Pompano! magazine January 2020

JANUARY 2020

So much fun

THE NAUTICAL FLEAMARKET THE EXCHANGE CLUB’ S 2020 BOWL BASH

THE TASTE OF LIGHTHOUSE POINT COOL WHEELS CAR SHOW

GALLERY OPENINGS & EXHIBITS DEERFIELD BEACH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

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contents

Pompano!

Our time in the sun

January 2020

Pompano!

Taniqe Brutus from the Abco Islands, Sean Ives from Sands Harbor and Jerry Burtis from Treasury Key Bahamas.

See more on page 32.

38

42

It may seem as if the Hillsboro Lighthouse has always been there but obviously that’s not the case. Here are five things you may not have known about its beginnings.

Inside Turbo Tax’s 20-year fight to stop Americans from filing their taxes for free. Intuit fended off the government’s attempts to make tax filing free and easy, and created its multi-billion-dollar franchise.

The Shining

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January 2020

Pompano!

10

Creatively Speaking

12

Pompano Picks

22

City Beat

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Pompano Peeps

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In Case You Missed It

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It Dawned on Me

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Dining Out

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departments Pushing buttons.

There’s plenty of ways to keep yourself busy. This month’s Pompano Picks includes: The Nautical Flea Market, The Taste of Lighthouse Point, the Exchange Club’s annual dinner, weekly and monthly events, exhibit openings, concerts and more. Go forth and enjoy yourself.

Our reporter Marie Puleo keeps you up to date on city news. Plus visit pointpubs.com for more stories about the city.

Take a look at some smiling faces from recent events around town.

Jeff Levine examines ever-burgeoning restaurant scene in Pompano Beach. There are plenty of new spots to choose from.

Dawne Richards muses about the dawn of a new decade. What’s in store?

Our comprehensive dining section is your go-to source for eating out in and around Pompano Beach. Whether you want a quick burger or a seafood tower, there is something on our list to satisfy your every whim. So get out of the kitchen and make reservations.

Our newest department, “Last Resort” features travel destinations on — you guessed it — the last page.

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

Call us! 954-603-4553 EDITOR-AT-LARGE

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Peskar

CONTRIBUTORS

Dawne Richards • Marie Puleo PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Graves

TRAFFIC MANAGER

Cindy Tutan ARTS EDITOR

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PUBLISHER

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circulation

Pompano! is published monthly by Point! Publishing and mailed to select residents and businesses in Pompano Beach and Hillsboro Mile. Copies of Pompano! are available at Whole Foods Market, UPS, Offerdahl’s Café and at the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce.

please contact us

Drop us a line and let us know what you’re thinking.

Pompano! 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, Pompano! magazine, 2436 N. Federal Hwy., #311 Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 or email editor@pointpubs.com.

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Deadlines for camera-ready art and prepayment of ads are due on the first day of the preceding month of publication. All ongoing ads must be canceled by the first day of the preceding month of publication. pointpubs.com Pompano! magazine is owned and published 12 times per year by Point Publishing, LLC. Copyright 2020 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.

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Creatively Speaking

Pushing Buttons

BY SUSAN ROSSER

As a somewhat obsessed fan of “The Crown” on Netflix, I have come to focus on one small prop in the show: the queen’s button. It is the ultimate, sophisticated adult tool.

When Queen Elizabeth meets with a guest, there’s quite a bit of tradition and formality involved.

For instance, guests may not sit until the queen is seated. There’s more to it than that, but as my chances of meeting the queen are slim, this is the only rule I have committed to memory. As her sessions draw to a close, the queen casually presses a button which rests on a side table.

Within seconds two attendants appear to show the guest out of the palace.

OK. I want a button. A palace would be nice too.

More often than not, the button is employed in a very polite manner. Yet, there are times when the queen used the button for prompt and swift ejection of unwanted guests.

Hence, my longing for such a device. I don’t like confrontation. So, the option to simply eject anyone at any time is incredibly appealing.

Recently, I encountered another type of weird button at friends’ home in Washington, D.C. Their apartment building was constructed in 1917. As they were giving me a tour of their home, they pointed out a button in the dining room floor. In the past, the master of the house stepped on the button to summon the help from the kitchen. I have to admit, this little button also sounded suitable for a woman such as myself. I love to cook for my family, but cleaning up is another matter. Stepping on a magical discreet knob would solve that problem.

Sometimes I wish I had a myriad of buttons to vanquish life’s daily obstacles. Yet, if all it took to solve a dispute or to clean my house was the push of a button, well frankly, no problem would be solved and I would be somewhat sloth-like.

I recently read that the University of California, Berkeley, has a popular, student-taught course entitled

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“Adulting” which covers topics such as banking, time-management, and the importance of insurance.

However, I’m sure they don’t advocate installation of buzzers such as the one the queen employs.

But perhaps some students have parents who — shall we say — take care of all the button pushing.

So I wonder, has it hurt or helped the queen that she can just rid herself of awkward or acrimonious situations? Obviously, the queen and I are not on a first name basis, but one could surmise, she would be a different person if she was forced to resolve more tense encounters. After all, she can’t use the button on her husband.

Naturally, there have been times in my own marriage when the presence of an ejector button could have come in handy. Buh Bye sweetie-pie! But in all seriousness, working though challenges with my husband Richard has made us a stronger couple. Or at least that’s what I like to tell myself.

As for my friend’s dining room button — obviously, they don’t use it (the corresponding bell in the kitchen has been removed), but if life was as easy as that, who would we be?

We’d be college students in need of basic life skills.

Certainly, there are times when if we could push a button to have our kitchen cleaned, it would be a small and welcome miracle. But maybe cleaning up after ourselves forces us to be a touch more responsible and appreciative? Maybe it gives us a certain appreciation for how much work goes into prepping, cooking and cleaning up after a meal. Listen, I’m not proposing we go back to cleaning our clothes on washboards by the river.

Just be careful what you wish for. Let your kids empty the dishwasher. Or they might be forced to take a class on it in college.

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JANUARY 2020

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11

Pompano Picks Happening around town

The Taste of Lighthouse Point This annual event is a favorite among foodies and the people who love them. Guests can expect to enjoy tastings from local restaurants along with fine wines.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, auctions and plenty of community spirit. Eat, drink and be social because all proceeds go toward local charities and scholarships distributed by the Rotary Fund which is the charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Pompano Beach.

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 6 to 9pm.

WHERE: The Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, 2701 NE 42nd St., Lighthouse Point COST: $50/per person in advance or $60/per person at the door if space is available. Tickets can be purchased at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club or at one of the following locations:

SUMMIT FINANCIAL

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Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts

Each year the Deerfield Beach Cultural Committee hosts the Annual Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts, providing a scenic background for the festival. The festival includes over 130 juried artists from all over the United States along with continuous live music, a variety of food vendors, refreshments, a student art exhibit and of course, a kids’ zone.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 from 9am to 6pm WHERE: Deerfield Beach Main Parking Lot

30TH ANNUAL NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET

Two acres of Pompano Beach Community Park will be overtaken by more than 200 vendors for this annual nautical market, which features new and used gear ranging from scuba equipment, to fishing gear, motors, jet skis, boats, nautical artwork, anchors, antiques and more. Meander the park for great bargains, listen to live music, enjoy lunch and a cold beverage too. The Nautical Flea Market is produced through a partnership of the cities of Lighthouse Point and Pompano Beach. This year’s event is sponsored by Outboard Specialties & Suzuki Marine.

WHEN: Jan. 18 from 8am to 5pm and Jan. 19 from 8am to 3pm WHERE: Pompano Beach Community Park, 850 NE 18th Ave., Pompano Beach COST: $5 per person; kids under 10 are free Note: No pets will be permitted in the park. Plenty of free parking is available at the park. For more information visit nauticalfleamarket.com or call 954-946-6419.

Pompano Picks 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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13

Pompano Picks THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF POMPANO BEACH

BO

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S A H B 2 L W

Get in the spirit of the Super Bowl at the Exchange Club’s annual gala.

Guests will kickoff the party with a tailgate inspired cocktail hour; then enjoy four hours of open bar, live music, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Dress is casual and party goers are encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm WHERE: Galuppi’s, 1103 N Federal Highway, Pompano Beach COST: Tickets are $150/per person and include dinner and open bar

ALL ABOUT MANATEES

Head over to the monthly meeting of the Lighthouse Point Garden Club to learn “All about Manatees” featuring guest speaker, Rachael Shanker, Naturalist at Manatee Lagoon. If you are you interested in gardening, informative speakers and trips, you may enjoy being a part of The Garden Club of Lighthouse Point.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 13, 2020.

Luncheon at 1pm; speaker at 2pm WHERE: Dixon Ahl Hall, 2220 NE 38th St., Lighthouse Point COST: Free. Please contact c.caroline. steffen@aol.com if interested in attending

COOL WHEELS CAR SHOW

Plan to join the 9th Annual YATC Cool Wheels Car Show on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Deerfield Beach at Quiet Waters Park, Bald Eagle Shelter. Over 700 fantastic show cars, a silent auction, raffles, food trucks, and Broward Sheriff’s Office SWAT presentations. Expect a great day for the entire family. Music from DJ’s Eugene, Rockin’ Rich and Scott the Music Man. The eightpiece band, with horns, SOLID BRASS will also perform. Gift Bags and T-Shirts will be given to the first 300 cars.

CASH PRIZES: $1,000 Best of Show; $500 2nd Place; $250 3rd Place and Club Participation Cash.

Call Joe for details at 561-4523684. Show cars $20 pre-entry, $25 day of show. No entry charge for spectators (except for park fee).

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 19 from 9am to 3pm.

WHERE: Quiet Waters Park (Bald Eagle Shelter), 401 Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach COST: The park has an entrance fee of $1.50/per person. There is no fee to enter the car show.

If you would like to display your cool car, visit yatc.org for more information.

About the Youth Automotive Training Center: The mission of the Youth Automotive Training Center is to train and educate at-risk youth in basic automotive repair skills, academic remediation, job readiness and life management skills. The goal of this program is to prepare young adults who are at a disadvantage in their lives to become self-sufficient, productive citizens.

Pompano Picks 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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#ARTLIT 2020 is a community celebration of art and literature with a playful explosion of live chalk art, canvas art, music, virtual reality demonstrations, interactive experiences, food trucks, and fun for all! ages.

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Join CURTAIN CALL PLAYHOUSE as they transport you back in time with this Elvis tribute concert!

JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2020 FRIDAY & SATURDAY 8 PM | SUNDAY 2 PM

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

JANUARY 2020

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Pompano Picks

[ outdoor events ]

Pompano Beach Green Market

The Seasonal Green Market Pompano Beach is presented by the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Head over to the green market where shoppers can find local farmers and producers of local goods — from honey to cookies to Indian food and much more.

Come out and shop a variety of holistic, natural and organic products from local businesses and experience all the market has to offer. There is even free yoga from 10-11am.

WHEN: Saturdays, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2020 from 8am to 1:30pm WHERE: Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First St., Pompano Beach

SOULFUL SUNDAYS

Soulful Sundays features local performers and bands in various genres ranging from soul, R&B, blues, jazz and funk. This program creates a musical experience that enriches as well as celebrates the history and culture of the African American community in Pompano Beach. This month, you will enjoy a musical experience with Mojo Ike and Val Woods, a Miami-based blues duo who just returned from an 18-city European tour.

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 11 from 6-9pm WHERE: Historic Ali Cultural Arts, 353 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Pompano Beach COST: $5

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

Enjoy an evening of great music and entertainment as Briny Irish Pub presents Music under the Stars every second Friday of the month. VAM Band is the featured band for this event and will be performing pop, soul and funk.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 10, 2019 at 7pm WHERE: Great Lawn located at the intersection of Atlantic and Pompano Beach Blvds.

COST: Free

Old Town Untapped

Old Town Untapped is a monthly craft beer and arts festival hosted by the Pompano Beach CRA and features free samples of local beers crafted by breweries in Pompano Beach’s emerging craft beer scene. In addition the streets of Old Town are lined with food trucks, artists, crafters and interactive art. Inside Bailey Contemporary Arts, guests can walk through the galleries rotating art exhibits each month.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 3 from 6 to 10pm WHERE: Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First St., Pompano Beach COST: Free Pompano Picks 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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17

Pompano Picks

[ community events ]

Thought Patterns

by Lori Arbel Exhibition Opening Reception

Thought Patterns explores the inner psyche including the monotonous tasks of everyday life. Using marks and a reduced, neutral palette, the artist delves into thought patterns to question how we connect, respond, and make our mark on the world.

Arbel embraces emotional introspection for content; creative expression as dialogue. Pen and ink lines, handmade paper and geometric shapes allow Arbel to express depth, texture and pattern that result in visually energetic and meditative renderings. The imperfections of the handmade paper and pop of gold illustrate metaphor, transforming sometimes negative energy into something beautiful. Her method of working is active. She places paper on a table so that she can maneuver around it from all sides. In this way, Arbel can consider composition and balance from multiple perspectives while being physically engaged with the process.

WHEN: The opening reception is Jan. 10, 2020 from 6 to 9pm.

WHERE: Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach COST: Free

WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP

Whether you are just starting out or have some experience with watercolor or other painting materials, this workshop will expand your painting skills no matter what your medium or level of experience.

Explore your knowledge of watercolor materials and special techniques that are unique to watercolor painting.

(Must be 16 years old or over.)

WHEN:

Jan. 18, 2020 from 12 to 4pm WHERE:

Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First St., Pompano Beach COST:

$25

family fun STORY TIME AT THE BLANCHE ELY HOUSE MUSEUM

Enjoy a fun-filled story time at the Blanche Ely House every first Saturday! Story lovers of all ages can stop by with a parent or guardian to hear a story, participate in a short story-based activity and enjoy a healthy snack. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 4 from 11am to12pm WHERE: Blanche Ely House, 1500 NW Sixth Ave., Pompano Beach

MOVIES IN THE PARK

This month’s movie will be “The Grinch.”

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and your holiday spirit to this free, familyfriendly monthly event.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 2019 at 7pm WHERE: Community Park at the Multi-Purpose Field, 1700 NE Eighth St., Pompano Beach

Pompano Picks 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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JANUARY 2020

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Pompano Picks South Florida Chamber Ensemble Series

This program will feature music about wrongful imprisonment as well as pieces by composers who were imprisoned. Works include “O Death Rock Me To Sleep” by Anne Boleyn, selections from “Fidelio” by Beethoven, “Gynmopedie No. 1” by Erik Satie, selections from Handel’s “Messiah,” Ethel Smyth’s “The Prison,” and stories of wrongful imprisonment of South Florida residents set to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at 2pm WHERE: Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First St., Pompano Beach COST: $15-25

One Love Bahamas: Hurricane Dorian Benefit Concert

One Love Bahamas, the benefit concert to aid recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Bahamas, has announced the concert line-up (visit onelovebahamas.org to see the lineup). All event proceeds will benefit Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas.

The City of Pompano Beach, Shipwreck Park and Florida based concert and festival promoters are working together in support of the Bahamas to host One Love Bahamas.

Visit onelovebahamas.org for VIP information and volunteer opportunities. e sav Shipwreck Park, a the Pompano Beach 501 date (c)(3) not-for-profit organization has diverted its efforts to Bahamian Disaster relief and will administer 100 percent of concert proceeds to this effort. For more information about Shipwreck Park visitshipwreckparkpompano.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at 7pm; gates open at 5pm WHERE: The Amp, 806 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach COST: Tickets start at $59 at ticketmaster.com

Pompano Beach Winter Concert Series TOMMY MARA AND THE CRESTS

Enjoy a night of classic tunes from the 50s and 60s. Tommy Mara and the Crests have been making music for a long time, beginning as a New York R & B doo-wop group in the late 1950s.

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 from 6:30 to 7:30pm WHERE: Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach COST: $15

TINA TURNER TRIBUTE

The Voice, the Heels the Strut are back on stage, This incredible tribute show captures the image, energy, stage presence, legs and most importantly the voice of this great rock legend. Expect a blistering set of Tina Turner’s top hits including “Simply The Best” “What’s Love Got To Do With It” “Let’s Stay Together” “We Don’t Need Another Hero” “Addicted To Love” “Disco Inferno”, “Proud Mary” and many more!

This Tribute does it all!

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 from 6:30 to 7:30pm WHERE: E. Pat Larkins Center, 520 NW Third St., Pompano Beach COST: $15

JERSEY BOYS TRIBUTE

Enjoy some of everyone’s favorite doo-wop, Motown and disco hits from Frankie Valli, Dean Martin, Englebert Humperdinck and Barry Gibb.

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 from 6:30 to 7:30pm WHERE: Herb Skolnick Community Center, 800 SW 36 Ave., Pompano Beach

Pompano Picks 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

The City of Pompano Beach has Plans to Open a Municipal Charter School for the 2021-2022 School Year In December, the City Commission unanimously approved the submission of a charter school application to the Broward County Public School District to obtain the required approvals to establish the school, which would be for grades K through 8. The location of the school has yet to be determined.

The charter school would be part of the Broward County public school system, but independently operated, with the City Commission serving as the governing board, rather than the school board.

“I firmly support this,” said Mayor Rex Hardin. “It’s an opportunity for our residents to get a higher quality education than what is being offered currently in our public schools.”

There would be no cost to attend the school. However, the school would require parental involvement.

Entrance to the charter school would be regulated by a lottery system, with Pompano Beach students given priority, followed by other Broward County students.

The lottery would be open to every child in the city regardless of socioeconomic status, Assistant City Manager Suzette Sibble told the City Commission.

The school would be governed by a performance contract, or charter, between the City and the Broward County School District, which outlines the student achievement goals that must be met.

There would be a “rigorous educational curriculum,” with a high emphasis on reading, said Sibble. The goal is for students to achieve reading on grade level by third grade.

In its first year of operation, the school would have grades K, 1, 2 and 6. Additional grade levels would be

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added progressively: grades 3 and 7 in the second year; grades 4 and 8 in the third year; and grade 5 in the fourth year. With grades K through 8 in place, there would be about 1,000 students.

Hardin said the plans may entail building a new school or using an already existing site.

Like all other public schools in the school district, the Pompano Beach municipal charter school would be funded through the Florida Education Finance Program, which provides operating funds based on the number of full-time students enrolled.

The new charter school will seek accreditation, and once it receives its first rating from the state of

brought to the City Commission for consideration, notably, the charter contract with the school district.

When plans are further along, information about how and when to apply for enrollment will be disseminated in a variety of ways, including social media, publications, community meetings and websites.

“It’s an exciting step for the City of Pompano Beach,” said Hardin.

“I think it is going to pay huge dividends for our community for years.”

The goal is for the school to achieve an “A” rating, which is the highest grade awarded by the state’s ranking system. Hardin noted there are only two schools in Pompano Beach that aren’t “C”-rated. One is McNab

“It’s an exciting step for the City of Pompano Beach.

I think it is going to pay huge dividends for our community for years.” — Mayor Rex Hardin Florida school ranking system, it will apply to become a Cambridge International School, with a stringent curriculum and high-level assessments, said Sibble.

The City hired a team of local experts to assist with the application process for the Pompano Beach municipal charter school.

The application will be submitted to the Broward County Public School District on Feb. 1, 2020. Between February and May 2020, the school district will review the application. If the application is approved by May 2020, the new school would open its doors in August 2021.

Sibble said that, leading up to that point, there will be plenty of opportunities for community input.

Several items will have to be

Elementary School, which is rated “B,” and the other is Pompano Beach High School, which is rated “A.” There are currently three charter schools in Pompano Beach, but they are not “municipal” charter schools, and have grades ranging from “C” to “D.” “We’re stuck in the same rut, as far as our educational offerings in Pompano Beach, and that to me is unacceptable,” said Hardin. “We can do better, and I think we should.”

In addition to providing parents in the community a “high performing” public school option for their children, the new charter school is meant to address the growth that is occurring in the city, by mitigating the educational impact created by the development of thousands of new residential units. Y

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23

City Beat

BY MARIE PULEO

McNab House Relocation Tentatively Set for Jan. 19 The historic McNab House, currently located at 1736 E. Atlantic Boulevard, is tentatively scheduled to be relocated to McNab Park, just five blocks east, on Jan. 19, 2020.

Pat Burdette, owner of Modern House & Building Movers, based in Orlando, said he and his two employees are moving the house, as well as the house’s two-story detached garage, early on a Sunday morning to impact as little traffic as possible.

Burdette said the route for the move will be straight down East Atlantic Boulevard, using the eastbound and westbound lanes, which will include crossing over Federal Highway.

Burdette expects it will take from about 7am until 12pm to move the house and garage to McNab Park, a distance of about 1,800 feet.

When the house and garage are actually moving, it will be at a maximum speed of 2 mph. The rest of the time will be spent waiting for crews to move power lines and four traffic signal arms out of the way.

Traffic control will be handled by local law enforcement.

Excavation of the house and garage was completed by Burdette and his team in December. A framework of steel beams was placed under the foundation of each structure to support it until it rests on its new foundation. Hydraulic dollies equipped with eight aircraft tires each were then placed beneath the steel beams.

Burdette will pull the house down the street with two four-wheeled front-end loaders. The garage will follow behind the house, pulled by a front-end loader as well.

The house will straddle the median. A few palm trees will have to be removed from the median, but will be put back after the move. All other vegetation in the median will

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not be affected, said Burdette.

After being placed in the park, the McNab House, built in 1926, will be converted into a restaurant.

The garage will be repurposed as a coffee bar, eating area or some other use tied to the restaurant.

The two-story house weighs close to 300 tons (about 600,000 pounds) and the garage weighs about 60 tons.

The main structure of the house is clay tile covered with brick, and the floor frame of the house is wood.

The garage is also clay tile and brick.

Although clay tile is more fragile than the concrete blocks that are used in buildings today, and must be loaded carefully, Burdette doesn’t anticipate any issues with breaking or damage.

Burdette, who has been moving houses and buildings for 38 years, said there are about six movers in the state of Florida that have the capacity and qualifications to do this type of relocation.

McNab Park will be redesigned to accommodate the house and garage. Last October, the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) unveiled a new design concept for the park featuring a central pedestrian

ABOVE The McNab House on E Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach BELOW The new site plan

promenade that links to Atlantic Boulevard, a multi-purpose pavilion, two plazas, a new kitchen and service access, a reconfigured parking area, and a large oval lawn surrounded by gardens. The existing sports facilities will also be revised.

The house will be placed at the northeast corner of the park fronting Atlantic Boulevard, and the garage will be placed to the west of the house.

The cost for Modern House & Building Movers to relocate the McNab House and garage is $448,000. The CRA will spend a minimum of $2.7 million on capital improvements in the 2.5-acre park, which is in the city’s East CRA District.

The McNab House is being moved from its existing site because a developer who purchased the land from the McNab family in December 2018 has plans to build a mixeduse redevelopment project, called Atlantic One, that includes 304 residential units.Y

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25

City Beat

BY MARIE PULEO

Pompano Beach’s First Doctor: Office May Become a New Café, Wine Bar in Old Town Efforts are underway to preserve another piece of Pompano Beach history by converting the 1920s medical office of Dr. George Sterling McClellan – Pompano Beach’s first doctor – into a café, wine bar or sandwich shop in Old Town, an area the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is developing as an arts and entertainment destination.

The CRA has plans to move the 700-square-foot structure from its current location at the northeast corner of NE First Avenue and NE Second Street, to the northwest corner, which is directly across the street.

“This is about preserving a historic building, our cultural heritage, and adding one more charming piece to Old Town,” said a member of the project team.

The former doctor’s office currently sits on property that will be the site of Old Town Square, a new 10-story mixed-use development consisting of 282 residential units and ground floor commercial space.

Cavache Properties, the developer of Old Town Square, is donating the doctor’s office to the City, rather than demolish it.

“This is an incredible way to honor his service to this community as a medical professional,” said Jerry Bowman, chair of the Pompano Beach Historic Preservation Board.

“In the era of segregation, he had no color lines and served anybody who came through his door.”

McClellan came to Pompano in 1921 from Wellborn, a town in northwest Florida. His medical office was built sometime between 1924 and 1926. He practiced there until he died in 1958, when he was in his late 60s.

His house was built right next door, and he lived there with his wife Novice, and their daughter and

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three sons. His wife served as his nurse and ran the office.

In addition to his family practice, McClellan also opened a pharmacy at 126 N. Flagler Avenue, which was run by a druggist. The tile entryway of the building still says “McClellan Drugs.”

McClellan also did some farming on a small farm that he owned.

“He was a country doctor,” said

Bebe Delk, McClellan’s 91-year-old niece, who lives in Pompano Beach.

“He did everything from deliver babies to set a broken arm, or sew you up if you got cut.”

Delk is one of the many babies that McClellan delivered in Pompano Beach. McClellan was president of the Broward County Medical Association, and played a role in establishing Broward Medical Center and Holy Cross Hospital.

His office building, made of reinforced concrete and steel, survived the 1926 hurricane and sheltered six local families, including the McClellans, who deemed it to be safer than their wooden house.

After the doctor’s office was closed, the building housed several businesses, most recently a beauty salon and a massage parlor. The building was included in the 2013 Pompano Beach Historic Sites Survey. McClellan’s house was demolished earlier this year because it was beyond repair.

In December, the CRA Board voted to move forward with the project. The

TOP Dr. George McClellan, Pompano’s first doctor, in front of his office. Courtesy of Pompano Beach Historical Society.

BOTTOM Dr. McClellan’s office at its current location in Old Town

plan is to issue bids in early 2020 for a moving company to relocate the office and for a firm to design and carry out renovations to the building. A bid for an operator to lease the building is expected to be issued at the end of 2020, with an anticipated opening date of end 2021.

The estimated cost for the CRA to relocate and renovate the office building is approximately $400,000, which Includes a 30 percent contingency.

The proposed site for the office relocation is a public parking lot leased by the CRA. Although two or three parking spaces will be lost, the lot will be restriped to gain them back.

There will be a small patio in front of the office building for outdoor seating. The building will be across the street from a new a pedestrian and dining plaza, called “The Backyard,” that the CRA is in the process of creating.

Other new establishments are being planned for Old Town, including a hip “Southern comfort” restaurant concept, named Wood & Wire, that will occupy the building at 165 NE First Avenue. Sweets and More, a dessert catering shop, just opened at 122 N. Flagler Ave., and a coffee house, called Shack In Back, is slated to open in the same space later this year. In addition, the ground floor of the historic Bank of Pompano building at 61 NE First Street is being turned into a restaurant with outdoor dining. Y

Hillsboro Lighthouse Presents Shipwreck at the Lighthouse Fundraising Gala March 13, 2020 Sunset to Moonrise (7pm to 11pm)

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Pompano Peeps Memorable moments around town

Pompano Beach Historical Society Casino Night “A Night in Macau” Pompano Beach

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRAVES Newana Bowman, James Delk and Bebe Delk Lien Lajargue, Commissioner Tom McMahon (center) and Brandy Wheeler (right)

Thomas and Leah Gast

Lilt Mafter and Robin McCombs

Veronica Giles and Lorri Hall

Submit photos and captions from your event to editor@pointpubs.com 30 pointpubs.com •

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♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ♥ ♥ Native & Butterfl y Plants ♥ Herbs ♥ Trees ♥ Orchids ♥ ♥ ♥ Bees & Honey ♥ Urban Farming ♥ Artists ♥ Crafts ♥ & More! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Love grows at the 8th Annual ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Sunday, February 9, 2020 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ City of Pompano Beach ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Located at ♥ ♥ ♥ Sample-McDougald House ♥ ♥ ♥ Centennial Park ♥ ♥ 450 NE 10th Street ♥ ♥ (corner of NE 10th St. & NE 5th Ave.) ♥ ♥ Historic House Tours ($5) ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Local Vendors, Speakers, ♥ ♥ Food, Music, Family Fun! ♥ ♥ ♥ FREE: Parking, Admission ♥ ♥ ♥ and Raffle Gifts ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ www.pompanoproud.com ♥ www.samplemcdougald.org ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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Chef Dee’s, the quaint eatery with a big menu, recently celebrated their third year in business.

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33

In Case You Missed It

The Pompano Beach Restaurant Scene

BY JEFF LEVINE

EVEN WITH ALL THE BUILDINGS GOING UP AND TRANSFORMATION HAPPENING IN POMPANO BEACH, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHERE TO GO TO EAT. To start the new year, let's take a look at some of the recent openings and other changes at Pompano Beach restaurants.

OCEANIC, the highly anticipated beachfront restaurant, right next to the pier, opened late last summer. The incredible views, friendly staff and solid menu have made this a hot destination not just for locals but for foodies throughout Broward County. If you haven't been there yet, you need to go.

Progress on Oceanic's sister restaurant, LUCKY FISH BEACH BAR AND GRILL, has been moving slower than anticipated. We are still hearing it should open soon. When it does, the all-outdoor bistro, located on the opposite side of the pier from Oceanic, will no doubt be another hot spot in the still developing Pompano Beach Fishing Village complex.

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CLOCKWISE THIS PAGE Shrimp and watermelon salad at Oceanic: lunch combo plate at Kabuki with Thai drunken noodles and a spicy tuna roll; The Hen and The Hog; the campfire s’more milkshake at The Hen and The Hog OPPOSITE PAGE Potato knishes at Broad Street Deli

KABUKI, located where the Japanese and sushi restaurant Yakuza used to be (the Publix shopping center on East Atlantic Boulevard), may look like its predecessor but in many, many ways is quite different. Their broad Asian fusion menu includes sushi, Japanese cuisine and Thai/Asian fusion. The new restaurant offers a wider menu with more varied prices and impressive lunch and happy hour specials.

THE HEN AND THE HOG, which opened in June, offers traditional southern comfort food plus a wide array of sandwiches, salads and more. According to our reviewer, Sarah Licht, "the restaurant boasts an impressive variety of foods such as flatbreads, sandwiches, platters of smoked meats and pulledpork and an all-day breakfast menu." Located on N. Federal Highway, The Hen & The Hog is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner except on Mondays, when they are closed for dinner.

Pompano Beach is now home to four breweries. The newest, DANGEROUS MINDS BREWING CO., located in Pompano Citi Centre, looks to distinguish itself from its competitors with longer hours and a food menu, among other differences.

If you are looking for a little more adventure with your beer, AXE THROWING SOCIETY, on W. Copans Road, offers exactly what it promises. I hear a it's a lot of fun, although I get a little nervous when I'm sitting near a dart board at a drinking establishment.

GALUPPI'S on the Green (N. Federal Highway) has been building a large stage to better accommodate its highly successful weekend concert series of mostly cover bands. By the time you read this, work should be completed and with any luck the city permitting people will have signed off on it.

BROAD STREET DELI, located in the Harbor Village Shopping Center, is “the home of the two pound sandwich” and Jewish style favorites including knishes, lox, matzoh brie, challah French toast and bagels.

They are open for breakfast and lunch from 8:30am until 3:30pm Monday through Saturday. We’ve heard good things, but every time we think to go there, they aren’t open.

Grant Galuppi is also the new owner of NELSON'S DINER on S. Cypress Road. The Pompano Beach landmark continues to offer a terrific a breakfast and lunch menu at reasonable prices. They are open daily until 3pm.

UMBERTO'S PIZZA RESTAURANT has also changed hands. After several decades in Pompano Beach, Joe Corteo has decided to hang up his apron and has turned things over to the Ragosta family. The Ragostas have experience running eateries in Palm Beach County and New York and look to carry on the Umberto's tradition while adding a few new twists at their E. Atlantic Boulevard locale.

And, in case you were looking for it, THE FISH SHACK has moved from its almost covert Pompano Beach location to a bigger, more visible spot in the Shoppes at Beacon Light in Lighthouse Point. The Fish Shack has long been a local hidden gem and the new spot will likely make it no longer a secret to the masses.

You've probably resolved to lose some weight in the new year. But, once you've broken your resolution, a.k.a. next week, these local restaurants should keep your stomach occupied for a while. Y

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35

It Dawned on Me

2020! OMG

ARE WE HEADED FOR ANOTHER DECADE OF “THE ROARING TWENTIES?

BY DAWNE RICHARDS

ADMIT IT. SAYING 2020 SOUNDS COOL, AND FUTURISTIC, AND…FAROFF. EXCEPT THAT IT’S HERE! WOW. Anyone over the age, of say, 20 (see what I did there?) probably has at least a vague memory of thinking how cool and crazy it would be when we got to 2020. Anyone over 30 probably knows that it will take each of us at least six months to write or type “2020” instead of “2019” on anything requiring a date.

And anyone over the age of – never mind – knows the “Where is my flying car?!” refrain. I mean, the Jetsons promised us flying cars. Instead, we have flying buses, otherwise known as commercial air travel. By the way, did you know that the Jetsons only lasted one season? As Matt Novak, writing in The Smithsonian, notes, “The Jetsons remains our most popular point of reference when discussing the future.”

But I digress, as usual. It’s human nature, I think, to ascribe significant meaning to these types of years. It’s just a calendar date, but somehow it feels bigger than that.

One hundred years ago, the 1920s were also considered significant. According to David Brown, writing for Mental Floss, “The ‘Roaring Twenties’ are the only decade in American history with a nickname.” I’m not sure I agree with that; I’ve certainly heard the “Fabulous Fifties” and the “Go-Go Sixties.”

In any event, the 1920s certainly brought their share of important events, good and bad. In 1920, an IED was detonated on Wall Street; it killed 38 people and was, at the time, the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. During the 1920s, the “Lost Generation” of writers began making their mark on literature, the KKK grew, and the Ponzi scheme was born. The first year of the decade brought us the birth of “mass media” in the form of the first commercial radio station.

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Hmmm…IEDs. Lost Generations. Mass media. I’m not sure whether to be comforted or horrified by the similarities. Ever the pragmatist, I think I’ll just proceed under the assumption that sometimes, a year is just a year.

As I get older, I find history much more interesting than I did in my youth. I’m guessing that’s a common phenomenon; I certainly wasn’t a history buff while I was in school, with apologies and appreciation to the fine folks of our local historical societies.

In fact, I still recall a cringeworthy moment in my college U.S. history class: one of the essay questions on the midterm asked me to describe Henry Hudson’s contributions to New York. The sum total of my knowledge of Henry Hudson was that there is a Henry Hudson Parkway. I still remember the utter panic that overtook me, while I tried desperately to create a marginally coherent response.

Today, I don’t know any more about Henry Hudson than I did then. But I can say this: if the 2020s roar, I’d be happy to participate, flapper dress aside.

So, welcome 2020! Maybe I’ll make this the year I learn about Henry Hudson. Y

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JANUARY 2020

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The Shining

BY SAMUEL ROSSER

5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT K NOW ABOUT THE HILLSBORO LIGHTHOUSE (UNTIL NOW)

Source: “The (Almost) Complete History of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse" by Ralph Krugler 38 pointpubs.com •

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THE BEGINNING

In March of 1851, the country we live in was as divided as it had ever been in its short history. It was during that time, on the eve of the bloodiest war the United States had ever fought, that the Congress decided to create the United States Lighthouse Board (USLB).

The eastern seaboard has a continuous stretch of lighthouses so navigators are never without sight of a beacon calling them back to shore. But, south of Jupiter, Florida, there was a “dark zone.”

This caused captains of shipping vessels unease. And insurance companies were forced to pay huge sums for the sunken ships off the coast of Fort Lauderdale.

Captains seeking to shave time off of their voyages would stay close to shore.

Due to the current that runs along the coast of South Florida, they would drift closer to shore without realizing.

The area around Hillsboro Inlet was too shallow for many larger vessels — hence the sunken ships and subsequent insurance claims. This caused many ships like the Copenhagen to rip open their hull on one of the many reefs laying right below the surface.

So, once the USLB realized the issue at hand, the first recommendation to construct a lighthouse around the Hillsboro Inlet area came in 1855. But, since the country was more or less penny-pinching, the recommendation fell flat.

Then, the civil war happens.

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2

PLANS ARE DELAYED

Congress couldn’t care less about lighthouses for a while after that. They were a little busy with the whole “reconstructing the country” project. Didn’t they know that sailors must see? But after the south was squarely back in the union, the USLB sent a team in 1884 to study the area around the inlet and find a suitable location.

Turns out the Hillsboro Inlet is a good place for a lighthouse. So, the survey team submits a request to build a lighthouse. Four years go by and finally a bill is introduced onto the floor of the House of Representatives. Then, for another decade, nothing happens. The slow beast that is the federal government waited until 1901, a brand new century, to finally pass an Act of Congress authorizing a lighthouse to be built for a cost of no more than $90,000.

Lighthouse by the Numbers

5.5

The amount of megacandelas*

28

The amount of nautical miles from which the light can be seen.

3 THE LAND

But, yet again, the government didn’t have the cash-onhand, so they had to put the project on hold. Mercifully, congress voted to allocate half the total sum in 1902.

Congress had allocated the rest of the money by 1904 when the government purchased the three acres of land the Hillsboro Lighthouse currently stands on for a total of $450 from Mary and Frank Osborn.

4

THE CONSTRUCTION

The government issued a contract to Russell Wheel and Foundry Co., which was headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, to construct a 147-foot tall lighthouse. Which was inspected and certified in Detroit, then shipped through the great lakes, onto the Mississippi River, across the Gulf of Mexico, around Key West, finally arriving at the Hillsboro Inlet after a trek of around 4,000 nautical miles.

In 1907 the Hillsboro Lighthouse is completed and lit for the first time. Captain Alfred A. Berghell was named the first lightkeeper. The first lightkeeper worked with two assistant lightkeepers who helped ensure the light continued to guide wayward seafarers. First Lighthouse Keepers are given the rank of captain when they assume their post, which is kind of fun.

That constantly-rotating light is one of the brightest in the world. Boasting 5.5 megacandelas, which is a fun word to say, it can shine a beam of light up to 28 nautical miles away.

$90,000

147 The lighthouse stands at 147 feet tall.

$450

The amount of money authorized by Congress to build the lighthouse.

The amount the government paid for the three acres of land where the lighthouse currently sits. (Talk about inflation.)

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Hi l l s b o r o L i g h t h o u s e To u r s

It remained a constant in the area for another century, standing tall as it watched the city around it growinto a burgeoning community. It stood silently watching for German U-boats in World War II. It gazed quietly as man shed his earthly ties and shot himself to the moon. The Cold War started and ended on its watch.

5

A SHADY PAST

In 1911, Thomas Knight became the new lightkeeper. His brother Eugene “Cap” Knight and Eugene’s wife Lola were rum-runners during prohibition. Eugene and Lola eventually founded the speakeasy Club Unique where people could go to drink and gamble without prying eyes peering over their shoulder. Although, everybody called it “Cap’s place.”

Without Thomas manning the lighthouse and giving signals when Eugene came back from the Bahamas, that liquor would have never been sold, meaning that Eugene couldn’t found Cap’s Place, and I wouldn’t have ever had the best key lime pie I’ve ever tasted.

Enjoy a beautiful boat ride down the Intracoastal and climb to the top of the Hillsboro Lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the inlet. The boat leaves the Lighthouse and heads back to the Sands Resort approximately 30 minutes later.

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 12, Boat departs on the hour from 9am to 3pm.

WHERE : Boat departs from Sands Harbor Marina, 125 N Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach.

C OS T : $35/per person, $50/family of four, $50/group of four friends.

RULE S : Climbers are required to wear closed-toe footwear (no flip flops or open toed sandals). Children must be at least four feet tall and must be accompanied by an adult.

Persons with physical difficulties or health conditions should consider the effort necessary to climb steep and winding stairs.

For more information visit hillsborolighthouse.org.

OUR BEACON

The Hillsboro Lighthouse is absolutely drenched in history. Its very inception was on the eve of the Civil War. Then, it had to travel through the treacherous tundra that is American bureaucracy. After being waylaid for the better part of a century, it was finally constructed.

It remained a constant in the area for another century, standing tall as it watched the city around it grow into a burgeoning community. It stood silently watching for German U-boats in World War II. It gazed quietly as man shed his earthly ties and shot himself to the moon. The Cold War started and ended on its watch.

The world became completely unrecognizable while the Hillsboro Lighthouse stood. The United States Postal Service commemorated the lighthouse on 37 cent postage stamp to signify the historical importance this monument has to the community.

That Lighthouse has been a symbol of my community for my entire life. If it weren’t for that rather large flashlight, I’d have to introduce myself as being from “Point, Florida.” It just doesn’t have a ring to it.

That shining light has guided thousands of people from all walks of life, and I hope it stays standing for another century because I want my children and grandchildren to gaze up at it, and know where home is. Y *In case you don’t know what a megacandela is, here is a defination.

Candela (cd), unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI), defined as the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and has a radiant intensity in that same direction of 1/683 watt per steradian (unit solid angle). The candela has replaced the standard candle or lamp as a unit of luminous intensity in calculations involving artificial lighting and is sometimes called the “new candle.” There are 1.0E-6 in a megacandelas. Source: britannca.com and convert.com JANUARY 2020

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THE

TurboTax TRAP I NS I D E T UR B OTA X ’S 2 0 -Y E A R F I G H T TO STOP AM ERICANS FROM FILING T HE IR TA X E S F OR F R E E

B Y J US T I N E L L I OT T A ND PAUL K I E L , P R OP UB L I C A

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Using lobbying, the revolving door and “dark pattern” customer tricks, Intuit fended off the government’s attempts to make tax filing free and easy, and created its multi-billion-dollar franchise.

L

ast fall, Intuit’s longtime CEO Brad Smith embarked on a farewell tour of the company’s offices around the world. Smith had presided over 11 years of explosive growth, a period when Intuit had secured its place in the Silicon Valley pantheon, and the tour was like a long party.

In Ontario, employees wore T-shirts with Smith’s quasi-spiritual sayings: “Do whatever makes your heart beat fastest” and “Repetition doesn’t ruin the prayer.”

In Bangalore, India, workers put on Smith face masks as they posed for selfies with the man himself. Fittingly, the tour culminated in San Diego, the home of TurboTax, the software that transformed the company’s fortunes. There, Smith arrived at his party in a DeLorean, and as he walked a red carpet, cheering employees waved “Brad is Rad” signs. To Smith’s delight, his favorite rock star, Gene Simmons of Kiss, emerged.

The two posed for pictures, Simmons clad in black and the beaming CEO flashing the “rock on” hand sign.

Intuit began in the 1980s as an accounting software company focused on helping people with their bookkeeping. Over time, the company, like the other giants of Big Tech, cultivated an image of being not just good at what it did, but good, period. In a recent Super Bowl ad, Intuit portrayed itself as a gentle robot that liberates small-business owners from paperwork. The company stresses values above all, urging employees to “deliver awesome” and pursue “integrity without compromise.”

Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting product remains a steady moneymaker, but in the past two decades TurboTax, its tax preparation product, has driven the company’s steadily growing profits and made it a Wall Street phenom. When Smith took over in 2008, TurboTax was a market leader, but only a small portion of Americans filed their taxes

online. By 2019, nearly 40% of U.S. taxpayers filed online and some 40 million of them did so with TurboTax, far more than with any other product.

But the success of TurboTax rests on a shaky foundation, one that could collapse overnight if the U.S. government did what most wealthy countries did long ago and made tax filing simple and free for most citizens.

For more than 20 years, Intuit has waged a sophisticated, sometimes covert war to prevent the government from doing just that, according to internal company and IRS documents and interviews with insiders. The company unleashed a battalion of lobbyists and hired top officials from the agency that regulates it. From the beginning, Intuit recognized that its success depended on two parallel missions: stoking innovation in Silicon Valley while stifling it in Washington.

Indeed, employees ruefully joke that the company’s motto should actually be “compromise without integrity.”

Internal presentations lay out company tactics for fighting “encroachment,” Intuit’s catchall term for any government initiative to make filing taxes easier — such as creating a free government filing system or pre-filling people’s returns with payroll or other data the IRS already has. “For a decade proposals have sought to create IRS tax software or a ReturnFree Tax System; All were stopped,” reads a confidential 2007 PowerPoint presentation from an Intuit board of directors meeting. The company’s 2014-15 plan included manufacturing “3rd-party grass roots” support. “Buy ads for op-eds/editorials/stories in African American and Latino media,” one internal PowerPoint slide states.

The centerpiece of Intuit’s antiencroachment strategy has been the Free File program, hatched 17 years ago in a moment of crisis for the company. Under the terms of an agreement with the federal JANUARY 2020

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government, Intuit and other commercial tax prep companies promised to provide free online filing to tens of millions of lowerincome taxpayers. In exchange, the IRS pledged not to create a government-run system.

Since Free File’s launch, Intuit has done everything it could to limit the program’s reach while making sure the government stuck to its end of the deal. As ProPublica has reported, Intuit added code to the Free File landing page of TurboTax that hid it from search engines like Google, making it harder for would-be users to find.

Twelve years ago, Intuit launched its own “free” product: the similarly named “Free Edition” of TurboTax. But unlike the government program, this one comes with traps that can push customers lured with the promise of “free” into paying, some more than $200. Free Edition was a smash hit for Intuit and its pitch for “free” prep remains core to the company’s growth. Recently, it launched a “free, free free free” ad campaign for the Free Edition, including a crossword puzzle in The New York Times in which the answer to every clue was “f-r-e-e.”

Intuit knows it’s deceiving its customers, internal company documents obtained by ProPublica show. “The website lists Free, Free, Free and the customers are assuming their return will be free,” said a company PowerPoint presentation that reported the results of an analysis of customer calls this year. “Customers are getting upset.”

Intuit also continues to use “dark patterns” — design tricks to get users of its website to do things they don’t necessarily mean to do — to ensure that as many customers as possible pay, former employees say. A marketing concept frequently invoked at Intuit, which goes by the acronym “FUD,” seeks to tap into Americans’ fear, uncertainty and doubt about the tax filing process.

An Intuit spokesman declined to answer ProPublica’s detailed questions about its efforts to fend off a government filing system, but he provided a statement.

“We empower our customers to take control of their financial lives, which includes being in charge of their own tax preparation,” he said, adding that a “government-run prefilled tax preparation system that makes the tax collector (who is also the investigator, auditor and enforcer) the tax preparer is

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But the success of TurboTa x rests on a shak y f oundation, one that could collapse overnight if the U.S. gove rnment did what most wealthy countries did long ago and made ta x f iling simple and f ree f or most citizens .

fraught with conflicts of interest.”

The IRS is seemingly the biggest threat to Intuit and other commercial tax prep businesses, but it has more frequently acted as the industry’s ally, defending the Free File program even in the face of critical internal reviews. The IRS declined to comment for this article.

The consequences of Intuit’s efforts affect a huge proportion of the taxpaying public.

Americans spend an estimated 1.7 billion hours and $31 billion doing their taxes each year. Just 2.8 million participated in the Free File program this year, down from 5.1 million at the program’s peak in 2005.

Intuit’s success has made the men who run the company rich. Smith, the CEO who stepped down last year and is now executive board chair, had a stake worth $20 million when he became chief executive. It ballooned to $220 million by last year. Co-founder Scott Cook is now among the country’s wealthiest people, his fortune soaring to $3.3 billion.

This year, Intuit was close to realizing a long-held goal: enshrining the Free File program in law, effectively closing the door on the IRS ever creating a free tax filing system. But an outcry followed ProPublica’s reporting on the matter and Intuit’s treatment of its customers, prompting the provision to be dropped and state and federal investigations into Intuit’s practices.

Yet even after this setback, the company remained steadfastly confident that its clout in Washington would win the day.

“What we’re not gonna do is fight this publicly because that is exactly what they want us to do,” said Sasan Goodarzi, the new CEO, in a video released to staff this May and obtained

by ProPublica. “We are actually working with the IRS and members of the Congress to ensure that the facts are very clear.”

Intuit has dominated the tax software market since 1993, when for $225 million, it bought Chipsoft, the San Diego-based company that had created TurboTax. Even then, TurboTax was the most popular option, but Intuit pursued a plan of aggressive growth. The product necessarily came on a disk, and by the end of the 1990s TurboTax boxes were nearly ubiquitous, on shelves in office supply stores across America.

As internet speeds increased and dot-com mania took hold, it became apparent that Intuit’s future was not in a box on a shelf. It was online.

The prospect of TurboTax’s growth was vast for another reason. As late as 2001, around 45 million Americans still filled out their tax forms on paper. For Intuit, those were all potential customers.

But Intuit wasn’t alone in seeing possibilities in the spread of high-speed internet. In Washington, lawmakers began pushing the IRS to modernize and get more taxpayers to file electronically. It was a no-brainer: Filing taxes online would be easier, and the IRS would save staff costs on processing paper returns.

The danger to Intuit’s growing business was obvious. If the government succeeded in creating a system that allowed the vast majority of taxpayers to file online for free, TurboTax profits would plummet. Intuit recognized that the notion of “return-free filing” was not going away on its own.

And so in 1998, the company hired Bernie McKay, a onetime Carter administration aide and a senior lobbyist at AT&T, to be its vice president for corporate affairs. Intuit executives like to talk about having a “customer obsession” in developing their products.

McKay’s obsession is stopping government encroachment. Known to physically bang the table to drive home a point, McKay’s style is “aggressive to the point of offense,” said one fellow tax prep lobbyist. An Intuit spokesman said, “This mischaracterization of Mr. McKay is pure fiction.”

McKay, for his part, when asked at a recent tax industry conference which Star Wars character he is, responded, “Darth Vader.”

The year McKay was hired, Congress

passed a major overhaul of the IRS. The bill, reflecting Intuit’s lobbying, said that the IRS “should cooperate with and encourage the private sector” to increase electronic filing.

While McKay came through in his first big test, in 2002, the company found itself up against an unexpected foe, the George W. Bush administration. The threat came from a broad administration initiative to upgrade government technology. One of the proposals called for the IRS to develop “an easy, no-cost option for taxpayers to file their tax return online.”

Without such an option, taxpayers were stuck either filing on paper or, to file electronically, paying a tax professional or software company like TurboTax. Providing an alternative would be an obvious improvement, said Mark Forman, an official at the Office of Management and Budget who led the “e-government” program. The technology wasn’t all that complicated, and creating a free, automated filing system would help tens of millions of Americans.

“This was seen as a low-cost, high-payoff initiative,” Forman recalled in a recent interview with ProPublica. Standing in the way, he said, was an industry “that lives off the complexity of the tax code.”

Intuit revved its new lobbying machine.

Even before the OMB report was publicly released, a group of Republican lawmakers, led by TurboTax’s hometown congressman, wrote to the agency arguing that there was no reason for the government to “compete” with the “well-established” private tax prep companies. Intuit’s lobbyists also went above the OMB and pressed their case directly to the White House, Forman recalled.

At the IRS, “all hell broke loose,” remembered Terry Lutes,

who was then the head of electronic filing at the agency. Intuit’s clout on the Hill meant that lawmakers were soon accusing the IRS of making “secret plans to undercut the industry,” Lutes said. The agency ran the risk of seeing its funding cut if it were to pursue the Bush plan.

The IRS commissioner at the time, Charles Rossotti, also opposed the idea. The IRS’ customer service staff, already too thin to respond adequately to Americans’ questions about the tax code, would have to grow substantially to handle millions of software queries. Congress “will never give you sufficient funding,” Rossotti told ProPublica.

So the IRS felt caught in the middle.

The question became, Lutes said, “Is there some way to come out of this with something for taxpayers that addresses the administration’s objective and at the same time is acceptable to industry?”

Intuit, it turned out, did have a way. Since 1999, as part of the company’s strategy to head off encroachment, TurboTax had been offering free tax prep to the poorest filers.

It was a program that served to bolster the company’s arguments that government intervention was unnecessary.

This became the basis for a deal. The industry would offer free tax prep to a larger portion of taxpayers. In exchange, the IRS would promise not to develop its own system.

Intuit organized a coalition of tax prep companies under the name the Free File Alliance, and after negotiations with the IRS, the group agreed to provide free federal filing to 60% of taxpayers, or about 78 million people at the time. Government officials touted the solution as a marvel of public and private cooperation. Americans would get free tax prep, and it would cost the government almost nothing.

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For Intuit, it was the culmination of years of lobbying. The IRS had signed a contract that said it “will not compete with the [Free File Alliance] in providing free, online tax return preparation and filing services to taxpayers.”

What’s more, “free” wasn’t as unprofitable as it sounded. The alliance, guided by a lawyer who was also an Intuit lobbyist, won a series of concessions that made the program palatable to industry. Free File only required the companies to offer free federal returns.

They could charge for other products. The state return was the most common, but they could also pitch loans, “audit defense” or even products that had nothing to do with taxes.

Free File had another bright side: The companies could tailor their Free File offers so that they didn’t cut into their base of paying customers. The agreement said the industry had to offer free federal services to at least 60% of taxpayers, but each company individually only had to cover 10% of taxpayers. Intuit and the others were free to limit their offers of free tax prep by age, income or state.

There was little incentive for the companies to publicize a free alternative to their paid products, and the IRS agreed that the Free File offers need only be listed on a special page of the agency’s website.

For Intuit, it was a major victory in the war against encroachment. The company could now focus on turning whatever new customers it acquired through the program into paying users, both that year and in the future.

The first year of Free File was 2003, and for Intuit, things went well. On paper, the Free File Alliance was a collection of 17 companies, all of them vying to serve the American taxpayer.

But in reality, it was a group made up of two giants and a bunch of gnats. Intuit’s only significant competitor was H&R Block, and even it was a distant second. The rest of the alliance consisted mostly of tiny companies with names like Free1040TaxReturns.com. As a result, Intuit could tailor its Free File offer just the way it wanted.

But the next year, Intuit began to lose control of its creation. A scrappy competitor, TaxAct, decided to use Free File to stand out.

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The company decided it would try to pick up as many new customers as possible and then charge them for ancillary services. Instead of following Intuit’s lead and constraining its offer to a subset of low-income taxpayers, TaxAct went the opposite direction.

“Why not go for an offer that’s much simpler to understand?” is how Lance Dunn, the president of the maker of TaxAct, described the strategy in a later court hearing. It began advertising a pitch for “free federal online tax preparation and e-filing for all taxpayers. No restrictions. Everyone qualifies.”

TurboTax’s offer on the Free File page, meanwhile, was more difficult to parse: “if you are eligible for EIC, are age 22 or younger, age 62 or older, or active Military with a W2.”

(EIC stood for the Earned Income Tax Credit.)

TaxAct’s ploy was a smashing success. The company’s volume exploded.

Alarmed, Intuit tried to get the other companies not to offer their products for free to too many potential customers, according to Dunn. Such a request could be collusion, a violation of antitrust law, Dunn said. “Intuit asked the Free File Alliance members that we should restrict offers, which I believe is probably not legal for that group to restrain trade,” he said.

ProPublica asked Intuit about Dunn’s accusation, but the company did not respond.

Dunn, who declined to speak with ProPublica, made these remarks during sworn testimony in 2011. The hearing was part of an antitrust case by the Justice Department against H&R Block after it tried to buy TaxAct. The U.S. argued that, by eliminating a competitor, the merger would create a duopoly of Intuit and H&R Block. Although the Justice Department ultimately blocked that takeover, the market has grown even more consolidated in recent years. In 2019, according to a ProPublica

analysis of IRS data, the two giants accounted for 81% of all individual returns filed using tax prep software.

On the defensive, Intuit and H&R Block matched TaxAct’s “no restrictions” offer on Free File. Americans rushed to file for free, and in 2005, 5 million people filed their taxes through the program. Free File had become the most popular way to file taxes online.

Intuit viewed the popularity of Free File as a serious threat and took its case to Congress. That year, Brad Smith, then a senior vice president at the company and head of TurboTax, told a House committee that “the current Free File Alliance program has drifted very far from its original public service purpose and objective,” as he put it. The program wasn’t supposed to be for everyone, he said: It was for the “disadvantaged, underprivileged and underserved taxpayer populations.”

Intuit’s arguments quickly gained traction at the IRS. Already, in March 2005, the IRS had written to the Justice Department for legal advice on modifying the Free File program. The agency wanted to know: Would it run afoul of antitrust laws if the IRS barred companies in the Free File Alliance from offering a free product to everyone?

The Justice Department responded in a May 2005 letter. Clearly, wrote Renata Hesse, an antitrust section chief at the department, “any agreement among Alliance members to restrict such free service is likely a form of price fixing” and thus illegal. But there was still a way for Intuit to get what it wanted.

She wrote that if the IRS itself were to impose such a restriction, it would be legal.

The IRS swooped in to beat back Intuit’s competition, doing for Intuit what the company could not on its own. Despite just 5 million Americans using a program that was purportedly available to 80 million, the IRS

agreed that Free File needed to be reined in.

The agency made its reasoning clear in a previously unreported letter sent to the Free File Alliance the following year. Bert DuMars, then head of electronic filing at the IRS, wrote that there’d been a huge jump in people using Free File in 2005, but no corresponding boom in people paying for tax prep. “If this trend continued, the IRS was concerned that it could cause many vendors to go out of business,” he wrote.

Stock market analysts, he pointed out, had said Free File “represented a threat to future revenues and profits of the publicly traded company participants.” The IRS decided to remove this threat.

The new agreement, struck between the IRS and the alliance in 2005, gave Intuit what it had sought. Companies were now expressly barred from offering free tax prep to everyone through the program. Instead, only taxpayers under an income cap, then $50,000 a year, would be eligible.

On paper, the program’s eligibility had actually increased to 70% of taxpayers, or about 93 million households, up from the previous 78 million. But in practice, because broad, easy-to-understand offers were now barred, it was clear the program’s use would decline.

Intuit had again bent the power of the federal government in its favor. After 2005, the Free File program was never again as popular, eventually falling to about half that year’s level.

With the threat of government encroachment on ice and high-speed internet access proliferating in the mid-2000s, Intuit looked forward to steady growth and big profits.

The upside of the online software business was huge, with the cost of producing each additional unit approaching zero. And TurboTax was hardly a niche product: Intuit executives still excitedly talk about the TAM, total available market, of TurboTax as every single tax filer in the country, now over 150 million households.

But TaxAct’s Free File gambit had forever transformed the industry. Advertising “free” was a great lure, so TaxAct took the battle to a different venue. Barred from making a free offer to everyone through Free File on the IRS’

TurboTa x had bee n off ering f ree ta x prep to the poorest f ilers .

This became the basis f or a deal.

The industr y would off er f ree ta x prep to a larger por tion of ta x payers .

In exchange, the IRS would promise not to develop its own system. website, TaxAct decided to make the offer on its own website in 2006. Intuit recognized a credible challenge from the upstart and countered the next year, launching TurboTax Free Edition on its website.

Confusingly, there were now two distinct options: the government-sponsored Free File and the commercial free editions.

For customers who managed to qualify, the new commercial options offered by these companies were similar to what they could get on the IRS’ Free File website: The underlying software was the same, only the federal return was free, and the companies expected to make money on each customer through charging for a state tax return or other services.

But for the companies, there was a clear benefit to winning customers directly,

rather than through the IRS program. The companies had complete control over how they handled customers from start to finish.

Intuit poured ad dollars into its Free Edition. Not only did the new product effectively meet TaxAct’s challenge, it quickly became the major driver of TurboTax’s customer growth.

That growth posed a challenge: how to, as internal company documents put it, “monetize free.” Over successive tax seasons, Intuit unleashed teams of designers, engineers, marketers and data scientists on that problem, working at its headquarters in Mountain View and TurboTax’s main offices in San Diego.

Part of the solution was to pitch users side products like loans or “Audit Defense.”

But it also meant misleading customers.

Frequently “free” didn’t mean free at all.

Many who started in TurboTax Free Edition found that if their return required certain commonplace tax forms, they would have to upgrade to a paid edition in order to file.

The company came to a key insight: Americans’ anxiety around tax filing is so powerful that it usually trumps any frustration with the TurboTax product, according to three former Intuit staffers.

So even if customers click on “free” and are ultimately asked to pay, they will usually do it rather than start the entire process anew.

Intuit capitalized on this tendency by making sure the paywall popped up only when the taxpayer was deep into the filing process.

“There’s a lot of desperation — people will agree, will click, will do anything to file,” said a former longtime software developer.

Every fall before tax season, the company puts every aspect of the TurboTax homepage and filing process through rigorous user testing. Design decisions down to color, word choice and other features are picked to maximize how many customers pay, regardless if they are eligible for the free product. “Dark patterns are something that are spoken of with pride and encouraged in design all hands” meetings, said one former designer. In the design world, “dark patterns” are tactics to get users to do something they don’t necessarily mean to do. (ProPublica previously documented dark patterns encountered by people trying to file their taxes for free.)

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the company carefully chooses how it describes the different editions. Prominently featured next to Deluxe Edition, which costs around $100, is the phrase “maximize your deductions.”

If users initially click on the Deluxe software, they are never offered the choice to go to the Free Edition even if the no-cost option would produce the same return.

“Maximize your deductions” was legendary at Intuit for its effectiveness in steering customers eligible for free filing to buy the paid product, according to a former marketing staffer.

Another celebrated feature, former staffers said, were the animations that appear as TurboTax users prepare their returns. One shows icons representing different tax deductions scrolling by, while another, at the end of the process, shows paper tax forms being scanned line-by-line and the phrase “Let’s comb through your returns.” What users are not told is that these cartoons reflect no actual processing or calculations; rather, Intuit’s designers deliberately added these delays to both reinforce and ease users’ “Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt.” The animations emphasize that taxes are complicated but also reassure users that the technological wizardry of TurboTax will protect them from mistakes.

In a statement, the Intuit spokesman said, “The process of completing a tax return often has at least some level of stress and anxiety associated with it. … To offset these feelings, we use a variety of design elements — content, animation, movement, etc. — to ensure our customers’ peace of mind.”

The 2007 launch of Free Edition started a period of rapid growth for TurboTax. Within two years, use of its web products had almost doubled, and over the past decade, its website has grown

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POINT! PUBLISHING

each year by an average of 2 million more customers. The company reported this year that TurboTax online had handled 32 million returns. In a statement, it said around a third of that number used Free Edition.

The government’s Free File program, meanwhile, has mostly faded into the background, drowned out by Intuit’s and other companies’ “free” offers. The IRS did try advertising campaigns, spending around $2 million some years to spread the word. But compared with the reach of Intuit, this was a pittance: The company reported this year that it spent $800 million on advertising.

With its budget slashed by Congress, the IRS has spent no money at all to advertise the program in recent years.

In a statement, the Intuit spokesman said, “The process of completing a tax return often has at least some level of stress and anxiety associated with it. … To offset these feelings, we use a variety of design elements — content, animation, movement, etc. — to ensure our customers’ peace of mind.”

The 2007 launch of Free Edition started a period of rapid growth for TurboTax. Within two years, use of its web products had almost doubled, and over the past decade, its website has grown each year by an average of 2 million more customers. The company reported this year that TurboTax online had handled 32 million returns. In a statement, it said around a third of that number used Free Edition.

The government’s Free File program, meanwhile, has mostly faded into the background, drowned out by Intuit’s and other companies’ “free” offers. The IRS did try advertising campaigns, spending around $2 million some years to spread the word. But compared with the reach of Intuit, this was a pittance: The company reported this year that it spent $800 million on advertising. With its budget slashed by Congress, the IRS has spent no money at all to advertise the program in recent years.

Amid its success, Intuit has sometimes had to put down insurgents bent on reforming the tax filing system. In 2007,

the same year Intuit launched its Free Edition, Barack Obama, then a candidate for president, took aim at the tax prep industry. In a speech to an audience of tax wonks in Washington, he promised that the IRS would establish a simple return system.

“This means no more worry, no more waste of time, no more extra expense for a tax preparer,” he declared.

But the Obama administration, as Bush’s had before, found that it was no match for Intuit.

Again, Bernie McKay, the lobbyist who had joined Intuit in the late 1990s and outlasted multiple CEOs, led the company’s campaign.

In response to the Obama threat, McKay and Intuit’s small army of outside lobbyists turned to Congress, where lawmakers friendly to the company introduced a series of bills that would elevate Free File from a temporary deal with the IRS to the law of the land.

Republicans have historically been the company’s most reliable supporters, but some Democrats joined them. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the California Democrat whose district includes part of Silicon Valley, has introduced or co-sponsored five bills over the years that would codify the Free File program, with names like the Free File Permanence Act. Lofgren’s spokesperson told ProPublica that the congresswoman believes the IRS, because of its role as tax collector, should not also be the tax preparer.

Hedging its bets, the company also sought to make sure the IRS could not spend a single dollar creating a public filing system.

One internal document says Intuit would “advance legislative language in House Appropriations for ‘No Funds’ restriction on IRS spending” on such a system. It worked.

Within a few years, Congress passed a 3,000page appropriations bill that included a single sentence crucial to Intuit’s financial future: “No funds,” the law decreed, could be used “to provide to any person a proposed final return or statement.”

Another important aspect of Intuit’s influence strategy during the Obama years was covertly enlisting minority and women’s groups to press its case.

The internal 2014-15 “encroachment strategy” document discloses plans to “leverage trade groups to support House/ Senate Free File bills.” It goes on to list the

groups Women Impacting Public Policy, The Latino Coalition and the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

Intuit has given money to all of those groups over the years. All have signed letters urging Congress to make the Free File deal permanent. “The Free File program has been a clear success,” said one letter signed

by The Latino Coalition and the Hispanic Leadership Fund.

A spokesperson for Women Impacting

CEO of H&R Block until 2007. Ernst, who later held a senior role at the IRS, told ProPublica that Williams “didn’t want to offend the industry,” noting that “he was particularly open to having sidebar conversations with key people where he could imagine himself landing some day.”

Today, Williams works at Intuit, where he’s held the title of chief tax officer since 2013. He is one of several former IRS employees who have gone on to work there. In a statement,

backed bill in Congress that would make the program permanent. His op-ed in The Hill was called, “Free File providers scam taxpayers; Congress shouldn’t be fooled.”

In response, the IRS again rose to Intuit’s aid. It rushed to assure the company that Ventry’s power to affect the program was limited, according to emails to the Free File Alliance obtained through a public records request.

“The Commissioner has met directly with

The government ’s Free File program, meanwhile, has mostl y faded into the back ground, drowned out by Intuit ’s and other companies ’ “ f ree” off ers .

Public Policy said it has received $70,000 from Intuit. The amounts given to the other groups are unknown, and they did not respond to requests for comment.

Company documents also outline plans to “mobilize” a “coalition” that included think tanks and academics, who published op-eds.

Will Marshall, president of the probusiness Progressive Policy Institute, opposed return-free filing in an op-ed in The Hill because doing one’s taxes is “a teachable moment [that] prompts us to review our financial circumstances.”

Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, the most consistent champion of Intuit’s policy positions, warned that “big spenders in Washington, D.C. want to socialize all tax preparation in America.”

It is unclear whether they were paid by Intuit or the Free File Alliance. Norquist didn’t respond to a request for comment, and a Progressive Policy Institute spokesman declined to say whether Intuit gave the group money.

Whatever external challenges to the status quo Intuit has faced, the company has been able to rely on the IRS’ continuing enthusiastic support of the Free File program. Every few years, the IRS and the industry got together to renew the deal.

In part, that was due to the relationships Intuit had developed with high-ranking IRS officials. One, Dave Williams, served as the agency’s top negotiator on the Free File program for several years and “was very commercially sensitive,” said Mark Ernst, the

Williams told ProPublica he did not have discussions about future employment with Intuit or other companies until after he left the IRS. He added that his career in government was focused on “what is best for the taxpayer” and that he “joined Intuit for the same reason: to help the American taxpayer.”

Despite Free File’s declining use, the IRS often claimed that the program was nevertheless meeting one of its original goals: driving more people to file electronically instead of on paper. Ernst, who served as a senior official at the IRS from 2009 to 2010, didn’t believe that a program used by so few people was having any such effect. “It was a talking point that got trotted out all the time to justify the Free File Alliance,” he said.

Internally, IRS managers have also argued that the program is, in a way, a success, because it created “a free marketplace,” as one internal management report in 2017 put it. Apparently, customers weren’t the only ones taken in by the word “free.”

In 2018, Intuit faced rare scrutiny from inside the IRS. The agency asked its Advisory Council, a group of outside experts, to take stock of Free File. To the company’s alarm, it soon became apparent that the council’s report might be sharply critical.

That July, council chair and University of California, Davis, law professor Dennis Ventry wrote two pieces criticizing an Intuit-

Mr. Ventry,” IRS official Ken Corbin wrote to Steve Ryan, a lobbyist for Intuit who also represented the alliance. “Mr. Ventry will recuse himself from participating or contributing to the topic of Free File.”

Corbin heads the IRS division that processes most Americans’ tax returns and negotiates the Free File deal with Intuit and the industry.

A few days later, Ryan arrived at the IRS’ Constitution Avenue headquarters in Washington to mount a defense of the program. A former Democratic Senate aide turned lawyer-lobbyist, Ryan is known on Capitol Hill for taking on politically fraught clients, including Trump attorney Michael Cohen and the government of Qatar. He helped create Free File in the early 2000s, and it was now his job to secure its future.

Ryan’s PowerPoint presentation at the IRS rehashed arguments that the company had been making for the past 15 years. It also highlighted a 2013 study by Brown University professor John Friedman, a former Obama National Economic Council official, to make the point that the program had been successful in generating “Free Tax Returns Outside of Free File.” The presentation did not mention that Friedman’s study was paid for by the Free File companies and was not published in an academic journal. Friedman declined to say what he was paid but told ProPublica he “wrote the piece based on my analysis of the issues, which I stand by.”

Ventry, who attended the meeting, got a call the next day [CONTINUED ON PAGE 62] JANUARY 2020

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49

dining out 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)

POMPANO BEACH And Fish Kitchen + Bar. SEAFOOD Located at the Marriott

Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, enjoy chef Eric Kaszubinski’s 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 anymore? 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 MRS. KOSSENFLOFFER

around and you’ll see fellow diners devouring their house special cutter (sandwich) — sautéed shrimp with garlic butter, mushrooms and cheddar all stuffed into a hollowed out kaiser roll. Check out the special board for a variety of locally caught fish with everything from grouper to snapper to wahoo among others. Plenty of land lubber options are also available including filet mignon. For island comfort food, don’t miss one of their curries or rotis. 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. So, 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 $$

Beach House. AMERICAN • CRAFT COCKTAILS This is the per-

fect 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 $$

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 $$$-$$$$

Bella Roma Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. ITALIAN • PIZZA

Checkers Old Munchen. GERMAN When you’re looking for a

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

Tasty dishes, large portions, and 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 $$ Brew Fish. BAR AND GRILL Dine outside in the tiki hut over-

looking a canal right in Pompano Beach. Comprehensive menu and attentive staff. 200 E. McNab Rd., 954-440-3347 $$

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 This spot is home to the

Florida State Booster Club of Broward County. Wings and plenty of bar food is available. 235 S. Federal Highway, 954785-2227 $

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 their fresh, wild caught fish, Bahamian conch dishes, Jamaican jerk and American favorites all served with an island flair. On any given day, look

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change in your restaurant rotation, take a trip back to the old country at Checkers Old Munchen. The restaurant’s exposed wood framing is reminiscent of the German half-timbered architectural style and the walls are lined with classic German beer steins. For a traditional German meal, try the wiener schnitzel — it’s divine — a lightly breaded veal cutlet sautéed in lemon butter and topped with homemade brown gravy. The spaetzle (German noodles) are a real homemade treat and not to be missed — throw a little of that brown gravy on them and they could be a meal unto themselves. 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. As you look around, you can’t help but get the feeling that most of the patrons are returning customers.

And the next time we get a hankering for some schnitzel, we know where to go. Imbibe to your hearts content with their wide assortment of German beers. 2209 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954785-7565 $$

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., 954-582-4444 $$ Cypress Nook. GERMAN This place has been in business for 38 years — talk about staying in power. It’s open for three meals a day, and there’s nothing like a little knackwurst with your eggs. 201 SE 15th St., 954-781-3464 $ Darrel & Oliver’s Cafe Maxx. INTERNATIONAL This restaurant is an anchor of the South Florida fine dining scene. 2601 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-782-0606 $$$$

SOUTH FLORIDA’S NEWEST FRESH-CATCH CULINARY EXPERIENCE

NOW OPEN FOR DINNER HAPPY HOUR DAILY 3PM-7PM COMPLIMENTARY VALET OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

RESERVATIONS: 954-944-9515 OR OPENTABLE.COM 1200 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach - Located inside the Fort Lauderdale Marriott® Pompano Beach Resort & Spa

POMPANO’S BEST KEPT SECRET

Dining Out Eric’s Authentic Mexican Food. MEXICAN The tacos are a

standout here —served street style — which translates into fresh ingredients prepared with love and care. Start with some chips and guacamole. For some authentic and tasty Mexican, head over to Eric’s and thank us later. 625 E Atlantic Blvd., 754-215-6103 $$

Rated 4.5 Stars ★★★★

Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill. SEAFOOD • AMERICAN Enjoy a deal every day. 2500 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-943-3762 $$

The Foundry. AMERICAN • CONTINENTAL Seating options ga-

lore, from bar seating to lounge seating and old-fashioned casual dining seating. 2781 E. Atlantic Blvd., 754-205-6977 $$

Breakfast Specials

Lunch Specials

Starting at $4.72 Including Coffee

Starting at $7.99

Monday-Friday 5:15am-3pm Saturday 5:15am-2pm Sunday 5:45am-2pm Delivery available through, Uber Eats, Delivery Dudes, Grub Hub, Postmates

Fresh local fish, ocean dishes and seafood salads.

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 $ 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. Pair your dish with a bottle of wine or cocktail from their full bar. They also offer daily lunch specials Monday – Friday starting at $9.95. Don’t skip the romaine salad with the blue cheese. 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 $$

The Gyro Joint. MIDDLE EASTERN Eat in or carry out. It’s all Greek to me. 165 S. Cypress Road, 954-946-9199 $ 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 $$$ J Mark’s. AMERICAN A relaxing, modern restaurant and bar

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

$$$

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

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

Kings Head British Pub. BRITISH Fish and chips, bangers and mash, savory pies and other British classics are all made on premises. 900 E Atlantic Blvd., 754-222-8671 $$

Kin Asian Street Food. ASIAN • SUSHI Enjoy everything from

inventive takes on ramen soups with pork belly and a jammy egg to original rice bowl. 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. The gyoza were also a star — the dough was light and tender with a flavorful pork and vegetable filling. The restaurant has a comprehensive sushi menu, but this is definitely a place to order outside of your comfort zone. After all, isn’t sushi the new pizza? 143 SW Sixth St., 954-532-4567 $$

Caribbean-inspired fresh fish and seafood cuisine in a casual ambiance.

954-942-1633 • CalypsoRestaurant.com

460 S Cypress Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 52 pointpubs.com •

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La Perla Di Pompano. ITALIAN This small and intimate Italian eatery offers a wide selection of Italian dishes including four different risotto dishes alone. 420 N Federal Highway, 754-222-9174 $$$-$$$$ La Veranda. ITALIAN The atmosphere is elegant, yet comfortable and warm. Inside or out, one can enjoy a truly special

SUNSET MENU SUNDAY TO THURSDAY | THREE COURSE MENU $24.95 INCLUDING A GLASS OF SELECTED WINE EXCLUDING TAX AND GRATUITY 40% IN THE BIZ EVERY MONDAY HAPPY HOUR SUNDAY TO FRIDAY, 5 TO 7 PM EXCLUDING HOLIDAY & HOLIDAY WEEKENDS CAFE MED | 2096 NE 2ND ST. DEERFIELD BEACH | CAFEMEDDEERFIELD.COM | (954) 596-5840

• 40% IN THE BIZ EVERY MONDAY • $1 BEEF SLIDERS EVERY TUESDAY • $1 PULLED PORK SLIDERS EVERY WEDNESDAY • 65 CENT WING EVERY THURSDAY • HAPPY HOUR FROM 4 TO 7PM SUNDAY TO FRIDAY *EXCLUDING HOLIDAY & HOLIDAY WEEKENDS BURGER CRAZE | 2096 NE 2ND ST. DEERFIELD BEACH | BURGER-CRAZE.COM | (954) 596-5949

RELAX & UNWIND PACKAGE • 20% OFF BEST AVAILABLE RATE • $15 FOOD CREDIT FOR BREAKFAST PER ROOM, PER DAY • $25 CREDIT TOWARDS A FULL DAY OF POOL CABANA RENTAL • $5 OFF SELF PARKING EXCLUDING APPLICABLE TAXES WYNDHAM DEERFIELD BEACH RESORT | 2096 NE 2ND ST. DEERFIELD BEACH | WYNDHAMDEERFIELDRESORT.COM | 954-428-2850

Dining Out evening in the Tuscany-inspired surroundings. Be it drinks from their full bar, a bottle from the copious wine selection or naturally the Italian food, everything is served perfectly. Expect to be delighted. There is a big selection of pasta, entrées and traditional dishes, with new favorites to be discovered that the wait staff will happily explain. You can taste the love in their homemade desserts. If you’re looking to celebrate or simply treat yourself to an evening of wonderful dining, La Veranda is an excellent choice. 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. Miami Masala. INDIAN Enjoy classic Indian dishes as well

as a few more modern ones with an Indian twist. The stuffed Hungarian peppers appetizer, while not being a classic Indian dish, had all the flavors fans of the cuisine crave. 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, 954-9332003 $$

Nikki’s Orange Kitchen. CONTINENTAL Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy salads, sandwiches and entrées all with a slight Mediterranean influence. Organic and gluten free options available. Enjoy the location right across from Grilled chicken, the Pompano Fishing Pier. Have dinner and take a stroll — it’s bacon and avocado on multi-grain why we live here, people. 1 N. Ocean Blvd., Ste 102, 954-532-2771 toast with a basket $$-$$$ of fries at The Hen and The Hog on Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar. AMERICAN Federal Highway in Beachcomber Resort — go for the Pompano Beach 954-941-7830 $$$

Beach front dining at the view. 1200 S. Ocean Blvd.

Oceanic. AMERICAN • SEAFOOD The long awaited Oceanic on Pompano Beach lives up to the hype. 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 ingredients really shined with top notch shrimp served over juicy watermelon and peppery arugula all dressed with a light vinaigrette. The shrimp and grits were prepared traditionally and packed with flavor. For meat lovers, the baby back ribs were melting off the bone and there was enough for a doggy bag. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The restaurant boasts dazzling architecture inspired by the great ocean liners of years past. And with sweeping views of the Atlantic, dining at Oceanic is almost like a mini stay-cation. Their hours are Sunday, 10am-10pm; Monday-Thursday, 11:30am-10pm; Friday 11:30am-11pm; Saturday, 10am-11pm, 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

$$

Ruby’s by the Sea. ITALIAN Tucked away in a small strip mall near the Hillsboro inlet is Ruby’s serving classic Italian fare.

2608 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-785-7700 $$ 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 $$

Sands Harbor Patio Restaurant. AMERICAN Located in the 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 At-

lantic 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 $$

Sette Bello. ITALIAN This is a true gem just south of the Pompano Beach border serving expertly prepared Italian food with quite a bit of a flare. In other words — not like mom used to make…this is way, way better. (No offense to mom.) Sette Bello is a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or a romantic dinner for two. 6241 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. 954 351-0505 $$$ Shishka Lebanese Grill. MIDDLE EASTERN It’s not easy to make a good falafel (chick peas, fava beans garlic and cilantro seasoned and deep fried, served with tahini sauce) but the ones at Shishka are worth every single calorie. There are plenty of other choices too from the classic hummus to baba ghanouj to chicken and meat shawarma. 1901 N. Federal Highway, 954-943-2999 $$ 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

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REAL ITALIAN FOOD Made with love just for you!

Coming To Your Area In

Pompano Beach!

2313 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach

954-889-6600 Now Hiring.

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Locations

2403 State Road 7, Margate 2403 State Road 7, Margate Second Location Second Location

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2313 N Federal Hwy, Pompano

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2313 N Federal Hwy,taking Pompano Opening Soon! Renovations place.

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Dining Out tower of eggplant, potatoes and ground beef topped with a cool yogurt sauce. If you are looking for a genuine Greek dinner without having to dance on tables and yell “opa” — not that there’s anything wrong with that — Table 2201 is a good choice. 2201 E. Atlantic Blvd., 718-600-2236 $$

Take Sushi. JAPANESE • SUSHI Fresh, authentic Japanese fair

delivered to your door? Yes, please. 2714 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954785-2442 $$

Talay Thai. THAI • JAPANESE A small and cozy place offering delivery and carry out. 2233 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-941-1123 $$ Trattoria Novello. ITALIAN Chef Pasquale’s fervent belief in

using fresh ingredients (so fresh that some are grown in his own home garden) and authentic Italian imported products is truly his trademark. Some of Trattoria Novello’s dishes are derived from his own childhood. While his family is from Southern Italy and much of the Trattoria Novello menu reflects that heritage, Chef Pasquale has intentionally crafted a menu with dishes from all regions of Italy. 2663 W. 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 $$

Wings N’ Things. WINGS • BARBECUE It doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s worth trying. 150 S. Sixth St., 954-7819464 $ Zuccarelli. ITALIAN • PIZZA This place is more than just a pizza joint. From eggplant Parmesan to shrimp fra diavolo, you will leave quite satisfied. The portions are generous and come with a fresh house salad. Bring your breath mints because their warm garlic rolls are on point. 1340 N. Federal Highway, 954-941-1261 $

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

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

Fish Shack. SEAFOOD This restaurant used to be a “beat 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

SEASIDE AND GRILL Casual restaurant offering beachside dining, delicious seafood, flavorful steaks, & live entertainment every weekend.

Lunch and Dinner starting at 11:30am Tiki Bar featuring burgers, wings, live entertainment and craft cocktails.

Open for Breakfast (starting at 8:30am), Lunch and Dinner.

www.seasidegrill.com 1406 N. Ocean Boulevard, Pompano Beach 56 pointpubs.com •

POINT! PUBLISHING

954.783.3193

WHEN DINING OUT IS THE OCCASION

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Oceanic is more than “just another seafood restaurant with a view.” This is the spirit of Pompano Beach lifted by the desire to escape and be wisked away. Even on a Tuesday.

Sit, inhale, relax, and appreciate YOUR moment to escape and reconnect with friends and family.

Welcome to Oceanic OceanicPompano.com • Pompano Fishing Pier 250 N Pompano Beach Blvd • Pompano Beach

Full Bar Beautifully Crafted Traditional Sushi Innovative Flash Fried Rolls Low-Carb Riceless Rolls Pad Thai Stir-Fried Noodles Pineapple Fried Rice Thai Curry Crispy Duck

Dining Out menu but it is called The Fish Shack. 2460 N. Federal Highway, 954-586-4105 $$

Le Bistro. CONTINENTAL Professional chef, Andy Trousdale

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 calorie. The restaurant also offers cooking classes and wine tasting dinners. 4626 N. Federal Highway, 954-946-9240 $$$

Legends Tavern and Grille. AMERICAN Enjoy gastropub fare including sandwiches, burgers, wings, salads and a huge choice of appetizers. 3128 N Federal Highway, 754-220-8932 The Nauti Dawg Marina Café. AMERICAN Nestled in at the

We Deliver!

GREAT FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR and DINNER LUNCH SPECIALS everyday from Open - 3:00pm HAPPY HOUR everyday from 3:00pm - 6:30pm OPEN MON - THURS 11:30am-10:30pm • FRI 11:30am-11:00pm SAT 12:00pm-11:00pm • SUN 12:00pm-10:30pm

2515 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach 954-951-6077 • www.kabukiwpb.com

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. For a taste of New England with a twist, try the lobster roll. Of course you can’t go wrong with the fresh fish sandwich—ask what the catch of the day is. All sandwiches come with a side and, while French fries are always a delicious option, the restaurant offers a tangy cucumber salad (among other choices) that provides a nice crunch to any sandwich. They are a dog-friendly restaurant. 2830 NE 29th Ave. (at the Lighthouse Point Marina), 954-941-0246 $$

Papa’s Fish House SEAFOOD They offer the freshest seafood

with simple ingredients. There is also a seafood market in the restaurant. (Formerly Seafood World) 4602 N. Federal Highway, 954-942-0740 $$$

Papa’s Raw Bar. SUSHI • SEAFOOD Situated next door to their

“Best “Best German German Restaurant Restaurant 2015” 2017” New Times

parent restaurant Seafood World, Papa’s indeed seems like the hip child of an established restaurant. While the fresh food is the real star, the Keys-inspired decor certainly accounts for part of their charm. The menu goes way beyond typical raw bar offerings with inventive tacos and sliders. Papa’s also offers an impressive array of sushi and sashimi. 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 $$-$$$

Red Lotus. THAI Red Lotus serves all of your favorite Thai

dishes from pad Thai to red and green curries and more.

Start with the dumplings — the pasta is delicate and they are packed with flavor. 4460 N Federal Highway, 954-933-7163 $$

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

$$

954.785.7565

Mon - Sat 11a.m. - 10p.m.

Sun 4p.m. - 9p.m. We accept reservations 2209 East Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach (1 block east of Federal) www.checkersoldmunchen.com

DEERFIELD BEACH Amante’s. ITALIAN Close to the International Fishing Pier, steps from the sand, stands Amante’s Italian Cuisine (and Bob’s Pizza). You can choose from a casual family pizza experience to an elegant dinner and everything in between.

Amante’s is usually bustling: filled with locals and visiting guests there for an after-beach meal or pizza. The menu has all the Italian favorite pasta dishes, meat entrées and daily chef specialties. 2076 NE Second St., 954-426-1030 $$

Antonio’s. ITALIAN Antonio’s has been around for decades

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serving authentic Italian cuisine. They’ve got all the classics with a few out of the ordinary dishes too. We were positively swooning over the chicken marsala. In the mood for pizza?

They’ve got that too. Dine in or take out with delivery and catering available. Located in the Cove Shopping Center. 1636 SE Third Court, 954-427-4871 $$

Baja Cafe. MEXICAN A long established local favorite for an

authentic 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 $$

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 $$$

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

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 at the Royal Blues Hotel. SEAFOOD • SEASONAL

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 $$ JB’s on the Beach. SEAFOOD Glorious Beach views and a private glass room perfect for business or family affairs. 300 N. Ocean Way, 954-571-5220 $$$ Little Havana. CUBAN Little Havana has fantastic lunch spe-

cials 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 $$

Ocean’s 234. SEAFOOD Amazing views of Deerfield Beach and

the pier with gluten free options available. 234 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-428-2539 $$$

Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen. JAPANESE • THAI • SUSHI Don’t be fooled by the name, this restaurant serves much more than sushi. They have salads, ramen and noodle dishes, tempura and of course a plethora of inventive sushi rolls to choose from. They also have two other locations in Fort Lauderdale

Breakfast available 7 days a week until 1pm

Lunch Specials Daily

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1103 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach • 954.785.0226 • www.Galuppis.com JANUARY 2020

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59

Family Owned & Operated SINCE 1989

Dining Out and Oakland Park. 949 S Federal Highway. 754-227-5489 $$

Rattlesnake Jake’s. TEX MEX Dive bar close to the Beach with live music and plenty of menu items to choose from. 2060 NE Second St., 954-421-4481 $$

Taj Indian Restaurant. INDIAN We have two words for you: lamb korma. This classic Indian dish varies from restaurant to restaurant, and while we don’t have their recipe, we can tell you it’s juicy leg of lamb cooked in a rich cream sauce with raisins and cashews. 201 SE 15th Terrace, 954-304-7032 $$ Tijuana Taxi Co. MEXICAN Perhaps it’s the all day happy hour (Mon.-Fri., 11am-7pm) with $5 El Jimador margaritas, but as soon as you enter, the weight of the day lifts off your shoulders. 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. 1015 S. Federal Highway, 954-708-2775 $$

Lunch & Dinner Full Liquor Bar 1601 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach (954) 942-1733 • giannisitalianrestaurant.com MON-THURS 11am-2:30pm & 4-9:30pm FRI 11am-2:30pm & 4-10pm SAT 4-10pm SUN 4-9:30pm

The Tipperary Pub. IRISH • AMERICAN A classic neighborhood pub — where if you go often enough, everyone will indeed know your name. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Try a red eye — half tomato juice, half beer. 1540 SE Third St., 954-421-9769 $ Two George’s. SEAFOOD An intracoastal hot spot with live

music, a great view and a legendary Friday happy hour. 1754 SE Third Court, 954-421-9272 $$

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 $$

Fast & Casual

POMPANO BEACH Fast & Casual Anne Marie’s Pizza and Subs. Opening soon! 2313 N Federal Highway, 954-889-6600 $

Borogodo Brazilian Grill. BRAZILIAN Open for lunch Monday-Friday 11am-4:30pm; Saturday 11am-5:30pm. 7 SE 22nd Ave., 954-782-8040 $ Our diner will make you feel as if you’ve jumped back to the 50’s.

Broad Street Deli. BREAKFAST • DELICATESSEN Jewish style

deli sandwiches, subs, wraps homemade soups, breakfast, bagels and homemade baked knishes. Open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday, 8:30am-4pm. 2657 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-816-9649 $

Cafe Brie. SANDWICHES • SALADS A little gem of a place that

Monday - Friday: 5:00 AM - 3:00 PM Saturday: 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM

438 S. Cypress Road • Pompano Beach • 954.785.3646 We Deliver • www.nelsonsdinerpompano.com 60 pointpubs.com •

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serves fantastic sandwiches, salads, quiche and desserts.

2765 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-532-7800 $

Carlucci’s Brick Oven Trattoria & Pizzeria. ITALIAN Italian favorites and brick oven pizza at the beach. Open lunch and dinner Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 12-10pm. 3420 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-9463150 $$ Denise’s Kitchen. BREAKFAST AND LUNCH Breakfast and

lunch served daily. Breakfast specials start at $4.72 and include coffee. Lunch specials start at $7.99. Delivery is also available through Uber Eats, Delivery Dudes and Grub Hub. 2335 NE Fifth Ave., 954-943-7411 $

Five Girls. BURGERS • PIZZA Check out this cozy, neighborhood joint. Five Girls offers all the classics you crave including burgers, hand cut fries and the owner’s favorite Philadelphia cheesesteaks. 2659 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-783-8889 $ Gorilla Joe’s. • SANDWICHES • SALADS Pressed sandwiches, subs, fresh salads and beer and wine. With a location walking distance to the beach, consider taking something yummy with you to picnic in the sand. 3330 E. Atlantic Blvd., 754-8007311 $ La Rachetta at Whole Foods Market. PIZZA AND WINE BAR

Enjoy weekly deals with plenty of beers on tap and wines by the glass. For something different, try the sweet southern swine pizza — a light and crispy pizza topped with pork belly, arugula and cheese. They have daily specials served with a draft beer for $8. And the truffle fries are great with anything.

2411 N. Federal Highway, 954-786-3535 $

Jet’s Pizza. PIZZA Try one of the specialty pizzas such as Philly cheese steak with Alfredo sauce or the BLT. 437 E. Atlantic Blvd., 954-782-5387 $

Expires 2/29/20. Participating locations only.

Extra toppings chicken, meatballs & steak substitutions, extra dipping sauces and dressings, tax and delivery additional. Must present coupon. Cannot be combined with any other coupon! Prices subject to change without notice.

Nutrition information available at JetsPizza.com/Nutrition

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

Little Italian. PIZZA Little Italian Pizza is the best kind of Italian restaurant — the kind that feels like a hole-in-the-wall, but quickly grows vibrant as the large, steaming plates of homestyle Italian dishes come barreling out of the kitchen.

448 S. Cypress Road, 954-941-0550 $-$$

Nelson’s Diner. DINER Nelson’s diner, which was just pur-

chased by the owners of Galuppi’s, is a cute, hole-in-the-wall 50s diner with Elvis memorabilia on the walls, baseball flags on the ceiling, friendly servers and classic red vinyl booths.

438 S Cypress Road, 954-785-3646 $

Stingers Pizza. PIZZA • AMERICAN Dine in or order delivery.

BRAZILLIAN GRILL

They will bring your pizza to the Beach—a million minds making the world a better place. 1201 S. Ocean Blvd., 954-7822344 $

Sunshine Bagel. BAGELS • DELI Serving up bagels and sandwiches in a friendly atmosphere. 260 N. Ocean Blvd., 954-7887498 $

The Hen and The Hog. COMFORT FOOD Located in a quaint building on Federal Highway, The Hen and The Hog offers a wide variety of options such as flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, platters of barbecue meats and an all-day breakfast menu. We dare you not to order the campfire milkshake — topped with marshmallows and crumbled graham crackers.

The atmosphere is homey and inviting with wooden rafters and farm tables along with vintage Edison bulbs. The restaurant is open for three meals a day except they are closed for dinner on Mondays. 3003 N Federal Highway, 954-366-1572. $

7 SE 22nd Avenue, Pompano Beach

(One block East of Federal Hwy…south side of Atlantic)

954-782-8040 • DELIVERY

Tortillería Mexicana. MEXICAN Looking for a taco that goes

beyond ground beef and toppings? Not only will they supply you with fresh, unique tacos, but the corn tortillas are made from scratch daily. Who does that? 1614 E. Sample Rd., 954943-0057 $

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. Enjoy.

JANUARY 2020

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The TurboTax Tr a p alerting him that a California public records request had been filed for his emails — they were subject to such a request because he’s an employee of a state university. It came from the Free File Alliance, as The New York Times later reported. The request, Ventry believes, was designed to “freak me out.”

In early October, the council sent a version of its final report, which included a harsh appraisal of the Free File program, to the IRS to seek responses before releasing it publicly the following month.

But in mid-October, just weeks before the report saw the light of day, the Free File industry group fired off an “urgent” request to meet with IRS officials. The goal was to re-sign and “improve” the memorandum of understanding that governed the Free File program, according to the emails. The current agreement wasn’t expiring for another two years, but Ryan cited the “time urgency to make changes that will benefit taxpayers” in the coming tax season, adding, “I have not darkened your door in 2018 and need your … attention to this opportunity.”

The IRS’ Corbin signed the new deal on Oct. 31. Two weeks later, the Advisory Council report was released, with a damning indictment of the program: “The IRS’s deficient oversight and performance standards for the Free File program put vulnerable taxpayers at risk,” the report found.

The expert body recommended that the IRS negotiate a series of new provisions designed to increase the use and oversight of the program, including mandating advertising by the companies. But it was too late. A new deal had already been signed with modest changes. As it had in the past, Intuit and the alliance had effectively insulated the program from reform. Members of the council, Ventry said, were “pissed off.”

A spokesman for the Free File Alliance said the group had pushed to renegotiate the deal in 2018 because of the looming 2020 presidential campaign. “The reason for the timing of the extension of the agreement was the political season,” he said. The group had not seen the report before its release, he added.

(In August, ProPublica sued the IRS to get more correspondence between the agency and Intuit’s lobbyists. In response to our Freedom of Information Act requests, the agency has withheld over 100 pages. The

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[CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49]

case is ongoing.)

The new deal included rules that barred Free File companies from offering extra products to the relatively small number of users who access the program. This makes it much more difficult to convert those users into paying customers.

At around the same time, the industry took steps to make the program more difficult to find. Both Intuit and H&R Block added code to their Free File websites that shielded them from search engines such as Google. The Intuit spokesman said the company increased paid search advertising for Free File “by nearly 80 percent” over the last year and has data showing more people found the program through online search this year than last year, but he declined to provide specific figures.

What is clear is that Intuit’s business relies on keeping the use of Free File low. The company has repeatedly declined to say how many of its paying customers are eligible for the program, which is currently open to anyone who makes under $66,000. But based on publicly available data and statements

by Intuit executives, ProPublica estimates that roughly 15 million paying TurboTax customers could have filed for free if they found Free File. That represents more than $1.5 billion in estimated revenue, or more than half the total that TurboTax generates.

Those affected include retirees, students, people on disability and minimum-wage workers.

Customers, meanwhile, remain confused

by Intuit’s myriad uses of “free,” and internal documents show the company knows it. Over just a two-week period this past filing season, Intuit received nearly 7,000 TurboTax customer calls in which the phrase “supposed to be free” was uttered, according to a company analysis. One customer complained that Intuit charged him even though “it says ‘free free free’ on the commercial.” The TurboTax representative responded: “That ad has been the bane of my existence.”

Even as TurboTax’s business thrived, 2019 has been a rocky year for Intuit’s long-running war against government encroachment. In April, the company was close to finally succeeding in its long-held goal to make Free File permanent. A bill called

the Taxpayer First Act was sailing toward almost unanimous approval in Congress.

But after ProPublica published a series of stories about the program, including a story showing that military families and students were particularly affected by Intuit’s business tactics, the bill stalled. Congress ultimately removed the provision that would have enshrined Free File in law.

After having enabled Intuit for so long, the IRS finally responded to the pressure. It hired a contractor to review the Free File program.

But the contractor had previously argued against the IRS offering its own tax prep option, and the review did not recommend major changes. The agency has not yet announced its plans for the future of the program.

The agency’s inspector general also launched an audit, which is ongoing. Other investigations and litigation followed, ranging from class-action complaints, alleging that consumers had been deceived

by Intuit’s tactics, to investigations and lawsuits by regulators and prosecutors in New York and California. Intuit has denied wrongdoing, saying it “has at all times been clear and fair with its customers.”

Despite the scrutiny, Wall Street has continued to embrace the company’s business model. The company recently announced it made $1.5 billion in profits for its fiscal year. It expects its TurboTax unit to grow by 10% next year. Last year the CEO was paid $20 million. The share price hit an all-time record.

The company has returned to its old strategy: stay the course and take its case directly to the IRS and Congress. Its allies in the Senate have again advanced an appropriations bill that would bar the IRS from developing its own tax filing system. In the spring, Sasan Goodarzi, a former head of the TurboTax unit who took over as CEO of the entire company in January, sought to reassure employees.

“Our view is this will be in the press until there is a resolution with the IRS,” he said, according to the video obtained by ProPublica.

“And we’re working with them and we feel very good about where this will end.” Y Doris Burke contributed research to this story.

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Last Resort

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

There is a lot to unpack about Waldorf Astoria’s first property outside New York City and inside Walt Disney World. The resort sits on a privately-owned parcel known as Bonnet Creek that was untouched for decades. In 2009, this 70-acre parcel was developed near Disney’s shopping area known as Disney Springs. Lawsuits were involved but that is a story for another day.

The hotel is luxurious, modern and starts at $350 per night but please check your favorite booking site as prices vary greatly. The hotel has 12 dining and bar locations, a fitness center, meeting space and 498 rooms.

The Walfdorf Astoria brand now has 31 properties from Bangkok to Beverly Hills. Fun fact: the Orlando property opened on the exact date, 82 years after the opening of the original hotel in New York.

The resort has most of the amenities you expect. The rooms are spacious and pristine. The pool is lovely (more on that later), there is a dazzling spa and an impressive golf course, but I judged this only from photographs.

I stayed at the resort for a high school reunion which involves eating and drinking in various lounging positions all weekend. Lounging on the pool deck noshing on lunch. Lounging in the pool sipping a wonderful concoction called a “Lime in the Coconut.” Lounging in the elegant but comfortable bar while rehashing our glory days and sipping Grey Goose martinis.

You get to know a hotel this way and we never left the property... for obvious reasons. —Richard Rosser TOP The hotel pools with private cabanas available for rent MIDDLE Disney’s fireworks BOTTOM The hotel lobby and bar

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

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