“Piano Mann” David Mann has been entertaining people for awhile now at Biergarten in Boca Raton (309 Via De Palmas #90). The singer/ songwriter keeps things upbeat during his dueling piano show, taking turns tickling the ivories with Leon Novembre. The duo belts out a bit of everything, from Elton John to Billy Joel, to Broadwat musicals and soundtracks. And they take requests! They will be back for more fun this Thursday, July 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. He is offering free drinks to the first three guests to submit a song request (with an email). This is a fun event to go to alone or in a group. 

The Biergarten has plenty of food and drink to purchase to enjoy the show. Note: At night they offer an affordable valet service as parking can be challenging at times.

Can’t make the show? David often offers up virtual shows. To find out more about David Mann, visit www.pianomann.com. To find out more about the Biergarten, visit https://www.biergartenboca.com/

When Cove resident and Colorado native Linda Komatsubara was 22 she had not planned to have a puppy to care for, but when her brother discovered he could not keep his Rottweiler any longer in the college dorms, she gained a new friend. At that time, the puppy was a mere nine weeks old and Komatsubara fell in love at first sight. She wanted to make sure everyone else fell in love with the pup too and enrolled him in formal training and took him to “puppy socials.” She succeeded in turning her into a people dog, a protector, companion and “one of the gals.” Later, the pup took on being the mommy to two younger Pomeranians and the family cat.

Everything seemed fine for Jada until 2020 when Komatsubara noticed her little pup had gained a lot of weight, was sleeping more and getting up to go to the bathroom. She finally took her to the vet, who did an ultrasound and discovered she had an enlarged spleen. That led to going to another doctor and scheduling for surgery in hopes of prolonging the pup’s life for even 6 months. The family would take what they could get. The surgeon ended up removing a tumor the size of a volleyball! Luckily, the surgery was a success, the cancer was removed and her health began to improve. She even tolerated with ease another surgery to remove a small mass on her shoulder and lip.

Today, her mobility may be slow and she may have some arthritis, but six months since that first surgery and Jada is going strong. This month, Jada is celebrating her 16^th birthday. Happy birthday, Jada!

It is hard to believe but school is about to start again — no more staying home; kids will be in their seats at school. The school year begins on August 18 and the last day of school is June 9. For more info. on important dates, visit www.browardschools.com/Page/57219.

As usual, there will be a sales tax holiday for those preparing their kids for their first day, buying appropriate supplies and new clothes. This year’s Tax Holiday will occur from July 31 to August 9. There are stipulations for what qualifies to be untaxed. See https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tips/Documents/TIP_21A01-08.pdf for more info.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program opens June 12 at 8 a.m.

More about the Program: The City of Pompano Beach through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding is distributing $200 Visa gift cards to residents who became fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine after June 22, 2021 when the City Commission approved the use of the ARPA funds. If you received your first Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 shot before June 22nd and received or will receive your second Pfizer or Moderna shot after June 22nd, you are still eligible to receive the $200 gift card. One dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 shots must be received after June 22nd in order to be eligible. The distribution of Visa gift cards will be on a first come, first serve basis and will be available while supplies last. The Incentive Program ends on September 30th.

For more info., click here: https://cdn.pompanobeachfl.gov/city/storage/press_releases/City-PR-21-35-COVID-19-Vaccination-Incentive-Program-003.pdf

Put on your favorite Christmas attire and run, walk or roll to “krush” poverty and homelessness at The Salvation Army of Broward County’s Kettle Krush 5K presented by PwC. WPLG Local 10 SoFlo Health’s Hunter Franqui will serve as the special guest host for the fourth annual event. An option for those (both in the region and beyond) who wish to participate virtually at home is also available. This all-ages event is designed to raise awareness and funds for families in need. Registration is open, now, at https://tinyurl.com/KettleKrush2021.

The Salvation Army serves over 50,000 Broward County residents, every year, and more than 70% of its funding comes directly from the community – individuals, groups and businesses.

The race is named after The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettles which are staffed during the holidays to collect funds for families in need. Last year, The Salvation Army raised $320,215, more than a 33% increase over the same period last year, in less than five weeks in November and December. The Salvation Army of Broward County also distributed 7,566 gifts to 1,114 families with 2,483 children at 2020’s drive-through Holiday Toy Shop.

The racecourse at Quiet Waters Park is sanctioned by the USATF, and the race will be timed by AccuChipUSA, Inc. Awards will be given to runners in  “Top 3” categories and age groups.

WHEN:             Saturday, July 24 at 7 a.m.

WHERE:          Quiet Waters Park

                          401 Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

                         Those who cannot be at the physical race site are encouraged to participate virtually at home!

COST:              Register at https://tinyurl.com/KettleKrush2021

                         Fees:

                         $10 for kids (ages 2 – 8)

                         $25 per participant (18 and under)

                         $30 for registrants (19 and over).

                         Team registration is $20 per person for teams of five or more.

                         A FREE commemorative race t-shirt will be given to all registrants.

                         Quiet Waters Park entry fee will be waived for all Kettle Krush 5K participants. Parking will also be FREE and available directly across from the Runner’s Pavilion area.

WHO:              The Salvation Army of Broward County’s Kettle Krush 5K presented by PwC is sponsored by Broward Health, Edd Helms AC & Electric, FPL, Costco Wholesale, Pronto Urgent Care, Trader Joe’s, Fast Printz, Profile by Sanford, ACME Barricades, Bimbo Bakeries, Dom and Sharon Pino, Pete and Jenny Sudler and Gerry and Isolde Cahill.

                     The Salvation Army is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to “meeting human needs without discrimination.” Since 1926, The Salvation Army has been active in Broward County serving thousands of our most needy community members. Today, it offers a number of vital programs including its Economic Stability Program, the Open Door Project emergency shelter, a food pantry, transitional family housing, New Beginnings for pregnant homeless women and disaster services.

INFO:              For more information or to pledge additional monetary and/or sponsorship support, please contact Robert Beasley at 954-712-2480 or email Robert.beasley@uss.salvationarmy.org.  Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/Browardsalvationarmy, on Instagram @salvationarmybroward and on Twitter @SalArmyBroward.

The City of Deerfield Beach is actively monitoring Hurricane Elsa. Although the path is not yet clear, weather experts are predicting, at the very least, heavy wind and rain.

Depending on how this storm takes shape over the following 24-hours, fireworks scheduled for 4th of July festivities at Quiet Waters Park could be canceled.

Safety regulations prohibit the City from launching fireworks during sustained winds of 15-20 mph and based on the current track we could see those wind speeds by Sunday evening. Please be sure to check the City’s website and social media regularly for updates.

Regular solid waste and bulk collections will continue as per normal collection schedules but will be suspended should we encounter sustained winds of 40 MPH or other conditions that may result in unsafe collections.

Please adhere to the bulk collection guidelines and do not place excessive materials for pickup. As per guidelines, materials that exceed seven cubic yards or do not comply with the City’s guidelines will not be collected and may become projectiles in the occurrence of a storm.

Residents should not use this time to complete landscaping work or other projects that will result in heavy bulk trash.

For more information on the City’s Bulk Collection Guidelines, visit http://ow.ly/Hd8B50Fo1F0. The City is urging residents to monitor Hurricane ELSA and review their hurricane preparedness plans. To get your local DFB storm updates, check out the City’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter Platforms. The links are listed below.

Website: http://ow.ly/2ULv50Fo1EZ

Facebook: @CityOfDeerfieldBeachFloridaMunicipalGovernment

Twitter: DFB_City

Instagram: @CityofDeerfieldBeach