By Rachel Galvin

This year, the Miami Book Fair is accessible right from your living room no matter where you live… and almost everything is free to watch! The fair will include plenty of book talks, Q&As and more, and even a virtual book marketplace. The events run Nov. 15 to 22 and will kickoff with Maragret Atwood, author of the well-known “Handmaids tale,” which has become a popular show on Hulu. This time she is focusing on a new book, this one is of poetry. Called “Dearly,” In Dearly, it is her first collection of poetry in over a decade, Atwood addresses themes such as love, loss, the passage of time, the nature of nature and – zombies.

   The format for this year’s event was talked about during a special Zoom happy hour on Oct. 8 in which Lisette Mendez, director of programs, and co-founder Mitchell Kaplan hosted the event and other staff members chimed in, sharing their favorite books and authors. That event also included a musical interlude by Richie Hell with art by his wife Francisca Oyhanarte. They also unveiled this year’s whimsical poster created bt Dan Santat, who is an award-winning children’s book author, illustrator and creator of Disney’s animated series “The Replacements.” The poster image is also available on cups, shirts and more on the Miami Book Fair website.

   Although the site does not really come alive until Nov. 15, starting Nov. 1, people will be able to go on the website and create their own personal watchlist and complete their profiles based on their interests, so they can be sent reccomendations, and they can begin browsing. But you can go ahead and register for free now.

   There will be a lot of great authors in attendance, including Dean Koontz, Chuck Flink, Lenny Kravitz, Jodi Picoult, Carl Hiaasen, Peter Wartman, Richard Blanco, Roxane Gay, Lee Child, Chuck Palahniuk, Dr. Peniel Joseph, Nikky Finney, Sarah Frey, Bari Weiss, James McBride, Emma Straub, poet Laureate Joy Harjo, Kalynn Bayron, Justin Reynolds, Walter Mosley, Rev. Barber, Fatima Mirza, Claudia Rankine, Chip Kidd, Bill Nye The Science Guy and Erin Brokovitch. Even Natalie Portman will be there with her new book “Natalie Portman’s Fables”.

   Visit www.miamibookfair.com or email wbookfair@mdc.edu. 


Pictured below: Authors Maragaret Atwood, Dave Barry & Car Hiaasen… just a few of the many great authors involved in this year’s Miami Book Fair.

DB Commissioners Todd Drosky and Joe Miller with the Chamber’s Betty Masi, & Denise Jordan. Photo provided by Denise Jordan.

Did you know that the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (GFLCC) have merged? This seems to be the next step for the local Chamber, which already went through a rebranding. This newest change will go into effect Nov. 1 and they will be closing the Deerfield office.

When asked why they have made this move, Executive Director Denise Jordan said, “This was a successful integration strategy, years in the making for increasing market access, creating expansive opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Our goal is to deliver long-term value to all of our members in our Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber and Deerfield Beach as we move towards regionalization.”

Jordan also has another personal change she has announced. She will become the Senior Vice President at GFLCC and will be on the board at Broward Alliance.

They will become the Deerfield Beach Council at the GFLCC, joining other councils like the Downtown Council, the Council of Economic Advisors and the Women’s Council.

Dan Lindblade, the GFLCC President and CEO, said,“Welcoming the DBCC into our family strengthens our goal of regionalization to better serve more businesses across an expanded territory.”

Want to know more about what this change means to our community? The Chamber is holding a free virtual Town Hall on Nov. 5 from 9 to 10 a.m. The event information is listed on their website: www.deerfieldchamber.com.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m! So, that means an hour more of Halloween (or Harvest) festivities to enjoy!

The City of Deerfield was originally supposed to have their Fall Festival last weekend but changed the date to Saturday, Oct. 31 due to the rain. It will be held at Villages of Hillsboro Park, 4111 NW 6 St., from 4 to 9 p.m. 

They are encouraging all participants that attend to dress up and decorate their vehicle. They will have a contest for the most creative vehicle, scariest vehicles and most spirited vehicle. Bring the family out to enjoy their live DJ and participate in the truck or treat drive through with the Broward Sheriff’s Office! 

You can also enjoy a pumpkin pick-up at

The City of Deerfield Beach brings you the Haunted Arboretum on Friday, Oct. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. Journey through the “tree zoo” and see what haunts await you. You can even bring others (groups up to 6 are allowed). You must wear a mask and expect to have your temperature taken. $1 for residents/ $5 for non-residents. The Arboretum is located in Constitution Park, at 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. For more information, call 954-480-4494.

Dan and Maria Aimone ringing the bell last holiday season.

By Rachel Galvin

Need a bit more moola to make your holidays merry this season? The Salvation Army just might do the trick. And — bonus — you also can give back to others in the process. They are seeking bell ringers… you know, those Santa’s helpers who ring the bell next to the red kettle in front of many storefronts each season. All proceeds from what is received in those red kettles goes straight to support Salvation Army’s feeding, shelter and social service programs. Last year, they raised more than $213, 205 for the Greater Ft. Lauderdale community.

Ready to apply? Their hiring event is taking place Oct. 14 & 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Salvation Army Community Center, 100 SW 9 Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale. They are looking to hire 125 new people. Bell ringers will work from Nov. 13 to Dec. 24. There will be another job fair on Nov. 4.

The Red Kettle Bell Ringers program is only part of the nonprofit organization’s efforts to help those less fortunate. Last year’s Angel Tree Program secured and distributed more than 8,046 toys to 1,061 families with diminished resources. The Salvation Army is actively assisting thousands of residents-in-need through its Food Pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Thursday, trusted Army experts provide non-perishable items and other pantry goods to more hundreds of underserved families. The organization also provides meals-to-go services for the homeless, its residents and other impoverished individuals.

For more information, contact Robert Beasley at Robert.Beasley@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 954-712-2480.

By Rachel Galvin

On Friday, Oct. 9, Superintendent Runcie traveled around Broward County visiting schools as some students started to refill the classrooms. At this time, only Pre-K to 2nd grade and all ESE students were welcomed back. It won’t be until Tuesday, Oct. 13 when more students will arrive — grades 3-6 and 9. Two days later, on Oct. 15, grades 7,8,10, 11 and 12 will come back.  

This return to schools is nearly 7 months after being forced to close due to COVID-19. Parents have been busy learning how to educate their children at home since the school year began. The option for eLearning is still available. A recent parent survey combined with direct requests to schools reveals that 1,531 pre-K parents opted for on-campus learning, 4,262 kindergarteners, 4,311 1st graders and 4,252 2nd graders. Approximately 5,500 students with disabilities in all other grade levels.  

“Our District staff has made a tremendous effort to prepare our schools for students with all the measures necessary to make reopening our campuses as safe as possible,” said BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “We’re happy to offer this face-to-face option for parents, and we’re excited to see our students back in the classroom.”  

Did your child go back to school, or are you a teacher now back in the classroom? Let The Observer know how you feel about being back at school during a pandemic. Email us at observereditor@comcast.net.

Are you a family in need or know of a parent that has fallen on hard times? The Salvation Army of Broward County is now accepting online family applications for participation in its Angel Tree Program, the nonprofit organization’s signature holiday initiative that provides gifts to underserved children ages 10 and under. Deadline is Oct. 18.

Financially challenged parents looking to brighten their children’s holidays may visit The Salvation Army of Broward County’s website at www.salvationarmyflorida.org/fortlauderdale through October 18 (or until capacity is met).

Registrants should have the following documentation ready for upload:

• Parent/Guardian ID (must show Broward County address)
• Proof of income (paystubs, unemployment letter, food stamps letter, etc.)
• Child’s birth certificate with parents name, footprints (from hospital for children under a year), or vaccination records showing parent’s(s’) and child’s name
• If you have legal custody of the child, please upload the court documentation showing approved legal guardianship.

Families who meet the guidelines for assistance will be notified regarding program participation acceptance. Their children’s holiday gift wishes will be become “angel” ornament tags that decorate several holiday trees strategically located throughout Broward County, as well as listed on a special virtual Angel Tree Broward online registry. Donors fulfill these requests and deliver them back to Angel Tree locations or have them shipped directly to The Salvation Army’s facility. Gifts purchased are sorted and organized by volunteers and then prepared for Toy Shop distribution in December. 

Last year, more than 3,500 gifts and holiday cheer were delivered to 1,243 underserved families – just in time for Christmas. The Salvation Army of Broward County works with several other agencies in our community to identify and qualify those families who need the most help.

The Angel Tree Program is only part of the nonprofit organization’s holiday efforts to help those less fortunate. It also raises critical funds for feeding, shelter and social service programs for area residents through its traditional Red Kettle Bell Ringers and other initiatives. It has been instrumental in feeding and assisting thousands of residents, those experiencing homelessness and other impoverished individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic through its weekly Food Pantry and meals-to-go services.

For more information about consideration for the Angel Tree Program, contact Suzette Padierne at 954-524-6991 or email suzette.padierne@uss.salvationarmy.org.