The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and our Community Traffic Safety Teams remind motorists to take extra traffic safety precautions as students head back to school. The beginning of the school year is a time when children are at increased risk of transportation related injuries from pedestrian, bicycle, school bus and motor vehicle crashes. FDOT offers the following tips for making back to school commutes safer for motorists and students.

Tips for Motorists

• Be alert for School Speed Zones and obey the posted speed limits.
• Watch for school buses. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate the school bus is stopping to load or unload children. State law requires you to stop.
• Keep an eye out for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.
• Be alert for children playing and gathering near bus stops and for those who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or riding a bicycle.
• When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for young people who may be in a hurry to get to school and may not be thinking about getting there safely.

Tips for Parents

• Be a good role model. Always buckle up in the car, always wear a helmet when biking, and always follow pedestrian safety rules. Do not text or talk on the phone while driving.
• Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school or as they wait at the school bus stop.
• Provide your children with bright clothing so motorists can easily see them.
• Make sure the child is properly buckled up in a weight-appropriate child safety seat in the back seat.
• Make sure that your teen driver understands and obeys all state traffic laws.

Tips for Students

• Always buckle up when riding in a car. Be sure to remove your backpack before getting in the vehicle. Never buckle your safety belt with your backpack on.
• Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.
• Always wear a helmet and follow traffic safety rules when riding your bike.
• If you ride a school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus. Never wait for the school bus in the roadway.
• If you walk to school, learn and practice the safety rules for pedestrians. It’s extremely important for you to use sidewalk when available, look left-right-left when crossing the road, and always walk facing traffic.
• Always cross at crosswalks, obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and crossing guard instructions.
• Teen drivers should avoid speeding and minimize distractions (texting, talking on cell phones, eating, adjusting the radio) while driving. Teens are also reminded never to overload their vehicle; everyone riding in a vehicle must use a safety belt.
• Be a good role model for your younger brothers and sisters and friends, and help them learn and follow vehicle safety rules.

Potter fans interviewed by host Rachel Galvin of Observer TV at Paragon Theater. Photo by Paul Kepinski

Midnight Muggle Madness

On Thursday, July 14, fans lined up at Paragon Theater in Deerfield to see the last installment from the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” Some dressed up like characters from the film to be part of the Harry Potter experience. The series of films began in 2001, based on the books by J.K. Rowling. Since then, every book launch and movie release has caused a buzz. Now that it is over, most fans are saddened, but looked forward to seeing the final film and getting closure. See video under Observer TV.

The City of Deerfield Beach Customer Connection is a new three-fold customer service approach developed to be responsive to the needs of Deerfield Beach residents, businesses and visitors. More than a one stop shop, Customer Connection offers several ways to request information, report concerns and resolve issues. Best of all, this service is being provided by recalibrating the duties of current staff,
Customer Connection Help Desk – 954-480-4477
Live telephone assistance is available Monday-Friday, from 8 AM-5 PM. A customer service representative will route your request to the correct department and follow up to ensure you receive the information you need.

Customer Connection E-Help
web.customerconnection@deerfield-beach.comFor security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.
This is the e-mail version of the Help Desk.

Customer Connection Online Help Center
Includes the backbone of the Customer Connection plan, the A to Z Guide. This document answers frequently asked questions from residents, and is continually being updated.

We need your feedback. Customer Connection is ever-evolving, and based upon what’s most important to you. If you have suggestions or requests, or just want to let us know what you like about Customer Connection, we’d love to hear from you.

The Deerfield Beach District will be hosting a Tip-A-Cop event Tuesday, March 29, 2011 (tomorrow) from 11:30am – 2:00pm at Duffy’s, 401 N. Federal Highway.  Proceeds will go to the Special Olympics.  Please join the Broward Sheriff’s Office for this worthwhile event.

BSO deputies responded to a vehicle burglary in progress in the 400 block of S. Federal Highway.  Deputies located a suspect nearby matching the description provided by a witness.  Once in custody deputies located three separate victims whose vehicles were burglarized.  The suspect was charged with multiple counts of burglary.  If you see suspicious activity call 911 immediately.

By Becki Coffy

Last week, my husband and I decided to stop in at Galuppi’s restaurant on Federal Highway in Pompano Beach. Galuppi’s is open to the public seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a full bar.

Galuppi’s serves a wonderful Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that includes freshly made-to-order omelets and Belgium waffles. Eggs and potatoes, bacon and sausage, a carving station and peel-and-eat shrimp are also on hand. Salads and pastries round out this lovely meal — all for only $14.95. The dining area looks out onto a pond, a bridge and fountain overlooking the golf course. It’s a wonderful place for a special occasion or just to give yourself a treat.

The regular breakfast menu offers everything from eggs, waffles, and sausage and biscuits to the Lumberjack — three pancakes, a slice of grilled honey ham, two bacon strips, two sausage links, two eggs, toast and home fries or grits — sure to satisfy even the hungriest of customers!

Lunch, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, offers a host of choices, including 11 appetizers. Sandwiches, from the classic burger and hot dog to tuna melts, the French dip, pulled pork and the ever-popular turkey club are all available. Several unique and traditional salads complete the selection. Special lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes half a sandwich and a cup of homemade soup for only $5.95.

Chef Aaron Bender has created a wonderful variety of entrée selections. Crab cakes, shrimp scampi, fish and chips, and Snapper Française are just a few seafood choices. There are many chicken and pasta dishes, and for the meat lover in you, veal, steak and lamb. The Mahi Oscar is presented on a bed of rice pilaf and topped with a crab cake, asparagus and hollandaise sauce. The sesame seared tuna, served with artichoke risotto, asparagus, soy and wasabi sauce is the most popular item on the menu. It is seared to perfection and presented beautifully.

Galuppi’s is now offering a “Lite Fare Menu” all day, every day. This menu includes lunch and dinner choices of salads and entrees from the regular menu, with smaller portions — all between $6.95 and $9.95, including grilled mahi, Chicken Française and 5 oz. top sirloin, among others.

Come to Galuppi’s for all special occasions. Their catering staff is clever, creative and efficient. Holidays are special events. 22 flat screen TVs ensure the best view of football games, especially FSU games. Galuppi’s also participates in local fundraisers to help their community.

The next time you are looking for a restaurant with reasonable prices and a large selection of wonderful food, try this distinctive spot. Galuppi’s is at 1103 N. Federal Hwy. in Pompano Beach. Until we eat again…