By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

After screening at the 32nd Miami International Film Festival, 3 Hearts opens in limited South Florida release tomorrow. Marc (Benoît Poelvoorde) misses his train, but finds comfort with Sylvie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). After an intense experience, the two part ways. Marc settles in and develops a deeper relationship with Sophie (Chiara Mastroianni) with plans to marry. When meeting his future in-laws, including matriarch (Catherine Deneuve), Marc discovers that Sylvie and Sophie are sisters.

Nominated for numerous awards at the Venice and Lumiere Film Festivals, 3 Hearts is a French Film with English subtitles and features the plot device of a romantic triangle. With the cinematic legacy of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Catherine Deneuve, this film reveals that French storytelling is consistently modern.

It was French scholar Charles Perrault who penned European folk tales and crafted what we now know as the fairy tale Cinderella a.k.a. The Glass Slipper. As recent box office figures have revealed, this tale of love, romance and service has struck a chord with modern audiences.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Thor), the audience retraces the narrative about how Ella (Lily James) became “Cinderella.” We meet her adorable parents (Ben Chaplin and Hayley Atwell, who was in Agent Carter) who teach their daughter that it is important to have the “courage to be kind.”

These life lessons go into effect when Ella’s parents die. A wicked stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her sinister sisters (Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger) have Ella clean the furnace and she gets covered with “Cinders.” Considered “too dirty” to attend the Prince’s ball, Ella meets her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) who gives the heroine a makeover. By now, one should figure out the rest of the plot.

Cinderella deserves its success. Kenneth Branagh makes the sugary romance palatable, the characters are not overblown and the actors ensemble chooses restraint. This film can best be summed up in one scene – Ella’s “walk of shame” — because it is a beautiful moment due to the heroine’s pure motives.

Next week, the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBiFF) celebrates 20 years with appearances from Tom Arnold, Ellar Coltrane and others, and music provided by TK Records, who has a South Florida connection with K.C. and the Sunshine Band. At this international festival, keep an eye out for The Lost Key, a Spanish documentary about a Rabbi who talks about intimacy, lust and love.

www.pbifilmfest.org.

DEERFIELD BEACH

March 3 A digital camera was reported stolen from the pool area at Century Village at Century Village Boulevard.

March 3 A women reported her daughter’s bicycle stolen from 317 NW 2 Court.

March 4 A woman reported that someone pointed a gun at her at 431 SE 3 Place.

March 4 Two tires were stolen from a car parked at 1761 NW 2 Street.

DEERFIELD – District 4

March 6 Theft of motor vehicle parts occurred at the Gates of Hillsboro, 201 NE 40 St. Subject(s) stole a license tag from the vehicle parked at this address.

March 8 Theft of motor vehicle parts took place in Riverglen, 4717 NW 5 St. Four custom ATV tires were delivered by mistake to the above address. When the owner of the tires arrived to claim them, the residents denied any information on the tires. The owner then found an advertisement in Craigslist selling the same tires from the address.

March 10 Theft or motor vehicle parts was reported in Riverglen at 3801 NW 47 Ave. Subject(s) stole a license tag from the vehicle parked at this address.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Feb. 11 Victim said they left on a boat and returned to find the home at 2210 NE 48 Court in disarray. It is unknown what may have been taken.

Feb. 13 Someone broke two concrete slabs of a business wall at 3310 N. Federal Hwy. Damage was $500.

Feb. 16 Witnesses saw a subject on a bike taking political signs from a lawn at 2481 NE 21 Ave. The six lawn signs were valued at $36.

LHP Garden Club Salad Luncheon & Chinese Auction

Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m.

St. Paul’s Education Hall 2700 NE 36 St. (E. Sample Rd.) Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Program: “THE EXOTICS IN YOUR LIFE” by Jesse Durko, owner/grower Jesse Durko Nursery. Chinese and Silent Auction. $15 non-members & guest, includes lunch. R.S.V.P: 954-942-9310. 954-975-9157 or www.lhpgc.org.

Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 20, 7 p.m.

St. Peter’s Anglican Church 1416 SE 2 Terr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33063

“Come walk with our Lord.” Stations of the cross. Fridays during Lent. 954-695-0336.

Ryan’s Rockin Car Wash with DJ $yrup

Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Church 2700 NE 36 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

$5 per car, DJ spinning tunes and baked goods for sale. Proceeds benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

7th Annual Prayer Breakfast

Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Westside Park 445 SW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Held by I Am My Brother’s Keeper Ministries, Inc. Menu: Fish, bacon, grits, eggs, rolls, pastries and beverages. $10. Free door prizes and giveaways. For tickets, call 954-418- 0216. Donations help sponsor scholarships for Deerfield High School students, homeless and the incarcerated www. iambkm.org.

Highwaymen Art Show & Sale

Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sample McDougald House 450 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Florida iconic landscape painters show (and sell) hundreds of original paintings. $5. 954-292-8040.

Potluck dinner & hymn sing

Saturday, March 21, 6 p.m.

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

Bring a dish to share. Free parking. 954-427-0222.

“Rock and Relay”

Saturday, March 21, 5 to 10 p.m.

6101 NW 31 St. Margate, FL 33063.

Relay For Life event. $50, includes cocktail hour, dinner, DJ, live band, comedy, dessert and more. Proceeds benefit The American Cancer Society. For reservations, call 561- 929-0299.

Dixieland/ Hot Jazz

Sunday, March 22, 1 to 4 p.m.

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

Presented by the Hot Jazz & Alligator Gumbo Society. $10. 954-563-5390.

Concert – Diane Bish

Sunday, March 22, 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach High School Gymnasium 1400 NE 6 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33334

The New Presbyterian Church Concert Series presents Diane Bish, Concert Organist, featuring New Presbyterian Church Concert Choir. FREE, an offering will be taken. 954-946- 4380 or www.newpres.org.

Card party

Tuesday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Held by the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES, Drove 142. Open to the public. Bring your table of friends or group. $4, includes dessert and coffee. Call 561-479-2002 for reservations.

Job Fair

Tuesday, March 24, 3 to 6 p.m.

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

Business attire is recommended. Pre-register at 954-786- 7866 or dahlia.baker@copbfl.com for exclusive early entry.

Annual Tea Party

Wednesday, March 25, 10:45 a.m.

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

Handmade refreshments, mix & mingle. FREE. 954-427- 0222.

Month of Giving — Jersey Mike’s

Wednesday, March 25

1069 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Buy a Jersey Mike’s sub and get something back all month long. On this day, 100 percent of proceeds benefit Multiple Sclerosis.

Save the date: DB Historical Society Annual Dinner

Thursday, March 26, 6 to 8 p.m.

Seaboard Airline Railroad Station (just east of tracks) 1300 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Catered dinner & dancing to “It Takes Two.” Railroad Museum Tours $25. For more information, email judithofdfb@gmail.com.

This Friday is the first day of Spring and this Saturday is the first day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. Now is the time that we start our spring cleaning as we begin to prepare our homes for the Festival of Passover.

As we sit at our Seder tables, we will retell the story of our Exodus from slavery to freedom. Notice that I did not say that we will retell the story of our ancestors being slaves in Egypt, but rather that we will remember when we were slaves, as each of us is obligated on Pesach to talk about our personal deliverance from whatever has enslaved or oppressed us.

During the Seder, there is a moment when we follow a practice of the great Sage, Hillel, who was known to combine a piece of Matzah, the flat unleavened bread that we had to eat in our haste to leave Egypt, with Charoset and Maror.

This matzah was known as the bread of poverty. But as we got a taste of the freedom to observe our faith, that very same bread became the bread of freedom. And just as we shared that bread with each other in ancient days, we continue to share it to this very day.

But there is something else that we share during the Seder. We share the Maror, the bitter herbs that represent the bitterness of slavery. So why on earth did Hillel combine the two together? Why put the bitterness of slavery and the joy of freedom into one bite?

Perhaps we find the answer in the Haggadah itself. Each of us has tasted from the cup of bitterness and from the cup of freedom. And, since we have known both, there are a couple things we need to remember right off the bat.

First, in times of freedom, we must do what we can to help those who are enslaved or oppressed, as we know all too well what that horror is like. And second, in the times that we feel enslaved or oppressed, we must do whatever we are able to do in order to achieve freedom again. We must not give into despair; we must not give up hope. Indeed, the National Anthem of the Holy Land of Eretz Yisrael is “Hatikvah” which means “The Hope.”

Spring is a time of great hope. And, as it approaches, people often pray to get a little Spring back into their step. Even when death is approaching, faith and hope can most certainly make a difference.

Take for example Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame. Let me share with you two of his final tweets and, remember, he knew that he was nearing the end of his days as he wrote these messages.

The first said, “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory;” and then there was what I believe was his final tweet, which read, “So grateful for blessings, Wish the same to all.”

And then there was the recent Op-Ed by Oliver Sacks in The New York Times as he reflected on his most recent bout with cancer, which is so advanced that there is little if anything that can be done. He wrote, “…my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return … above all, I have been a sentient being … on this beautiful planet, and that, in itself, has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”

Spring is here. Be grateful for the many freedoms you have and make your life a loving adventure. And, while you are at it, be sure to give something back.

Passover is coming. May all who are enslaved hold onto their hope and may we do whatever we are able to bring them to freedom. With G-d’s help, speedily in our day … and let us all say, Amen.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach (201 S. Military Tr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442). Regular Shabbat services are open to everyone on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The letter to the editor on March 12 about the Original Save Our Beach (OSOB) sponsored referendum,  a citizens’ ballot initiative in which thousands of people participated as petitioners, was factually wrong.  

The 55-foot height limitation was already in the Deerfield Beach Development Code before the Referendum.  Many years ago fearing what would happen to the beach, building height limits were passed for the beach area.  The accusation that the referendum is responsible for the 55-foot height limitation is false.

 Also false is the accusation that the referendum was the cause of the Soleil 460 Condominium project failing and the property being sold to a drug rehab company. The truth is that this beautiful, unique project was enthusiastically and unanimously approved by the commission in April 2006, when I was the District 1 Commissioner.  The claim that this project was denied is absolutely false. 

The truth is the owners bought at the top of the market when they bought it in 2002! 

The truth is that by the time they wanted to build this condominium, the economy was tanking and they could not get financing. The property values across the country were dropping and many property “investors” who bought during the peak lost big time during the recession. 

Accusing the referendum of causing the value loss of any property is ridiculous and completely false. The comment about having “no choice but to sell to…drug rehab facility” shows that property owners who choose this path are so greedy for an unrealistically high price for their properties and that they don’t care about their neighbors or the quality of life in the neighborhood.  No one is forced to sell to anyone.  Don’t blame the referendum, or the 75 percent of voters who voted for it, for a decision to sell to a drug rehab company.

Far from stifling development, the current codes carefully encourage responsible, profitable development, as witness the many exciting new projects in the beach area. The owner of one of the new projects said he located his building in Deerfield Beach: “for its timeless qualities…low rise building landscape and its devotion to natural beauty,”

The residents of Deerfield Beach do NOT want the beach area to be OVER-developed.  They do not want buildings built high and wide on the beach.  They know if the current building codes that mandate larger building setbacks the higher the building goes are eliminated, we will be signing the death knell of the lovely gem of a beach that we have. 

Pam Militello, OSOB

By Rachel Galvin

As of 10:41 p.m (3/15/15)., SE 15th is filled with fire trucks and BSO. According to a source, there is a gas leak currently being investigated. Gas is coming from the roadway in the 300 block. Businesses in The Cove Shopping Center and some apartments have been evacuated at the time of this writing. Stay tuned for more details.

11:18 p.m: A source with BSO states that it is not a propane line, but a propane tank under the roadway that seems to feed the surrounding buildings. The leak was detected via smell and also sensors. They are still assessing the situation. Meanwhile, the apartment buildings in that block have been evacuated and the residents are standing around waiting to see when they can return.

12:42 p.m. According to BSO FR PIO, ” Hazmat techs have secured the leak. Tank will likely have to be dug up and replaced.”

By Sandy Johnson

The Honda Classic Golf Tournament at PGA National Resort and Spa brings excitement, great golf and a major financial impact on our area every year. Last year alone, the Classic awarded a record $2.55 million in charitable contributions! This went to 136 organizations, with the Jack Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation the primary benefactor. Much of the reason for this is the amazing number of volunteers who donate thousands of hours of their time to keep the tournament running smoothly. All of these volunteers wouldn’t be effective without the organization of Jim Coleman, who has been the Volunteer Chairperson for many years.

Working close by his side is his 19-year-old daughter Samantha. Sammy has been at this since she was 6 years old. She has been everything from a standard bearer to a caddy bib distributor, to her current position as her Dad’s right hand “man.” This year, she had the added chore of helping to direct people to safety when a massive storm with pouring rain came through on Saturday, forcing everyone off the course and out of all the hospitality suites. Every person had to be relocated into the main clubhouse, which was the only safe, permanent structure. Sammy calmly took on this unexpected task. She not only volunteers with her dad at the Honda, but also the Allianz, Doral, ADT and other local events. When she was still in high school, she had so many thousands of service hours that she just stopped counting. The best part of all this is the fact that she is now in college at Palm Beach State studying Business Management and then is transferring to Florida Gulf University where she will get her degree in PGA Golf Management.

Asked about her favorite moments, she said it was when senior player Chi Chi Rodriquez insisted that she ride in the cart with him, instead of walking with the standard. He then autographed his name card, which she framed and still has hanging in her room. She also loved it when Ben Crane, a current player with a huge following (of the younger set due to his Golf Boys video that he has made with three of the other young golfers), asked her if she would pose for a picture with him.

Sammy was on the Honda course on Monday when the delayed tournament continued and ended up with the exciting playoff between Padraig Harrington from Ireland and a PGA rookie local boy Daniel Berger from Jupiter. Padraig won on the second playoff, but it made for a nail biting ending with all of Daniel’s family there cheering him on.

An interesting side note on the tournament was some of the consequences of the massive rain storm. When the crew went out to try and get everything back in shape for the next day, they had to contend with chasing alligators and water moccasin snakes that were now on the course! Saturday was cancelled and Sunday tee times were delayed. It was a massive undertaking for Chairman Jim and Sammy to contact and reschedule all the volunteers for the new times and also the extra day that had to be added on. They took it in stride and all went perfectly.

Perhaps the best quote of the tournament came from Lukus Harvey, director of PGA National agronomy, when asked how in the world his staff managed working all day and night to get the course ready to play again by Sunday afternoon — “It is only stressful if you make it that way!” That’s an adage for all of us to live by!

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

After viewing the last of the Academy Award Best Picture nominations, I thought it was time to take a break from the “serious” fare and view pure “escapist” entertainment like Chappie, featuring Sigourney Weaver, Hugh Jackman and acclaimed director Neill Bomkamp.

How could a film about science fiction robots fail?

While it does not quite fail, it does not succeed either.

Somewhere in the not-too-distant-future, robots have become the police force of Johannesburg, South Africa. Due to aggressive police policies, crime is minimal. However, there are a bunch of low intelligence thugs that like to steal money and create havoc. During a routine raid, a robot is shot down.

Enter Deon Wilson (Dev Patel), a genius inventor who seeks to make the robots more autonomous with his gifted software. Enter Arch Rival Vincent (Hugh Jackman) who has created a behemoth robot that relies on human communication. Enter boss Michelle Bradley (Sigourney Weaver) who only seeks a profit in selling low cost protectors of society.

Had Bradley not scrimped on the security budget, she would have noticed the criminal activities of Vincent and Deon. Eventually, Deon inserts his lifegiving software to the slain robot and “Chappie” is born. Chappie, who is kidnapped by South African gangsters, [portrayed by Ninja and Yolandi of the rap-rave group Die Antwoord] becomes acclimated to their culture and speaks their lingo.

Chappie is cute, but suffers from too many story logic flaws. It is also a movie that distracts you and makes you think of other science fiction movies like Wall-E, X-Men, Alien and Blomkamp’s Oscar-nominated science fiction flick District 9. Too bad, but the film is open-ended enough for a sequel.

This Friday the 13th features the opening of two new movies.

Eva is the recipient of 3 Goya Awards, Spain’s version of the academy awards. Like Chappie, it deals with robotics, but it also deals with human expression and emotions.

Sans robots, The Lovers is Roland Joffe’s return to prestige from his triumphs three decades ago with films like The Killing Fields and The Mission. Josh Hartnett is a marine biologist who travels from India to the Caribbean in the 18th century. This film also includes Bollywood Idol Bipasha Basu in her international film debut.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Feb. 24 A woman reported her truck that was parked at 1266 S. Military Tr.was entered and clothing was stolen.

Feb. 24 Two employees stole money from a business at 1101 S. Powerline Rd. while waiting on customers.

Feb. 25 Three men fl ed after they realized they had been observed committing a burglary at 365 NW 7 Court.

Feb. 26 A woman claimed her mother stole $1,500 from her purse at 237 SW 5 St.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Feb. 18 Theft of motor vehicle parts – a stolen tag — took place in Waterford Homes, 2906 S. Waterford Dr.

Feb. 18 Theft – retail/shoplifting occurred at the Super Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Suspect entered the Target store and removed a security device from Dyson DC50 vacuum valued at $449.99. The suspect then placed the vacuum in a shopping cart and walked out of the store without paying. Loss prevention tried to detain the suspect as he exited the store. He then fl ed on foot, leaving the vacuum behind.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Feb. 10 The victim said someone stole a laptop, purse and laptop case valued at $880 while she was dropping her child off at daycare at 3850 N. Federal Hwy.

Feb. 11 The victim said someone took three packages of Zantac valued at $22.99 each and walked out of the store at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. without paying for it.

Feb. 11 A store manager observed a subject putting a small bottle of Advil under his shirt and left the store at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. The loss was $7.99.

RE: Preserving citizens’ quality of life

Dear Editor:

In response to the [Feb. 19] Letter to the Editor entitled “Preserving citizens’ quality of life,” what the writer of that letter fails to take responsibility for is that the Original Save Our Beach (O.S.O.B.) group is also responsible for enact[ment] of a referendum that does not leave owners the option to sell to developers due to height restrictions that are unreasonable and do not allow for more than 55 ft. of height or four floors.

Nobody is asking Deerfield Beach to be like Ft. Lauderdale. However, restricting the building height to only 55 ft. limits the value of the property and therefore dissuades potential developers from investing!

This, in turn, gives the existing owners no option but to sell to drug rehabs, which now become the properties’ “highest and best use.”

A clear example is 460 S. Ocean, which, because of these restrictions, the owners had no choice but to sell to an owner who has turned the entire building into a drug rehab facility.

Originally, this building was slated to become a condo called “Soleil 460.” However, due to the lack of foresight by the O.S.O.B. group, the plans were denied because of these new restrictions and the property was no longer able to get financing and subsequently sold and converted into a drug rehab!

Because of these restrictions, all the motels on the beach will have no choice but to follow suit.

As a citizen, this is not what I consider “preserving citizens’ quality of life.” Thank you!

Patrick Jolivet

Deerfield Beach

Gratitude for all

Dear Editor:

I just wanted to praise all the hard work Judi Stanich did [on Founders’ Days]. She is amazing.

Also, all the volunteers … how much fun and laughs … We are all so blessed with the hard work from EVERYONE.

I can’t thank everyone enough. I love Deerfield Beach.

Let’s not forget musicians too … oh and yes, West Virginia volunteers and songs.

Hope you could put this in the Observer (which I LOVE)… Just a gratitude for all.

Julie Hamilton

Lighthouse Point

2nd Annual Walk a Mile for a Cure Beach Walk

Dear Editor:

Thank you to all those who participated in the recent 2nd Annual Walk a Mile for a Cure Beach Walk. Thanks to you, it was a huge success! We had 148 registered walkers and raised $2,000 for the American Cancer Society.

It was a beautiful day to be at the beach and I think everyone had a great time. I hope you all realized that without your participation in fund raisers like this, the American Cancer Society would not be able to fund cancer research and their many programs for cancer patients.

Please check out www.relayforlife.org to find more ways you can help and more about their programs.

Also, come and enjoy the festivities at the Relay for Life of Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point and Hillsboro Beach that will be held at Quiet Waters Park starting at 5 p.m. on April 18, 2015.

A big “thank you” to the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach for allowing us to be part of the Founders’ Days Festival and funding the breakfast along with Winston Park Publix and Big Bite Bagel & Deli in Coconut Creek.

We also would like to thank our top T-shirt sponsor and water provider, Muddy Waters; our Gold Level T-shirt sponsor, TM Windows and Doors; and our Silver Level T-shirt sponsors, Pop’s Seafood Market and O’Dwyer Technical Services.

Thanks to American Logowear and Dex Imaging for discount shirts and banners.

Christy McVay

Coconut Creek