2009 04 April 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.

NEED FOR TEAMS & CANCER SURVIVORS! Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point Relay For Life Chairpersons Gordon Vatch and Carol Landau invite you to participate in the 25th Annual American Cancer Society May fundraiser event which will be held at Quiet Waters Park on Saturday, May 9th, beginning at 5 p.m. The event celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, and remembers those who have lost their lives to cancancer. Survivors are honored by walking the first lap, and caregivers and other participants walk the subse quent laps. Another touching part of the event haphappens when it gets dark. The track is lined with lumiluminaria bags that have the names of cancer survivors and those who have lost their battle with cancer. It will touch your heart to walk the track with others who have been touched in some way by cancer. Attending a Relay For Life event will change your life forever!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Hi Jon, You out-did yourself on the beautiful and interesting articles you had in the February issue! Thanks for including the boat parade and book information on Elsa. It really looked great to include with the other article on the awards. The book is still in presales, but selling well already. People have run into Elsa locally saying "You're the one in the book coming out soon!", so I know a lot of people read Lighthouse Point Magazine! Kindest Regards, Sharon Textor-Black

Kenneth J. Kerr

KERR, Kenneth J., 50, of Lighthouse Point, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend passed away Friday, February 20, 2009 at Mount Sinai Hospital, Miami Beach. A longtime resident of Lighthouse Point, Ken was born and raised in Hialeah, graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School 1976 and University of Miami 1980 with an Education degree. Ken worked with ReMax Partners of Lighthouse Point, was a member of Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, enjoyed helping the Children's Home Society, sponsored several recovering families post Hurricane Katrina and was a member of several area churches. He loved his nieces and nephews. Ken is survived by his brothers, Michael Kerr of Miami Beach, George and James Kerr and families and cousin William Danton and family, all of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, his nieces and nephews and many loving members of family and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church

COFFEE HOUSE TO OPEN SOON

Daily Grind Coffee House & Café to open soon in the Venetian Isle Shopping Center, offering a full range of fresh gourmet coffees with a difference, a focus on taste and flavor not found in mass-market coffee hous es. Daily Grind is unique, with its fresh-baked pastries, sandwiches and salads prepared to order every day under the watchful and caring eyes of its owners. Specialty teas and natural fruit smoothies are also available. Daily Grind offers the genuine coffee house experience that Lighthouse Point was missing; the opportunity to unwind, for that breakfast break, that healthy lunchtime snack, the stop before the shop, or that evening chill in an atmosphere both relaxed and welcoming. Owners Andrew and Graeme Donald from Scotland, local residents in Lighthouse Point, have extensive food service experience in Europe and the United States and are bringing their special blend of Scottish hospitality to you in South Florida. Daily Grind is their own family business and they will take care of you, just as if you were family. Watch out for the kilted Scotsmen in Venetian Isle and the Lighthouse Point community. They are Daily Grind. They are the Coffee House & Café. They brew the best in Broward County.

“The Biggest Little Magazine in South Florida”

features 10 Panama Canal Fast Changing Landscape

15 Dog Day in Park 4-legged fun!

30 HISC Celebrates Changing of Guard 40 Restaurant Hop

APRIL QUOTE “If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings.” ~Welsh Proverb

From the Editor Has “Medical Care” become an oxymoron? My doctor is holding his clipboard. I’m having my 6month checkup. “Weren’t you scheduled to see the hematologist?” he asks. “I wasn’t aware,” I say. “And besides, my last blood test showed an increase in my normally low platelet count, so I don’t really see the need to revisit the hematologist,” I add. My doctor flips through a few pages on his clipboard. “What about the gastroenterologist?” he asks. “I received flying colors for the colonoscopy,” I say. “When did you see the urologist last? he asks. “I don’t need a urologist,” I answer. My doctor continues flipping through pages on his clipboard. “Looks like it’s been a while since your last EKG,” my doctor says. “I don’t think I really need an EKG,” I tell the doctor. My doctor has not yet checked my vitals yet, and I wonder what his purpose is as a member of the medical profession because I feel as though his main concern is referring me to other doctors for seemingly NO REASON.

During my last visit, I was told that it was time for an xray of my chest. I was called a few days later and asked to come back because it seems there was a spot on my left lung. To make a long story short, the spot on my left lung turned out to be my left nipple, not cancer. Ask yourself if your doctor is prescribing uneccessary xrays and blood tests or EKGs. Ask yourself if there’s been a gradual change in style and substance going on that seems to contradict the hypocratical oath that doctors are supposed to honor and obey. We should stand for nothing less! Hey, you only get one body, so don’t be afraid to question your doctor. And if your doctor doesn’t give you an answer that seems logical...dump him. I’m no guinea pig! You’re no guinea pig! And If you notice your doctor spending more of your check up time being a booking agent by referring you to other doctors, then it’s time for a change before you become over-examined, over-medicated and over-sliced and diced. I’m sure this may not be the case with all doctors, but take absolutely nothing for granted. Jon Frangipane, Editor

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

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contents contents

I Love My Pet

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

NOTICE OUR NEW WEBSITE

IS NOW UP AND RUN NING AND WILL BE FEATURING EXCITING VIDEO ADS AND FREE REGULAR ADS .PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AND CALL US FOR MORE DETAILS. GO TO WWW.LHPMAG.COM

Jet Here I am just another big girl waiting. I am also a Show Dog, companion and a good friend. I live in a highrise at the beach with my mom and dad. My best friend is my mom’s horse named Mo. He’s great! I love long walks on the beach, movies and showing myself off at the dog shows, where I do very well. Im looking for that right man whom I can have the most beautiful babies with. Someday my mom will find him. Until then I will just wait and be Me. 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 PDF or jpeg file to [email protected]. No photos will be returned.

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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PANAMA -

A Gem Between Tw o Seas

EDITOR"S NOTE: Why Panama? That's the question people would ask me. My answer was simple: "It's not too far and it's not too near and I don't like cold weather." A good friend and fellow writer, Joey Naudic, thought it would be a great adventure, so he joined me on the trip last December, 2008. DAY ONE - After a flight delay, Joey and I arrived at the Tocumen International Airport around 4 p.m. Dancers and musicians in colorful white lace costumes greeted us at the entrance. A 30-minute, 30-dollar taxi ride took us into the city proper where we got our first taste of city traffic. I have driven in New York City during rush hour, but this downtown congestion was beyond anything I've ever experienced. And the old model taxis have no air conditioning, so with open windows you had no choice but to ingest the toxic fumes. I used a form of "shallow breathing" I learned in New York traffic. We settled briefly into our beautiful 7th floor apartment, overlooking the Gulf of Panama on the Pacific side. A wonderful South Florida couple rented it to us. They told us that this was the only place in the world where the sun rises out of the Pacific in the morning. "Hmm," I commented. Joey and I refreshed ourselves and quickly headed to the downtown by taxi to get a feel for the city and landed at the Multiplaza Pacific Mall, a huge shopping complex which features high end clothes and other products from around the world. My companion Joey noticed the complete lack of store "sales," a probable indicator that the economy was fairly stable. An array of gigantic, brightly-lit Christmas trees were seen in on all floors. Shopping not being one of our favorite pastimes, we settled into the Parador Restaurant on their outdoor patio and enjoyed some succulent mahi with sounds of a Panamanian trio playing familiar Christmas songs. A strange mix we thought. A trip over to the Continental Riande Hotel and Casino gave us some insight into the international flavor of the clientele. Not too different from Las Vegas, but the rooms did seem smokeless for some reason which was hard to believe. The hotel casinos were all within walking distance, so after exploring a few more night spots we were ready to call it a night. DAY TWO - Our South Florida friends were right; from the balcony the following morning the sun did rise out of the Pacific Ocean (???). Of course, there had to be some trick to this phenomenon. I promised to investigate. Promptly, at nine a.m., Edgar Gomez, who was our prescheduled guide, picked up Joey and I in his late model, airconditioned van. Our plan included points of historical interest, and then Ruins of Noriega Plaza (left) finally the main

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View from our balcony focal point, the Panama Canal. Edgar told us it was best to view the larger ships at the Mira Flores locks in the afternoon, perhaps after 1 p.m. when the large cruise ship usually sail through. Working our way in city traffic through a maze of exhaust-spewing old model cars and trucks was time-consuming and slightly frustrating, but we knew the end result would be well worth the aggravation. Our driver was first taking us to the older, historical section of the city where Manuel Noriega and his henchmen created their dirty work. We parked the van and walked among the architectural treasures to be found on the Plaza Bolivar and Plaza Herrara, including the President's Palace of the Herons and the recently restored National Theater. A group of young dancers posed for us as they headed for the theater. An enterprising old Embera Indian in colorful garb charged me a dollar to take her photo. This cosmopolitan city has a vitality similar to San Francisco, Madrid, Embera Rio de Janeiro, and Hong Kong. They indian say that the "nights are too short" in Panama City, where drinking has become a full-time occupation for many. Residents make the claim that the consumption of alcohol has medical benefits, since it keeps away any mosquitoes that bring malaria. Bartenders are sworn to keep secret the fact that malaria hasn't been a threat in Panama for the past quarter-century. Luckily, Joey and I have had no signs of the disease since returning home.

The Dancers

C

THE RAINFOREST & EXCITING, FAST-GROWING METROPOLIS

Chagras River (left) which feeds into the Panama Canal We reached the Panama Canal. our final destination of the day, at Mira Flores Visitors Center about 1:15 p.m. It is located on the east side of the locks and allows visitors to observe transiting vessels and get a first-hand look at various, mostly all- computerized operations. On our way to the locks, we had an amazing view of the Chagras River that supplies water to the Panama Canal, the only river in the world that empties into both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Celebrity Cruise ship “Infinity” heads to the Pacific Ocean

The locks

Cargo ship enters canal from Pacific Ocean through Gatun Bay

The historical evolution of the region cannot be thoroughly described in these pages, but the numerous efforts by groups of individuals from many countries were involved in this gigantic project, not to mention the great loss of life, before the canal was finally completed in August, 1915. At that time in Washington and San Francisco, plans were being made for tremendous celebrations with President Woodrow Wilson and world leaders in attendance, and to include more than a hundred warships. "The greatest international fleet ever gathered in American waters," were to assemble off Hampton Roads, Virginia on New Year's Day, 1915, then proceed to San Francisco by way of Panama. It was estimated that it would take four days for the entire armada to go through the locks. But there was no to be no pageant. The first ocean-going ship to go through the canal was a lowly cement boat, the Cristobal. There were no luminaries as planned. Ironically, on the same day, Germany would declare war, so the big news of the canal opening was buried in the back pages of all newspapers. Before the age of electronic computers, the operation of the locks would depend on no less than 1,500 electric motors, supplied in great part by the General Electric Company. Ninety motors were used to swing the lock gates and usually four towing locomotives were used to

guide an average size ship, two forward pulling and two aft, holding the ship steady. At no time in the locks would a ship move under its own power. The locomotives, about 30 feet long, were on tracks, weighing forty-three tons with duplicate controls so that they could run in either direction. To lift a 40,000 ton ship twenty-one feet in the lock chamber, one had only to turn a small faucet. The average toll per ship at the present rate is about $10,000, which is about one tenth the cost of sailing eight thousand miles around Cape Horn. The largest toll yet paid for passage through the Panama Canal was the Queen Elizabeth ll at a record $42,077.88. Chief engineer for the Panama Canal project was U.S Major General George Washington Goethals, an American Army officer who supervised construction from 1907 to 1914. Considered on of the seven wonders of the world, the Panama Canal will soon be undergoing a huge new project of widening the canal. The Panama Canal Authority has just signed a loan agreement with representatives from various multilateral and bilateral credit agencies for funding of $2300 million for the expansion of the waterway. Mira Flores locks with towing locamotive in foreground Continues on page 46

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woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof-woof Story & Photos by Jon Frangipane The Blustry winds couldn’t, nor did the nasty little pit bull incident dampen the spirits on Dog Day in the Park at Dan Witt last month. The Soroptimists, dressed in their usual colorful garb, were at the front gate to meet and greet the crowd and sign in the many dog entries. Dogs romped, raced, twirled, jumped, barked, yelped, and then some just stopped to get a good sniff. Gigi & Luca Pet Boutique presented the annual Pet Fashion Show, first prize going to Bianca Drohan of Deerfield Beach showing off pet schnauzers, Iggy, Pumpkin and Trump. Second prize went to Ashley for Walking Pricess and Happy. Third prize went to yorkies Paige and Piper. Doggie look-alike went to Debbie Anzalone with Luca and Luna. Judges for the event were Chip LaMarca, Debra Todd, and Barbara De Ville. Mike Long was Master of Ceremonies.

DOG DAY

I N T H E P A R K

More doggies next page

DOG DAY IN THE PARK Continued from page 15

Can You Benefit from Current Opportunity in Municipal Bonds? Do you own any municipal bonds? If not, you might want to look at them. And right now, these types of bonds may be especially appealing. The interest you receive from municipal bonds is exempt from federal taxes. If you are in one of the upper tax brackets, the tax savings you receive from your municipal bonds may be enough to provide you with a higher yield than you’d typically get from a comparable Treasury or corporate bond. But in recent months, we’ve seen something that rarely occurs: municipal bonds yielding as much as Treasury bonds — even without taking the tax benefits into account. Why? Because an oversupply of municipal bonds on the market has led to lower prices. And when prices drop, yields rise. If municipal bonds are appropriate for your needs, give them some consideration. Member SIPC

954-783-6694

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Robert Friedman AAMS 1827 NE 24th Street Street Lighthouse Point FL 33064

[email protected]

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LHP CHAMBER NETS $31,300 AT THE 5TH ANNUAL “TASTE OF LIGHTHOUSE POINT” The Lighthouse Point Chamber of Commerce had the monthly social-meeting at the beautiful state-of-the-art offices of Dr. Brian Rask on the 14th Street Causeway. Dr. Rask gave a tour of the facility and advised all in attendance of his practice and what differentiates his from many other traditional dental practices. Delicious delectables were provided by Elsa of the Hot Tomatoe. This was the first meeting of members since the 5th Annual Taste of Lighthouse Point in January at the Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club. President Michele Greene kept the crowd in suspense as she conducted the "business" side of the meeting. The Chamber presented a $1000 sponsor- Receiving Membership Plaques, Front row, L to R: Robin Fulling, Susan & ship check to Officer Jon Esposito of the Roger Gingrich, Ruth Spiegal, amd Julie Wheeler. Back row: LHP Chamber LHP Police Department for the upcoming President Michele Greene. Special Olympics our Police Department will participate in, running the Federal Highway corridor on Tuesday April 21, 2009. After the attendees gave self-introductions, Greene thanked all those who attended the Taste for all their great work and whose efforts netted $31,300.00 for the event. As a result, monies will be Mike McLain, Officer John Esposito and donated to the LHP Recreation Renee Sabatini Department for a new visitor/home scoreboard, the Library will be getting 9 new computers for the residents as well as a monthly classes on the how to use the computer, three $2,500 college scholarships for resident high school seniors who will be majoring in, and $2500 to Norcrest Elementary School for supplies in each classroom. For more information on the Chamber, please visit our website @ Stacey Bliss, Barbara Seely Curtis and Wendy Hall www.lhpchamber.com

Dr. Brian Rask

Elsa of Hot Tomatoe catered the meeting

Mary Griffin&Julie Mahfood

Lighthouse Point Magazine welcomes all residents in the surrounding area to send news items, articles and photos that would be of interest to the community www.lhpmag.com

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MASTER CHORALE OF SOUTH FLORIDA

By Jim Filosa

14th, with a lively holiday concert Singing in the Season, presented with the Empire Brass, again at the same venues. After a short break the Chorale is now in rehearsals for what will prove to be a truly exciting continuation of the 2008-2009 Season. On March 15, 2009 the Master Chorale performed Beethoven's Symphony No.9 with the world-renowned Russian National Orchestra under the baton of music icon Itzhak Perlman. This concert will conclude an exciting Festival of the Arts at the Center for the Arts at Mizner Park in Boca Raton. Continuing into April, the Master Chorale will present Made In America, accompanied by the Boca Raton Symphonia, on April 24th at The Pink Church in Lighthouse Point, April 25th in Boca Raton and on April 26th in Miami. The two major works to be presented are Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, sung in Hebrew and Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, sung in latin.

The Master Chorale of South Florida is comprised of the finest classical singers in Broward, Miami/Dade and Palm Beach Counties. The MCSF began its Sixth Season on August 1, 2008, under the baton of newly appointed Artistic Director/Conductor, Dr. Joshua Habermann. Among his many accomplishments, Dr.. Habermann has served for the past 12 years as Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and Director of Choral Activities at San Francisco State University. Dr. Habermann has also been named Director of Choral Studies at the University of Miami and was recently appointed the Music Director of the prestigious Santa Fe Desert Chorale. On November 14, 15 and 16th 2008, The Master Chorale, with the Boca Raton Symphonia and bass Donnie Ray Albert, tenor Glenn Siebert, mezzo Hannah Sharene Penn and soprano Angela Cadelago, presented Mendelssohn's Elijah at venues in Pompano Beach (The Pink Church, Lighthouse Point), Miami, and Boca Raton, For exact times and ticket information, please visit the MCSF website at info@masterchoraleofsouthflorito rave reviews. The season continued on December 12th, 13th, and da.org

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B U Y I N G P R O P E R T Y AT A U C T I O N ? W H AT Y O U N E E D T O K N O W Prior to attending an auction, potential buyers should try to find out as much as possible about specific properties they are interested in. While most real estate auctions allow prospective buyers some inspection rights, direct contact with the administrator of the auction is frequently needed to arrange personal inspections. Be sure to check the features, location and condition of the property. Attempt to discern the current market value of the property by looking at sales of comparable properties in the same area. Arriving at an auction well prepared will help you determine your bid price and even help you decide whether to bid on a specific property at all. Anatomy of a Real Estate Auction A property is put up for sale through an auction format for any number of reasons - a foreclosure action, a tax deed application, a court-ordered sale, provisions in a contract, a divorce resolution, a provision to satisfy the needs of an estate, a dissolution of a partnership or trust or because the owner chooses the auction as a means to quickly dispose of the property. Real estate auctioneers employ a variety of auction formats and bidding procedures: • An absolute auction is an auction in which the property is sold to the highest bidder, regardless of how low that bid might be. • A reserve auction also referred to as a minimum bid auction, sets a pre-determined minimum bid amount prior to the start of the auction. • A subject to owner withdrawal auction allows the seller to bid on the property for himself or herself or to withdraw the property from

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the auction outright if he or she does not like the amount of money bid. • A silent or sealed bid auction allows bids to be made in advance and submitted for review. Scott Lanza In the case of a foreclosure or other courtordered sale, state laws generally establish a period of time over which the property must be advertised prior to the sale. This serves several different goals. The most important is to give ample notice to draw prospective buyers. The other main reason for such announcement of the auction is to give all interested parties sufficient time to react to protect their interests. Once you understand how the auction works, you need to ask yourself: Is this for me? It can be fun to bid, but it can be costly. Never bid because you get caught up in the fever of the moment. Some auctions can be very intimidating. It's a good idea to go to a few as a spectator, so you get used to the speed of the bidding and terminology used. There will always be a degree of risk when buying a home this way, but with a little due diligence, potential homebuyers could save a lot of money buying in this manner. Excerpted, in part, from The Real Estate Investor's Answer Book by Jack Cummings, a McGraw-Hill publication.

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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BUSINESS FORUM CELEBRATES 31 YEARS A Professional Networking Organization Formed by five local professionals in the spring of 1978, The Business Forum met the first time for breakfast at the Howard Johnson’s restaurant that used to be on the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and U.S. One in Pompano Beach. The idea was that if local business owners, each in a different business, met weekly they could effectively promote each other’s businesses and build a strong foundation of trust amongst the members. Based upon the trust developed, the members could refer business to each other and all mutually profit by the endeavor. After thirty-one years, the Business Forum, with over thirty-five active members, is a business networking success. The concept of continuing contact, camaraderie, and trust has meant great profit for its members. Based upon the organizations records, over one hundred business leads are generated by the members every month, and over eighty percent of those leads turned into referrals actually received by the members. It proves that a great networking organization is the best value in advertising. Hosting a gala affair and sumptuous dinner at Palm-aire Country Club in Pompano Beach, the Business Forum recently installed its new officers and board of directors for this, its thirty-first year. The President is Robert Heyman of Triple Crown Property Management, Vice President is Carlos Arenas of Amphion Communications, treasurer is Ellen Peoples of Peoples Title Insurance, and secretary is Jeanette Eschenbrenner of Flowers by Jet. Directors are Kathleen

L to R: Bob Heyman, Ellen Peoples, Jeannette Eschenbrenner and Carlos Arenas

Doyle of G & K Marketing, Marilyn Constantine of Cleaning Done Right, Kenton Hajdic of Oasis Lawn & Landscaping, Randall Richards of Cypress Insurance Group, and Dr. José Orta of Mind By and Spirit Chiropractic. The Business Forum meets every Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Palms dining room located at Palm-aire Country Club. For more information go to: MyBusinessForum.com

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AS I WAS SAYING

Bread Winner

"Bread is dead," the headline screamed. The shock of it caused me to cough violently, launching a chunk of partiallychewed Pepperidge Farm Honey Wheat on a short and tragic flight to the floor below. There must be some mistake, I thought, my mind desperately searching for a logical explanation to reports of a loafless world. Life without bread would be unthinkable, unbearable, not to mention hard-to-swallow. The room started to feel small and stuffy as my fingers fumbled with the paper, searching for better news on another page. "Bread Sales Grow Stale," read a second bombshell headline. "Anti-Carb Crusade Buries Bread," declared another obituary-style story. The devastating news hit me in the face like a Chicago hard roll in a hurricane. The demise of bread was a crummy prospect indeed. Take away bread and, in my view, you risk the collapse of civilization itself. Remove bread from the equation and you usher in an irreversible breakdown of the very fiber of existence. And for what? The chance to lose 15 pounds in six weeks so you can gain 30 six months later? People of Planet Earth, I implore you. Is this how you want it all to end - not with a bun, but a whimper? My life had been a journey driven and nurtured by bread, a quest enriched by bread as a daily symbol of sustenance and stability. Bread, in all its glorious varieties added to me, defined me, made me more than I would otherwise be. I lived for bread, and my life is a testimony to bread's splendor. Feeding Young Minds. Studies have shown that empty stomachs lead to poor concentration and a harder time learning in school. What studies have not confirmed, but what my personal experience proves without a doubt, is that getting the nutrition kids need to learn, grow and succeed every day in school is greatly enhanced by eating a seedless Kaiser roll with breakfast. I'm absolutely certain of this due to the dramatic improvement in my grades from the time my father started bringing seedless Kaisers home with the paper in the morning. Before the Kaisers, I was flunking math and scrapping by in geography. After the Kaisers, my math grades soared to solid "B's," and my grasp of geography impressed my teacher enough to write on my report card "Alan thinks globally, acts locally, and smells of cream cheese."

The Battle for the Biscuit. For as far back as I can remember, Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday. No cards, no gifts, just say "grace" and begin the gluttony. While my mother would awake at some absurdly early hour to prepare a feast that would make a pilgrim weep with gratitude, my two brothers and I were interested in only one thing. The biscuits. When loading our plates with food, we each left ample room for the flaky golden delicacies, begrudgingly adhering to the one-at-a-time rule my parents had established after the "Biscuit Blitzkrieg of '81." On that infamous Thanksgiving Day, 90 percent of the biscuits landed in two of the five mouths at the table, and the battle for the last biscuit was fierce and vindictive. I can still hear my mother say, "there, now neither of you gets it," as she extracted it from the combined clutches of my brother Bob and I and devoured it in two lusty, unladylike bites. A Loaf of Bread, A Jug of Wine. When I got married, my relationship with bread achieved even greater significance, as the preparation of meals took on a new prominence in my life. Conversations like the following became a daily ritual. Me: "Any thoughts on dinner tonight?" My Wife: "How about grilled cheese?" Me: "What kind of bread should we use?" My Wife: "The Publix Sour Dough Plus Five grills up good." Me: "True. But their Country Rye is a larger loaf size and holds the melted cheese in place better." My Wife: "What about the sauerkraut rye we used to get? Me: "That was at Winn-Dixie, and they stopped making it. I've been boycotting them ever since, which explains their recent downsizing." My Wife: "Then just pick out what looks good to you at Publix and surprise me. This, of course, was music to my ears, as visions of a steaming loaf of Basil Parmesan Sun-Dried Tomato Foccacia stirred my expectations for a night of hot buttered bliss. Call me a fanatic, but for those who claim that bread's final expiration date is here, I strongly disagree. Bread is not dead. Bread will rise again. Bread is reborn! Crust is King! Long live bread! Now are you going to back away from that last biscuit or are we going to have a problem here? Copyright 2008 Alan Williamson

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The Garden Lady Says... The Garden Lady Says... ETERNALLY YOURS By Donna Torrey The Spring holidays are here and with them the focus on bulb plants. Grocery stores are brimming with daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, and Easter lilies. Perhaps the reason for bulbs being popular for the Easter holiday is that they so aptly describe rebirth, and rejuvenation. Bulbs by their very nature, are a storage vessel for the next year's growth, with everything the plant will need for another season of bloom inside of itself, buried deep below the surface of the soil. It is a marvel of nature, and a symbol of resurrection. However, most of the bulbs that you see will not have everlasting life in South Florida, which really spoils the effect for me! All of the grocery variety blooming bulbs need an extended freeze period in order to bloom again. All that is, except the Easter lily. In fact, most of the bulbs sold are not appropriate for zone 10. Lilium longiflorum, or Trumpet Lily, is one of the few lilies that will thrive in our climate. If you purchase one or receive one as a gift, don't throw it out after blooming. These can be planted in the perennial bed, where there is partial to full sun, decent soil and average moisture with good drainage. They are reliable bloomers here, so don't waste them, although they may not bloom right on Easter!

After blooming, all bulbs should be allowed to die back naturally, which means that you will have to tolerate some yellowing foliage, and untidiness. So, it is best to place your deciduous bulbs in an area where they are surrounded by other things that will pick up where they left off and camouflage them during the die back period. Try some other bulbs that do very well here, including the orchid-like Gloriosa lily, which is actually a vine; the Rain lilies, many kinds and colors are available, and the foliage is green year round, much like liriope (which is a bulb in the lily family, but doesn't flower here; not cold enough!), Blood Lily, and the spectacular Amaryllis. These bulbs will come back year after year, a gentle and beautiful reminder of our eternal souls. Garden Gate Nursery is located in the Pompano Citi Centre. Donna can be reached at 954-793-1199, or at www.donnasgardengate.com

Beauty Spot of the Month

Congratulations to Peter and Mary Foglia of 2741 ne 39th Court, winners of the Lighthouse Point Community’s Beauty Spot of the Month Award for March. Chosen by LHP Beautification Committee.

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THE ANNUAL HISC CHANGE OF COMMAND

By Lona Harris Photos by Vern Rasmussen The Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club held their Annual Change of Command ceremony at the Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club. Outgoing Commandore Julie Tice welcomed the new Commandor Sully Sullivan and passed over the helm after a most outstanding year of tireless dedication in building a phenomenally successful club. Committee members were duly recognized for their volunteer efforts throughout the year. Club members enjoyed an evening of fine food and dancing.

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High Tea at Camp Tor ture Story & Photos by Carlos M. Arenas "DON'T GO! This is an ‘exclusive’ event, for only those Scouts who have what it takes. Not everyone will qualify. Some will have to sit this one out at home - too tortuous for them. For those that feel they have what it takes— well, we'll have to find out." This was the invitation delivered to the scouts of Troop 238 in Lighthouse Point to our annual Big Cypress Preserve hike. But, what really does it take? For starters each 12-14 year old scout has to prepare his own backpack with everything he needs for 2 days and carry it (25-30lb) 3.5 miles into the wilderness, get mercilessly bitten by insects, sleep in the floor, make your own food and be wet most of the time. Ask any youngster to do this and the likely answer will be: Are you talking to me? Well, these boys are not your typical breed, at least not in some aspects. The idea behind the Boy Scout program in general and Troop 238 in particular is to make them "physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight" and that has been the big success of scouting in Lighthouse Point. The Cub Scouts program, led by Fernanda Mc Cosh as Cub Master of Pack 238 (boys 7-11, www.cubs238.com) and the Boy Scouts program, led by Steve Zimmerman as Scout Master of Troop 238 (boys 11-18 www.scouts238.com) is consistently forging upstanding men out of boys. I have seen them blossoming into critical, prepared, self reliant and morally upright citizens. Many of them go from: No way I can do that! to a resounding: Wow, I did it! They also go beyond the effort of doing it yourself, by giving a helping hand to the new members. Truly amazing. And it all happens because involved adults get away from their comfort zone and disregard their differences in favor of a common goal. None of the leaders is a professional scouter and many run their own business; it's an entirely volunteer affair. We are very lucky to have the committed support of the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Father Bryce and his team have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed and at home. We are also fortunate to count on many local businesses and the Lighthouse Point/Pompano Exchange Club as sponsors, helping with the money needed for equipment and some activities like the Summer Camp. Back to Camp Torture: On Sept 27 0600, sleepy-eyed scouts and leaders (many of these relying on steaming cups of coffee), reunited at the parking lot and started distributing the food and troop equipment. After the youth leaders got their act together (the adults kept our arms crossed. THEY run the activities), we headed to Alligator Alley. Upon arriving at the Florida Trail entrance, everyone mounted up and started the hike. One mile of walking on the dirty Noble Road took us to our detour for Camp Torture. At this point,, the boys had to follow the blue blazes, since the trail is not obvious at all. Wading through water flowing South to the Everglades from Lake Okeechobee was an interesting experience for our new scouts. One year ago the boys spotted what appeared to be a Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin and did the sensible thing: retreat without disturbing the viper. Was the hike tortuous? Absolutely! But these boys are strong and persistent and they helped each other to get to Camp Torture, which you can find in Google

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Earth at 26°10'52.69"N 81°3'40.50"W. There are 2 photos there from our trip. Camp setup and a meal followed and at 4PM tea was served in memory of Lord Robert BadenPowell who started the scout movement in the Brownsea Island in August 1st 1907. Training for proper and safe handling of knives and axes followed. Some of the boys spent time building a fort and the Poi Poi tribe performed a great ceremony during the campfire. Sunday morning is always important since it's the opportunity to have our "Scouts Own" a nondenominational religious service catering to feed our spirits and be thankful for a wonderful experience. On our way back we had extremely close encounters with either Africanized bees or yellow jackets. One of our leaders took 19 stings; a clear reminder of how important is to have a wellthought and comprehensive first aid kit and that training is paramount. It's all about "being prepared.” Troop 238 is more than one year old and a big success thanks to the efforts and sound leadership of Steve Z. Building on that success, some leaders and parents of our community are engaged in starting a Sea Scout unit called a ship instead of a troop. Sea Scouting had its beginning at a campfire in England when BadenPowell voiced the hope that older Scouts would be interested in learning about boat management and seamanship. It offers the opportunity to experience sailing, boat-handling, scuba-diving, oceanography, navigation and other water-related activities. It is a coed outdoor program for young adults

14 - 20 years old and their adult advisers. Part of the success of the troop has been the concept of "going back to the principles," making it, arguably, the only traditional scouting troop in South Florida. Similar principles should apply to the ship. Learning the very basics will make our youngsters more self-reliant and capable. Activities will be planned in a way to minimize conflict with troop activities so the boys can participate in both. Many community members have offered help with resources. What seemed to be the largest hurdle: where to keep the boat will be solved in the near future, as Dr. Marc Gannon of Lighthouse Point has graciously offered the use of his dock, once he frees it up from his current vessel. We thank Dr. Gannon because this will be a great boost for our organization. Please check our (work in progress) website: www.ship238.com. You may fill out a form to be kept informed on progress of the ship and pre-register if you want to participate. You can also call me at my office at 954-782-8668. Yours in scouting, Carlos M Arenas, Asst. Scoutmaster Troop 238 Office: 954-782-8668 Fax 954-301-0106 email: [email protected] website: www.scouts238.com America is returning to the values Scouting never left

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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

1930 NE 34th Court • Pompano Beach, FL PEDIATRIC DENTISTS

Dr. Robert Stephens Dr. James Bennett Dr. Lauren Governale “SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA FOR OVER 35YEARS” (SATURDAY HOURS AVAILABLE)

Email: [email protected] Website: www.sfldco.com

954-781-1855

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DOCKSIDE GALLEY GRILLE ANNUAL BASH Restaurant’s popularity grows each year There wasn’t much room to navigate during the yearly customer appreciation party at the Dockside Galley Grille last month. That’s because great samples of Mike Kidrow’s culinary magic put a smile on everyone’s face and no one left without having seconds. Maybe the restaurant is a little out of the way, but the loyal customer base seems to grow each year. The setting on the water is a perfect place to get away from the city’s hectic pace.

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PETRONES HONOR CLAIRE SYLVIA By Jon Frangipane Claire Sylvia is a regular customer at the Red Fox Diner. Owner Lou Petrone was so impressed with this lovely lady that he and wife Patty held a spectacular party for her at their home last month. What makes Claire Sylvia so special? She is a most pleasant, goodlooking, well-groomed lady, unassuming in nature, with a great interest in other people. But the most extraodinary fact is that Claire is a survivor of multiple organ transplants. The Petrone’s have been involved in many charitable events in the community and at the Red Fox Diner since opening a few years ago. Their generosity in giving a helping hand to those in need is highly appreciated and respected. Their daughter, Shawna, visiting from Chicago, keep the crowd entertained with her smooth vocal renditions. Thank you to the Petrones for your kindness! Look for the Claire Sylvia story in our May issue!

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MONA LISA A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR 80 YEARS Coal-fired Ovens bring out the flavors of Sunny Italy Story by Linda Kaufman "Mona Lisa," the two-month-old gem of a restaurant in Deerfield Beach is getting known quickly by word of mouth. It's the kind of restaurant that you want to tell all your closest friends about because you know that you have found one special place. Located just off of A1A and Hillsboro Boulevard, "Mona Lisa" is perfectly situated for all the walk-in beach traffic. Upon entering the black tiled restaurant with matching booths, with red and white gingham half curtains at the front entrance, you will notice the numerous photographs of infamous mobsters such as Al Capone, John Gotti, and Carlo Gambino. White rosaries hang over Gotti and Gambino's pictures as if to cleanse their souls. The brickwork on the left wall stretches towards the center where a gigantic pizza hearth blazes. Blue mosaic tiles add color to the far wall, below which stands a top of the line commercial coffee maker that you would find in Italy. There is outdoor seating to watch the pedestrian traffic and to listen to Italian music on weekends. Steven and Theresa launched Mona Lisa after having been retired from their life long restaurant business. Steven's family started the original "Mona Lisa" of Brooklyn, New York over 80 yeas ago. The restaurant was a fixture in New York, built on the reputation of using only the freshest ingredients and the same recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation from Sicily. When Steven was seventeen, he decided to go off on his own and opened up his own bakery and restaurant with Theresa after securing a loan from Theresa's family. They devoted all their time and youth to the restaurant that fortunately allowed them to retire at a young age. Then after 9/11, Steven moved his family and his in-laws to Florida and found homes near each other in Lighthouse Point. Using the same family recipes, the pizza is made with water from New York that gets trailered down every couple of weeks. "We're fanatical with the pizza." says Stephen. "We do it the right way." All the pizzas are prepared "well done" with a thin crust. You can choose between a traditional Margarita pizza of plum tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, imported pecorino romano cheese, olive oil and basil and Bianco pies which is of the same ingredients with ricotta cheese but without the tomatoes. Various cheese, vegetables, and meat toppings can be selected for either type of pizza in personal or family size. I was never much of a pizza lover but after having tasted the Bianco pie with pesto and kalamata olives, I am now a pizza convert! Ciabatta Bread Sandwich

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P h o t o s b y J o n F r a n g i pa n e

Antipasto

Roasted Peppers

Chicken Wings

Sausage and Brocalli Rabe

Cases of tomatoes are ripened, seeds removed, then manually ground with a tomato grinder. Canned tomatoes are never used! You can absolutely taste the difference when only fresh ingredients are used. Even the mozzarellas are homemade, which are delicious in the "Caprese Salad" with vine ripe tomatoes, aged balsamic vinegar, basil and olive oil. ($6.75) The appetizers are Teresa shows New York generous in portion. Times Cheese Cake Award "The Italian wings" which are oven roasted wings marinated in olive oil, red wine and rosemary ($9.95) have a nice flavor to them. I loved the coal oven roasted red peppers ($9.95) which were fresh tasting and slightly sweet. The Italian sausage in the "broccoli rabe and sausage" ($9.95) had an interesting, spicy taste that complimented the garlic and cracked red pepper infused broccoli cousin. If you're not up to having pizza, you will not be disappointed with the traditional Italian sandwiches that are made with fresh homemade ciabatta bread. I tried the prosciutto mozzarella and arugula sandwich ($10.50) which reminded me of the sandwiches in Italy-fresh, delicious and addictive. (I actually came back to take out the same sandwich a few days later!) You can select pesto or sundried tomato spread to compliment your sandwich. There are various different sandwiches to choose from: prosciutto and provolone, grilled chicken mozzarella and arugula, sweet capicolla, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and sundried tomatoes, or turkey breast, provolone, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce to Dessert Tray name a few. All the sandwiches are huge and priced at $10.50. The best part of the meal was the desserts of course. You can drop in to just have a cup of cappuccino and pastry that are just heavenly. The coffee beans are roasted right here on the premise. The pastries are like no other. The New York Times voted Mona Lisa to have the best cheesecake. Soft and creamy, sweet yet not overly sweet, it's simply divine! The lobster tail is a light, slightly crispy pastry filled with French cream or canola cream. I tried it with the French cream and it's an unforgettable experience with a cup of cappuccino. It's as if you died *This article was written for promotional purposes

and went to heaven! The napoleon, tiramisu, éclair, and canola are out of this world too! Most of these pastries are staples at Mona Lisa but it really depends on the bakers' mood as to what will appear for all the sweet tooth's out there. Therefore, there is no set dessert menu. Steven has purchased an apartment in Deerfield PIzza Man Beach to house the three bakers who descend from the New York operation for a three to four month rotation. In fact, Mona Lisa of Brooklyn is well known for their pastries and cakes. They have been shipping their pastries nationwide. Influential people of New York such as Bloomberg, Giuliani, and Steinbrenner have been ordering cakes from Mona Lisa over the years. Numerous Margarita Pizza (top) awards have been Pesto Pizza (bottom) awarded from Italy to New York for their desserts. Steven and Theresa are usually around to cater to the customers. Steven, an imposing Italian with a Brooklyn accent is a no nonsense kind of guy who is funny without meaning to be funny. He tells it like it is without any embellishment. When I asked him what time they close the restaurant, he said, "When I get tired, I throw everyone out.. I shut the lights, put up the heat… but they don't want to leave!" Theresa is a petite, attractive Italian with dark hair and eyes who still looks at Steven with an endearing look. They knew each other since they were twelve and thirteen years old and have been together ever since. "I came up the hard way… I've been doing this for many many years.. the old way, the right way. .. without a franchise… we're good at what we do. " Steven said matter-of- factly. "I don't do this for money! I do it because I love it. I love the people and making people happy."

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Mona Lisa is located at 2009 NE 2nd Street in Deerfield Beach. Call 954-420-5644 Lighthouse Point Magazine

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PANAMA - A Quic k-Changing Landscape Continued from page 11 DAY THREE - At nine a.m. Edgar Gomez picked us up and we headed for the Gamboa Rainforest over an hour away along extremely bad roadways covered with huge, deep ruts that in most cases were unavoidable. To call these 'potholes' would be being too kind. Our driver said that the conditions were caused by the hundreds of cement trucks that travel the area in the name of "progress." Apparently, the government's last concern is fixing the roads. Friend Joey kept hitting his head on the tour car roof and bouncing around the backseat. He kept saying, "My poor back can't take this!" We finally pulled up to a lakeside reservation in Gamboa where hollowed-out canoes were lined up along the shore and indians from the Embera Tribe were waiting for us. We were led to the canoes which were about 20 feet long with one Indian standing at the helm and one sitting in the stern section to steer the craft, climbed aboard and headed up the Chagres River, the same river that feeds into the Panama Canal. The 15-minute trip up the pristine body of water took us to a beautiful, scenic waterfall. A few tourists took a short swim in the emerald-colored pools of sparkling water. As expected, questions regarding alligators, snakes, spiders and monkeys were a big part of conversation as we once again boarded our canoe and headed for the Embera Indian Reservation, another 15-minute trip up stream. We were greeted Embera natives greet your editor by many smiling female and young Indians as we stepped from the boat. Upon noticing a shirtless female Embera Indian, friend Joey said, "I think I remember seeing her in the National Geographic." I didn't reply. The Embera Indian Chief had died a few days before, so we were informed there would be no tribal dance that day, but a tribal leader would describe how their arts and crafts were made. The presenta-

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tion was made in a rather large open thatched hall built 6 feet above the ground with a floor of palm leaves. The Embera speak their own language, but are also fluent in Spanish. The villagers set up tables of their handicrafts and offer them for sale. Most crafts ranged from a few dollars to possibly $100. The wood carvings and woven bowls can cost as much as $600, and plates are amazing! Each family has their own table, and whatever they sell, they keep. I couldn't resist a monkey carving. The Embera rely on the sale of their crafts for their existence. Their lives are very simple by American standards, but they seem to be fairly happy. This was a great day to spend immersed in an ancient culture — and to glance at beautiful baskets, shaman masks, and wood carvings directly from the jungle people who created them. After the demonstration, we had a nice meal of fried fish and patacones. It was actually quite tasty. We found the experience exhilarating in this pleasant little village. A last goodbye to our Indian friends, and we canoed back to our starting point, remembering that we had to look forward to an unpleasant, bumpy ride back to Panama City.

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Edgar Gomez & family

DAY FOUR - A Christmas Parade was scheduled downtown and I wanted to get some photos for additional local color from the city dwellers. The sun was intensely hot, so I prepared myself by spreading on a thick coat of #50 SPF sun block lotion, and wearing a sun-resistant, long sleeve white shirt and baseball cap, forgetting On Parade that I was in Panama, not South Florida. A 3-hour session was all I needed to develop a serious burn that took over 3 weeks to disappear. Panama sun is Africa hot! Religious floats were prominently featured in the parade, but Panama's love for parading a Mister M&M candy replica was clearly evident. And Santa Claus was merely a plastic replica that appeared sad and joyless. Many floats looked as though they had been used and certainly abused for many years, and not one big sigh or any oohs and ahhs could be heard from the crowd. It appeared to be just an annual parade you went to out of habit with little excitement generated by any passing float. I just realized that I'm sounding like a typically spoiled American who grew up watching the huge, spectacular Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I had taken enough Beauty Queens photos, and the sunburn on my chest was beginning to burn badly. We were both more than ready for dinner and an early night back at the apartment. DAY FIVE - Edgar was invaluable in helping bring the events of Panama’s past and present together. Joey and I found the whole experience entriguing, especially upon learning that everyone from Donald Trump to the Chinese American ExPats goverment wants a piece of the action. Yes, Panama will always remain as a critical world hub between North and South America. Later this day, Edgar drove to an elementary school where he picked up his wife, a part-time teacher, and their two children. We then proceeded to their home on the edge of the Gamboa Rainforest on that same old, bumpy road. And again, Joey bounced around in the back seat for what seemed like an eternity. Our last night was spent at a party-like gathering of American ExPats, or U.S. Citizens who have now either moved to Panama full time, or spend a good part of each year in Panama. As far as we could determine, they all seemed happy with their decisions. The meetings are well organized and certainly a great support system for those starting a new life in a far away country. Panamanian musician

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Joey chats with Ronald

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TA X C R E D I T F O R H O M E B U Y E R S

MORTGAGE NEWS

Mary Griffin

By the time this article runs you will have heard much about The Stimulus Package. As I wrote this at the end of February it had just been signed into law so most of the information had yet to be interpreted and most of the "how to implement it" had not been worked out. One part of the package that is very clear from the start though is a modification of the $7,500 First-time homebuyer credit that had already been in effect as part of the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008.

The new tax credit is this: First-time homebuyers who purchase homes from January 1st, 2009 until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit, whichever is less. Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years. Basically, the biggest difference in this new version of the tax credit versus the old one is you don't have to pay it back if you own your new home for at least 3 years. The tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000.

Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction It's important to remember that the $8,000 tax credit is just that… a tax credit. The benefit of a tax credit is that it's a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a deduction that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a homebuyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, they would owe nothing.

LEGAL MATTERS

Homes that Qualify The tax credit is applicable to any home that will be used as a principle residence. Based on that guideline, qualifying homes include single-family detached homes, as well as attached homes such as townhouses and condominiums. 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

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HO W T O HIRE A L AWYER

By Kim Douglas Sherman, Esq. If you want to get the most lawyering for your money, read on. Your first step should be to identify your problem and legal needs. Do you need a will? Does someone owe you money? Maybe the company you hired will not finish the job? Make a list of your questions and prepare to get some answers. You should be looking for a lawyer with local knowledge, who knows the judges, experts, and the way it gets done where you need it done. Your best source of referrals is your friends or business associates-people whose opinions you trust. Check with the county bar association for a professional referral network. If all else fails look in the telephone directory under the area of specialty that you need. When you call the lawyer for an appointment, you should feel welcomed. Ask if there will be an initial consultation fee. When you meet with the lawyer ask him or her to tell you what are their qualifications to do your job. Read the lawyer your list of questions and ask for answers. Ask the lawyer to evaluate your position. What is the downside risk and maximum cost? If you win what is the chance of getting paid? Ask the lawyer to be candid-is it worth hiring him or her?

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Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability. For example, if a homebuyer is liable for $4,000 in income tax, he can offset that $4,000 with half of the tax credit… and still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

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You may want to ask the lawyer to put his or her opinions into writing. When it is time to talk about legal fees make sure that you know all the terms and add some important ones of your own. Make sure the agreement is in writing and that you have received a copy. Ask if the lawyer will put a "cap" upon the fee or set a fixed fee. If the charges are on a time basis, ask what the minimum billing time unit will be-- will the charges be by the tenth of the hour or greater? Make sure that you know which lawyer will be performing your work. Have the lawyer commit to give you copies of all documents received and sent out regarding your case. Tell the lawyer that you will not tolerate churning, that is billing for lawyers in the same firm to talk to each other or their para-legals about your case. Insist that you want regular billing on a monthly basis that specifies the services rendered and the specific time charged for each service. Get one last promise from your new lawyer. Make him or her promise to call you back within the same day that you call or before the end of the very next day. Now you have a firm basis upon which to build a satisfactory relationship with your lawyer. GOOD LUCK! For further info: Sherman Law Offices 954-489-9500

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Over 90 Luncheon Held at St. Paul’s 4th Annual St. Paul’s Women’s Club Event For the fourth year in a row the Saint Paul's Women's Club hosted an “Over 90s Luncheon" on February 26, 2009. Invitees included all parishioners age 90 and over. As the older generation grows even older, we marvel, not only at the mental acuity of these folks, but there physical appearance, as well. A perfect example is Rose Jonan, born on January 3rd, 1906 and oldest of the group at 103 years old who says, “God was good to me.” She says she loves to pray and does so three times a day by watching TV station WBTN. By all appearances, praying is a good thing. Her husband John died twelve years ago. They had been married 58 years. On this day, Harry Volpe and Caroline Scialo sat next to each other to learn that they are both from Bari, Italy. Also somewhat interesting is that Edwin Smith, Dorothy Gurzynski and Marie McGill were all born in November of 1919. Amazing to think after 90 years they would all end up together at a luncheon in Florida. Those over 90 guests included: Joseph M. Biviano, 93; Ethel Bochetto. 94; Emma Francem, 93; Elmer Grade, 95; Dorothy Gurzynski 90; Sylvia Hagmaier, 91, Jean Hajdic, 91; Virginia Hanley, 94; Rose Jonan, 103; Catherine Lemerise, 91; Ann Martin, 94; Marie McGill, 90; Lucy McKie, 98; John Millette, 94;

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Caroline Scialo, 91; Edwin Smith, 90; Francis M. Smith, 94; Harry Volpe, 95; Each year the guests at the luncheon are given a vase with a lovely flower to take home with them. The Women's Club would like to acknowledge with thanks the generosity of the Lighthouse Point Florist which graciously provided Rose Jonan, 103 years old, enjoys and arranged the annual luncheon flowers for the guests free of charge for the second year in a row. The planning and preparation for the luncheon was carried out by President, Diana Marcinka and Board Members, Cathie Desjean, Rosa Barros, Betty Arcella and Carolyn Bergamini. On hand to greet the special guests and serve the delicious lucheon were Women's Club members, Judy O'Hara, Kathi Danes, Ann Hutchinson, Bea Nieds, Betty Krupa, and Marie Puleo.

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DEERFIELD ANIMAL HOSPITAL is pleased to announce

WE ARE MOVING! Our ne w home will be at

ACACIA ANIMAL HOSPITAL (Just 1 mile south on Federal Highway)

4771 North Federal Highway Pompano Beach, FL 33064 954-942-5955

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FULL SERVICE VETERINARY CARE EMERGENCY SERVICE BOARDING & GR OOMING

Providing our clients with the highest standards of veterinary care, outstanding client service, and friendly smiling faces for over 35 years! www.AcaciaAnimalHospital.com

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SKIN CARE

What's Ne w & Exciting in 2009? Let's Talk Latisse

By Melanie S. Hecker, MD, MBA A New Innovation in eyelashes Latisse™ solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker, and darker. Eyelash hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes. Latisse™ solution works by affecting the growth phase of the eyelash hair cycle in two ways; first, it increases the length of this phase; and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase. The exact way it works is unknown. The onset of effect with Latisse™ solution is gradual. In the clinical trial, the majority of Latisse™ users saw a significant improvement by 2 months. Who Can Use Latisse™? Anyone is a candidate for longer, thicker eyelashes, however you should not use Latisse™ solution if you are allergic to one of its ingredients. Also tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you: previously diagnosed with eye pressure problems, if you are currently taking medication for eye pressure problems or have high risk factors for glaucoma. People with a history of eye pressure problems should speak to an eyecare specialist before starting Latisse™. Individuals taking medication to lower their eye pressure should be closely monitored while using Latisse™ and those with a family history of glaucoma should be evaluated before starting Latisse™. However, the safety and effectiveness of Latisse™

was shown in a clinical trial. Only Latisse™ has been approved by the FDA as a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes. How Do I Use Latisse™? Once nightly, start by ensuring your face is clean with eye makeup and contact lenses removed. Using a sterile applicator that comes in the kit, only one drop of Latisse™ solution on the applicator is required for each eye. It is applied only to the upper eyelashes as though you were applying eyeliner. Repeat the same process for the other eye. Latisse™ should not be placed in your eye or in your lower eyelid. Your contact lenses can be put back into your eyes 15 minutes after applying Latisse™ solution. If you miss a dose, there is no need to "catch up." Just apply Latisse™ solution the next evening and make it part of your nighttime routine like brushing your teeth. It is not necessary to use Latisse™ more than once a day as it will not increase the growth of your eyelashes. What Else Should I Know About Latisse™? If you stop using Latisse™, your lashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months. And yes, you can use mascara in addition to Latisse™ solution. Hecker Dermatology Group, P.A. New patients are welcome and many insurances accepted. Appointments are available at: 954-783-2323 or visit us on-line: www.heckerderm.com.

T h i n k B e f o r e Yo u M a k e T h a t N e x t O n l i n e P u r c h a s e By Linda Bourguet We've all heard about the devastating effects to a community when Wal-Mart moves to town, but what about the impact of buying online instead of from a local merchant? Let's think about it. You're in the market for a Coach handbag that you can get online at coach.com for $100. (I know, I know, no Coach handbag is only $100, but it makes the math easier.) 100% of your $100 goes to wherever Coach corporate decides to send it, I think I can say with some certainty that none of it will end up in Lighthouse Point. Let's say you buy that same Coach handbag at a retailer in Lighthouse Point. That retailer has to pay Coach for the handbag, we'll assume $50, leaving $50 profit. Statistics show that 68% of this profit will stay in the LOCAL community. That's $34 the store owner will spend in local restaurants, gas stations, jewelers, clothing stores, etc. Millie Walsh from Body & Soul Boutique

comments, "I was surprised when one of my regular customers told me she bought $250 of merchandise on the internet that she knew I carried in my store. I have the exact same product in my store at the same price. To top it off, she brought some of the items to my store and asked me to exchange them." In these tough economic times, every dollar counts to a 'mom and pop' company, but even shopping at the local Staples instead of Staples.com provides jobs and a tax base to the city of Lighthouse Point. By shopping locally we are perpetuating a cycle that supports our local economy. I'm not saying that there's not a place for using the internet, a local retailer wanted $50 for an item I recently purchased on ebay for $30. I'm just asking that next time you're online shopping in the comfort of your home and PJ's at 3am, ask yourself, "Can I get the same thing within my community at a comparable price?" We will all pay the price when local businesses start closing their doors because we picked convenience over making a little extra effort.

If you know of an interesting person with life experiences worth reporting in our magazine, please contact us today!

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Today, when every dollar counts……………… Get cash back on all of your shopping !!! GO GREEN, while saving time, money and gasoline. SHOP TO EARN means SHOP TO SAVE!!! 954-326-2831 TAKE A MINUTE TO VISIT US TODAY AT: www.shoptoearn.net/evesapple www.24hourtour.net/evesapple

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STRANGE, BUT TRUE ! • New Jersey is home to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City. • The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on their playing board after the actual streets in Atlantic City. • And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world. • New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries. • New Jersey is a peninsula. • Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida. • New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as metropolitan areas. • New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky. • New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq. mi.) than Havana, Cuba. • New Jersey has the most dense system of highways and railroads in the US. • New Jersey has the highest cost of living. • New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance. •New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

• New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as the Diner Capital of the World • New Jersey is home to the original mystery pork parts chub, Taylor Ham or Pork Roll. • North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius. • New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. • The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by inventor John P. Holland. • New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns, some of the nations' most famous: Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Long Branch and Cape May. • New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the entire country. • New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals. • Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

Green Harriet PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT Invest in a programmable thermostat and set it way up or down (when everyone's at work/school, and asleep at night); program it to turn "on" shortly before folks get home/wake up/ HOT WATER HEATER SETTINGS Set your hot water heater no higher than 120 degrees. TURN OFF THE TAP Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. USE A CLOTH BAG Paper or plastic? Neither! Take a cloth bag with you to the grocery store. PLANT TREES Trees help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that 100 billion metric tons of carbon over the next 50 years could be sequestered through forest preservation, tree planting and improved agricultural management. DITCH YOUR CAR Avoiding 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, according to climatecrisis.net. The majority of car trips people make are under two miles, so that should be easy to swap driving

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for a bike or public transit, said Rob Sadowksy, executive director of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. GREEN YOUR BABY It doesn't have to be a choice between plastic diapers that pile up in landfills and cloth diapers that require frequent laundering. GET A WATER BOTTLE Americans buy 28 billion single-serving plastic water bottles every year, and 80% of those end up in landfills, according to the Container Recycling Institute. Meeting the nation's demand for bottle water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year, the Earth Policy Institute estimates. UNPLUG ELECTRONICS Cell phone chargers, TVs, DVD players, stereos, microwaves and other electronics with transformers continue to draw power, even when they're off or not charging anything, as long as they're plugged in. In the U.S., such "phantom electricity" emits about 12 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere a year, according to Conservation International. DRIVE RESPONSIBLY Every gallon of gas burned emits 20 pounts of carbon dioxide, so make the most of your tank.

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CANTANKEROUSLY YOURS

.

JUST FOR LAUGHS, READ THE NEWS

Dear Fellow Newsaholics, Yes, yes, I know all about the terrible news everywhere these days. However, I submit that - in addition to all the gloom and doom - ridiculous items also pepper the newspaper daily. And sometimes, many of us skip over articles of the absurd, the outraBy Wendell Abern geous, and even the most innocuous. But they're there. Every day. And viewed the right way, they're humorous. A few modest examples: 1 - No swimming pedicurists down here The Florida Board of Cosmetology has ruled against the use of tiny flesh-sucking fish to nibble dead skin and thick calluses from toes and heels of consumers seeking pedicures. In the skin-eating process, popular in Asia and some U.S. cities, tiny toothless fish, commonly called, "Doctor fish," wolf down decaying skin with apparent gusto. I concur with the board's decision. There's something off-putting about a pedicurist telling a customer, "Just stick your feet in the tub and give the fish a little nosh." 2 - Can't tell the future without a psychic According to Jill Dahne, Hollywood psychic, people reach out to seers such as herself in critical times like these, anxious to find out what the future holds in store. While Ms. Dahne does predict the future, she does not indulge in speculation over outcomes of ball games or horse races. Meanwhile, Rosemary McArthur, founder of the American Association of Psychics & Mediums, warns that "not all psychics can be trusted. There are a lot of desperate people right now, and they're reaching out to psychics; a lot of these people are being taken for a ride." Wonder if this warning includes Jill Dahne, who charges $200 for a psychic reading … and last year predicted Hillary Clinton would win the presidency and name her husband as VP. 3 - Budget tricks In his first speech to Congress, our new president promised that his first budget will include money for the Iraq War, the buildup in Afghanistan and other expenditures. The previous administration omitted such costs in its budgets, later asking for extra revenue in special appeals. Oh, oh. Hope my wife missed that part of the speech. Whenever I draw up a household budget for the two of us, I deliberately use Bush's strategy, leaving out salami, cheddar cheese and hot fudge. 4 - Let's hear it for the vaunted World of Academe A Tampa newspaper reports that Abdul Rao, a University of South Florida dean who helped steal a $100 bike, is expected to resign. Rumor has it that Rao was Dean of the School of Ethics. 5 - Now let's not rush to judgment The Rev. Francis Guinan, accused of stealing almost $500,000 from a Delray Beach church, recently said he "felt as though he had discretion to spend church money how he wanted, but was sorry for some of his spending." The priest, according to a recent article, used the money for "girlfriends, trips, and supporting a gambling habit." One would love to hear how the Vatican felt about the priest's belief he had discretion to spend money on a girlfriend. And did he wear his priestly attire while messing around? Perhaps the girlfriend was turned on by his holy look.

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6 - To escape arrest, steal big FBI agents tracked down financier R. Allen Stanford last month, serving him with legal papers for perpetrating a fraud which can cost investors eight billion dollars. Mr. Stanford has not been charged with any crime, is not under arrest and is not in custody. Apparently, the feds are using the Bernie Madoff yardstick for crimes, and will wait until Mr. Stanford's swindling efforts reach 50 billion dollars before arresting him.. 7 - Teens speechless after arrest Five Palm Bay teens "were arrested on burglary-related charges after police followed a trail of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups packages from the crime scene back to the house of one of the teens." Word has it they were unable to give a statement to police because their tongues were stuck to the roof of their mouths. 8 - Languishing Languages Christopher Moseley, an Australian linguist who edited a recently published atlas that documents 2,500 dead or dying languages, reports that "Language endangerment is a universal phenomenon." If he ever hears how professional athletes and teens conjugate verbs, he'll no doubt place the English language on the Endangered Species list. 9 - "Humans evolved feet first" At least that's how some anthropologists see it. The journal, Science, recently reported that human feet - as we know them today - appeared much earlier than previously thought. Recently discovered fossilized footprints, 1.5 millions years old, indicate that as far back as 1.5 million years ago, hominids had a pronounced arch and a big toe parallel to other toes. Where's the big news in that? I can name at least a half-dozen professional athletes whose brain size is still trying to catch up to their foot size. 10 - Ozzie does it again I thought I'd heard the end of Ozzie Guillen's silly rants last time I left Chicago. But this outspoken manager of the Chicago White Sox was recently quoted as saying, "I hope I die on the field. I hope when I walk to change the pitcher, I drop dead and that's it. I know my family would be so happy it happened on the field." Oh, shut up. 11 - Hey, I'm convinced Aasiya Hassan launched his Bridges TV network in Buffalo, New York, in 2004, hoping the network would "balance negative portrayals of Muslims following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks." Earlier this year, Hassan's wife asked for a divorce, so Hassan beheaded her at his TV station. Yessir, nothing like a good old decapitation to change your mind about someone. * * * Well, it's time to get today's newspaper and look for some good laughs. Oh look, here's one! I just picked up the sports page and spotted an article about Dwayne Wade. Not about his playing ability, but about his fashion-plate Band-Aids. Cantankerously Yours, Wendell Abern Wendell Abern can be reached at [email protected].

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ON RELIGION

By Reverend Jack Noble

At the Heart Of It All I love this time of year bursting as it is with new life. It reminds me that living life is like being given a free ticket to a terrific play. Each day the act unfolds on something new and exciting. But thrilling as it is, this succession of scenes cannot go on forever; which, in my opinion is probably just fine. I mean, can you imagine…? Soon or late, even the most enthusiastic among us grows bored and weary. And no matter how terrific the action, no one can stay with it forever. What happens when we leave the theater? One can believe, I suppose, that nothing happens, that the stage goes blank and dark; or one can believe that some other form of awareness will begin. The older I become, the more I find myself believing that something definitely happens after death. My reasoning may seem weak or even naïve, but it carries considerable weight with me, and it is simply this: The whole thing – the WHOLE thing – from the whirling masses of neutrons in my brain, to the far reaches of the universe with its hundreds and hundreds of galaxies – the whole unbelievable shooting match – is just too beautiful, too purposeful, too cunningly arranged for it all to end in nothingness. I mean, it is all too wonderful to be pointless! Now of course the more cynical among us might say that this idea is nothing but pure ego strutting itself around. But I believe that the chances of something being out there in that “undiscover’d country,” as Shakespeare called it, are better than the chances of nothing being out there. As I sit in my living room watching the tide raise the boats in the canal outside my window, as I watch the barefoot boys rushing to the bridge with their fishing poles, as I pass the tennis courts and see the players there, as I journey to the pre-op with a friend and see the nurses at work, or as I merely watch the world unfold around me, I am more and more convinced of something very loving, and very intelligent at the heart of it all. I stand more often than most at the edge of the grave, or outside the crypt, or next to the niche and often when I am there, I experience this tightening of my throat – especially if the passing has been long and difficult – I am reminded, “They’re at home now; yes, they’re at home.”

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 Fleas Are Back in Town! My dog has fleas, please help! Is a plea we hear from our customers many times a day-on a daily basis. As a pet owner myself, any advice we can get is priceless, so I wanted to share with you this very helpful article from the ASPCA. Why Are Dogs Susceptible to Fleas? Fleas are hearty and nimble, and when searching for a host, they can jump 10,000 times in a row (the length of three football fields). Three pairs of legs make for excellent leaping capabilities (up to two feet), and a laterally flattened body allows for quick movement in a dog’s fur. With a complete life cycle ranging anywhere from 16 days to 21 months, depending on environmental conditions, fleas are most commonly found on a dog’s abdomen, the base of the tail and the head. With heavy infestations, however, fleas can thrive anywhere on the body. They feed once every day or two, and generally remain on their host during the interim. What Are Some Signs of Fleas in Dogs? • Droppings or “flea dirt” in a dog’s coat • Flea eggs on dog or in dog’s environment • Allergic dermatitis • Excessive scratching, licking or biting at skin • Hair loss • Scabs and hot spots • Pale gums • Tapeworms What Are Some Complications of Fleas in Dogs? Since fleas can consume 15 times their own body weight in blood, they can cause anemia or a significant amount of blood loss over time. This is especially problematic in young puppies, where an inadequate number of red blood cells can be lifethreatening to some dogs. Signs of parasitic anemia include pale gums, cold body temperature and listlessness. When a dog has a heightened sensitivity to the saliva of fleas, just one bite of a flea can cause an allergic reaction. This condition is known as flea allergy dermatitis and causes intense itching and discomfort for your dog. Signs include generalized hair loss, reddened skin, scabs and hot spots. Flea allergy dermatitis often leads to skin infections. Are Certain Dogs Prone to Fleas? Dogs who live in warm, humid climates, where fleas thrive at temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees, and those who live outdoors are most vulnerable to fleas. How Do I Treat Fleas? • It is important that all of your pets are treated for fleas, including indoor and outdoor cats, and that the environment is treated as well. • Speak with your veterinarian about choosing the right flea treatment product. Common options include a topical, liquid treatment applied to the back of the neck, shampoos, sprays and powders. Some products kill both adult fleas and their eggs, but they can vary in efficacy. It is very important not to use products on your dog that are intended for cats (and vice versa). Prescription products are generally more effective and safer than over-the-counter products. • Thoroughly clean your house, including rugs, bedding and upholstery. (Remember to discard any vacuum bags.) In severe cases, you might consider using a spray or fogger, which requires temporary evacuation of the home. How Can I Prevent Fleas? Using a flea comb on your dog and washing his bedding once a week will go a long way toward controlling flea infestation. Also, it is important to treat your yard as thoroughly as your house. If you have any questions or tips on how to get rid of fleas, feel free to contact me. Elizabeth, Gigi & Luca Pet Boutique, 1825 NE 24th Street, Lighthouse Point, 954-784-8755, www.gigiandluca.com

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T HE E YES

HOW DO YOUR EYES FEEL?

HAVE IT

By Dr. Steven Wigdor Do your eyes ever feel tired, gritty, or sensitive to light? Does your vision ever fluctuate from clear to blurry, especially when you're concentrating on something? Do you ever move the page back and forth trying to find the easiest place to see it? Do you ever wish you could see that traffic sign just a little sooner? Did you know that these symptoms are relatively common and are usually easily correctable? There are many factors that influence not only the way you see, but how your eyes feel while using them. When light travels into your eye it must first travel thru three layers of your tear film before even reaching the front corneal surface of your eye. If the tear layer of your eye is not smooth and properly formed, a dry sandy feeling and/or excess tearing can occur, both of which can cause intermittent blurred vision. Many factors, such as medication, hormones, allergies and irritants can negatively influence the quality and quantity of the tear film. When we concentrate on something such as when we read, use a computer, or watch television, the frequency that we blink decreases. If your tear film is already compromised, and then you decrease the frequency that you spread whatever tears you do have across your cornea, your dry eye will feel even worse. There are various treatments and nutritional supplements that have been shown to improve tear production and quality, and thus help in these situations.

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If your glasses or contact lenses are not accurate, your vision will obviously be blurred. When there is an additional cause creating blurred vision such as dry eye, cataracts, etc., then the amount of blur you experience will be magnified. It is important to reduce or eliminate all causes of blur in order for you to experience maximum clarity. During a comprehensive eye exam, ocular health status is evaluated as well as possible causes of reduced vision. Various options to improving comfort and sight are discussed that will be customized to your needs and lifestyle. If any medical issues are discovered, they would either be followed or treated in an appropriate manner. In either case it's important to evaluate any medical conditions early in order to provide the best opportunity for continued eye health. It's important that any comprehensive examination include a complete discussion of your eye care needs based on your job and lifestyle. This way you will receive the best customized resolution to all your concerns. Make sure your doctor is willing to take the time to listen to your concerns.

Remember, everyone has hindsight - protect your eyesight! Dr. Steven Wigdor, a board certified 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 Highway in the Venetian Isle Shops on the web at www.eyecareandeyewear.com They also accept many vision care plans, so call today.

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

There’s Goodness in the Hearts of Americans

Greetings, In these most unprecedented times, returning to the basics in every aspect of our lives, including business, is so important. With 71,000 foreclosure actions filed in Palm Beach and Broward Counties in 2008, we understand that many of our neighbors are in need of our help, expertise Jim Balistreri and genuine care. Fortunately, we are able to help many of these folks avoid foreclosure if we are able to reach them in time - and with your help, perhaps we can reach more sooner. Commentator Paul Harvey passed away Saturday, February 28th at the age of 90. I was moved by the "Prayer for Our Nation" that Mr. Harvey aired on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' which received a larger response than any other program he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.' 'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it

LIBRARY NEWS

justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!' If we don't stand for something in our great country, we risk falling for everything. I am encouraged about the future of America because of the goodness and strength that lies in the hearts of her people. If we can help you or someone you know we would be honored. May God bless you, Jim Balistreri Broker / CEO

LHP LIBRARY — More than a w arehouse f or print! By LHP Library Director Doreen Gauthier

It was not serendipity that National Library Week, National Volunteer Week and Florida's statewide Library Appreciation Month are virtually simultaneous celebrations. A great many of Florida's, yea the nation's, libraries were begun as volunteer efforts. Women's clubs, Junior League chapters, literacy coalitions, and even an assorted garden club were the foundations of the local library. Lighthouse Point's library was begun as an all volunteer effort in 1965 as the brainchild of Mr. and Mrs. William (Elayne) Solien. These two far-sighted people recruited their friends and neighbors to provide a lending library for this fledgling eleven-year old community. The collection was donated - mostly second-hand books from private libraries, all staffing was a volunteer cadre, and the funding came from the social event of the season - the Library Ball. Today, the Lighthouse Point Library is blessed with the same spirit of volunteerism. Since the mid Twentieth Century each United States president has urged the involvement of the populace in a volunteer movement - FDR had a vegetable soup of agencies to stimulate citizen participation in local public works projects or local artistic

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efforts; John Kennedy established the Peace Corps as well as the Volunteers in Service to America; George H. W. Bush spoke of "points of light"; Jimmy Carter continues to promote Habitat for Humanity; George W. Bush urged "faith based initiatives" and 2009 President Obama's Volunteer Corps embody this involvement. Our volunteer resources are not just those nearly 50 welcoming ladies at the circulation desk - we have dedicated teachers who provide a variety of classes weekly: a seven member Advisory Board; and the Friends of the Library. Those Friends who are 30 years old this year have provided literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the capital projects of the library through two expansions and to assist in underwriting programming for adults, children and supplemental training for staff. Volunteers are our life-blood and sustainers. National Library Week and Library Appreciation Month recognize the cornerstone values of education and culture; access to information on health, economics, and the environment; the open access to electronic networks and their resources. These values have become vital conduits for individuals seeking to find, evaluate and use the information for employment, fiscal research, and recreational pleasures. The library is far more than a warehouse for print - we are the available gateway to the Internet, the affordable source of DVDs, CDs, and videocassettes. The diversity of information exchange is limited only by one's imagination. World's Connect @ Your Library. Visit us soon.

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Presciption Drugs High On Teens’ Wish List

Hot Off the Grill

Sheriff Al Lamberti Reports

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

Girardi's NYC Grilled Pizza Serves 4

Last time NY Yankee GM Joe Girardi stopped by the home of the Gridiron Griller, we had some fun grilling a fresh dough pizza. It is so easy and has an amazing crispy crust with just storebought dough. As simple as the process is, you could have one made at half time quicker than you could call for delivery. The fresh ingredients really make it stand apart from the frozen sort and the smoky charred marks from the grill make it a signature dish. PREP • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 8 to 10 oz.) • 1/2-3/4 cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette dressing • 1 tube (11 oz.) pizza crust • Non-stick spray • 1 cup sliced Roma tomatoes • 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced • 1 cup lightly packed arugula • 8 oz. Fresh mozzarella, sliced • salt & pepper to taste • 4 oz. shredded parmesan READY Preheat grill to medium-high. Put chicken in vinaigrette dressing in a Ziploc bag, seal and turn to coat every 5 minutes. . Line a baking sheet with foil and coat it with nonstick spray. Unroll pizza dough on sheet and press into a 12" by 9" rectangle. Coat top of dough with nonstick spray. Mix the tomatoes, basil, garlic and arugula in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. LETS GRILL! Remove chicken form the marinade and discard the marinade. Grill turning once for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and cut crosswise in 1/2" slices. Invert pizza dough onto grill and peel off the foil. Grill for about 1 minute until the underside is slightly browned. Turn crust over and grill for another minute until underside stiffens. Top off with mozzarella slices and chicken. Cover and grill 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts, but not letting crust burn. Transfer to cutting board and top with tomato mixture, sprinkle with parmesan. The Gridiron Griller says… "There's nothing like an authentic New York pizza hot off the oven rack. Then again, wait until you try Joe Girardi's NYC grilled pizza hot off your very own tailgate grill! It's sure to be a Yankee grand slam!

Would you know if your child was using drugs? Hanging out with a "good" group of kids, high grades and lots of energy doesn't necessarily mean your young one is staying clean. Today's drug abuse has become more convenient, easier to hide and more popular, thanks to the use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Our kids don't have to look far for a high - a trip to their home medicine cabinet might just do the trick. While use of illegal drugs among teens is falling, prescription drug abuse is on the rise. In fact, studies show that one in five teens has abused a prescription pain medication, and in Florida prescription drugs have killed 300% more people than illegal drugs. Kids as young as 12 are trying or using prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. Many think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or "self-medicate" can be as dangerous - and addictive - as using street narcotics. This mistaken thinking causes teens that wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs to abuse prescription drugs. Pain relievers, sedatives and stimulants are the most widely abused drugs. Teens often combine prescription and overthe-counter drugs with alcohol, a fatal combination. Parents need to be aware of the dangers associated with prescription drug abuse and take actions to prevent their children from addiction. We need your help to save our children from this growing trend. • Monitor your medicine cabinets. Count how many pills you have and make note of the date when you should expect to refill your prescriptions. Be aware that teens may obtain these drugs from medicine cabinets while visiting friends or family. • Restrict the availability of these substances within your home. Consider even locking them in a safe. • Attend a "drug take back program" to rid your home of useless or expired medications. You can get information about this program from our website at www.sheriff.org/prescriptiondrugs. • Talk with your teens about drug use. Help them understand that misused prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs, especially when used in combination with other substances, like alcohol. Don't let drugs start in the home. By educating teenagers and observing their activities, parents can help curb this dangerous trend.

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

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Sheriff Al Lamberti www.lhpmag.com

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IDENTITY THEFT

Tax Time is Also Opportune Time For Identity Thiev es

It's that time of year again. It's tax time! Though many taxpayers may dread filing a return, and many of us would gladly welcome a refund, there are others ready to take advantage of this time of year: identity thieves. Especially Denise Richardson now, you have to keep a tight grip on your personal information, or you could find yourself up against the IRS. We are all much more vulnerable to identity theft during tax season. Scammers know that by late January and early February, valuable personal information such as W-2's, 1099's, and end-ofyear statements are being delivered through the mail. Early tax returns are getting filed both via the US Postal Service and electronically. This spike in activity provides additional points of vulnerability for consumers. Criminals have created new and innovative methods to either get their hands on your personal information or trick you into divulging it by pretending to be an official from the IRS. Did you know that your tax return could be rejected? That's right-refused by the IRS. More and more taxpayers are finding out their tax return was rejected by the IRS when it was entered for processing. This rejection usually means someone else has filed a return using your social security number and personal information. In fact, there have been so many scams of this sort reported to the IRS that they've now opened a new office designed to deal exclusively with scams, fraud and identity theft. So during tax season, you need to step up your vigilance. On the bright side, there are plenty of things you can do to lower the risk that you will be a victim of tax-time identity theft. USE COMMON SENSE Work with a reliable tax preparation company. Don't place returns in your mail box for pick-up-take them to the post office instead. MAKE SURE YOUR COMPUTER IS SAFE Update all the security features on your home computer, especially if you are handling your own return and filing electronically. Also make sure that you don't have any peer-to-peer software on your system since this could act as an entry point for hackers, providing an opportunity for someone to bypass your computer security and copy items from your home system, including photos and important documents. Tax preparation software in itself does not put you at risk for identity theft, but a lack of security on your home computer or laptop certainly could cause problems. DON'T GET PHISHED You should never take phone calls or click on links embedded in emails from persons who claim to be IRS agents. If you do, you could be the victim of "phishing." Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to get you to divulge personal information. This

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time of year the scammers will be posing as representatives of the IRS. A typical scam e-mail might attempt to notify the taxpayer of an outstanding refund and urge the taxpayer to click on a link taking them to a fake but official-looking website. The fake website then either downloads malicious spyware or solicits personal information. It is important to note the IRS does not use e-mail to initiate contact with taxpayers and the official website will always refer to .gov -such as IRS.gov. If you have any doubt whether a call or email is authentic contact the IRS directly. Take the time to look up the official number. WATCH OUT FOR RETURN PREPARER FRAUD Stick with trusted and reputable tax preparers. Dishonest return preparers make their money by skimming a portion of their clients' refunds and charging inflated fees for return preparation services. They attract new clients by promising large refunds. Taxpayers should choose carefully when hiring a tax preparer. TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION Take the necessary time to place proactive safeguards. The best way to avoid an identity theft is to plan for one! If you aren't prepared to deal with both prevention and restoration, then make it easy on yourself and hire a company like LifeLock to do it for you. Their system places multiple layers of protection, reduces your overall risks and guarantees a complete support system in the case of an actual identity theft. If you prefer to go it alone there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk such as obtain copies of your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com, freeze your credit file or activate fraud alerts by contacting the credit bureaus. That's the bright side. Now for the not-so-bright side... there isn't really anything a consumer can do to keep another person from filing a tax return. The IRS doesn't have the means to validate on the spot whether the person filing the tax return is the rightful owner of the personal information provided. You need to focus on prevention. Look for the warning signs that someone is using your information and begin the long process of fixing the problem … if it can be fixed at all. Suspected tax fraud can be reported to the IRS Web site at IRS.gov, or by calling 1-800-829-3676. The identity of the person filing the report can be kept confidential. The person may also be entitled to a reward. LifeLock offers Lighthouse Point readers and their loved ones a special 20% discount for life. Use the promotional code: Lighthouse when signing up by calling them at 800-LifeLock or visiting LifeLock.com Contributing sources: LifeLock, IRS/FTC 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. BROILED MUSSELS WITH SWEET PAPRIKA AIOLI

TIME/SERVINGS Total: 50 minsMakes: 10 to 12 servings Game plan: The mussels can be made up to 4 hours in advance, and they actually improve in flavor when you do so. Follow the recipe through step 3, top with aioli, then cover and refrigerate. When your guests arrive, pop them under the broiler, garnish with parsley and lemon juice, and serve. INGREDIENTS * 1 1/2 pounds mussels * Sweet Paprika Aioli * 1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, coarsely chopped * 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Scrub the mussels and debeard them by grabbing the thread, or beard, that runs along the side of the shell and removing it by pulling it toward the hinge of the shell. 2. Spread the mussels on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast until they open, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Discard any unopened mussels. Heat the broiler to high. 3. Carefully pull apart the mussel shells and discard the meatless side of each. With your fingers or a teaspoon, carefully detach the meat from each shell, place it back in the shell, and return the mussel to the baking sheet. Top each mussel with 1/2 teaspoon aioli. 4. Broil the mussels until the aioli is browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with parsley, and drizzle with lemon juice. Serve immediately.

ORANGE-VANILLA RICOTTA CHEESECAKE TIME/SERVINGS: Total: 2 hrs, plus cooling time Makes: 1 (9-inch) cake (Use Keebler Pecan Shortbread Sandies for cookie crumbs). INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST • 1 1/4 cups pecan shortbread cookie crumbs, from about 11 cookies • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick), melted THE FILLING • 2 pounds good-quality ricotta cheese, at room temperature • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour • 3 large eggs, at room temperature • 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 teaspoons packed orange zest, from about 1 medium orange • 1 teaspoon kosher salt FOR THE TOPPING * 1/2 cup orange marmalade * 1/3 cup vodka

MOCHA PUDDING CAKE Total: 45 mins

Makes: 6 to 8 servings

The ultimate dump-and-stir cake, this dessert requires no skill to make yet bakes up into an impressive three-layered treat with a crusty top, a cakey middle, and a chocolaty pudding bottom. Game plan: If you want a strong coffee flavor use a darker, more heavily roasted coffee. But keep in mind that the stronger the coffee, the weaker the chocolate flavor will be. INGREDIENTS • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1 cup whole milk • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted and cooled slightly • 1 large egg • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar • 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee, at room temperature INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat an 8-by-8-inch square baking dish with butter and set aside. 2. Combine flour, 3/4 cup of the cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to break up any lumps. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, milk, butter, egg, and vanilla until evenly combined and smooth. Add flour mixture to milk mixture and whisk until just combined (some lumps will remain). 3. Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Combine remaining 1/4 cup cocoa, remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a small bowl until well mixed, then sprinkle over batter. Pour coffee over batter, do not stir, and place in the oven. 4. Bake until cake is bubbling, puffed, and set at the edges but still a bit loose in the middle, about 25 minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool 5 minutes before serving.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CRUST Heat the oven to 350ºF and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with butter. 2. Place cookie crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. Place crumb mixture in the pan and, using a measuring cup, press evenly into the bottom. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on a wire rack. FOR THE FILLING: 1. Place ricotta in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Add sugar and flour and pulse until well incorporated, about 10 (1-second) pulses, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the motor running, add eggs and egg yolks one at a time until well incorporated. Add vanilla, orange zest, and salt and blend until just incorporated. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. 2. Bake until the center of the cheesecake is set and the edges are golden brown, about 1 hour. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.

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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

FREE VIDEO AD SPACE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! INTRODUCTORY OFFER A small investment of $250 production costs will entitle you to a

1 minute video advertisement FREE! for 3 months on our website at www.LHPmag.com

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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 May? Send us your photos before April 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

Gabriel Eden Trusty turns 4 on April 12th

Andre B. turned 2 on March 5th

Colin Burns turned 10 on February 28th

Cole W. turned 1 on February 12th

Lindsay P. turns 6 on April 3rd

T T O O Y Y O O U U

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Sage C. turns 2 on April 13th

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To The Editor,

Dear Dad, Late yesterday afternoon, we learned of a fraud scam being perpetrated against small business owners across the country in connection with the recent economic stimulus legislation. I am sending this in case similar scams are taking place involving your agency's programs. Our investigation has determined that small business owners across the country are being contacted by a letter using SBA letterhead, asking them to send their bank name and account information to a fax number so that the Small Business Administration (SBA) can allegedly determine their eligibility for a tax rebate under the recent economic stimulus legislation. However, this letter is fraudulent because: (1) it was not issued by or authorized by the SBA; (2) SBA does not have a program to determine tax rebate eligibility of small businesses; (3) there is no SBA employee with the name of the person allegedly signing the letter; and (4) there is no SBA employee with the title of Entrepreneurial Development Adninistrator, the title of the person allegedly signing the letter. We have drafted a press release which was issued by the Agency last night alerting people to this scam, drafted an information notice which is being sent out to all agency employees, are issuing a subpoena to obtain the subscriber information for the fax number, and issuing a cease and desist letter to get the telecommunications company to shut down the number. Given the widespread nature of this fraud, it is quite possible that other agencies covered by the stimulus legislation may also be facing similar scams.

I was delighted to read the article by Mr. Fred Schorr in the March edition of the LHP mag. It was a patriotic call to our community to unite and to do things close to home. I had the opportunity to get to know Mr. Schorr better whilst my wife Erica Davey was working closely with him to get LHP certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat. He is a progressive minded leader that only have the best interest of our City at heart. Few people are aware how he, not only motivated the team, but how he got into the drag and certified all his neighbors yards. He makes me think of the “Atatürk” of LHP (father of the modern day Turkish Republic). Maybe someone in his position cannot be everything every body expects him to be. But I think he comes pretty damn close to that impossible dream. May I suggest to Mr. Schorr that he institute a regular page in the LHP mag to keep his flock informed of what is happening in our city and how we can help and join hands to make LHP an even better place to live in. For example. our Real Estate values are depressed, but not as bad as other areas. Imagine if we all work together to make LHP an even more enviable suburb to live in, how the forces of supply & demand will kick in get those values back where they belong. The absence of an official “City of LHP” page in your magazine for our cities doings always bothered me. Maybe it is time for the city to acquire space for this purpose. Sincerely Yours. Jan Davey

Your loving daughter, Noelle (Noelle Frangipane is working in Washington, D.C. at the Security and Exchange Commission as Deputy Inspector General at the Office of Inspector General)

SPEAK YOUR MIND! A Letter to the Editor is a great way to let your feelings known in a time when there is so much to be said!

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COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT

L O W E R I N G B R O WA R D C O U N T Y P R O P E R T Y TA X E S A G A I N I N F Y 2 0 1 0

By Broward County Commissioner and Vice Mayor Ken Keechl When I campaigned to be your Broward County Commissioner, I promised that I would never vote to increase your property taxes. I have kept that promise for the last two years. I intend to keep it for the next two years as well. For Fiscal Year 2008, I voted to lower property taxes and shrink the County's budget by approximately $90 million dollars per year. My colleagues agreed by a 9-0 vote. For Fiscal Year 2009, I voted to lower property taxes and shrink the budget by approximately $87 million dollars per year. My colleagues agreed by a 7-2 vote. Since these are recurring, yearly savings, the result of these two votes was to shrink the Broward County budget by almost $177 million dollars per year. How did we do this? We instituted a hiring freeze, which reduced operating expenses drastically. We reduced capital projects by prioritizing and funding "needs" while postponing or eliminating "wants". We paid off certain debt (to lower yearly interest costs) and we minimally raised certain fees (which hadn't been reviewed or raised in more than 13 years!) On February 17, 2009, the County Commission had its first Fiscal Year 2010 budget workshop. The good news: the majority of my colleagues agreed to lower property taxes for a third consecutive year. The bad news: we couldn't agree on how much to cut from the FY 2010 budget. Due to the decrease in property values county-wide, some of my col-

AL’S CORNER

HAVE Y OU SCHEDULED AN INSPECTION?

Recently the Sun Sentinel ran an article on vehicle maintence and how the auto repair shops are seeing larger repairs due to the current lack of maintenance. The article explained how the shops were replacing engines because the owners failed to get their oil changes. They also mentioned brakes that were over due for new pads By Al Siefert and how the old pads were wearing into the rotors which caused a more expensive repair. As consumers we expect things to wear out and know that there is a useful life for everything. However basic maintenance will often extend the life of many household appliances. One example of this is changing the filter in the air conditioners. By changing the filters we keep the coils from getting clogged and the units run more efficiently. Once the coils get clogged you will need to pay a repair man to remove the coils, clean and reinstall them. Recently we had two different calls from people that were without power because of a panel failure. The first one was at a residence who was replacing the same 60 amp fuses on a service disconnect close to his main service. He replaced the fuses two times before the service disconnect overheated, melted down and burned the fuse block. This disrupted several circuits and caused him to lose power to most of his house. The second property was experiencing a circuit breaker tripping before the panel burnt through the buss bar. This caused a need to replace the panel and the main disconnect. In both cases the customer

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leagues want to raise the property tax (millage) rate applied to all taxable real property in Broward to a certain rate known as the "rolled-back" rate. Technically, this is not considered a "tax increase" because it will bring in the same amount of property taxes as last year. If 5 or more of my colleagues agree, the FY 2010 budget would decrease by approximately $45 million dollars (for a combined three year cumulative and recurring budget decrease of $222 million dollars.) Not bad. Nevertheless, while I believe the County Commission has made real progress over the last two years, and while I believe that $45 million dollars is a real reduction, I don't believe it is good enough. In order to keep my promise to you and your families, I believe I cannot, in good faith, vote to raise the County's millage rate on the assessed value of any real property you own in Broward County. To me, an increase in the millage rate equates to a tax increase. If 4 or more of my colleagues agree with me and we keep the County millage rate at last year's rate of 4.888, the County's FY 2010 budget would shrink by an additional $135 million dollars (for a combined three year cumulative and recurring budget decrease of $312 million dollars.) My colleagues and I will continue to discuss the FY 2010 budget for the next several months. I will, of course, continue to fight to lower your property taxes as much as possible. And based on the first budget workshop, I am confident that the majority of the Broward County Commission will eventually vote to once again lower your property tax burden by decreasing the size of Broward's budget by at least $45 million, and possibly by as much as $135 million. I will keep you apprized of our discussions. My best to you and your families, Broward County Commissioner and Vice Mayor Ken Keechl www.broward.org/KKeechl

Lighthouse Point Magazine

was unaware that they would be without power for a long period of time. In the South Florida environment we are subject to damaging salt particles in the air. These particles are the cause of many metal products to rust prematurely including electrical equipment mounted in outdoor locations Be aware that if a circuit is tripping it is probably for a reason. There could be a problem with the item the circuit breaker (or fuse) is protecting, the wiring could be going bad, or there is a problem in the panel. A warm panel cover, flickering lights or a burning smell could also be a symptom of a problem in the electrical panel. Electrical inspections if done properly could save people money by finding a potential problem before it gets critical. Many companies have thermal camera’s that will show temperature variations in the equipment. These cameras will show overheating problems before they are visible to the naked eye. We recommend an annual inspection as preventative maintenance. These inspections are not expensive and will give the customer piece of mind, knowing that the wiring and equipment is in good condition. We do not recommend anyone that is not experienced with electrical systems to remove any panel or equipment covers. There are energized parts inside that could be dangerous if touched. For further info, please call Al Siefert Electric (954) 493-9411

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Merchant of the Month FLORIDA STATE RESTORATION SERVICES, INC. Owners Gene Petilli and Mike Baney say "A Healthy Home Is A Happy Home!" After the smoke has cleared and the water has receded, it may seem impossible to reverse the damage caused by a fire, a flood, water intrusion or mold. Florida State Restoration Services can restore your home or commercial property to its previous condition. For many years, Florida State Restoration Services has been providing home owners and property managers 24-hour service to deal with water and fire damage. No matter the location that's been damaged, be it your kitchen, office, bathroom, warehouse or any other location in your home or commercial property, we are able to provide you all the services you need from packaging and storing your belongings to electric, plumbing, drywall and flooring. QUALIFIED, CERTIFIED CONTRACTORS State licensed and insured, Florida State Restoration Services employs a large crew of qualified contractors to reconstruct your home or commercial property after it has been damaged. We are in lock-step with the latest building codes and regulations and adhere to strict safety guidelines. And wit h the owners Gene Petilli And Mike Baney of Florida State Restoration Services are actively involved in every project, you can be sure that your project is always being accounted for. DIRECT INSURANCE BILLING Often times20insurance adjustors are only able to write a preliminary claim for what they can see. We make sure that supplemental claims are honored for all the damage that is unseen. In fact, we will meet directly with you and your insurance adjustor offering our insight that comes from firsthand knowledge and experience to ensure that 100% of the damage is accounted for and fixed correctly. THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY Florida State Restoration Services is certified in the use of thermal imaging, a relatively new technology that allows its team to see what's happening inside your walls without opening up your drywall or other finish. It can reveal water leaks and mold growth.

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Mike Barney and Gene Petilli 3RD PARTY CERTIFIED It's no secret that mold can be extremely toxic, and in the case of Stachybotrys or "black mold", it can cause a host of health problems including chronic fatigue or headaches, fever, sneezing, rashes, and more. When you work with Florida State Restoration Services , certified mold remediators and soon to be certified indoor hygienists, to extricate mold from your residence or commercial property, you will have the guarantee of its removal not just from us, but from an independent third party testing company. By measuring the air quality at the start of the project, checking on our work throughout the process, and finally measuring the air quality at the conclusion of our work, you can be sure that the air is free of the harmful mold. And because our team uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), containment barriers and HEPA air cleaners, we avoid cross containment into other areas of your property. Restoring you home or commercial property to its condition before fire, water or mold damage is possible with Florida State Restoration Services. Contact us today to learn more about the work we've done throughout the Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and how we can help you. OFFICE # 954-941-9084

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

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