Deerfield Beach

Sept. 29: A woman reported that a man and woman made unauthorized transactions on her credit cards. The incident was reported at 700 SE 6 Ave.

Sept. 30: A woman reported her iPad stolen from 1021 S. Military Tr.

Oct. 2: A woman reported being punched in the head by a man. She was taken to the North Broward Medical Center for treatment. The incident was reported at 200 N. Ocean Dr.

Oct. 3: A man reported that someone stole four hubcaps from his car and stole $5 in loose change from the car. The incident was reported at 852 S. Military Tr.

Lighthouse Point

Sept. 12: The store manager said a female subject entered the store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. and took $97.03 worth of miscellaneous merchandise and attempted to flee the store without paying for it. When she was approached by other employees, she dropped the merchandise and fled in an awaiting vehicle.

Sept. 13: The store manager said two male subjects entered the store at 3580 N. Federal Hwy., selected five electric hair trimmers valued at $171.45, and left without paying for them.

Sept. 14: The store manager was approached by a male customer who said he saw a male subject place steaks into his pants and leave the store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. without paying for them. The subject fled on a bicycle. The loss was estimated at $100.

RE: Trump, the business man

Snopes and PolitiFact, the “go to” fact checkers are not very good at fact checking when it comes to reporting the correct number of Chapter 11’s relative to The Trump Organization. Easily evidenced by checking with the appropriate state filings for the Trump Organization, The Trump Organization filed only four bankruptcies, including and limited to Trump Taj Mahal, 1991; Trump Castle, 1992; Trump Plaza & Casino, 1992, and Trump Entertainment and Resorts, 2009. The Plaza Hotel was sold, and the Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts underwent a name change to be Trump Entertainment Resorts and were not part of any bankruptcy.

Besmirching Donald J. Trump’s business reputation has become a full-time job for both televised and print media in an effort to derail his Trump train in route to the White House as the 45th President of the United States.

As a builder and an all-around businessman, Donald J. Trump has successfully negotiated transactions worldwide for years, and some folks erroneously believe that he would not be able to deal with foreign officials. Donald J. Trump has been rubbing elbows with a lot of those same folks for decades, often as an invitee to soirees and in other cases conducting business. Donald J. Trump started with one and a half million dollars given to him by his father. With all the business experiences that have come and gone, tens of thousands of jobs provided by the organization, and Donald J. Trump at the helm, he now sits on assets totaling over several billions of dollars. It is naïve and even ridiculous to claim that this man is not a smart, top-performing, most successful and qualified businessman. Donald J. Trump is exactly who we need as President of the United States, particularly during these financially challenging times. Help make America Great Again – vote Donald J. Trump. Visit www.donaldjtrump.com for policies and updates.

Rosie Reid

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Hurricane clean-up

A great big thanks of appreciation to the city and all its staff for working overtime in preparation for Hurricane Matthew and the aftermath clean-up. It was very well-coordinated and everyone did a fantastic job, especially cleaning the beach area. The beach rake did a great job cleaning and leveling the beach. The city workers did a very good job cleaning up additional trash and extra sand. We feel that everybody in the city put forth their best efforts in this challenge of getting everything back in order, also in other areas in the city, that includes the lifeguards, police, firefighters, paramedics, store owners, restaurant owners and many others. We live in a truly great place. Our paradise is Deerfield Beach!

Phyllis Mavrikis and

Ellyce Plotkin

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Monkey Business

Dear Editor:

My name is Nicole Davis, a property owner in Deerfield Beach. I am a small breeder of marmoset monkeys, a class 3 animal under the Fish and Wildlife code. I have been registered with Florida Fish and Wildlife since 2013, and maintain a license that is renewed once a year to possess and sell class 3 animals at my home address: 606 NE 2 Ter., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

In August 2016, code enforcement for the City of Deerfield Beach sent me a courtesy notice stating that I was not allowed to possess monkeys according to City Ordinances, and to remove them immediately. I contacted Fish and Wildlife who told me that no city in Florida has the power to create any ordinance which contradicts the state laws on wildlife, set and governed exclusively by Fish and Wildlife as per the Florida Constitution. They provided me with a copy of the law and over 20 pages of case-law on the subject showing that many cities have tried to fight against the state law, but none have won.

After speaking to FWC, I made a trip to City Hall where I presented my Class 3 license (issued to my current home address) showing I was in compliance with all state laws and legally able to possess the monkeys on my property; however, the code enforcement officer was not present. I left a copy with the office and called the code officer, Angelica Morales.

A few days later Angelica called me to tell me that despite reviewing my license and state law, she would follow the city code which states I am unable to possess monkeys and thus I needed to remove them in accordance with the notice she sent me.

Angelica Morales is fully aware of the law, as it was sent to her, yet, despite knowing the law, she has chosen instead to disregard it and has continued to harass me about my monkeys, to the point of issuing me a court hearing notice. I spoke to her supervisor Bernard Pita at the same contact number. I informed him of the state law and that the City of Deerfield Beach has no authority to create ordinances that conflict with state law. I informed him that attempting to prosecute me based on an illegal city ordinance created in defiance of state law was in and of itself illegal. He sided with Angelica and stated that he did not answer to the state, rather the city of Deerfield Beach and thus I needed to remove my monkeys immediately.

The city has further threatened me that if I did not remove my animals by Oct. 6, the issue would proceed to a court hearing and I would be assessed any costs related to the city’s expense of prosecuting me, despite the fact that the city is choosing to prosecute me in defiance of state law and is acting with authority they do not have. I am now scheduled for hearing and have had to hire a lawyer to assist me in fighting against these rogue code enforcement agents who are enforcing an illegal ordinance and turning a blind eye to state law.

Nicole Davis

Deerfield Beach, FL

Open House

Friday Oct. 14, 5 p.m. & Sunday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.

Elks Lodge, #1898

700 NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The lodge will be open to the public. See what the Elks have to offer, how much the minimal annual membership fee is, family benefits and how it helps charities. Dinner available Friday and Saturday nights at Elks’ prices. Sunday breakfast offered at $6-adults/$3-children and football buffet also offered at Elks’ prices. For additional information, conact Garey Nehrke at 954-931-1475.

Book signings

Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Meet author Frank Gross, who wrote “Wolfgang” (www.wolfgangchronicles.com) and author Dr. Andrea MacVicar, who wrote several books. Also take a guided tour of the Butler House. Fee: donation. For more information, call 954-429-0378 or visit www.deerfield-history.org.

2nd Annual Deerfield Beach Fall Festival

Saturday, Oct. 15, 3 to 7 p.m.

Pioneer Park

501 NE Eller St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Enjoy a day of fun with the entire family! This festive event includes several activities, including picking out the perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, running through a hay maze, enjoying live entertainment, a friendly petting zoo, hay rides, tasty treats and much more! For more information, call 954-480-4429.

Granny’s Attic

Saturday, Oct. 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center

1801 NE 6 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Giant indoor garage sale. Free admission. For more information, call 954-786-4111.

Stand Up & Paddle For Cancer

Saturday, Oct. 15 & Sunday, Oct. 16, 7 to 10 p.m.

Island Water Sports

1985 NE 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Full moon SUP tour. All profits go to The Hagers and Grind for Life Fight Cancer. Cost: $30 per person. Boards and instructors are provided. If you have you own board, paddleand life vest, cost is $10. Glow in the dark necklaces/navigation lights are provided. Register in advance at www.Islandcamps.com/sup/full-moon-paddle or call 954-427-4929.

St. Ambrose Pumpkin Patch

Tuesday, Oct. 18 through Monday, Oct. 31

9 a.m. through 9 p.m.

St. Ambrose Church

380 S. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Large assortment of pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales and other festive items. For more information, call 954-427-2226.

Book Signing and Discussion with Martha Lemasters

Wednesday, Oct. 19

• 12 p.m.

History at High Noon

Deerfield Beach City Hall

150 NE 2 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• 2 p.m.

Century Plaza Leon Slatin Library

1856 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

• 7 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Woman’s Club

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Lemasters’ book, The Step: One Woman’s Journey to Finding her Own Happiness and Success During the Apollo Space Program, is a riveting insider’s look at the real dream team who made this extraordinary achievement, landing a man on the moon, possible. Bold and complex, women’s issues and equality are underlying themes of this richly woven tale. Science, history, humor and romance all intermingle in this fresh and inspiring account of one woman’s journey as she overcomes every obstacle on her path to finding happiness and success. For information, call 954-429-0378.

Fright Night

Thursday Oct. 20, 7 to midnight

Blue Martini

6000 Glades Rd.

Boca Raton, FL 33431

Hosted by Melissa and Joe Gorga. Performance by Chanel West Coast, costume contest. Space limited. Must R.S.V.P. to attend at egolden@thebermanlawgroup.com.

12th Annual Shriek Week

Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29

6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Sugar Sand Park

300 S. Military Tr.

Boca Raton, FL 33486

Appropriate for ages 7-12. “Lite Nite” (Thursday, Oct. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.) for ages 5-12, is a less intense version of the haunted house. Tickets: $8 per person. Reservations required and can be booked in person, online or by calling 561-347-3948. Other highlights include haunted walk-through attraction “Granny Grim: Alien Lab” where guests can find out if UFO’s really do exist, trackless train rides, free led lighted stilt-walking “robots” & DJ show, magic shows, food vendors, black light carnival game room, photo souvenirs, glitter tattoos. Many activities require additional activity tickets and can be purchased onsite. Free indoor Trick or Treat Trail will be featured nightly. For more information about volunteer opportunities, including auditions for scare actors, decorating, running activities & games please visit the website. For specific details, dates, times and costs visit www.SugarSandPark.org or call the Community Center at 561-347-3900.

6th Annual Daytime Radness

Friday, Oct. 21, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., VIP-5 a.m.

Island Water Sports

1985 NE 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Get ready for the madness to begin. It’s time for Daytime Radness! Fight Cancer with the Hager Family & GrindFor Life. Enjoy the biggest sale of the year plus ramp jam, water slide, meet the pros and much more. For more information or VIP passes visit www.DaytimeRadness.com.

Years ago, while visiting my airline’s corporate office, I witnessed what must have been the quickest rejection of a job applicant. A young, shaggy-haired man with baggy clothes, hanging low around his rear, approached the front desk and requested a job application. The secretary asked if he would like to complete the form and submit it immediately. He declined and moped toward the exit. Before he could step outside, the secretary shot me the “not in a million years” look about this young man.

This young man’s dress and demeanor reminded me of a conversation I had with a teen around the same time. This teen felt that individual expression should trump societal norms, but there is a reason you pass the rolls and not throw them, unless you’re at Lambert’s Cafe in Missouri where it’s expected. While I do believe in expression of individuality, my flight kit had a comic with people floating in the water with a plane sinking; the caption read: “Bad day at work.” Things like dress or table manners transcend the individual. They say something about what you believe about yourself and others.

I’ve met with many parents who desire that their children learn to respect authority yet think nothing about speeding, which is a subtle (or sometimes blatant) disregard for authority. Little do these parents realize that they are undermining their own authority. (Dear Alanis Morissette, that’s real irony).

This line of thinking inspired me to develop the Everything Speaks message series. As a professional speaker, I learned many years ago — like our appearance and driving — that everything speaks; everything communicates something about what we believe, even if unintentionally. It’s why we value things like punctuality, firm handshakes and grace.

During the message series, we discovered that how we pray, how we surrender and how we serve each say something about what we believe about God’s power, sovereignty and our own depth of love for our neighbor.

If we have a weak prayer life, it can communicate to others that we believe our God is weak and unable. A hesitant surrender can expose a lack of trust in God. And a torpid level of serving might broadcast a lack of concern for others. Everything speaks. So I challenged my congregation to pray some risky prayers. I say risky because if you pray them earnestly, prepare to never be the same, again.

Pray: Search me; Psalm 139:23 — “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Ask God to reveal the sins and fears in your life that are keeping you from the plan He has for your life.

Pray: Break me; Job 17:1 — “My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out.” Pray for a brokenness that requires a dependency solely on God, which fosters intimacy, clarity of purpose, and your God-given identity.

Pray: Use me; Luke 22:42 — “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Pray that, because of you, others would come to know Christ and your actions would bring glory to God.

Pray: To desire the world less and Him more — downward mobility versus upward mobility. (My prayer growing up: Lord, help. Please help me to want to love You, to know You and to serve You.)

Pray: To be rich in the things that matter — invite family into a better story: prayer and reading the Word, serving together; be known more for what you give than what you have; seek intimate and purposeful relationships; view school/work/career as a mission field not a paycheck, etc.

Pray: To be fully surrendered to His will — trusting in His provision and strength to die to old habits that keep you at anything less than full surrender. His Word: learn it, love it, live it.

Referencing John 13: Pray: To get up — to leave a place of comfort and familiarity. (Jesus left the table); free up your schedule by setting your priorities and living them. Pray: to open up—to not only be more trusting/vulnerable, trusting ultimately in yourself and God’s voice in your life, but also about being someone that is trustworthy. Pray: To do it — Put your purpose (and redemptive story) into action with empathy and mercy in a way that brings God glory through serving your neighbor … loving them as you love yourself.

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.

By Gary Curreri

Lighthouse Point’s Sofia Caro can cross one thing off her sports bucket list.

The 17-year-old senior at Pine Crest scored her first varsity touchdown as the Panthers defeated visiting St. Andrew’s School, 28-8, in front of a raucous homecoming crowd at Best Field in Fort Lauderdale.

“I can’t really describe how I’m feeling,” said Caro, who scored on a fourth quarter, 2-yard run to seal the game. “All I can say is that I haven’t stopped smiling since … There’s nothing like it!”

Taking the handoff, Caro followed senior fullback Arjun Sandhu and junior offensive guard Robbie Fatovic 2 yards into the end zone.

“It was an amazing feeling,” Caro said. “My teammates, Arjun and Robbie (and others), cleared the way on the right side of the line. I spotted grass and hit the hole.”

Caro, who sports a 4.72 GPA in the classroom, also won the Clara Coleman Prize at her school last year which goes out to the rising senior who demonstrates versatility and merit as a scholar and student at Pine Crest School. Caro is a three-sport star at Pine Crest where she also excels in lacrosse and weightlifting.

As a sophomore, she was the only Broward competitor to make it to states in girls’ weightlifting placing 17th in her 139-pound weight class and last spring she was an all-county selection in lacrosse.

Caro, who played on JV for two seasons and took last year off to concentrate on lacrosse, is happy to be back. The 5-ft., 6 in., 140 lb. tailback said she had two goals. One was to score a touchdown, and the second was to win a championship with the football team. She can cross one of those off her list.

Pine Crest coach Troy Harrison said it was a special moment.

“She did a great job of following her lead blocker, finding the hole and crossing the goal line,” Harrison said. “The crowd went crazy, the team went crazy.”

Hearing the announcer call her name on Friday nights gets her pumped. The cheers from the crowd are reminiscent of the 1993 movie, Rudy, about a walk-on player at the University of Notre Dame.

“I’m on top of the world,” said Caro, who also plays linebacker in defense. “Hearing your name called is something special and it is something I haven’t really experienced in any other sport that I have played.”

Caro is the second female football player to play varsity football at Pine Crest. The other, Anna Lakovitch, was a placekicker and soccer star at the school from 1995-98 and attended Harvard University. South Plantation’s Erin DiMeglio became the first female quarterback in Florida high school history to play in a game in 2012.

Pine Crest, which won for the fourth consecutive week and improved to 4-1, faces King’s Academy in West Palm Beach this week.

Bucks roll again; top Taravella, 61-0

Deerfield Beach must enjoy the turf at Coral Springs High School as for the second consecutive week it rolled to a shutout victory over a District 11-8A foe.

Deerfield, which improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in District 11-8A, scored nine touchdowns and wrapped up the game in the first half as it cruised past Taravella, 61-0, last Thursday night. The team defeated Coral Springs at James Caldwell Field the previous week, 30-0.

Bucks senior quarterback Nick Holm returned from a concussion after sitting out the win over the Colts and threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns, including a 65-yard pass to junior receiver Cornelius McCoy on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

Holm also completed a 14-yard scoring pass to senior Jerry Jeudy and a 6-yarder to senior Leroy Henley. Backup QB Alec Brown, who threw for three TDs in the victory over Coral Springs filling in for Holm, picked up where he left off and passed for 146 yards and two TDs.

Junior tailback Jakari Norwood rushed for 87 yards on eight carries and three TDs, while senior Lafleur Limprevil tacked on 95 yards rushing.

The point total was two short of the team record for Deerfield, which leads in the season series between the two teams, 23-6.

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

The 31st Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) unveiled its poster at Oceans 234 in Deerfield last Wednesday night, Sept. 28. At the poster dedication, President and CEO Gregory Von Hausch announced the premier of over 100 films in 17 days in November.

Besides turning sweet 16, actress Bailee Madison returns to FLIFF with Annabelle Hooper & The Ghosts of Nantucket, Bailee’s debut film as a producer. While most of the films will be screened at the Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale (formerly Cinema Paradiso, at 503 SE 6 St., Ft. Lauderdale), Dreamland will open the festival at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood) on Friday, Nov. 4. Directed by Robert Schwartzman, Dreamland features performances by his brother Jason Schwartzman and his mother Talia Shire (known from performances like Rocky and The Godfather), who will be in attendance that evening.

Having earned an Oscar for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, Martin Landau will accept the FLIFF Lifetime Achievement Award. Along with co-stars Armand Assante and Michael Pare, Landau is expected to attend the screening of The Red Maple Leaf, the official closing night FLIFF film. In addition, Foster Hirsch returns to interview stage and screen legend, Arlene Dahl. These are just a few of the events and films planned for the film festival. Find out more and get tickets at www.fliff.com.

While the stalwart George Hamilton is not expected to attend this year’s festival, his film from last year’s FLiFF opens tomorrow, Silver Skies. This film is an ensemble comedy about seasoned citizens who are facing the foreclosure of their rental community.

Hamilton portrays Phil, an Alzheimer patient who thinks he is Dean Martin sometimes. Phil’s roommate, Nick (Jack McGee) sells programs at the racetrack. Each morning, they share breakfast with Eve (Barbara Bain) and Mickey (Jack Betts) who often gossip about the reclusive Harriet (Mariette Hartley), especially when a young, well dressed, black man visits her apartment three times a week.

While the foreclosure is the serious narrative, Silver Skies features comedic behavior from the main protagonists. There are also neighborhood romances featuring the [hussy] next door, Ethel (Valerie Perrine) and a recent widower, Frank (Alex Rocco), which is actually quite touching.

Not all of Silver Skies works. There is a scene involving sexual assault that is too graphic for the tone of this movie. However, the scene does set up a Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky joke that redeems it.

Deerfield Beach

Sept. 20: A woman reported that her car parked at 3748 W. Hillsboro Blvd. was broken into and a purse was stolen.

Sept. 20: A woman reported that two men robbed her at gunpoint at her home at 3500 SW Natura Blvd. after she had gone grocery shopping. She reported her bag of groceries, a debit card, driver’s license and a purse were stolen.

Sept. 20: A man reported that a friend he had recently met stole his car at 409 NW 1 Terr.

Sept. 21: A woman reported her car stolen at 306 NW 49 Pl.

Sept. 21: A woman reported her car parked at 1050 SW 24 St. was broken into and a bag with $40 and other personal items was stolen.

Movies in the Park — Hotel Transylvania 2

Friday, Oct. 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park

4111 NW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food truck, movie concessions, glow merchandise available for purchase. For more information, call 954-480-4429. For a full listing of this season’s movies and dates, visit www.dfb.city/moviesinthepark.

Barefoot Mailman Remembrance Day

Saturday Oct. 8

Sail times: 9, 10, 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3 p.m.

Sands Harbor Resort and Marina

125 N. Riverside Dr.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Special Hillsboro Lighthouse tour. Current HLPS membership or $25 per person transportation fee required. Parking is on the east side of street in the city (pay) parking lot. Registration/check-in starts 30 minutes prior to the first sail time and remains open until the last boat returns. For more information, visit www.hillsborolighthouse.org

Movie Night at the Library — Star Trek: First Contact

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m.

Percy White Library

837 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free event. Sponsored by the Friends of Percy White Library. For information, call 954-357-7680.

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to noon.

Elks Lodge

700 NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES, Drove 142. Open to the public. Adults: $6/Children: $3. For information, call 954-255-3130.

The Woman’s Club of DB meets

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m.

Woman’s Club

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd.,

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Light refreshments provided. Guests welcome to attend. The Woman’s Club fosters community improvement through volunteer service. For more information, call 954-421-4700 or visit www.dbwc.org.

Tuesday Night Beach Dance

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 to 9 p.m.

Main Beach Parking Lot

149 SE 21 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Johnny Vincent will be playing. Wear your dancing shoes and bring beach chair. Free event. For more information, call 954-480-4429

Deerfield Beach Arboretum meets

Thursday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.

Arboretum at Constitution Park

2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: Anthony (Tony) Brown. Also usual plant give-away. Light refreshments will be served. Free meeting open to the public. For more information, call 954-480-4494.

Sisterhood of Temple Beth Israel meets

Thursday, Oct. 13, 11:30 a.m.

Temple Beth Israel

201 S. Military Tr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: Carol Smith, League of Women voters. A mini lunch will be served. Cost: $10 at the door. For more information, contact 954-427-5743 or 954-427-9902.

Save the Date: Book Signing/ Discussion with Martha Lemasters

Wednesday, Oct. 19

• Noon

Deerfield Beach City Hall

150 NE 2 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• 2 p.m.

Century Plaza Leon Slatin Library

1856 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

• 7 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Woman’s Club

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

The Step: One Woman’s Journey to Finding her Own Happiness and Success During the Apollo Space Program is a riveting insider’s look at the real dream team who made this extraordinary achievement, landing a man on the moon, possible. Bold and complex, women’s issues and equality are underlying themes of this richly woven tale. Science, history, humor and romance all intermingle in this fresh and inspiring account of one woman’s journey as she overcomes every obstacle on her path to finding happiness and success. Meet author Martha Lemasters, who will talk about the book and history. For information, call 954-429-0378.

The Great Gatsby Casino Night benefiting Coastal Boxer Rescue

Friday Oct. 21, 7 to 11 p.m.

Royal Fiesta Event Center

1680 SE 3 Ct.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Dress for the 1920s. Casino Night offers Roulette, Craps and Blackjack table games. Enjoy buffet style dinner and open bar. Event ticket purchase includes 5,000 in casino chips plus 1 raffle ticket. Donate funds to get more casino chips. Pre-paid tickets are $75 each or $125 per couples. All ticket sales will end on Oct. 11. No tickets sales will be available at the door. Net proceeds benefit Coastal Boxer Rescue of Florida. www.coastalboxers.org.

And his righteousness

“But strive first for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Pastor Jeff Gross and I am the new pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Deerfield Beach. I am grateful to serve the people of Zion, Deerfield Beach and the surrounding area. I moved here from Lakewood Ranch, Florida (outside of Bradenton). Moving from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic has transformed me into a morning person. The sunrises inspire the soul.

I have been a pastor for 22 years and, as a matter of fact, I celebrated my 22nd anniversary on the first day I preached at Zion. I cannot think of a better place to launch my 23rd year of ministry than in Deerfield Beach. And 22 years is a short period of time. I certainly do not pretend to be an expert, but I have learned a few things on this journey and, perhaps, some wisdom that has helped me not only become a better pastor but a more faithful person.

As a young pastor, I complained that seminary didn’t prepare me well enough. The older I get, the more I realize that seminary cannot possibly teach you everything you need to know in order to be a pastor. I began my career in rural North Dakota, 35 miles north and west of Fargo. I befriended an older and wiser colleague, something I highly recommend, and he told me: “Seminary taught me how to be a theologian. My parishioners taught me how to be a pastor.” I took those words to heart and, to this day, I believe that.

Continuing education is also encouraged and this is a great opportunity to learn more things that are not necessarily taught at seminary or even brush up on those lessons that were learned years ago. I have also read many great books recommended to me by fellow pastors. Many of these books were about the mechanics of running a church. There are “how to” books on just about everything from Youth Ministry to Multicultural Ministry to Stewardship. There are inspiring biographies written by successful pastors who brought in thousands of members to their congregation, the method used to attract new members. I have read several books addressing the post-modern age and the challenges that face the ministry as a result in this cultural shift. And I would categorize this material as “the mechanics of how to run a church.” And, I want to make it clear, this is good reading.

But here is what I discovered in my journey … I was starting to feel some burnout. The joy that once filled my soul was starting to dwindle and I kept comparing my ministry to the models within these many books, and I would get discouraged. I recalled Matthew 6:33 from a Sunday-School song “Seek ye first the kingdom of God….” The simple melody and the profound words took me back to my childhood and childlike faith. But it also re-oriented me because I discovered that my continuing education was in pursuit of “and all these things” and not “the Kingdom of God.”

The problem was, I wasn’t reading my Bible first. There was just too much material to read, but Scripture came second. I discovered, the hard way of course, I was filling my mind with knowledge while my heart was running on empty. That simple shift, reading the Bible first and seeking God’s Kingdom first made all the difference in the world. And “all these things,” as Jesus promised, they do come in good time.

Christian education is a lifelong journey, regardless of whether you are trying to become a better pastor or just a better person. There are a lot of good books out there. Read them. But first, read the Bible. That simple shift can make all the difference.

Pastor Gross is a pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, located at 959 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. For more information, contact 954-421-3146 or visit www.zion-lutheran.org.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

School is routine already. Vacation picture albums are stashed with the others which, after you’ve flashed them umpteen times on your smartphone, some will morph into hard copies, and you won’t look at them again until the next time you move.

You might take one last trip to see the turning of the leaves, but most likely you won’t. Instead, you will remember the last time you did. You might marvel at the fact that the ocean water is still warm and wonder if it has always been warm in October; and, if not, what’s up with that?

You might smile initially at the ubiquitous orange and black wherever you go, but will get sick and tired of it before Oct. 31. If you are planning to indulge in Halloween festivities for adults or kids, your creative brain has been cooking for a while. And somewhere within your soul, you have become aware that 2016 is on its last legs and that what you have to look forward to for the rest of this year is serious shopping, holiday parties, and, in some cases, the loneliness of being far away from family, and a few reflections on the overall quality of your life choices.

Maybe you’ll purchase some new spiffy seasonal clothes. Or, you will go into the back of your closet and, voila, come out with some “OMG, I forgot I had this. I haven’t worn it for 100 years.”

You are happy that daylight-savings time, which usually terminates in October, doesn’t end until the first week in November. Sunshine and light, after all, are one of the reasons for being in Florida.

You will be happily ensconced in your favorite chair for the return of Sunday and Monday night football, unless, of course, you’re like me, an aberrant, and couldn’t care less about football.

And you are prepared for the every four-year October political surprise that will emerge at the end of the month, but you won’t change your mind, no matter what about how you plan to vote. You are registered to vote, right? It’s not too late to request an absentee ballot in case you have an aversion to standing in line. In Broward County, call 954-712-1903. In Palm Beach County, call 561-656-6200 to have your ballot sent to you. Do it NOW.

And here’s the big event for which you will need to make preparations. It’s the post-election let-down. Well, sure there will be some immediate chatter about what happened and why, but the high theatrics are likely to subside. We’ll go back to murders, car crashes, rape, corruption, predictions about the holiday, retail economy and political grand-standing (and most likely paralysis) regardless of who wins. But the big question is – what will happen to the Donald Trump show, if he wins or if he loses? Will we face serious withdrawal symptoms if he becomes presidential? Or, if he slinks back into limited notoriety, what will we do for entertainment?

Yes, I know. This is serious stuff, folks, but if we lose our sense of humor, then all is lost.

Hail to October, the beginning of the end of another year and a good time for reflection on the year, so far.