By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Run Boy Run opens tomorrow in local theaters. This film won 10 U.S. Film Festival Awards and is based on a true story about how a boy survived Nazi aggression from 1942 through the end of World War II. With English subtitles, this foreign movie does not need much language translation; it relies on the visual imagery to tell this riveting story.

Srulik (played by twin actors – Andrzej and Kamil Tkacz) has escaped a concentration camp with his father. With guards in hot pursuit, the father tells his son the most important thing to remember, if he loses memories of his father, mother and siblings, is that he is a Jew.

While on the lam, Srulik attempts to pass himself off as a Christian. He goes from farm to farm offering free labor in trade for room and food. If a farmer beats Srulik, the boy moves on. Sometimes a temporarily content life is ruined when children his own age discover, because he is circumcised, that this vagrant farm boy is a Jew.

Much like Homer’s Odyssey, Run Boy Run is a rollercoaster ride that swings from bucolic moments to frantic action scenes in which the child uses his wits to survive deadly violence. Director Pepe Danquart provides enough attention to detail rival Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s best suspenseful thrillers.

Surlik does not survive his ordeal unscathed. Due to a farming accident, Surlik’s medical situation goes from bad to worse due to the prejudice of Nazi laws. This is a strong memory to take away from this film; however, this film is life-affirming. After surviving such atrocity, ticket buyers will enjoy roaming the European countryside with the likable Surlik.

Adventurers in Charity 3 was held last weekend and “Cinema” Dave was there. This annual event brings together fans of the now closed Adventurers Club, formerly located at Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney. Since it closed seven years ago, Downtown Disney has become Disney Springs, with more stores and restaurants but fewer locations for human interaction. The annual event contributes to several charities.

While A Better Life Pet Rescue earned the majority of the contributions, Adventurers in Charity shed light on Dravet syndrome, a rare and catastrophic form of epilepsy that begins in childhood (www. dravetfoundation.org). The Starkey Hearing Foundation conducts hearing missions in the United States and around the world. This foundation plans to fit 10,000 hearing aids annually to children in need.

Adventurers in Charity is a rewarding weekend for those who contribute, and Adventures in Charity 4 is on the drawing board.

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

Deerfield Beach

Sept. 10: A man reported that a co-worker entered his car at 841 W. Sample Rd. and stole a tire cutter, vacuum, tool box and drill.

Sept. 15: Two rings were stolen from an apartment at 1031 Ventnor H. The total loss was estimated at $6,000.

Sept. 20: A man was observed stealing two electric shavers, two electric toothbrushes and one beach towel totaling $869.95 from Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Sept. 22: Patio furniture valued at $1,250 was stolen from 1536 SE 15 Ct. while homeowner was out of town.

Lighthouse Point

Sept. 12: Victim heard noise in the apartment at 3850 NE 23 Ave., but didn’t investigate. Later, the victim found drawers open. Missing items not known.

Sept. 15: Multiple eggs were thrown at two vehicles parked at 2311 NE 33 St. The victim said they were having problems with someone living across the canal.

Sept. 16: A 38-caliber revolver and multiple medications were stolen from 5101 NE 27 Ave. The victim said someone entered the rear gate and broke the rear sliding glass window to gain entry. The total loss was $900.

Thank you to DB’s Will Reed

Dear Editor:

Gardeners were cutting the median along Hillsboro Blvd. when a sharp object flew onto the road in front of my car. A lane change was impossible due to heavy traffic. Hence, I went over it and “POP” went my tire. My car limped into the shopping center where I called AAA.

After a whopping $232 for a new tire, my husband, who I have to give credit to, said, “Call the city and see what they can do.”

I would’ve just blown it off.

I spoke with Mr. Will Reed, who I would like to thank for expediting a check from the city. Thank you, Will.

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

Dog enforcement on the beach

Dear Editor:

This is in regard to the Sept. 24 Talk to the Mayor article about dogs on Deerfield Beach. Some points to consider:

1. The current regulation is not enforced at all by the Deerfield Police or code [enforcement] officials. In 20 years walking the sidewalk, I have never seen a single stop by police for walking dogs on the beachside walkway. Not one. In fact, I have seen police in patrol vehicles look away seemingly on purpose. So what data-based evidence does the police chief have to know what he is saying is true? Maybe one well-publicized infraction would help violators obey. Enforcement is important because the personal injury risk to people and their dogs from larger dogs on the beachside walkway is enormous and the cost will fall to taxpayers because of lack of enforcement.

2. The old signs said “No Dogs” on the sidewalk. The new signs say “No animals” on the [sidewalk] and the wording is, at the least, confusing. The signs are not at the entrance spots or the parking pay stations, or the walkway egress to the parking lots. Maybe better more frequent better-placed signage would help with voluntary compliance.

3. Research shows that 38 percent of dog owners scoff at the dog feces pickup duty. As the EPA puts it, “If you think picking up dog poop is unpleasant, try swimming in it” – or additionally, in the case of our beach, lying and walking in it. All dogs currently walking on the Deerfield Beach beachside walkway urinate on the light standards, benches and lawn. Children who crawl will put anything in their mouths; 20 percent of kids get roundworm from dogs and cats.

4. People walk their dogs to the beach for the express purpose of defecating there versus their own residence. Fenced dog parks, a cheap solution, should be considered with collection containers to avoid the adverse conditions that allowing dogs on the beachside walkways bring.

George Cherenack

Deerfield Beach

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

October is leaves falling in the final iteration of their colorful brilliance. It is the promise of holidays to come, the stress of anticipated shopping and planning and enduring the bumps of reunited family. It is orange and black wherever you go, and witches and pumpkins, and candy. It is the home stretch to a waning year and the incubation of round-ups of the recent past.

And October is many-abirthday. It is the time of births conceived in the cold, cuddly anti-climactic month of January. It is the time, for karmic unknowable reasons, that people important in my life have slipped out of womb-protection – on the same 10th day – albeit separated by many years, arriving on a planet of incontrovertible strangeness.

My late sister blew onto earth just two weeks prior to the Great Wall Street Crash of October 1929; her granddaughter Rachel arrived 63 years later on that same 10th day as Bill Clinton was galloping toward a takeover of the electoral college. My longtime friend Renee H., as well as my “significant other,” both defy all actuarial tables and prove, on this upcoming Oct.10, that age is just a number, and that life can still be beautiful even as they will complete nine decades.

Maybe you can find some significant connection among the six U.S. presidents who were born in October: Jimmy Carter (Oct. 1), Rutherford B. Hayes (Oct. 4), Chester Arthur (Oct. 5), Dwight Eisenhower (Oct. 14), Teddy Roosevelt (Oct. 27) and John Adams (Oct. 30).

And one more interesting tidbit – only two first ladies were born in October: Eleanor Roosevelt (Oct. 11) and Hillary Clinton (Oct. 26)

Not many major national historical events took place in October as compared to other months of the year. As noted, there was the Great Wall Street Crash on Oct. 29, 1929. Investors and those in the general business community have been conditioned all these 86 years hence to become skittish around this time of year. We’ve seen some foreshadowing of that. NO predictions.

On the 4th of October in 1957, the historic Soviet satellite Sputnik 1 was launched. Where is our aerospace program now?

Ironically, on Oct. 22, 1968, Congress passed the Gun Control Act of 1968, banning mail order sales of rifles and shotguns, and prohibiting most felons, drug users and people found mentally incompetent from buying guns.

It was on Oct. 17, 1979 that the most excoriated of the president’s cabinet posts was established, the U.S. Department of Education.

On Oct. 9, 1986, the FOX broadcasting channel was founded, this being somewhat historical to a number of viewers.

On Oct. 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake rocked San Francisco, and was it only three years ago that Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc in the northeast on Oct. 29.

A final memory — Hurricane Wilma, rampaging through our own local towns on Oct. 24 just 10 years ago, destroying trees, screens and the very foundations of so many homes and lives. Memories linger.

That’s October for you. Before you know it, we’ll be eating turkey. And by next year this time, we’ll be awaiting the inevitable “October Surprise,” some scandalous outrageous revelation meant to turn the polls upside down about one – or both? – presidential candidates just days before the election. Whatta country!

Blood Sweat and Tears, Chuck Negron & Mark Farner

Thursday, Oct. 8, Doors open 6 p.m., Concert 7 p.m.

Pompano Amphitheatre, 1806 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

$28 – $68. Free parking. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

Friends of the Arboretum

Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Arboretum, 2841 W Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield, Beach, FL 33442

Free. Light refreshments. Dr John Pipoly discusses how you can become a Master Gardner. Call 954-480-4495, or visit www.treezoo.com.

6th Annual Ranse Jones Classic Volleyball Tournament

Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11

North of the International Fishing Pier on the beach, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

To benefit the Ranse Jones Stroke Awareness Fund. For more information, visit www.ranseclassic.com.

Shining Stars Luncheon

Friday Oct. 9, noon to 2 p.m.

Marriott Oceanside, 1200 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

$50 per person. Honoring community members who have worked hard to improve Pompano Beach. For tickets, call 954-941-2940 or visit www.pompanobeachchamber.com.

Deerfield Island Park Exploration Hike

Saturday, Oct 10, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Deerfield Island Park, 1720 Deerfield Island Park, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Meet at Sullivan Park for transport to island. Explore the unique coastal habitat and learn about the island’s history dating back to the days of rum runners and Al Capone. $20 per person or $10 per couple. Preregistration required. Ages 8 and up. Call Quiet Waters Park, 954-357-5100.

Indoor Yard Sale

Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Peter’s Anglican Church 1416 SE 2 Terr. Deerfield Beach, Fl. 33441

Great items priced to sell. Blessing of the animals at 10 a.m. Call 954-695-0336.

Hillsboro Lighthouse tour

Saturday, Oct. 10, 8:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Sands Harbor Resort and Dock, 125 N. Riverside Dr., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

$25, free to HLPS members. Transportation is by boat. Shuttle boats hourly. Public parking across from Sands Harbor Resort. Must wear fl at, closed shoes. Children must be 4 ft. tall to climb the tower. No pets. Visit www.hillsborolighthouse.org/tours.

Shredding and medication disposal

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

Dan Witt Park, 4521 NE 22 Ave, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Shredding limited to Lighthouse Point residents. Limit three boxes per household.

Woman’s Club meeting

Tuesday Oct. 13, 1 p.m.

Woman’s Club Building, 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Guests welcome. Light refreshments. Sherry Schleuter of the South Florida Wildlife Center will speak on rescuing injured and baby wild animals. Call 954-421-4700 or visit www.dbwc.org.

Orchid Society Meeting

Tuesday Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Woman’s Club Building, 910 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Mac Rivenbark of Mac’s Orchids in Ft. Lauderdale will be discussing “Mac’s favorites,” plants that thrive in South Florida. Visit www.deerfieldbeachorchidsociety.org or email deerfieldorchids@gmail.com.

Save the Date! These events are coming soon:

• Oct 17: Cheers to 90 Years, Doubletree Hotel, Deerfield Beach. $125 per person. www.deerfield-history.org.

• Oct. 17: Fall Festival, Pioneer Park, Deerfield Beach, 3 to 7 p.m.

• Oct 23: 50th Anniversary Lighthouse Point Library, LHP Yacht Club, 6 p.m.

• Oct. 24: 5th Annual Daytime Radness at Island Water Sports. Sponsor or donate raffle items. www.daytimeradness.com.

On May 4, 1998, millions of Americans viewed part one of the final Seinfeld episode, aptly titled “The Finale.” Stuck in a small, unfamiliar Massachusetts town, Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer are witnesses to an armed carjacking. Showing little concern for the victim, Kramer hoists his large camcorder to film the event while the others poke fun at the driver, for both his physical appearance and ill-fated predicament. Their laughter fades when a police officer approaches the four and places them under arrest.

“What? No, no … We didn’t do anything,” said Elaine.

“That’s exactly right,” replied the police officer, charging them for violating the town’s newly passed Good Samaritan Law, requiring bystanders to take reasonable action to assist anyone in danger.

While behind bars, George said, “Why would we want to help somebody? That’s what nuns and Red Cross workers are for.”

We laugh at its absurdity: the idea that anyone would stand idly by while a fellow human was in distress, let alone film the event. Yet a few weeks ago, footage of a Southwest Airlines flight attendant “slurring his words” and “nodding off” during a safety demonstration was posted to LiveLeak. The story went viral, accusing the flight attendant of either falling asleep or being drunk.

While the digital world jumped to negative conclusions, a personal friend of the flight attendant reported that he was actually suffering from a medical condition, and was later hospitalized for a brain aneurysm.

What started out as a punchline to a ‘90s television show has become our 21st Century reality: film first, post later, feel good about our “likes.” Me. Me. Me. Surely this can’t be healthy?

Psychology Today reports that when we become “self-absorbed, it’s difficult for us to experience the world from other people’s perspectives. Other people become truly ‘other’ to us. And this makes it possible for us to inflict suffering on them,” or fail to help them when they are in need. Our cell phones are charged and ready for filming, yet, it’s our empathy, our ability to be human, which is depleted.

This is cause for concern as we consider the research of renowned psychologist Dr. Philip Zimbardo. In his TED Talk, Zimbardo asserts that the “slippery slope of evil — exercising power to intentionally harm people physically and psychologically” begins with the “dehumanization of others” via a “legal, political, economic or cultural background — a system” that “corrupts the individuals.”

Consider the recent national cases of police either being refused restaurant service or having derogatory remarks scribbled across their coffee cups. Let me be clear about what’s happening: Individuals are uniting against the police. There are those in our society — in every society — who do not understand the text of Romans 13:3, “For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.” (Naturally, some have more to fear than others.) But, this is different. These individuals are uniting under the same pretense. A movement has been created, a system that is giving some people power and permission to dehumanize police, leading to the infliction of suffering against police officers, both emotional and physical. In short, evil.

Zimbardo later goes on to say that the antidote to evil is heroes: “Heroes are everyday people.” Police are everyday people. They are humans. Let us not lose our empathy, unjustly dehumanizing our peace officers. Let us recognize the true courage of those who put their life on the line during every shift, while so many of us idly stand to the side, camera phone in hand, waiting for our clip to go viral.

To all those who put on the uniform every day, thank you. Your service and sacrifice does not go unnoticed, and I believe substantially more citizens than those portrayed in the media agree that your lives matter. Not because you are a police officer, but because you are human, and to dehumanize a person is nothing short of evil.

C.J. Wetzler is the Next-Gen 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.

Bank robbery  took place today, Oct. 2, at approximately 11:10 a.m. at a Wells Fargo Bank branch, 3550 N. Federal Hwy, Lighthouse Point, FL.

A robber entered the bank, displayed a weapon and demanded money from a bank employee.  There were no injuries.  Money was taken, but the amount will not be released at this time.

If anyone has information as to the identity of this bank robber, they are urged to call the FBI at (754) 703-2000 or Crimestoppers.