Library Director Christy Keyes with Friends of the Library volunteers Suzanne Marquette Esposito and Carolyn Bergamai.

Silent auction.

Former LHP Mayor Fred Schorr poses with fellow former Mayor Leo Bentz, with his wife Mary.

Mayor Troast and LHP Commissioners celebrate the library.

Marjorie Troast,Carolyn Bergamai, Pam Sargeant, Doreen Gauthier, Barb Roberts and Suzanne Marquette Esposito.

Patty and Jeff Miranda

Greeting guests.

Silent auction items.

Wine wagon.

Audrey Hepburn adds to the ambiance.

Remembering Life in the ’60s.

By Rachel Galvin

Guests streamed into the Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club on Oct. 23 for the 50^th Anniversary of the Lighthouse Point Library. What began in 1965 in a rented storefront with only 500 books and the help of residents Bill and Elayne Solien, has today grown into an 8,000 sq. ft. facility with 41,000 books. To commemorate this milestone, the library, located at 2200 NE 38 St., has had free top notch programs yearlong, including bringing in New York Times best-selling authors. Three hundred people attended their “Wild About the Library” day filled with animals, kids activities and more. But everything culminated in this celebratory evening filled with 1960s revelry, including mini lava lamps and other groovy décor as centerpieces on the dinner tables. Guests could participate in the silent auction, as well as a live auction with Pompano Mayor Lamar Fisher as auctioneer. People tried their luck with the wine toss and shook their groove thing on the dance floor.

Many dignitaries attended, including Doreen Gauthier, the library’s namesake, who served as director since 1979 but has now retired as a librarian. LHP Commissioners were in attendance, as well as Mayor Troast and former mayor Fred Schorr. Leo Bentz, who was once mayor in the 1980s, was mingling in the crowd with his wife Mary, and Florida Atlantic University president John Kelly and his wife Carolyn were present as well.

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

Deerfield Beach

Oct. 12: A man reported a break in at 4110 NE 4 Terrace. One item was stolen.

Oct. 12: Power tools and fishing equipment were stolen from a residential garage at 1612 SE 7 Ct.

Oct. 13: Three pieces of equipment valued at $1,489 were reported stolen from 1040 E. Newport Dr.

Oct. 13: A bicycle was stolen from 1136 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Lighthouse Point

Oct. 2: A handyman told the homeowner that someone took an electric valve to a new generator at a residence located at 2325 NE 30 Ct. The loss was $100.

Oct. 9: Someone broke into a 2011 Volvo SUV while it was at a park at 3700 NE 36 St. and stole glasses and a wallet containing $10 in cash, credit cards, debit cards and a drivers license.

Oct. 9: The victim parked her bike in front of a business at 3120 N. Federal Hwy. and did not lock it. When she returned 15 minutes later it was gone. The loss was $130.

Thanks to Parks & Rec. for Fall Festival

Dear Editor:

Kudos to the City of Deerfield Beach Parks & Recreation staff for organizing such a great event on Saturday, Oct. 17 in Pioneer Park. The first annual Fall Festival was an awesome and wonderful family event with a large variety of enjoyable activities. Thank you for providing this to our community and also for allowing us to be part of the fun! Looking forward to next year’s event!

Emily Lilly

on behalf of the Deerfield Beach Historical Society

RE: Water access for companies

Dear Editor:

At the end of the Oct. 20 commission meeting, the Mayor brought up the subject companies like mine [J.P. Miller & Sons Services, Inc.] getting water to fill our tanks at the water plant. It was reported that some individuals fill up their tanks and drive off with the water still running. This excess water caused a problem for a local company that reported that [it was] puddling on their property. The discussion then went to how much companies were paying for the water with the implication that companies like mine were ripping off the city by getting our water so cheap.

I did some research and would like to set the record straight. We pay 50 cents, according to my serviceman, to get 300 gallons of water. I found out that the city’s highest rate for water is $2.65 for 1000 gallons of water. I did the math and that comes out to approx. 80 cents for 300 gallons of water. So the big deal that the Mayor made was for 30 cents extra that the city should have been charging companies. She was comparing the cost of water at Publix per gallon to what we pay at home. This can easily be fixed by adjusting the rate to reflect the true cost.

There is something else that I would like to point out. There is a public safety issue that the city was wisely taking into consideration by providing this water availability at the water plant. With the set up we had (just like Boca and Pompano have), there is an air gap between the hose and the tank being filled. If a person filling a tank put a hose into the tank, there is potential that the contents of the tank could be siphoned back into our water supply. This is one of the most important reasons most of the cities in Broward provide this type of service. Another thing to consider is that there are over 700 pest management companies in Broward County alone with thousands of trucks on the road with tanks on them. We are not the only industry that has water tanks … pool companies, car washing and some construction companies have tanks also, to name a few.

I did vote to keep this service available to commercial companies. At the time, the conservation was such that I was focused on drivers driving away with the water still running, which seemed ridiculous to me. I may be the only city commissioner in Broward County that has personally used this source of water and I was taken aback at how quickly the idea to shut it down was approved by people that did not know it existed. I would like to think of our city as business-friendly.

Another fact people may not realize is that the pest management industry is larger in Florida than the citrus industry, with many, many registered voters and their customers.

Joseph P. Miller

(Commissioner, Dist. 1)

Deerfield Beach

Note: Dates and times may change. Please contact venues to confirm.

Halloween happening

Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dan Witt Park

NE 21 Terr.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Free. Bounce houses, face painting, rides and more. Costume contest starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Free refreshments and candy for children in costumes. Call 954-784-3439.

Deerfield Beach Island

Community Association meeting

Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.

Community Presbyterian Church

Briggs Hall, 1920 SE 5 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

First DBICA meeting of the season. Welcome back seasonal residents! Contact markgordondreyer@gmail.com.

Family Halloween Hoe-Down

Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 to 9 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park

4111 NW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Halloween games, pumpkin carving, costume contest, horse-drawn hayride, petting zoo, pumpkin patch and more.

U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus

Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.

Pioneer Park

217 NE 5 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Bring a blanket or chairs and enjoy the show. No food or coolers allowed; on-site food purchase only. Chair rental $2. Sponsored by DB Historical Society, Kiwanis Club and Woman’s Club.

Carn Evil Haunted Mansion

Friday and Saturday nights, 7 to 11 p.m.

Oct 30 & 31

Sample McDougald House

450 NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33061

$10 per child under 18, $20 adults. Presented by the Rotary Club of Pompano Beach. Proceeds benefit local charities and scholarships. Free parking at the Elks Club next door. No high heels or spikes permitted. Visit www.pompanobeachrotary.com.

Halloween Party 2015

Friday, Oct. 30, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

NE Focal Point

227 NW 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Guest DJ “KJ” spinning spooky hits! Light refreshments, costume contest, best dressed walker. Call Tamara Sutton, 954-480-4447.

Fall Festival

Friday, Oct. 30, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

First Baptist Church

701 NE 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hayride, Despicable Me bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, dunk tank, rock wall, bungee bounce, arts & crafts, candy bags, cake walk, hot dogs, chili contest and more! Visit www.deerfieldfirst.com.

Trunk or Treat at St. Ambrose

Friday, Oct. 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

380 S. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Decorate your car for Halloween. All trunks must be in school parking lot by 6 p.m. Sign up at www.signupgenius.com or call 954-427-2225.

Trunk or Treat at The Pink Church

Friday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m.

The Pink Church

2331 NE 26 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Decorating starts in the parking lot at 4:45 p.m. Children 12 and under welcome at 6 p.m. for Trunk or Treat! Car decorators must register in advance at www.thepinkchurch.org. First place prize is $200.

Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon

Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to noon

The Church of the Living God

176 SW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free. Open to the public. Registration at 8 a.m., walk at 9:10 a.m. 10:10 a.m. to noon — celebrate and honor the survivors of Breast Cancer. Food, music, bounce house. Call 954-478-9880.

Not-so-Spooky Halloween Bash

Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.

Pompano Citi Centre

1955 N. Federal Hwy.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Witch Anna and the Wizard show! Activities, entertainment, games, prizes, trick or treat and more. Call 954-943-4683 or visit www.pompanocitycentre.com.

Fall Festival

Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tradewinds Park and Stables

3600 W. Sample Rd.

Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Fees vary by activity. Entrance fee in effect. Fall games and crafts, hayrides, food trucks, model steam train rides, farm tours and demos, barn tours and bounce houses. Proceeds benefit the Retirement Pasture for horses. Call 954-357-8870.

10th Annual Keep the Memories Alive Walk

Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.

Town Center Mall

6000 Glades Rd.

Boca Raton, FL 33431

Fundraiser walk to benefit the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at Florida Atlantic University. Meet at the mall’s east entrance next to Saks Fifth Avenue. Register online at www.fauf.fau.edu/memories. Call 561-297-4066.

The words you speak every day carry more power than you realize. They have the potential to take your life – and the lives of those around you – in either a positive or a negative direction. To use your words for good, you must first begin focusing on certain categories of words while working to eliminate others from your vocabulary altogether.

Specifically, decide to create a habit of speaking words of praise and encouragement. At the same time, choose to steer clear of any kind of gossip or complaining. When you do, you will see a positive difference in your life and in the effect you have on other people. Here’s a quick look at each of these types of words to help you get started:

Praise – Words of praise shift your attention away from selfishness and toward God’s goodness. Try starting every day by praising God for who He is and for the blessings in your life. Let those words settle into your heart and become part of the wellspring you speak from for the rest of the day.

Encouragement – Everyone needs encouragement. As you begin speaking from a God-focused heart, encouraging words will come naturally. You will begin seeing other people as God sees them, which will make you want to use your words to help them grow in that direction. When you stop focusing on others’ shortcomings and, instead, become a source of encouragement, you are cooperating with God in building them into the people He wants them to be.

On the negative side of the equation, there are two major categories of words that can sabotage your life and your relationships. Speaking these words is like ingesting small, daily doses of poison:

Gossip – Gossip, in all forms, is destructive. Not only does it tear others down, it also deteriorates people’s trust in you. When you gossip, you are engaging in an activity that has no possible end result but harm. Others are hurt, and the noxious words seep into your soul, creating internal toxicity.

Complaints – Complaints become self-fulfilling prophecies. If you feed the small irritations in your life with words, they will grow into more substantial problems. The energy you spend focusing on them gives them heightened potential to derail your best life.

Nelson Searcy is the founding and lead pastor of The Journey Church in Boca Raton. Sunday services are held at 9:30 and 11 a.m. www.bocajourney.com.

By Gary Curreri

Eighth-year Pompano Beach volleyball coach William Strachan loaded his schedule this season with perennial state powerhouses and the strategy has seemed to play off.

Pompano Beach moved to 15-11 on the season with a 25-14, 25-14, 25-23 victory over visiting Suncoast in Tuesday night’s Class 5A regional quarterfinal as senior setter Cassidy Bonito led the way with 6 kills, 30 assists and 35 digs.

It marked the second consecutive district championship for the Tornadoes and fourth title in the past five years. It was runner-up to Cardinal Gibbons in 2013 after also winning in 2011 and 2012. Tara Brannen also had 9 kills, 6 digs, 3 assists, 2 blocks, while Jasmine Souverein-Reisert had 8 kills, 6 blocks and 4 digs.

“I purposely played a brutal schedule,” Strachan said. “I basically played anybody I thought was going to be good. We didn’t schedule St. Thomas Aquinas, but we played them twice. We played Merritt Island and Bishop Kenny. The reason for it is that we had a lot of young players come in and we wanted to catch them up to speed.”

Pompano Beach was knocked out in the Class 5A regional final last year by Merritt Island in four games. The Tornadoes will play Archbishop McCarthy on Saturday in the regional semifinal and the winner of that will likely get Merritt Island in the regional finals.

Strachan hoped for a .500 season when the year began. He said Bonito has played a large role in the team’s success.

“I may be biased, but I think she is the best setter in Broward County,” Strachan said. “She is just a really strong, physical player, with really soft hands and nice ball control when it comes to setting.

“Her volleyball IQ is tremendous. She sees a lot of things that young setters don’t see so she is able to run a more effective offense.”

Bonito, 18, of Pompano Beach, said the team did graduate a lot of players from last year’s team, but saw the potential as the season wore on.

“We have a lot of freshmen that came in and stepped it up defense-wise,” Bonito said. “We really did try and fill the spots and practiced as a team to get that bond we needed.”

Bonito also took on more of a leadership role this season. The team captain was new to the school last year after transferring from West Broward. It also helped her adjust to the new players, something she will have to do when she leaves for college next year.

“There is a lot of pressure, very much so,” Bonito said of still looking for a school to play at the next level. She wants to major in education. “I believe that I am a good contributor, especially as a setter. Every team I have been on I have been a captain, or in a leadership position. I am very cooperative and get along with anybody. Off the court, you have to be a student first and I also believe that is important. That’s a positive.”

Deerfield looks to lock up title

Deerfield Beach (7-1, 4-0), which failed to make the postseason last year, can win the District 11-8A football title with a victory over visiting Piper on Friday.

It would also ensure a regional quarterfinal home game against Plantation, while the loser would travel to Flanagan. The Bucks have outscored the opposition 262-85 and the lone blemish on the team’s record is a 33-15 loss to perennial state power, Jacksonville Bolles, four weeks ago.

Senior quarterback Teddrick Moffett is a dual threat having rushed for 227 yards and 8 scores and passed for 1,047 yards and 14 TDs. Deerfield Beach manhandled Monarch, 34-0 last week, while Piper topped Coral Springs, 34-8.

Piper (8-0, 4-0) has clinched its first playoff berth since 2003 and has outscored the opposition this season 171-90.

“The kids got a chance (during the summer) to go out and compete against the best in the country and they realized that we have some of the best talent too,” said Deerfield Beach coach Jevon Glenn, whose team also defeated nationally-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-3 earlier in the month. “If we continue to put it all together we have a chance to be special this year.”

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Given that Halloween falls on Saturday this year, this will be a big weekend for Trick or Treaters. While this weekend seems devoid of movies featuring Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi or Lon Chaney Jr., AMC is bringing back modern classics from the past four decades, including Halloween, Friday the 13th and Chucky incarnations. Only the Hallmark Channel’s Good Witch movies and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown seem to be geared towards family viewing.

Goosebumps has been successful at the current box office because it works as a family motion picture. Based on author R.L. Stine’s series of children’s books, Goosebumps provides plenty of jump scares mixed with humor and teenage character growth.

Dylan Minnette portrays Zach, a new kid on the block who recently lost his dad. His sidekick is Champ (Ryan Lee), who is often nicknamed “Chump” because he is such a goofball. The two befriend Hannah (Odeya Rush), whose weird father speaks with an accent that sounds like a mixture of Alfred Hitchcock and Basil Rathbone. Hannah’s father harbors a secret; he is R.L. Stine (Jack Black) and he has created an army of monsters through his literary creations.

Goosebumps is fun, much like the film Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein. While Jack Black is over-the-top (Black also voices “Invisible Boy” & “Slappy,” the mastermind ventriloquist’s dummy), Ryan Lee steals the show as a scaredy cat.

Crimson Peak, a Gothic romance with ghostly overtones, is not family fare. After losing her mother when she was a child, Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) believes in ghosts. Ghosts repeatedly warn her to “Beware of Crimson Peak,” but Edith does not comprehend their meaning.

Enter Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleson) and his serious sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain), two English aristocrats in need of American finance. When tragedy strikes her father, Edith goes to live in England in the Sharpe’s mansion, which is sinking into the red clay of the land.

Written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, Crimson Peak is similar to his previous productions, The Devil’s Backbone, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and The Orphanage. Sadly, the narrative of Crimson Peak bogs down with dullness, despite some good performances by the stellar cast and some eye-catching cinematography that will be studied by artists for many years to come.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Taking a ride on Uber

By Diane Emeott

Tami Livnat Ruddy arrived at an event celebrating the first day back in business for Uber — transported by none other than an Uber driver.

After being shut down in Broward County since July 31, Uber resumed operations locally on Oct. 15. Two days earlier, on Oct. 13, Broward County Commission passed an ordinance expanding transportation options and protecting the public, 6-2. (County Commissioners Lois Wexler and Dale Holness voted against.)The ordinance represents a combination of different ideas by County Commissioners Mark Bogen and Chip LaMarca.

“Eight out of 9 commissioners voted on it. (Commissioner Barbara) Shareif was absent, so did not vote. The majority were in favor of it. We needed 5 votes to win,” LaMarca said at an event at Yolo last Thursday night.

LaMarca described it as “a long process, getting to this point.” He called the controversy surrounding Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) “a small speed bump in the road.”

The new ordinance now requires background checks of drivers by a third party that is subject to a county audit and inspection of records. It also requires inspection of any vehicle used for transporting the public to be done by a state-approved, ASE-certified mechanic.

“This is not about me. Not about the county commission. This is just about common sense, the free market, and people having an option to get a ride,” said LaMarca. “The bottom line is: People are safe. This is an efficient mode of transportation,” he continued, noting that there were no significant issues before, with Uber giving rides to the airport and seaport, while operating in Broward from August 2014 to July 2015.

“They [Uber] pulled out because of a legal injunction. They didn’t want to get into a lawsuit with the county,” LaMarca said.

Uber facts and statistics

There are more than a few thousand Uber driver-partners in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

The vast majority of these partners drive part-time (sometimes just a few hours a week), earning good money while scheduling around other work, family and life responsibilities.

To-date, Uber partners have provided well over 1 million safe, reliable rides in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

An Uber rider explains

Livnat Ruddy explained that Uber riders have their choice of three categories of cars for pick-up. Uber X is a standard car. Uber XL is an SUV, and Uber Select is a luxury vehicle or sports car.

Those wanting to use Uber for transport must first download an app onto their smartphone.

“They keep your credit card on file [for payment],” she explained.

On your phone, you set the pick-up location and request the type of Uber service you wish to use. Using GPS tracking, they send a signal to whichever drivers are in the area. Small cartoon-like bubbles appear on a map showing you how many drivers are nearby. When a driver picks up the call, a picture of the driver, their license number, and how many minutes away they are appears on your phone. You can either say “yes” to this driver, or wait for another one.

At 7:10 p.m. on Uber’s first night back in service, there were 10 cars near Yolo for each of 3 Uber categories – a total of about 30 cars.

“We are just really grateful that Uber is back! We’ve been active Uber users,” enthused Livnat Ruddy.

The taxi driver’s perspective

Professional taxi driver Wayne Correa, who drives for Metro Taxi, is less thrilled with the resurgence of TNCs.Asked what he thought about Uber being back in business in Broward, he just shook his head.

“Taxi drivers must get a background check by the FBI, and a special license from the county – a taxi-limousine license,” said the taxi driver with 10 years’ experience driving in New York City and Boca Raton.

“They just send in an application,” he said of Uber drivers. “And they charge only half-price, maybe one-third [of normal cab fares].

Correa said TNCs like Uber should get the same treatment as taxicab companies.

“They should get the same license, pay the same fees. They don’t pay anything!” he said.

Uber has continued to operate in Palm Beach County during the shutdown in Broward.

Cinema Dave with Tony Nathan.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

When I wrote my end-of-the-year review column, I started by acknowledging Class Acts – people I met at festivals, press junkets and conventions. These individuals were in the spotlight and handled their situation with grace, humility and a sense of humor. Though it has been over 25 years since I last talked with him, Tony Nathan definitively deserves a spot on the Class Act list. Tony Nathan’s teenage years are the subject of Woodlawn, a new movie that opened last weekend in local theaters.

Woodlawn opens and closes with images from a Reverend Billy Graham Crusade in 1972. Forced busing has created conflict in Woodlawn, AL as federal desegregation laws are being enforced across America. Woodlawn High School football coach Tandy Geralds (Nic Bishop) goes to work with a revolver strapped to his ankle.

The school year begins in chaos and the first football team meeting begins with self-imposed segregation. When the gnome-like Hank (Sean Astin) asks to speak to the team, Coach Geralds allows it. After Hank talks about his faith in Jesus Christ for an hour, the team becomes unified.

Woodlawn provides enough football action scenes to fulfill sport movie expectations; however, this historical movie is not clichéd. Woodlawn is a movie about character growth and development. In the center of the change is Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille), a high school student whose nickname is “Touchdown Tony”.

Caleb Castille’s performance captures the quiet dignity of Tony Nathan. Castille is supported by Sheri Shepard as Mama Nathan. Having portrayed FDR and Howard Cosell in the past, Jon Voight adds Paul “Bear” Bryant to his quiver of celebrity impersonations. Gifted actor that he is, Voight manages to bridge the gap between the man and the legend. The actor’s ensemble is worthy of the Woodlawn High School football team.

The issues raised in Woodlawn are just as relevant today as they were in 1973. There is a direct correlation between rioting for justice and finding common ground in sharing one’s faith. Woodlawn is a good family movie or a film that can be used for a school field trip.

For those planning on attending the 30th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, catalogs will be available at the entrance of Deerfield Beach Percy White Library on a first come, first served basis.

105.9 WAXY FM Radio Promotion at the old Eckerds at the Publix Shopping Plaza, where Five Guys is today. Featured in the photo are Cinema Dave, his dad, Jerry; his mom, Mary, and Rick Riley from the 105.9 WAXY FM morning show. Front row – Coach Tony Nathan and John Bosa, defense for the 1988 Miami Dolphins.

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

Deerfield Beach

Oct. 5: A backflow valve was reported stolen from an apartment building at 1060 Crystal Lake Dr.

Oct. 6: A man reported his car stolen from 1260 S. Military Tr.

Oct. 7: A man reported that three men attacked him at 1324 S. Deerfield Ave.

Oct. 7: A home at 3774 NE 3 Ave. was entered and $860 was stolen

Lighthouse Point

Sept. 21: 2012 Mercedes Benz was reported stolen from owner’s residence located at 3000 NE 31 Ave. Victim found the garage door open.

Sept. 21: 2013 Ford Edge was stolen from owner’s driveway at 2932 NE 36 St. The victim left his keys in the console.

Sept. 21: Purse was stolen from passenger side floorboard of a parked vehicle in front of a residence at 3315 NE 31 Ave. The purse contained a cell phone, checkbook, gift cards, driver’s license, prescription sunglasses and $285 in cash. The loss was $1,069.