Page Two; Barrys Buzz – April 2, 2014
Gossip columnist Jose Lambiet is the featured speaker at the www.GoldCoastTigerBayClub.com lunch, 11:30 a.m. April 8 at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road opposite the Turnpike. RSVP at http://goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/2014/03/14/luncheon-meeting-tues-april-8th-2014/ or call 561.852.0000.
Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club director and community philanthropist/activist/TV talk show host Arlene Herson received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Community Relations Committee of The Polo Club.
Boca resident Bruce Rosetto, co-managing shareholder at Greenberg Taurig in Boca Raton, was elected chairman of the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority, Robert Parks was elected vice chairman and Michael Daszkal was re-elected treasurer.
Boca Raton resident and Bernie Madoff secretary Annette Bongiorno was found guilty last week on charges she helped Bernie engineer a massive $20 billion Ponzi scam. As part of the loot, Bongiorno acquired a million dollar in Woodfield, a Bentley, two Mercedes and made a $1.6 million down-payment on a $6 million luxury condo in Boca’s Beach Club, all of which have been confiscated by the Feds.
Boca Raton broker Pete Bruno was suspended for disciplinary sales practices and Sean Mollard had his ticket yanked for six months for failing to provide timely information requested by regulators.
Boca Raton man and wife team Paul and Christine Shumack were rocked with a breach of contract lawsuit claiming the couple reneged on thousands of dollars in profits related to business investors. The Shumacks sold $3,500 virtual kiosks to investors that were placed in hotels to service guests with promises of future commissions that soon dried up. The FBI is currently investigating and a Grand Jury has been convened.
Miller Legg was chosen to update the 30-year-old red Reef Park, including the beachfront, a nine-hole golf course and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
Coconut Cove Water is open on weekends through June 5 in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in West Boca.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday April 18 and the same hours on Monday May 26, Memorial Day. Here’s the link for ticket prices, hours and rules: http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/aquatics/waterparks/#.UzWE6qJv8dU or call 561-274-1140.
Florida Atlantic University’s Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing recently cut the ribbon on a 5,000-square-foot expansion. For more information or to make a gift, contact David Rutherford at 561-297-2119 or druthe7@fau.edu.
Lending at South Florida banks was up sharply last year with Bank United leading the way with a solid $3.7 billion in loan growth, up a whopping 71% from the previous year when lending was curtailed by federal regulators. The growth came in multi-family and commercial real estate loan portfolios and industrial credit lines. Bank United has $13 billion in assets with over 90 branches in South Florida.
In a déjà vu all over again saga, South Florida developers are scrambling to build high priced condos, with 2,000 units on the drawing board in Palm Beach County and 60% of South Florida condos slated for construction are already under contract or have been sold, according to surveys
There was a good news/bad news scenario in Palm Beach County for 1,020 existing February home sales. Good news saw prices jump 16% from February last year with a median price of $272,000. Bad news revealed number of sales stalled, due to a lack of inventory with fewer than 1,000 homes for sale in February but local Real Estate pros say listings are perking up as higher prices are drawing sellers into the market.
Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the 16th Annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. April 3, at Broken Sound Club to benefit the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship Fund, Call 561.212.8866, email robintromp@aol.com or visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org for tickets or more info.
The Palm Beach International Film Festival is April 3-10. Call 561.362.0003 or visit www.pbifilmfest.org for tickets theatres and more information.
Steel Magnolias is at The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum, 7901 N. Fed. Hwy. April 3 to April 20. Call 561.995.2333 or visit www.thewick.org for tickets. The 2014/2015 season includes: Swing, Oct. 23-Nov. 16; Mame, Dec. 4-Dec. 28; La Cage aux Folles, Jan. 8-Feb. 15; Man of La Mancha, Feb. 26- March 22; Oklahoma, April 2-April 26 and Dames at Sea, May 7-24. Order tickets at www.thewick.org or call 561.995.2333.
The American Fine Wine Competition and Gala benefitting Deliver the Dream is 6:30 pm – 11 pm April 4 at the Boca Resort & Club, with David Letterman announcer Alan Kalter and Hilary Kole. Tickets are $310. Visit www.americanfinewinecompetition.org or call 305.627.3409 for more information.
The First Annual South Tech Academy Staff Talent Show to benefit the Rock and Roll Academy is 4:30 p.m. -10 pm. April 5 at the American German Club, 5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Call 561. 364.7935. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Slow Burn Theatre Company presents Chess, through April 5 in the West Boca Performing Arts Theatre at West Boca High School, 12811 W. Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 1.866.811.411 or visit www.slowburntheatre.org for tickets and further information.
The Plaza Theatre, 262 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan presents Dirty Blonde, through April 13. See www.theplazatheatre.net or call 561.588.1820.
The G-D of Isaac is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs through April 20. Visit www.stagedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765 for tickets and more information.
American Idiot is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, through April 6. Go to www.browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222 for tickets.
Palm Beach Dramaworks presents Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate, through April 27 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. Visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or call 561.514.4042 for tickets and further information.
Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl on www.wrpbitv.com Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m.
Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30am at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00pm at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit www.moviesofdelray.com for more information.
Watch Barry Epstein live with confidence coach Michelle Balaun, Those Oldies But Goodies DJ/MC Entertainment president Fred Slabine, Trinity Development Corporation spokesperson Gulie Scherzinger, Boca resident/community activist Mark Seigel and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres. You can be on too to promote your business or profession. Call 561.852.0000 for details. You can also watch the TV shows ON Demand on WRPBITV. Just click on this link: https://vimeo.com/channels/barryepsteinlive.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Breathe In opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres. National Theatre Live: National Theatre’s War Horse opens at the Movies of Delray (and on April 4 and 19).
The Wedding Singer is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Countess de Hoernle Theatre at Spanish River High School, 5100 Jog Road, Tickets are 415 at www.spaishrivertheatre.org or at the box office on show day. Call 56.241.2020 for more information.
A Walk to Cure Diabetes is 7:45 a.m. registration, 8:30 to 9:30 walk, April 5 at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre. No minimum to sign up, but the average walker raises 4100 by asking 10 people for $10 each.
Boca Raton Green Market, in its 17th year, has farm-to-table, freshly-picked produce (organics, too) from local growers, plants and flowers, bakery items and lots more, 8 am to 1 pm every Saturday and featuring “It Takes Two” (Zella and Phil) performing a wide variety of musical selections at the sw parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd. Call (561) 299-8684.
The Delray Beach Playhouse at 950 NW 9th St. in Lake Ida Park, off Swinton Ave. Delray Beach presents: The Pajama Game, through April 20; Doubt, May 24-June 8, and musical memories shows include; Come Fly With Me, Harlem On My Mind, Call Me Madam, Good News and Make Someone Happy. Visit www.delraybeachplayhouse.com or call 561.272.1281 x 4 for more information. Tickets are $30. Call 561.272.1281 x 4 for reservations.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 36 offers a Boating Safety course 9 a.m to 5 p.m. April 5 in the headquarters building at Spanish River Park, 3939 N. Ocean Blvd. Cost is $35. Call 561.392-3600 and leave a message. Students are also asked to bring their own lunch.
Larry Ferber has a movie club 10 a.m. every Sunday at the FAU Living Room theatres, followed by discussion. Call 757.617.1936 for more information.
Randy Powell’s Roaring Kelly Band will be performing free to the public at the Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert, April 6, 3-4pm, at the Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd, sponsored by the Friends of the Boca Raton Library. Register at www.bocalibraryorg or call 561.299.8684 for information.
Lynn University political professor Dr. Robert Watson speaks on “Stories from the White House”, 7:30 pm, April 6, Palm Beach Shores Women’s Club, Military Trail, just north of Gateway Blvd. Admission is $5. Call 561.752.1425 for reservations and directions.
Coaching the Mature Driver: Florida law requires drivers over 55 to receive discount on their auto insurance for three years when they take this course. Some insurance companies allow drivers 50 and over to receive the discount. This course is designed for senior drivers, age 55 and older to review the effects of aging and driving and how to compensate for the physical and mental changes to promote defensive driving. The state of Florida has approved this course for insurance discounts, which last for three years. Course may also be court ordered. Class fee: $12. April 7 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. To register, visit www.safetycouncilpbc.org or call 561.845.8233 or 1.800.640.2415 for further information.
Former Miami Dolphin and now owner of Offerdahl’s Café Grill John Offerdahl will be the keynote speaker for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s 12th annual Inspiration breakfast fundraiser, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 8 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
Renowned Flamenco Guitarist, Howard Greenblatt performs free to the public at the Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert, April 13, 3-4pm, at the Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. Register at www.bocalibraryorg or call 561.299.8684 for information.
Keep the Faith “Bon Jovi Tribute Experience” Comes to Boca to help raise research funds for ALL cancers. 7:00 p.m. April 16 at the Funky Biscuit, 303 SE Mizner Blvd. Tickets are $15-$25. The first 50 people get a complimentary drink. Comedian and cancer survivor Wayne Felber opens. If you love Bon Jovi and hate cancer, join us for an amazing night. Please purchase tickets in advance at www.funkybiscuit.com and look at upcoming events.
The Boca Raton Republican club features a dinner and book signing with former Congressman Allen West, 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 17 at Deer Creek Golf Club, 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd. Deerfield Beach. Costs are $40 members, $50 guests, $200 seating with Allen West, $400 Table sponsor (10) RSVP by March 23 to www.http://bocagop.com/Boca_GOP_Events.html or email info@bocagop.com for more information.
The Trouble With Doug is 7:30 p.m. April 23-May 11 at the Arts Garage, 180 NE 1st St. Delray. Visit www.artsgarage.org or call 561.450.6357 for tickets.
The West Boca High School Drama Dept. presents Death by Dessert, April 25 & 26. Tickets are $15. Call 561.672.2066.
Florida will offer a 15-day sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness supplies from June 1-14. During that time period, Floridians can purchase flashlights, batteries, weather radios and other basic hurricane supply items, all tax-free. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30.
The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Nov. 11-16; The Book of Mormon, Dec. 16-21; Flashdance – the Musical, Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2015; Anything Goes, March 10-15, 2015; Memphis, April 7-12, 2015 and Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. Subscribers will get renewals in April. General public tickets will go on sale midsummer. To order go to www.kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
www.westbocaleaders.com is the best networking group in the area and meets at Hurricane Grill & Wings in the Mission Bay Shopping Center, next to Office Max, 10125 Glades Road, 33498 on alternate Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Cost is $60 per quarter. Check out the website for openings in some categories. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
You can win a pair of tickets to an upcoming movie at any Regal Entertainment Cinema Theatre. Send an email to pr@publicrelations.nu and two winners will be chosen each week.
Thanks to David Weir and the South Florida Business Report for contributing to this column.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president of the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the www.luxurychamber.com, the www.westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com and www.publicrelations.nu. His motto is: Public Relations is the enemy of anonymity. email: pr@publicrelations.nu, or fax column items to 561.451.0000. His blog is on www.bocatribune.com, www.facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at www.floridajewishjournal.com – www.http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com and on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.
