Deerfield Beach

Aug. 27: A woman reported that someone stole her bicycle at 2300 SW 15 St.

Aug. 27: A woman reported that a man whom she knows stole $95 and a debit card from her purse at 829 W. Sample Rd.

Aug. 27: A man reported that a former employee of his used stolen business checks and credit cards to steal thousands of dollars from him. The incident was reported at 4100 N. Powerline Rd.

Aug. 27: A man reported that someone entered his vehicle parked at 601 E. Sample Rd. and stole his wallet.

Aug. 28: A woman reported that someone broke into her home at 371 NE 45 St. and stole her television and a handbag.

Lighthouse Point

Aug. 15: Police responded to an alarm call at 2456 NE 26St. It was deemed a false alarm.

Aug. 15: Police responded to a call of a loose German Shepherd and small brown dog in the area of 2631 NE 52St. The police officer said he searched the area vigorously and was unable to locate them and suspected they had maybe returned to their home.

Aug. 16: Police responded to an alarm call at 2200 NE 32 St. It was deemed that the owner accidently set off the alarm.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Business and Bagels

Thursday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

E. Pat Larkins Community Center

520 NW 3 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Meet City of Pompano Beach & Broward County Officials. Learn about Small Business Certification, upcoming transportation projects, Penny for Transportation impact, local preference ordinance and Look Local First Initiative, and how to become a registered vendor 
Contact information: dahlia.baker@copbfl.com or 954-786-7866.

Music under the Stars

Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.

The Great Lawn

Atlantic Blvd. & Pompano Beach Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Come out for an evening of great music and entertainment as Briny Irish Pub presents Music under the Stars every second Friday of the month. The featured bands for this event is The Flyers (a rock band).

1^st Annual Health & Wellness Symposium

Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to noon

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

1060 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

There will be various speakers on different topics, such as healthy eating, fitness and wellness. There will be a brief exercise warm-up to get ready for this event. Please wear comfortable exercise clothing and sneakers. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 954-729-2622 (954-SAY-BMBC).

Clyde Butcher Photography –

Fine Art Exhibit

Saturday, Sept. 14, 21, 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Old School House Meeting Room

232 NE 2 St. (Eller Drive)

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Organized by the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. Sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. Suggested Donation – $5 per person. Books and calendars available for purchase. For information, call 954-429-0378 or visit www.deerfield-history.org .

First Anniversary Celebration Party!

Sunday, Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m.

Cross United Church (campus of Trinity Church)

3901 NE 22 Ave.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Did you know that God offers a fresh start to anyone, no matter who they are? That’s a reason to celebrate. It’s the perfect opportunity for anyone, you included, to get a fresh start with God! Come out and celebrate, then grab some food at one the food trucks and let your kids hop in a bounce house. Your fresh start awaits, so what are you waiting for? Free event, please register at www.eventbrite.com/e/one-year-anniversary-party-tickets-68201704133.

Save the Date:

1st Annual Chef Shakedown

Friday, Sept. 20, 6 – 9 p.m.

Lighthouse Point Yacht Club

2701 NE 42 St.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

There will be a cook-off with 16 local chefs from your favorite local restaurants where you can be the judge, and four local bartenders will shake it up to see who will make the best cocktail in town, which will be judged by a famous celebrity panel. Guests will visit each restaurant’s sampling station and vote for their favorites! Come out for music, celebrity judges and raffle items! Tickets are $100. To purchase, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/lhpyc-1st-annual-chef-shakedown-tickets-64178980057?ref=episodes

Food Truck Round Up

Friday, Sept. 20, 6 to 10 p.m.

41 NE 1 St. Corner of Atlantic Blvd. & Dixie Hwy.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Come out on the 3rd Friday of every month in Pompano’s Old Town. Enjoy great Food Truck dining, full bar, live DJ & bands and so much more! For questions about how to become a food or non-food vendor, please e-mail info@gourmettruckexpo.com.

Jr. Anglers Day

Saturday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

International Fishing Pier

200 NE 21 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Come out for the 4th Annual Deerfield Beach Jr. Anglers Day. A family fun-filled fishing event with fishing clinics, goodie bait buckets, arts & crafts, face painting, fishing and much more! Availability only to first 300 registered participants. Register online at www.deerfield-beach.com/1553/Jr-Anglers-Day.

Largest Expo & Golf Outing

Thursday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Deer Creek Golf Club

2801 DC Country Club Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Package includes 9 holes of golf, food and drinks, motivational speakers and seminars about health & wellness, business – franchise, medical, travel, fitness and investments. Hosted by the Greater South Florida Chamber of Commerce. Find out details by calling Rob at 954-580-8802.

Church of Christ Cares Bahamas Relief efforts

Deerfield Beach Church of Christ

360 SW 2 Ave.

Deerfield Beach FL 33441

Donations are now accepted and can be donated seven days a week. Please do not bring clothing or non-perishables. For more information, contact Tyrone Murphy at 954-263-6438 or Jeff Jordon 954-297-1404. For financial donations, please visit the Go Fund me account at www.gofundme.com/f/church-of-christ-cares-bahamian-relief-fund.

Today’s thoughts are directed to vocational ministers, lay-leaders and members of local churches across all denominations. One of my long-time pet peeves is those who think of and call any ministry “theirs.” Have you ever heard a preacher or lay-person use the phrase “my church?” The verbiage may seem harmless, but that statement is the first step down a very slippery slope!

Jesus clearly claimed the church as HIS when He said, “I will build MY church” (Matthew 16:18). The church is referred to as “Christ’s body, of which He is the Head” (Ephesians 1:22-23). In the same passage, the Apostle Paul declared Christ to be the bridegroom, Who lovingly and sacrificially chose the church to be HIS “Bride” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Jesus gave Himself up for the church, “to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the Word.” In addition, we see that one day there will be a wedding feast held in Heaven called the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” followed by Christ’s eternal union with His bride (Revelation 19:7-9; 21:1-2).

These passages are very clear and vitally important because if we ever mistakenly believe the church is “ours,” that skewed view will result in sinful behavior. During my 35 years of ministry, I have been a witness to pastors, deacons, and lay-people who have been willing to divide or harm a congregation in order to make a point or to get their way. I have seen church members manipulate people and/or circumstances for personal gain. I have seen people attack churches and church leaders through gossip, letter writing, texting and/or phone calling campaigns. I have seen cowards attack ministries using the weapon of a keyboard to post negativity on social media. Such actions clearly reveal those who believe the church belongs to them.

One such illustration is seen in a lady who left a church over five years ago, but still regularly and “religiously” tries to convince members to leave “her” former church and start attending “her” new church. Did you catch that … she wants them to attend “her” church. Such proselytizing only happens when a person has the mindset that the church belongs to them. Attempting to poach for or solicit members from the former church is evidence of a skewed view of church ownership. You might expect such action from a layperson; but, sadly, I have witnessed pastors, staff members, Christian School employees, Deacons and other lay-leaders who have intentionally tried to inflict harm as they left a ministry. No one who understands scripture and believes the church belongs to Christ would ever try to harm, divide, damage or destroy God’s church – ever!

The Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 5:25-27 that Christ “gave up His life for her (the church) ²⁶ to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.²⁷ He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.” You see, when a person truly understands that Christ died for His Church, we realized how much He really loves her! Realizing that, who would dare throw mud on the wedding dress of Christ’s Bride? Who would speak ill or maliciously against Christ’s Bride? Who would try to cause division within or gossip about Christ’s Bride? Answer – only those who do not know or respect the Bridegroom.

The greatest indicator of your belief about church ownership is not seen while attending a specific church, but rather when you leave that church. Serving while attending is easy, but a person’s true character is seen by the manner in which they leave. Some feel the church owes them something because of their tenure, how much money they have given or how influential they have been. Some take credit for past successes, while hoping for future failure. Some wreak havoc, while others aide in a smooth transition. Some encourage those who remain, while others attempt to proselytize. The bottom-line is that how you treat the Bride (the church) reveals the level of respect you have for the Bridegroom. This is a great reminder that the church belongs to Jesus Christ, so let us behave with integrity and treat her accordingly.

Dr. Gary A. Colboch is Senior Pastor at Grace Church located at 501 NE 48 St. in Pompano Beach. For more information, call 954-421-0190 or pastor@gbcfl.org.

By Rachel Galvin

Right near the newly renovated Pompano Pier, a much-anticipated restaurant has now opened. Oceanic restaurant, with its modern look and great view had its grand opening party on Thursday, Aug. 29. Some stayed downstairs to enjoy delicious passed hors d’ oeuvres or fresh seafood. Others grabbed a Dorian-tini from the luge there and went upstairs to see the view of the ocean from the balcony and see the large room that can be rented out for private parties, including weddings. (They also have a bride’s room). In the middle of the fun, a belly dancer swayed through the crowd balancing candles and later a sword on her head while juggling fire, causing quite a stir. Owner Lou Moshakos christened the restaurant by throwing plates with his grandson, showcasing his Greek roots. Opa!

Lou originally opened a restaurant 41 years ago in Deerfield Beach called Seafood Shanty with his wife Joy. They sold it in the 1980s. Today, their company, LM Restaurants, owns several restaurant concepts. Besides Oceanic here and also another one in North Carolina, they also have Vidrio, Bluewater Waterfront Grill, Hops Supply Co., Taverna Agora, Carolina Ale House and Henry’s. Their daughter Amber is now president of the company.

At this Oceanic, their culinary focus is on “fresh seafood, high quality steaks, creative bold flavors and sharing plates all at reasonable prices,” according to Joy, who also said they will have creative cocktails at their full bars.

One guest, Thetis Palamiotov couldn’t stop raving about the restaurant.

“The experience is above and beyond. They have great service,” she said.

Right next door to the restaurant, Joy said they are building another restaurant. It will be called Lucky Fish Beach Bar and will be beach casual with a Tahitian Tiki bar feel. In addition, they will be opening a Mediterranean style restaurant called Morea in the Paramount Building in Ft. Lauderdale (701 N. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd.), which will be focused on sharing plates to promote conversation the way you often see in Mediterranean countries.

Katherine Goldfaden, director of Brands & Marketing, said that every restaurant opening they have, they always give 10 percent to a local nonprofit, and education is one of their biggest charity passions. In the case of opening Oceanic, they donated 10 percent of at least the first seven days of being open to Broward Education Foundation.

Oceanic restaurant is located at 250 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., in Pompano Beach. For more information, visit www.oceanicpompano.com.

By Gary Curreri

Three of the Pompano Eagles teams have winning records in the American Youth Football League after three weeks.

The 10-Under squad has a perfect, 3-0, record, while both the 9-Under and 12-Under teams are both 2-1. The 7-Under, 8-Under and 11-Under teams are all 1-2 and the 13-Under team is still chasing its first win at 0-3.

Khambrel Simpkins has been with the city for nine years and been with the Pompano Eagles for the past six years. He said they have just over 200 players and 75 cheerleaders.

“We had about a 10 percent increase over last year,” Simpkins said. “We are building on the consistency with the coaches and the staff. We are just staying humble and just staying at it.

“We have a good solid foundation throughout the park with the coaches we put in place,” he added. “We just want to build on that each year.”

The Pompano Eagles have a storied history in the city of Pompano Beach having produced All Pro NFL stars like Corey Simon, Jabari Price of the Minnesota Vikings, Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals and Lamar Jackson, who got his start at the program.

Jackson, who won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award and was a unanimous All-American as a sophomore in 2016 while at the University of Louisville. The 22-year-old was the 32^ndoverall draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 draft.

“We have noticed that a lot of kids have been excelling and going on to play in D-1 schools,” Simpkins said. “They are also going to the NFL. We have a hotbed for talent here in Pompano. It is our job to build on the talent that those kids got, so they can get where they want to get.”

The Pompano Eagles produced the Super Bowl Champions Junior Mighty Mite and Senior Mighty Mite Teams in 2017 in the Pop Warner League and hope to send teams to the AYFL Super Bowl in 2019.

In 2018, the Pompano Eagles program entered its first year in the highly competitive 12-team AYFL. Although it was the program’s first year in the league, their teams battled in the trenches all season and sent five of seven teams to the 2018 playoffs.

The 9-Under team coached by Billy Clancy II and the 8-Under team led by Coach Josh Wilson came within overtime periods to taking each of their teams to the Super Bowl. Simpkins believes those two teams are not only Super Bowl contenders, but could reach the national tournament.”

“I think football is humongous to these kids,” Simpkins said. “It is a good extracurricular activity for them. For the kids to come out here and enjoy it…they have fun and they are doing something that they love.”

“This is our second year in the AYFL,” Simpkins added. “We have a family philosophy. As long as they have that attitude and they have fun, they will give it their all. That is the best feeling they can have.” 

Pompano will play at Plantation this weekend, weather permitting.

Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association results

The Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association held a one best ball of a threesome, and two best balls on the corners (holes #1, 9, 10 and 18), on the Pines course on Aug. 21.

The team of Jim DeCicco, Kevin Narus and Dennis Sejda shot a 72 and won on a match of cards over the runner-up team of Al Holcomb, Neil Lang and Roy Wilhoite. Finishing in third place and also winning on a match of cards was the team of Jim Blake, Jorge Duarte and Mark Intregila, They shot a 74.

The winner of the closest to the pin contest on hole No. 15 was Tom Breur.

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Starting All Saints Day – Nov. 1, and continuing through the Sunday before Thanksgiving weekend – Nov. 24, the 34th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will make this November one to remember. This year promises to spotlight the best of our local community and bring back some class act honorees from legendary motion pictures, while retaining a watchful eye on potential trends in the film industry.

FLIFF will kick things off at The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science AutoNation IMAX with the documentary Cuba.  Besides viewing the sun, surf and shores of Cuba on the six-storey screen, this opening night gala will feature Latin music from Tito Puente Jr.  Cinema Dave plans to bend a knee and bust a move that night.

Created by Marc Ferman and Igor Shteyrenberg, “Popcorn Frights” will handle the opening night at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale with a screening of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge featuring an appearance from leading man, Mark Patton. For many years considered the runt of the Freddy Krueger series, this nightmare series has developed a cult following for the gay community.  Along with dual directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen, Patton will screen his documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street. Popcorn Frights will also host Sam Raimi’s film Drag Me to Hell, featuring Justin Long. Justin Long will be in attendance and will screen his bittersweet comedy, Safe Spaces.

No stranger to the monster movie industry, William Grefe will be honored this season for his contributions to the Florida Motion Picture World. During the 1970s, Grefe’s films could be seen on the Deerfield Beach Wometco Ultravision screen with such titles as Mako: The Jaws of Death, The Godmothers (film debut of Danny Aiello) and Impulse, starring James Bond villain Harold “Odd Job” Sakata and the leisure-suited William Shatner.

As a bit of historical irony, John Wayne’s last movie —The Shootist — screened on the year that Rocky won the Best Picture Oscar in 1976. Alongside Rocky Balboa, Indiana Jones has become the motion picture hero this columnist has most identified with. While Harrison Ford and Sylvester Stallone won’t be in attendance, the actresses who portrayed their girlfriends will take part in the FLIFF festivities — Karen Allen and Talia Shire. Both of them will be screening new projects.

For the closing weekend, From the Vine features Marco (Cinema Paradiso) Leonardi and Joe Pantoliano in a comedy set in the Italian wine country. Like William Grefe, Karen Allen and Talia Shire, Joe Pantoliano has been honored in the past and is returning to our annual FLIFF party.

As film fads fade away, FLIFF survives and thrives through the chemistry of respecting tradition with an eye on the infinite future. Yet FLIFF has never lost sight of the humanity of the ticket buyer. In my two decades of covering FLIFF, this festival is at its best when it provides a vacation from the ordinary film. For more info, visit www.fliff.com.

Deerfield Beach

Aug. 21: A woman reported that someone smashed the window of her SUV in an apartment parking lot. The incident was reported at 601 NW 42 Ct.

Aug. 21: It was reported that a bicycle was stolen from a home at 204 NW 46 Ct.

Aug. 21: It was reported that four Dyson vacuums were stolen from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Aug. 22: A man reported that his motor scooter was stolen at 1200 SW 11 Way.

Aug. 22: A man was arrested and charged with armed robbery. He stole a hunting knife and a hatchet from Ace Hardware store at 365 S. Federal Hwy.

Lighthouse Point

Aug. 14: Police received several calls reporting a loose pitbull on 21Terrace, 30Court and 23Avenue. The owner retrieved the dog in all instances. The report does not say if it was actually the same dog.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Monthly Business Breakfast:

The Future of Work

Thursday, Sept. 5, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

100 Fairway Dr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Panelists will discuss 21^st Century workforce trends, disruptions and what they are doing to prepare. Members: $25, non-members: $30. Register at https://deerfieldchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/4659.

Old Town Untapped

Friday, Sept 6. 6 to 10 p.m.

Bailey Contemporary Arts

41 NE 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Old Town Untapped is a monthly craft beer & arts festival hosted by the Pompano Beach CRA and features free samples of local beers crafted by breweries in Pompano Beach’s emerging craft beer scene. In addition, the streets of Old Town are lined with food trucks, artists, crafters and interactive art. Inside Bailey Contemporary Arts, guests can grab some locally roasted coffee at Blooming Bean Coffee Roasters and walk through the galleries rotating art exhibits each month. 

Caribbean Culinary Museum

Exhibition Opening Reception

Friday, Sept.6, 6 to 8 p.m.

41 NE 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The Caribbean Culinary Museum includes culinary artifacts from around the Caribbean region. Each item is labeled according to its name on the multiple islands where it is used. There is also a description of each item’s traditional use (s) on these islands. The exhibition also includes a series of graphic narratives exploring the history of Caribbean cuisine presented on large-format foam boards. The information is organized based on flavor profiles, looking at how certain culinary staples made their way into the region, how certain items, preparations and serving methods are used differently or in the same way from island to island, and how certain food traditions bring the region together. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/caribbean-culinary-museum-exhibition-opening-reception-tickets-70093348091.

Murder Mystery Dinner

Saturday, Sept. 7, 6 to 10 p.m.

Pompano Beach Cultural Center

50 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

This 1950’s prom is a doo wop disaster! When a death on the dance floor makes this prom night a party foul, it is up to you to figure out whodunit and get this dance back on track. Trade clues with your guests, gather information about the crime, and reveal the punk that made this prom nowheresville. This night of laughter and dancing is now too heavy to razz anyone’s berries, so it’s up to you to find the murderer! $40 includes dinner. To purchase tickets, visit https://tickets.ccpompano.org/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=498.

Clyde Butcher Photography –

Fine Art Exhibit

Saturday, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Old School House Meeting Room

232 NE 2 St. (Eller Drive)

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Organized by the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. Sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. Suggested Donation – $5 per person. Books and calendars available for purchase. For information, call 954-429-0378 or visit www.deerfield-history.org .

Soulful Sundays

Sunday, Sept. 8, 6 to 9 p.m.

Historic Ali Cultural Arts

353 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Come out every 2nd Sunday of every month for incredible live music. Soulful Sundays features South Florida’s top performers and bands in various genres ranging from Soul, R&B, Neo Soul, Blues to Jazz and Funk. Merging local and national artists, organizations and vendors, this program creates an unforgettable monthly musical experience that enriches, as well as celebrates, the history and culture of the African American community in Pompano Beach. Come out this September for The Valerie Tyson Band, a soulful and electrifying band that performs classic and modern music, specializing in top 40 popular music, Jazz, Classic Rock, R&B and Reggae. They know how to keep the party rocking and the dance floor packed. For ages 18 and up. Food and beverage are available for purchase by local vendors. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/soulful-sundays-tickets-60727356157.

“God’s Work. Our Hands”

Sunday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m.

Zion Lutheran

959 SE 6 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Come out for worship, fellowship and service as they sort, pack, and decorate their blessing bags, which will be distributed to those in need. They are looking for socks, soap, hand sanitzer or wet wipes, toothbrushes and paste, chapstick, bandaids, tampons, granola and energy bars, crackers, cookies, fruit snacks, gun, hard candy, etc. This is the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church) Day of Service.

9/11 Day for Honoring Our Heroes

Wednesday, Sept.11, 7 p.m.

Pompano Beach Cultural Center

50 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The City of Pompano Beach Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department invites you to a night of remembrance, recognition and celebration. The ceremony will feature guest speakers, musicians and a special performance by the Ft. Lauderdale Symphonic Winds 65-piece band. Admission is free; however, space is limited. Contact Information: 954-786-4111.

Patriot Day Ceremony

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.

Public Safety Building

2601 W. Broward Blvd.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312

Please join Sheriff Gregory Tony and the Broward Sheriff’s Office as they remember the 18^th Anniversary of 9/11 and recognize heroic First Responders and Veterans. Please R.S.V.P. to bsorsvp@sheriff.org.

9-11 Memorial Dedication Ceremony

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 5 p.m.

Founders Park

316 NE 3Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The City of Pompano Beach is honored to announce the dedication of its newest piece of public art, a memorial for the tragic events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. The city’s Fire Rescue Department acquired a piece of steel from the World Trade Center for use in a memorial for the 343 first responders who died saving lives. The Public Art Committee was asked by the department to utilize the steel as a public art project. Project development originally began in 2016. In March 2018, the City’s Public Art Committee issued a Call to Artists. Out of the applications submitted, the glass and corten steel memorial, entitled Unbroken Spine, A Book of American Heroism, by Cherie Saleeby, was selected. The artwork is located at Founders Park next to Pompano Beach’s fire museum. The exposed steel in the artwork symbolizes the backbone of the first responders and their resolute courage. The steel also represents the spine of a bound book helping to keep the pages together. Etched onto the glass pages are the names of the first responders who lost their lives.

Save the Date:

Annual Shinning Stars and Luncheon

Friday, Sept. 13, noon to 2 p.m.

Marriot Pompano Beach Resort & Spa

200 N. Ocean Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, also serving Lighthouse Point & Margate, will be honoring local the honorees during their annual “Shining Stars Awards & Luncheon.” The theme for this year’s event is “The Brightest Stars Are Those Who Shine for The Benefit of Others.” The Shining Star Awards, a special honor, are presented annually to a select group of local citizens, businesses and/or organizations that have shown themselves to have been a valuable asset and major contributor to the growth and stability of the great community. Tickets are $55 in advance, $65 after Sept. 11 by Reservation Only, and $49 for elected officials. Purchase tickets online at www.pompanobeachchamber.com or call the office at 954-941-2940. Sponsorship packages and ads in the souvenir program are available. For info., contact Connie Davis, director of Special Events, at 954-941-2940 or e-mail cdavis@pompanobeachchamber.com.

Largest Expo & Golf Outing

Thursday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Deer Creek Golf Club

2801 DC Country Club Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL , 33442

Motivational speakers and seminars about health & wellness, business franchise, medical, travel, fitness and investment.

Historic Butler House Tours

Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

The James D. and Alice Butler House is an historic home right here in Deerfield Beach, and you can get a tour and find out more about our local history. Donations appreciated. For more information, call 954-429-0378.

In a small town in India, a person decided to open up a bar, which was right opposite of a Temple. The Temple and its congregation started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayed daily.

Work progressed. However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning bolt struck the bar and it was burnt to the ground. The bar owner sued the Temple on the grounds that the Temple through its prayers was ultimately responsible for the ill fate of his dream project, either through direct or indirect actions or means.

In its reply to the court, the Temple vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection between their prayers and the bar’s burning down. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented: “I don’t know how I’m going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire Temple that doesn’t.”

The Sidur

Let me share a story:

Simon Wiesenthal (1908 – 2005) was an Austrian Holocaust survivor who spent four and a half years in the German concentration camps such as Janowska, Plaszow, and Mauthausen.

After the war, he became famous for his work as a Nazi hunter. Wiesenthal dedicated most of his life to tracking down and gathering information on fugitive Nazis so that they could be brought to justice.

At a conference of European Rabbis in Bratislava, Slovakia the Rabbis presented the 91 year old Simon Wiesenthal with an award, and Mr.Wiesenthal, visibly moved, told the Rabbis the following encounter that he had with Rabbi Eliezer Silver.

Rabbi Eliezer Silver (1882 – 1968) was among American Jewry’s foremost religious leaders, and he is most noted for spearheading efforts in rescuing as many Jews as possible from Europe. He raised funds, requested exemptions on immigration quotas, offered to ransom concentration camp prisoners for cash and tractors – talks that freed hundreds from Bergen-Belsen and other death camps — and organized rallies in Washington. After the war, he traveled to Europe and worked tirelessly on the ground to assist his brethren.

It was in Mauthausen after liberation that Simon Wiesenthal was visited by Rabbi Silver when he had come to help and comfort the survivors.  Rabbi Silver had organized a special prayer service and he invited Wiesenthal to join the other survivors in praying. Mr. Wiesenthal declined and explained his position.

“When I was in camp, I saw many different types of people do things. There was one religious man of whom I was in awe. This man had managed to smuggle a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) into the camp. I was amazed that he took the risk of his life in order to bring the Siddur in.

“The next day, to my horror, I realized that this was no religious man. He was renting the Siddur in exchange for people giving him their last piece of bread. I was so angry with this Jew, how could he take a Siddur and use it to take a person’s last piece of bread away? So I am not going to pray, if this is how religious Jews behave.”

As Wiesenthal turned to walk away, Rabbi Silver tapped him on the shoulder and gently said in Yiddish, “Oy naar, naar.” Wiesenthal was intrigued why had the Rabbi called him childish. The answer wasn’t long in coming.

Rabbi Silver continued, “Why do you look at the manipulative Jew who rented out his Siddur to take away people’s last meals? Why do you look at that less-than-noble person? Why don’t you focus on the dozens of Jews who gave up their last piece of bread in order to be able to use a Siddur? To be able to talk to G-d? Why don’t you look at those awesome people who in spite of all their suffering still felt they can connect to their Creator?”

Wiesenthal joined the service and shared the story some 60 years later.

It is with immense gratitude to G-d that we are grateful for the miracles we just witnessed here in South Florida.

Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!

Equally important: There is a lot of pain in the world and especially in the Bahamas right now. But so many of us have so much to be thankful for. We have so many blessings. Don’t forget the giver of these blessings. Express your gratitude to G-d.   

Try it out. Reopen a conversation with G-d, daily, weekly or bi weekly. Learn to say thank you for your blessings, and learn to share your concerns and pains.

Please Join us for High Holidays Services — Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 30 – Oct. 1) and Yom Kippur (Oct. 9).

Rabbi Tzvi Dechter is the director of Chabad of North Broward Beaches, located in the Venetian Isle Shopping Center at 2025 E. Sample Rd. in Lighthouse Point. For all upcoming events, please visit www.JewishLHP.com.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

“Hello, Emily. This is Billie (as if I didn’t know). Are you sitting down?  I just did something monumental, and you’re the only person I can talk to about it.”

“Yes, I’m sitting down,”  my curiosity piqued and I was hesitant to tell her that I had just been studying all the artifacts in my living room, wondering how and when they would be “disposed of.”

In 1985, Billie, my good friend next door neighbor, and I took our first “adventure” trip together to Nepal. I was 58, with a spouse not at all interested in Nepal, and she, 52, a very recent widow with a daughter in the Peace Corps in Nepal.

Each year thereafter, for about 20 years, we did other (at the time) off the beaten track trips, collecting information, pictures and personal stories from our journals, all of which currently repose in a set of individual albums for each of us. The albums are in my garage in Boca and in her garage in Madison, CT.

She continued, “I just threw my albums away.”

Shock and silence … And then finally, “You what?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she, always the minimalist, said defiantly. “Who is going to look at them? All of the stuff in there is in my head. These places and pictures are meaningless to anyone except us. It just isn’t fair to my family to make them responsible for getting rid of them.”

“You really did that? All of them?”

Horrified, I visualized the careful hours post- trips — the sharing of pictures and endless reminiscing that lasted until the next trip, the intermingling of memories each time she and I connected, by phone or visits. And, yes, the precious value to me of these possessions.

“Not yet, but almost all. I’m still working on it.”

Her voice hung in the air as if she were expecting my unequivocal approval.

“Hmmm,” I said thoughtfully.

And then … the back and forth acknowledgement of my obsession with hoarding and her insistence that this was an important way to show love for our progeny.  

“Please don’t go sentimental on me,” I thought, and then my eyes wandered back to my living room artifacts and recognition of the massive and unpleasant job entailed in the final disposal of life possessions. Thus, our conversation escalated to conclusion.

“I want you to go directly into your garage as soon as you hang up and take one album and get rid of it. Do one a day — randomly, whichever is on the top, slowly — no rush. You can look at them one last time, if you must,” she said, her voice intonation was firm as it always is.  

Eventually, we ended our conversation and, with my marching orders clear in my head, I strode into my totally disorganized garage and plucked the first album I saw titled: Amazon Adventure 1988.

She was right! How many pictures of jungles and indigenous people, and fish and slimy snakes, would anyone else want to view, and who, indeed, were Karen and Claire, and Tom and … and … but wait … Rebecca! Rebecca Schaeffer, 22 year old TV starlet with her parents … Rebecca, who just months after our return was shot to death in her Los Angeles apartment by a celebrity stalker whose trial and story made hot headlines for months thereafter.

Could I throw away all those pictures of her and newspaper stories and correspondence with her parents? Could I?

Tomorrow, I will tackle the Galapagos Islands, where only one has-been celebrity was among our group as we tripped our way lightly in full nudity following the blue boobies and newly hatched turtles into the clear waters off Ecuador.

Yes, Billie, I promised. I will, I will, I will.