The National Weather Service forecasts low temperatures, including wind chill, in the mid-40s for Saturday and Sunday evenings, Feb. 11-12, for Broward County.

As a result of this forecast, Broward County has declared a cold weather emergency from 6:30 p.m. Saturday night to 7 a.m. Sunday morning, and from 6:30 p.m. Sunday night to 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13.

Homeless persons are advised to report to the following locations no later than 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for transportation or access to special cold night shelters:

• Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach City Hall
100 W. Atlantic Blvd. (Southeast Corner)

• Fort Lauderdale
The Salvation Army
1445 W. Broward Blvd.

• Hollywood
Broward Outreach Center
2056 Scott St.

If you have any questions or need additional information on the plan for your area, contact Michael Wright, Broward County Homeless Initiative Partnership Administration, 954-357-7167 or 954-300-8739 (cell).

Congressman Allen West has announced that he will be leaving Dist. 22. In a statement released on Jan. 31, he announced his decision to seek reelection not for Dist. 22, but for the 18th Congressional District. In his statement, he said:

“After much prayer, reflection and discussion with my close friends and family, I am announcing today my decision to seek reelection in Florida’s proposed 18th Congressional district.  I have always believed the state of Florida would be best served by having both Congressman Tom Rooney and myself in the House of Representatives working to solve our nation’s most pressing problems.  I have never waivered from my vision; to work to create jobs, restrain federal government spending, reduce America’s ever increasing national debt, and provide for a strong national defense to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.

Congressman Rooney is a statesman and has been an honorable public servant to the constituents of Florida’s 16th Congressional district.  It is my goal to continue the success Congressman Rooney has had in Florida’s 16th Congressional district in the newly proposed 18th district.  I welcome the challenges and excitement that lie ahead.

As a 22-year United States Army veteran who commanded troops in combat, one should never underestimate my ability to be a strategic thinker.  My voice for the restoration of constitutional principles for our Republic shall continue to resonate through Florida and on Capitol Hill.”

By Becki Coffy

If you are looking for a unique breakfast and lunch restaurant in Deerfield Beach, look no further than The Cove Bagel and Deli.

This special eatery offers a full breakfast selection and an authentic deli with all the delicious meats and salads you enjoyed back home and have been searching for here in town.

With 40 years in the business, Steve and Karen Kay opened their restaurant in Deerfield Beach eight years ago.  The help of their children, Stacy and Adam, truly makes this a family affair.  From babies to Baby Boomers, there is something to meet everyone’s satisfaction.

The menu is quite extensive, and it really was difficult for my husband and me to select just one dish to sample.  My husband decided to enjoy something from the breakfast menu, so I chose something from the lunch side.

Had I realized they offered Eggs Benedict, my decision would have been made for me!  Breakfast is served all day and only farm fresh eggs and the freshest ingredients are used.  The three -egg omelettes are enormous and filled with cheeses, meats, fresh vegetables, Nova or you may create your own.  Muffins, English muffins, toast and, of course, bagels are available with your meal.

My dining partner chose The Cove Slam, which includes French toast or pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. The pancakes were light, fluffy and definitely some of the best we’ve had in Florida. The bacon and sausage had great flavor and were cooked just the way we like it. A unique dish that I intend to try in the future is the crunchy French toast— French toast smothered with frosted flakes and grilled to a crisp finish.

For my selection, I chose the classic Reuben sandwich stacked high with mounds of National Deli corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on grilled rye and served with French fries and two huge half sour  pickles that were fabulous.

Steve, the owner, also brought us a piece of marble chiffon cake, complimentary to all his customers on the weekends, while the supply lasts. He often offers complimentary items so his customers can sample something they may not usually order.

The lunch menu offers homemade matzo ball and chicken noodle soup, plus the soup of the day and 10 types of burgers, including a turkey burger and a turkey patty melt. All burgers are served with fries, lettuce, tomato, onion, coleslaw and pickle – no skimping here! Fish and chips, chicken tenders and shrimp in a basket are all available for $7.99. Triple decker club, chopped liver, tongue, tuna, chicken, egg, shrimp and whitefish salad sandwiches help round out the menu. Be sure to try any of their “hot opens” – turkey, brisket or roast beef with gravy and French fries.

For those looking for lighter fare, there are grilled chicken sandwiches and seven salad choices from which to choose. Cove specialties include cheese blintzes and potato pancakes. Don’t forget to try one of their famous super deli sandwiches – corned beef, pastrami and brisket to name a few.

Our wonderful waitress, Connie, says she has a pastrami sandwich every day. The ingredients used in the restaurant are never frozen, and the salads are made in small batches throughout the day so that everything is amazingly fresh. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Although seating is available inside and out, we sat inside and enjoyed looking at all the memorabilia collected over the past 45 years. Whether hanging on the wall, sitting on the shelf or hiding in the corner, there was something to bring back great memories from a simpler time.

Outside seating is pet-friendly, and they will even bring a bowl of water out for your furry companion!

The Cove Bagel and Deli is located in The Cove Shopping Center on Hillsboro Boulevard at the Intracoastal in Deerfield Beach. Breakfast and lunch are served all day. They are open six days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Mondays).  A children’s menu for both breakfast and lunch is offered. Catering services and free delivery to local businesses and residences is available. 954-481-8600.

Steve and his wife, Karen, make a point of learning their customer’s names and making everyone feel welcome and at home. The prices are affordable, the portions are large and the food is delicious. The Kay’s really live up to their motto, “The old-fashioned way is still the best way.”

Be sure to stop by and enjoy all that The Cove Bagel and Deli has to offer. Steve and Karen have made this more than a restaurant, they’ve made it part of the neighborhood.  Until we eat again…

By Becki Coffy

Tired of turkey?  Can’t look another ham in the face?  Then treat yourself to something different and stop by the China Gourmet restaurant in Deerfield Beach.  They feature an almost limitless menu that includes all the traditional items and other dishes with a slightly different twist.

Since I dine there often, I decided to break out of my shell and order something new.

The restaurant now features “Kevin’s Sushi bar.” My guest, Tim, really enjoys sushi.  I, on the other hand, am a little less adventurous. We asked Kevin to surprise us and select something for us to sample. Beautifully prepared and plated, he brought us the California roll (for me, I’m sure) which was avocado and crab and was wonderful. Tim was served ‘Valerie’s roll,’ which consisted of spicy tuna, avocado topped with spicy crab and scallions with crunchy tempura flakes and red caviar roe sprinkled on top. It was served with wasabi and ginger and was fresh and delicate. I believe Kevin may have made a sushi lover out of me after all!

Next, my dinner guest and I ordered the New York style pork. A large plateful of boneless pork cooked in a light, slightly sweet sauce that came to the table tender and fork ready. The portion was large enough to share and we ate every bite.  Forgoing the traditional honey garlic chicken or chow mein, I tried the Singapore noodles, a dish of thin noodles in a mild curry sauce smothered with shrimp, scallions, pork and red pepper. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the mild curry sauce did not overpower the flavors of the shrimp and vegetables.

Our lovely waitress, Scar-lett, suggested we try the General Tao chicken. The velvety brown sauce that covered the crispy fried chicken was just a little sweet with a hint of heat. This was served with a generous portion of steamed broccoli – a great accompaniment to the chicken.  This menu item is usually prepared with whole dried chili peppers and served hot in both temperature and flavor, but China Gourmet will adjust the seasonings to your specific taste.

The restaurant offers 18 appetizer choices. The egg roll is my personal favorite but the Crab Rangoon is a close second.  Lo Mein with beef, pork, chicken and shrimp; Cantonese specialties such as lemon chicken, seafood gourmet, moo shu pork and cashew shrimp are all available.

With 11 soups from which to choose I can never make up my mind. Sweet and sour dishes, chow mein, chop suey and egg foo young help to round out the menu.

For those who like it hot, order from the Szechuan specialties.  Kung Pao chicken, Hunan beef or scallops and sizzling beef are just a few of the choices.  Their combination platters are one of the best deals in town.  Ranging from $7.75 to $9.25, there are 24 selections that also include egg roll and pork fried rice.

My family generally orders the honey garlic chicken and the green pepper steak … Both are highly recommended.  If you want lighter fare, there are many tofu and vegetable dishes, including sautéed string beans (great!) and steamed vegetables.

China Gourmet, a family run business, has been serving Deerfield Beach for the past 29 years.  Kevin’s sushi bar has been open for the past year and is a wonderful addition to the menu. They are located at 1098 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Delivery is available. Until we eat again…

The 49th annual Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade to be held on Sunday, December 11.  The Boat Parade, which is co-sponsored by the City of Pompano Beach, starts at Lake Santa Barbara before traveling north on the Intracoastal Waterway, making its way through Lighthouse Point and Hillsboro Beach and ending in Deerfield Beach. Best of all the Holiday Parade is FREE to enter and watch.

“Members of the local boating community are the reason the Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade has been around for 49 years,” said Gwen Leys, the chair of the 2011 edition of the City’s oldest continuous holiday tradition.  “There is no charge to enter,” Leys continued.  “We are proud to be the free, fun and easy boat parade.”

Each year thousands of spectators line the five-mile route along the Intracoastal Waterway to view the hometown spectacular of glitz, glamour, creative costumes, special effects and music.  The Holiday Boat Parade, which starts from Lake Santa Barbara at 6:30PM, transforms the waterway into a glistening showcase featuring sparkling small outboards, stoic sailboats and majestic luxury yachts.

The Grand Marshalls for this year’s parade are Miami Heat star NBA basketball player and Pompano Beach resident Mike Miller and Rachel Wheeler, an 11-year old who over two years has raised in excess of $175,000 to build homes in earthquake ravaged Haiti through Coconut Creek based “Food for the Poor.”

The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber welcomes businesses and residents as well as sponsors for this year’s parade.  All participants will not only enjoy the thrill of the parade, but an invitation to the pre-boat party given every year.  The Holiday Boat Parade, considered the oldest continuous Holiday Boat in the country, is a tradition that draws sightseers from all over the country.

To participate, just pick up a registration form at The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, 2200 East Atlantic Blvd.

Captains that pre-register and attend the pre-event safety meeting at the Isle Casino Pompano Park will receive a commemorative t-shirt as well as chances to win special door prizes. The Isle Casino Pompano Park is located on Powerline Road south of Atlantic Blvd.  Trophies for the winners will be presented at a special event in January 2012 at Oceans 234 on A1A in Deerfield.

If you are interested in riding on a boat the parade, you can join the party with the Grand Marshall’s on one of the lead boats, the Musette.  For $55 per person, plus 6% tax, you can enjoy the holiday view from the water. The price includes a buffet dinner, four-hour open bar, music and an unforgettable evening. The Musette will depart from Two Georges at the Cove, Deerfield Beach with boarding beginning at 5PM. All tickets must be paid for in advance and there are no refunds and no exceptions.  For tickets call (561) 791-9686 or (855) Musette (687-3883) or visit www.musettecharter.com.

The Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade committee that plans one of the Chamber’s most exciting and enjoyable annual events is still seeking sponsorships for the parade and Captains’ Party.

For further information on sponsorship and boat participation please call the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce at (954) 941-2940, visit their website www.pompanobeachchamber.com or email Lisa Spinelli at Lspinelli@pompanobeachchamber.com

By Becki Coffy

Local Deerfield Beach resident, Tracey Gilmore, opened The Crab Stop restaurant in April 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. Her eyes are on the future.

No stranger to business, Tracey graduated from Deerfield Beach High School and attended college in Daytona Beach, where she received her MBA and returned home to start the Gilmore janitorial service company with her mother, Betty Gilmore. But the food she discovered in Daytona beckoned her to open yet another business, and The Crab Stop was born.

While in college, Tracey discovered The Crab Stop restaurant in Daytona, where owner, Oliver Ross, featured his signature Maryland-style blue crabs. Unable to find anything like the Maryland blue crabs here in south Florida, she decided to partner with Mr. Ross and open a branch here locally to share the taste with the people of her hometown.

Tucked away in the 10th Street Plaza in Deerfield Beach is the recently-opened Crab Stop restaurant.

My husband and I stopped by to sample some of the delicious dishes that Tracey and fiancé, former NFL Miami Dolphin player Calvin Jackson, cook up in the kitchen.

Calvin is responsible for creating the special sauce that tops the monster burger and accompanies the fried shrimp. The shrimp is served in a light and crispy breading and is not hidden in a heavy batter. The special sauce is ‘cool heat.’ The combination of the warm shrimp with the cold sauce is delightful. The smooth creamy sauce has just a hint of heat at the end of each bite.

Next, we tried a combo platter that included Maryland- style blue crabs, snow crab, corn, hardboiled egg and red potatoes with sausage. All this is sprinkled with a secret seasoning that makes all the flavors of the dish pop. Drizzle lots of warm butter and secret seasoning over the crabs, corn and potatoes and you’ve got a butter drippin,’ finger lickin’ meal.

I was familiar with the sweetness of the snow crab, but had never experienced the deep rich flavors of the Maryland blue crab … delicious. The boiled red potatoes were served with chunks of sausage cut up in them, and the hardboiled egg dipped in the special butter sauce was a unique taste sensation. Dungeness and golden crab are also on the menu.

Believe it or not, we also decided to split the monster burger. This enormous burger is made fresh daily and never frozen. It was a flavorful, juicy burger topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and Calvin’s special sauce.

Don’t let the name Crab Stop mislead you. There are plenty of items on the menu for those looking for fish, burgers and chicken. Buffalo wings, fried shrimp, fried fish and a monster burger that is truly a monster help to round out the menu.

Tracey also dishes up daily luncheon specials from smothered liver and onions, smothered turkey legs with rice and gravy and pasta Alfredo to Friday’s special of barbeque ribs and chicken on the grill.

At this time, the restaurant offers mostly take-out; however, there are a few tables available for dining in. Tracey’s next goal is to open a food truck business, allowing her to bring all the delicious food and flavors to other cities. They are available for catering both private and corporate events. A special menu including turkey, ham, salads, shrimp and crab will be offered for holiday parties. Staying true to their motto, “You’ve tried the rest, now try the best,” The Crab Stop brings their distinctive flavors to share with our area. Be sure to stop by and meet Tracey and her family.

The Crab Stop, located at 71 SE 10 Street in Deerfield Beach, is open Wednesday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays. Please go to www.crabstopdeerfield.com for specific hours of operation. For take-out orders, call 954-531-6752. Until we eat again…

–By Rachel Galvin —

On Oct. 22, 2012, all eyes will be on Boca Raton. As the presidential campaigns wrap up, the final debate between red and blue will take place at Lynn University. The determination for the location to be Boca Raton over other contenders came down to several considerations, including the importance of the state of Florida as a swing state, the close proximity of the university to major transportation routes and the success of last year’s Congressional debate between Ron Klein and Allen West. The decision to have the debate in Florida was agreed upon across party lines and is seen as a benefit not only for the university, but the surrounding area as well.

According the Lynn University’s website (www.lynn.edu): “A debate would attract an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 people (including several thousand members of the domestic and international media) to the Boca Raton area. These people could stay in the area up to a week, generating a sizable economic impact.”

Sunday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.

Boca Raton Plaza Suites, at pool by Tiki Bar

2901 N. Federal Hwy.

Boca Raton, FL 33431

DJ, beer, hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, jello shots and raffle. $20 adults/ $5 kids. Proceeds go to Karen Rice to help with medical bills. Karen is currently battling Cancer. For information, contact954-324-6994. To donate, also visit www.wepay.com/donate/181410.

Sunday, Oct. 9,  9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Duffy’s Sports Grill

401 N. Federal Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL  33441

Sponsored by Olympia Flame Diner and BSO Fire Dept. Awards, dash plaques, live music and fire truck parade. Register at Duffy’s and caravan down to beach. 954-410-5536.

A former sheriff of Broward County passed away Wednesday, the Broward Sheriff’s Office chaplain told employees. Navarro was sheriff from 1985 to 1992. According to Wikipedia, “Navarro won election for sheriff in 1984. During Navarro’s tenure the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) approximately doubled to 3,000 personnel and its budget increased from $75 million to $200 million. Contracts were added for the BSO to provide law enforcement services to three Broward cities – Dania Beach, Tamarac and Deerfield Beach.^[1]”  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Navarro.

With his health failing fast, Navarro was escorted home from the hospital Wednesday afternoon by sheriff’s deputies, where he died about 2:30 p.m., surrounded by family and friends.

Navarro recently underwent a second surgery at Holy Cross Hospital for a recurrence of colon cancer. He was 81.

All BSO flags are at half staff, and personnel have been instructed by current Sheriff Al Lamberti to wear their mourning band.

Funeral arrangements are pending.