ELLAMAR RD. AND DIXIE CRASH CLOGS TRAFFIC

(Photo by Churchillian)

A multi-car nighttime crash Tuesday night on Dixie Highway one block north of Churchill Road blocked traffic for about an hour and drew several police cars to the slick scene following tonight's rain.
Police just arriving at Ellamar Rd. and Dixie refused to comment on possible injuries or circumstances of the crash until the investigation was complete. At least four vehicles, one of them severly dented in the front and rear, were scattered on the pavement and the deserted parking lot of the businesses on the east side of Dixie. One vehicle came to rest less than 10 feet from one building.
Police parked their patrol cars across the east lane of Dixie Highway, preventing northbound drivers from passing while tow trucks cleared out the damaged vehicles and police talked to drivers and passengers.
Traffic was blocked in the northbound lane from about 8 p.m. to 8:45.
There were few people at the accident scene, likely due to Tuesday evening's rain. One man said he was standing about two blocks south when he heard a what sounded like a crash.
"I don't know if what I heard was the crash or not," he said, as he and his friends pointed to the dented cars and tried to figure out the accident sequence. "Whatever happened, they were lucky they didn't crash into the building."

THE LITTLEST CHURCHILLIAN

We hear our neighbors Scott and Jewelee have welcomed a new baby.

No news on the name yet, but it's a girl.

That makes two daughters for the couple.

Here we have a picture of Jewelee and her oldest daughter after Jewelee shaved her head for charity this spring.

(Hey Scott and Jewelee, if you see this entry, send news!)

THE PERFECT TOSS

(Photo by Churchillian)

A 300 game is the next big challenge for Noah Dabill.
The five-year-old Churchill Road resident recently knocked off one of bowling's toughest challenges -- the frustrating, fearsome 7 - 10 split. The shot requires razor-sharp precision to clip one pin and shoot it across the alley to knock over the other. Even Noah's pal, Gary Dickerson, has trouble with this elusive shot.
"I was happy," said the soft-spoken South Olive Elementary school student. Despite persistent questions from the press, Noah refused to reveal details of the ground-breaking event.
But Noah's agent, also known as his father Tom, told how Noah hit paydirt.
After being grounded for playing unauthorized video games, Noah set up the pins in the hallway near his bedroom. A few shots later, Noah announced the good news to his parents.
Reporters found him Tuesday afternoon tossing football passes with his dad. Noah's thinking he might try to make it to the Miami Dolphins as a wide receiver.
"He's already better than most of 'em" said Tom, giving Noah the thumbs up as the kid held onto a pass despite tumbling to the ground. "Look, he didn't drop the ball."

For Sale

We were sorry to see the for sale sign on Elmer's pink Churchill Road cottage.

Mostly because he seems like such a nice man - and he and his wife always keep their home and garden so pristine.

But there it was this afternoon, the yellow Century 21 sign installed by the man in the truck who touched up the golden paint before he went on his way.

Things just can't have been the same for Elmer since February when Lucille died.

We know he has family in Baltimore, and we wish him the best.

Remembering . . .

There is a new shopping mall to the east of the site of the World Trade Center.

It was rebuilt after the attack.

A grove of palm trees rises into the seasonal light of the sun - just as it did before the attack.

This part of the mall is known as the Winter Garden - site of trade shows, art shows and, in January, a Bruce Springsteen concert.

The replanted palm trees are from Palm Beach County.

ALL-EXPENSE-PAID TRIP TO THE ER

She looks fine now, but on Thursday evening Bonnie DiPaolo dislocated her knee when she completed a round-off/back handspring at her gym.

Coaches R. and Jill knew exactly what to do, wrapping the knee in ice and keeping the young gymnast calm until her parents arrived.

A tense ride to Good Samaritan Hospital was followed by excellent care from the staff. Aunt Cheri rushed to the ER and was the only visitor in the room when the docs came in -- and fixed the knee in about 10 seconds.

Bonnie's screams could be heard down the hall and through the locked double doors, bystanders reported. It went something like, "Shriek! Shriek! Shriek! Shriek! I love you!!" as the doctors did their work.

The cost: just one missed day of school. The prize: lots of sympathy from the Churchill neighbors who see Bonnie hobbling around on crutches.

DOGGED BY THE STEELERS

(Photo by Churchillian)



Sports analyst Jewel Brinkman is still fuming about the failure of Dolphins Coach Nick Saban to throw the red challenge flag.

The coach waited too long to protest Pittsburg's out-of-bounds touchdown during the 2006 season opener. Jewel is eagerly awaiting an eyewitness account from her owners, Mark and Karin.

"Bill Cowher , John Fox, Jack Del Rio. THEY know how to throw a danged flag! I'm colorblind, and I could do a better job," growled the angry Austrailian shepherd, who spent the Thursday night game slamming Ultras at Flanagan's. "Saban's a STOOGE!!"

The still-bleary-eyed beauty denied rumors that she took a pasting because she bet on the fins.


"I'm expecting big things for the next game," she said. "Mark told this was going to be the year."

TENT CITY

Termites got blasted this week on Churchill Road.
(Photos by Churchillian Staff)












Pictures of John and Greg Rice, of Lake Worth, adorn the Hulett exterminator's truck.

The twins started in sales, then real estate, gaining national notoriety in TV spots, ad campaigns and as motivational speakers. They were most famous for their pest control ads for Hulett Environmental Services, including stints as mini-Elvises chasing away termites.

John broke his leg after he slipped on a step Nov. 4, 2005, and was hospitalized. He died Nov. 5 while being put under anesthesia for surgery, according to Greg's fiancée. More than 500 people attended his funeral.

But their exterminator ads have been picked up around the country and they are still played.





The bug busters tented two homes early this week, and on early Saturday morning the blue tarps came down.

WHAT'S WITH THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER?

First, the weather wonks warn us the 2006 hurricane season is gonna be busting with storms all the way to Zelda.
Then, they back off and say, well, not so much.
They tout Ernesto as a major one. It turns into a mild one.
Frustrating, ain't it?
So, in the interest of investigative journalism and the fact we have nothing else to do on this cloudy day, the Churchillian asked our resident meteorologist about the rest of the 2006 season.
Scoffing at all that sky-searching gadgetry used on TV, our own Churchill Road weather expert smartly stepped her four feet outside and took a few sniffs. A few looks upwards was all she needed.
She called a press conference to announce her findings.
(Photo by Churchillian)

"Historically speaking, this year's collecting of cirrus and cumulus clouds could crash down on South Florida," said Ginger, who has a Master's degree in Weatherology from Wind University. "However, the resulting coagulation of cirrostatus and cumulonimbus clouds could collide. Hydrostatically and baromatically, that high pressure system could -- I repeat could -- merge into the low pressure system. That would result in a no pressure system."
"And what does that mean?," was the first querry from the press.
Clearly annoyed, Ginger threw down her white pointer and glared at the impertinent questioner.
"Partly cloudy, pal," she said, stomping off back to her nap.