DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 17 A man loaned his car to a friend who refused to return the car. The theft was reported at 1332 NW 3 St.

Dec. 17 A man reported that his iPhone was stolen by another man at a business at 1900 S. Powerline Rd.

Dec. 17 A woman reported that her father-in-law broke into her storage unit at 731 NE 42 St. and stole two sewer machines and a stereo system.

Dec. 17 A truck was stolen from a driveway at 95 SE 7 Ave.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Dec. 11 Victim said he wanted a subject trespassed from a business at 5200 N. Federal Hwy. because he was soliciting customers for money and causing disturbances inside the business.

Dec. 11 Subject kept stopping in front of the victims’ residence at 2340 NE 35 St. telling contractors not to do work for the woman because they won’t get paid. The subject was trespassed from the area and told not to return.

Dec. 12 A subject purchased $30 worth of products at a store located at 2474 N. Federal Hwy and stumbled into a display at a nearby table and concealed a pair of sunglasses and left without paying for them. The sunglasses were valued at $8.39.

Thank you, BSO

Dear Editor:

In view as to what has happened in New York, I felt compelled to write this in support of the men and women of our police department [Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO)].

The city of Deerfield Beach is blessed to have a superior law enforcement team protecting and serving the residents of our city. If, perhaps, Sheriff Israel and I have not always seen eye to eye, he must be applauded for his outreach programs that have included all of the residents of the community.

Since the commission that I worked with in 1989 chose to merge with BSO, it is probably one of the smartest moves that any politicians have ever made, even for Deerfield Beach.

It is with our sincerest thanks that we let the men and women of BSO know that they have our support and gratitude for keeping us safe.

Jean Robb,

Mayor Deerfield Beach

Pulled over motorist treated with kindness

Dear Editor: On Saturday, Nov. 29, I was in the parking lot of Federal Hwy. Self Storage, 415 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield. A police officer was pulling into the parking lot with the lights on.

When the lady in the car got out, I noticed that she was a bit older and was on oxygen. I truly felt sorry for her as the officer approached her. I witnessed the nicest act of kindness when Deputy Gary Toth took a renewal sticker from an envelope for Lorraine Esposito’s car and, without hesitation, bent down and placed it on her tag. I had to approach them and take this picture.

I thought how horrible this could have been, but in a split moment, witnessed an act beyond words.

That decision that was made by Deputy Toth will make an impression in my mind that I will never forget.

Let’s think about our actions this year and leave lasting footprints.

Thank you Deputy Toth!

Jayne Hafer

Deerfield Beach

Friends of the Deerfield Beach Arboretum meet

Thursday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.

Constitution Park 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: Roger Stone, owner of Stone’s Rose Gardening, Davie, FL. He will explain the basics of maintaining rose plants in our particular climate, and about proper species selection, environmental requirements, pruning techniques, tips on pests and disease, and tricks for obtaining the perfect blooms. He will end with answers to all your questions. Plant giveaway. Light refreshments served. Free and open to public. 954-480-4495. www.treezoo.com.

Burning of the Greens

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

Zion Lutheran Church 959 SE 6 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

(Date changed from 5th). Enjoy this bonfire to commemorate the closing of the Christmas season. Info.: 954-421-3146.

Garden Club of Lighthouse Point meets

Thursday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m.

St. Paul’s Education Hall 2700 NE 36 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Program: “BEE Kind to our Bees and Pollinators.” Presented by Ivan Baratz, Broward County Extension Advisory Council, Horticulture Tip by Mona Johnston. W&M bee-attracting plants. Any questions, contact Program Chairman, Mona Johnston, 954-975-9157 or visit www.lhpgc.org.

Movies in the Park: Frozen

Friday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park 4111 NW 6 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Bring the family, blankets and lawn chairs for a fun family night out. Concessions and glow merchandise will be sold for a small fee. For a full listing of this season’s movies and dates please visit www.deerfield-beach.com/moviesinthepark. For more information, call Constitution Park at 954-480-4495.

28th Annual Boca Fest

Saturday, Jan. 10 & Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Shops at Boca Center 5250 Town Center Circle Boca Raton, FL 33486

More than 150 artists, live music and more. Animal aid, a pet rescue and recovery center, will have dogs and cats for adoption. For more information, call 561-746-6615 or visit www.ArtFestival.com.

Yard Sale

Saturday, Jan. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church 1920 SE 4 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

A bicycle, clothes and misc. For info., call 954-687-8161.

3rd Annual District 2 Clean-Up

Saturday, Jan. 10, 7:30 a.m.

401 SW 4 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Volunteers will sign-in and enjoy some coffee, juice and donuts, which will be served between 7:30 and 8 a.m. Everyone will report back to the sign-in location at noon and pizza and refreshments will be served during a recognition and appreciation ceremony, which will run from noon to 1 p.m. Must be 12 and older. Teens who wish to participate in groups and are between the ages of 12 and 15 should be aware that there must be an adult present for every five teens. Proper attire is required. Wear boots or closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops), long pants and a hat. Bring sunscreen and wear the gloves that will be provided by the City. Please RSVP at 954-480-4391 and commit to volunteering. Certificate of Community Service (6) Hours will be provided during the ceremony. In addition, those who participate in Recycling Perks will receive 100 rewards points for volunteering. For any other questions and/or commitments to volunteer please contact the City Recycling & Solid Waste Management Dept. at 954-480-4391.

Hillsboro Lighthouse January Tour

Sunday, Jan. 11, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Alsdorf Park departure 2974 NE 14 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33062

$25 per person, free to HLPS members. Must have flat shoes with rubber soles and closed toes. No sandals, flip-flops, or shoes with heels are allowed inside the Lighthouse. Children must be accompanied by an adult and must be a minimum of 48” (4 feet) tall to climb the tower. No pets are allowed. www.hillsborolighthouse.org/tours.

An A Cappella Afternoon

Sunday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach High School Gym 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The New Presbyterian Church and The South Florida Jubilee Chorus present this concert featuring popular tunes, Broadway show music, gospel and a little comedy – all Barbershop style. FREE. No tickets needed. An offering will be taken. 954-946-4380 or www.newpres.org.

37th Annual Oshogatsu New Year Festival

Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Rd. Delray Beach, FL 33446

Celebrate the Year of the Sheep with unique Japanese games and customs, including Taiko drum performances, rice cake making, fortune telling, kids crafts, tea ceremony and more. VIP room offers craft beer, sake and more. Ages 11 and up: $12 online, $15 at gate; 3 and under FREE. VIP: (21 and up) $30 members, $35 non-members. www.morikami.org/newyear.

Pancake breakfast

Sunday, Jan. 11, 9 a.m. to noon

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

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

Relay Fiesta

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m. until closing

Baja Café 1310 Federal Hwy. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Baja Café will donate 15 percent of all proceeds to Relay for Life on this day. Relay for Life will be held at Quiet Waters Park on April 18. Look at acsevents.org under Relay For Life and then Deerfield for more info. and to sign up to participate.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration The City of Pompano Beach and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Committee of Pompano Beach presents: “Color of Unity” by commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with several community events:

MLK Basketball Classic

Monday, Jan. 12 – Thursday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m.

Mitchell Moore Gymnasium 901 NW 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Ages: 14-15 and 16-17

Registration: $50 per team

Parade/March 2015

Monday, Jan. 19, Line-up 8 a.m.

Mitchell Moore Park 901 NW 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Celebration 2015

Monday, Jan. 19, 10:30 a.m.

Blanche Ely High School Gymnasium 1201 NW 6 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Special Guest Performers: Canton Jones and T-DOGG For more information, call 754-217-6656.

Almost half of every American makes a New Year’s resolution and only 8 percent of them actually keep them. New Year resolutions are really a waste of time and something not really intended to be permanent. If we truly want to change anything in our lives to make things better, then we would be better off asking God to help us change the way we think.

ROMANS 12:1-2

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

NLT

I find even myself every year making promises to eat better and work on keeping my body healthy and strong. We will have much better success if we allow God, through the Bible, to begin to change the way we think by renewing our minds. The word renewing in this verse means that there is a “constant action taking place that never stops.” God is always working on us to help change the way we think. It is not just a one-time quick fix; it is something that takes place repeatedly. We give ourselves to God once, but we need to transform and renew our minds constantly.

In 2 Kings, Chapters 22 and 23, we read that King Josiah was a man who sought after God. However, his life changed when God’s Word was rediscovered. He called the people to a renewed covenant before God (see 2 Kings 23:3). God moved through Josiah to crush the wickedness of his country like a hurricane crumbles houses as if they were made out of toothpicks.

Not only can God help us, but He wants to help us. We all have problems and issues in life and can use some help. First, God wants to be our source for everything and give us direction for our future. The more we get to know God, the more we understand what He wants us to do and how He wants us to live our lives and treat others.

Second, we need to have confidence in ourselves, and we can do that by developing certain skills in our lives. We need to make sure we have long term goals, as well as short term goals. Make sure you do not worry, look to God for security and not possessions, learn how to rest, and you must choose your friends and associates wisely. Lastly, we must have confidence in God. God has faith in you; but, do you have faith in Him?

In order for us to change the way we think, we need God to help us make our changes permanent and not temporary. Allow God to change the way you think for results that last a lifetime.

Tony Guadagnino is a pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Church (801 SE 10 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, 954-428-8980, www.clfministries.org).

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

As predicted, 2014 was a critically and financially weak year for the movies. Perhaps Hollywood is resting before the release of guarantee box office franchises next year – the newest Avengers, Jurassic Park, Star Wars and the latest James Bond movie. For Cinema mavens, 2014 was a year in which many stories about the films were more interesting than the actual film itself.

Beyond revealing naked photos of celebrity starlets and revealing hypocritical political racism at the Hollywood executive level, the Sony hacking scandal did inspire a patriotic response. When terrorist death threats were issued to Sony Pictures for the distribution of the movie The Interview, a new level of censorship was revealed. Both liberals and conservatives agreed that the film should run. On Christmas Day, 300 theaters across America released it.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 10 Someone entered a store at 3628 W. Hillsboro Blvd. with a handgun and ordered a victim into the bathroom. The person with the gun then left the store.

Dec. 10 An individual was standing next to a friend mourning the loss of a mutual friend. Suspect came up to the individual and asked to speak about a matter. The individual refused, and the suspect then hit the individual on the head with a gun that discharged a round. The individual went to a hospital for treatment of the injury sustained after being hit with the gun and the suspected fl ed.

Dec. 11 A man reported his home at 49 SE 9 Terr. was broken into and ransacked.

Dec. 14 A man reported his wallet stolen from the training room at Target at 3597 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Dec. 11 Victim returned home from shopping at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. and noticed that his wallet containing credit cards and papers was missing. He returned to the store, but could not locate it.

Dec. 11 Someone used chalk to write on the basketball court located at 4521 NE 22 Ave. The officer responded and used a towel to remove profanities and obscenities.

Dec. 11 Police registered a vehicle in the city as being stolen. The vehicle was stopped at the 2500 block of N. Federal Highway and the driver said a friend had lent her the vehicle. Police said she told the valet at a hospital that she was the daughter of the vehicle’s owner and had lost her ticket. The valet released the vehicle to her and the owner said she did not know who the driver was.

New Year’s Eve event

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. until …

CEIZS Florida 2205 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Lively, FREE indoor concert with worship and dance. Countdown to midnight with LIVE TV feed from Brazil, concert at 9 p.m. and midnight buffet. (Across the street from Century Village in the old movie theatre building.) For more information, call 954-421-7737 or e-mail info@ceizsflorida.com.

First Night

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 4 p.m. to midnight

Old School Square park 50 NW 1 Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444

Live entertainment, “ice” skating, inflatables, campfire, carousel & more. Activities going on elsewhere in Delray, including retro video games at Delray Beach Center for the Arts! Buy First Night button for $10 in advance ($15 on 31st) at 100 ft. Christmas tree or City Hall (credit cards accepted) or Delray Beach Library, Crest Theatre, Delray News Stand and Chamber of Commerce (cash only). For info on Delray holiday activities, call 561-278-0424 or visit http://100ftchristmastree.com.

Sunday Matinee: Music Series Concert

Sunday, Jan. 4, 3 to 4 p.m.

Boca Raton Downtown Library 400 NW 2 Ave. Boca Raton FL 33432

One-hour concert band 33 Years. Featuring acoustic and electric Americana and country music, both modern and classical, and more. Reservations required. Call 561-807-7141 or visit www.bocalibrary.org.

AAUW meets

Monday, Jan. 5, 12:30 p.m.

Pompano Beach Women’s Club 314 NE 2 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

After a brief membership meeting there will be a short presentation and discussion by Dr. Laura Sudarsky, MD, FACS, CWSP. Dr. Sudarsky is a nationally recognized plastic surgeon who has been at the forefront of her field in reconstructive breast surgery. Followed by regifting fundraiser, selling gifts received but not wanted in exchange for funds to help AAUW scholarship fund. New members welcome. No charge. RSVP: 954-570-5423 or email: pompanoscholar@yahoo.com

Burning of the Greens

Monday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.

Zion Lutheran 959 SE 6 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Enjoy this bonfire to commemorate the closing of the Christmas season. Refreshments served after.

A man approached a friend of mine the other day. He was dressed rather shabbily and he was not exactly well kept. Okay, he smelled to the high heavens. His jeans were torn and his shoes looked like they were going to fall apart at any second.

In the olden days, we would have referred to him as a bum, but this particular bum must have been a Boca bum because asking my friend for money made him so thirsty that he needed to take a gulp of the frozen latte he held in his hands from Starbucks.

Make no mistake about it, it wasn’t my friend who was holding the latte. My friend would never pay that kind of money for a fancy coffee, frozen or not.

While our parents might never have judged someone asking for a handout, in our day and age, we have become a bit more cynical and some use this cynicism as a excuse to avoid giving charity to anyone or anything.

My Father of Blessed Memory never questioned. He just knew that he wanted to thank G-d by sharing his blessings with others. I may take after my father in a lot of ways, and I certainly hope that I have taken on many of his good traits. But, to be honest with you, before I give to a charity now, I check to see how much of what they take in actually helps the poor.

Sadly, I have even become cynical when it comes to someone on the street asking for a handout. Of course, the fact that on one particular corner in Boca I drive by early in the morning and have seen a gorgeous Mercedes drop off three or four people to beg on the corner …well, that just makes me wonder. No, it does more than that, it makes me cold and cynical.

Even more sad is that I have seen people standing by various intersections with signs in their hands that say things like, “Hungry, will work for food.” I used to keep some things like a case of peanut butter in my car to hand out to these folk, but you would not believe how many of them turned down the peanut butter and even gave me dirty glares for offering it to them.

Now, before I put you in such a negative mode that you never consider giving to charity again, let me turn this around a bit.

There are people, sadly, more people than you can even imagine who are in great need. And no matter how much you think the government is doling out to them, many simply cannot take care of the most basic of needs.

So many of you are going to make New Year’s resolutions of what you are going to give up this year; but, as we begin 2015, I would ask you to make a resolution not on what you are going to give up, but rather on what you are going to give.

Someone I know did this last year and, after giving all that he had planned to give, other things happened in the world, other things came up in the community, and he still found that he had enough blessings to give even more; and he did!

So while you are joyously ringing in the New Year, count your blessings and, who knows, maybe you will take these words to heart and resolve to share those blessings throughout the year. You see, giving to those in need isn’t just a good deed, it is the fulfillment of Holy Commandment.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach, which will be staging the “biggest” version of Rip Van Winkle you have ever seen on Jan. 18. For tickets, call 954-428-0578 or etaarts@aol.com. Come to the show and start the New Year feeling young again.

By Gary Curreri

Sixth-year Highlands Christian Academy girls soccer coach Shelly Wik knew there was no way to go but up after last year’s 2-15 campaign.

“I knew we were going to have a little bit better of a team this year than last year because I have 10 seniors on the team and most of them had played before,” said Wik, whose team is 8-5-2, having quadrupled last year’s win total, and looks forward to playing in the District 13-1A tournament on Jan. 13.

“Our underclassmen are all new,” Wik said. “Of the remaining seven players, I have six of them who had never played before. It is definitely more promising. I have won districts in the past; my second year coaching, and this year’s team is just as good as that team.”

The Knights will face tough district opposition in Westminster Academy, Coral Springs Christian and South Florida Heat.

Wik’s fortunes this year at the school have come from the addition of senior Keisha Nahr and sophomore Sara Carroll.

“To win districts,” Wik said. “We will have to play so much better as a team. Our seniors and some of our key players are going to have to step up. We are getting there. We are getting better and better.”

Wik’s daughter, Kealey, is a senior captain on the squad despite limited experience. She is an outstanding volleyball player.

“We definitely have more heart, said Wik, 17, of Lighthouse Point. “As a team, we have more skill and that always helps. We have gotten a lot better. We had new people who came and they are amazing and that always helps. From the first practice, we were always playing with the team and everyone was trying their best.”

She said transitioning from volleyball to soccer took an adjustment.

“It is very different going from hands all of the time to just playing with my feet,” Wik said, “but I kick the ball pretty far so that is always good.”

Sophomore Sara Carroll, 15, of Coral Springs, said there is a big difference between high school soccer and club soccer.

“In high school, you have a lot more kicking and running,” Carroll said. “It is fun to represent your school. There is pride. We definitely play more as a team the girls who are still here and we have a few new ones that help out a lot.”

Carroll said there is work to do; however, her teammates are willing to learn.

“We have a lot of girls on the team who have never played before, so they take any advice,” Carroll said. “We have a pretty hard district, but I think we can get through if we put our minds to it. It is going to take hard work, people showing up on time to practice and fewer injuries.”

Senior newcomer Keisha Nahr, 18, of Boca Raton, has also provided a lift since moving to Florida in August. She played for the Curacao U20 National team when she was 15.

“I love it,” Nahr said. “The players are great. Everyone works well on the field and, at the end, we all enjoy it. I think we have a pretty good team here. Every team has something they have to work on. At this point in the season, we have done some wins that were pretty much impossible last year, and I think this year we have a good chance to win districts and maybe regionals.”

Local diver wins state title

Pompano Beach High School sophomore Carly Ehrlich overcame a nearly 30-point deficit on her final three dives to capture the Class 2A girls’ 1-meter diving competition at the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center in Stuart recently.

The 15-year-old Ehrlich scored 432.20 points to win the girls’ 1-meter diving competition as she overtook Megan Galbreath, a junior from Cape Coral High School, who placed second with 425.80 points.

“There are just no words to describe it,” said Ehrlich, who finished fourth at the state meet as a freshman. “I was going into one of the last rounds behind one of my good friends Megan (Galbreath) and, to come out with the win, I have never been so happy in my life. It was amazing.”

Ehrlich, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, has trained with the Pine Crest Diving team for the past five years. She entered the state competition confident of winning a medal.

“I did think I had a chance to win due to the fact that the girls who beat me last year (Stanton High School’s Carol Gerhardt and Elizabeth Tillo) were seniors, but I knew I really had to be on my game that day to win.”

Ehrlich has won two district titles and a regional crown previously; however, this was her best finish ever. She also became the school’s first state champion in any sport since 1974.

“A win like this is definitely a boost to my confidence,” Ehrlich said. “It also makes me determined to win the next two years.”