands Country Club in Tamarac.

The event, which withstood a 40-minute rain delay, raises money and awareness for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and honors Frankie Speciale, who died of a massive heart attack while playing in a recreational men’s soccer league match in Deerfield Beach in 2007.

Even though the 1982 graduate of Pompano Beach High School was given CPR immediately, his life could not be saved. It is believed an automated external defibrillator might have made the difference in him surviving.

Frankie Foundation President Scott Henratty, 42, of Lighthouse Point, said the popular tournament has grown over the years. The first tournament at Colony West drew a capacity crowd of 144 golfers. It then moved to Palm Aire Country Club in Pompano before ClubLink, owners of both Palm Aire and Woodlands, suggested the tournament move to Woodlands because its banquet facility can accommodate the 244 golfers.

“We maxed out,” said Henratty, who gave out five AEDs and four $1,000 scholarships at the tournament. To date, they have given out 25 scholarships and 48 AED units. “We have been sold out for a while. We sell out every year. We believe we put on a quality tournament. The main sponsor is One Beat CPR.”

Henratty also said he can’t understand why there isn’t a statewide law requiring AED in public places.

“The idea is, ‘why isn’t that a state-wide law?’” Henratty said. “The frustration is that we can give 5 or 6 AEDs away, and they save lives, but why aren’t they everywhere? If you are in an airport, or a governmental building, you are okay, but if you don’t have one someplace else, you could be in trouble. We are going to draft a bill that basically requires an establishment opening to the public an AED on the premises; that costs less than $1,000 as a safety feature.”

“Long ago, they didn’t require fi re extinguishers; now they do,” Henratty added. “Things have progressed where they know they save lives and they should be everywhere. An AED is like a fi re extinguisher or anything else. It is a proven fact that they save lives and they are in most buildings and most airplanes; but they are not in private facilities.”

Coconut Creek’s Jason Cheshire, 42, is a treasurer with Frankie Foundation. He said they are set up with the schools and they know their criteria.

“It can go to any athlete and it is a $1,000 scholarship,” Cheshire said. “We have a committee that will review them and we chose our winner from that. Anybody can apply and we look for the person who needs them … the one who needs help.”

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

Here is the karmic confluence of events that triggered this column:

1) I have spent the last several months cursing Facebook, cursing, that is – the amount of time I have wasted – thrown it into unchartered cyberspace, down the drain — time, a major and significant commodity at my age. And, as well, feeling close to being a hostage to its magnetic lure, as one “look” (like?) begets another, and I am sucked into its inane, nonproductive and mostly socially vapid vortex.

2) Having nothing to do with the above, and because I am a fan of the author, I am about 50 pages south of completion of David Eggers’ book “The Circle,” which – purely coincidently is about the predicted long-term effect of having social media creep into our lives, squirting us with endless transparencies that can never be redacted and asking the question: “Will constant surveillance result in a more honorable (perfect?) society, as people fear to have their bad behaviors flashed onto world screens?” It also illuminates the end-game of a society which has the ability to monitor, disseminate, record and analyze every breath we take, and, eventually, every thought we entertain.

The book is not up to Eggers’ literary reputation and the writing has major flaws, but the concept is pure and prescient.

3) Today, I got caught up with curiosity about one of the meetups for which I had – eons ago – signed up. (Meetups : a group of local people who were initially strangers to each other, but who share a specific interest — meeting to enhance that interest) I followed it in maze-like fashion, dumped eventually into “LinkedIn, “another social media “darling,” and discovered two people I would like to contact and thought, “How wonderful that I can contact them and perhaps be enriched by those contacts.”

And so, as always, I land squarely in the middle, excoriating extremism, exhorting the powers that be to put the brakes on serious boundaries, while commending the existence of tools by which we can actually improve our lives. While I hope that we have not already gone beyond the slippery slope, unable to stop the rush towards the ultimate BIG BROTHER society (pssst! I think we are there already!) I am not sure that there are enough of us – and this may be generational – to foresee such a damning future.

It’s not really comfortable to sit on a fence like this. It is certainly not a sign of bold leadership, but is, in fact, a position reflecting thoughtfulness, and the avoidance of hasty decision-making often leading to disaster. It’s a slow-down and meditate and weigh-the consequences position, reflecting less passion and more mindfulness — “mindfulness,” by the way, garnering numerous powerful allies and practitioners these days.

I am not advocating the dumping of social networking – which is already beyond control. It’s more like look both ways before you cross the street against a red light. And with all those trucks barreling along the road, it is the better part of wisdom to avoid them.

DEERFIELD BEACH

July 28 Someone entered Chico’s Pizza at 3912 W. Hillsboro Blvd., broke into the safe and stole $6,419.

July 28 A women reported that her boyfriend stole her prescription medication. The report was made at 651 NW 42 Court.

July 28 It was reported that $2,040 worth of electronics was stolen from BrandsMart USA at 821 SW Natura Dr.

July 28 A woman reported that a suspect she knows stole $10,000 worth of jewelry from her bedroom at a home at 395 NW 36 Ave.

July 28 A man reported that his iPhone 5 was stolen while he was at the U.S. Post Offi ce at 212 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

DEERFIELD – District 4

July 25 Theft took place at 3551 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The victim reported a theft of 27 aluminum scaffolding planks valued at $1,600 from an unsecure construction site.

July 25 Conveyance burglary occurred at Quiet Waters, 401 S. Powerline Rd. Suspect(s) smashed the front passenger side window of the victim’s vehicle. The victim advised BSO that her Coach bag was stolen.

July 27 Residential burglary was reported in Riverglen at 600 NE 44 St. Between 6 p.m. on July 26 and 12:30 a.m. on July 27, the residence was burglarized. A digital camera and laptop computer were taken.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

July 14 A subject cashed a check for $290 at 3600 N. Federal Hwy. The victim, who is paralyzed and needs assistance, said her in-home assistant was responsible for the theft.

July 15 A subject cashed a fraudulent check for $3,016 at 3800 N. Federal Hwy. The victim said the check was stolen from her mailbox.

July 15 Victim left his wallet in a business toolbox at 4230 N. Federal Hwy. and later realized it was missing. It contained a bankcard and driver’s license. The loss was $46.

School Board, Wake Up!

Dear Editor:

Most cities don’t have a city resident on the School Board, just someone from a large regional district.

This means that “our” representative deals with not only our 7 schools, but dozens more in other cities.

This keeps the School Board members so far removed from the hometowns that they don’t see the local needs, or the unfairness of many of their decisions.

It is impossible to have enough time to get to know each school’s and city’s needs, and so perhaps decisions are made without enough knowledge. For example, deciding that schools don’t need to have School Resource Deputies (SRDs).

With what this country has seen in the recent past, taking place on our school campuses, elementary, middle and high schools, police in each school are not a frill, but a necessity.

For years, Deerfield Beach has begged and borrowed money for School Resource Deputies for its schools, not a city responsibility, but these are our children.

This expense should be a School Board budget item.

However, when the Deerfield Beach District 4 commissioner contacted them, he was greeted politely, thanked for his call, and then, in effect, told, “Take a flying leap.”

Decidedly, money and politics count more than children in our School Board’s list of priorities.

The money for next year, $199,562 for 2 deputies, which should be paid by the School Board, is instead, with the commission’s approval, coming from Deerfield Beach’s LETF resources (Law Enforcement Trust Fund — money confiscated from drug deals and such).

There is no way Deerfield Beach should be on the hook for the entire expense as the children in the schools come from many other cities. The School Board is not stepping up to the plate, so we have to, but each of the cities which send students to Deerfield Beach should pay their prorated share. Who can make this happen? Whoever it is should get cracking.

Think of the things $200 grand could do for our city, for example, helping prevent crime with children’s programs or, perhaps, helping victims of crime. This won’t get done because we are shouldering the entire burden of keeping our kiddies safe in their schools.

Our commission has its priorities straight. However unfair it is, our city is paying the cost.

To our commission: our children’s safety comes first. I can’t say the same for the Board of Education …

Perhaps we should grab our “pitchforks” and attend a few School Board meetings.

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach

RE: City Wide Clean-Up for Month of August

I’m responding to the article regarding Deerfield Beach Clean-Up [in the August 7 Observer].

How about the city start with that tent and trailer sitting on our beach, violating many ordinances?

Talk about low-hanging fruit.

James Radyko

Deerfield Beach

Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament

• Registration/Summer Slam Kick-Off Party Thursday, August 14, 6 to 9 p.m.

Bru’s Room 235 S. Federal Hwy. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Free food & free goodie bags. Huge raffle giveaway including: paddle board, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Guy Harvey merchandise and more. 954-785-2227.

• Fishing Tournament

Saturday, August 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pompano Beach Pier 222 N. Pompano Beach Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Free food provided by Zona Fresca, free beer, live band, 30 + vendors displaying merchandise, face painting, games for whole family. Proceeds benefit Broward Children’s Center. Anglers shoot off-6 a.m./Weigh-in and Prizes giveaway-2 p.m. Sunshine SUP Series Race, 9:30 a.m-1 p.m. www. extremekayakfishing.com or 954-661-0175.

NE Focal Point Preschool Open House

Friday, August 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Serves children 2-5 years old. Tour classroom, meet staff. Open year-round, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Breakfast, lunch, snacks included. Music, computer classes, swimming lessons offered. Teachers are certified. Free VPK offered 9 a.m. to noon, beginning Aug. 18. Call 954-480-4473 or email jhafer@fdeerfield-beach. com.

Back to School Splash

Saturday, August 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486

Enjoy water slides, dunk tank, giveaways, music and more. Popular food trucks will offer up ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers (for extra charge). Event is for kids age 3 and up and is weather permitting. For more information, call 561-347-3900 or visit www.SugarSandPark.org.

Dive in Movie Night: “Rio 2”

Saturday, August 16, 8 p.m.

Pompano Beach Aquatics Center Houston/Sworn Pool 901 NW 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Enjoy yummy treats and wear a swimsuit. [If it is stormy, there is a chance it could get canceled so watch the skies]. Call 954-786-4111.

Woman’s Club of Deerfield Beach

Wednesday, August 20, 7 to 8 p.m.

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For more information, call 954-421-4700.

Save the date: DBHS Class of 1974 40th Reunion

Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13

Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach 950 S Ocean Way Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

$85 per person, includes: “Meet & Greet” w/ hors d’oeuvres on Friday 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday Dinner/Dance with DJ/photographer. Payment can be made to: Linda Threlkeld, 17580 Lake Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33487 or by credit/debit card through PayPal for $5 more (email: 1974.DBHS.Reunion@gmail.com). For more info contact: debbywebb1@yahoo.com.

Curtain Call Theater Season Auditions

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

Open casting. Seeking: Males and females ages 18 to 70 and children ages 8 to 18. For specific breakdown, visit www.curtaincallplayhouse.com. Be prepared to wait. Non-equity. Some gratuity. Bring theatrical resume, headshot and list of schedule conflicts. Will be a cold read plus optional monologue, time permitting. For musicals, be prepared to sing a song in the style of classic musical theater. Bring recorded accompaniment on CD or MP3 player. No live pianist; amplification/ mixer provided. No a capella. Rehearsals (Nights and weekends only) start in October for “The Matchmaker,” mid-March for “Dial M,” November for “Annie Get Your Gun” and December for “Phantom/ Les Miserables.”

• Non-musicals: “The Matchmaker” & “Dial M for Murder”

Saturday, August 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, August 18, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• Musicals: “Annie Get Your Gun” & “Phantom/ Les Miserables”

Saturday, August 16, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

BACK TO SCHOOL EXPO

Saturday,August 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Town Center mall 6000 Glades Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33431

Schools, healthcare providers, WPTV News Channel 5 . For more information, go to www.wptv.com.

Free lunch for Back to School

Thursday, August 21, noon to 2 p.m.

Whole Foods Market 1400 Glades Rd.

Say goodbye to summer and hello to the school year with a grilled cheese meltdown featuring Organic Valley products in the lifestyle center. Kids eat free and a $5 donation for adults goes to the Whole Kids Foundation. Additional prizes and giveaways available. For more information, call 561-447-0000.

They always say that time goes faster and faster as you get older. They always say that we should enjoy our children while they are small because the time goes by very fast and it is gone before you know it. I never really understood those statements until I had my own children, and I started getting older.

My wife and I did not start our family until we were in our 30s. And now (a few years later — ha-ha) our son is 15 and our daughter is 13. Both of our children are in high school now and I just think – WOW!

As a parent, I want the best for my children. I want them to do well in school and get an education. I want them to be safe from all the bad and evil things that are in the world today. BUT, I do not want to be their God and make all of their life’s decisions for them. I want them to learn and grow and be able to take care of themselves so, when mom and dad are not around, they will know how to make wise decisions and do the right thing.

Matthew 7:9-11

9 “You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?

10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!

11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

NLT

As my wife and I began to raise our children, it was then that I began to realize how much God truly loves us. The very same way that we love our own children is the same way that God loves His children. God want the very best for us. God wants us to do well and learn as we go through life, and get educated so we will make the right decisions. God wants to protect us from the bad and evil things in this world. The Bible teaches us that safety is not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

NLT

The same way we pray and hope that our children listen to us and make the right decisions when opportunities come is the same way that God feels about us. God wants us to listen to Him and make the right decisions when the opportunities come. The best ways I have found to learn from God is by reading your Bible, praying and going to church. There are also benefits for our children to obey their parents and do what they are told to do. We have benefits of obeying God and by doing what He has asked us to do. As we pray for our children to be happy, healthy and holy, let’s also pray for ourselves as well.

Tony Guadagnino is a pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Church.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Upon reviewing my 15 years of columns for The Observer, I came to the realization that my column is older than actress Bailee Madison (who I have written about)! Fifteen years was more than enough time for Director/ Writer Richard Linklater to create Boyhood, the most critically-acclaimed motion picture of 2014.

The biggest gimmick about Boyhood was the ambition. For 12 years, Linklater contracted the same cast to meet for a few days and shoot his movie project. In 2 hours and 45 minutes, we watch 6-yearold Ellar Coltrane grow up to become a college freshman. The plot is that simple, yet it is the genuine moments in between that is giving Boyhood it’s Oscar buzz.

Mason Jr. (Coltrane) and his big sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater, the director’s daughter) live with their divorced mom (Patricia Arquette). Their Father (Ethan Hawke) works in Alaska. When financial times get tough in the summer of 2002, Mason’s family moves to Houston to stay with their grandmother.

As a struggling single parent, mom attends college and dates successful men. The father visits on the weekends, and shows Mason and Samantha a good time, and discusses his hatred of President George Bush and the meaning of life.

As Mason matures in the Texas environment, the cute little kid grows into a long haired teenager who is only interested in his art. At times, Mason is irresponsible, other times he is a dutiful son who is always in search of meaning.

Boyhood concludes with a-blink-and-you-miss-itmoment, but the final lines serve Richard Linklater’s philosophy found in his Before Sunrise, Sunset, Midnight trilogy about the importance of “carpe diem.” The sad thing about Mason is that he is under the influence of hash brownies as he comes to his big revelation.

Heavily influenced by cinema verite icons Francois Truffaut, Satyajit Ray and Vittorio De Sica, the beauty of Boyhood is that it is a film that is open to interpretation. Despite the use of profanity that is appropriate, Boyhood is a film to see with the family in the afternoon, if only for the family discussion afterward.