2009 02 February Issue Lhp Magazine

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Around the Point is a column that includes news items relevant to the residents of LHP. We reserve the right to reject material that may not be in the best interest of the community.

AUDITION NOTICE Sol Children Theatre Troupe A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Saturday, February 28, 2 - 4pm Sunday, March 1, 10am - 12noon ( appointment only)

POE! POE! POE! Friday February 27, 7:00 - 8:30pm A fully-staged production of Edgar Allen Poe classics Actors 10 years of age and up. FRIDAY EVENING SOCIAL! … TALENT NITE! Friday, February 6, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION! THEATRE GAMES! SOCIAL TIME! REFRESHMENTS! BEATLES' RETROSPECTIVE: An original Beatles' Revue! Friday, February 20, Saturday, February 20, 7 - 9 pm

Sol Children Theatre , 3333 N. Federal Hwy. Boca Raton 33431 Call 561-447-8829

GARDEN CLUB IN FEBRUARY Garden Club of LHP "Annual Salad Luncheon" and Chinese Auction! To be held on FEBRUARY 19, 2009 at St. Paul's Education Hall, 2700 NE 36 Street, LHP. Doors Open 11:00AM. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Garden Clubbers, including beverage and desert! Cost is $10.00 per person for non-members and guests. Please RSVP as seating is limited. Contact Pat Noble, 954.942.4957. Program will be "Tips and Tricks On Growing Orchids" with Gail Miller of Miller's Way Orchids, owner/grower. Join us for an afternoon of camaraderie while learning about the tricks of the 'trade' and perhaps win a prize or two. For more information about our garden club, please visit www.gardencentral.org/florida/mylhpclub

REMEMBER KEEPER DAYS! Keeper Days, one of the biggest events of the year, is presented on the weekend of February 7th, so please make note of the schedule: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH • 6 pm Kickoff Dinner at LHPY&RC • T ickets $50 • Cash Bar SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH • 10 am Parade (from Pink Church) • 11 am Frank McDonough Park • Car & Motor Bike Show • 3 pm Games & Rides • 6 pm Dan W itt Park SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH • 1 pm Frank McDonough Park • Family S ports Day For additional info, call John Trudel at 954-784-3439, or email Jane McLaughlin at [email protected]

Congressman Sets Up Office in LHP Starting February 2009, Congressman Ron Klein will have his office set up in LHP one day a month to assist our residents in any Federal issues or questions you may have. If you have problems with Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Immigration or Passports, officials will be there to assist the first Wednesday of each month in the LHP Library Community Room from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

U.S. Coast Guard News The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 3-7 in Lighthouse Point, as a public service, will conduct a one-day About Boating Safety (ABS) Course on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Dixon Ahl Recreation Center, 2200 NE 38th Street in Lighthouse Point, Florida 33064. Visit our website at http://a0700307.uscgaux.info/ For more information call Gene Cain at 954-557-0582 or email [email protected] to register. Starting time is 8:00 a.m. The cost of all materials with lunch included is $40.00. The ABS program meets all the requirements for the Florida’s Boater Education Identification Card which is now required for all boater under the age of 22. New and experienced boaters are welcome. Space is limited. Topics will include the identification of navigational aids, elementary boat handling, required safety equipment, and the rules for using the local waterways.

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features 10 Antarctic for a Great Adventure

23 Deerfield Middle Science Project 30 Pompano Beach Boat Show

46 HISC Celebrates the Season FEBRUARY QUOTE A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist. - Franklin Jones

From the Editor On the Horizon What a great feeling it is to know you have great people you can rely on in this world! We are thrilled to welcome two new valuable members to our staff: Linda Kaufman and Debra Todd. Linda is writing cover stories, restaurant reviews and appears in our video ad at www.LHPmag.com. Her clear and unique writing style is the perfect fit for our magazine. Debra Todd, a long-time resident, has built a reputation for excellent portrait work and her monthly “Out & About” feature is exactly what we needed to enhance the publication. The challenges that a weak economy brings are truly mind-blowing. Predictions as to what this year will bring are not things we are used to hearing, but those who survive will be the ones who were willing to push the envelope, take a chance and work outside the box — in a sense, real pioneers.

Stagnation or procrastination is not an option. So, if necessary, why not try a complete life makeover, reinvent yourself, transmogrify — do what ever it takes! Kudos to Deerfield Middle School’s Suzy Pinnell for her oustanding dedication and inspired teaching in unswerving dedication to saving the earth and inspired teaching of environmental science. Thanks go to to Bill and Judy Sullivan for another exciting travelogue. The first in a series of two Antarctica articles appears in this February issue. As Judy says, “We have begun searching for ‘adventures’ rather than those destinations that are on the beaten path.” We look forward to their next adventure! Jon Frangipane, Editor

Lighthouse Point Magazine

The complete Februar y issue , and bac k issues of

Lighthouse Point Ma gazine can be seen on our NEW website at www.LHPma g.com Don’t f or g et to tell your Aunt J une in Cancun

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The Lighthouse Point Magazine is published monthly by City News Group and delivered by mail, free of charge each month to residents of Lighthouse Point, businesses and the surrounding communities. Check our website for advertising rates and specials for new clients, or call 954-4 486-3 3820

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BohPhillips - Art Director LindaKaufman - Staff Writer WendellAbern – Staff Writer AlanWilliamson - Staff Writer

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Contributing Writers

01-31-09

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contents contents Al’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Around the Point . . . . . . . . . . . 5 As I Was Saying . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Beauty Spot of the Mont h . . . . . . . . 26 Berkel and Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Cantankerously Yours . . . . . . . . . . 56 Commissioners’ Report . . . . . . . . . . 72 Cookin’ with the Community. . . . . . 7 3 Cover story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Editoria l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Garden Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Green Harriet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Butterfly Lady. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Happy Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Hot Off the Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Identity Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 I Love My Pet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Library News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Merchant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . 74 Mortgage News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 On Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Out & About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pet Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Sheriff Lamberti Reports . . . . . . . . . 64 Strange, But Tru e . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

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I Love My Pet

Oakly Hi World! My name is Oakly and I am keeper of the shoe! They named me Oakly because I was born on Olkland Park Boulevard in the back seat of a car with this voice screaming, “NO! NOT YET! HOLD IT!” Then came my brother and sister who look like my dad, a black Yorkie-Poo. But I look like my Mother, a beautiful Malti-Poo. Yes, we are all Morkie-Poos. Ain’t I cute? Uh, oh, here comes mom, it’s time for dinner. Please send us a favorite photo of your pet. Also, include 75 words, or less why you love your pet, your name, address, phone and the name of your pet. Send photos by regular mail, or by email as a jpeg file to [email protected]. No photos will be returned.

GREAT NEWS - FREE VIDEO AD!

A one-time charge of $250 for a one-minute video production of your ad will mean 3 months on our website www.LHPmag.com AT NO CHARGE! Thereafter, if you decide to comtinue, the cost will be a mere $25 per month. This is a limited offer available to the first 25 advertisers who call. Our space is limited, so call now for more information.

To accomodate the many requests we get for our publication, copies of the Lighthouse Point Magazine are now available during the first week of each month at the following locations: City Hall, LHP Library, Police Station, Red Fox Diner, LHP Yacht & Racquet Club, J. Marks, Yahoo’s, Sushi & Thai Delight, Duffy’s Diner, and Offerdahl’s Cafe. Call for other locations.

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A N T A R C T I C A 10

View from the Story by Judy Sullivan

Photos by Bill Sullivan

First of a two-part series Having spent a good portion of my adult life traveling, I have developed a great love of it. It has been said that I would pack a bag and go to Okahumpka if someone offered! I can't deny it! I have managed to transfer that love to my ever willing (and always good sport) husband. We have begun searching for "adventures" rather than those destinations that are on the beaten path, and thus decided that the far flung reaches of the southern hemisphere were calling. A trip to Antarctica is a trip of a lifetime. Mention that you are going and you elicit comments such as, "Is there anything there to see except ice?" "You must have been everywhere else if you are going there!” or "Where the heck is it anyway and how do you get there?" "Isn't it awfully cold there?" Keep in mind that although we traveled there in January, which is the height of summer in the southern hemisphere. The temperatures are fairly moderate (our lowest was 26), and since our traveling companions were from Kansas City, it was frequently colder at their home than where we were! The Antarctica Peninsula is actually a narrow finger of land separating the ice choked waters of the Weddell Sea and surrounding islands, a pristine wilderness with scenic waterways, icebergs, deep blue glaciers and jagged snow capped mounLighthouse Point Magazine

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tains. It is reached via ship from the southern tip of Argentina from the city of Ushuaia. They refer to themselves as the end of the world and it is true. There are no castles or cathedrals here! It seems about as far as you can go and still be on the planet. But, we actually began the trip by flying first into Buenos Aires. The flight is a long one and it is hard to imagine that after all that time in the air, you are actually only 3 hours ahead of East Coast time! Virtually all of your travel is north to south rather than east to west. We were met at the airport and transferred to our hotel downtown across from the Plaza San Martin. Known as the Campo de la Gloria, a town square in which the people of Buenos Aires valiantly defended themselves against the British invasion of 1807. It is centered with an equestrian statue of General Jose de San Martin and the Monument Honoring soldiers, sailors and airmen, commemorating those who died during the Falkland Islands War. Buenos Aires is the capital of the Republic of Argentina and the country's largest city. A port city, it stretches north to south along the Rio de la Plata. It is a beautiful city; modern, dynamic and very cosmopolitan. It features modern European architecture and the European cultural heritage outnumbers the Spanish. Portenos, as the multi-

End of the World national residents of Buenos Aires are known, are as diverse as its culture and refer to their city as "The Pearl" of South America. The shopping is terrific. If that is "your thing", you'd best do it here because this is pretty much the last you will see! Our baggage was limited by both weight and size due to ship accommodations so we had to temper our exuberance somewhat. Since the hotel was located a short half block from Florida Street, a world famous pedestrian shopping street, we took the opportunity to stroll. This is a commercial area full of leather, fur and cashmere clothing, street musicians, cafes, upscale boutiques, world famous designer shops and newsstands. At the far end is the Galerais Pacifico which is one of the most elegant shopping centers in the country. It contains a dome painted by the artist Castagnino. It is also the city of the Tango, the national dance of Argentina, and touristy though it may be, one cannot go to Buenos Aires and not take in a Tango Show and dinner in San Telmo. It is showy; featuring beautiful costumes and graceful carefully choreographed movements. The Tango has a wide range of choreography and cannot ever be danced individually. The man protects and supports. The woman seduces, the man leads. No tour of the city would be complete without a visit to the Recoleta Cemetery. Founded in 1822 by Recoletos Monks it is internationally know for the famous sculptures, tombs and mausoleums. By far the best known of the political figures and Argentine families buried here is Eva Peron. A fortuitous error by the tour company booking our trip resulted in their providing an extra free day and night in Buenos Aires. This glitch allowed us to take an interesting half day trip to the Delta of the Parana and the islands located along its rivers. The Tren de la Costa (Coastal train) leaves

from a station in the San Isidro district of Buenos Aires and arrives at the Tigre in about 30 minutes. It runs just 24 miles passing through about a dozen stations along the route The stations are lovely; mostly English style, with shops, cafes and restaurants. The Tigre, the terminus station, is a large station teeming with shops and stalls; both upscale and tacky, and the starting point of the visit. From the station it is about a 15 minute walk to Vinculacion channel where there are numerous motorboats. These transport both locals and tourists through the rivers and channels. Passing by several islands you see houses, resorts and hotels built on pilings. These are all serviced via the water with water taxis, water ambulances and barges. There is also a large water amusement park and a great variety of trees, flowers and floating islands of lilies. Local fauna include otters and aquatic birds. A flight of about 2 hours early the next morning brought us to Ushuaia the southernmost city of the world. Ushuaia is a small Patagonian city located on the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Darwin Cordillera. It is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and Southern Atlantic Islands Province. It is a city of about 40,000 (the size surprised us all!) with an average winter temperature of 0 and summer of 40. Their heat is provided by natural gas subsidized by the Argentine government. No matter how small, there is always something to see in any city and Ushuaia is no different. We visited the legendary "jail at the end of the world" Still in its original location and condition it is now a museum (Museo del Presidio). Visitors can see the cells and wax statues of some of its most famous prisoners. It is a symbol of the colonization of Ushuaia. Continues on page 36

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LHP CHAMBER COLLECTS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN Santa arrived early with the help of the Lighthouse Point Chamber of Commerce members. The December Social was hosted by Doreen Gauthier at the Library for the one and only morning social. Doreen and her staff served a tempting breakfast. Chief of Police Ross Licata and Dave Donzella of the LHP Fire Department accepted the many toys and gifts for local children and families for the holidays. The main topic of morning was the updates of the plans for the 5th annual Taste of LHP. “We expect it to be a huge success!” said President Michele Greene. The Chamber was thanked for its support of the Lighthouse A'glo and we will be making plans to participate as individual businesses in this month’s Keeper Days parade. Chamber monthly socials are on the 3rd Tuesday evening L to R: Fire Chief Dave Donzella,Cindy Tenberg, LHP Chamber of each month. President Michele Greene and Police Chief Ross Licata.

TO THE EDITOR Jon, Good afternoon. I hope you had an enjoyable Holiday. I wanted to write and tell you what a wonderful magazine I think the LHP is. Living in the northern part of Boca, I have never had the opportunity to see your magazine. I stopped by the Lighthouse Point Library to pick one up so I could have a copy of our ad for our records. I thouroughly enjoyed reading it and it was a true delight. I just wanted to tell you what a wonderful job you are doing on this publication. Talk to you in a few months when we place our next ad to run in the April issue. Have a Happy New Year! Denise Porter, Public Relations Officer Pompano Beach Power Squadron

L to R: Lynn Spinella Pagans, Librarian Doreen Gauthier, Commissioner Sandy Johnson and Lona Harris

TREE DEDICATION FOR JO GELSOMINA Arthur Burgess of LHP surprised his wife Jo Gelsomina (See photo on right) on Sunday November 23rd with the dedication of a tree, in her honor at Dixon Ahl Park. Several friends and family members gathered as Arthur explained that he prefers to "honor" loved ones rather than "memorialize " them. Inger Jones President of Garden Club of LHP assisted Arthur with the project and urges other LHP residents to honor their loved ones in similar manner. " We can never have enough trees, " said Inger. If you wish to plant a tree in "honor" or in "memory" of a loved one, please contact Inger Jones at 954.942.9310 or [email protected]. A luncheon followed at the Burgess home for family and friends of the honoree. www.lhpmag.com

L to R: Inger Jones, Jo Gelsomina and Arthur Burgess Lighthouse Point Magazine

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Valentine’s Day...

A Special T ime f or Ailurophiliacs

A conversation with my cat I called my psychiatrist and asked,, "If you live with someone for a long time, is it true you can take on their characteristics?" "If the person you are referring to is weak of character, simple-minded and desperate for attention, then I say, yes, it's a good possibility. This person probably has a serious case of ailurophilia. Why, do you know someone Berkel and Me with such a problem?" "Ailurophilia? "Yes, ailurophilia is an uncontrollable love of cats. Your friend probably is suffering from this mental condition." "Doctor, can this uncontrollable love of cats be cured?" "Fifty-fifty. If the symptoms haven't progressed too far, he may be able to be saved from disastrous circumstances. You better have him see a doctor friend of mine as soon as possible!" I hung up and called the doctor for an appointment the following morning. When I arrived, the waiting room was quite crowded, so it was 45 minutes before I was called in. "Good morning!" the doctor said, as I entered his office. "I was told that you may have ailurophilia?" "I'm hoping it's a simple case of a love/hate relationship with my cat, Berkel, and nothing more," I explained. "When you entered the office earlier the nurse noticed you walking on all fours. She said she first thought you were looking for a dropped coin, but then noticed you sniffing our client's shoes and rubbing up against their legs. I think your condition may be progressing quite rapidly." "Is it too late to save me, doctor?" "Well, if you stand upright, it will be much easier to check your vitals before we proceed with any treatment." "I tell you, this uncontrollable obsession with Berkel, that's my cat, is driving me nuts, complaining about the quality of food I feed him, the terrible living conditions he's living under, the T.V. programs I watch. You name it. As much as I love this cat, sometimes I feel like squashing him like a bug." "Did I hear you say that you are having conversations with your cat?" the doctor queried. "Oh, didn't I tell you? Berkel suddenly began speaking on his second birthday when I accidentally dropped a large can of lentil soup on his head." There was a moment of silence. "Doctor, did you hear what I just said?" "And just how long have you been hearing cat voices in your head, may I ask?" "The voices are not in my head, doctor. The voice is actually coming from my cat, Berkel. And he even has a little English accent." "Are you sure someone hasn't dropped a large can of lentil soup on your head, my dear man," the doctor suggested. "I really think I might have actually been a cat in my past life and this feeling for my cat is more like a romance, rather than an ordinary infatuation or mental condition." "Yes, what you say is a common defensive response from ailurophiliacs.

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by Jon Frangipane

"So, what do you suggest I do, doctor? "I suggest you change your litter box regularly." "Is that supposed to be funny, doctor." "Yes, it is. I inject humor as well as tranquillizers to settle a patient down. You know, if one cannot laugh at oneself, then one is just a lowly microbe swirling around in a Petri dish. Now how has your diet been lately? Eating the right foods?" "Well, not exactly, you see..." "Okay. So, are you into wet food or the dry?" "There's so many more flavor choices in the wet. So I'm a Fancy Feast wet fan," I answered. "How nice for you," the doctor said as he checked my ears. "Hmm, I'm noticing that your ears are rotating 180 degrees as we speak." "Yes. It's much easier to hear, if I point them in the right direction," The doctor began to check my throat. "My, my, you have quite a rough tongue there. It's what I would describe as a very cat-like tongue. I almost cut my finger." "It comes in real handy when you have to slurp out of the dish," I explained. "I don't know how to tell you this, but I think you may be actually turning into a…" "Cat! Say it, I'm becoming a cat!" "Okay! You're becoming a cat!" "No, no, no! It can't be true!" I jumped on the doctor's chest and screamed, "Let meowt of here!" An alarm went off and I awoke suddenly from a deep sleep, realizing I had been dreaming all the while. "Berkel! I screamed. "Where are you?" "Where am I? I'm right here in the clothes hamper. You left it open." "I overslept and had this terrible nightmare, and my doctor told me I was turning into a cat. Can you imagine me, a cat?" "I can't even accept you as a human being. Besides, my bowl is empty. Let's get a move on!" "My ears even rotated 180 degrees like yours and my tongue was razor-sharp, just like yours." "Not to digress, but do you know what today is?" asked the cat. "It's two days after the day before yesterday and one day before tomorrow." Berkel was silent for a moment and then blurted, "Do you realize that you are making a mockery out of the most important day of the year?" "Christmas is over. What's your problem?" I said. "Today is Valentine's Day. That's what!" Berkel shouted. "The day to recognize those you adore, and blanket them with expensive food and gifts and goodies and rhinestone collars!" "Well, the old money well has dried up, and if you've been following the news, you must be perfectly aware that the current economic conditions warrant a tightening of our belts." "I'm a cat. I don't wear a belt, Bozo!" "Well, you'll be wearing one this year, fuzzface! Berkel looked up at me. A teardrop was about to fall from his gunk-filled eye. He knew I would mortgage my house if I had to.

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Copyright 2008 Jon Frangipane

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NFL Pla y ers Touchdown at Brow ard Children's Center NFL Players Touchdown at Broward Children's Center Pompano Beach, Fl. - They may no longer inspire on the field, but members of the South Florida Chapter of the NFL Alumni are certainly still inspirational heroes to the young people at Broward Children's Center. The former NFL players visited Broward Children's Center on Sunday, December 7th to bring holiday gifts to some of the most medically fragile children in the nation. The event has rapidly become an annual celebration organized by the local Alumni and philanthropist and Center board member, William McGough. It was a case of once a hero, always a hero as members of the undefeated Dolphins team of 1972 and other NFL Alumni signed autographs and handed out gifts to infants, children, and young adults with special healthcare needs to help them celebrate the holiday season. "These children look forward to this event every year," said Broward Children's Center CEO, Marjorie Evans. "These players are very special to the kids we serve and many make lasting connections with individuals who have few family and friends outside of the Center's staff and volunteers." Santa also made an appearance at the holiday party organized by the NFL Alumni's South Florida Chapter and took pictures with children under a spectacular Christmas tree decorated with NFL team decorations. The celebration took place at Broward Children's Center's sub-acute nursing facility, which is home to 36 infants, children, and young adults whose developmental and physical challenges require around the clock medical attention. The NFL Alumni is a charitable organization composed primarily of former professional football players guided in their volunteer efforts by the motto "Caring for Kids." For more than 35 years, Broward Children's Center has been providing medical, educational, therapeutic and advocacy services to infants, children and young adults with special needs. www.lhpmag.com

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EXCHANGE CLUB CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAY!

As doom and gloom regarding the economy engulfed the world, jocularity still prevailed among Exchange Club members as they met at their annual Christmas Party at Bonefish Macs to swap holiday gifts, many of which cannot be displayed in this family magazine. You can see by their expressions that a few members were not exactly thrilled with their gifts, but it’s supposed to be the thought that counts. A meeting of the minds (the search is on!) is planned for some date to be announced soon to resolve a number of issues that have recently come to light. All members are requested to offer input. The upcoming “150” Charity Dance, one of the club’s premier events, was held at the Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club andfeatured a live band, raffles and a silent auction. A full account of the festivities will be published in the March issue. Do you know someone who has an interesting story? If so, please tell us so we can publish it in the March issue!

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Deerf ield Beach Middle School International Baccalaureate Students Par ticipate in “Living” Period Ta b le of the Elements

Remember the Periodic Table? That chart where all of the on the front of the shirt. The name of the element and the atomelements are organized? Some adults will say they try not to ic number were painted on the back. remember such things. Science teacher, Suzy Pinnell, hopes her A crazy idea came to life with this Living Periodic Table of 8th graders will never forget the Elements when the Periodic Table of the 110 DBMS students Elements. donned their element To increase understanding t-shirts and assemof the Periodic Table, each stubled for the photo dent was assigned one of the opportunity. 110 named elements. Students Students wore their tresearched their element learnshirts during the ing about its uses, the person school day and for who discovered the element, Science Night in the date of discovery, and December at Deerfield other properties unique to Middle. their element. Many elements This project was have a multitude of uses in made possible by products we use every day; funding from DBMS however, some students were PTSA and Strike Zone disappointed to learn their eleManagement. ment has 'no known uses'. Suzy Pinnell To make the table come enjoys involving stualive, t-shirts were decorated. L to R: Gabrielle Tozzi, Alexa Fernandez and Yokaira Vizcaino dents in the classThree colors were chosen to room with labs and represent the main regions of the table. Yellow shirts for metals, projects, and outside improving school landscaping. She was blue for nonmetals, and green shirts for metalloids. DBMS Teacher of the Year for 2008 and Broward County Students used stencils to paint the symbol for their element Schools Environmentalist of the Month for October. www.lhpmag.com

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AS I WAS SAYING

Wisdom of a Slot Master

By Alan Williamson Monte Carlo. Autumn of '89. The Casino Royale. She was on a roll at the craps table. I was on my last roll of quarters. Our eyes met across the crowded casino floor. She said, By Alan Williamson "Come, kiss the lips of lady luck." I did. Five minutes later I won $50,000 on a slot machine called "Gooses Wild." I turned and she was gone. I've been looking for her ever since. Atlantic City, Summer of '96. The Golden Nugget. Down to my last $50, I join my parents on a three-hour bus trip to the new promised land of gambling conquests - the Jersey shore. The mooing sound from a slot machine called "Sacred Cows" captures my attention. I wait patiently for 2 hours and 25 minutes while a plump, chain-smoking grandmother with a sweatshirt that reads "Caution: Stops Frequently" finishes "milking the cow" for all its worth. It takes me only ten minutes to dump my $50 bankroll down the hatch. The mooing sound seems to mock me as I stagger away. I cap off my day of thrills by watching a bum fight a seagull for a French fry out on the boardwalk with my dad. In a creepy coincidence, he's also been rendered penniless by a machine called "Buffalo Bills." "Do you hear a mooing sound?" my dad asks as we wait for my mom to emerge from the casino with tales of daring moves and jumbo jackpots. Canada. Winter of 2005. Casino Windsor. After a decade of trying to go "legit" I'm back in the hunt for easy money. Because of my status as a high-rolling, big-time gambler, my means of transportation is once again a bus. This one is bound for Canada from suburban Detroit, crammed to capacity with my wife, my in-laws and other titans of the casino world who are cleverly disguised to look like an assortment of twitchy burnouts, lost souls and cranky seniors. The favorable exchange rate in Canada translates into more play time for my U.S. currency, an advantage I quickly exploit on a machine called "Yabba-Dabba Dollars." I shovel in twenty, forty, sixty dollars of Canadian coin, secure in the knowledge that I'm only down $50 in American money. I win a little, lose a little in a seesaw crusade to hit Yabba-Dabba paydirt. Suddenly, I reach deep into my deflated wallet and realize the cold hard truth. I'm Yabba-Dabba done. While my wife and others count their winnings on the

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long bus ride back, I take solace in small, less material victories. Had I not, after all, ravaged the casino's all-youcan-eat buffet, going back for three heaping platefuls of their shrimp cocktail, baked ziti, and banana cream pudding? Why yes, I do believe I did. Because that, my friends, is exactly what a big-time gambler does to even the score on a day when lady luck is nowhere in sight. Hollywood, Florida. Summer of 2008. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. I knew going in that the odds of hitting a jackpot at a Florida Indian reservation were steep. Last year in fact, $750 million were fed into slot machines on tribal land in Florida with not one single million-dollar baby to show for it. By way of comparison, a tollbooth attendant named Elliot Hickleburger gave away over a $1 million in quarters all by himself that same year by miscounting the change due back to motorists. Though the deck was clearly stacked against us, I felt an inexplicable confidence as my wife, my in-laws, my parents and I crammed into a rented Chevy Impala and headed to the glittering, clattering hubbub that is Seminole Hard Rock. A machine called "Turn Green" looked promising, so I assumed the squatting position and dropped in some seed money. I hit the "three coins" button and watched the video images flicker and twirl, coming to rest on the payline in random patterns of possibility: Ting, ting, ting, ting - a parrot, a turtle, a palm tree you lose. Ting, ting, ting, ting - an eagle, a rabbit, a beach ball you lose. Ting, ting, ting, ting - a banjo, a gas pump, a penguin you lose. Mustering up my last ounce of self-control, I hit the "cash out" button, grabbed my ticket and headed for the nearest "Blazing Sevens" machine. Within two minutes, the miraculous happened: Ting, ting, ting, ting - blazing seven, blazing seven, blazing seven! In one fortuitous flick of the finger I had won $107.33! Take that you Hard Rock tight wads! Who needs you shady lady luck! I beat the system on my own terms and nobody, but nobody can take that away from me!! Um, nobody except a machine called "Royal Flush" which 20 minutes later reclaimed all $107 of my winnings plus $30 more. Oh well, in the immortal words of big-time gamblers everywhere - "Gangway to the free buffet!”

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The Garden Lady Says... The Garden Lady Says... HEARTS AND FLOWERS By Donna Torrey Valentines Day has traditionally been a "rose" occasion, and although this flower is beautiful, there are many others that are equally so, longer lasting, and far less expensive. If you like to give your honey flower gifts this holiday, consider these alternatives: Orchids, Gloxinias, and Anthuriums. These three will rival the rose in beauty and color, while also whispering "exotic extravagance". Orchids come in many colors, shapes, sizes and price range. There are so many magnificent ones to choose from you are certain to find one that speaks for you. Be sure to find out the growing conditions they need, and an added bonus will be that this orchid will likely bloom each year hereafter, a continuous reminder of your love. Second on my list are Gloxinias. These plants are cousins to African Violets, but in giant form! The leaves form a rosette that spans at least a foot. The massive cluster of cup shaped, velvet flowers come in the most vibrant shades of magenta, violet, lavender and combinations of these that you have ever seen! Most people when they first see one feel compelled to ask their name. They will continue to bloom like

fools for months, and then will go through a dormant period, (They deserve a rest!) but can be re-bloomed with a little extra effort. Last but not least on my list of favorites is the Anthurium. This showy, semi-epiphyte is another plant that most find amazing. The heart shaped, waxy flower that is really a spadix, can be brilliant red, orange, purple, pink or white and lasts for months. However, the most intriguing part of this aroid is its aril, which sticks out like a… well; let's just say that some people call it the "little boy" flower. Truly an exotic creature, it practically yells romance. Aside from its beauty, it also makes an excellent landscape plant for a shady, well- drained area, blooming continuously. ` Plant some love in your garden this week.

Garden Gate Nursery is located in the Pompano Citi Centre. Donna can be reached at 954-783-1189, or at www.donnas gardengate.com

Beauty Spot of the Month

Congratulations to Dr. Tom and Betty Hammond of 2921 NE 46th Street, winners of the Lighthouse Point Community’s Beauty Spot of the Month Award for December. Chosen by LHP Beautification Committee.

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BUY ONE ENTREE - GET 1/2 OFF 2ND ENTREE OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE!

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Elsa Brehm Hoffman is “Grand Dame” at 46th Annual Pompano Beach Parade Elsa Brehm Hoffmann, of Hillsboro Beach, was named "Grand Dame" of the historic 46th Annual Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade on December 14, 2008 in Florida. She shared the Grand Marshall role with local South Florida news anchor seen here, WPLG (ABC affiliate) Channel 10's Jacey Birch. Elsa, age 101, is a longtime and active area resident. She is considered a "Pompano Pioneer" for her development and ownership of The Jasmin Villa Resort in the 1950's for about 20 winter seasons. Prior to that time, the area was mainly agricultural. Motels brought tourism and successful growth to the area. Jacey is holding the cover of the upcoming book entitled Elsa's Own Blue Zone, written by Sharon Textor Black and due out to the public during the first part of 2009 by Morgan James Publishing. It details Elsa's philosophies on aging and living well. The book also includes many interesting photos of Elsa's life, including photos taekn with Barbara Walters from the show Elsa was on last April "How to Live to 150 - Can You Do It?." Perhaps Elsa can! Elsa Brehm Hoffman with Jacey Birch

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Sharron Black (left) and husband Mike (right) pose with Elsa and great grandchildren, Blair,7, and Elsa, 5.

2008 Pompano Holiday Parade Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce announces winners POMPANO BEACH, FL - With close to 40 beautifully decorated boats, it was a difficult decision for the judges to pick the winners of the 46th Annual Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade. Held on Sunday, December 14, the brightly decorated boats navigated north on the Intracoastal Waterway from Pompano through Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Beach and Deerfield Beach. “The Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all the Captains and Crews that participated in this year’s parade,” said Parade Committee Chair Gwen Leys. “This year’s Parade had its own challenges, but the smiles on the thousands of residents and visitors who come to watch make it all worth while,” she continued. Leys announced awards went to the following entries: Best in Show: Over 30 – Mr. Bob; Under 30 – Tuned Blue Chamber Of Commerce Award: Over 30 – Knot on Call Under 30 – Reel Nauti Best Private Boat: Over 30 – Bimini Twist, Under 30 – Reel Priority Best in Entertainment: Over 30 – Mooncusser, Under 30 – Marks Ark Best in Sound: Over 30 – Niff-T, Under 30 – Happy Hour III Most Unique: Over 30 – Noah’s Ark, Under 30 – Planet Massage

Most Effective Lighting: Over 30 – Playmate IV, Under 30 – Lizbeth Lighthouse Point Award: Triple Trouble Best Club/Organization : Riparius Best First Timer: Absolute Best Commercial Boat : Mussette Chair Persons Award: Jay Dunning, BSO Marine Patrol The Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Boat Parade Committee wish to thank the sponsors and communities whose support made the event possible: The City of Pompano Beach, JM Family Enterprises, Inc, Publix, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, Namasco, Citi Bank, Frank H. Furman Insurance, The Cove Restaurant and Marina, Michele Greene State Farm Insurance, The City of Lighthouse Point, The Lighthouse Point Chamber of Commerce, Shane LeMar Entertainment and Production, Town of Hillsboro Beach, Atlantic Doggerey Boutique & Grooming, The City of Deerfield Beach, Everest University, Cool Shirts, Inc, The Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Shower Door Store, Inc, Japanese Auto Care, Inc., Digital Interiors Inc. and Robert Leigh Designs Winners were presented their awards at the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce’s “Business with a Twist” on January 7, 2009 at 5:30 pm at The Cove Restaurant and Marina in Cove Shopping Center located on Hillsboro Blvd in Deerfield Beach.

L to R: Pompano Mayor Lamar Fisher, LHP Commissioner Sandy Johnson, United States Coast Guard Captain Christopher Roberge, Pompano Beach Chairman Steve Wolf and USCG Station Ft. Lauderdale Commanding Officer Lt. Doug Watson www.lhpmag.com

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LHP KEEPER DAYS KIDS’ FISHING TOURNEMENT In conjunction with the upcoming Lighthouse Point Keeper Days celebrations, the 2009 "Lighthouse Point Keeper Days Kids Fishing Tournament" will be held Saturday, January 31st . Registration will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm, Friday, January 30th at the Tennis Center. First 75 anglers to sign up will receive a Tournament T Shirt and Fish Bucket. Awards will be presented Saturday Feb 7th after the Keeper Days parade at McDonough Park.

Top anglers waiting for the chance to defend their titles include Paige Martin, Glenn Fitzpatrick, Jack Audet, Ricquel Martin, Shane O'Connor, James Doll and Kristen Reidy, "Team Make it Happen" with Paige, Sophia and Ricquel Martin and" Team Doll" with James Doll, Fisher and Hunter Yancey.

While the competition for choice angling locations may be fierce, the fun is second to none! Parents, kids and friends get to spend some quality time with each other This fun tournament, with the accent on "fun", is open creating memories that will last a lifetime. to all LHP kids with prizes and trophies being awarded in multiple divisions including girl and boy, 6 and Sponsors for this year's event include Campbell & under, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 17 and team division. Rosemurgy Real Estate, Coral Cadillac, Custom Rod & Reel, Bonefish Mac's, Helen S & Fish City Pride and Last year's event had 95 anglers catching - and releasing many others. - 624 puffers, snappers, grunts, jacks, barracudas, stingray, wrasse, snook, blue runners, groupers and Contact John Trudel at (954) 784-3439 for more even a few lookdown. information.

CALLING ALL CARS (ELECTRIC) FOR KEEPER DAYS PARADE CALL ERICA DAVEY 954-942-8887

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P L E A S E S U P P O R T O U R A D V E R T I S E R S

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A N TA R C T I C A Completed in 1920 it was built completely by the prisoners themselves. With 380 one-person cells its main reason for existence was to confine re-offenders and undesirables from throughout Argentina but was soon inhabited by some of the most dangerous murderers, thieves and political prisoners. Those with good behavior were often allowed to work outside the prison and receive pay for that work. They set up shoe repair, bakery, carpentry and tailor shops. These workshops gave the inhabitants of Ushuaia basic services and supplies for which they might otherwise have had to depend on the infre-

quent ships arriving in port monthly or less. The prison was shut down in 1947. After a brief "tour" around the city and environs, we lunched at a mountaintop lodge affording a gorgeous view of the harbor, surrounding Andes Mountain Range and glaciers. Joining our ship in the harbor at this time was The World. This is a huge ship, a virtual traveling city, which circles the world and is a condominium of sorts. Travelers actually own their "apartments" some of which are as much as 3500 square feet, and can come and go as they wish at any port or time. It dwarfed our little ship, the Corinthian II, a small ship this time carrying only 115 souls. Our ship was built to safely afford in-depth exploration and

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C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 11 featured a fleet of Zodiac landing craft to bring us into intimate contact with incredible Antarctica. Our average speed would be about 14 knots. It featured roomy suites with cozy down comforters. We were all given bright red parkas with the ships logo. They were warm, fairly waterproof and made us easy to spot! There were life boat safety and muster station drills and an explanation of the zodiac boarding techniques and schedules. Passengers were divided into small groups and given group names. We soon learned that these names were the names of the various penguin breeds in and around the peninsula. Departures each time were rotated by group with the groups gathering in the salon. Each passenger turned over his assigned number on a board when leaving the ship. Upon returning to

L to R: Bruce Hoskins, Bill Sullivan, Paul Volcker, Mrs. Volcker, Deb Hoskins and Judy Sullivan

the ship, it was turned again; did not want to leave anyone behind! Anyone forgetting to turn his number on return was subject to good natured but public humiliation. Then there was the boot decontamination. All boots must be scrubbed top to bottom and rinsed with anti-bacterial rinse following each visit to land. They were then stored in lockers on the "poop deck". This prevented any foreign material from being introduced to the peninsula and the spreading of any Penguin guano to the rest of the ship. We soon learned the importance of the last! Meeting fellow passengers is always a fun start to any cruise and this one was no exception. Paul Volker and his wife were among us as was Michael Kitteridge, past owner of Yankee Candles. He played a "mean" guitar and we often gathered in the lounge after dinner for sing-alongs. Almost all our

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fellow passengers were well traveled; visiting their "last continent" after having "seen" the others. The beautiful sunsets that took place around 11:00 PM, were often after we were all tucked into bed! Onboard lectures were presented daily by staff naturalists. The staff members were young, ambitious and each knowledgeable in his own field. Most had traveled extensively on other "nature or adventure trips." We had lectures on early explorations, dog sledding, finance, and the wildlife and itinerary expected the following day. The itineraries are variable and based on local wind, water and weather conditions. There were frequent whale sightings when we would all run to the rail with our binoculars. Our route was traced and updated on the map in the salon twice daily. Visiting the bridge was encouraged and the captain seemed to love the company and showing off all his

modern devices. Viewing onscreen all the approaching icebergs though disconcerting was especially interesting. There was (although intermittent) internet service in the library. A daily newspaper and CNN in the cabins helped us to keep up with the rest of the world. Movies were available for

passenger use and the "take one and leave one" library well stocked. The food was wonderful, wine always poured and birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated with cake and ice cream it seemed almost daily! A tour of the kitchen revealed how compact and efficient it was. We were met after each

shore visit by the staff with hot drinks, vodka, or bouillon, and warm towels! All ships begin their journeys to the Antarctic Peninsula by traversing the Drake Passage crossing the Antarctic Convergence. Seabirds such as Albatross and Cape Petrels followed us and we were escorted out to sea by a group of penguins. The Drake is a 600-mile chaotic, narrow body of water stretching from Cape Horn on the tip of South America to the Antarctic Peninsula. This stretch of water is frequented by icebergs, high seas, and often gale force winds. Here the waters of the Atlantic join the waters of the Pacific and it is considered to be the roughest ocean in the world. Though it was named for English navigator Sir Francis Drake he never actually sailed it because the more sheltered Strait of Magellan was far less dangerous! Our ship was "Drake- proofed" with anything remotely moveable secured tightly to the deck for the crossing. Ropes were strung throughout the common areas to afford walking safety when moving about the ship. The old seafarer's adage of "One hand for the ship and one for yourself" became a reality. Our crossing would take place in late afternoon and throughout the night. Be prepared. Take your Dramamine!

Be sure to see part 2 in the March Issue!

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KEEPING UP WITH YOUR IRA: A Tax Season Checklist Year-end is an ideal time to evaluate the role that IRAs could play in your retirement and tax management strategies. Roth IRA or Traditional IRA? The primary difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA is the tax treatment of contributions and distributions. Traditional IRAs may allow a tax Scott Lanza deduction based on the amount of a contribution, depending on your income level. Any account earnings compound on a tax-deferred basis, and distributions are taxable at the time of withdrawal at then-current income tax rates. Roth IRAs do not allow a deduction for contributions, but earnings and qualified withdrawals are tax free. In choosing an IRA, you should weigh the immediate tax benefits of a tax deduction this year against the benefits of taxdeferred or tax-free distributions in retirement. If you need the immediate deduction this year, then you may wish to opt for a traditional IRA. If you don't qualify for the deduction, then it's almost certainly a better idea to fund a Roth IRA. On the other hand, if you expect your tax bracket to drop significantly after retirement, you may be better off with a traditional IRA if you qualify for the deduction. You could claim an immediate deduction now and pay taxes at the lower rate later. Nonetheless, if your anticipated holding period is long, a Roth IRA might still make more sense. That's because a prolonged period of tax-free compounded earnings could more than make up for the lack of a deduction.

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Should You Convert to Roth? The IRS allows individuals to "convert" a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA if you have an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less. As part of the conversion, you must pay taxes on any investment earnings and on the deductible contributions previously made to the traditional IRA. The decision to convert or not ultimately depends on your timing and tax status. If you are near retirement and find yourself in the top income tax bracket this year, now may not be the time to convert. On the other hand, if your income is low and you still have many years to retirement, you may want to convert. Maximize Contributions Try to contribute the maximum amount allowed by the IRS: $5,000 per individual, plus an additional $1,000 annually for those aged 50 and older for 2009. Also, if your workplace retirement plan offers an employer's matching contribution, then that "free" money may be more valuable than the amount of your deduction. As a result, it might make sense to maximize employer plan contributions first, and then try to maximize IRA contributions. Tax day always looms large - so don't hesitate to use the remaining time between now and then to shore up the IRA strategies you will rely on to live comfortably in retirement. Scott Lanza, Certified Financial Planner & Branch Manager of Lighthouse Point Financial welcomes your inquiries at 954-5825233. 2036 E Sample Road in the Gateway Centre.

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HAPPY HOLIDAY TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL CUSTOMERS!

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Exchange Club Sends Care Package to Member Ian Bahman in Iran Jim Davis, Lou Petrone, Chuck McLaughlin and Todd Long are shown here in an exciting pose as they prepare to ship a care package to fellow Exchange Club member Ian Bahman stationed in Iran. Jim seems to be the only one taking it seriously. On display are carefully chosen items they thought would come in handy in the desert. LATE FLASH: Ian has recieved this package and thanks the Exchange Club members, especially for the cigars.

L to R: Jim Davis, Lou Petrone, Chuck McLoughlin and Todd Long

THIS ST ORY WILL WARM Y OU UP! Arts and Literature have given us Soylent Green and The Matrix, suggesting human bodies as raw material. Usually, this makes people grimace and shiver. But in the Swedish town of Halmstad, it will soon make people warm and cozy. Halmstad officials required improvements at the local crematorium after environmental monitoring indicated that too much smoke was going out the chimneys. After planning for the improvements started, well...one thing just lead to another. It was when we were discussing all these environmental issues that they started thinking about the energy that is used

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in the cremations and realized that instead of all that heat just going up into the air, they could make use of it somehow. It was just rising into the skies for nothing," said Lennart Andersson, the director of the cemetery in the town of Halmstad. Because cremation of human remains can release toxins, like mercury from dental fillings, the filtration of the off-gases is extremely important. In order to effectively clean the emitted gases, they must be cooled from around 1000°C to under 150°C. Recovery of this heat for warming, first the crematorium buildings and later to feed the public heating system, will save costs and use less water as well.

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The Lighthouse Corinthians Hold Their Annual Commodore’s Ball

L to R: Lia Bishop, Hal Bishop, Fred Krieger, Rosemary Krieger, Suzzane Cafferky, Buddy Cafferky, Niki Kac and Fred Hellman On December 5, 2008, the LPYRC Corinthians celebrated their having a new Commodore with a ball. "Passport to the World" was the theme of the evening with Commodore Hal Bishop and his wife Ila receiving guests along with Immediate Past Commodore Lee Donais and his wife Pat as well as the new bridge officers and their partners.

new Commodore's favorite: chocolate cake. At each table floral centerpieces by Honey Bunch Florists were white roses atop a royal blue column of light.

Music was furnished by STREET TALK and the 174 attendees were either dancing or tapping their feet to the irresistible music. Ron and Doreen Blue world globe balloons carried out the theme as Murray and their committee spent many months did the dinner menu which featured food from putting together an evening that will be long around the world. The "surprise dessert" was the remembered.

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Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Everything seemed so merry and bright, as sailors from the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club cruised through a beautiful holiday party at the LHP Yacht & Racquet Club. With the economy tanking badly and the world in turmoil, it was good to see so many smiling faces.

g Club Christmas Party

MORTGAGE NEWS

Mary Griffin

I S Y O U R P R O P E R T Y TA X B I L L T O O H I G H ?

Did you know that the National Taxpayers Union estimates that as many as 60% of homes are assessed for too high of a value, resulting in an incorrectly inflated property tax bill? With values decreasing so dramatically chances are good you might be in that group of people paying too much. Take the time to review your property tax bill to see if you can save a nice chunk of change. The good news is that it's easy!

First, contact your local tax assessor's office and ask for someone in the reassessment area. The Broward County Appraisal website is www.bcpa.net/ for contact information. Find out when appeals are heard, and how the process for submitting a property tax appeal works. Additionally, ask for a copy of your property card. Review the card and confirm that the basic information about your property is correct. For example, is the square footage and number of rooms for your home accurate? If the number is incorrect, the county may change the assessment without a formal appeal. If everything on the property card is correct but the assessed value still seems too high, your next step is to gather the following documentation to support an appeal. And don't be surprised if the assessed value is lower than what you think the market value is for your home. Ask what the formula is, because an assessment which is less than market value still might be too high.

LEGAL MATTERS

More good news - according to the National Taxpayers Union, about 33% of property tax appeals succeed! Taking the time to review the accuracy of a tax bill could easily save you hundreds of dollars per year, adding up to thousands of dollars during the time you own your home. Please feel free to contact me for more information on this money-saving tip. Mary Griffin is a Certified Mortgage Planner to Howard Grace and Associates, 625 S.E. 10th Street in Deerfield Beach. She welcomes all your mortgage questions at (954) 421-3255, e-mail her at [email protected]. Website: www.howardgracemortgage.com

Marital & Family Law Perspectives Matters of the Heart

This year will mark my twenty sixth season as an attorney in the marital and family law arena. Over that period of time, I have talked with many professionals who have shared their thoughts and ideas on how to Catherine Iaconis Favitta maintain strong and united family relationships. Here are their top seven tips: • If you don't have anything nice to say - don't say what you're thinking. We know that a forest fire can be started with just one match. An argument can be started with one careless word. Don't let that happen. • Be a good host/hostess to your family. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated - small things make a difference. We all like it when someone gets something for us when they get themselves one (drink from the fridge, snack, napkin, etc.) • Repay a cross word with a kind word, or don't say anything back. Everyone can get cranky - don't take it personally. If you let it slide off your back, things will get back to normal much quicker. • Keep your eyes half closed. Since we are not carbon

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If you have a current appraisal that supports the value being lower using recent market-value information, many counties will accept a copy of the appraisal with the appeal. If the appraisal is outdated, you can order a new one--just call me for a referral to an excellent appraiser. You can also visit the local assessor's office or search online, and look through the public records for other homes that have similar features to yours, but have lower assessments. Submitting an appeal is generally a fairly simple process, but make sure to take the time to fill out all forms in advance and be prepared with your documentation if there is an in-person hearing that needs to take place.

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copies of each other, it is best to overlook things that are not done exactly the way we would like. As long as the dishes get cleaned, does it really matter how they are stacked? • Find something deserving each day and compliment it. It is so easy to be critical but so much more rewarding to say something that makes the other person smile. • Get out of the house and do something fun together. A change of routine and laughing is good for bonding. Check out the Jungle Queen dinner cruise tour together, or go out to the movies and buy that great smelling popcorn instead of watching a DVD at home again. • Find a project to work on together. Pick an area in the house that needs a good cleaning or remodeling and tackle it together. It is true that having a common goal and "Spring cleaning" make us feel good and hopeful about the future. Catherine is a Marital and Family Law Attorney, and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, who lives in Lighthouse Point. Catherine may be reached at (954) 767-8340. Feel free to visit Catherine's website at FavittaLawFirm.com and ask any Family Law related question.

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Reincarnation or Coincidence? By Gina Ferrante For over fifteen years, I was married to a man who believed in reincarnation. Even looking back to to the time he and I were dating, he would tease me and tell me, “Gina, when I die, I’m coming back as a black cat.” To me, cats were as foreign as the idea of reincarnation. In fact, the most foreign idea of all was the idea that my young husband was dying!

purred! I looked at my mother, and she looked at me. She knew what i was thinking before I spoke. She said, “Gina, why don’t you ask the neighbors to see if someone lost a cat?” Well, I did a lot more than ring the neighbor’s doorbells — I alerted everyone nearby, but no one had ever seen him before. I even ran an ad in the local lost and found animal section in the newspapers. Droves of people from as far as ten miles away came to see if he was their cat. He wasn’t. No one claimed him and no one in the neighborhood saw him before.

At age forty-four, my athletic husband, the picture of health, was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. At first, even though I heard the words coming out of the doctor’s mouth, I didn’t accept it. I wouldn’t accept it! But after we visited two more liver specialists, it began to sink in — my husband was going to die, and at best When I let the black cat into my house, he walked slowhad only six months to live. ly up the staircase to the second floor, where there are four bedrooms. Without hesitation, he walked directly At that point in time, my afghan hound was fourteen into the master bedroom. He then proceeded to follow years old and passed away. I was living on the north me around everywhere. He even stood by the car, if he shore of Long Island and missed the long walks down sensed I was going somewhere. He’d jump in and come North Country Road that I shared with my dog. along, wherever I went. My husband’s health rapidly deteriorated before my eyes. Within four months, he was unable to leave the hospital room. But he never lost consciousness, and everyday, more than once, he would hold my hand as I sat next to his deathbed and tell me he’s coming back as a black cat. Two hours before he died, he repeated, “Gina, remember, I’ll be back as a black cat.” Those were the last words he ever said to me. Several weeks after his funeral, my mother came over and insisted I leave the house and accompany her to the movies. It was the middle of the afternoon. It was dusk when we arrived back at the house and noticed an something on the front porch. And it was black. I flew out the passenger side of the car, ran up to the porch to find a black cat sitting by the front door. I got goose bumps. I never had a cat before and didn’t know how to approach it. I didn’t have to worry — in seconds, the black cat twirled around my feet, completely ignoring my mother who had followed behind. When I bent down to pet him, he rolled over on his back and licked my hand.Could it be? I wondered. I went into the house and returned with half and half cream and a bowl of tuna fish. He ate, he drank, he

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Coincidence or reincarnation? I wasn’t sure and I wasn’t taking any chances. So, just in case, I named him “Buddy” — after all, my husband was my best friend. Submitted by Gina Ferrante 1011 SE 12th Avenue Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Cat Prayer Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray this cushy life to keep. I pray for toys that look like mice, And sofa cushions, soft and nice. I pray for gourmet kitty snacks, And someone nice to scratch my back, For windowsills all warm and bright, For shadows to explore at night. I’ll be your friend, just treat me right I’ve been known to scratch and bite It’s the truth, just ask the rats The world is really ruled by CATS!

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Make Your New Year's Financial Resolutions It's time for New Year's resolutions. This year, why not try some financial resolutions? Here are a few to consider: First, resolve to stay calm. As you're well aware, 2008 was not exactly a stellar year for the stock market. What will 2009 bring? No one can say for sure, but as an investor, your best move is to stay calm and remain focused on your long-term goals. Next, vow to increase your 401(k) contributions. Your 401(k) is still a great way to save for retirement. Also, build an emergency fund containing six to 12 months' worth of living expenses, kept in a liquid account. This fund can help prevent you from having to sell stocks to pay for an unexpected expense. Finally, be patient, disciplined and forward-looking. The investment world has taken some knocks lately, but good investment opportunities are still out there.

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SKIN CARE

INDIGE - A new at-home mask for acne and anti-aging By Melanie S. Hecker, MD, MBA

cellular turnover and combating build-up in pores.

Indige is a new anti-aging micro-peel mask that is a scientific breakthrough in dermaceutical skincare. Unlike traditional skin care products, the mask delivers treatment at the cellular level thus allowing deep treatment that traditional topical treatments cannot duplicate. The results are immediate, leaving your skin fresh and more beautifully regenerated every time you use it. When the mask is applied before procedures such as microdermabrasion, laser treatments, soft-tissue augmentation, or peels, it can improve the appearance of the results by making your skin more receptive to treatment. Plus, the mask is so easy to apply; you can continue to use it at home post-procedure.

Indige helps reduce the appearance of fine-line wrinkles and reduce pore size. Indige also rehydrates sun damaged skin by improving the skin barrier and the collagen superstructure. The skin is then revitalized and rejuvenated where one sees lighter and brighter skin, improving radiance and balancing pigmentation, increasing the appearance of firmness and elasticity, smoothing the skin's texture with a powerful micro-peel, and exfoliating the skin by promoting

For more information, or questions about other dermatologic or cosmetic concerns, please contact our office for an appointment at: 954-783-2323 or visit us on-line at: www.heckerderm.com. Offices are located in Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach.

Getting a Good Night Sleep

By Dr. J. Peter Painter According to a recent sleep study, over 40 million people suffer from sleep problems. On average, American adults lose over one hour of sleep each week due to pain. There are two common causes related to this loss of sleep; the position that we are sleeping in and what we are sleeping on. Patients often ask me what the best position for sleeping is. Although not an easy question to answer, the best sleeping position is when the body assumes a natural, neutral posture. It is impossible to assume a neutral posture while sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping on your side with your knees and hips slightly bent with a small pillow between your knees allows for proper anatomical alignment. Your pillow should allow your head to maintain a neutral posture. That means your nose is lined up with the center of your chest. If you are sleeping on your back then you should place a pillow under your knees to take the strain off of the lower back and hip flexors. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain. Lack of support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to lower back pain. A mattress that is too firm will not allow for natural contour of your body. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a medium-firm mattress provided the most restful sleep. Although there is no single "best mattress", comfort is the most important factor in selecting a mattress. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night. The following guidelines are designed to help patients with low back

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Indige is a series of 4 masks that can be applied at home once a week for 4 weeks. Therefore, the patient is not required to have a cosmetic procedure in the office and has the at-home convenience of improving their skin. Indige has an extensive botanical profile that includes honey, cranesbill, comfrey, elder, calendula, tormentil, plantain, horsetail, burdock and cucumber. All of these botanicals have well known properties of treating a wide variety of skin conditions. With the addition of glycolic acid, the anti-aging mask is a wonderful treatment that improves sun-damaged skin. With the acne mask, the addition of salicylic acid to the botanicals helps treat blemish prone skin. Indige makes a great gift for the cosmetically-oriented individual or you can use it yourself a few days before Valentine's day to have your skin glow on that special day.

REDUCE, REHYDRATE, REVITALIZE

CHIRO CARE

BOTANICAL PROFILE

Lighthouse Point Magazine

pain choose the best mattress for both back support and sleep comfort. • Achieve a balance between back support and comfort. Sleeping on a mattress that is too firm can cause aches and pains on pressure points. A medium-firm mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly. • Understand and inquire about the physical components of the mattress. The coils or inner springs of a mattress provide the support. Different mattresses vary in their number and arrangement of coils. Padding on top of the mattress comes in different thicknesses. Mattress depths typically range anywhere from 7 to 18 inches deep. • Know when it's time to get a new mattress. If you think you might need a new mattress you probably do. • Shop for the best value and quality of the mattress rather than for price. General rule of thumb "you get what you pay for" however a $6,000 mattress may not get you a better night sleep than a $1,000 one. Expect to pay $1,000 to $1,500 on a king size mattress. • Be aware of mattress advertising gimmicks. Claims that a mattress is "orthopedic" or "medically-approved" should be viewed skeptically. There has not been extensive medical research or controlled clinical trials on the topic of mattresses and low back pain. • Purchase mattresses from stores and companies that are trustworthy. Check on the store's return policy. Sometime it is worth paying a little extra for a 30 day return policy. • Personal preference should ultimately determine what mattress is best. Any mattress that helps someone sleep without pain and stiffness is the best mattress for that individual. Don't forget to flip and rotate your mattress 180 degrees every six months. This will help increase the life of your mattress and reduce premature wear. (Please see ad on page 13)

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STRANGE, BUT TRUE ! • Cotopaxi in Ecuador supports the only glacier on the equator. • The creosote bush can live for thousands of years. • There were 132,432,044 automobiles registered in the United States in 1999. • Benjamin Franklin was the first postmaster general and appeared on the first 5 cent stamp issued in 1847. • Holes in a golf course must be 4.25 inches in diameter, and at least 4 inches deep. • The human stomach can stretch 50 times larger than its normal size and hold 4.5 quarts (4.25 L). • A wainwright is someone who fixes wagons. • Strudel comes from a German word for whirlpool. • The word windfall comes from an old English law prohibiting the cutting down of the King's trees, so the only firewood commoners could gather is what the wind blew down. • The flower Rafflesia Arnoldi can measure up to three feet (.9 m) across and weigh as much as 15 pounds (6.8 kg). • In the year 2160, there will be two lunar eclipses and five solar eclipses.

• All plant life contains calcium, sulfur, magnesium, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, and other trace elements. • The sun is about 330,000 time the mass of the Earth. • Centipedes don't have 100 legs. • The world's fastest land animal is the cheetah, reaching speeds of 60-70 mph (110 km/hr). • The fastest animal on earth is the peregrine falcon clocked at over 180 mph (290 km/hr). • A regular hen's egg has about 7,000 tiny pores in its shell. • Red blood cells do not contain a nucleus. • There are approximately 100,000,000,000,000 cells in the human body. • A single molecule of human DNA could stretch to over 3 feet (.9 m) long. • In tennis, zero points is referred to as love, which is possibly derived from the French word for egg, l'oeuf, referring to the physical appearance of the number zero. • The white part if your fingernail is called the lunia. • No U.S. President has had brown eyes until 2009. • One quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet.

Green Harriet • Go paperless. Consider reading your newspaper and magazine subscriptions online. Switch to electronic banking and credit card payment, too. • Teach kids about the environment. • Take your batteries to a recycling center. Earth 911 gives you the scoop. • KLTurn your car off if you're going to be idle for more than one minute. • Do full loads of laundry and set the rinse cycle to "cold." • Recycle. If you're not at home, take the extra steps, (literally), to find that recycling can. • Reuse. Plastic food containers make good crayon and marker holders. Use padded envelops more than once. Buy your toddler or preschooler's clothes from a thrift shop and give away those that don't fit to friends. Goodwill or the Salvation Army can help. • Limit the length of your showers. Even better, take a "navy shower," shutting off the water while soaping up and shampooing. • Don't run the water when brushing your teeth. Learn about water scarcity.

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• Wash towels after several uses. • Purchase one case of water and provide clean water to 24 people (for over twenty years). • Give away your goods and find new ones at FreeCycle. • Recycle your technology. Dell, Hewlett Packard, Apple, and IBM, among others, offer recycling programs. • Go zero! Log on to the Conservation Fund's Carbon Zero Calculator and in less than five minutes, you can measure and then offset your carbon dioxide emissions by planting trees. • Put your money where your mouth is-invest in green investments. Web sites like Co-op America's National Green Pages™ can help. • Learn about threats to ocean life and help Greenpeace take action. • Whenever you can, try using green cleaning products. Check out Cheap, Clean, and Green. • Find your local watershed and learn how to protect it.

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CANTANKEROUSLY YOURS

.

IMPATIENCE AS A VIRTUE

Dear Patient Ones, A week or so ago, I accidentally knocked a cup and saucer off one of our tables. Smashed it into a dozen pieces or more. This was not just any cup-and-saucer set. These were hand-painted antiques. Created by my grandmother, who had her own kiln, in the late Nineteenth Century. "Fear not," I said to my horrified wife. "A litBy Wendell Abern tle Krazy Glue and a lot of patience, and I'll have it together again in no time." And I did. Took a few hours, working meticulously. My doubting wife was as surprised as she was relieved. "It just takes patience, which I have in abundance," I boasted. "Right," my wife said. "As long as there's not another person involved." I reflected on that. She was right. I hate it when my wife is right. "In my defense," I said, "the people I get impatient with deserve it." "You mean like that poor old woman the other day, who committed the heinous crime of driving on University Boulevard the same time as you?" "She was weaving! She was driving twelve miles an hour in three lanes at the same time! She was -" "Spare me. At least you admit you get impatient." I glared. Then I reflected some more. "You know what?" I said after some thought. "Several years ago, I advocated a support group for baseball addicts. Maybe I could find a support group for people who get impatient with other people!" "For you, they'd have to invent a 36-step program." "I'm serious! I'll bet they have one somewhere." "Forget it. You'd flunk." "You can't flunk out of a support group!" "You'd find a way." More thought. Clearly, I was going to lose another one. After 53 years of marriage, the score stands at 863 to 2. And the only two I won were during our first year, when she was coddling me. I decided on an unexpected offense. "The world would be nowhere without us impatient ones," I said as she was retreating to the kitchen. "John Adams. Thomas Jefferson. All those guys. They got impatient, we got a country." "Oh, Lord, I feel a rant coming on," she said, spreading some egg salad on a slice of bread. "Let me see if I can find a soap box." "And what about Thomas Edison? And the Wright Brothers? What about computers? Everything beneficial to humanity has come about because of someone's impatience!" "Amazing. You've done it again. You have once again twisted events in order to make your unacceptable behavior acceptable!" "My behavior is impeccable," I stated, assuming a pose of great nobility. "It's everyone else who behaves badly." My wife has never bought this argument. But as I gave it more thought, it occurred to me that I had stumbled onto a brilliant new philosophy: Impatientism. Simply defined: impatience, as a virtue. I can make impatience work to the benefit of all humanity! I thought. The key is to convey my feelings to someone who can take action. That's how impatience creates constructive changes! Immediately, I started writing letters. The first was to the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles: Dear Sir or Madame, Okay, I'm onto your silly little game: those robots you put in cars, disguised as 93-year old women who drive twelve miles an hour. Then you trail them by a block in unmarked cars, waiting to nail someone like me

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who gives vent with blaring horn and profane mouth. If you're really interested in improving driving conditions in this state, here's a better idea: require anyone who is older than 65 take an actual, onthe-road driver's test. Every four days. P.S. Yes, I'm older than 65 myself. I assume you are also, since only a doddering drooler would issue driver's licenses through the mail, without requiring a driving test. I just hope they deliver this letter to whatever home you're in. The next was to the leading manufacturers of women's purses: Dear Sirs or Mesdames, Could you please design a purse that makes it easy for women to find things? With all the pockets, zippers, coin slots and hidden compartments built into your purses, no woman can ever find anything! P.S. Personally, I think you are all part of a world-wide conspiracy, training women to make the rest of us exercise patience while they fumble through their purses, and possibly making us missing something important, like the kickoff of a football game. You're just trying to prepare us for when the women are 93 years old, so we won't honk and swear at them while they are approximating the act of driving. Next, to the man I call Bob the Annihilator, because he always destroys me when I play bridge against him: Dear Bob, !@*#!*&!?$#!! P.S. &*#! To the CEO of the super market chain I frequent: Dear Sir or Madame, Have you ever actually shopped at one of your stores? You must try it. Then, while standing in the check-out line as a cashier disappears to get cigarettes for a shopper who didn't want to wait at the Customer Service desk, ask yourself this: if you were just an ordinary consumer, would you continue shopping at this store? P.S. How are sales lately? To the CEO's of all South Florida television stations: What are your requirements for on-air news teams? Do they have to know anything about the English language? Cases in point: The past tense of the verb, "To take," is "taken," not "tooken." The past perfect tense of the verb, "To go," is "had gone," not "had went." The word, "strong," does not have an "h" between the "s" and the "t." Nor does the word, "moisture." P.S. Perhaps all of your on-air personnel should take a course in "English as a Second Language." To Jose Canseco, former baseball player, who decided to make money by writing books that betrayed his former friends: See letter to Bob the Annihilator. Unfortunately, there is not enough room here to include a letter to television channels who distract us from the show we are watching with tiny characters at the bottom of the screen, promoting other shows they want us to watch. Now that I think of it, that should be a whole column by itself. I'll distract them once, see how they like it. Cantankerously Yours, Wendell Abern P.S. Happy Valentine's Day, even if you're a 93-year old driver. Wendell Abern can be reached at [email protected].

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FOR THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING OF FAMILY & COMMUNITY NEWS, SEE CURRENT & BACK ISSUES OF THE LIGHTHOUSE POINT MAGAZINE AT WWW.LHPMAG.COM

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ON RELIGION

By Reverend Jack Noble

Love & Understanding There is something deep within us a deep drive - for lack of any better descriptor - that wants to be understood, and to be loved. I am not certain from where that drive comes, but it seems to have been built into us by God. And this I know, I have seen it in every person I have ever encountered - from the ones whom I have found to be most kind and gentle to the ones whom I have known to be the most difficult and cantankerous. One of the biggest mistakes we make in life is the failure to remember that this is true, not only for ourselves, but that it is also true for everyone we meet. Everyone is looking for those same two things. But because this drive is so strong, our individual tendency is to only want to "take," or accept these things for ourselves without "giving" them to others. And voila, therein lies enormous opportunities for conflict. To go out into the world to "give" love and understanding, and not only to take, requires real courage, because when we do that we run the risk of being hurt. It is never easy to let our guard down, to open our heart, to respond with empathy - or for that matter with indignation, or to react with enthusiasm. It is always easier, and usually less costly, and generally much safer not to get involved. To simply leave things as they are. There is, however, a marvelous discovery to be made in the process by those willing to run the risk. In this giving of love and understanding, we usually find that those things are returned. And one of the things I am learning very slowly, I might add - is that the more I care, the more things and causes and people I find to care about. And that caring becomes more intense, and in the process I am becoming more alive! This desire to give love and understanding, rather than merely to receive them can change and illuminate any relationship: a marriage, a romance, a family, a friendship, an institution. So it is, I believe that this "need" for love and understanding is born with us, but so is the "need" to give those things. Our task is simply to cultivate those things within ourselves. In so doing we surrender some of the armor of indifference that we pulled around ourselves over the years, probably since childhood. To act, however, to make the first move, takes real courage.

Article provided by Reverend Jack Noble of the First Presbyterian Church, 2331 NE 26th Street in Pompano Beach. 954-941-2308

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WE LOVE OUR PETS February Is National Pet Dental Health Month Fido's or Fluffy's bad breath could be more than a smelly annoyance; it might signify a serious health risk with the potential to damage not only the animal's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well. To address the significance of oral health care for pets, several veterinary groups are sponsoring National Pet Dental Health Month in February. Sponsors include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, American Veterinary Dental College and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. According to the AVDS, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three, often indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth and depression. Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, the infection may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys. "Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets," said Dr. Henry Childers, DVM, president of the AVMA. "Just as the public has come to realize that their own oral health is linked to their overall health, veterinarians want people to understand that dental health care is essential to maintaining the overall health and well-being of the family pet." Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations on the tooth, which turns to tartar. If not removed from the teeth, pockets of infection may appear along the gum line, separating the teeth from the gum. If untreated, this disease, called periodontitis, can lead to tooth loss and the infection caused by the disease may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys. Each regular visit to the veterinarian should include a complete oral health check up to determine if an animal has tartar build up or periodontitis and what the appropriate course of treatment should be. Veterinarians can help pet owners begin a pet dental care routine at home, and encourage them to continue regular veterinary check ups to monitor their pets' oral health.

Article provided by Gigi & Luca Pet Boutique, located in Lighthouse Point AT 1825 NE 24th Street. Call 954784-8755 or visit us online at www.gigiandluca.com

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ASK THE DENTIST

By Marc Sander,DDS,FAGD

DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE A person who has lost one or more teeth due to injury, periodontal disease or decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The quality of dental treatment for these patients has been improved with this treatment option. The traditional options for replacing teeth such as complete dentures, fixed bridges or removable partial dentures can now be restored with implants. A tremendous advantage of implants is that of bone preservation. Implants are used to replace the roots of the missing teeth. Without roots, the jawbone naturally resorbs (shrinks) as you age. This is why a denture becomes loose and needs to be relined every couple of years and periodically remade. Eventually, there may be so much bone shrinkage that it may become impossible to be refitted for dentures. Where implants are placed, the jawbone will not resorb. Implants not only maintain the height of bone but also help to preserve facial contours, which otherwise change with the loss of bone structure. When a single tooth is missing, it has been traditionally replaced with a fixed bridge, where the teeth adjacent to the vacant space would be prepared for crowns. Implants can now take the place of a fixed bridge. With the advanced technology of today's implants, a single tooth implant-supported crown can be placed without the need to treat the adjacent teeth. It is also easier to floss because the teeth are not connected as they are in a fixed bridge. As mentioned before, the same concept can be used where multi-

T HE E YES

HAVE IT

THE EYE IS AN AMAZING ORGAN By Dr. Steven Wigdor

The eye is an organ that works exactly like a digital video camera. Light is continually being focused, processed, and interpreted on a continual basis. The processing unit, the brain, not only handles the information from one camera, but actually combines the images from two cameras into one single image with precision that rivals anything man (or woman) made. Light entering the eye initially goes through the first focusing lens of the camera, the cornea. The cornea needs to be clear and distortion free. The light continues to travel into the eye passing the aperture of the system called the iris. The iris is the part of the eye that gives your eye its "color". The iris opens wider in dim light and becomes smaller in bright light to control the amount of light entering your eye. Next light must pass through the main focusing lens of the eye, appropriately named the "lens". It's the only part of the eye that grows throughout life. New lens cells compress the old cells as the lens grows. It's this compression that makes the lens harder, less elastic, and to have less focusing ability with time. The less the lens can focus, the more we have to help it. This is the reason we begin to need reading glasses in our forties. Due to the nature of the optics, the image is now upside down as it passes through the fluid filled eye towards the "digital film" or

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ple teeth were lost due to injury, periodontal disease or decay. With the strategic placement of implants, you no longer have to deal with the inconvenience of removable partial dentures. Patients, who have replaced removable partial dentures with fixed, implant supported bridges, can't believe the difference that it makes in their ability to eat. With regards to conventional dentures alone, they can be painful, can break, become lost and as I wrote above often get loose. A strong consideration for new or existing denture patients (especially if the dentures are sore or loose) would be dentures with the support of implants. Dental implants, when properly planned and placed, can be used to anchor and stabilize a complete denture in your mouth. Chewing efficiency with upper and lower dentures is at best 20% of your natural teeth. I have had numerous patients who have felt they made a very wise decision having their dentures supported by implants. These patients are able to eat and to chew foods more easily and more efficiently. Patients also have a feeling of security because they know the dentures will stay in place, which adds to their feeling of self-confidence. Implants can be a much better option for tooth replacement (or in combination with traditional tooth replacement) because they are strong, durable and feel more like your natural teeth. Implants are esthetic, reliable and have a high degree of patient satisfaction. They restore proper function to a patient's mouth where traditional treatments fall short.

Lighthouse Point Magazine

retina. The retina's job is to take the image and transfer its information into electrical signals. The information is sent back to the processing unit, the brain, thru a data cable, the optic nerve. There are many factors that affect the eyes ability to allow us to see a clear image. If the eye isn't focused properly our vision, just like any picture, will be blurry. Obviously glasses, contact lenses or surgical intervention will help the eye focus. If any of the clear lenses become opaque or distorted, a surgical procedure might also be necessary. A corneal transplant or more commonly cataract surgery, which replaces an opaque lens with a clear piece of plastic, would have to be performed. Retinal changes such as macular degeneration can affect the "film" of the eye, and glaucoma, an excess pressure in the eye, can cause the optic nerve, to irreversibly degenerate. The eye is an amazing organ but it does need to be periodically checked to make sure all its components are functioning properly. Diagnosing conditions early is the best defense to ensure a lifetime of clear, healthy vision. Remember, everyone has hindsight - protect your eyesight! Dr. Steven Wigdor, an Optometric Physician, and his staff, welcome your calls and questions in Lighthouse Point at 954-943-6210. You can also visit them at 3650 N. Federal Hwy., in the Venetian Isle Shops or on the web at www.eyecareandeyewear.com

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

IS SOMEONE YOU KNOW FACINGFORECLOSURE?

Foreclosures on the Rise Many May Be Prevented With the resetting of mortgage payment amounts, the steep decline in home values, and the loss of income, many homeowners are finding themselves unable to meet their monthly obligations. As a result, far too many homeowners are behind in the mortgage payments and are facing the possibility of foreclosure. "Delinquency and foreclosure rates for subprime borrowers were comparable across communities of all income levels," said Michael Rubinger, president and CEO of Local Initiatives Support Corp. which just commissioned a new study. LISC also found that subprime borrowers in more prosperous communities defaulted at nearly the same rate as those that defaulted in impoverished areas. (10/29/08) According to a report released this October 2008 by First American Core Logic, 7,628,234 homes are now in a negative equity situation which represents 18.3% of all homes with a mortgage in the country. Another 9,753, 818 are within 5% of being under water. While Florida is fairing better than some other states, mainly Nevada and California, the same report notes 29.2% of homes with a mortgage in Florida are in a nega-

LIBRARY NEWS

tive equity position. To bring it right close to home, a January 2009 iMapp data search revealed a 124 foreclosure actions filed against Lighthouse Point properties in calendar year 2008. In Broward County, 1,782 foreclosure actions were filled in the month of November 2008. If you know someone that is facing a foreclosure, there are often measures they can take to prevent one. Typically, the bank would prefer to avoid this costly legal action and would prefer not own the real estate only to have to repair it, maintain it, and then sell it. In addition to seeking legal advice from a professional, you can receive information by going to www.HUD.gov - make sure you type ".GOV" not ".com". Right on the HUD homepage is a resource Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure or call 800-2255342. It is also advisable to contact a Realtor that is versed in handling properties that are either in foreclosure or heading that way. Be careful, not every real estate agent is necessarily qualified to help with this type of sale. Most important piece of advice - do not wait - take prudent action as many foreclosure can and should be prevented. For more information or assistance with preventing foreclosure, call James M. Balistreri, Broker 754-235-7012 or [email protected]. Balistreri Realty is a member broker of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ .

LHP LIBRARY CAN BE A WONDERFUL PARTNER By LHP Library Director Doreen Gauthier

February 14th is Valentines Day. Valentines or sweethearts are great partners. Ham and eggs; peaches and cream; Laurel and Hardy; Rowan and Martin are examples of duos where one is seldom thought of isolated from the other. These proverbial partnerships expand well beyond gastronomy or comedy. The formal or informal agreement between governmental agencies, philanthropic organizations, and educational institutions is not a new concept. We speak of sweetheart deals or win/win contracts. The City of Lighthouse Point, subsequently the library, began a partnership with Norcrest Elementary School in the early 1990s. This arrangement provided the closest public library access to their student population free. In those early days students and teachers supplemented the school library and the curriculum needs from the Lighthouse Point Library. Library staff visited their classrooms, distributed library cards, and presented story times. As schools were newly created and established by the First Presbyterian Church (the Pink Church) and Trinity Learning Center at Trinity United Methodist Church the partnership chain added two new links. Now these schools had nearby public library access to enrich their educational goals. In 2007 with the library's expansion completed "formal" library visits were scheduled each month.

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In 2008 the impact of the virtual library generated an additional expansion of our partnering. Highlands Christian Academy students using their Lighthouse Point Library cards can avail themselves of the database resources from our library and link to the Florida Electronic Library. These multiple databases are not just for students - any Lighthouse Point Library card holder can log-on to research full-text periodicals, view historic postcards and photos of early Florida, investigate medical questions, "Ask a Librarian", link to local, state and federal government resources on a variety of topics. E-government is becoming the standard for applying for social services, renewing of licenses, or requesting a variety of resources. The educational partners are not the only winners in these associations. The library is richly rewarded by the enthusiastic visits of the children (their energy and excitement is contagious), the compilation of reading lists to enhance our collection development; and the distance accessibility numbers as well as in-house circulation are increasing. Partnerships are wonderful, natural blends of education and libraries. We happily say thank you Norcrest, Lighthouse Christian, Trinity Learning Center, and Highlands Christian Academy for your eager collaboration and positive feedback.

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Looking Forward to Four More Years

Hot Off the Grill

Sheriff Al Lamberti Reports

By John Offerdahl (a.k.a. The Gridiron Griller)

Stuffed Inside LineBurger Serves 4 The end of the season is once again upon us and calls for a showstopper to serve at your pre-game tailgate or backyard party. This weekend, I'm bringing back an old favorite that will impress your guests' eyes and delight their stomachs---the ultimate Stuffed Inside Lineburger! As a past Inside Linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, this recipe has special personal meaning. You can assemble it in the morning and refrigerate it until grill time. To serve, just cut it into wedges, bun and all, and add some simple sides like potato salad, pickles and chips. The glaze on the outside of the meat seals in the juices and gives in a delicious, savory flavor. It is symbolic in it's alignment with the NFL (Never Forgotten Lineburger) and you'll have repeat requests next year! And by the way, if you'd like to see the TV version, check it out on the web at www/CBS4.com/Food!! READY: Meat • 2 lbs Ground Chuck or Sirloin • ¾ c Taco Chips, finely crushed (7oz) • 1Egg • 2 T Mustard • ½ t Garlic Salt • ¼ t Pepper Mix & flatten to 11" (bottom) & 9" (top) circles on wax paper. Layer ingredients below on 11" (bottom) circle, with the cheese on both. Stuffed Inside • 8oz Sliced Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (half on top & half on bottom) • 1 Ripe Tomato sliced and seasoned with Lemon Pepper • ½ Red Onion thinly sliced • ½ c Dill or Sweet Pickle sliced • ¼ c Black or Green Olives sliced After ingredients are layered, gently take the top circle and place on top of the bottom circle. Pinch and seal the edges carefully so that the ingredients will stay inside the LineBurger. PREP: Heat the grill to medium temperature 350 degrees and oil the grate well. Baste with ¼ c Melted Butter and 1 T Chili Powder Mix above ingredients and brush the giant burger before placing on the grill and after halftime flip. LETS GRILL! Grill 6-8 minutes on a side, turning and removing with a cookie sheet. The seasoning and fresh ingredients really make it special. You can cut it into wedges, and serve it alone or inside a bun. Potato Salad is a nice complement. The Gridiron Griller says… "There's nothing like getting stuffed by an NFL inside linebacker... then again, wouldn't you rather eat a Stuffed Inside LineBurger instead?"

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What's on Your Plate Today? www.offerdahls.com Lighthouse Point Magazine

The last year has been a monumental year for me both professionally and personally. On November 4, 2008, the citizens of Broward County elected me to continue leading one of the finest public safety agency's in the nation. During the last year we managed to restore public confidence in our agency and although I am proud of what we have accomplished, there is much more work to be done. We are going to get back to the fundamentals of good, tough police work and getting criminals off the streets. We will implement new and modern law enforcement techniques in order to protect the public and to pursue, find and secure criminals. We will protect the most vulnerable in society - our children and the elderly. We will stay on the cutting edge of advanced life support technology in EMS and continue to provide more efficient regional services in fire rescue. We will continue to be open, honest and fiscally responsible to the public we serve. The 6,000 professionals that make up the Broward Sheriff's Office are good, decent people who care deeply about this community. They are here because they want to make life better for you - the citizens of Broward County. Never before has an organization been better prepared, better organized and more motivated to take on that challenge. To the law enforcement and detention deputies, firefighters, paramedics and civilian personnel who serve so bravely with the Broward Sheriff's Office, thank you for your service - I am honored and grateful to serve with you. And to the people of Broward County who make this, our community, such a wonderful place to live, work, visit and raise a family, thank you for your trust, your prayers and for your everyday acts of kindness to the men and women who serve here in America's finest public safety agency - I am proud to be your sheriff. Again, thank you for your support. Sheriff Al Lamberti

Sheriff Al Lamberti

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IDENTITY THEFT

VALENTINE’S DAY: What’s Identity Theft Hav e To Do With It?

Everything! They show up in your e-mail inbox, messages with a subject line that reads, "You have received a Valentine's card" or "Your sweetheart has sent you a Valentine's Day greetDenise Richardson ing." Some may even indicate that, "The flowers you ordered for your sweetie won't be delivered unless you log in and re-enter your credit card information." But look out, Cupid. With February 14th fast approaching, you need to be on the alert for spam e-mails that are anything but romantic! Tens of millions of fake Valentine's Day greeting-card messages will be sent out this Valentine's Day, and it's likely you will receive one. The e-mail will direct you to click on a link to retrieve your special electronic e-card. Beware. When you click on the link, a virus and malicious malware may be triggered to download onto your computer. The spyware that is installed often includes a key-logger program, which tracks the sites you visit while also logging every keystroke you make on your computer. Key-logger software can record user names, passwords, account numbers and personal PIN numbers, too. Ultimately, every key you press on the keyboard is captured. Everything you type into word-processing documents, spreadsheets or e-mail programs is recorded too. These spyware and malware programs typically run without your knowledge and are difficult to detect, and they continue to run in the background until they are detected and removed. If you receive a notice that a greeting card has been sent to you, before you even consider opening on an attachment or clicking on an embedded link, first check with the person it claims to be from and determine whether or not they actually sent it. Under no circumstances should you blindly trust that the card is legitimate simply because the e-mail looks legitimate. If you discover that the e-mail is spam, delete it immediately-without clicking on the links. If you have already received a greeting card message and clicked on its links, there are still steps you can take to protect yourself. First, you should install up-to-date virus protection on your computer and run a full virus scan on your hard drive. If you find that your computer has been infected, you should then place a fraud alert on your credit files with each of the big three credit reporting agencies (Trans Union, Experian and Equifax). You only need to contact one credit bureau and they will alert the other two agencies. Sorry to say, if you want the alert to stay on your accounts, you will need to reset it every three months days. After 90 days, the alert automatically expires. With fraud alerts in place, creditors, lenders, or other prospective users of your consumer report must take steps to verify your identity before they can issue new credit, increase credit lines, and obtain utilities, cell phones or new loans. Most of the time, when someone else is trying to use your identity to get credit, the fraud alert will stop them.

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It's also important to note that often scammers will instruct you to call a provided phone number. Never dial an unsolicited number provided in an unsolicited e-mail, text or voice mail, even if it purports to come from a company you deal with regularly. Instead, take the time to look up the legitimate phone number of the company and call that instead. There are, of course, variations to these types of phishing and spoofing scams. Spoofing scams occur when criminals create a false or "shadow" copy of a real website or e-mail. This allows the "spoofer" to acquire personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and account numbers. Even though the e-mail looks like the real thing-complete with authentic logos and working web links-it's just an elaborate fake. The website where you're instructed to enter your account information into -is also fake. In some instances, really slick spoofers direct you to a genuine website and then arrange a pop up a window to appear over the site. Any information entered, goes straight to the spoofer. Your information will most likely be sold to criminals who'll use it to drain your accounts, ruin your credit and steal you and your sweetheart's name! Follow these tips to prevent having more than your heart stolen this Valentine's Day! • Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail. • Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited email. • Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files as these files may contain viruses. • Open attachments only from known senders. • Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal information. • Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link that you are actually directed to. • Log on to the official website instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited e-mail. • Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify if the e-mail is genuine. • Make sure you have a firewall and up-to-date antivirus software running on your computer at all times. • Update any available Security Patches. You might want to think twice before sending an electronic Valentine's Day Card this year. Remember instead that "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" and guys rarely read through our cards! Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. So, be an alert and informed consumer and always be leery of those attempting to access your personal information. For more information, tips and scam alerts visit my website and blog at GiveMeBackMyCredit.com and feel free to contact me at your convenience!

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We encourage those who can perform magic in their kitchens to submit favorite creations that can be enjoyed by readers of our magazine. To submit your recipe, please email us at: [email protected]. and type “RECIPE” in the subject line.

VALENTINE BROWNIE PIE

VALENTINE DAY LOVE CHICKEN INGREDIENTS: • 1/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped • 1 small apple - peeled, cored and chopped • 2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots • 2 tablespoons raisins • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest • 1 tablespoon orange juice • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace • 2 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil DIRECTIONS: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine the dates, apple, apricots, raisins, orange zest, and orange juice in a small bowl. Season with cayenne pepper, cardamom, and mace; mix well. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Mound the fruit filling on the flattened breasts and roll up, tucking in the ends. Secure the chicken with toothpicks. Heat the vegetable oil in an oven proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts, and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Place in the preheated oven, and continue cooking the chicken breasts until the filling is hot and the juices run clear, 20 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). 2 servings

VALENTINE QUACOMOLE INGREDIENTS: • 3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed • 1 lime, juiced • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 cup diced onion • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro • 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional) Add to Recipe Box DIRECTIONS: In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

WE ALWAYS WELCOME Y OUR FAV ORITE RECIPES PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH Y OUR NEIGHBORS!

Chocolatey to the core, this decadent brownie pie is layered with dense chocolate brownie and luscious chocolate pudding and topped with semisweet chocolate shavings and crushed wafers. You can also use it as a base for brownie sundaes. Ingredients 1 (20 ounce) package chocolate brownie mix with pecans 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix 1 cup milk 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1/4 cup shaved semisweet chocolate, for garnish (optional) Cooking Instructions Make brownies in a 9x13 inch pan according to package directions. Bake and cool. In a small bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Whisk until smooth. Allow to set up 5 minutes, then spread over cooled brownies. Spread whipped topping over pudding layer. Garnish with shaved chocolate and crushed chocolate wafers immediately before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Servings per Recipe: 12 Preparation Time: 20 min. Cooking Time: 25 min. Ready In: 1 hour 15 min. Servings: 12

CHICKEN SESEME SPINACH SALAD INGREDIENTS • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1 (16 ounce) bottle Newman's Own Lighten Up Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs • 6 cups baby spinach, washed, stems removed • 1/2 cup raspberries, washed • 1 ounce feta, crumbled • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place chicken in oven-safe baking dish. Tenderize chicken slightly with mallet or fork. Whisk together Newman's Own Lighten Up Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing, spices, and herbs. Pour over chicken breasts, turning breasts a couple of times. Breasts do not need to be submerged in dressing, but the dressing should fully cover the bottom of baking dish. Bake chicken 45 minutes. Dry spinach leaves in a salad spinner or between two clean dish towels. Combine with raspberries, feta, and nuts in large bowl; toss to mix. Once chicken breasts are fully cooked, remove from oven and rest 3 to 5 minutes. Add small amount of Newman's Own dressing to the salad and toss. Slice chicken into strips and serve over salad.

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LOCAL BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

Pat’s TLC Pet Sitting in your home

Lighthouse Point/Deerfield Resident Since 1970 (954) 421-8757

Barbara Passariello, Licenced Nutritionist

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! PARENTS

IF YOU PREFER THAT WE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR CHILD’S LAST NAME, PLEASE BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!

Hey Kids! Born in March? Send us your photos before February 8th! Include your name & birthdate and Email to: [email protected] and Please type “Lighthouse Point Birthday” in the Subject Line, or mail to: City News Group,

LHP Birthday 3467 17th Terrace • Oakland Park, FL 33309 SEE PHOTOS WORLD-WIDE AT: www.LHPmag.com

H H A A PP PP Y Y B B II R R T T H H D D A A Y Y

Kyle Peets turns 11 on February 26th

Matthew H turned 5 on December 26th

Michael McCoy turned 4 on December 14th

T T O O Y Y O O U U Zachary turns 11 on March 14th

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Chloe and David turn 9 on February 18th www.lhpmag.com

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COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT

B r o w a r d ’s C o u r t h o u s e P r o b l e m : M o r e Ta x e s A r e n ’ t t h e S o l u t i o n

Two years ago I decided I wanted to be your County Commissioner. Why? First and foremost, I felt that the residents of Broward County were being overtaxed. Additionally, I felt that the Broward County Commission needed a new focus. More accurately, I felt that the Commission needed to actually have a focus. Ken Keechl, District 4 In my opinion, too many important issues County Commissioner weren't being adequately addressed. I have previously written about a few of these issues: the need to expand the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale International Airport; the need to reorganize and downsize Broward County's governmental bureaucracy; and the need for an amendment to Broward's land use regulations to promote the protection of our dwindling green spaces. In the past two years since Mayor Ritter and I were elected, the Broward County Commission has finally addressed each of these issues. Many additional issues have yet to be addressed, but will be over the next two years. For example, we are finally addressing another pressing issue that has been ignored for far too long: our outdated courthouse in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Each of the nine Broward County Commissioners agrees that our downtown courthouse is antiquated and in a serious state of disrepair. We have a mold problem. We have bursting water pipes. We have elevators that constantly break down. We have a parking problem. We all agree that action is necessary. However, we don't all agree on the same course of action. A few of my colleagues believe we should build a new downtown

AL’S CORNER

My best to you and your families. Broward County Commissioner and Vice Mayor Ken Keechl www.broward.org/KenKeechl (954) 357-7004

RENEWABLE ENER GIES

From new technologies in renewable energies to energy saving products there is a worldwide effort to reduce our dependency on oil. The utility companies and some local governments are leading the way. Florida Power and Light is building By Al Siefert three solar farms that are predicted to produce enough power to run 230,000 homes when completed. The first should be completed later this year. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte North Carolina, is in the process of developing a $50 million solar project on hundreds of existing rooftops. The plan is scheduled to take two years and cover commercial and industrial roofs. When completed, the program will generate eight megawatts of power and occupy 425 solar sites. Duke Energy has also announced an agreement to sell 99 megawatts of electricity from its new wind farm located in Wyoming. They also have plans to purchase 100 additional wind turbines that will produce an additional 150 megawatts of power. By the end of last year Duke Energy was producing 500 megawatts of power from wind generation. They are in the process of developing another 5,000 MW. Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy in San Diego, has completed a 10 megawatt solar project next to its existing 480 megawatt energy power plant near Bolder City Nevada. This project encompasses 80 acres and is predicted to

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courthouse and ask the voters to pay for it by allowing the County to increase their tax bill. I strongly disagree. I believe we should renovate the existing downtown courthouse, and pay for it with existing funds. In fact, I successfully argued against placing a courthouse bond issue on your March 2009 ballot. I was absolutely convinced that asking Broward's residents to increase their tax bills was a mistake. And to add insult to injury, it would have cost us $3,500,000.00 in property tax dollars to put it on the ballot. Fortunately, sane minds prevailed and the bond issue will not appear on your ballot anytime soon. Instead, we all agreed to support Mayor Ritter's proposal to form a Courthouse Task Force. This Task Force will be given wide latitude to investigate and consider every possibility to remedy our downtown courthouse problem. This Task Force will be headed by Broward County Commissioner Ilene Lieberman and will be comprised of those stakeholders who are involved in the judicial system, along with representatives from within Broward's business community. The Task Force must present its finding and recommendations to the Broward County Commission within 6 months. I have said it before and I will say it again: I will never vote to increase your taxes. In these trying economic times, we must learn to do more with less. My philosophy has prevailed on the Broward County Commission for the last two years. And I will keep advocating my philosophy for the remaining two years of my first term.

Lighthouse Point Magazine

power approximately 6,400 homes Netar, a Massachusetts electric and gas utility company, is planning to help their customers control their heating costs with a high efficiency heating rebate program. They also have a weatherization program that includes programmable thermostats and other Energy Star products that reduce power consumption. Worcester Polytechnic is researching ways to capture the heat from asphalt streets and parking lots as an alternative energy source. Preliminary results are showing that this could be source of renewable energy. There is a similar concept being done in a village in Holland to capture the heat stored in roads and use it in the winter to prevent ice buildup on the roads. The excess energy was also being used to heat homes. New York City is working with a company to retrofit the street lights to LED from High Pressure Sodium. The LED technology will produce a whiter light thereby increasing safety. LED will save on energy by 25-30 % over the High Pressure Sodium and will need less maintenance. By converting the 300,000 existing lights the City should see a huge savings after the upfront costs. Hopefully there will be some financial assistance coming from the Federal Government to help pay for these new technologies and fund the jobs that they will create. For further info, please call Al Siefert Electric (954) 493-9411

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Merchant of the Month EYE SITE VISION CENTER Eye Site Vision Center has been serving Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs for over 11 years. Eye Site's family run and operated centers provide a comfortable atmosphere with a highly trained staff, and state-of-the-art equipment to best evaluate your eyes. They are committed to offering outstanding service to their patients. Eye Site provides unparalleled professional care for your entire family and has one of the best selections of prescription frames and sunglasses in all of south Florida, at the guaranteed lowest price. Taking care of your eye health needs is there priority! The owner, Dr. Gary Goberville grew up in Lighthouse Point and still resides in our community with his wife and two children. Dr. Goberville is a highly trained Board Certified Optometrist. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems in adults and especially children. He attended Tulane University, University of Florida, and received his Doctor of Optometry at the New England School of Optometry in Boston Massachusetts. Dr. Goberville's four-year curriculum included adult ocular health, pediatrics and sports vision correction. Dr. Goberville spent three years working with a pediatric eye surgeon and was also an assistant professor of Pediatrics at Nova Southeastern University. He is past president of the Broward County Optometric Association, and previously a board member. Everyone that comes into Eye Site Vision Center in Lighthouse Point is greeted with a big smile by friendly staff. Maruchi Fraga has been an Optician for over 25 years and is one of the best in the industry. She is ready to help you select the perfect frame and correct lenses to enhance your looks, and ensure the best vision possible, while respecting your budget. By the time you leave, Maruchi will make you feel part of the family. Everyone loves her. Sheila Valentin is the person whom will take care of your administrative needs. She is the insurance specialist and ready to schedule your next appointment. She can answer any questions regarding your insurance, give her a call and she do her best to take care of all your needs. Eye Site Vision has two associate Doctors, Dr. Seechel Patel and Dr. Rhea Kapadia. Dr. Patel has worked with Eye Site Vision Center since graduating in 2006. She graduated in 2006 from Nova Southeastern Optometric School with honors, and focuses on multi-focal and toric contact lens fitting in the prac-

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tice, as well as taking care of your health needs. Dr. Patel is married and has a 14-month-old son. Dr. Rhea Kapadia has been at Eye Site Vision for about a year and a half. She was born in Miami Beach and grew up in South Florida. Dr. Kapadia graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. Her specialty is fitting contact lenses. Above all, she loves providing the utmost quality of care for her patients. Eye Site's Optical Shop sets the trend in selection and high

fashion! They have a phenomenal selection of frames and sunglasses for sports and fashion from Oakley, Adidas, Bolle, and Maui Jim. Their high fashion frames include Dolce Gabbana, Chrome Hearts, Prada, Gold & Wood, Ed Hardy, and so many more. The team at Eye Site Vision is committed to the latest medical diagnostic equipment and state-of-the-art technology. One of best ways to ensure your eyes are healthy is the optomap® Retinal Exam. It is quick and painless, and detects many eye problems. This preventative eye care screening helps diagnosis and treat many eye and non-eye diseases' at an earlier stage, which can save sight and save lives. Eye Site's dedication to the highest quality care and the best results will surpass your expectations. Come see them, you will be glad you did. Eye Site Vision Center has three locations to serve you. Lighthouse Point: 2490 N Federal Highway (954) 943-3779, Coral Springs: 2560 N. University Drive, (954) 344-3937 and the newest location in Boca Raton, 9874 Yamato Road, Bay 120, (561) 479-1411. They offer evening and Saturday hours, and provide 24-hour Emergency care.

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Lighthouse Point Magazine 3467 NW 17 Terrace Oakland Park, FL 33309

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