| August, 2015

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 13 August 2015 by LeslieM

RE: Bullying

Dear Editor:

I’d like to address a problem in my school (and many others) — tolerance of teachers bullying and harassing students.

While in most schools bullying is a very well-known problem between students, I, and many of my peers, feel that bullying between teacher and student is a major problem as well.

Not only is it more common than most think, but it’s ignored in most schools. Our teachers can disrespect, talk down to students and even verbally abuse us and get in no sort of trouble except a slap on the wrist. The schools are constantly making excuses for teachers to abuse their students in the name of discipline.

A few years ago, I was a new student in my school. I was put in (let’s call him Mr. F)’s class. He seemed really nice and I was happy he was my teacher.

As the year went on, he proved to be different. While this stuff happened regularly in his classes, I’ll use my friend as an example. He was overweight at the time and insecure about his body. My friends and I loved him. He was such a great guy and fun to be around.

Mr. F. always made fun of his weight, saying he had “Man boobs” and would even go so far as to not let him eat his snack in class for his “ own good” and let the rest of us eat. He used to tell me how he hated going to Mr. F’s class because he was always ridiculed for his weight. He wasn’t the only one either.

Mr. F constantly made homophobic, sexist and racial jokes in class. I have a form of ADD and, sometimes, I can’t understand things as easy as others and get sidetracked in class. All I need is a little extra help and I understand, but he ALWAYS made a point to make me answer questions when I clearly was lost and not understanding the lesson.

I tried going to his class before school and at lunch for some extra help, but he never showed up to help me or my friends. Then, he made fun of us for not understanding in class.

He pointed out our flaws constantly, used horrible language and slurs toward us and always tried to make everyone look stupid and feel horrible about ourselves.

He went into fits and rages, throwing things (desks, chairs, books) and yelled so loud the teacher from next door would check on us.

I, and COUNTLESS others, have gone to the administration, principal, counselors and out of school directors trying to find help. I’ve talked to so many people and nobody does much.

I just found out he will be teaching this year and they aren’t going to fire him.

Teens my age have very low self esteem, as we’re going through puberty and we’re sensitive. We are insecure about our bodies and we don’t need anyone to make us feel worse about ourselves.

People are going through hard times and, at school, we need nothing but support from our teachers. We should be able to trust them and feel respected.

We might be teenagers, but we are people, too, and deserve respect at school, from our peers AND teachers.

Nobody should have to go through what me and my friends have gone through.

Alexandra Sullivan

Boca Raton

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 13 August 2015 by LeslieM

Open House

Thursday, August 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

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

Serves students age 2-5. Open year-round, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuition includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. “Around the World” art, music and movement cultural program, computer classes and swim lessons are also included. Teachers are certified and the preschool is a 5+ Quality Rated School with APPLE Accreditation. Call 954-480-4473 for further information or email jhafer@fdeerfield-beach.com.

FREE Mammogram & Pap

Friday, August 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pompano McNair Park, 951 NW 27 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33069

To qualify, must meet certain income requirements and other stipulations. Bring picture ID. Call to find out more about what you need to bring and if you qualify – 954-762-3649.

Music Under the Stars: Earl Trio Band

Friday, August 14, 7 p.m.

Pompano Beach Great Lawn, 10 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Bring a chair! For more information, visit www.pompanobeachfl.gov or call 954-786-4111.

Family Fun Day & Summer Splash Down

Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

Ronald McNair Community Center, 951 NW 27 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Eat BBQ, listen to music, enjoy water activities, listen to motivational speakers, learn about how to earn more money and possibly get a job, get a health screening and school supplies, and more. For more information, call 954-786-4640.

Save the date: Chamber Business Expo

Thursday, August 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Lexus, 5350 W Sample Rd., Margate, FL 33073

Six chambers involved in business expo slated to bring in over 100 vendors and businesses. To contact the Deerfield Chamber, call 954-427-1050.

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CLERGY CORNER: Shattering the Holy Grail of Academia

Posted on 13 August 2015 by LeslieM

To say that I was an excellent middle school football player would be a lie. Frankly, I stank. But I kept trying — mostly because scorching summer afternoon practices were followed with a refreshing ice cold carbonated beverage: the Slurpee.

I can remember one day, having been completely consumed with my Slurpee that I hopped in the wrong car, going so far as to buckle my seatbelt! It wasn’t until I heard from the driver, “Well, who are you?” before I realized my embarrassing mistake. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, tucked my tail between my legs and dashed back to my actual ride.

I suppose we all have similar mesmerizing Slurpee moments. In fact, I believe there is a pandemic of such infatuation moments happening today. Kids’ eyes are affixed to screens, teens to themselves via the selfie-stick (don’t get me started on that one) and adults to their work. At best, children are quiet, teens look their best and adults are efficient; at worst, children lack time-management, teens mask insecurities and adults neglect their responsibilities. But amidst such duplicity, I’d like to focus on one particular affixation as we prepare for back-to-school: grades.

It’s Cameron Dallas’ character Felix, in the movie Expelled, who says it best about grades, “Straight As, [they’re] the Holy Grail of Academia … catnip for parents” and the “reward for properly raising your kid.” But is it? Should it be? Will high marks keep your child from living in a van down by the river? Hardly.

As a former high school teacher, I’m not implying parents abandon their concern for the report card. All I’m suggesting is that we re-evaluate our obsession or, dare I say, all-consuming search for the “Holy Grail of Academia.” Here’s why: because grades (the end), have increasingly become more valuable than the effort to obtain said grades (the means), which has opened the door for grade inflation in both the high school and college realms.

It’s become a simple business transaction. The academic institution is looked upon favorably due to a booming population of students with high GPAs and parents are satisfied because of their child’s seemingly exceptional performance. Win-win, right? Except that such an emphasis drives students to judge their self-worth based on a letter (rationalizing whatever means necessary, like cheating, to achieve those high marks — the worldly standard by which they are measured.) I’m sorry to say, but straight As might mean nothing more than your child knows how to work the system.

I don’t mean to imply that all students with straight As are system manipulators. It’s this: Straight As or not, stop measuring your student solely by four letters. Understand that not all students are “A” students, and that’s okay. I can’t tell you how many times I watched academically-gifted students “earn” high grades with little effort and be praised, whereas students who busted their butt only achieved a “C” accompanied by little to no recognition (now that’s a tragedy).

And understand that when we receive something, like high letter grades, for something we didn’t work hard to obtain, that’s when entitlement rears its ugly head. So let’s change the paradigm.

Here’s my professional recommendation: Praise your student’s effort and help them understand their identity in Christ, because in all honesty, does anything else really matter? You can personalize Matthew 16:26 to read “And what [does your child] benefit if [they get straight As] but lose [their] soul?”

You know why being a terrible football player didn’t matter to me? Because I knew God had a different path for me — an awesome one and something only He could equip me to begin. So, this school year, let’s go #BeyondTheLetter when evaluating growth.

Look to Galatians 5:22-23 for the standard: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.”

Is your student understanding what it means to love unconditionally? Finding joy during trials? Developing patience? Kind to others? Seeking a deeper understanding of faith? Gentle and exhibiting self-control?

If so, rest assured that no letter grade is going to stop the plans God has for your child — even should they fail a course or two along the way.

CJ Wetzler is the NextGen Pastor at First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach. Before transitioning into full-time ministry, CJ was a commercial airline captain, and high school leadership and science teacher. For questions or comments, he can be reached at cj@deerfieldfirst.com.

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Crockett Foundation gets kids ready for Back-To-School

Posted on 13 August 2015 by LeslieM

sports081315By David Volz

Children who are getting ready to start school received some help from the Crockett Foundation on Saturday.

Both Henri and Zack were football stars at Blanche Ely High School and Florida State University. They later played in the National Football League (NFL).

Many families came to the Community Health Festival that took place at the Pompano Citi Centre on August 8. The Crockett Foundation partnered with Broward Health to hold the event. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals performed health checks, vision care, dental care and immunizations. Families received other social services as well.

Members of Zeta Rho Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority also participated in the program.

Children who participated in the health physicals received a backpack filled with school supplies.

Henri Crockett, CEO of the Crockett Foundation, enjoyed the program and seeing young people receiving healthcare and getting ready for school.

I like this event because it has a positive impact on families. I want to lighten the load on parents. It is important to make sure that these kids are ready for the first day of school.”

Henri Crockett and his brother Zack Crockett, who is vice president of the Crockett Foundation, know the struggles many families face. They believe it is important to give back to the community and do what they can to help families in the area.

JoeAnn Fletcher, president of the Zeta Rho Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, loved the opportunity to help out at the event. Many of the chapter members distributed backpacks to the families. “Our purpose is to serve others,” said Fletcher.

Nabil El Sanadi, M.D., President and CEO of Broward Health, offered his medical services at the Community Health Festival. He said he loved the opportunity to help children in the community.

Stephanie Buquo brought her children, Matthew and Michael, to the event. She said she was glad that her sons could each receive a backpack and school supplies for the upcoming year.

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U S 1 Shutdown both ways in Deerfield- Gas Leak

Posted on 12 August 2015 by JLusk

About 9 am today Wednesday a crew digging on Federal Hwy in Deerfield chopped a gas main.

They were digging at the site a the new giant Cumberland Farms gas station at SE 13 and Federal.

All traffic on Federal_DSC8915 Hwy from SE 10th to SE 13 Ct is being diverted.  BSFR Hazmat is having to

dig by hand to get it shutdown. This is one huge problem with that much gas pouring out.

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Olympia Flames Celebrates 24th—TODAY

Posted on 12 August 2015 by JLusk

Enjoy 24 percent off your bill ALL DAY- TODAYOlympia Flame 8-6-15

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Roll over crash — Deerfield Beach

Posted on 08 August 2015 by JLusk

Photo by Mike Jachles, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue.

At approximately 8 p.m. Aug. 7, firefighters struggled to extract two men from a red jeep that had flipped in a crash with a pickup just east of I-95 on Sample road in the westbound lane.

The crash caused both sides of the road to be shut down during the process.

Both men in the jeep were taken to Broward Health North for their injuries.

Their names have not been released.

 

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Griffin wins bowling title

Posted on 06 August 2015 by LeslieM

sports080615By Gary Curreri

Despite bowling a perfect game in qualifying, Pompano Beach’s Zach Griffin said he didn’t bring his “A” game to the Broward County (USBC) Top 8 Tournament at AMF Davie Lanes.

What he did bring was good enough as he captured his second consecutive junior boys championship with a 219-202 victory over Miami’s Cody Stevens in the final.

I have been busy with work and getting ready for school so I haven’t been able to find the time and, when I do have the time, I sleep,” said Griffin, who works at Strikers Family Sportscenter and recently graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School.

When I am done with my nine-hour shift, I am exhausted and just want to go home,” added Griffin, who admitted he hadn’t practiced in 2-1/2 months.

He is headed to Springhill College in Mobile, AL on a bowling scholarship. “It is probably the last tournament I am going to bowl before college, so my dad (Greg) seeing me shoot 300 and win was nice. He really wanted to see that.”

The Top 8 bowlers in each division each bowled four games with the Top 4, with the highest pin fall after that moving on to a step ladder final with the fourth place bowler taking on the third place bowler, and the winner moving on to bowl against the second seed, and that winner taking on the highest seeded player.

The 300-game was the fifth sanctioned game of Griffin’s career.

That was nice,” said Griffin, whose last sanctioned 300-game was in a winter league four months ago. “It was weird because I had just come off my worst game in qualifying which was a 202. I had trouble finding my line. I just moved in and started fi ring it 18-miles-an-hour at the 10-board and clearly it worked. It was really nice, too, because, the last couple of shots, I didn’t know if they were going to carry, but they did.”

I’m happy with how I did,” Griffin said. “It is a good repeat too. If it happened, it happened. If it didn’t, it didn’t.”

Griffin is looking forward to bowling in college where he will bowl upwards of four times a week.

It’s nice,” he said. “I always wanted to bowl in college when I heard that a couple of my older friends went. It is a really nice atmosphere, was something I was looking for when I was looking at schools.”

Two weeks remain at Simply Soccer

There are two weeks left at the popular Simply Soccer Camp in nearby Coral Springs.

Simply Soccer, which has boys and girls, ages 5-14 of all skill levels, has attracted a record number of children from throughout Broward County for its 27th annual summer camp series at Mullins Park in Coral Springs.

The camp, featured during a live broadcast by CBS4 the day following the United States’ 5-2 victory over Japan in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, is down to its final two weeks of the summer beginning Monday. They are August 10-14 and 17-21.

There are three sessions, ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and a Tiny Tot program from 9 a.m. to noon. Players will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting.

It is the longest running soccer camp offered by the city.

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For information, call 954-345-2200.

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FLICKS: Mr. Holmes

Posted on 06 August 2015 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

It was late one July night that I stayed up with my cousin Ronny and my brother Carm to watch Sherlock Homes and the Secret Weapon, starring Basil Rathbone. While Rathbone will always be the ultimate Holmes for me, the modern day search for authenticity has created some fine performances from Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Now the Master Thespian Sir Ian McKellan portrays the Master Detective in Mr. Holmes.

Based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind written by Mitch Cullin, Mr. Holmes examines the mystery of regret and usefulness. Living in a cottage near the White Cliffs of Dover, Holmes has left London and has basically lived in seclusion for 30 years. A man of eclectic interests, Holmes devotes most of his time to tending bees.

While running an errand for Mr. Holmes, young Roger (Milo Parker) uncovers an incomplete manuscript about Sherlock Holmes’ last case. Angered at first, Holmes completes the manuscript, but not before confronting an emotional secret from his past.

Running under two hours, Mr. Holmes packs a lot of plot. Yet, under Bill Condon’s direction, Mr. Holmes unfolds at a leisurely pace. This pacing allows the actors to breathe life into their characters. While not as heralded as Sir Ian McKellan’s showy performance, Laura Linney reveals much about Mrs. Munro with only an askance glance, a revealing voice, and a voice that is always trying to prevent itself from screaming.

Mr. Holmes is likely to generate Oscar buzz for Sir Ian McKellan. It is a culmination of so many roles the actor has played in the past 18 years.

Every emotion is on display, yet the actor never loses control of the character’s genius.

While the big studios are mass marketing the latest Mission Impossible and Fantastic Four, South Florida is about to screen some independent films locally that have created some overseas buzz. Opening August 20 at Cinema Paradiso is Marshland (La isla minima), a thriller set in a secluded area in the South of Spain.

On Saturday August 15, Cinema Paradiso will also be screening Thomas R. Dicken’s Aliens: Zone-X. The director Thomas R. Dickens, who worked as an animator, modeler and technical director on the Scooby Doo movies, will attend the screening.

Info: www.fliff.com

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 06 August 2015 by LeslieM

Remember, if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately.

DEERFIELD BEACH

July 20 An individual entered a construction site and stole a piece of equipment valued at $2,980.

July 21 A man was arrested and charged with auto theft at 401 SW 13 Place.

July 21 A man reported his dirt bike stolen from 4141 Eastridge Circle.

July 22 A flat bed trailer was reported stolen from 1913 NW 40 Court.

DEERFIELD – District 4

July 15 Burglary conveyance took place in Waterford Homes at 2853 SW 15 St., Deerfield Beach. Victim was parked in front of the residence and had approximately $7,000 in music equipment taken from his vehicle.

July 16 Theft of motor vehicle parts occurred in Deer Run at 251 SW 34 Ave., Deerfield Beach. Tag was stolen overnight.

July 22 Check fraud was reported in Deerfield Mall at 3668 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

July 6 A subject believes a wallet was taken from her purse while she was shopping at 3780 N. Federal Hwy. She said a female distracted her and two other females likely committed the crime. The wallet contained credit cards, an AARP card and a driver’s license.

July 6 A subject placed several handfuls of makeup into a basket at a store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. and left without paying for it.

July 9 The victim said a Maytag washer/drier unit was stolen by a former tenant when they moved out of the residence located at 2381 NE 24 St. Loss was $1,200.

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