By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Opening tomorrow, Walt Before Mickey is about the pursuit of happiness. It is not necessarily about avoiding hardship, poverty and betrayal, but it is about the life of the American Business legend, Walt Disney (Thomas Ian Nicholas). One can guess the (spoiler alert) happy ending when Walt Before Mickey concludes.

During his childhood, being raised on a Missouri farm, young Walt would compulsively draw characters on barn doors and walls. As a young adult, Walt and his friends Ub Iwerks (Armando Gutierrez) and Rudy Ising (David Henrie) form their own animation studio and produce Laugh- O-Grams for the Newman cinema chain. However, the high cost of producing the animation forces Walt Disney’s first business into bankruptcy. His future business dealings get even worse.

It is refreshing to see a modern day movie that celebrates entrepreneurship and moral values. Disney’s perseverance is directly proportional to both his creativity and his loyalty to friends and family. With nary a cuss word, Walt Before Mickey is a fine family movie to go see this Labor Day weekend.

It was made in South Florida by Floridans. For screening locations, visit www.waltbeforemickey.com

Despite cultural differences, Straight Outta Compton shares similar business values about loyalty and entrepreneurial success. We watch three young men Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr. – who is actually the son of the real Ice Cube) and Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell) crawl out of a Los Angeles ghetto and form the pioneer rap group – NWA.

While enjoying the fruits of their success, the three young men are manipulated by the suspicious business dealings of Jerry Heller, portrayed by Paul Giamatti – who has added depth to similar roles that he played in Rock of Ages and Love & Mercy.

For peers my age who enjoyed the music of Bruce Springsteen, and Huey Lewis and the News, Straight Outta Compton provides a history lesson about the rise of rap music.

The film presents Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E as the next generation’s Rat Pack. Like Frank Sinatra’s connections to the mafia, Straight Outta Compton reveals these artists’ connections to some pretty vicious thugs with pit bulls.

The film has earned $130 million during the month of August, the only box office success of the month. Modestly produced with a great attention to detail, one sees the financial model for films like Straight Outta Compton setting a trend on the big screen in the future.

During the next couple of months, we can look forward to some fascinating motion pictures from Guillermo Del Toro, Johnny Depp, James Bond 007 and Disney’s first Star Wars feature at Christmas time. In the meantime, have a safe Labor Day.

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

DEERFIELD BEACH

August 18: A man reported his bicycle stolen from 50 N Federal Hwy.

August 18: A man reported that his front right tire and rear right tire had been slashed at 35 SE 9 Ave.

August 19: Three men were observed stealing bottles of alcohol from Walgreens Liquor Store at 1041 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

August 19: An A/C diagnostic machine was stolen from a mechanic’s shop located in a building at 29 SE 10 St.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

August 8: A male subject was spotted inside the residence at 3830 NE 25 Ave. and arrested. It was unknown if anything was taken.

August 9: Someone entered an unlocked vehicle at 2700 NE 49 St. and stole $10 in coins.

August 9: Four checks amounting to $10,000 were fraudulently cashed at 3600 N. Federal Hwy. The victim is unsure how the subjects obtained the account number.

Cove Parking Lot Suggestion

Dear Editor:

There has been much discussion of the Cove [Shopping Center] parking lot. I am going to suggest something that I wish the commission would consider at the Sept. 9 meeting.

Please just listen. We model the parking after the public parking garage in the beach area. We close off all entrances and exits to the parking garage, and the main entrance will be off Hillsboro Blvd. where there is a traffic light. A guard house would be set far enough back to avoid stacking up traffic on Hillsboro. At the entrance, there would be a mechanism to provide a parking ticket.

In the public garage, at the exit, tickets are collected. Each of the businesses has a mechanism that validates the parking ticket. At the end of the month, the city will send a bill to the business that has validated the ticket, and that business will pay one dollar for each validated ticket. That way the businesses that utilize the most parking are being assessed according to their usage, and the smaller businesses are not assessed since the first two hours will remain free. After that, the hourly $2 rate becomes effective.

I have been told by the people that run the public garage that, in all probability, the company that supplied our meters would also be able to provide the validation mechanisms for those merchants who request them. This is an equitable way to have those who use the most parking spaces pay the assessment that they claim they are willing to pay.

Mayor Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach, FL

Cove Parking Workshop Short of Ideas

Dear Editor:

Last Tuesday, August 25, I attended the Public Workshop at City Hall regarding parking meters for The Cove Shopping Center. I expected to see an exchange of ideas, suggestions and/or solutions. This was not what anyone would call a “workshop.” The city has one solution: parking meters. It is not in the best interest of the residents or merchants, but it produces revenue for the city.

How about you get a ticket going in, get a free [validation] stamp from a merchant (or if you only park, you pay) and leave? Why not put this on the next ballot and see if the people want parking meters? There are many ideas/suggestions/etc. out there, but you have to have an exchange at a workshop.

Better yet, why don’t we remain one of the few “nice little cities” in Florida? That’s why we settled in Deerfield Beach, not Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

Stephen Welch

Deerfield Beach, FL

VITAS Hospice Volunteer Orientation Friday Sept. 4, 1 to 5 p.m.

VITAS Office 5420 NW 33 Ave., Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, is currently offering a free orientation class for all interested volunteers. Volunteers are partnered with patients who live at home or in nursing homes to provide relief for the caregiver. Volunteers help with errands, provide a listening ear or help in other meaningful ways. Call 954-777-5396 to R.S.V.P. or email daily.martinez@vitas.com.

F.A.C.T. Yard Sale and Raffle

Saturday Sept. 5, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Palms of Deerfield 425 NW 1 Terr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Cost for table rental: Inside $20; Outside $10. For information, call F.A.C.T. at 954-420-9321.

9th Annual Juried Art Exhibition: Dog Days of Summer

Monday Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sugar Sand Park Community Center 300 S. Military Tr. Boca Raton, FL 33486

Sugar Sand Park’s 9th Annual Juried Art Exhibition includes local emerging and professional artists. Paintings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and glass sculpture.

Sugar Sand Park also offers walking trails, a $1 carousel ride, science playground and the Children’s Science Explorium with free science programs on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 561-347-3900 or visit www.sugarsandpark.org.

Deerfield Beach Orchid Society Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7:30 pm

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

Mark Edlund, of Orchid Acres in Wellington, FL, will be discussing hybrid and smaller species of Vandas. Mark has been growing orchids since 1990 and has over 3,000 orchids in his nursery. For more information, email deerfieldorchids@gmail.com.

Women’s Club of Deerfi eld Beach Meeting

Tuesday Sept. 8, 1 p.m.

Women’s Club 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfi eld Beach, FL 33441

Guests are welcome. Light refreshments provided. Fire Chief Rusty Sievers will give a presentation on fire safety and accident prevention.

The Woman’s Club, which is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), fosters Community Improvement through Volunteer Service. For information, please call 954-204-0398.

Save the Date: Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach 5th Annual FUNd-Raiser Golf Tournament

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m. shotgun start

Crystal Lakes Golf Club 3800 Crystal Lake Dr. Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Register now. $125/ individual; $500 foursome (includes Continental breakfast and awards luncheon). Contests for Hole in One, Closest to Pin, Longest Drive. Raffles, silent auction, ball drop, free drinks on the course. Proceeds benefit BSO PAL, Equine Assisted Therapies, Elementary reading programs, Deerfield Beach Historical Society, school scholarships, NE Focal Point and more. For more information, call Henry Gould at 954-242-6083 or email hgouldrealtor@comcast.net.

Begin your day in worship

Wed. Sept. 9, 10 a.m.

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

Every Wednesday. For more information, call 954-695-0336.

Highlands Christian Academy 50th Anniversary events

Friday, Sept. 4

• 7 p.m. — Varsity Football Game

Highlands’ Knights varsity football team takes on Palmer Trinity at home on Knights Field.

Saturday, Sept. 5

• Noon — Golf event

Held at Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course, 1101 N. Federal Hwy., the golf event will be open for alumni and friends of the school. There will be a four-man scramble.

• 6 p.m. — Banquet

Held at school gymnasium, the event is semi-formal. Menu includes beef tenderloin, citrus chicken and pasta. Speaker will be Chris Lane, HCA graduate and director of First Priority of South Florida.

Sunday, Sept. 6

• 10 a.m. — Special service

Held at Grace Baptist Church, the service will include a talk by Luke Still, a graduate of Highlands and the current youth pastor/campus chaplain.

• 2 to 6 p.m. — Picnic

Current students, alumni and community supporters are encouraged to attend.

To register for any of the events or for more information, call the school office at 954-421-1747 or visit www.highlandschristian.org.

Zonta seeks vendors for Festi-Fall

Be a part of this 3rd annual arts & crafts event to be held Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33064. Besides homemade artistic items, there will be baked goods, jewelry and more. To participate or for more information, call 561-392-2223 or visit www.zontadeerfieldbeach.org.

GOT HAPPENINGS? LET US KNOW!

Email: observereditor@comcast.net with information.

“Truth is in the eyes, lies stay behind them.”

That is the adage that came to my mind this week as I chanted the trifold blessing of the Kohanim: “May the Eternal bless you and protect you. May the Eternal’s countenance shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the face of the Eternal lift up before you and grant you peace!” I will never forget Leonard Nimoy’s character, Mr. Spock, holding his hand out the same way that the Kohanim do and giving that wonderful Vulcan greeting, “Live long and prosper.” The Kohanim kept a space in between each set of fingers. You see, it wasn’t just that the Kohanim were looking eye-to-eye with those they were saying the blessing on, those who were being blessed were looking through that space, making another most intimate form of contact. They were looking beyond that space; they were looking into the face of G-d, to see G-d’s eyes, and, as they do so, G-d responded in kind by looking directly back into their eyes as well.

“Truth is in the eyes.”

Perhaps that is why some people who are having difficulty in their relationships have trouble looking into the eyes of the one they are (temporarily) on the outs with. And who among us hasn’t gotten so upset by someone else’s behavior that we say, “I can’t even stand to look at them” or, “I don’t want to see them anymore”?

Let me go back to Mr. Spock’s Vulcan greeting for a moment, to “Live long and prosper.” What is the first sentence of the Birkat Kohanim? “May the Lord bless you and protect you.” What are the goals of blessing and protection? According to Rabbi Stephen Kushner, this has to do with the bare necessities of life: a home, food, clothing, the material things we need, the things that we need in order to prosper.

In the second verse, we mention grace, or if you prefer another translation, beauty. We don’t need grace and beauty to survive. Grace and beauty in our lives are beyond mere survival. They are about the extras in life that enhance our life, that make us content and give us meaning. But, as Rabbi Kushner points out, grace and beauty come from the light of G-d. In other words, we are not only getting something from G-d, we are actually getting a piece of G-d, the light of His love.

In the final verse, we talk about that all elusive Shalom — peace. That peace comes from intimacy with God and with those we love, by seeing each other in all our goodness, in all our love, and with all our perfect imperfections.

That is why in the third verse we read, “May the face of the Eternal lift up before you…” because when G-d lifts up his face, He is allowing us to make eye contact with Him and He is making eye contact with us, the eye contact that brings intimacy, and that intimacy brings peace.

Eye contact, as Rabbi Kushner points out, requires vulnerability and it requires trust. That desire to look into another’s eyes gives us the strength to get over our own insecurities, and to open our eyes and our heart to another human being and to G-d as well.

It is that intimacy that brings us to wholeness.

Of course, we are taught that no one can see G-d, at least not physically, but, when we make eye contact, we do not need to see a body. Looking into each other’s eyes, we come upon an intimate moment when we see deep into each other’s souls, and, hopefully, we see each other through the eyes of love. For it is through the eyes of love that we truly connect at the most intimate of levels.

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 33441. Regular Shabbat services are open to everyone on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m. High Holiday tickets still available 954-421-7060.