Published On: Wed, Nov 12th, 2014

Page Two – Barry’s Buzz: Nov. 12, 2014

    barry blue

    The Boca Tribune has a very worthwhile internship program. Please go online to http://igg.me/at/bocatribune to watch our video and donate.

 

     Boca Leaders, a new weekly breakfast networking group meets every Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at First Watch, 20401 S.R. 7, # G-5/6 in the Mission Bay Shopping Center, just north of Glades Road, behind the service station. RSVP and Call 561.852.0000 for details.

 

     South Tech Academy Veterinary Assisting Academy is offering pet washes, grooming etc. Call 561.369.7043 for reservations or email carolee.ellison@palmbeachschools.org.

 

    Boca City Council decided against extending hours for alcohol sales after 2 a.m.

 

     The Publix in the 5th Avenue shops at 1968 NE Fifth Ave. will be expanded to 50,000 sq. ft. It was the first Publix in Boca when it opened Nov. 30, 1961.

 

   “Good People,” a free play by David Lindsay-Abaire, is in the Lynn University Schmidt Family Studio 12:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, as well as 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. 80 minutes; no intermission.  Doors open fifteen minutes prior to curtain and seating is limited so please arrive early. 

 

     The 20th street center buildings in Plum Park Plaza are getting a new façade and the center is being rebranded as the Shops at University Park.

 

     Farmhouse Kitchen opened Monday at 399 S.E. Mizner Blvd. in the former Table 42 location, Lime Fresh Mexican grill will open in the Shadowood Square Shopping Center on 441, north of Glades Road, in the spring of 2015, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Vision Works eyeglass store, European Wax and possibly a Longhorn steakhouse will be at the SE corner of Glades and 441 in the Westwinds of Boca plaza.

 

     Kaufman Rossin Group expanded to a larger office of 12,000 sq. ft. at One Town Center, the former Tyco building, from 8,000 sq. ft. with 33 employees currently, but looking to hire more, and now has space for 30 additional people.

 

     The 116,000 sq. ft. 595 Financial Class A office building on S. Federal Highway was sold to Pinnacle Holdings, Inc. for $33 million from GLL Real Estate.

 

     Rabbi Josh Broide has joined the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County as the organization’s first Director of Community Engagement. For more information about Community Engagement at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, contact joshb@bocafed.org or 561.852.3173.

 

     South Florida theatre operators reported summer was a big flop for attendance as moviegoers shunned current Hollywood offerings. Box office totals were off 15 to 20% for South Florida theatres that house some 1200 screens from the Keys to Vero Beach and on top of the lackluster numbers that were the worst in the last eight years, the number one theatre chain, Regal Entertainment, with 350 Florida screens announced it was on the sales block.

 

     The Bahamas Celebration cruise ship that sails twice weekly from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport in the Bahamas is facing an uncertain future. The ship hit an unknown object while at sea, causing extensive damage to the hull, but fortunately some 800 passengers escaped serious injury. The ship is slated for drydock in the Bahamas and will be out of service for at least three months, according to maritime sources and the hit to the bottom line will reach several million dollars just for starters.

 

     More than 22,000 Cuban migrants entered South Florida last year and that was double the previous year. Rather than sail the Florida straits on unstable rafts, many Cubans are now flying to Central America and joining thousands of illegals crossing the porous U.S./Mexican border. Fueling the exodus is the Cuban government easing travel restrictions and the Cuban dead-end economy. The land crossings are igniting a new scenario in Cuban flights to South Florida.

 

     Florida Power & Light wrapped up a hefty $462 million profit for the third quarter and that puts the giant utility on track to pocket a solid $1.4 billion in profit for this year, and revealed the average number of customer accounts increased by 82,000. FP&L operates as a monopoly and is guaranteed an 11% return on its investments by the state of Florida.

 

     AutoNation, the country’s largest auto retailer, reported spectacular third quarter posting a solid $106 million profit, up 15% for the same quarter a year ago. Domestic car sales totaled a little over 27,000 while imports rose to nearly 42,000 and premium luxury imports totaled nearly 15,000. AutoNation owns 277 new vehicle franchises selling 34 brands across 15 states and operates 31 stores in South Florida.   

 

     Foreclosures of Palm Beach County abandoned homes reached 2,750 during the third quarter and that was off 35% for the same period last year. Local real estate pros say the so-called Zombie foreclosures are hurting the market as homes aren’t being maintained as the lenders have yet to take over the property. According to Florida Realty Trac, it takes over a year and a half for Palm Beach property to work its way through foreclosure process.

 

     Last week marked the 5th anniversary of the Scott Rothstein Ponzi scam collapse, the largest ever in South Florida at $1.2 billion. So far 25 Rothstein cronies made up of lawyers, accountants, bankers, cops, relatives, mobsters and business people have been convicted in the fraud. Rothstein ratted out his co-conspirators and copping a guilty plea and is now serving 50 years in the slammer.

 

     Port Everglades posted revenues of $143 million for the year and is a major player in handling businesses exporting product to Latin America.   

 

     There are 44,000 registered boats in Palm Beach County with sales totaling $586 million in June and July and the county marine industry generates $1.8 billion annually.

 

     The Last Romance is at the Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, extended to Nov. 23. Visit stagedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765.

    

     Piaf runs Nov. 12-Dec. 14. Shenandoah runs Jan. 7-March 1. Sophie, Totie & Belle runs March 25-May 17 at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. 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.    

 

     Old Jews Telling Jokes is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Coral Springs, to Jan. 4. Tickets are $44. Visit stagedoorfl.org or call 954. 344.7765 for more information.

 

     South Florida Premiere: The Boca Raton Theatre Guild Presents EVERYDAY RAPTURE at the Willow Theatre through November 23. Call 561-347-3948.

 

    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.

 

     John Oates will appear at Jazziz Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Tickets are $60, $100, $150; Meet and greet $200 Nov. 11 only at jazziz.com/event/john-oates/2014-11-11/ or call 561-300-0730.

 

     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.

   

         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.

 

     Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the Ira J. Gelb Health & Wellness invitational, golf, reception, dinner and awards presentation, starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 13 at Via Mizner Golf & Country Club, 6200 Boca Del Mar Drive. Call 561.299.1429 or visit rotarydowntownbocaratonorg.

 

     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 Bruce’s of Great Neck president Bruce Zipes, Green Advertising president Phyllis Green, Delray Center for the Performing Arts president Joe Gillie and Afghan War disabled veteran Sergeant Brian Moot. It also goes out on Vimeo, Facebook and YouTube. Call 561.852.0000 for details. 

 

       Rosewater, Beyond the Lights and Dumb and Dumber To opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Diplomacy opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Whiplash opens at the Movies of Delray. Two Faces of January at the Movies of Lake Worth. Rosewater opens at the Classic Gateway. John Wick opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac.

 

     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.

 

     Live music by flautist Jim Kovalcik and Jason playing some cool jazz, along with some all-time favorites, at the Boca Raton Green Market on November 15, 10 am to Noon.  In its 18th year, the Market features farm-to-table, fresh-picked produce from local growers, bakery items, prepared foods, plants & flowers, and lots more,  8 am to 1pm, every Saturday at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd. in Boca Raton.

 

        Temple Beth El 2014 golf event is 11:30 a.m. Nov. 17 at Boca Rio Golf Club on Boca Rio Road, just south of Palmetto Park Road, honoring Proskauer Ross LLP partner David Pratt, Esq. Register at theboca.org/brotherhood or call 914.329.0847 for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

 

     The Swing and Jazz Preservation Society starts its six concerts through April on Nov. 18 at the Olympic Heights High School Performing Arts Theatre, 20101 Lyons Road in West Boca.

 

   Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is kicking off the season with dinner and drinks, at Men’s sports night featuring local legend and hall of fame NFL receiver Cris Carter, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at St. Andrews Country Club. Couvert $90. RSVP at jewishboca.org/menssportsnight or call 561.852.6084.

 

     The 18th annual Walk of Recognition will induct former Mayor Susan Whelchel, architect and land planner Derek Vander Ploeg and Connie Siskowski at the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 under the Addison Mizner monument on Royal Palm Place, 101 Plaza Real S. The ceremony has seating and is free and open to everyone. The half-hour ceremony will be followed at 6 p.m. with a reception under a tent with dinner by the bite and an open bar. Tickets are $50 at bocahistory.org/walk-recognition.

 

     The Republican Federated Women of South Florida presents Afghan war hero Staff Sergeant Brian Mast, 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd. (off Congress, opposite Costco, just north of Clint Moore Road). $30, including dinner and cash bar. RSVP at 561.852.9520. Men welcome.

 

     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 Wayne Barton Study Center, 269 NE 14 St. Boca Raton, (a 501 c3) not-for-profit corporation, will be feeding 2,500 needy children, families and the homeless population Nov. 24. Donations are requested at waynebartonstudycenter.org and click on the donations tab or call 561.620.6203.

 

     The Boca Raton Tribune Network Group is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Waterstone Resort & Marina, 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton to benefit the annual Boca Raton Toy Drive. Many giveaways including tickets for the Nutcracker at the Miami City Ballet, 2 Thanksgiving centerpieces and a Boston Market Holiday catering. RSVP at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-boca-raton-tribune-network-group-holiday-special-tickets-14223885023.

 

     The Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th Street, presents Over the River and Through the Woods, Nov. 29-Dec. 14. Tickets are $30. Call 561.272.1281×4.

The Playhouse is also holding auditions for a play and musical starting Dec. 1. Call the number for more information. Prepared monologues are not needed.

 

     The VIII Annual Rotary Carousel Day is 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Sugar Sand Park featuring free carousel rides. See RotaryCarouselDay.org.

 

     Jewish Federation Business Casual networking for women presents golf pro Jess Frank, 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Boca Dunes Country Club, 1400 Country Club Drive, Boca Raton. Tickets are $45 per person. RSVP at https://jewishboca.org/engage/events/rsvp/bp_business_casual_golf_120214/. For more information, contact Sonni SImon at 561.852.3128 or Sonnis@bocafed.org.

 

     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.

 

     A Christmas Carol – Musical to Raise the Spirits is Dec. 5 to Dec. 21 at the Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Tickets are $15 and 410 for children 11 and younger. Visit solchildren.org or call 561.447.8829 for tickets.    

 

     The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra, with Lorraine Marks-Field conducting presents a free 10th anniversary celebration family holiday concert, 3 pm. Dec. 7 at the O’Shea Hall of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 22094 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. Call 561.482.8206 for reserved tickets or visit flioa.org.

 

     The  Friends of the Boca Raton Library’s  “Sunday Matinee Music Series” presents “Home for the Holidays” featuring the thrilling voices of Meritt and Moreau, December 7th, 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 Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club presents National political activist and philanthropist Dr. Larry Kawa, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10, at the City Fish Market, Glades Road and Florida’s Turnpike. RSVP and register at goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/events or call 561.852.000.

 

     Jason Alexander returns to Boca to direct When You’re in Love, The Whole World is Jewish, Dec. 11 to Jan. 11 at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real. Buy tickets at worldsjewishtheplay.com or call 561.919.7727. For group sales, call 561.362.0003.

 

     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 are on sale now. Call 561.832.7677 or visit palmbeachpops.org, bocacommunity.org, or kravis.org for more information.

 

     Mark your calendars for the first annual Boca Raton Bowl college football game at FAU, televised by ESPN on December 23.

 

     Save the Date: Sandler Family Major Gifts Event: An evening of insight and intrigue, featuring New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva and NBC award-winning journalist Jamie Gangel, with a special Middle East briefing by Soner Cagaptay, Ph. D., of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 6:00 p.m., Jan. 8 at St. Andrews Country Club. Formal invitation forthcoming. A minimum $10,000 household gift to the 2015 UJA/Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Annual Campaign is required to attend. For more information, please call 561.852.3342 or email idan@bocafed.org.

 

     UJA/Jewish Federation Ben Gurion Society sponsors a Mission to Mexico City Jan. 14-20, 2015. Get more info at brians@bocafed.org or call 561.852.3165.

 

     Save the date: The 22 Caribbean Cowboy Ball benefitting the George Snow Scholarship Fund is 6 p.m. Jan. 24. Call now for reservations. 561.347.6799.

 

     Save the date: JARC’s 29th Annual Gala Dinner Dance is March 8, 2015 at Boca West Country Club. Visit jarcfl.org for more information.

    

     Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the 17th annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. March 26, 2015 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, fundraiser for the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship fund to benefit medical and nursing school students attending local universities. Call 561.299.1429 or visit rotarydowntownbocaraton.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.

 

     David Weir, South Florida Business Report; Alex Clough, Palm Beach Post and Warren Redlich, West Boca News contributed items 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.  Read his blog on http://www.publicrelations.nu/blog/. His blog is also 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.

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