Page Two – Barry’s Buzz – Oct. 15, 2014
Boca Raton and Palm Beach County plan to shell out more than $1 million dollars to ESPN to televise the Boca Raton Bowl at FAU for the next six years. The County will pay $140,000 a year in tourism tax money, which will be matched by the city. The game is estimated to bring in $1.5 million in local economic impact while promoting tourism via TV coverage of the game to be played on Dec. 23.
Boca Raton’s history will be celebrated this month during a lecture series being presented at Florida Atlantic University. “Boca 101” is the result of a new partnership between the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum and Florida Atlantic University’s Lifelong Learning Society. The lectures will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 31, at the Barry and Florence Friedberg Auditorium in Boca Raton. This coming Friday, the topic will be Boca’s architecture; On Oct. 31, it will discuss Boca’s part in World War II. It’s $15 at the door to attend a lecture. Metered parking is available for visitors on campus. For more information, call 561-297-3185 or 561-297-3171. Or register online at llsreg.org; or visit fau.edu/lls.
Miami Heat franchise owner Mickey Arison has hit the jackpot with Disney and TNT network parent Time Warner has signed a TV rights deal with the NBA for $2.5 billion for year over a 9 year period, which will double the Heat’s current $30 million a year in national TV revenue. Disney’s ESPN network currently charges about $6 per subscriber for South Florida cable and satellite viewers, who can expect a substantial rate hike to pay for the deal.
Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola was named among the top 400 wealthiest people in America by Forbes magazine, ranked 368 with a $1.8 billion net worth, making his fortune on Wall Street in the high frequency electronic trading business. Despite being super-rich, he has asked taxpayers for a $50 million package that will bail out his money losing hockey franchise.
High profile investment guru Warren Buffet now owns three South Florida car dealerships, buying out an auto group car retailer that held 78 dealerships throughout the country including Delray Honda, Toyota of Deerfield Beach and Scion, planning to kick in millions more to expand his holdings in the auto industry and compete with AutoNation which has 260 stores in 15 states.
AutoNation wrapped its best September sales in 7 years with sales of the 31 stores in South Florida surging 20% from the same month last year and nationwide sold over 24,000 cars and trucks last month, posting 3rd quarter sales of 84,200 vehicles, up a solid 10%, the best third quarter since 2006.
Although somewhat slowing house flipping in South Florida is still big business for investors, numbers just released showed nearly 1.300 homes in South Florida were flipped during the second quarter with an average profit of $62,000. Houses are considered flipped when they are bought and resold within a year. Experts say flipping will continue a small decline as profitable deals are harder to find.
A Federal Railroad Administration engineer has raised a big red flag on the train crossings being created by the proposed All Aboard high speed rail service from Orlando to Miami, reporting an extensive independent third party study is imperative to insure vehicle safety at crossings. There are 114 crossings in Palm Beach County alone and 349 along the route from Cocoa Beach to Miami.
State insurance regulators approved 9 insurers to take 215,000 policies off the hands of state owned Citizens Property Insurance Company and move is part of the ongoing state effort to reduce coverage risk for Citizens. Already Citizens has reduced policies by 750,000 in the past four years and currently has 850,000 policies on the books. State law allows taken out customers may return to Citizens if desired.
Religion: Bridge or Barrier to the Future of our World?, featuring Lynn University associate professor of philosophy and religion Mark D. Luttio is 6 pm Oct. 22 in the Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall. This event is free and open to the public. Register at http://events.lynn.edu/upcoming-events/2014-2015/religion-bridge-or-barrier-to-the-future-of-our-world.
What’s New Pussycat, the songs of Burt Bacharach, is at the Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, extended to Oct. 19 and The Last Romance plays to Nov. 23. Visit stagedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765.
Annie is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale to Oct. 19. Call 800.745.3000 or visit browardcenter.org.
What I learned in Fallsburg, starring Gary Waldman and three back-up singers with a live band at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave., is extended to Oct. 19. Piaf runs Nov. 12-Dec. 14. Shenandoah runs Jan. 7-March 1. Sophie, Totie & Belle runs March 25-May 17. Tickets at 561.880.0319 or visit DelraySquareArts.com.
The Marvelous Wonderettes presented by the Slow Burn Theatre Company is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, in the Abdo New River Room to Nov. 23. Tickets are $45. Buy tickets at BrowardCenter.org, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800.745.3000.
Don’t Rain on My Parade is at the Plaza Theatre, 262 S. Ocean Blvd. Manalapan to Oct. 19. Call 561.588.1820 or visit theplazatheatre.net for tickets.
Wait Until Dark is at the Delray Beach Playhouse to Oct. 26. Call 561.272.1281 Ext 4 or visit delraybeachplayhouse.com for more information.
Slow Burn’s 6th season opens with the regional premiere of Carrie: The Musical, three weekends only, Oct. 16-Nov. 2. Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 5 pm., at the West Boca Performing Arts Theatre, West Boca High School, 12811 West Glades Road. Go to slowburntheatre.org for tickets.
Exceptions to Gravity is at the Plaza Theatre, Oct. 16-Nov. 2, 262 S. Ocean Drive, Manalapan. Call 561.588-1820 or call theplazatheatre.net for tickets.
Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit moviesofdelray.com for more information.
Watch Barry Epstein live at barryepstein.com,tv-show/ to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. You can be on too to promote your business and we send a link of your segment to put on your website and send out in emails to prospects and clients for only $150. This week’s guests include; National Security expert John Patrick Quirk, Code 3 Events president John Fischer and Arts Garage The Studio Creative City Collaborative Director of Education Matt Stabile. It also goes out on Vimeo, Facebook and YouTube. Call 561.852.0000 for details.
Fury, The Best of Me, St. Vincent and The Book of Life opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Pump and One Chance opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. The Notebook and Fury opens at the Movies of Delray, which also opens with the Best of Me at the Movies of Lake Worth. Dolphin Tale 2, Walk Among the Tombstones and When the Game Stands Tall opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Fury opens at the Classic Gateway Theatre in Fort Lauderdale.
The Movies of Delray and The Movies of Lake Worth will be showing The Met Opera Live, simulcast from The Met Opera, and the Encore for the 2014-2015 season. In HD with Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound on new wider screens and new high back seats with more leg room. Tickets are $19.00 and reserved seats are available. Tickets are available online and at the box office. Visit moviesofdelray.com and moviesoflakeworth.com
The 16th Annual Lynn University Blue & White Auction will take place on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m., in the de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center. Call 561-237-9000 or register online at lynn.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=672701.
Local teenage singing star, Brooke Galmarini (aka Brooklyn Marie), will be entertaining with her country music vocal and instrumental selections at the season’s grand opening of the Boca Raton Green Market, October 18. In its 18th year, the Market offers farm-to-table, freshly-picked produce (organics, too) from local growers, plants and flowers, bakery items, prepared food…. and lots more, at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S Fed Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd in downtown Boca Raton. Market will be open every Saturday through May 9. Call (561) 299-8684 for information.
Middle East Studies Starts Again Sat Oct.18 at FAU Life Long Learning Center Parking across the street Lot 15.
Jan McArt presents The Broadway Boys, Lullaby of Broadway 7:30 pm Oct. 18 and 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Lynn University Wold Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $50 orchestra and $45 mezzanine. Call 561.237.9000 or visit events.lynn.edu for tickets and more information.
The public is invited to a free bipartisan discussion hosted by the League of Women Voters, Palm Beach County & the Voting Rights coalition, 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2601 St. Andrews Ave., featuring Palm Beach County Mayor Priscilla Taylor, Florida Voting Rights Restoration Coalition VP Jessica Chaiappone, along with Heather Corpin and Board member of the ACLU of Florida & Professor Emeritus of Sociology from Southern Illinois University Mark Schneider. Refreshments will be served following the discussion. For more info, visit lwvpbc.org or call 561.276.4898.
Palm Beach County golf provides a memorable golf experience at an affordable price, quality programming for golfers of all abilities, and great customer service. Visit a county-owned golf course on Monday, October 20 and celebrate Green Golfer Day. Play for a discounted rate of $18.87 plus tax after taking the free Green Golfer pledge. To learn more, please call 561-963-6740.
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) will honor Attorney Gary S. Lesser with the 2014 Judge Learned Hand award, 6 pm, Oct. 20 at the Cohen Pavilion of the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Sponsorships and tickets are available by calling 561.994.7286 or visit ajc.org/palmbeachlearnedhand.
Packy’s Bar & Grill, 11379 W. Palmetto Park Road in Loggers Run, will host a fundraiser for the autism unit at Olympic Heights High School, October 21st from 5-8 pm. Packy’s will donate 20% of the event’s proceeds to the unit’s “community-based instruction budget.”
Business and Professional (B&P) Happy Hour is 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Asia Restaurant, Boca Raton. Join Jewish professionals and entrepreneurs from a wide array of fields for a night of cocktails, connections and premium networking. Couvert is $25. For details, call 561.852.3128. To register, visit jewishboca.org/bphappyhour.
Young Adults Division (YAD) Happy Hour is 5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Biergarten, Boca Raton. Make it a true Oktoberfest when YAD wanders to Biergarten for this festive happy hour with great company from their 20s to early 40s. The $8 admission ($10 at door) includes 1 free drink and a night of socializing, networking and fun. For details, call 561.852.3165. To register, visit jewishboca.org/happyhour.
Florida Federation of Republican Women of South Florida presents ACORN whistleblower Anita MonCrief, 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd. opposite Costco on Congress, just north of Clint Moore Road. Cost is $30 per person, including dinner and cash bar. Men are welome. RSVP to Cheryl Mullings at 561.852.9520.
Boca Community High School Drama Department presents Murder on the Nile, Thursday – Saturday October 23rd – 25th at 7 pm and on Saturday, October 25th at 2 pm. Call Karen Tharrington, 561-703-3303 or email tharringtons@gsk.com for more information and tickets.
Tickets are now on sale for the 11th annual Go Pink Luncheon with keynote speaker Stacy London. London, known for her former TV show “What Not to Wear,” is an author and breast cancer awareness activist. Proceeds from the luncheon go to the Christine E. Lynn Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. The luncheon is 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Tickets are $150 at https://donate.brrh.com/go-pink-luncheon or call 561-955-4142.
Outre Theatre Company opens its season Oct. 24-Nov. 9 at the Sol/Evening Star Productions’ theatre, 3333 N. Fed. Hwy. with “Back of the Throat”, but will be lured to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in December with “Othello”. Call 954.300.2149 for more information.
JARC sponsors a bowling fundraiser 12:30 to 3 Oct. 26 at Strikes Boca to benefit Adult Day Training Program. Sponsorships are needed. Call 561.558.2572 or email fallong@jarcfl.org. Register at jarcfl.org.
Middle East Strategic Intelligence Expert Avi Melamed speaks 7 pm Oct. 27 at Beth Ami Congregation, 1401 NW 4th Ave. Boca Raton. Call 561.347.0031.
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Kick-off for West Boca is 4 to 8 pm Oct. 28 at Five Guys, 2240 NW 19th St. #900, Boca Raton, a fundraiser where patrons purchase their food and Five Guys donates 15% to Relay For Life.
2014 JCRC Candidates Forum: Know the Issues, Ask Your Candidates, Hear their answers is 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Temple Beth El, Boca Raton. Meet area candidates for Federal, State and Local office and learn where they stand on issues of importance to you before you head to the polls. Co-sponsored by Temple Beth El and the Jewish Community Relations Council of South Palm Beach County. For details, call 561.852.6022 or marissat@bocafed.org.
Cpl. Burt Richards recipient of the $1,000 nominated award winning Educator of the Dickies American Hero of the Year award, will be educating 160 5th grade students at the Sunrise Park Elementary school Oct. 29 in honor of Veterans Day Nov 11th, in which he spearheaded the campaign in 2010 to get all Palm Beach Schools closed on Veterans day 2011. His educating program, along with his buddy G. I. JOE, will be honoring those who served and American History. If your school is interested in his appearance, contact the Veterans Speakers Forum at pr.group@juno.com.
Federation campus tour is 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 29. To register, call 561.852.6061 or email campustours@bocafed.org.
Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County sponsors a free “Conversation Your Voice Matters”, to dialogue with Florida women and families to share findings with lawmakers via the Florida Commission on the Status of Women’s 2014 Annual Report, 6 pm, Oct. 30 at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. Register at http://tinyurl.com/conversationsPBC.
Boca Tribune is sponsoring a networking event, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Pavilion Grille and will be offering all the attendees their Happy Hour House Wine and Drinks for $5, until 7PM, along with their beautiful Pasta Station with Caesar Salad. RSVP to tainara@bocaratontribune.com.
Palm Beach PlayMakers present BOXer SHORTS 4, a showcase of all-new short plays, written by Todd Caster and Lisa Bruna, for three performances only – Saturday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th Street in Delray Beach, Florida. Theatregoers can purchase tickets ($15 in advance, $18 at the door) to BOXer SHORTS 4 by calling the Delray Beach Playhouse Box Office at 561.272-1281 ext. 4. Ticket price includes talk-backs, which are held immediately after each performance. The producers recommend advance purchase of tickets as BOXer SHORTS 1, 2, and 3 were sold-out performances.
Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers is Nov. 2. Price of $60 includes a 100 level seat as well as transportation. Call 561.852.3165. To register, visit jewishboca.org/dolphins.
The Friends of the Boca Raton Library present a Sunday Matinee Music Series concert featuring, “It Takes Two,” on Sunday, November 2nd, 3-4pm, at the Downtown Library located at 400 NW 2nd Avenue in Boca Raton. Reservations are required. Computer users need to enroll via the Library Event Calendar on the Library website, bocalibrary.org. Non-computer users may call (561) 807-7141 for enrolling.
The Power of One Woman is 8:45 a.m. Nov. 3 at Woodfield Country Club, Boca Raton. Guest speaker is Jeanne Smith, daughter of Polish rescuer Gut Opdyke, of blessed memory. Couvert is $45 and includes breakfast. Dietary laws observed. No solicitation of funds. For details, call 561.852.6014.
The Palm Beach County Wealth & Estate Planning seminar is 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at the FAU Office Depot Lecture Hall. Cost is $50. Call 561.297.6144 or visit pbcseminar.info for more information and registration.
Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation Golden Gathering is 9:30 a.m. Nov. 6 in Zinman Hall. Guest speaker will be Theodor Herzl. Call 561.852.3170.
The Junior League of Boca Raton’s 27th annual Volunteer of the Year fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue and luncheon is 10:30 a.m., Nov. 7 at Boca West Country Club. Visit jlbr.org/wvoy or call 561.620.2553.
South Florida Premiere: The Boca Raton Theatre Guild Presents EVERYDAY RAPTURE at the Willow Theatre – November 7 – 23. Call 561-347-3948.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk for mental health is 8 am. Nov. 8, at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. Register at namibroward@gmail.com. For more information, call 954.316.9907 or visit namibroward.org.
The second Annual Hope Bash Boca 2014 is 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive to benefit Place of Hope at the Haven Campus. $250 per person. Call 561.483.0962 or visit hopeatthehaven.org. Sponsorship opportunities available.
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 kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
Jewish Federation Business and Professional Division presents Allan L. Schuman, former president, CEO and Chairman of Ecolab, Inc. 8 a.m. Nov. 12 at Zinman Hall on the Federation campus, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. Boca Raton. $36 per person. Visit jewishboca.org/bpnetworking or call 561.852.3128.
Television personalities Gayle King and Rob Marciano, comedian Dennis Miller, actor Timothy Olyphant and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, head a list of celebrities who will participate in the silver anniversary Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic that raises funds to combat drug abuse and child neglect in Florida. The event will be held Nov. 21 to 23 at the Boca Resort & Club and the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. “Grey’s Anatomy’s” Kevin McKidd will be back for a fourth straight appearance, “The Today Show’s” Hoda Kotb is returning after playing in the 2011 event and Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade is making his first appearance since 2009. The charity event will also feature longtime stalwarts Jon Lovitz, fellow actors Alan Thicke and Maeve Quinlan and singers Gavin Rossdale and David Cook. Evert, an International Tennis Hall of Famer and South Florida philanthropist, began hosting the event after retiring from professional tennis in 1989, and more than $21 million has been raised during that time. She has a tennis academy in West Boca.
The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County presents Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Dec. 4 at St. Andrews Country Club. A minimum $25K household gift is required to attend. For more information, call 561.852.3129 or email Jenniferk@bocafed.org.
The Crest Theatre and MNM productions will present Chorus Line Dec. 5-14, the first self-produced theatrical show in the 25 year history of the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, featuring a talented 25 person cast with personal ties to South Florida. This new production company is the latest venture by two experienced theatrical producers and arts consultants: Marcie Gorman-Althof and Michael Lifshitz. Tickets are $47 at delrayarts.org or call 561.243.7922.
The Palm Beach Pops kicks off an abbreviated new season 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 with a one-night-only show at the Kravis Center featuring the Manhattan Transfer, Frank Sinatra Jr. will sing 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Boca Raton Community Church, and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Kravis Center; Frank Sinatra, Jr. “Sinatra Sings Sinatra” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2015 at Boca Raton Community Church and 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center and a tribute to Marvin Hamlisch, featuring Donna McKechnie, Jodie Benson and Doug LaBrecque on 7:30 p.m. March 7 at the Boca Raton Community Church and 7:30 p.m. March 8 at the Kravis Center. Tickets go on sale Sept. 2. Call 561.832.7677 or visit palmbeachpops.org, bocacommunity.org, or kravis.org for more information.
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.
Thanks to David Weir and the South Florida Business Report, Alexandra Clough, Palm Beach Post business writer, Marcie Shatzman, Forum Newspapers and Warren Redlich, WestBocaNews.com for contributions to the column.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president of the goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the luxurychamber.com, the westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on vimeo.com, youtube.com and 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 bocatribune.com, facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at floridajewishjournal.com –barrys-journal.blogspot.com and on his website: publicrelations.nu.
