Lighthouse Point Magazine, September 2021 by Point! Publishing

SEPTEMBER 2021

CITY BEAT

Neighborhood News

50 YEARS OF THE WYNDHAM HOTEL A Look Back in Time

DINING GUIDE

Local Restaurant Listings Take the City of Lighthouse Point Recreation survey for residents of all ages. Scan the QR code to link to the online survey. Troop 238 Eagle Scout Court of Honor led by Christopher Kolb

P R E M I E R E S TAT E P R O P E R T I E S P R E S E N T S

COASTAL RESORT

EAST DEERFIELD BEACH | LIGHTHOUSE POINT | HILLSBORO SHORES | EAST

CASA DEL TORO | LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL | $5.195 MILLION

INFO: WWW.F10266194.COM

NEW FARMHOUSE MODERN DEEPWATER ESTATE LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL | $3.495 MILLION

NAUTICAL-INSPIRED DEEPWATER ESTATE ON LAKE CAPRI EAST POMPANO BEACH, FL | $1.975 MILLION

INFO: WWW.F10260956.COM

INFO: WWW.F10295862.COM

ESTATES P OMPANO BEACH | FORT LAUDERDALE

A PERSONAL NOTE

elcome to Coastal Resort Estates. I am proud to invite you on a monthly tour of East Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Shores, East Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale’s finest estate properties offered exclusively in excess of one million dollars. It is my pleasure and privilege to represent these important estates. Please enjoy this sampling of properties from my current Coastal Resort Estates collection. I wish to thank my valued clientele for their trust, confidence and loyalty throughout the years. My relationships with both buyers and sellers are defined by discretion, integrity, professionalism at the highest level, as well as unparalleled personalized and customized service.

FRONT ROW INTRACOASTAL TROPHY ESTATE LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL | $14.995 MILLION

For a conﬁdential consultation and evaluation of your property, please contact me. I look forward to your inquiries anytime.

INFO: WWW.F10275848.COM

Kevin R. Kreutzfeld

Lighthouse Point Resident

NEW COASTAL-INSPIRED TROPHY POINT ESTATE LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL | $10.95 MILLION INFO: WWW.F10280248.COM

P R E S E N T E D

B Y

Kevin R. Kreutzfeld Direct: 954.449.7883 Mobile: 954.895.130 0 Kevinkreutzfeld.info

kevin@premierestateproperties.com

C O A S TA L R E S O R T E S TAT E S . C O M

Premier Estate Properties Presenting Properties Exclusively In Excess Of One Million Dollars TM

OUR UNRIVALED GLOBAL NETWORK

Luxury Portfolio International | Mayfair International Realty | FIABCI International Board of Regents | Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate | Leading Real Estate Companies Of The World

NEW COASTAL MODERN DEEPWATER ESTATE EAST POMPANO BEACH, FL | $3.95 MILLION INFO: WWW.F10292713.COM

DISCLAIMER: The written and verbal information provided including but not limited to prices, measurements, square footages, lot sizes, calculations and statistics have been obtained and conveyed from third parties such as the applicable Multiple Listing Service, public records as well as other sources. All prices are either list price, sold price, and/or last asking price. Premier Estate Properties participates in the Multiple Listing Service and IDX, and the properties listed and sold are not necessarily exclusive to Premier Estate Properties and may be presently listed or have sold with other members of the Multiple Listing Service. The transactions representing both buyers and sellers are calculated twice. Premier Estate Properties’ marketplace is all of the following: Vero Beach, Town of Orchid, Indian River Shores, Town of Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Manalapan Beach, Point Manalapan, Hypoluxo Island, Ocean Ridge, Gulf Stream, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Boca Raton, East Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hillsboro Shores, East Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Sea Ranch Lakes and Fort Lauderdale. All written and verbal information including that produced by the Sellers or Premier Estate Properties are subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice and should be independently verified by any prospective purchaser of a Property. The Sellers and Premier Estate Properties Inc. expressly disclaim any warranty or representation regarding all information. Prospective Purchasers’ use of any written and verbal information is acknowledgement of this disclaimer and that the prospective purchaser shall perform their own due diligence. Prospective purchasers shall not rely on this information when entering into a contract for sale and purchase. In the event a Buyer defaults, no commission will be paid to either Broker on the Deposits retained by the Seller. “No Commissions Paid until Title Passes.” Some affiliations may not be applicable to certain geographic areas. Copyright 2021 Premier Estate Properties Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4420 NE 31st Avenue, Lighthouse Point | $2.9M | 4 Bed | 3.5 Bath | WF: 112' Direct Intracoastal

2830 NE 47th Street, Lighthouse Point | $1.75M | 3 Bed | 3 Bath | WF: 80'

2216 NE 27th Street, Lighthouse Point | $1.875M | 3 Bed | 3 Bath | WF: 64' | 3 CG

Cathy Prenner

954.415.1057 cathy@prenner.com

Bryant Roepnack

954.410.6697 bryant@prenner.com

3 Minutes to the Ocean !!!

N EI GH B OR IN G P RO PER TIES , 18 0' C O M BI N ED W A TER F R O N T

2524 NE 27th Street, Lighthouse Point | 5.995M | 5 Bed | 6.5 Bath | 3 CG | 9,283 SF | WF: 90' 2536 NE 27th Street, Lighthouse Point | $2.3M | 2 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,447 SF | WF: 90'

2631 NE 48th Court, Lighthouse Point | $1.2M | 3 Bed | 2 Bath | WF: 80'

Office: 954.784.6703

Email us: Info@prenner.com

1841 NE 25th Street Lighthouse Point

Team NELSON-PUTZIG

THE Team NELSON-PUTZIG THE

ING

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COMING SOON

D IN SOUTHL LIGHTHOUSE POINT SO

2327 NE 29 ST LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $3,650,000

CT TRA ON C R DE UN

2820 NE 23RD ST POMPANO BEACH | $1,649,000

2345 NE 30TH CT LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000 CT RA NT O RC DE UN

2345 NE 30TH CT LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000

L SO

1100 S OCEAN BLVD D16 POMPANO BEACH $1,190,000 2345 NE 30TH| CT

LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000

2345 NE 30TH CT LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000 3315 NE 1ST AVE LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $769,000

2345 NE 30TH CT LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000

flgarysmall@gmail.com

2030 NE 31ST CT LIGHTHOUSE 2345 NE 30THPOINT CT | $795,000

LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000

1270 NW 48TH CT DEERFIELD BEACH | $294,000

flgarysmall@gmail.com

2345 NE 30TH CT LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000

G DILND N PE

GARY SMALLGARY SMALL 954-830-9090954-830-9090

4220 NE 30TH TER LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,390,000

L SO

2906 NE 21ST TER FORT LAUDERDALE 2345 NE 30TH CT| $849,000

LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000

CT TRA ON C R DE UN

2345 NE 30TH CT LIGHTHOUSE POINT | $1,199,000 3750 NE 26TH AVENUE LIGHTHOUSE POINT | CALL FOR PRICE

STEVE SALIBA STEVE SALIBA 954-303-2720 954-303-2720 salibarealty@gmail.com salibareality@gmail.com

LIGHTHOUSE POINT PRE-CONSTRUCTION

2710 NE 44TH STREET LIGHTHOUSE POINT

• 6 BEDS AND 6.5 BATHS • 6722 SQ FT UNDER AIR • 8329 SQ FT TOTAL • 4 CAR GARAGE LIFT READY • 90 FEET OF SOUTHERN EXPOSURE WATERFRONT ON THE NORTH GRAND CANAL • $5,795,000

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ASpring

2710 NE 44TH STREET LIGHTHOUSE POINT $5,999,000

CGC 1525356 OFFICE: 954-418-3000 FAX: 954-418-3310

• 6 BEDS AND 6.5 BATHS • 6722 SQ FT UNDER AIR • 8329 SQ FT TOTAL • 4 CAR GARAGE LIFT READY

• 90 FEET OF SOUTHERN EXPOSURE WATERFRONT ON THE NORTH GRAND CANAL

www.ruconstruction.net info@ruconstruction.net

By Restoration Unlimited

Construction & Restoration

2640 NE 41ST ST LIGHTHOUSE POINT $3,995,000

• 5 BEDS AND 5.5 BATHS • 4680 SQ FT UNDER AIR • 3 CAR GARAGE LIFT READY • 100 FEET OF SOUTHERN EXPOSURE WATERFRONT BETWEEN 2 CANALS

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Team NELSON-PUTZIG THE

2640 NE 41ST ST LIGHTHOUSE POINT $3,995,000 JOHN PUTZIG 954-263-6877

johnputzigre@gmail.com

• 5 BEDS AND 5.5 BATHS • 4680 SQ FT UNDER AIR • 3 CAR GARAGE LIFT READY

SUE NELSON 954-242-6400

SueAtLHP@gmail.com

• 100 FEET OF SOUTHERN EXPOSURE WATERFRONT BETWEEN 2 CANALS

CALL JULIE WHEELER TODAY for the best Mortgage Experience you will ever have! Buy the home you want with a mortgage you can afford! Purchases & Reﬁnances • Expert Advice & Personal Service Get a full DU Approval which eliminates surprises Jumbo Mortgages, Conventional, FHA and VA

BEST SERVICE. BEST RESULTS.

Julie Wheeler, CRMS CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SPECIALIST

665 SE 10th Street, Suite 102 • Deerﬁeld Beach, FL 33441 • 954.422.9400 or 954.292.5292 www.wheelermortgagecorp.com • FAX: 954.422.9794 • juliewmc@bellsouth.net Locally Owned & Operated NMLS # 259103 & 222658

LIC.#CGC031445 AD DESIGN BY PHOTO GRAPHIC PRESS, INC. (954) 816-3148

"Your Personal CFO"

561-361-8140 | lew@lawlessedwardswarren.com

BE PART OF THE GIBBONS EXPERIENCE! Save the Date

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH

HSPT EXAM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH

www.cghsfl.org/admissions

ROMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 2900 NORTHEAST 47TH STREET, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33308 954.491.2900 | WWW.CGHSFL.ORG |

CONCERT IN THE PARK Great Entertainment • Food Trucks • Fun!

Frank McDonough Park

3500 NE 27th Ave, Lighthouse Point

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH 6PM-9PM Lighthouse Point Cultural Arts Committee

Making dreams come true... Since 1962

Sales • Service • Parts

We are back in the Newly Remodeled Convention Center Stop by our Booth #2025 Wednesday, October 27th – Sunday, October 31st

Pompano Beach Marine Center, Inc. 701 South Federal Hwy. • Pompano Beach • (954) 946-1450 www.pompanoboats.com • Serving the Community for 59 Years!

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY! JOIN US SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 10:30AM!

g n i t ee m w No at the new ! r e t n e C e i r r u B

2669 N FEDERAL HIGHWAY, POMPANO 954.873.2077 • CROSSUNITED.ORG • @CROSSUNITEDSFL

NOW IS THE TIME Buyers are waiting.

Laurie Summa

Michele Hale

Luxury RE Specialist 954.205.5685 LaurieSumma1@gmail.com

Broker/Associate 954.648.2065 HaleSells@gmail.com

Schedule a private marketing consultation today and we will discuss the why and how to best capitalize on today’s unprecedented demand for luxury properties in South Florida. Our buyers are eager and ready to purchase as quickly as homes become available. No one knows this Lighthouse Point market like The Premier Luxury Team.

FOR SALE

2348 NE 28th Court Lighthouse Point 100’ WF wide canal $2,995,000

FOR SALE

2125 SE 5th Street Pompano Beach 3/2/1 Townhouse $619,000

FOR SALE

1012 N Ocean Unit #905 Pompano Beach 2/2 Condo on Beach $759,000

UNDER CONTRACT

1012 N Ocean Unit #508 $999,000

UNDER CONTRACT

SOLD

2335 NE 27th St. $2,849,000

SOLD

1012 N Ocean Unit #1208 $1,095,000

2650 NE 52nd St. $760,000

ThePremierLuxuryTeam.com

SOLD

3901 NE 25th Ave. $1,422,000

NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN THE LIGHTHOUSE POINT YACHT CLUB CALL US AT 954) 942-7244 OR EMAIL MEMBERSHIP@LHPYC.COM

78 SLIP MARINA YEAR-ROUND EVENTS WEEKLY CHEF SPECIALS RECIPROCAL PRIVILEGES TENNIS PROGRAMMING MEMBER-BASED COMMITTEES

CRUISING GROUP WITH OVER 7 YEARLY TRIPS AMPLE INDOOR/OUTDOOR DINING SPACE LIVE MUSIC FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK SUMMER KIDS’ ACTIVITY PROGRAM FITNESS AND EXERCISE CENTER JUNIOR OLYMPIC SIZED SWIMMING POOL

RENDERINGS

TROPICAL MODERN LUXURY

THREE GENERATIONS SINCE 1958

954.933.3697 • zahnbuilders.net • 4628 North Federal Highway • Lighthouse Point, FL CGC1519244

GOOD OLD-FASHIONED REPORTING

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CONNECT WITH LIGHTHOUSE POINT MAGAZINE ONLINE. Visit us online at pointpubs.com

Point! Publishing attracts consumers across six media brands including: Lighthouse Point, Pompano! and Deerfield Beach! magazines, The Official Chamber of Commerce Guides for Pompano and Deerfield Beach as well as Coastal News, our email newsletter.

contents SEPTEMBER 2021

Volleyball at Frank McDonough Park Jeff Graves for Lighthouse Point magazine .

How Unemployment Insurance Fraud Exploded During the Pandemic

Bots filing bogus applications in bulk, teams of fraudsters in foreign countries making phony claims, online forums peddling how-to advice on identity theft: Inside the infrastructure of perhaps the largest fraud wave in history.

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50 Years of Chase Family Hospitality at the Wyndham

At the heart of the story behind 50 years of the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort is a family business started by a Polish immigrant Holocaust survivor who partnered with one of America’s most iconic brands. The hotel has been at the center of tourism in the city for five decades with the Chase family still at the helm.

We can help you sell your home!

HENRY THOMAS | Estate Agent C: 954.895.1342 Henry.Thomas@cbrealty.com YAZMIN THOMAS | Estate Agent C: 954.703.9555 Yazmin.Thomas@cbrealty.com

www.ThomasGroupRealEstate.com

departments “From Bottoms to Repower, WE DO IT ALL!”

• Full Service On-Water Facility • Dockside Service & Repair • Fuel & Dockage • Parts • 50-Ton Marine Travelift • Sales/Brokerage • We Buy Boats

954 - 567- BOAT

800 S. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach www.completeboat.com 20 pointpubs.com •

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Creatively Speaking

Around the Point

City Beat

Happy Snaps

Personal Development

Get Psyched

Legal Matters

Financial Fitness

Tidbits & Trivia

Creatively Cooking

Try the Wine

Dining Out

Last Resort

Susan Rosser wanted to write about bread and then this happened.

Happenings around town.

Stay up to date on Lighthouse Point news and beyond.

Photographer Jeff Graves captures volleyball at Frank McDonough Park.

Even small changes can have big effects.

Tip for a successful back to school start.

If you have an out-of-state trust, consider doing a Florida trust.

xxxxxxxxxx

Jim Terlizzi muses about the new Covid-19 safety guidelines.

An easy-peasy weeknight dinner — sheet-pan sausage and apples with potatoes and onions too.

Tasty chardonnay.

When you can’t decide where or what to eat, consult our comprehensive dining guide for ideas.

Head west to Santa Fe and experience La Fonda on the Plaza.

ON THE COVER Ryan Schramm, Ethan Cecil, Mason Kolb receiving their Eagle Scout badge during Troop 238’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Find the perfect artificial grass product for your landscape needs. ForeverLawn® is perfect for playgrounds, pet areas, landscaping, patios, around pools, and more!

954.421.9097 gc.foreverlawn.com

Find the perfect artificial grass product for your landscape needs. ForeverLawn® is perfect for playgrounds, pet areas, landscaping, patios, around pools, and more!

• INSTALLS • REPAIRS

• ExTENSIoNS • RooT REmovAL

• PooL REmoDELS • DRAINAGE ISSUES

The way we design: Simple clean lines that make bold statements and must function for Clients’ daily lives.

• CLEANING / SEALING • BAD SEALER REmovAL

Before

After

Before

After

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We take pride in our Work Licensed & Insured | Established in 1994

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TIRES• • TIRES TIRES • •TIRES TIRES TIRES

TIRE STORES ALL ALL SIZES SIZES ALL BRANDS BRANDS •• ALL PASSENGER • TRUCK • TRAILER PASSENGER • TRUCK • TRAILER SPECIALTY TIRES SPECIALTY TIRES

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Lube • Oil Change • Tire Balancing Complete Brake Service • A/C Repair LubeComplete • Oil Change • Tire Balancing Front End Service Complete Brake Service• Tire • A/CTruing Repair High Speed Balancing Complete Front End Service Drive Line Vibration…And Much More

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CONTRIBUTORS

Gregory Edwards • David Ehrenfried Craig Haley • Marie Puleo Mrs. Kossenfloffer • Jill Selbach James Terlizzi • Martin Zevin PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Graves TRAFFIC MANAGER

Cindy Tutan COPY AND WEB EDITOR

Sam Rosser TRAVEL EDITOR

Danielle Charbonneau ARTS EDITOR

Carrie Bennett CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Jay Petkov

d next visit.

PUBLISHER

Richard Rosser

Dr. Rudd C. Nelson

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

small animal

Susan Rosser

Dr. Christopher D. Smith small animal and exotics

Dr. Laurie Phillips small animal

Call 954-603-4553 Chris Peskar chris@pointpubs.com

Dr. Henry Allen Brunz small animal Photos by Debra Todd

■

advertising

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904-881-1573 Lisa Spinelli lisa@pointpubs.com

954-818-0266 Deadlines for camera-ready art and prepayment of ads are due on the first day of the preceding month of publication. All on-going ads must be canceled by the first day of the month preceding publication.

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Where Where Tradition Tradition Meets Meets GREEN GREEN Where Tradition Meets GREEN

ONLINE • pointpubs.com

• Coastal News (email)

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW WITH US • SunTix, online event ticketing portal • Insider Excursions, media travel

content submissions

Does your organization have an event you want people to know about? Has your event already happened? Send us your photos and we’ll put them in our upcoming issue! Email editor@pointpubs.com. Please include the name and location of the event, the names of those pictured and a brief description.

circulation

Lighthouse Point and Deerfield Beach! magazines are published monthly by Point! Publishing and delivered free of charge to all residents of Lighthouse Point and selected homes in Deerfield Beach. Copies of Lighthouse Point magazine are available at Whole Foods Market, UPS and Offerdahl’s Café.

e-newsletter & social media

Andrea McGee

Licensed Real Estate Broker A South Florida native, Andrea focuses on Individual Residential Sales as well as Residential Investment Property Acquisitions & Development running up the East Coast of Florida.

Moka McGee

A Pompano Resident for over 50 years, specializing in Residential Sales and Leasing. “I love helping people find their perfect home!”

Lauren McGee

Commercial Real Estate Agent Specializing in new developments, redevelopments and existing projects throughout South Florida while enhancing overall asset value with creative leasing and innovative strategies.

Rubye Mate

Residential Agent specializing in Luxury Homes, Condos and Vacation Rentals in Jupiter and the Palm Beaches.

Sales | Leasing | Rentals | Investment Residential & Commercial Call: (954) 873-9404 • www.mcgeefloridarealestate.com

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Coastal News is Point! Publishing’s complimentary semi-monthly e-newsletter. You can join the mailing list visiting pointpubs.com/newsletter. Like us on Facebook to receive hyper-local news on your feed.

letters to the editor

Drop us a line and let us know what you’re thinking. Lighthouse Point magazine is all about community. Your ideas and comments are important to us. All letters to the editor may be edited for grammar and length. Send letters to: Editor, Lighthouse Point magazine 2436 N. Federal Hwy. #311 Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 or email editor@pointpubs.com Lighthouse Point and Deerfield Beach! magazines are owned and published 12 times per year by Point! Publishing, LLC. Copyright 2021 by Point! Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Point Publishing, LLC. Requests for permission should be directed to: editor@pointpubs.com.

Your Friendly Community Dock, Seawall and Boat Lift Company

The Most Trusted and Referred Name In Marine Construction

Why Hire The Rest When You Can Hire The Best!

yourdockexperts.com • 2670 N. Federal Hwy., Lighthouse Point • 754-200-4852

Casual Elegance...For Your Outdoor Living

Specializing in One of the Best Selections of Quality Name Brand Furniture with Low Prices 7355 Sample Rd., Coral Springs 954.752.0161 1.4 miles west of 441/State Road 7 of Coral Springs & The Palm Beaches Owner Operated Since 1981

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11268 Legacy Ave., Palm Beach Gardens in Legacy Place 561.776.9980 SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

Creatively Speaking

Your Shot BY SUSAN ROSSER This is my essay where I try to save humanity — or at least my neighborhood. I often refrain from using this column as a public megaphone for my personal opinions, but when people are dying unnecessarily because they refuse a life-saving vaccine, well, that level of urgency justifies an exception. Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against Covid-19. And I must say, the reluctance of so many to get the Covid-19 vaccine has caught me by surprise. For the most part, I think people are naturally community-minded. Getting along is in our DNA. So why are so many so opposed to these vaccines? Vaccines have now been around for centuries and because no vaccine is 100% effective, we must rely on one another to reach herd immunity — when the population is indirectly protected from an infectious disease because enough people are immune through vaccination or previous infection. Herd immunity also protects those who cannot be vaccinated and those who don't mount a sufficient response to the vaccine. As of this writing, that group includes children under 12. Additionally, herd immunity stops the virus in its tracks, preventing it from mutating into something more contagious, more lethal or both. I would guess that most people reading this have received the Covid vaccine. And I would also imagine

ABOVE Susan Rosser receiving her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Boca Raton Regional Hospital on Jan. 13, 2021.

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POINT! PUBLISHING

that anyone not vaccinated is asking themselves, "Why would I listen to some local magazine lady?" To those people, I would say, don't listen to me. Schedule a visit with your doctor or seek advice from a health professional. I am not a medical doctor or elected official, but I am reasonably confident the Delta variant is more contagious and disruptive. And now I hear of the Lambda variant. Vaccinated or not, everyone in the world will continue to be at risk as long as the virus is spreading and mutating. Everyone. Today is August 15, 2021. And as I write this, Florida is in the midst of a Covid surge. And I am enraged. I can barely concentrate. I can't focus long enough to read a book. I can barely make it through a movie. After 18 months of this, I am drained. My heart breaks for every new Covid fatality. These people did not have to die. Living with grief is painful and, at times, unbearable. Add to that a hefty dose of regret for remaining unvaccinated, and I don't know how a person copes after such a devastating loss. Maybe the unvaccinated should be required to stay home, have their groceries and restaurant meals delivered. Perhaps they should be forced to miss weddings and graduations and funerals? Maybe the unvaccinated should pay more for health and life insurance? Or they can get vaccinated. The very nature of this problem requires us to think not only of ourselves but of everyone around us. The decision to drive while drunk could be considered a personal choice. But getting behind the wheel while intoxicated endangers all motorists and pedestrians so society took that individual freedom away. Walking around the supermarket unvaccinated endangers everyone in the supermarket. It's that simple. The virus is viral, and the solution will take a village. We all have a role to play. Y

To find a vaccination site near you, visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and click on the vaccine locator.

DRS. JARED & CATHERINE YOUNG

THIS MONTH AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT’S PEDIATRIC & ADULT DENTAL SPECIALISTS

WELCOME Dr. Alisa Kleiman and all of our new team members! 1930 NE 34th Court, Lighthouse Point www.BrightYoungSmiles.com

954•781•1855

We are now offering Skin Rejuvenation at Glowing Young,

located within our practice. Book your consultation today!

Around TOWN Happening around town

The Annual Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 8, 7am registration, 8am shotgun start WHERE: Pompano Municipal Golf Course followed by an

awards luncheon at Galuppi’s, 1103 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach COST: $150/per player, $600/foursome, $40 awards lunch only The day starts at 7am with a “Power Up” breakfast, and then a shotgun start at 8am. And beyond golf, players will enjoy raffles, goodie bags, mulligans and much more!

Chef Shakedown WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 2, 6pm WHERE: Lighthouse Point Yacht Club,

2701 NE 42nd St., Lighthouse Point COST: $150/per person This culinary events pits chef against chef in categories ranging from tacos to burgers to barbecue and more. As of press time, Oceanic, Sicilian Oven, Kapow Noodle Bar and Papa’s Raw bar are among the competitors. Guests vote on their favorites from each category. And all seven winners from the last Chef Shakedown are returning to defend their titles. The event benefits Broward Children’s Center.

Around Town contains information originating from other organizations. While every attempt is made to ensure all information is accurate, schedules do change. We recommend confirming events prior to setting out on your adventure.

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City BEAT

BY MARIE PULEO

9/11 Memorial Is Planned for New Lighthouse Point Fire Station As a way to honor those fallen in the 9/11 terrorist attacks that took place 20 years ago this month, a memorial that includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center is being proposed for the new Lighthouse Point fire station. Lighthouse Point resident William Gallo, of Gallo Herbert Architects, who the City hired to oversee the construction of the new fire station and the city’s four other bond projects, came up with the idea for the 9/11 memorial and presented it to the City Commission in July. Gallo, who lost a brother-in-law in the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11, represented Florida in the Flight Across America in 2002, which flew over the World Trade Center site and delivered each state’s flag to New York City officials onboard the USS Intrepid. Gallo told the Commission he was proposing the memorial “as a citizen, not as a consultant.” The memorial would honor victims of 9/11, first responders

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at the World Trade Center, friends and loved ones of Lighthouse Point residents, and all first responders since 9/11, said Gallo. The memorial would be located outside the fire station in a landscaped courtyard adjacent to Sample Road. Gallo has a piece of steel from the World Trade Center that would be the memorial’s focal point. The steel relic would sit atop a curved commemorative mural wall that could be done by a local artist, said Gallo. Behind the wall would be two glass panels representing the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The glass panels would be illuminated at night. There would also be a high-back bench looking onto the memorial. Gallo said the memorial “would be pretty simple to do,” and estimates it would cost $100,000 to $125,000, which he thinks could probably be raised locally.

ABOVE Concept design of the proposed 9/11 memorial

BELOW Rendering of the south side of the Lighthouse Point Fire Station where the memorial would be located

The memorial would be similar to the veterans’ memorial at Frank McDonough Park, which cost roughly $125,000. Gallo also proposed hanging an American flag measuring 25 feet long and 6 feet wide in the large stair tower of the fire station. The flag would be visible from Sample Road through the tower’s tall plateglass windows. “I think it’s a great thing for the city, and I think we just need to figure out how we’re going to make it happen,” said Mayor Glenn Troast. The City Commission authorized City Administration and Gallo to explore the concept and a budget for the 9/11 memorial and the flag in the stair tower. Gallo said there would be no cost to the City for him to look into the details of the project further because he would do it as a donation. Y

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City Beat BY MARIE PULEO

Library May Get a New Children’s Wing Instead of a Second-Floor Buildout The City Commission is scheduled to have another discussion this month regarding the new children’s wing proposed for the Lighthouse Point Library, which would be funded with the 2018 voter-approved bond issue. The project would replace the City’s plan to build out the library’s second floor using bond proceeds. The new children’s wing would extend into a portion of the municipal parking lot to the north of the library. It would be a one-story stand alone building that connects back to the existing library building with a glass enclosed corridor. The space between the two buildings could be used as a reading garden or a programming area. The proposed change in plans was discussed by the City Commission at its July 13 meeting. The second floor of the city’s library was never completed and is currently a storage area with a dumbwaiter to help move books. The original plan under the bond project was to convert the space to a community room to allow for expanded programming and special events. In the revised plan, the library’s current children’s room would become the community room. William Gallo, of Gallo Herbert Architects, who was hired as the City’s representative to oversee the bond projects, explained to the City Commission that the alternate plan was developed after it was determined the second floor buildout would not be cost effective for the size of the space. Kaufman Lynn Construction, the firm the City hired to serve as the construction manager for the fire station and community center bond projects, was asked to price

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the second floor buildout of the library. Pricing came in at $997,632 for construction costs, compared to the original budgeted amount of $471,270 for construction. Gallo said the second floor buildout would have a much greater impact on the existing operations of the library, and there were unanticipated challenges and costs. The work would be done on top of the entry area, which would require building temporary walls and moving everyone out of that area. In addition, the area has two mechanical systems that would have to be split temporarily. Part of the existing reading room would also have to be vacated. Another issue is that Florida Power & Light would potentially need to de-energize the power lines that run close to the building because they risk being knocked down during the construction work. An alternative power path would have to be set up, which would be an added cost for the City. The cost per square foot for the second floor buildout would be approximately $850, versus less than $300 per square foot for the first floor expansion. The second floor room would be roughly 1,200 square feet, and the first floor building would be about 1,500 square feet.

TOP East facade of the Lighthouse Point Library BOTTOM Proposed children’s wing

The second floor room costs more per square foot because an elevator, stairway and restrooms would need to be added to comply with building code and ADA requirements. With the first floor expansion, 7 to 9 spaces in the parking lot would be lost. However, the City has already been able to recapture about that many parking spaces on the street behind the library. “I’m very excited with this new idea,” said Library Director Christy Keyes. Keyes said the children’s wing would be more than twice the size of the children’s room the library has now, and with mobile shelving and mobile seating, “it can be moved into different configurations for different events or different needs down the road.” “We’re still getting our large meeting room because it will be in what is currently our children’s room, which is nearly identical in size to what would be on the second floor,” said Keyes. >>>

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City Beat BY MARIE PULEO

Chaos Fishing Proposes Major Redevelopment of Longtime Restaurant Site

Library Expansion Project CONTINUED

LEFT Rendering of Chaos Rods store proposed for 4460 N. Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point Courtesy Gallo Herbert Architects

The property located at 4460 N. Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point — formerly occupied by the Thai restaurant Red Lotus — may become a new Chaos fishing gear and apparel store. Lighthouse Point resident Marshall Gordon, who already has a Chaos store at 4301 N. Federal Highway in Pompano Beach, wants to expand the business into Lighthouse Point. Plans for the new store are currently going through the City’s approval process. The plan for the Lighthouse Point location, which is about one block north of the Pompano store, is to demolish the southeast portion of the existing building, and to remodel and expand the remaining building space. The covered outdoor patio that faces Federal Highway would be enclosed and become part of the retail space. A second story would be added above the patio area for use as office space. Gordon purchased the property in Lighthouse Point for $1.65 million in September 2020. He said he liked the site because it is the only

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commercial property on Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point that fronts a canal. “We’re in the fishing business, so water is what we’re about,” said Gordon. Gordon is seeking approval to include a platform at the canal front so patrons can try out fishing rods. In addition, Chaos could use the platform to host youth groups and teach them hands-on fishing skills in a safe environment, said Gordon. “Its all about community, a passion for the sport and developing the next generation,” said Gordon. Subject to the plans being approved, Gordon expects the Lighthouse Point store would open in the third quarter of 2022. Gordon opened the Chaos store in Pompano — a 6,000-squarefoot leased space — seven years ago. His first Chaos store was a 1,500-square-foot space on Federal Highway, south of Atlantic Boulevard, that opened in 2008. The new location in Lighthouse Point, once remodeled, would be roughly 10,000 square feet. Y

<<< The children’s wing would also have an outside entrance, so it could be used at night completely independent of City Hall. It would also have a restroom. The second floor of the library would continue to be used as a storage area. Currie Sowards Aguila Architects (CSAA) — the architectural firm hired by the City to design the bond projects — proposed doing the plans for the first floor expansion at a cost of $63,000, which still needs to be negotiated. Gallo said the cost for the first floor plans is higher than the $38,775 for the second floor plans because the first floor involves civil engineering and the second floor didn’t. A rough cost estimate for the alternate first floor library project is $810,000, which includes a $675,000 construction cost. The City Commission approved a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $20,000 out of the bond money to refine the first floor expansion concept and get a firmer pricing. The City Commission also approved a motion to authorize negotiations with CSAA for full construction plans that would come back to the Commission for approval, and the money spent on the schematic would be credited towards the plans, if CSAA is hired to do them. Gallo is scheduled to bring more defined costs for the project to the City Commission at its Sept. 13 meeting. Y

City Beat BY MARIE PULEO

Lighthouse Point Yacht Club Redevelopment Plans Are Moving Forward

The Lighthouse Point Yacht Club redevelopment plans are getting closer to completing a lengthy approval process that began in 2018. The Planning and Zoning Board is scheduled to review the site plan for the project at its meeting on Sept. 7. The plans were up for review by the Marine Advisory Board and the Community Appearance Board last month. On July 7, the plans were moved forward by the city’s Development

Review Committee, even though several of the committee’s concerns weren’t resolved. The city engineer had an issue with the entry gate of the development and wrote a letter to the Planning and Zoning Board explaining his position. In addition, the phasing plan for the project didn’t provide as much detail as requested. Terry Paterson, owner and developer of the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, is proposing to build 21

luxury townhomes and one singlefamily home on a portion of the yacht club property that is currently used for tennis courts and parking, and then use the proceeds from the sale of the residential units to subsidize a new yacht club facility. If the Planning and Zoning Board approves the site plan, several more approvals will be needed from the City Commission before the project can move into the permitting phase.Y

Public Hearings for New Millage Rates, Assessments and Budget Are This Month This month’s public hearings for the proposed millage rates, budget and special assessments for fiscal year 2021-2022 will be conducted in the City Commission chambers at the City Hall complex. The first public hearing for the proposed millage rates and tentative budget will take place on Sept. 13 at 6:30pm, along with a public hearing for the proposed assessment rates for Fire Protection Services, Stormwater Utility Services and Solid Waste Collection Services. The special assessments only require one public hearing. The final public hearing to adopt the millage rates and budget will take place on Sept. 23 at 6:30pm. The Sept. 13 and Sept. 23 public hearings will be part of the regular City Commission meetings rescheduled for those dates. Members of the public will also be able to view the meetings online via Zoom and livestream. On the “Agendas & Minutes” page of the City’s website (lighthousepoint.com), the meeting agenda containing the Zoom link will be available 48 hours prior to the meeting, and the livestream link will be posted just before the meeting start time. Anyone wishing to provide input during the meeting must register beforehand. Y

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Construction in progress of the new Community Center at Dan Witt Park — the current estimated completion date is January 2022. Jeff Graves for Lighthouse Point magazine

City Beat BY MARIE PULEO

Atlantic Boulevard And Dixie Highway Intersection to Undergo Major Makeover PILOT PROGRAM FOR NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN WILL START SOON The intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway is getting ready to undergo a major transformation as part of the City of Pompano Beach’s plan to create a new pedestrian-friendly urban downtown, which includes the future Innovation District. According to city officials, the intersection will have a new design that realigns Atlantic Boulevard, which will smooth traffic and enhance pedestrian safety, while creating a signature entrance to the heart of Pompano. The intersection is one of the most well-traveled intersections in Broward County. A traffic study conducted in 2016 by Traf Tech Engineering on behalf of the City showed that traffic volume on Atlantic Boulevard just west of Dixie Highway was 64,300 vehicles per day, and the segment immediately east of Dixie Highway processed approximately 53,500 vehicles per day. The traffic volume along Dixie Highway was approximately 26,300 vehicles per day south of Atlantic Boulevard and 30,800 vehicles per day north of Atlantic Boulevard. “Right now, we’ve got massive amounts of asphalt out there and it’s pretty scary for folks to try and cross Atlantic Boulevard or Dixie Highway,” said Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin. “This project will make that less intimidating.” The goal is to enhance connectivity between the four quadrants of the intersection — the Innovation District, Old Town (Pompano’s historic downtown area), the Civic Commons (where City Hall and the Pompano Beach

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Cultural Center and Library are located), and the Avondale neighborhood. The design changes in these areas are intended to slow down traffic and incentivize walking, rather than allowing drivers to speed through. The project to revamp the intersection will add amenities such as wider sidewalks and medians, shared-use paths, safer crosswalks and new landscaping, which will require lane reductions and traffic pattern changes. The project is expected to start construction sometime between November 2021 and March 2022, according to Horacio Danovich, Pompano’s G.O. Bond and Innovation District director. This month, to educate the public and get motorists accustomed to the new traffic patterns, the construction contractor is scheduled to install flexible plastic delineator posts to establish the new travel lanes and transitions. Striping will also be added, if necessary, and an adjustment to the timing of traffic signals is planned. This “pilot program” will be in place for approximately three months. After the pilot program is completed, the actual project construction will start and last approximately one year. “Some people think we’re going to narrow Atlantic Boulevard down to

ABOVE The intersection at Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway

one lane, but we’re not,” said Hardin. “We’re actually just extending the two-lane configuration of East Atlantic Boulevard a little further to the west.” The flow of traffic going from the Dixie Highway intersection all the way east to the beach “is going to be smoother after this project is completed,” said Hardin. In 2020, Traf Tech Engineering prepared a traffic analysis for the Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway intersection project. The results of the analysis indicate that with the changes to the intersection travel times between I-95 and the Atlantic Ocean (eastbound or westbound) are projected to increase between one-half minute and three minutes during the peak hours, depending on the time of day. The cost of the intersection project is still being finalized, but the current estimate is roughly $23 million, according to Danovich. Y

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City Beat BY MARIE PULEO

Plans for A1A Luxury Condominium Tower in Pompano Beach Are Making Progress

The Pompano Beach Planning and Zoning Board approved in July the site plan and rezoning for a 21-story luxury condominium planned for a 1.9-acre site at 900 N. Ocean Blvd. The proposed development would feature 119 residential units ranging from one to four bedrooms, and

2,500 square feet of neighborhood retail space on the ground floor. The Miami-based developer behind the project is The Related Group, the same developer that is building Solemar, a luxury condominium at 1116 N. Ocean Boulevard in Pompano Beach

ABOVE Rendering of condominium proposed for 900 N. Ocean Blvd. in Pompano Beach

that had its groundbreaking earlier this year. The architect, Arquitectonica, is also the same. Two- and three-bedroom residences at Solemar start at $1.8 million. The oceanfront condominium at 900 N. Ocean Blvd. would have a two-story parking podium with a pool deck on top, located on the west side of the building, fronting A1A. There would also be a sculpture garden, pedestrian plaza and walkway that extends down to the beach. A number of residents from Sea Pointe condominium, located at 812 N. Ocean Blvd., attended the Planning and Zoning Board meeting and expressed their concern about the proposed condominium blocking their view. The rezoning of the project site is expected to go to the City Commission for approval in September. Y

Hilton Rooftop Bar in Pompano Beach Fishing Village is Now Open The Pier 6 Rooftop bar and lounge at the Hilton hotel in the Pompano Beach Fishing Village is now open, offering direct views on the ocean. The bar is open from 5pm10pm every day. Drink specials are from 5pm-7pm every day, with frozen drinks at $7 and bottled beer at $6. On Wednesdays only, from 5pm-7pm, bottles of wine are half-price. The rooftop bar will also offer a menu of appetizers and finger foods. The hotel began renting rooms on June 30 and is now fully operational. Y

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City Beat BY MARIE PULEO

Mixed-Use Development Planned for Old Club Cinema Site Is Moving Forward Plans are moving forward to redevelop a 6.2-acre site along North Federal Highway in Pompano Beach, just south of Shoppers Haven and the RaceTrac gas station on NE 33rd Street. Encore Capital Management is proposing to build Sentosa, a mixeduse project consisting of 285 rental apartments and 4,164 square feet of commercial space. The site, located at 3151-3251 N. Federal Highway, was once occupied by Club Cinema and a strip shopping center. The property is under contract for purchase by Encore Capital

to Federal Highway, and not the full length of the buildings, explained Joe DiCristina, president of Encore’s multi-family division, at a community meeting held in February. A third building with 183 residential units would be adjacent to the Cresthaven neighborhood, which lies west of the project site. This U-shaped building would have seven stories, but the “ends” of the “U,” which would be closest to the neighborhood, would be four stories high. Amenities for the development would be located in this building,

Management, which is headquartered in Boca Raton. Last year, the current property owner, 1307 South Wabash, LLC, demolished all the structures on the site, including the former Club Cinema building. According to plans submitted to the City, the project would consist of two 6-story buildings adjacent to Federal Highway, each with 51 residential units. Each of the buildings would also have two 1,041-square-foot ground-floor commercial spaces fronting the highway. To make the buildings “less obtrusive,” they would face northsouth, so that only the ends of the buildings would be parallel

including a clubhouse, full-service gym, game room, co-work space and an outdoor pool area. There would be a primary access point on Federal Highway into and out of the development, and a secondary access point on NE 33rd Street at the northwest corner of the site behind the existing RaceTrac gas station. There would be no access point on the west side of the site. As per the plans, a call box with a gate would be installed on the access drive adjacent to Federal Highway for residents and guests. The secondary access point would be controlled with a gate and key fob system to only allow residents to use

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that access. The project would include several surface parking areas with a total of 175 spaces. A 3-4 story parking garage with 284 spaces is proposed at the southwest corner of the property. In addition, seven spaces inside a detached garage at the southeast corner of the site, fronting Federal Highway, would be offered to residential tenants as an add-on rental item. The residential units would range from studios to threebedroom units. The plan is for all of the residential units to be rented

ABOVE Rendering of Sentosa, a mixeduse project with rental apartments and commercial space.

at market rate, according to the developer. Encore is a long-term owner of the multi-family properties it develops, as opposed to a developer that constructs a project and then sells it shortly after, said DiCristina. The project site is currently zoned as a business district, but the City’s zoning code allows multifamily development on the property with the allocation of “flexibility units.” The developer has applied to the City for the flexibility units, which will need to be approved by the City Commission. The project is also going through a site plan review process. Y

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Personal Development

The Compound Effect SMALL CHANGES CAN LEAD TO BIG RESULTS

BY CRAIG HALEY THERE IS A STORY ABOUT A MAN RIDING A HORSE, GALLOPING QUICKLY. IT APPEARS THAT HE IS GOING SOMEWHERE VERY IMPORTANT. A MAN STANDING ALONG THE ROADSIDE shouts, “Where are you going?” The rider replies, “I don’t know. Ask the horse!” Sadly, this is the story of most people’s lives. They’re riding the horse of their habits, with no idea where they are headed. It's time to take control of the reins and move your life in the direction of where you want to go.

Most of us can list everything we want in life, money in the bank, dream jobs, good health, etc. The challenge is our current habits and daily routines may be sabotaging our results. Most of us think to achieve what we want, we need to make considerable shifts to our daily routine. Taking those quantum leaps can seem daunting, and because they seem so overwhelming, we don't do anything. The Compound Effect is all about making small, seemingly inconsequential changes to a daily routine, which compounded over time can lead to huge changes. A good example is a flight that from Los Angeles to New York City. If the plane's nose is pointed only one percent off course, it

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will ultimately end up 150 miles off course, arriving either upstate New York or Delaware. One percent seems so small, and yet the result is enormous. Your life is the same way. Deciding to make small changes to your habits and routines can lead to improvements over time. The first thing we must think about is what we want. Paul J. Meyer says, "If you are not making the progress that you would like to make or are capable of making, it is simply because your goals are not clearly defined." What are your goals? What specifically do you want in life? How much money do you want to earn? How much do you want to weigh? How much do you want to save? Do you want a promotion? The Compound Effect is powerful, just like compound interest. Small changes could be as simple as switching out soda for sparkling water. The average soda has 150 calories. If you drank two cans per day, you would save 109,500 calories in a year. Most of us think that change will be painful. I heard the story of a woman who was 30 pounds overweight and wanted to run a half-marathon because her friend was doing it. She had her high school reunion coming up and wanted to look great in front of her old classmates. Running 100 yards was daunting to her let alone 13.1 miles. Her coach suggested starting small and building up over time, just like the compound effect suggests. She started to walk/run a half-mile and did that for a few weeks. Once that was easier, she gradually increased her distance and reduced the walk time in her runs. Ten months later, she was able to run the half-marathon, and she lost the 30 pounds she wanted to lose! Success is not for other people. It is for you. All you need to do is start making small changes, let them compound over time and watch the magic happen. Y Master Shihan Craig Haley is the Seventh Degree Black Belt instructor at Elite Force Martial Arts, eliteforcemartialarts.com.

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Get Psyched

Make a Successful Start Back to School BY DR. JILL SELBACH

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL. EVERYONE HAS THE DESIRE TO START OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT. BUT, HOW DO WE STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK? Successful students have several things in common. Some of these characteristics we are born with and others we can easily institute in our lives. Good students tend to be curious. They enjoy learning and want to gain an understanding of new information. They have a thirst for knowledge. It is important to help children find what excites them and expose them to that excitement about learning. A willingness to learn what is required, even when it's not something you like or think is useful, is also essential to being a successful student.

Set goals for the school year and the small steps needed to take to reach those goals. The Drucker Institute talks about setting SMART goals that are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. CHOOSE SMART FRIENDS WITH SIMILAR GOALS. The people with whom we spend time greatly influence our thinking and behavior. It is much easier to stay on track with your goals if you surround yourself with people like you. They will be less likely to encourage you to forget about your homework and go to the beach. 48 pointpubs.com •

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BE ORGANIZED. Use a planner. Keep on top of long-term assignments, breaking them down into small manageable pieces. Schedule time to complete specific tasks, so there is no last-minute pressure that handicaps you from submitting your best work. Have an organized work area that is quiet, well lit and has all supplies on hand. Start the year with binders and notebooks designated for each class and have areas to store information from each class. ASK QUESTIONS Successful students ask questions and get the answers they need. Don't be afraid to ask questions when something does not make sense. Many people are intimidated to ask a question in front of a class. Chances are several others are wondering the same thing and they don't have the courage to ask. You can see the teacher/professor after class or ask another smart student. BE OPEN TO FEEDBACK During the learning process, It is easy for students to become defensive, but this gets in the way of making improvements and adjustments — review mistakes on tests, quizzes and writing assignments. Allow the teacher/professor to do their job and provide constructive criticism. A good foundation of basic academic skills is vital. Start early with young children to develop basic reading and comprehension skills, number sense and math automaticity. Strong academic skills, written and verbal communication skills are essential to being a successful student. Students are far more successful when they attend class and show up on time. Good students look for opportunities to get extra credit and turn in all assignments. This effort demonstrates to the teacher/professor that you care about your grade and have the drive to work to improve your grades. And last but not least. Successful students manage stress and strive for balance. Good, regular physical exercise is imperative, as well as good sleep hygiene and proper nutrition. These things, coupled with organization, planning and social outlets, help us be at our best in every way. Y

Dr. Jill Selbach is a licensed clinical psychologist. For more information visit drjillselbach.com or call 954-618-8412.

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Legal Matters

If You Have an Out-of-State Trust, Consider Doing Florida Trust BY MARTIN ZEVIN, ATTORNEY

MANY OF MY CLIENTS ARE SNOWBIRDS WITH HOMES IN FLORIDA AND ANOTHER STATE. SOME HAVE A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST (AND LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT) IN THE other state. If you are still a resident of that state and not claiming your homestead in Florida, this article does not apply to you. You should, however, own your Florida property as trustee of your out of state trust to avoid probate when you die. But, if you are a Florida resident and are claiming homestead here, it may be a good idea to create a new Florida trust and new Florida last will and testament. If you already own your Florida property and your out of state property as trustee of your current trust, you can do new deeds to transfer from one trust to the other. There are some legal and practical advantages to owning your Florida homestead property (and any other properties in Florida or elsewhere) in your Florida Trust. Every state has its own laws regarding wills and trusts. Typically, a trust indicates that the laws where the trust was created apply to the terms of the trust. If you are now a Florida resident and want to amend your out of state trust, there may be confusion or conflict between the laws of the two states. As a Florida attorney, I am hesitant about amending an out of state trust. In addition, when you do a trust, you also do a last will and testament which is commonly referred to as a "pourover" will. This names the trust as the beneficiary of any asset owed to your estate upon your death. In Florida, the person named as your executor or personal representative must be a blood relative or a Florida resident. If your out of state will names someone who is not a blood relative or Florida resident, and you die as a resident of Florida, that out-of-state will may be a problem. As a Florida resident, you should have a Florida will (regular or pourover) to avoid potential issues when you die. A Florida will also discusses a "Separate Writing." This allows

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you, under Florida law, to bequeath personal property (jewelry, furniture, collectibles, etc.) without naming it in the will. You only need to write it separately, date it and sign it. It does not have to be witnessed or notarized, just kept with your original Florida Will. You can do as many separate writings as you wish without a lawyer, as long as each is dated and signed. If you are a Florida resident claiming homestead here, it is advisable to review your out-of-state trust and will with a Florida attorney. It is best to provide the attorney with your out-of-state documents at least a few days before the consultation. If you have other out-of-state documents, like a living will, designation of health care surrogate and durable power of attorney, these should also be reviewed, since they may not be effective in Florida if you become incapacitated. Y

Martin Zevin is available to discuss wills, trusts, estates, probate and is available for free consultation regarding personal injury claims or car insurance coverage. For more information call 954-569-4878 or visit martinzevinpa.com.

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Financial Fitness

Estate and Gift Tax Update BY GREGORY EDWARDS If you have been paying attention to the news coming out of Washington D.C. lately, recent legislative proposals have the potential to dramatically impact the current estate and gift tax rules and rates. While these are only proposed amendments at this stage,

we anticipate that given the current control of the legislative and executive branches of government, changes could be become effective in the near future. A summary of the proposed changes is outlined in the chart below:

CURRENT

PROPOSED

Estate Exemption

$11.7M (inflation-adjusted)

$3.5M (not inflation-adjusted)

Gift Tax Exemption

$11.7M (inflation-adjusted)

$1M (not inflation-adjusted)

Gift & Estate Tax Rates

40% flat tax

45% to 65% progressive tax rate

Annual Gifting

$15K per year per person

$30K total per donor per year (to trusts)

Grantor Trust Planning

Excluded from the estate of the Grantor

Grantor trusts included in estate of Grantor for estate tax purposes

GRAT Planning

2 year minimum GRAT term and zeroedout GRATs acceptable

Requires a 10 year minimum GRAT term and eliminates zeroed-out GRATs

Valuation Discounts

Discounts allowed for lack of control and marketability

Greatly reduces ability to use valuation discounts

GST and Dynasty Planning

Controlled by state law – Florida allows 360 years

Existing Trusts will terminate 50 years after the passage of the act, New trusts terminate 50 years after formation

Step-Up in Basis

Step-up in basis occurs on unrealized capital gains at death

Tax unrealized capital gains at death

These legislative changes might significantly increase our clients and friends’ gift and estate tax exposure. In addition, many of the existing tools and strategies estate planners currently use to transfer wealth to the next generation efficiently could be eliminated. It should be noted that these proposed tax law changes are far from complete and may be altered or “watered down” before being signed into law. However, the uncertainty surrounding the timing and when the alterations could take effect make estate and wealth

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transfer planning more critical now than ever. We are urging our clients and friends that the time is now to consider various planning strategies. Please feel welcome to call me for a review of which strategies may be appropriate for your situation and how best to mitigate a potential increase in estate taxes. Y Gregory Edwards, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC is a principal at Lawless, Edwards, & Warren - Wealth Management. For more information or please call 561-361-8140 ext. 229.

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Tidbits & Trivia

COVID-19 Guidelines Explained (Sort Of) BY JIM TERLIZZI

THE CDC (CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONFUSION) HAS ISSUED VARIOUS GUIDELINES FOR COPING WITH THE PANDEMIC, LEAVING MANY OF US BEFUDDLED. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE acquired an internal memo which makes everything crystal clear. To wit: If you have been fully vaccinated or know someone who has, you do not need to wear a mask while sleeping. However, if you are awake, you should wear two masks — one N95 and one blue pleated mask. Green masks are no longer acceptable, as the virus is attracted to that color. You may remove your mask to eat, drink or snort cocaine, but you must be at least 12 feet from any living thing. (Make the distance 15 feet if the person near you is named Ralph.) Since the virus is transmissible only above four feet from the floor and below seven feet, anyone shorter than four feet or taller than seven feet is immune, unless, of course, if the small person is standing on a chair, or the tall individual is seated. You may qualify for exemptions to mask-wearing for medical reasons. For example, if you are unable to exhale or you are dead. You also may be eligible for a religious exemption if you were baptized while crossing the equator on a tramp steamer during the Vernal Equinox. The CDC also recommends wearing a mask while having sex, unless you are alone at the time. My wife showed her concern for my well-being by coming up

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with a mask that is foolproof. She fashioned it out the filmy plastic that covers your clothes coming back from the dry cleaner. You slip it over your head and tape it around your neck. It is guaranteed to prevent Covid (and every other airborne illness). DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! There is one drawback that I have discovered — how to prevent myself from suffocating. I am sure this was an oversight on my wife’s part. There are three vaccines approved for use in the United States: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Here are the pros and cons for each: Pro: All three appear to be effective against the virus. Con: Don’t take any if you are allergic to them. (Question: How do you know if you are allergic until you take them?) Dosages are as follows: Pfizer requires two shots spaced three weeks apart. Allow an extra week if you are left-handed. Moderna also requires two shots, spaced four weeks apart if you have blue eyes, five weeks if brown eyes and six weeks for green. People with hazel eyes can only be injected on Tuesdays. Johnson & Johnson is a one-shot deal given on odd-numbered days in months containing the letter “r” and even-numbered days in the rest. There are eight variants of the virus: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, two versions of Epsilon, Iota and Zeta. You are immune if you belong to a fraternity/sorority or can speak Greek. Or, you can obtain immunity by eating a Gyro. (Thanks to my son,Jim, for his input on this column.) Y

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Creatively Cooking

Sheet-Pan Sausage with Apples BY MRS. KOSSENFLOFFER

September is all about apples. From apple pies, galettes, cakes and cobblers, I can’t get enough apple desserts. But why stop at dessert? In this easy weeknight dinner, the apples get a touch caramelized as they roast, providing a lovely contrast in flavor and texture to just about any kind of sausage you like. >>>

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Creatively Cooking <<<

Sheet-Pan Sausage with Apples Serves 2-3

INGREDIENTS

2-4 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound sweet Italian sausage Kosher salt and black pepper 12 baby potatoes, halved (or more if you love potatoes, which is everyone) 1 red onion cut in wedges 2 apples, peeled, cored and cut in wedges 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped Fresh parsley (optional) Grainy mustard for serving

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PREPARATION Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Brush a little olive oil onto a sheet-pan and place the pan in the oven to preheat. While the pan is heating, cut the potatoes. Remove the pan from the oven and place the potatoes cut side down on the sheet-pan — season with kosher salt. Cook in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until they are crispy golden brown. Flip the potatoes over and place the apples and onions on the sheet-pan. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and toss using a spatula to coat the apples and onions. Season with a little more salt and freshly ground black pepper. Nestle the sausages onto the sheet-pan and roast until the sausage is cooked through, about 25-30 minutes. About 5 minutes before the sausage is done, remove from the oven and sprinkle the rosemary on top of everything. Return the sheet-pan to the oven to complete cooking. When the sausage is done, and the veggies are nicely browned, remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with a good quality grainy mustard. Y

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CODE GREEN

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At Point! Publishing, our goal is to create a sense of local pride, build community and inform residents. Point! Publishing’s email newsletter, Coastal News, is a great source for local news, events, featured articles and city announcements in Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Lighthouse Point. Plus, receive the digital edition of our magazines complimentary in your inbox every month. Coastal News is e-mailed twice a month.

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Try the Wine

Find Your Way to Tasty Chardonnay BY DAVID EHRENFRIED

CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY HAS EVOLVED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, AND LIKE MANY WINES ALL OVER THE WORLD, IT HAS BEEN getting better and better. At least that’s my humble opinion. I was reminded of this recently when I opened several bottles of California chardonnay I purchased over the past year but hadn’t gotten around to tasting. Most of these chards were made from grapes grown in cool hilly areas near the Pacific Ocean and Pablo Bay, where fog and chilly winds extend the growing season and help give chardonnay, pinot noir and other grapes that thrive in those conditions vibrant acidity and focused flavors. Wines made from these grapes open new windows for chardonnay drinkers. The view is away from the bold, so-called “butter bombs” first popularized by chardonnay winemakers in the 1980s. The

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new vista looks toward richly flavored but crisper, fresher, more structured, and more nuanced wines that can have an amazing range of fruit scents and flavors, from apricot and other stone fruits to apples, pears, and lemons, for example. This “newer” style reminds many people of classic white French Burgundy wines, which are also made of chardonnay. The styles share some similarities and have enjoyed a recent long string of excellent vintages. I think the California coastal chardonnays are uniquely Californian, though, perhaps because of the Pacific Ocean influence. I like their freshness and acidity. Additionally, for comparable quality, the California wines are decidedly less expensive. For example, you can easily spend $100 to $200 on a probably memorable bottle of French meursault or pulignymontrachet. By contrast, most of the very top California

chardonnays — wines that have been consistently excellent and have gotten outstanding marks from wine critics and reviewers — sell primarily in the $50 to $100 range. To be sure, there are some very good inexpensive chards in this style that sell for less than $20. But if you’re prepared to spend between $20 and $50; in that case, there are dozens of delicious, characterful chardonnay wines in this fresher, sleeker, more refined style that are worth exploring, especially if you haven’t tried them before. The overall quality, texture, and bright fruit and other flavors of these special wines can contribute to countless moments of serene pleasure and to fond memories of delicious meals, favorite evenings, and other enjoyable occasions. Of course, even the very best wines don’t always do that, nor should we expect them to. But it’s great when they do.

“Old” Style Versus “New” Style Chardonnay is indisputably America’s most popular wine. By one count, one in every five bottles of wine sold in the United States is chardonnay. And none is more popular than chardonnay made in California. Vast amounts of chardonnay grapes are grown in the Golden State. Literally, about half the state’s vineyards are planted with chardonnay, and for good reasons. As grapes go, chardonnay is relatively easy to cultivate, and it adapts well to different soil and other growing conditions. Chardonnay also is very amenable to tinkering by vintners, who routinely shape the chardonnay winemaking process to suit various tastes and markets. Walk into almost any wine store, and there’s likely an aisle or more of different California chards. Some are cheap (though not necessarily bad), mass-produced, and generic tasting — perhaps in boxes and cans as well as bottles. Many California chardonnay wines are passionately crafted by both big and small producers in various styles from carefully selected grapes. Many of the best are made from exceptional grapes grown in a single vineyard or specific geographic areas, such as the Russian River or Fort Ross-Seaview areas on the Sonoma Coast, the Santa Lucia Highlands on the Monterrey Peninsula, and the Santa Rita Hills near Santa Barbara. Chardonnay lovers often have their favorites. I favor those from Sonoma and Monterrey. Not too long ago, a common description of a typical glass of California chardonnay was: full-bodied, toasty, and buttery — often the more buttery the better. Chardonnay grapes do not naturally make wine like this. To make chardonnay taste both toasty and buttery, vintners expose the developing wine extensively to new oak in barrels or suspended in oak chips. Additionally, they employ a chemical process called malolactic fermentation. Aging in oak adds texture as well as vanilla, smoke, toasted

nuts, and other flavors. Malolactic fermentation converts tart-tasting malic acids naturally found in grapes (and all fruits) into lactic acid, making wine taste creamy or buttery. Winemakers around the world routinely regulate these processes to amplify or minimize these effects. Some winemakers have gone to extremes. Chardonnay with exaggerated oaky and buttery flavors, though popular, was always controversial with many wine drinkers, and probably helped to give rise to the acronym “ABC” (Anything But Chardonnay). Critics argued that these wines were basically manufactured and did not pair well with foods. But in case you think consumers have rejected oaky and buttery chardonnay, consider the widely available wine aptly named Butter Chardonnay. It has alcohol content of almost 15% ABV, comparable to many powerful red wines. “Butter,” made by none other than JaM Cellars and sells in the $10-15 range, reportedly made a mere 12,000 bottles in 2010; in 2020 it made over 10 million bottles. The source of the inexpensive grapes for such low-cost wines is typically California’s vast, warmer inland vineyards, which produce less acidic, more sugary chardonnay grapes favorable to making these heavier and more alcoholic wines. If you like the heavier style, there are still plenty of premium chardonnay wines, such as from Napa County, that are bold, creamy, and toasty with a delicious balance of nectar and baked and fresh fruit flavors. But the more exciting wines, I think, are the more nuanced chardonnay made from grapes grown close to the ocean, especially in Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

Pacific Ocean Influence Along the long stretch of California coastline from Mendocino to Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean remains pretty cool year-round. It sends evening and morning fog and chilly winds into coastal mountain valleys and hillsides. However, the late mornings and afternoons generally heat up and get plenty of sun. The contrasting daily temperatures produce grapes different from those grown in the consistently warmer inland areas like the Napa Valley, Central Valley and Sierra Foothills. With grapes containing higher acid more precise fruit flavors, vintners could produce elegant, fresh-tasting wines with great structure. Even after aging in oak, these chardonnays seem to maintain these characteristics while gaining texture and other flavors. The best of these wines are hardly wallflowers; they're rich, precise, have varied fruit flavor, and a bit of vanilla, cardamom or other spice. You may even experience a bit of pastry, like a crisp, fresh croissant. And some even have slight saline touch, like the pinch of salt that makes many foods taste just right. They’re rarely flabby, but you also probably won’t find many California chardonnays >>> AUGUST 2021 • pointpubs.com

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Try the Wine <<< that are lean or steely, like French chablis, another cool-climate style of chardonnay that typically is not aged in oak barrels. For what it's worth, chardonnay wines made with coastal area grapes appear to be getting outstanding reviews and ratings from wine critics and reviewers. That probably reflects a strong bias toward fresh tasting, structured white wines with exciting fruit flavors. But even if you prefer the buttery style, give these wines a try. Among other things, you'll find they're compatible with more varieties of foods, which is a big deal. Buttery chardonnays typically don’t pair especially well with many foods, except cheese and desserts and creamy, fatty or spicy foods. Like white French Burgundy, the coastal chardonnays complement fish, poultry, and vegetable dishes prepared grilled or with light or mildly heavy sauces. What to Try There are plenty of coastal California chardonnays to choose from. Unfortunately, some top wines, particularly many of the single-vineyard wines, can be challenging to buy. Because they’re often made in smaller quantities, often less than 1,000 cases a year, entire vintages sell out quickly to consumers, restaurants, and collectors who buy directly from the wineries. These wines may never see a store shelf or online listing. Even so, hundreds of comparable wines are available in the usual retail outlets. If you’re interested in buying directly from a winery, you can often request to be put on a winery’s list for mailings and voluntary allotments before wines are released to the general public. Many wineries give case discounts and offer free shipping for minimum order amounts. Some wineries also have buying clubs where buyers pay in advance for periodic selections of the winery’s wines. Also, some wine stores will try to acquire wines for you with reasonable notice. Of course, you can always keep tabs on your favorite wine stores or websites and then purchase one or two bottles of certain wines before committing to buy more. As I mentioned, my favorite California coastal chardonnays are from Sonoma and Monterrey counties. However, similar and delicious wines are also being made in other counties like Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo. For wine in the $15-30 range, consider wines made by Cambria, Copain, Gehricke, Hahn, Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, LaFond, Landmark, Mer Soleil Reserve, Sanford, and Sonoma-Loeb. For more expensive wines, look for Arista, Aubert, Clendenon, Dumol, Gary Farrell, Flowers, Hanzell, Hartford, Paul Hobbs, Kistler, Lucia, Marcassin, Peter Michael, Nicholson Ranch, Ramey, Ram’s Gate, Roar, Rochioli, Sojourn, and Walt. Some leading vineyards that sell Chardonnay grapes to these and other wineries for single vineyard wines are Durell, Ritchie, Hyde, Rosella, Sangiacomo, and Sierra Mar, Soberanes. Y

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HOW Unemployment Insurance Fraud Exploded During the Pandemic BOTS FILING BOGUS APPLICATIONS IN BULK, TEAMS OF FRAUDSTERS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES MAKING PHONY CLAIMS, ONLINE FORUMS PEDDLING HOW-TO ADVICE ON IDENTITY THEFT: INSIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF PERHAPS THE LARGEST FRAUD WAVE IN HISTORY. BY CEZARY PODKUL, ProPublica

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A Bronx man allegedly received $1.5 million in just ten months. A California real estate broker raked in more than $500,000 within half a year. A Nigerian government official is accused of pocketing over $350,000 in less than six weeks. What they all had in common, according to federal prosecutors, was participation in what may turn out to be the biggest fraud wave in U.S. history: filing bogus claims for unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The broker has pleaded guilty, while the Bronx man and Nigerian official have pleaded not guilty.) Fraudsters have filed in high volumes, sometimes obtaining payments from multiple states, despite the fact that a jobless person is barred from getting assistance in more than one state. One person, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, used a single Social Security number to file unemployment insurance claims in 40 states. Twenty-nine states paid up, sending $222,532. But the problem extends far beyond a plague of solo scammers. A ProPublica investigation reveals that much of the fraud has been organized — both in the U.S. and abroad. Fraudsters have used bots to file online claims in bulk. And others, located as far away as China and West Africa, have organized low-wage teams to file phony claims. In addition, the fraud has been enabled by a burgeoning online infrastructure, whose existence has not previously been reported in the mainstream press. Much of it is geared toward exploiting aging or obsolete state unemployment systems whose weaknesses have drawn warnings for decades. Communities have sprouted on messaging apps such as Telegram, where fraudsters trade tips on how to cash in. Hustlers advertise their techniques — or “sauces” (apparently short for “secret sauce”) — for filing bogus claims, along with state-specific instructions on how to get

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around security checks, according to a ProPublica review of messages on more than 25 such chat forums. Some of the forums have thousands of participants and regularly offer stolen identities for sale, alongside tech tips, screenshots that ostensibly prove the methods work and advice on which states are easiest to game and which are “lit” — that is, still paying out fake claims. Users have created two Telegram channels in which they trade tips for filing claims in Maryland, whose labor department recently said it detected some 508,000 potentially fraudulent jobless claims between the start of May and mid-June. Participants in those forums have been talking about turning their efforts to Pennsylvania, where officials recently said they have “noticed an uptick” in fraudulent claims. Telegram did not respond to requests for comment. But after ProPublica’s inquiry, 10 of the channels we asked about suddenly went dark, marked with this notice: “This channel can’t be displayed because it violated Telegram’s Terms of Service.” Nobody has yet come close to putting a definitive number on the dollar value of fraud relating to pandemic-era unemployment benefits. But ProPublica performed a data analysis that hints at the massive scope. In state after state, the volume of initial jobless claims has far exceeded the number of estimated job losses. Across the U.S. from March to December 2020, the number of initial claims equated to 68% of the country’s labor force, which stood at around 164 million before the pandemic. In five states — Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada and Rhode Island — the initial claims outnumbered the entire pool of civilian workers. By contrast, about 23% of American workers were out of a job or underemployed at the peak of the pandemic, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; in the most recent report that figure is just under 10%. (There are innocent explanations for at least some of the disparity: If a person loses a job more than once during a given year, they can legitimately file for benefits more than once during that time.) The fraud estimates provided by states so far range from high to jaw-dropping. In Vermont, as many as 90% of claims in some months were determined to be fraudulent, state officials said in June. Rhode Island’s labor agency said in March that it suspected fraud in 43% of the claims it had received. The equivalent agency in California has confirmed fraud in about 10% of its payments and said it’s investigating a further 17%. The numbers have tailed off in Texas, whose agency says it now suspects fraud in about 14% of its claims. “The system was the victim of what is one of the largest internet crimes in history, perpetrated against all 50 states at extraordinary levels,” said James

Bernsen, a spokesperson for the Texas Workforce Commission. (Bernsen and officials for other states say the damage could’ve been even worse: They say they’ve been able to stop billions of dollars’ worth of bogus claims before they got paid.) The U.S. Department of Labor’s inspector general estimates that at least $87 billion in fraudulent and improper payments will have made their way through the system by the time pandemic-linked jobless aid programs expire in September. That estimate is based on a historic assumption that fraud and waste eat up about 10% of unemployment insurance aid. The inspector general acknowledges that figure is likely too conservative in an environment where unemployment insurance fraud has “exploded” to “unprecedented” levels. Other experts anticipate a dramatically higher tally. “From my experience, when this is all said and done, we are going to be counting in the hundreds of billions of dollars, not the tens of billions,” said Jon Coss, who heads a unit within Thomson Reuters that is helping states detect fake unemployment insurance claims. Coss bases that assessment on the widespread fraudulent activity he’s seen. He said one U.S. state,

crime over the past 25 years or so, particularly the use of stolen identities to file fake claims on someone else’s behalf, opened the way to fraud on an epic scale. The problem was already described as ongoing as early as 1998, when the Labor Department’s inspector general warned about the “continued proliferation of UI fraud schemes.” Four years later, a report by the inspector general said, “We are particularly concerned with identity theft or imposter schemes, which occur when individual identities are stolen and then used to apply for UI benefits.” The report noted that “individuals have the opportunity to defraud multiple states from a single location.” In 2015, the agency detailed the “systemic weaknesses” that make UI programs vulnerable to fraud. (More on those later.) At least twice during the Obama administration, the Labor Department proposed reforms to Congress to address some of these inadequacies, primarily by boosting information sharing among states and federal agencies. Both times these efforts went nowhere. President Donald Trump included similar reforms in each of his four budget proposals to Congress. They, too, were never enacted.

The system was the victim of what is one of the largest internet crimes in history, perpetrated against all 50 states at extraordinary levels. — James Bernsen, a spokesperson for the Texas Workforce Commission.

which he declined to name, received fake claims — all purportedly from state residents — that originated from IP addresses in nearly 170 countries. They included countries historically linked to fraud, such as China, Nigeria and Russia, as well as more surprising ones, such as Cuba, Eritrea, Fiji and Monaco. Overall, Coss said, between 40% and 50% of the claims his group has analyzed seem highly suspect. He added, “It’s mind-boggling the level of fraud that we’re seeing.”

Defrauding unemployment insurance, or UI, programs, which pay out weekly benefits to workers who’ve lost jobs through no fault of their own, is likely as old as the programs themselves. But the rise of internet-based

Meanwhile, states’ funding for unemployment insurance administration was falling, largely because the economy strengthened and unemployment fell. At the start of the pandemic, funding for states’ unemployment insurance administration stood at a 30year low, according to the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. The funding squeeze led to some predictable results. California, which had hired Coss’s firm to help detect fraud, canceled that contract in 2016 to save money. Budget cuts also trimmed the ranks of the federal Labor Department’s inspector general’s office, which lost 28% of its criminal investigators between 2012 and 2020, according to figures provided in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. At the same time, online criminals were expanding their targets. Years ago, Agari Data, a cybersecurity firm that helps catch email scams, began tracking SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

a Nigerian cybercrime group it dubbed “Scattered Canary.” Agari produced a timeline of the group’s evolution that looks like an ever-branching tree: It grew out of Craigslist scams (2009) into phishing (2015) and then tax return fraud and credit card fraud (2016). Scattered Canary started targeting unemployment aid, too. “Similar to how the group pivoted from individual victims to business targets during the previous threeyear period,” Agari wrote in a 2019 report, “Scattered Canary again set their sights on a new type of target in 2017 — government agencies.” A steady procession of large-scale hacks of corporations and governments over the past decade provided the raw material needed to defraud government benefit programs. What scammers call “fullz” — a suite of data ranging from a person’s name and address to their Social Security number, date of birth and more — was increasingly easy to obtain. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, which tracks data breaches, tallied 2,229 hacks from 2010 to 2019, according to a database of such incidents. Those hacks exposed nearly 6.9 billion records. When the pandemic seemed to threaten the foundations of the economy in March 2020, Congress responded quickly, launching the biggest expansion of unemployment insurance since the system was created amid the Great Depression. Lawmakers created three massive programs that workers could tap as states shut down to halt the spread of the deadly virus. One program provided workers 13 additional weeks of aid once they exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. Another gave laid-off workers an extra $600 per week on top of existing benefits. A third, known as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, funded 39 weeks of jobless benefits for workers traditionally excluded from unemployment insurance, such as self-employed “gig economy” contractors.

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As of July 17, 2021, the three programs have collectively paid out about $604 billion, a total projected to reach up to $873 billion by the time the programs expire in September. That’s on top of states’ regular unemployment insurance plans, which paid out another $166 billion in jobless benefits between March 2020 and June 2021. That means total payments to the jobless could add up to about $1 trillion over 18 months. Augmenting UI payments was not an unusual move for Congress — but the scale and speed were vastly different. For example, in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Congress funded an extra $25 a week on top of regular state unemployment benefits, then averaging around $300 a week. This time, Congress authorized a weekly $600 payment that was automatically added to regular UI payments, which require verification of prior income and employment. But in its urgency to get cash to people with no work, Congress chose not to require such verification in the PUA program. It requested only self-certification of eligibility and no proof of income or identity. And successful applicants could get the extra $600 weekly payment, too. With its loose application requirements, PUA instantly drew throngs of scammers. California state authorities have said that 95% of its confirmed fraudulent UI payments originated in PUA claims. Pennsylvania’s agency estimated that nearly 84% of its PUA claims were phony.

A scroll through the thousands of messages exchanged in Telegram chat forums provides a vivid illustration of what state unemployment agencies have been up against. The forums are easy to find: Simply searching

for the acronym “PUA” can lead any Telegram user to a bunch of them (even after Telegram shut 10 of them in the wake of our questions). They have proliferated since the start of the pandemic, providing bustling marketplaces for criminals looking to obtain stolen IDs, methods for filing fake jobless claims or other advice. The most common products sold on the forums — statespecific sauces for filing claims — are hawked with daily frequency. A Telegram user who posts under the handle “VerifiedFraud” recently offered his 1,300 chat room participants a new sauce for Pennsylvania’s system that he said would pay $700 a week. (VerifiedFraud also posted an earnest “new month prayer” on July 1, asking God to help his customers: “My prayer is all your sleepless night & day coming to this forum working & praying to God shall come through and Success will locate u.”) Pennsylvania said it’s unable to speak to the validity of the guide. When ProPublica asked about the guide, VerifiedFraud responded with two emojis. Fifteen minutes later, he posted a message in his channel that seemed to rationalize fraud: “Virtually all these wealthy entrepreneurs you see around 90% of them started with something illegal to make enough money to run their business.” The guides available on Telegram include lengthy step-by-step directions and screenshots detailing where to input stolen information. They offer advice on how to avoid triggering anti-fraud software, such as not to fill out part of the application on one device or from one IP address, then switch to another. One guide for filing claims in New York state warns users, “Don’t Copy and Paste in the text box. Type in the details while filling the text boxes. A script monitors activities like Copy&Paste to raise red flags.” When such guides outlive their usefulness, new ones quickly pop up. “New CALI SAUCE WAVE,” read one of several messages posted in late June alongside a screenshot of what purported to be a successful unemployment aid application for California. The ad, offered by someone who calls himself the “King of Cali,” touted a video guide and a PDF walk-through. California’s Employment Development Department declined to comment. Many of the pitches are blunt. One ad features the 2021 edition of a “Fraud Bible” for sale alongside 19 other sauces, including a guide for obtaining loans under the government’s Paycheck Protection Program, another frequent fraud target. The PPP loan program ended on May 31, underscoring the risk that the people selling the Fraud Bible may not be on the up and up. (When ProPublica requested comment, the seller or sellers of the

Fraud Bible responded with variations of “fuck you.” The “King of Cali” responded by asking, “Are you ready to pay? I’ll give you everything you need.” Hours later, his profile was deleted and replaced with a warning: “Many users reported this account as a scam or a fake account. Please be careful, especially if it asks you for money.”) Concerns about fraud are rampant inside the forums — but only insofar as the users fear they could become victims of it rather than perpetrators, say, by paying for a fraud strategy that no longer works. One Telegram forum called “$CAM C3NT£R” promises a “trusted” escrow service that clears sales of sauces, stolen identities and other services to make sure participants don’t rip each other off while preparing to rip the government off. (The administrator of $CAM C3NT£R told ProPublica he’s just trying to stop fraud inside his channel: “lot of fake people around and I’m doing escrow to protect my people.”) To convey the success of their methods, sellers frequently post photos of wads of cash or screenshots of unemployment payments seemingly landing in their bank accounts or mobile payment apps. One user who recently advertised a Michigan sauce elegantly arranged $20 bills in the shape of the words “tap in” to encourage users to pay $200 via Bitcoin for his method, along with a screenshot of Michigan’s jobless aid website and the claim that “Michigan still hittin and is payin good money.” (A spokesperson for Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency said the state is having success stopping fraudulent payments before they’re made and that “these type of messages amount to false advertising in order to elicit money from those who would steal identities.”) Social Security numbers, names and dates of birth are frequently exposed in the forums by sellers wishing to give buyers a taste of what they’ve got. Sometimes users post links to files of data purportedly stolen via corporate hacks. In another dark web forum

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, which tracks data breaches, tallied 2,229 hacks from 2010 to 2019, according to a database of such incidents. Those hacks exposed nearly 6.9 billion records. SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

called White House Market, some participants offer to create identity profiles tailored to specific states where buyers want to file jobless claims. “No guarantee in success, but all pros would be made just for you,” read one such ad. The asking price was $70 per profile. Such forums have attracted users from around the world, but user messages suggest that one country in particular appears to provide a significant set of followers: Nigeria. That’s where Abidemi Rufai was bound on the evening of May 14 when he was getting ready to board the first-class cabin of a flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport after visiting his brother in New York. Instead, he was arrested by FBI agents and charged with stealing more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits from Washington state. Details of that indictment shed light on how federal prosecutors believe such schemes are carried out, and the sheer variety of participants they have attracted: Rufai serves as a senior special assistant to the governor of a Nigerian state. He allegedly used stolen identities to file fake unemployment benefits in 11 states, including over 100 applications in Washington, where state auditors have tallied a total of $1.1 billion in possible imposter fraud from nearly 250,000 potentially bogus claims. Prosecutors say Rufai filed his claims using variations on the same email, sandytangy58@ gmail.com, which he modified by inserting periods in different places, like san.dyta.ngy58@gmail.com or sa.ndyt.a.ngy58@gmail.com. Servers for state unemployment agencies treat those as different email addresses, but Google disregards periods when routing messages to a gmail account. That allowed Rufai and his co-conspirators the convenience of filing in multiple states while handling all of their correspondence from one email account. It’s a popular strategy: Another Nigerian national allegedly used it to claim more than $489,000 of unemployment payouts from 15 states,

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according to an affidavit filed in a similar case. When completing unemployment benefit applications, Rufai and his co-conspirators directed states to pay benefits into Green Dot online banking accounts, one of several fintech platforms favored by criminals for their ability to quickly link debit cards with checking accounts that can be used to receive government benefit payments. In other cases, they directed payments into bank accounts controlled by “money mules,” people who would receive funds and then transfer them to Rufai and his co-conspirators in exchange for a fee. (Green Dot Chief Risk Officer Philip Lerma said the company has been working with state agencies to combat fraudulent activity. “This is an ongoing process of learning and refinement across the industry,” he said in a statement.) Prosecutors said Rufai’s email account contained a “staggering” amount of stolen information, including passwords to people’s email accounts, security questions and answers, driver’s license numbers, and bank account and routing numbers, as well as more than 1,000 stolen tax returns. Rufai had also used his gmail account to submit claims for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief in 2017, according to prosecutors, followed by fraudulent submissions to the Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. After Rufai was charged, investigators at the IRS disclosed they had been investigating the sandytangy58@gmail. com account for several years. They told prosecutors that the agency had received 652 applications for fraudulent tax refunds from “dot variants” of that email, totaling $1.6 million. Of that, about $900,000 was approved for payment. Rufai has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Michael Barrows, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Barrows wrote in a bail filing in late June that Rufai has no criminal record and that prosecutors are offering “intentionally false and/or misleading information in an effort to exaggerate the crimes alleged while tarnishing the reputation of a wellrespected Nigerian government official.” Some scammers employ similar techniques on a mass scale by writing computer scripts, or bots, to automatically populate stolen identities into states’ application portals. New York suffered an attack from one such bot, which was able to repeatedly navigate and complete its application process, according to a person familiar with the episode. New York’s labor commissioner has said that the state is “aggressively deploying advanced resources” to fight fraud, including computer algorithms of its own. Other fraudsters outsource such activity to human

labor farms in low-wage countries, according to cybersecurity firm F5. Patterns of UI applications indicate workers in China, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico and West African nations have been hired to input data into U.S. unemployment portals, according to Carlos Asuncion, F5’s director of solutions engineering. Asuncion said job ads to do that kind of work often pop up on websites catering to “microworkers” — people who earn pennies per task for such actions as creating gmail accounts, inputting email addresses or zip codes and solving captchas (the latter for as little as five hundredths of a cent per captcha). The labor can be even cheaper, according to Asuncion, than developing and updating a computer algorithm. As he put it, “It’s kind of an arms race.”

State unemployment agencies, burdened by aging technologies and siloed databases that don’t effectively communicate with each other, have been unable to keep up with any sort of arms race. Federal rules require states to cross-check applicants’ information against a handful of databases when determining eligibility for jobless benefits. These include a national directory of new hires, quarterly wage records submitted by employers, and an immigration database that allows states to verify applicants’ citizenship status. The Labor Department also recommends that states check a database aimed at preventing claims in multiple states, as well as the Social Security Administration, prisoner records and an interstate data hub meant to help flag foreign IP addresses, suspicious email domains and applicants, according to a May 2020 compliance bulletinbulletin. But performing all those checks requires modern technology. Many states are running their UI systems on software so obsolete that it’s hard to even find anyone able to service it. North Dakota had to recruit programmers from Latvia to prop up its systems last year, since the tiny Eastern European nation is one of the few places that still teaches the software used by the state’s unemployment insurance system. The clunky mainframe was “miraculously patched together, at considerable cost, to get us through the pandemic surge,” the state’s governor said in his December 2020 budget proposal, which sought to replace the system. Amid the surge in claims, databases frequently froze up or slowed to a crawl, according to the Labor Department’s inspector general. States also reported not having the mainframe capacity to perform cross-matches for the large volumes of claims they were getting.

The result was that many cross-checks simply didn’t happen. Twenty states did not perform all the required database cross-matches, and 44 states did not perform all recommended ones, the inspector general found. Even when states perform the checks, they can still be fooled. After all, the extent of identity theft means that criminals often input the information of a real person. Validating that the data is accurate doesn’t necessarily verify whether the claim was filed by the person whose data was used. “Verification and validation are two different things,” said John Pallasch, an assistant secretary of labor during the Trump administration. “That was the inherent flaw in all of this.” Violinist Philip Payton got caught on the wrong end of this after he lost his job playing in Disney’s “Frozen” musical. When the pandemic shut down all Broadway performances in March 2020, word got around the orchestra that musicians could apply for unemployment insurance. By early April, Payton was receiving $504 a week plus the extra $600 authorized by Congress, his account shows. “This just helped me stay normal,” he said. “I could pay my bills and pay my half of the rent.” But things changed in mid-September when the weekly payments suddenly stopped. He called New York’s Department of Labor and was told, he said, that he had a claim in another state. The agent didn’t tell him which state. A follow-up conversation in October ended the same way. Many have shared Payton’s plight. In 2020, consumers filed nearly 400,000 complaints claiming their identities were stolen and used to claim government benefits. That was up more than 2,900% from about 13,000 such complaints in 2019, according to Federal Trade Commission data. Unsure what to do, Payton kept calling until he finally got through to someone who told him the other claim was in Texas. Payton called the Texas Workforce Commission’s fraud line, but couldn’t get through to anyone. By then, it was January and Payton was beginning to run low on cash. He kept calling and leaving messages but couldn’t get a call back. Eventually, through a chain of contacts, Payton reached an agent at the Texas commission, who told him he was listed as having filed claims in multiple states. The agent told him to call New York’s labor department to get his benefits restarted. That prompted yet another round of phone calls. It was now early April. Payton had drained his savings and was falling behind on rent. Sometimes he’d spend SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

three to four hours a day on hold while practicing violin or browsing job ads on the internet. He also started contacting organizations he thought might be able to help. Eventually, he connected with a paralegal at the Legal Aid Society, who sent an email to two New York labor department officials asking to expedite his case. A day later, after eight months of missed payments and little work, Payton’s unemployment benefits finally

restarted (and covered the earlier missed payments). But the experience shook his faith in the program. “There just has to be a better system,” Payton said. The state unemployment agencies in New York and Texas both declined to comment on Payton’s situation, citing privacy restrictions. But Bernsen, the spokesperson for the Texas Workforce Commission, said in a statement that the state generally blocks suspicious claims by placing a “fraud block” on them. “This becomes a problem when the legitimate person needs to access those funds.” He added, “Fundamentally, the system is trying to do two things simultaneously that are at odds with one another: ensure quick payments to individuals and prevent fraud.” Of the two issues, fraud prevention is now much more on the minds of officials in Washington. Gene Sperling, President Biden’s top official in charge of the pandemic response, said the issue goes beyond just unemployment insurance. The deluge of fraudulent claims has slowed as the surge in federal aid draws to a close, but he sees the proliferation of identity theft for government benefits as the larger threat. “It’s always a bad thing when somebody cheats and gets a few thousand dollars by doing this or that,” Sperling told ProPublica. “But we seem to be seeing something much larger and systemic.” Sperling said the White House asked federal agencies to provide preliminary recommendations by mid-July on what the government can do to prevent criminal

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syndicates from using stolen identities to access government aid, whether unemployment benefits, small business loans or disaster aid given out by FEMA. One idea that’s already being implemented is improving the Labor Department inspector general’s access to states’ unemployment compensation data, so that federal watchdogs can analyze claims for fraud in real time instead of individually subpoenaing states for the data. The administration is also planning to spend $2 billion to modernize states’ unemployment insurance programs and strengthen them against fraud. The Labor Department is still figuring out how to allocate the funds, which were appropriated under the $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill enacted in March. One approach under consideration involves having the federal government develop centralized technology to help the 53 states and territories manage their jobless aid programs, instead of having them all fend for themselves and scramble to implement changes during crises. Recent increases in funding to bolster fraud detection have also been a boon for ID.me, a company that has been hired by 27 states since mid-2020 and recently won a $1 billion federal contract to provide its services to more states. ID.me verifies that claimants are who they say they are by having them take selfies or asking them to appear on video and checking to make sure their faces match the photos on identity documents used to apply for benefits. ID.me’s chief executive, Blake Hall, made headlines last month when he told Axios that he thinks taxpayers’ losses from UI fraud will top $400 billion. Hall defends that estimate, which some commentators criticized as wildly inflated. Hall based the figure on the precipitous drop-offs in new claim applications that states have experienced after implementing ID.me verification. In New York, for instance, state data confirms that new claims for PUA fell by 89% after ID.me went live in late March. And more than 50% of people who have already filed for UI benefits don’t even try to confirm their identities when asked to do so, according to Hall, who cited data from five states the company has worked with. Fraudsters are trying to adapt. Telegram forums have lit up with offers of sauces and software that sellers claim can bypass ID.me. Hall said his firm monitors such ads and maintained that he has yet to find any that work. “There is no bypass,” he asserted. That may be true today. But, as one recent post on a dark web marketplace noted, “The fraud business is an ever-changing type of business, meaning methods are constantly being updated because of new security implementations on the market.”Y

At the heart of the story behind 50 years of the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort is a family business started by a Polish immigrant holocaust survivor who partnered with one of America’s most iconic brands. The hotel has been at the center of tourism in the city for five decades with the Chase family behind it still.

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50 Years

OF CHASE FAMILY HOSPITALITY BY RICHARD ROSSER

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At the heart of the story behind 50 years of the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort is a family business started by David Chase, a Polish immigrant and Holocaust survivor. He partnered with one of America’s most iconic hospitality brands, Howard Johnson’s. The hotel has been at the center of tourism and recreation in Deerfield Beach for five decades, with the Chase family very much behind it today. I had the opportunity to interview Cheryl Chase and Landon Chase, daughter and grandson of David and Rhoda Chase, in a conference room along with general manager Claude Dubois. The Chase’s live full-time in Connecticut but are very active with this property and it is currently the only hotel in their business holdings. 76 pointpubs.com •

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The family story gets very interesting, very quickly. David Chase survived the Holocaust, having endured imprisonment at the Auschwitz, Sachsenhausen and Mauthausen concentration camps. David and his sister lost their parents, younger sister and many other family members. After the war, he emigrated from Europe to Connecticut, where he finished high school, started college and quickly met his wife, Rhoda, whom David credited for having the most influence on his life. David was the quintessential entrepreneur, looking for business opportunities that many Americans may not notice — such as garages. After the war, Americans bought new

cars, but many of the houses of the day did not include garages. David saw this opportunity and got to work learning how to construct them. David Chase grew his business to include office buildings, shopping centers, department stores and over 50 hotels. A penniless immigrant amassed a significant portfolio of assets — because he was trustworthy When banks, clients and investors trusted David Chase, they were rewarded with success.

LEFT David Chase BELOW Claude Dubois the

current general manager of the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort

A Builder Saw the Land

A builder in Miami told David about a parcel in a sleepy, beachside town near a fishing pier in northern Broward County. David bought the land and hired the builder to construct a hotel. The Chases selected the Howard Johnson brand and system for the hotel. It is difficult to overstate how dominant the Howard Johnson brand was at that time or to exaggerate its fall from the top as a national restaurant and motel operation. In 1925, Howard D. Johnson started with a small ice cream shop in Quincy, Massachusetts. With almost 1,000 locations in the 1970s, the chain was the most popular restaurant brand in the United States for many years. The restaurant was SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

particularly popular with travelers because it could be trusted no matter where you were. This success prompted the brand to expand into motor lodges where guests customarily enter their room directly from their car. The Chase’s choice to partner with Howard Johnson for an eight-story, beachfront hotel was very unusual for the chain, but the combination turned out to be a success. By 2000, most of Howard Johnson’s restaurants were closed and currently, only one restaurant location is functioning near Lake George, New York. The motor lodges were divested from the restaurant brand in the 1990s and passed through a few ownership changes. Coincidently, the remaining 300 properties are now owned by Wyndham, which markets them as “Howard Johnson by Wyndham”.

The Julian Felder Years

Julien Felder was the general manager of the property for 27 years. Again, in my view of the universe, hotel managers in South Florida do not last 27 months at one property let alone 27 years. After earning a college degree in business administration, finance and accounting, he expected to work at an accounting firm, but happened to see a newspaper notice for a job in the accounting department of a hotel chain. He was soon the controller for seven hotels, and his long career in the business was launched. Through those years, Felder was fortunate to work for a franchise business, owned and operated by a family he liked. He went to work for a man named 78 pointpubs.com •

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David Chase, who had franchise arrangements to operate hotels under the Howard Johnson brand. After working up north, Felder was named general manager of the Howard Johnson hotel on Deerfield Beach in 1988. The hotel had first opened in 1971 as a Howard Johnson on a previously empty lot.

The Claude Dubois years

Claude Dubois took over from Felder in December 2017 in the middle of a renovation caused by Hurricane Irma. Dubois has an extensive background in luxury hotels around the world with the Taj Group of Hotels, having worked in London, U.K., Dubai, U.A.E. and Boston, U.S. Since he started at the property, the focus has been to bring the “luxury

service to the property” by enhancing the guest experience, great attention to detail, and ultimately bringing the property to a higher level of service. Under Dubois’ initiative, the property has also gone green and the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort was the first Wyndham Hotel to achieve the highest level of Green Certification amongst 9,200 properties. The work has paid off. Since Dubois took over, the property has won five awards. The property was recognized as the Best Wyndham Hotel worldwide and best upscale property worldwide within the Wyndham Groups of Hotels and Resorts. It is not a small achievement. The Wyndham brand has built hotels around the world, including in Asia and the Middle East.

ABOVE Back to School event on Deerfield Beach

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Three Generations of Cool Treats Attention to detail is important for all businesses, so the Chase’s set about to offer a better ice cream experience. After many years of experience selling ice cream on the beach, they sought an authentic Gelato, so they tasted the options available in the area. They selected a local, immigrant family to partner with to offer gelato at the hotel. “I didn’t want another Hojo’s ice cream fiasco,” Chery Chase recounted. “My dad actually refused to sell Howard Johnson’s ice cream.” Her grandson, in photograph, seems to like this family tradition. 80 pointpubs.com •

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The Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort actively supports the local community by participating in events such as Back to School and Santa on the Beach events. By 2000, the hotel showed signs of aging. Consumer preferences had changed, and an upgrade was needed. What the building got was more than an upgrade; it was completely gutted and rebuilt. For all practical purposes, the new Howard Johnson Hotel was entirely new. In 2010, a new franchise came along with the reconstructed hotel under the Wyndham brand. The hotel was then advertised as the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort, as it is called today. The reconstruction of the hotel might have been the greatest challenge in Felder’s career as general manager. It was such a successful transition, however, that the hotel was recently named the “Best Franchised Wyndham Hotel in North America” by the Wyndham Hotel Group, beating nearly 200 franchised hotels that bear the Wyndham name. Although David Chase died in 2016, his children, Cheryl and Arnold, have maintained the business as a family-run enterprise. Earning this prestigious Wyndham designation is just one of many recognitions Felder won over the years for his effective leadership and hospitable mood. In 1999, he was named “Manager of the Year” of the Howard Johnson hotels in Florida, and in 2004 as “Manager of the Year” among the 450 managers of Howard Johnson hotels. Y SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

RIGHT A brochure from the Howard Johnson Hotel which is where the Wyndham is currently located BELOW The Deerfield Beach

Pier

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Eye on the Prize NOTABLE AWARDS Howard Johnson property of the Year – 2004 Wyndham Hotel of the Year – 2015/2016 competing against 127 properties worldwide Wyndham Hotel of the Year – 2016/2017 competing against 127 properties worldwide Wyndham Hotel of the Year – 2018/2019 competing against 127 properties worldwide Upscale property of the Year – 2018/2019 competing against 198 properties worldwide First Wyndham Hotel Worldwide to achieve the highest level of Green Certification – Level 5. Out of 9,200 properties worldwide

Best Wyndham Hotel Worldwide awards – from left to right –

Tarry Hrovatin, CRME - Senior Director, Operations and Support-Wyndham Hotels and Resorts at Wyndham Worldwide Cheryl Chase – Chase Enterprises – Owner of the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort Claude Dubois – General manager – Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort Audra Durham – Director of Sales and Marketing – Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort Cynthia Liu - Group Vice President of Brand Operations, Upscale & Lifestyle Brands – Wyndham Hotels and Resorts SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

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Julian Felder (left) and the current general manager Claude Dubouis

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Before and After The Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier has been complete since 1952, but the empty lot nearby remained vacant until 1971 when the Chase family constructed a hotel under the Howard Johnson brand (above left). By 2000, the hotel showed signs of aging. Consumer expectations had changed, and an upgrade was needed. What the building got was more than an upgrade; it was completely gutted and rebuilt. For all practical purposes, the building was now an entirely new hotel. In 2010, Howard Johnson branding was replaced by the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort, as it is called today. Howard Johnson by Wyndham still operates about 300 properties in the USA.

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Dining OUT IN THE NORTH BROWARD BEACHES

Email us with any additions, closings, or corrections at editor@ pointpubs. com. We try to be accurate, but it’s always a good idea to call first before heading out on your dining adventure.

KEY $ Inexpensive (under $20) $$ Moderate ($21-$40) $$$ Expensive ($41-$65) $$$$ Pricey (over $65)

LIGHTHOUSE POINT Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grill. AMERICAN Bar food and wide ar-

ray of televised sports games with a game room for kids. 2002 E Sample Road, 954-781-6227 $

Cap’s Place. SEAFOOD Lighthouse Point’s own hidden seafood

joint dating back to prohibition. Take the short boat ride over to the restaurant. 2765 NE 28th Court, 954-941-0418 $$$

Fetta Republic. GREEK Traditional Greek offerings close to home. 2420 N. Federal Highway, 954-933-2394 $-$$

WITH MRS. KOSSENFLOFFER

Barracuda Seafood Bar & Grill. SEAFOOD • BRAZILIAN This

spot by the sea serves seafood with a touch of Brazilian flare such as the bobo de camarao—shrimp sautéed in coconut milk, saffron, palm oil and yucca cream baked in a cast iron skillet. 1965 NE Second St., 954-531-1290 $$

Café Med. ITALIAN Authentic Italian restaurant right on the

ocean with an Italian chef from Rome. Excellent service, coupled with carefully prepared dishes just across from the ocean always provides for a lovely dinner. Live music nightly. Breakfast and dinner available daily. 2096 NE Second St. (at the Wyndham Hotel), 954-596-5840 $$$

Fish Shack. SEAFOOD This restaurant used to be a “best kept secret.” But now that they have moved into the Shoppes at Beacon Light, word is out. The Fish Shack keeps it simple, serving fresh fish prepared several ways. There is more to the menu but it is called The Fish Shack. 2460 N. Federal Highway, 954-586-4105 $$

Casa Maya. MEXICAN Start with a margarita and it only gets

Le Bistro. CONTINENTAL Professional chef, Andy Trousdale

Chanson at the Royal Blues Hotel. SEAFOOD • SEASONAL

serves up both classics and inventive new dishes at this little neighborhood gem. Fresh and local produce is always used and vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free menu items are available. And here’s a note to the wise; the porcini mushroom soup is worth every single calorie. The restaurant also offers cooking classes and wine tasting dinners. 4626 N. Federal Highway, 954-946-9240

$$$

The Nauti Dawg Marina Café. AMERICAN Nestled in at the Lighthouse Point Marina, the Nauti Dawg is a local favorite. Start with the tuna wontons—crispy fried wonton wrappers topped with tuna tartare, seaweed salad, red pepper mayo, wasabi and a hit of sriracha. You can’t go wrong with the fresh fish sandwich. Ask what the catch of the day is and about the daily specials. As the name implies, they are a dog-friendly restaurant. 2830 NE 29th Ave. (at the Lighthouse Point Marina), 954-941-0246 $$ Papa’s Raw Bar. SUSHI • SEAFOOD The menu goes beyond typ-

ical raw bar offerings with inventive tacos, sliders, sushi, sashimi and more. Try the Donoghue which is made of lump crab meat with spicy mayo and eel sauce and served with taro chips. And to wash it all down, they have about a zillion craft beer options and a good wine list too. 4610 N. Federal Highway, 754-307-5034 $$-$$$

Rocca Trattoria. ITALIAN A small and intimate neighborhood place. Watch owner and chef Lucy prepare your favorite dishes in the open kitchen. 2014 E Sample Road, 954-876-1733 $$

DEERFIELD BEACH Baja Cafe. MEXICAN A long established local favorite for an au-

thentic Mexican dinner or just drinks. They are known for their margarita’s as well as entrées including their bandito honey bean burritos and their many taco options. You’ll also enjoy their fresh endless chips served with two types of salsa. 1310 S. Federal Highway, 954-596-1304 $$

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better from there. This is not your typical Mexican joint — it’s better. Try gobernador tacos: a combination of shrimp with diced poblanos, onions, tomatoes and cilantro on a crispy corn tortilla topped with melted cheese. See, we told you it’s not ordinary. 301 SE 15th Terrace, 954-570-6101 $$

Chanson offers fine dining with an ocean view. 45 NE 21st Ave., 954-857-2929. $$$$

Deer Creek Grille. AMERICAN Enjoy the club atmosphere with gorgeous views of the plush gardens and waterfall. The restaurant offers daily lunch and dinner specials, a Sunday breakfast buffet and covered patio dining so you can dine al fresco. 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd., 954-421-5553 $$ JB’s on the Beach. SEAFOOD Glorious Beach views and a private glass room perfect for business or family affairs. 300 N. Ocean Way, 954-571-5220 $$$

Le Val de Loire Restaurant. FRENCH • STEAKHOUSE The menu at this cozy French bistro includes many of the classics. So next time you crave sole meunière, filet mignon au poivre or beef bourguignon, you don’t have to go any further than the Cove. The steakhouse menu includes a New York strip and a rib eye, among other cuts. 1576 SE Third Court, 954-427-5354 $$$ Little Havana. CUBAN Little Havana has fantastic lunch specials and most of their dinner plates will feed two. Their masas de puerco frita and their Little Havana steak are two of the stand-out menu items, aside from their zesty chimichurri. 721 N. Federal Highway, 954-427-6000 $$ Luigi di Roma. ITALIAN The atmosphere is always lively at Luigi di Roma — mainly if you arrive during happy hour! Enjoy classics with everything from eggplant Parmesan to shrimp scampi and everything in between. You can also order take-out online. 718 S. Federal Highway, 954-531-6151 $$-$$$ Ocean’s 234. SEAFOOD Amazing views of Deerfield Beach and the pier with gluten free options available. 234 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-428-2539 $$$ Patio Bar & Grill. CONTINENTAL Enjoy cocktails just feet from

the sandy beaches of Deerfield. This casual spot at the Wyndham serves casual fare. You can stick to the classics like wings

• • • • • • • • • •

Grille

Kitchen Now Open till 9pm Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials Happy Hour Everyday 3pm – 6:30pm Sunset Menu $14.99 • Sunday-Thursday Sunday Breakfast Theme Nights Prime Rib Friday & Saturday Holiday Dinners 9’N Dine • Monday - Wednesday Covered Patio Dining

Key West Room DEER CREEK COUNTRY CLUB Two grand ballrooms with high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, a breathtaking garden and waterfall. Deer Creek has accommodation for up to 250 guests for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Your memorable day deserves a first-class location.

For more information call 954-426-6588

Open to the Public • 365 Days • 954-421-5553 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd • www.deercreekflorida.com

Enjoy our tropical garden and waterfall views!

Dining Out or a shrimp cocktail. Or be more adventurous and enjoy an order of volcano spring rolls stuffed with crab and served with sriracha mayo and wakame slaw. They also serve a wide variety of burgers and plenty of fresh salads and savory entrees. There is often live music contributing to the energetic vibe of this spot on the beach. 2096 NE Second St., (at the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort) 954-596-8618 $$

Taj. INDIAN This unassuming eatery in the Cove Shopping cen-

ter has been quietly chugging along for years. The restaurant serves various Indian favorites, including tandoori breads, biryani, lamb specialties, and plenty of vegetarian options. The saag paneer, which is the Indian version of creamed spinach, goes well with anything on the menu. And Popeye would be proud.201 SE 15th Terrace, 954-427-0423 $$

Tijuana Taxi Co. MEXICAN The atmosphere is friendly and fun all around. There is outdoor patio seating available and a large U-shaped bar inside. The portions are generous — certainly enough for a doggie bag. The menu has a lot more than tacos — there’s all the Mexican favorites plus burgers, sandwiches, steaks and more. Kids menu available. 1015 S. Federal Highway, 954-708-2775 $$ Whales’ Rib. SEAFOOD Locals know it well and tourists know it

from “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Whatever you do, don’t skip the whale fries. 2031 NE Second St., 954-421-8880 $$

POMPANO BEACH And Fish Kitchen + Bar. SEAFOOD Located at the Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, enjoy a modern take on fresh seafood. The restaurant has recently been renovated and now sports a contemporary and breezy ambiance. 1200 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-782-0100 $$ Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. ITALIAN • PIZZA • WINGS You can credit this place with bringing the whole “coal-fired pizza craze” to South Florida. Pizza and chicken wings — do you need any more? Try the cauliflower pizza — good and good for you. 1203 S. Federal Highway, 954-942-5550 $$ The Beach Grille. AMERICAN Delicious eats near the beach

with the capability to order online. 3414 E Atlantic Blvd., 954946-6000 $

Beach House. AMERICAN • CRAFT COCKTAILS This is the perfect place to take out-of-town guests. Snag one of the stadium seating style booths overlooking the Atlantic. Enjoy the casual and relaxed ambiance with a rooftop deck on the second floor. 270 N Pompano Beach Blvd. 954-607-6530 $$

LIGHTHOUSE POINT Fast & Casual Burger Fi. BURGERS Everything at Burger Fi is cooked to order. Don’t miss the fries

and the larger-than-life onion rings. The breakfast all day burger is topped with a fried egg. 3150 N. Federal Highway, 954-933-7120 $

Legends Tavern and Grille. AMERICAN With three locations, they must be doing something right. 3128 N Federal Highway, 754-220-8932 $-$$

Red Fox Diner. DINER Treat yourself to one of the daily specials at the Red Fox and you just might be able to skip dinner. But if you are in the mood for some comforting diner food, Red Fox never disappoints. Breakfast and lunch served daily. 2041 NE 36th St., (Sample Road) 954-783-7714 $ Packy’s Sports Pub. SPORTS BAR If you are looking for a local spot to watch the game, Packy’s always seems to pack them in. 4480 N. Federal Highway, 954-657-8423 $

Bella Roma Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. ITALIAN • PIZZA

Tasty dishes large portions,. Delivery is available. 40 SW 15th St., 954-784-3696 $$

Bobby Rubino’s. BARBECUE • AMERICAN Specials and coupons are posted daily, and catering is available. The restaurant also has a large bar room where you can dine at the bar or booths. This place is a Pompano Beach icon. 2501 N. Federal Highway, 954-781-7550 $$ Briny Irish Pub. IRISH • BAR FOOD At the end of East Atlantic

Boulevard, steps from the ocean, is Briny Irish Pub. There is a large beer selection plus the regular and, dare we say, unique mixed drinks. The kitchen offers an array of bar food as well as some classics like bangers and mash and fish-n-chips. The casual atmosphere is created by an immense array of nautical artifacts and oddities that fill every inch of the pub. Music plays constantly, often live with a dance floor if one is inclined. 3440 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-942-3159 $

Bru’s Room Sports Grill. AMERICAN Wings and plenty of bar food is available. 235 S. Federal Highway, 954-785-2227 $ Calypso Restaurant and Raw Bar. CARIBBEAN Since they opened their doors in 1990, Calypso has been a local favorite. This gem of a restaurant is known for its fresh, wild caught fish, Bahamian conch dishes, Jamaican jerk and American favorites all served with an island flair. Fresh oysters and clams are also available. Wash it all down with a draft beer, a glass of wine or choose from over 40 different bottled beers. If you are in search of high-quality ingredients, inventive cooking and a very welcoming staff, head over to Calypso. 460 S. Cypress Road, 954-942-1633 $$ Casareccio Trattoria Italiana. ITALIAN Wow! What a find. This small but impressive Italian eatery is delightful. We can’t really tell you what to try because the menu changes daily. However, we are willing to bet you will fall in love with this place which feels like it just plopped into Pompano straight from the hills of Tuscany. Reservations are highly recommended. Also, call ahead to see what they are serving. 1386 S.Federal Highway, 954-998-3642 $$$-$$$$ Checkers Old Munchen. GERMAN For a traditional German meal, try the wiener schnitze, a lightly breaded veal cutlet sautéed in lemon butter and topped with homemade brown gravy. The spaetzle are a real homemade treat and not to be missed. The red cabbage is both classically sweet and sour and there are other side options too including potato dumplings, potato salad and even hot potato salad. 2209 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-785-7565 $$ Chef Dee’s. SUSHI • SEAFOOD A small neighborhood place with

plenty of charm. Impressive sushi rolls and a varied menu with something for everyone. 3919 N. Federal Highway., 954-5824444 $$

Dangerous Minds Brewing Co., BREWERY • ARTISANAL PIZZA

Dangerous Minds is more than just a brewery. This spot at Pompano Citi Centre offers artisanal pizzas made from scratch. Their specialty is a Scotch egg — a soft boiled egg wrapped in homemade sausage and fried until crispy. All the beers are brewed on-site and owners Adam and Andre hale from Germany and England — two countries steeped in beer tradition. 1901 N Federal Highway, 954-657-8676 $-$$

Darrel & Oliver’s Cafe Maxx. INTERNATIONAL This restaurant is an anchor of the South Florida fine dining scene. 2601 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-782-0606 $$$$ Deep Oceanfront Dining & Bar. AMERICAN Beach front dining at the Beachcomber Resort — go for the view. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner. 1200 S. Ocean Blvd. 954-941-7830 $$$

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Deccan Spice. INDIAN Take your pick from classic dishes like chicken tikka and all sorts of biryani and curry dishes to some Indo-Chinese twists like crunchy stir-fried noodles. There are plenty of vegetarian options on this menu to choose from too, and of course, many variations on naan — Indian flatbread. 1149 S.Federal Highway, 954-366-1847 $$

ad with the blue cheese. Pair your dish with a bottle of wine or cocktail from their full bar. They also offer daily lunch specials Monday – Friday. 1601 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-942-1733 $$

Great Indian Grill. INDIAN If you like Indian food, this place

should go on your “must-try” list. Everything we sampled (and we ate quite a bit) was packed with tantalizing Indian spices and flavors representing the many different regional styles of Indian cooking.. 2692 E Atlantic Blvd., 954-532-7872 $$

Di Farina Pasta Factory & Restaurant. ITALIAN We all know that fresh cut pasta is superior to the dried variety we have become accustomed to. But making pasta from scratch is a process. But what if you could just pick it up nearby or even have it delivered. Dreams do come true. Di Farina offers a variety of freshly made pasta to go. And if you can’t even be bothered to make a sauce, they’ve got 19 from which to choose. The restaurant also has a full menu of Italian favorites. 1915 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-953-6771 $$

Houston’s. AMERICAN Enjoy this contemporary eatery for lunch or dinner. Outdoor bar and seating on the Intracoastal available. 2821 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-783-9499 $$$

Dos Amigos. MEXICAN When you feel the hankering for a fajita, this Pompano Beach spot fits the bill. Try the margaritas too. 1308 N. Federal Highway 954-781-1955 $$

$$$

The Gyro Joint. MIDDLE EASTERN Eat in or carry out. It’s all Greek to me. 165 S. Cypress Road, 954-946-9199 $

J Mark’s. AMERICAN A relaxing, modern restaurant and bar

with food and service to match. 1490 NE 23rd St., 954-782-7000

The Foundry. AMERICAN • CONTINENTAL Seating options galore, from bar seating to lounge seating and old-fashioned casual dining seating. 2781 E. Atlantic Blvd., 754-205-6977 $$

Kabuki. JAPANESE • THAI Kabuki offers a full menu of Thai and

Galuppi’s. AMERICAN What could be more entertaining than watching golfers swing and blimps ascend as you sip a drink at an outdoor bar? 1103 N. Federal Highway, 954-785-0226 $

Kin Asian Street Food. ASIAN • SUSHI Enjoy everything from inventive takes on ramen soups with pork belly and a jammy egg to original the rice bowls. The small bite options were some of our favorites. We swooned over the shiitake buns, mushrooms with pickled sour mustard, ground peanuts and cilantro all on a steamed rice bun. 143 SW Sixth St., 954-532-4567 $$

Gianni’s Italian Restaurant. ITALIAN Enjoy traditional Ital-

ian fare at this family-owned and operated establishment, serving everything from pasta to gourmet specialties like Chicken Gianni’s and fresh seafood. Don’t skip the romaine sal-

Japanese entrées plus classic and specialty sushi rolls all in a hip and modern setting. 2515 E Atlantic Blvd., 954-951-6077 $$

La Perla Di Pompano. ITALIAN This small and intimate Italian

COME TO OUR RESTAURANT OR VISIT OUR PASTA FACTORY TO COOK IT YOURSELF.

Yo󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻󰇻 Join us for patio seating with live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights! www.difarinapasta.com (954) 953-6771 1915 E. Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach

SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

SNOW TIME • Authentic Bubble Tea (Boba Tea) fresh brewed daily • Naturally favored paper-thin shaven ice cream • Unique Eastern Asian Snacks • Created with only quality ingredients

Dining Out eatery offers a wide selection of Italian dishes including four different risotto dishes alone. 420 N Federal Highway, 754-2229174 $$$-$$$$

La Veranda. ITALIAN Be it drinks from their full bar, a bottle from the copious wine selection or naturally the Italian food, everything is served perfectly. There is a big selection of pasta, entrées and traditional dishes, with new favorites to be discovered that the wait staff will happily explain. Reservations are suggested. 2121 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-943-7390 $$$ Legends Tavern and Grille. AMERICAN Enjoy gastropub fare including sandwiches, burgers, wings, salads and a huge choice of appetizers. 10 SW Sixth St.$-$$ Lucky Fish Beach Bar + Grill. AMERICAN It’s places like

Now available in Lighthouse Point!

Bubble Tea (Boba Tea)

A tea-based drink created in Taiwan and gaining popularity throughout the world. In the Shoppes at Beacon Light 2482 N. Federal Hwy., Lighthouse Point • 954-597-6269 snowtime_cream

Family Owned & Operated SINCE 1989

Lucky’s that make you happy you live in South Florida. This tiki bar by the sea (just south of the pier) offers simple eats, some top-notch people watching all with an ocean view. A meal or drink at Lucky’s is a laid back dining experience — which might just be what the doctor ordered. The menu includes classic snack foods like coconut shrimp and fish dip to tuna poke nachos. There’s also salads, sandwiches and smash burgers. You can also order to go for a picnic on the beach. 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd. $

Miami Masala. INDIAN Enjoy classic Indian dishes as well as a few more modern ones with an Indian twist. Great service by a friendly staff. Try the Indian crepe — crazy good. A daily lunch buffet includes traditional, vegetarian and vegan choices. 900 E Atlantic Blvd., 954-317-1371 $$ Mora Grill. MEDITERRANEAN This cozy yet modern spot is open for lunch and dinner. The menu includes a range of Mediterranean favorites from kebobs to gyros and more. They offer lunch specials ranging in price form $9-11 and family-style platters for six people served with appetizers, salads, kebobs, rice and vegetables for $115. 3428 E. Atlantic Blvd, 954-933-2003 $$ Nikki’s Greek Kitchen. CONTINENTAL Enjoy salads and entrées all with a slight Mediterranean influence. Have dinner and take a stroll — it’s why we live here, people. 1 N. Ocean Blvd., Ste. 102, (on the northwest corner of Atlantic Boulevard and A1A on the ground floor of the Oceanside One building) 954-401-3131 $$-$$$ Oceanic. AMERICAN • SEAFOOD Along with stunning ocean

views, the restaurant offers a comprehensive menu with an emphasis on seafood. If you are looking for a standout salad, the watermelon arugula salad with grilled shrimp is a perfect choice. The shrimp and grits were prepared traditionally and packed with flavor. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The restaurant boasts dazzling architecture inspired by the great ocean liners of years past. 250 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., 954-366-3768

Pho Lavie. VIETNAMESE If you have never had Vietnamese food, you are missing out. This spot will delight you. Everything is so fresh. Go and have some pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), you’ll thank us. 3321 N. Federal Highway, 954-941-4155 $$

OUTDOOR DINING & TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE 1601 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach (954) 942-1733 • giannisitalianrestaurant.com MON-THURS 11am-3pm & 4-9pm FRI 11am-3pm & 4-9:30pm SAT 4-9:30pm SUN 4-9pm 92 pointpubs.com •

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Rusty Hook Tavern. AMERICAN Located on the Pompano Intracoastal, sit inside or outside, just keep in mind that the word tavern means a local place to gather around the table. 125 N. Riverside Drive, 954-941-2499 $$ Saito Japanese Steakhouse. JAPANESE This Japanese steak-

house offers a wide variety of entrees including teriyaki dishes, tempura and sushi. Diners can choose to sit at the sushi bar or they can enjoy hibachi style dining. The restaurant has a comprehensive cocktail menu as well with 20 different kinds of martinis. 2101 N Federal Highway, suite 208, 954-945-8888 $$

Sands Harbor Patio Restaurant. AMERICAN Located in the

Located at The Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort 2096 NE 2nd Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

NEW MENU

NEW MENU INCL. MILKSHAKES & SMOOTHIES Open Wednesday - Sunday / 11AM-11PM

BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT OCEANSIDE CONTACT THE SALES DEPARTMENT AT 754-227-4304

EVENTS

Private Events Weddings Birthday Parties Corporate Events Business Gatherings

Dining Out Sands Harbor Hotel and Marina on the intracoastal, you can dine poolside or waterside, either way, you better know how to swim. 125 N. Riverside Drive, 954-942-9100 $$

Seaside Grill. SEAFOOD • AMERICAN Enjoy a view of the Atlan-

tic while enjoying fresh seafood and an iced cold cocktail. Don’t worry if you’re not a fish lover — there are plenty of entrée choices from the land. Located at Lighthouse Cove Resort on the ocean. 1406 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-783-3193 $$

Shishka Lebanese Grill. MIDDLE EASTERN It’s not easy to make a good falafel (chick peas, fava beans garlic and cilantro seasoned and deep fried, served with tahini sauce) but the ones at Shishka are worth every single calorie. There are plenty of other choices too from the classic hummus to baba ghanouj to chicken and meat shawarma. 1901 N. Federal Highway, 954943-2999 $$ Spanx the Hog BBQ. BARBECUE Spanx uses natural ingredients and offers dine in, take out, and custom catering. 147 S. Cypress Road. 954-590-8342 $

Sunset Catch. ITALIAN • SEAFOOD Seafood, steaks and Italian favorites are served daily, and they even have their very own “wine doctor.” 101 N. Riverside Drive, 954-545-0901 $$

Table 2201. MEDITERRANEAN Everything at Table 2201 is made

on the premises — even the desserts. Start with the pygros, a tower of eggplant, potatoes and ground beef topped with a cool yogurt sauce. 2201 E. Atlantic Blvd., 718-600-2236 $$

Trattoria Novello. ITALIAN This intimate Italian eatery on

Atlantic Boulevard features homemade lasagna, ravioli, cannelloni and a Bolognese ragu that cooks for eight hours on the stove. 2665 East Atlantic Blvd., 954-876-1915 $$$

Umberto’s of Long Island. ITALIAN • PIZZA When a pizza is named Grandma’s Pizza — you must order it. And trust us, you won’t regret it. There is family tradition baked into every bite. 2780 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-784-7110 $$ Valentino’s Italian Cuisine. ITALIAN • PIZZA An abundance

of Italian fare served for lunch or dinner. If you can’t make it over to dine in, fret not, they offer free delivery. 427 S. Federal Highway, 954-545-4881 $$

Zuccarelli. ITALIAN • PIZZA From pizza to eggplant Parmesan to shrimp fra diavolo, you will leave quite satisfied. Bring your breath mints because their warm garlic rolls are on point. 1340 N. Federal Highway, 954-941-1261 $

DEERFIELD BEACH Fast & Casual

POMPANO BEACH Fast & Casual

as if pizza could be get any better. 2076 NE Second St., 954-426-1030 $

to grab a quick slice or enjoy a much needed date night, Anne Marie’s fits the bill. Enjoy a cheesy slice of New York style pizza, bruschetta or classic chicken Francese. 2313 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach 954-590-2100. $-$$

Bob’s Pizza. PIZZA • ITALIAN Pizza served remarkably close to the Beach — Burger Craze. BURGERS Top quality ingredients come together to create

unique taste sensations. Enjoy juicy burgers, hot dogs, wings and more. 2096 NE Second St. (at the Wyndham Hotel), 954-596- 5949 $-$$

Charlie’s Fish Fry. SEAFOOD Hey, it’s not quite Martha’s Vineyard but

Charlies is a great spot to satisfy a craving for fish and chips. There are plenty of other options — it’s almost like a quick trip to a New England clam bar — almost. 1200 E. Hillsboro Blvd., 954-573-7198 $$

Charm City. BURGERS Try the emperor — an American kobe beef patty with aged Swiss, truffled aioli and sautéed mushrooms — fit for a king. 1136 E. Hillsboro Blvd., 954-531-0300 $$

Anne Marie’s Pizza and Wine Co. ITALIAN Whether you are looking

Asian Deluxe Cuisine. ASIAN A new and convenient spot for some grab and go favorites. From small bites like crab Rangoon and goyza to a variety of curry and noodle dishes. 2608 N Ocean Blvd., 954-960-5060 $$

Cafe Sportivo. CAFE Cash only, but don’t let that stop you. They are family owned and operated with a variety of espresso drinks. 2219 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-782-6672 $ Carlucci’s Brick Oven Trattoria & Pizzeria. ITALIAN Italian favorites and brick oven pizza at the beach. 3420 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-946-3150 $$

El Jefe. MEXICAN For a truly inventive take on Mexican street food, this small

Jet’s Pizza. PIZZA Try one of the specialty pizzas such as Philly cheese steak

Gelateria. GELATO Offering more than 26 flavors of gelato. Open daily. 2096

Jukebox Diner. DINER Bright, classic seating, jukeboxes, and that old-school diner feel. 2773 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-960-5882 $

yet bright and cheery taco joint is full of surprises. 27 N. Federal Highway, 954246-5333 $

NE Second St. (at the Wyndham Hotel), 694-428-2850 $

Michael’s Pizzeria. PIZZA Closed Mondays 1645 SE Third Court, Deerfield

Beach, 954-426-1515 $

Nick’s Pizza. PIZZA Nick’s family moved from the Bronx to Deerfield Beach

13 years ago and opened Nick’s Pizza. The restaurant offers an extensive catering menu, delivery and New York Style pizza. 137 NE Second Ave., 954-421-6700. $-$$

The Pickle Barrel. DELICATESSEN Get in touch with your inner New Yorker at this old style deli complete with friendly guys behind the counter filling your sandwich with enough pastrami to feed a family. 33 E. Hillsboro Blvd., 954-4270650 $ Olympia Flame. DINER With a traditionally huge diner menu, you can’t go

wrong at the Olympia Flame. For a real treat, try the turkey pot pie. The friendly staff makes you feel like a regular — even if you aren’t — but you should be. 80 S. Federal Highway, 954-480-8402 $

The Sticky Bun. DELI • BAKERY • Brunch Everyone will find something to

munch on, whether it be their flourless chocolate cake or a short rib panini with fontina cheese and pickled red onions… yum. We’re still dreaming about the BLT. 1619 SE Third Court, 754-212-5569 $

94 pointpubs.com •

POINT! PUBLISHING

with Alfredo sauce or the BLT. 437 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-782-5387 $

Lighthouse Cove Tiki Bar. AMERICAN Seaside eats and happy hours. 1406 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-784-2804 $$

Snow Time. This spot for treats features bubble tea (boba) in about a zillion flavors. If you are looking for a something new, different and delicious, get thee some bubble tea. Other sweet treats available are paper thin shaven ice cream and authentic Asian snacks. 2482 N. Federal Highway in the Shoppes at Beacon Light, 954-59-6269 $ The Chicken Box & More. • SOUTHERN This small spot serves breakfast,

lunch and dinner and does a robust take-out business. The fried pork chops were delicately coated and crispy. We tried them with a classic potato salad and collard greens. The greens were stellar — juicy and perfectly seasoned with bits of pork supplying a pleasing heft. If you are searching for a solidly authentic taste of comfort, the meatloaf is a must. 204 N Flagler Avenue, 954-781-7400

The Poké Company. • POKÉ If you haven’t tried a poke bowl, now is your

big chance. Build your own bowl by choosing a base of rice or greens, then add a protein such as ahi tuna or steamed shrimp, then go to town with the mix-ins and sauces. Then top your bowl with everything from pickled ginger to tempura flakes. There are an infinite amount of choices. If bowls aren’t your thing, you can build your own poké burrito. 1154 N. Federal Highway, 754-220-8933

Open 11:30am-9pm, Tuesday-Saturday Dine-In, Pick-up & Curbside THE SHOPPES AT BEACON LIGHT, 2460 N. FEDERAL HWY. KICK BACK... AT THE

LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FLORIDA

954-586-4105

AUTO CRITIC

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Autocriticinc@hotmail.com 1336 S. FEDERAL HWY., POMPANO BEACH

EMERGENCY SERVICE: 24 HOURS/7 DAYS A WEEK! Master Electrician Residential – Commercial – Industrial Lighting Service $20 OFF

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on Service up to $400

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One time use per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Exp. 12/31/21

T-Tops & Towers – Fuel Tank Repairs Welding – Fabrication -Boat Ladders 6800 NW 15th Way, Fort Lauderdale (954) 941-5093 • www.dolfab.com

MEDICARE QUESTIONS?

I’VE GOT YOUR ANSWERS. GIVE ME A CALL. Philip Alsten, RPh

Registered Pharmacist (FL-PS19628) SCAN FOR VIDEOS Licensed, Independent Insurance Agent

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Maintenance • Service & Repairs • Installations • Indoor Air Quality

For Service Call: 954-931-2047 CMC1249456

SEPTEMBER 2021 • pointpubs.com

Last Resort

Whoa! New Mexico

LA FONDA ON THE PLAZA

CLOCKWISE La Fonda exterior, VIP Suite, cocktails at the bar, a guestroom and La Plazauela

Head west to Santa Fe and experience old-world charm at La Fonda on the Plaza, where modern conveniences blend with authentic New Mexican style. The hotel is located on the historic Santa Fe Plaza with easy access to shopping, entertainment, the arts and local attractions. The hotel has 180 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites — each includes original artwork, hand-crafted furniture with a Southwester flare. Guests can also enjoy three classic New Mexican dining experiences, including a seasonal, outdoor cocktail bar. If you are looking to relax even more, check out the hotel spa. And if that's not enough, you can always hit the bar and then enjoy dinner at La Plazauela situated on the hotel's original 1920's outdoor patio. La Fonda has a long history going back 400 years. The current structure was built in 1922 and includes hand-carved beams, stained glass skylights and a cathedral ceiling. As for Sante Fe, there are several museums and art galleries. For the more adventurous types, there are plenty of hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing and skiing. Or you can see the majesty of the West on the historic Cumbres Toltec Railroad, a 64-mile trip through canyons, desert and meadows available from May through Oct. 20. Whether you want art, culture, history, adventure, or simply to kick back and relax, Sante Fe has it all. La Fonda on the Plaza 100 E. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, New Mexico

For more about Insider Excursions and media travel visit insiderexcursions.com. 96 pointpubs.com •

POINT! PUBLISHING

A natural lifestyle focused on wellness. At Solemar, we are working with Delos to create a state-of-the-art living environment that is dedicated to the wellness of our residents, set in a beachfront oasis.

Currently selling two & three bedroom residences starting from $1.5 Million. Call (754) 812 3305 or visit SolemarBeach.com 1116 North Ocean Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. Solemar is developed by PRH 1116 North Ocean, LLC (“Developer”) and this offering is made only by the Developer’s Prospectus for the Condominium. The Developer is not incorporated in, located in, nor a resident of, New York. This is not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, condominium units in New York or to residents of New York, or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law unless the condominium is registered in such jurisdictions or exempt. No statement should be relied upon if not made in the Developer’s Prospectus. Architectural design elements may vary from concept to actual construction. All depictions are conceptual. Developer, pursuant to a license agreement has a right to use the trade names, marks, and logos of The Related Group. Consult the Prospectus for all terms, conditions, specifications, and Unit dimensions. Reproduction for private or commercial use is not authorized. 2021 ® PRH 1116 North Ocean LLC, unless otherwise noted, with all rights reserved.

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909 South Federal Highway · Pompano Beach · Between Commercial and Atlantic Boulevards