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Submit photos using our Local Loop Web page, editor@delraybeachtribune.com or bring them in during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Delray Beach Tribune, 401 W. Atlantic Ave. Ste. 09, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

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“Death and Harry Houdini” makes the round-trip from Boca Raton to Miami entirely worthwhile, because through May 20, the only place you can see this amazing show is the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

“Houdini” is a play with music, magic, comedy and a great sense of history, written and directed by Nathan Allen of the House Theatre of Chicago.

The playwright-director himself introduced “Houdini,” which is a collaborative effort developed over the past ten years. It is a technically complex show, yet the cast and crew in Miami made it look easy; even Houdini’s most famous and dangerous trick, the escape from the “Water Torture Cell” locked under water, upside down.

Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was the greatest escape artist of all time, and during the earliest part of the 20th century, the highest-paid performer in vaudeville.

There was a lot more to Houdini the man, which the audience learns in the exposition of the play.

Houdini, played by award-winning magician Dennis Watkins, was born Erik Weisz in Budapest, Hungary, the son of a rabbi. The family emigrated to America; first to Wisconsin and later to New York City.

Houdini began as a brothers act with younger brother Theodore (Shawn Pfautsch). When a showgirl named Bess (Carolyn Defrin) danced into his life, she became his onstage partner and assistant.

There was a great love between Harry and Bess, but there was a third part to a triangle: Harry’s mother Cecilia (Marika Mashburn), whom he adored. In fact you could call Houdini a mama’s boy. Mashburn plays the scowling matriarch to great comic effect.

Each of the supporting cast serves as a musician and onstage assistant on the illusions that are performed as part of the show. They include a Ringmaster, played by Johnny Arena, a Death figure who doubles as a rival magician (Kevin Stangler) and two female ensemble members (Abu Ansari and Trista Smith).

Houdini was not only one of the greatest magicians who ever lived; he also debunked fraudulent magicians and so-called spiritualists. Yet Houdini was convinced there is an “other side” in which it could be possible to communicate with the dead. A subtheme of the play is the defeat of the inevitability of death.

Houdini inevitably did die at the young age of 52 in 1926, but America and the world are richer for his artistry and imagination. My brother Richard and I have a special fondness for Houdini, as our paternal grandfather used to tell us how he saw Houdini perform live when he was a young man, executing his famed escape from chains underwater in the Hudson River. You don’t have to be that kind of special fan, but “Houdini” is wonderful entertainment for anyone who enjoys amazement and surprise.

Tickets start at $40. Call 305-949-6722 or go to www.arshtcenter.org.

Every human being comes into the world with communication mechanisms. Even newborn babies know how to share pressing needs to a parent or guardian, capable to supply their request.

What many adults fail to understand, even after several years on planet earth, is that communication among fellow humans is a task that demands continued improvement. The mere utterance of words or expression of feelings does not necessarily indicate that a communication has been effectively achieved.

Those who are eager to be understood by others, so as to anticipate a response from them, are responsible to convey their message with clarity, free from interfering noises, and at a moment which offers the best chances of comprehension, and the provision of some form of response.

Not only serious issues, but also less significant matters, have the greatest probability of  being heard, understood, and acted upon when timing, surroundings, and emotional wellbeing of those engaged in the conversation are key factors taken into consideration. A dialogue does it best!

It is the one communicating to another who has the primary responsibility of ascertaining that the message has been heard and understood. While using the vacuum cleaner, when the television or radio are blasting, or when children are fighting or crying nearby, is not the right time to convey messages.

The moment a spouse enters the house after a long day at work is never the best time to address any issue of importance to be grasped by the hearer, especially when that issue entails potentially bad news.

I once heard of a wise wife who studiously avoided greeting her husband after his long day at work with any bad news, regardless of the seriousness of the issue. So, one day, as soon as her husband arrived home, with a welcoming smile she went to kiss him and proclaimed: “Hi, honey; you should be happy to know that three of our four children are not in the hospital at the moment!” With that creative approach, and the blow softened, she was able gradually to explain that one of the kids had broken a leg during a ball game, but all else was okay!

You can avoid being misunderstood, not being heard, or sharing your thoughts at an inappropriate moment but seeking the right time, the best setting, and the most clear and adequate words which effectively and exhaustively express what you desire to convey.

It is not late at night, much less when you are tired in bed ready to sleep, or at moments when other pressing sirens beckon another’s attention that you should spill your concerns or seek an answer to significant matters. Communication is not hard, but it needs to be done effectively!

Smokey Bones Bar + Fire Grill presents a wide variety of favorites done with creativity and flair.

Start, as we did, with homemade Brunswick stew – a soup with smoked BBQ ,corn niblets and tomatoes – very tasty with its trace of spice. The soup of the day was a rich chicken noodle with plenty of both – smooth and hearty.

Of the 11 starters, we sampled Southwest spring rolls, fried rolls filled with chicken, corn, black beans and spices for a crunchy spicy treat. A must try, as well, is the crispy shrimp dunkers, a half dozen good size shrimp, battered lightly and drizzled with a fine teriyaki glaze!

There are 8 salad offerings – we chose the charbroiled chicken Caesar – crisp shards of romaine with Asiago cheese in an excellent Caesar dressing. We also tried the chicken cob combining smoked chicken with hardboiled egg, hickory bacon bits, bleu cheese crumbles, avocado and tiny tomatoes plus cream blue cheese dressing. Both large portions with bright tastes.

The Fish and Chips – two huge portions of beer battered and fried cod was light, crispy and very tender. The chips, French fried yet not crispy,was not our preference.
Smokey Bones Flame – seared salmon was a winner with a sweet teriyaki glaze (a citrus butter sauce is also available) – try it! 6 other choices in this grouping also listed.

Emphasis is on slow smoked BBQ and we chose to sample “Double Trouble”, a one third rack of their Baby Back ribs plus a one-third rack of ribs, smoked St. Louis style. Both are marinated for hours and available with any of three fire-grill flavors. Some 15 side dishes are on the menu – your choice! Other BBQ platters include hand-pulled pork, smoked beef brisket or smoked turkey breast –these we’ll try another time.

We elected to try the fire-grilled marinated rib eye – our favorite cut. The one prepared “medium” was juicy and tender, the “medium-rare” was stringy and less tender. Talk to your server! Other listings included a sirloin, available in 7 ounce or 10 ounce sizes, a 12 ounce New York strip and both a teriyaki pork tenderloin and charbroiled pork tenderloin.

Bones burgers list 6 beef and 1 turkey burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion slices and pickles. You can build your own burger from a roster of different patties, buns, cheeses, hot or cold toppings plus any of 7 sauces. Be creative!

We did not sample any of the 6 sandwiches offered at this time – the selection is quite varied.

The dessert menu has “wicked apple wontons”, three crisp apple filled mini wontons with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce – excellent taste and texture. Chocoholics take notice – the “Leaning Tower of Chocolate Cake” is just that- 6 layers of chocolate cake, smothered in dark fudge and sweet chocolate frosting – rich enough for two – or more!

We have sampled individual “Sweet Shots” in the past – this selection included bread pudding, banana, key lime, cheesecake and chocolate. Try one, try all!

Smokey Bones dessert secret is “Hot Bag O’Donuts”, a bag of fresh, fluffy, round, cinnamon-sugary donuts served with both a chocolate dipping sauce and a strawberry cream dipping sauce. If you try no other fine dessert – pick these donuts.
With over 60 restaurants, the set menu changes bi-monthly, keeping the diners favorites. There is a child’s menu as well. Open 7 days from 11AM to 2AM, Smokey Bones seats 280 diners at 21733 State Road 7 in Boca Raton (561-852-7870). We found excellent food at reasonable pricing and an efficient, knowledgeable wait staff. We strongly recommend you – Go and Enjoy!  

Over my many years of working with people, it has been my observation that high achievers usually have at least one obvious thing in common: Personal discipline. Successful people are willing to do the difficult things that average people are unwilling to do.

As the pastor of a church with over 20,000 attendees under my care, I have had the opportunity to know and counsel many of our area’s most successful business and professional leaders. As we have met together, they have taught me a lot about success and the traits necessary to achieve it.

I have observed that successful people express self-discipline in six key ways:

Successful people master their moods. They live by their commitments, not their emotions. People who do the right thing, even when they don’t feel like it, accomplish most of what gets done in the world! “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

Successful people watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths. “He who guards his lips guards his life” (Proverbs 13:3).

Successful people restrain their reactions. How much can you withstand before you lose your “cool,” before your emotions take control? “If you are sensible you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it” (Proverbs 19:11).

Successful people stick to their schedules. If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you! “Live life with a due sense of responsibility…make the best use of your time” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Successful people manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go, rather than wondering where it went! “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets” (Proverbs 21:20).

Successful people maintain their health. By taking care of themselves physically, they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements. “Each of you should control his own body, keeping it pure and treating it with respect” (1 Thessalonians 4:4).

Where do YOU need to develop more self-control? The disciplines you establish today will determine your level of success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself. Good intentions, by themselves, often are not enough. Think about this promise from the Bible: “God does not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). He can give us the strength and resolve to do the things we cannot do in our own power.

Rick Warren is the author of the highly acclaimed, best-selling book, The Purpose-Drive Life, which has been translated into many languages and sold throughout the world. It affirms the importance of having a carefully considered, clearly expressed purpose to guide everyday life.

Q  My father, who is 65-years-old, married three years ago after divorcing my mother.  At the time of his divorce, my brother and I believed that he was acting peculiarly, but attributed it to the fact that our mother chose to divorce him after a 45-year marriage.

Their divorce seemed to go well, at least from a distance, as I live in New York, and my brother in Atlanta.  We were surprised when, a year later he remarried a woman he met after the divorce.  Shortly after they were married, we were told by his new wife that our father had early stage Alzheimer’s disease.  At that point, we became more involved and very concerned.

Our father had saved a large amount of money, including several million that he received when he sold his business in New York and retired.  He and his new wife own a home, which was bought with his money, after they married

He is now much further into his disease.  His new wife just filed for divorce against him, and served him.  We do not know what to do, and how his disease will affect the proceedings, or whether his wife can claim part of his money or get alimony.  Can you explain what happens next?

A  Whether or not your father’s wife will be entitled to a share of his property, and if so what share, will be determined by the usual rules that govern dissolution of marriage in Florida.  Their home, and other assets he put in joint names, will be presumed to be marital, and subject to equal division.

There are defenses to such a result, such as a claim for an unequal distribution.  Florida statutes contain several bases for an unequal distribution and your father’s condition when the house was bought may help you.  If you can prove that transfers were made based upon undue influence because of his mental condition, transactions might be reversed.

His new wife’s alimony claim would be limited because of the shortness of the marriage.  However, because of certain restrictions delaying the dissolution of the marriage of an incompetent person for three years, and other Florida law regarding a duty of support, she might be able to receive alimony for the three years.

If the wife is successful in having your father declared incompetent, a guardian will have to be appointed by the probate court judge.  The wife will not be allowed to be the guardian because of the dissolution of marriage preceding, which she has filed.

No dissolution of their marriage can take place, after such a determination for three years.  The appointed guardian can negotiate a marital settlement agreement for him.  If the guardian is an attorney, that attorney can proceed as his guardian and his attorney.  He or she could, theoretically, negotiate such an agreement, and sign it for him.  If the guardian is not an attorney, an attorney can be hired for the dissolution case.

Regarding the distribution of his property, if your father put his new house or anything else, in joint names, the rights to the property could be negotiated to a conclusion, and, if approved by the court, transferred in completion of the agreement.  The guardian and your father’s wife could conclude an agreement on alimony or any other aspect of the case, and conclude those agreements, with the approval of the Court.

The only thing that the judge cannot do during the three-year period described above, is to terminate the marriage.  You have not said whether or not your father and the woman entered into a prenuptial agreement, or if they had developed an estate plan that conformed to the agreement.

What rights the woman might have to your father’s estate, should your father die before the divorce could become final, during the three-year period, would depend on whether or not there was such a valid agreement.  If there was no valid agreement, and no will, or a will leaving her nothing she could make a claim to 30% of your father’s estate under Florida statutes.  Speak to his trust and estate lawyer at once.

Michael H. Gora, Boca Raton Divorce lawyer, has been certified by the Board of Specialization of The Florida Bar as a specialist in family and matrimonial law, and is a partner with Shapiro Blasi Wasserman & Gora P.A. in Boca Raton.  Questions may be submitted to Mr. Gora atmhgora@sbwlawfirm.com.