Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – Feb. 18, 2015
Restauranteur Burt Rappaport will open Rappy’s Deli, named after his grandfather, in the fall of 2016 at Park Place, a new retail development to be built on Military Trail, between Yamato and Clint Moore Road, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as take out and catering.
Boca Raton Real Estate developer Tom Crocker, who bought One Boca Place, has plans for two restaurants to be built on two out-parcels in front of the signature Class A building facing Glades Road, which will be leased by Tom Prakas, head of the Prakas Group in Boca Raton.
Zinburgers will be opening in Town Center featuring their signature item with Manchego cheese and Zinfandel braised onions, sweet potato fries with yogurt dressing, BLT salads and roasted chicken salads. The bar offers more than 28 wines by the glass, cocktails and more than a dozen beers.
ECJ Luxe Collection ultra-luxury superstore opened in 4,500 square feet, featuring rare timepieces, diamonds, exotic supercars and one-of-a-kind collectibles, including arranging for clients private jets or luxury mega-yachts for excursions at 332 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, next to Villagio.
The recently announced Staples $6 billion buyout of Boca Raton based Office Depot could still face major hurdles before the deal is closed. Main roadblock would come from the anti-trust division of the Federal Trade Commission who will rule whether the merger is anti-competitive. If the sale goes through, the merged company’s headquarters will be in Framingham, outside Boston and that will have major implications for Office Depot’s 1700 South Florida’s employees, which in turn could put a glut of homes onto the market for sale and affect real estate prices in the Boca Raton area, but not till 2016.
Mark and Patti Mezzancello, proprietors of Mussel Beach at Atlantic Avenue and Federal Highway in Delray Beach, broke ground for Manhattan Beach Grille, a totally new concept in Palm Beach Gardens, expected to open May 1.
Employers should be aware that employees’ texting and driving while on company business is very dangerous and could be liable for damages, both compensatory and punitive, which insurance companies may not pay and could exceed policy limits. If you have a distracted driver, be sure to have a policy covering texting and driving as lawyers can easily check cell phones to determine that liability.
South Florida’s major league Spring training Major League baseball season kicked off and the proposed $135 million spring training stadium in West Palm Beach for the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros is now in the hands of the state lawmakers, who need to change land use laws to allow the stadium easements, followed by a variety of environmental permits in order to build the facility.
South Florida’s wealthiest zip code is Palm Beach 33480 and the 9th wealthiest is Boca Raton 33496.
Watch Barry Epstein live with guests 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. It also goes out on Vimeo, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. Call 561.852.0000 for details.
Boca Leaders meets every Thursday 7:45 a.m. at First Watch, Mission Bay in West Boca, 441, north of Glades Road. Next meeting is Jan. 8. Call 561.852.0000 for more information.
Mcfarland, The Duff and USA Hot Tub Time Machine 2 opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Human Capital opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Welcome to Kutsher’s and Human Capital opens at the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth. Leviathan opens at the Classic Gateway. American Sniper and Above and Beyond opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Read movie capsules at http://www.publicrelations.nu/category/reviews/movie-reviews/.
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.
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.
Shenandoah runs to 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.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run from February 6 – March 8 at The Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. Cabaret is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Coral Springs, to March 15. Visit stagedoorfl.org or call 954.344.7765 for tickets.
The 23rd annual Florida Renaissance Festival continues for six weekends through March 15 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Each weekend has a separate theme which are detailed on the web site at ren-fest.com. Tickets are $21 for adults and $9 for children. Call 954-776-1642.
The Deerfield Beach Historical Society welcomes the famed and talented artists, the FLORIDA HIGHWAYMEN, to the Historic Butler House on Sunday, February 22, 2015, 2:00-5:00pm, as part of their Black History Month activities during “Sundays at the Butler House”. Meet and greet Al Black and Mary Ann Carroll, two of the original 26 artists known as the Florida Highwaymen. All displayed artwork will be available for purchase at the event. For more information, contact Emily M. Lilly, Deerfield Beach Historical Society Board at (561) 299-8684 or email: elilly707@aol.com
The Original Florida Follies, 2015 show returns Feb. 22 and March 8 1:45 p.m. at Olympic Heights High School Theatre, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. Tickets are $28. Call 561.749.0016 for Feb. 8, 954.720.1880 for Feb. 15, 561.338.6860 for Feb. 22 and 561.391.8253 for Mar. 8.
Business & Professional Division presents SyFy Channel founder, Co-Founder and President of Hollywood Media Corp.; Co-CEO of Hollywood.com. Laurie S. Silvers, 8 a.m. Feb. 19 at Zinman Hall, Federation campus, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. $36 per person. Register at jewishboca.org/bp networking or call 561,852.3218 or email sonnies@bocafed.org for more info. The 2014-15 Series concludes April 16 with a cocktail reception featuring Ira Leesfield.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is marking a quarter century of its signature fundraiser with a look back at the achievements of three long-time supporters. The 25th Annual Book of Hope Luncheon takes place February 19, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. The luncheon will honor Marlene Bluestein, Marcy Falcone and Ellen Shapiro and feature a fashion show from the collections of Neiman Marcus.The three Women of Distinction honorees have all been personally affected by digestive diseases, and have worked throughout the years to raise awareness and funds towards finding a cure. For more information, please contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.
SBA Communications Corp. chief executive Jeffrey A. Stoops has been named Florida Atlantic University’s Business Leader of the Year and will be celebrated at an awards breakfast. 8 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 East Camino Real in Boca Raton. Previous recipients of the award over the past 23 years, include Jordan Zimmerman, founder of Zimmerman Advertising in Fort Lauderdale; Jim Robo, chairman and CEO of NextEra Energy in Jupiter; and Mike Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation in Fort Lauderdale. To RSVP, call, 561-297-4732 or email tmay@fau.edu.
Cirquesco will run for three performances only at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park, 300 South Military Trail in Boca Raton, just south of Palmetto Park Road February 20 – 22, 2015 Tickets are $40, and are available at the Willow Theatre Box office: 561-347-3948 or on line at willowtheatre.org.
To the thousands who showed up last year, the airport hangar party to kick off the three-event Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance is a place to see and be seen. This year, the ninth annual weekend from Feb. 20 to 22 starts with the DuPont Registry Live Hangar Party from 6 to 9 p.m. at Atlantic Aviation, 3700 Airport Road, on the grounds of Boca Raton Airport. The bash is billed not only as a display of swanky cars, motorcycles and private jets, with food and drink from local restaurants but also a chance to hobnob with “a who’s who of entertainment, business, auto racing and the auto industry from around the world.” Tickets are $100 at bocaratonconcours.com/. On Feb. 22, there is a classic, vintage and antique car show on the grounds of the Boca Raton Resort & Club. General admission is $60 and a $125 VIP ticket online includes food, wine and cocktails in the Concours d’Gourmet Café Pavilions. Comedian Howie Mandel is the talent for the Saturday night Grand Gala Dinner Auction and Show for supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Tickets start at $500.
To celebrate ‘Love Your Dog Week’, there will be plenty of free paw-raising ‘fur and fun’ unleashed as the general public and their pooches come out to enjoy The Great Doggie Dine-Out & Paws Fest held to support Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR), noon to 9 pm, February 21st at Sanborn Square in Downtown Boca at 72 North Federal Highway. Featuring themed activities for pet lovers of all ages and their furry friends kick-off with opening ceremonies that include a TCAR parade of alumni pups and their families, yoga and massages for dogs and their owners, a first-ever Great ‘Smooch Your Pooch’ Challenge, and Yappy Hour Singles ‘Speed Dating With Dogs’. There will also be curbside dining by Gourmet Truck Expo, a Tails & Tales Showcase featuring pet-centric vendors and event sponsors, contests and prizes, entertainment with doggie dancing and an after-dusk ‘big screen’ movie-in-the-park pet feature film presentation. For more information on The Great Doggie Dine-Out & Paws Fest and related programming, sponsorship, partnership, exhibitor and volunteer opportunities contact Jon Kaye (jkaye@kcompr.com) or Victoria Jones (vjones@kcompr.com) at Kaye Communications 561-392-5166.
Jewish National Fund (JNF) will host its annual Winter Connection Breakfast Feb. 24 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Dr. in Boca Raton, with special guest speaker Rebecca Shimoni-Stoil, Washington correspondent for the Times of Israel. Registration for the breakfast is 9:30 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m. Cost of the breakfast is free, but RSVP is required. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to JNF’s 2015 Annual Campaign. Register online at jnf.org/wcbreakfast or by contacting the JNF office at 561-447-9733. For more information, contact Laura Sherry at lsherry@jnf.org or 561-447-9733.
In addition to its Winter Connection Breakfast, the South Florida region of JNF is celebrating selecting Roni Raab as its new executive director.
Emmy Award winning actress Linda Evans speaks at the Jewish Family Services Reflections of Hope Luncheon, 11:00 a.m. Feb. 26 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive. For more information, call 561.852.5013 or email jillw@ralesjfs.org. Visit ralesjfs.org.
Sloburn Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, starting 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 to April 19, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Tickets at goldstar.com/events/fort-lauderdale-fl/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee#show_date_selector.
The award-winning Boca Raton Community High School Drama Department presents the multi-TONY Award winning musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone on February 26-March 1. General admission tickets are $10 in advance (before 2/26) and $15 after with open seating in the Kathryn Lindgren Theatre. General admission group rates (for twenty or more) are $9 each and VIP advance reserved seating is available upon request for $15 each. For more info, call (561) 338-1533 or visit bocadrama.com.
Evening Star Productions’ The Gin Game will run from February 26 – March 15 at Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Fed. Hwy, Boca Raton. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students. Group rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Theatre box office at 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org.
The Boca Raton Theatre Guild’s production of Tuesdays with Morrie will preview on February 27th, open February 28th, and run through March 15th at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park. The Willow Theatre is located at 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton, 33486 (in the heart of Sugar Sand Park, just south of Palmetto Park Road). Tickets for Tuesdays with Morrie are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 561-347-3948.
Jan McArt presents Tommy Tune at the Lynn University Wold Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 4 p.m. March 1. Visit events.lynn.edu or call 561.237.9000 for tickets.
Barry Tracht, aka the “Ultimate All-in-One Tribute Entertainer” will be performing at the Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert, March 1, 3-4pm, at the Boca Raton Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Ave (Boca Raton Blvd), Boca Raton. The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Boca Raton Library and is open to the public, free admission. Register at bocalibrary.org or call (561) 544-8596 for information.
Local estate planning professionals committed to philanthropic giving and the future of the Jewish community will once again honor their own at the Mitzvah Society Cocktail Reception at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton. The Cocktail Reception is chaired by Elyssa Kupferberg and Marjorie Horwin. The couvert is $50 per person. Dietary laws will be observed. For additional information or to RSVP, contact 561.852.3109 or lottien@bocafed.org.
The Boca Raton Tribune presents a forum for candidates to City Council, https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2015/02/city-council-candidates-to-have-one-more-forum-prior-to-election/ 6 pm, March 4 at the Wayne Barton Study Center. The event is free and open to the public, however due to seat limitations, you must register for the event online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-boca-raton-city-council-candidate-forum-hosted-by-the-boca-raton-tribune-tickets-15761581314 to receive your complimentary ticket to the final forum of the 2015 City Council Elections.
The Palm Beach Pops presents “One Singular Sensation: A Tribute to the Music of Marvin Hamlisch,” featuring Donna McKechnie, Jodie Benson, and Doug LaBrecque, led by Principal Conductor and Music Director Lee Musiker, March 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Boca Raton Community Church. Call 561.832.7469 or visit palmbeachpops.org
The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes; Anything Goes, March 10-15, 2015; Memphis, April 7-12, 2015 and Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. To order go to kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
The music of the Beatles will rock The Pap Corps Walkathon, creating a fun-filled 1960’s theme for the 15th annual event. Members from all 52 chapters, as well as the entire community, are invited to Come Together to Beat Cancer on Saturday, March 14th. The event will take place at 8:30 am at FAU’s Boca Raton campus. Walkathon registration, including a t-shirt, is only $20. To walk, donate or support friends@thepapcorps.org
The 9th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA, presented by the Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts, will bring ten days of dazzling and diverse cultural experiences to South Florida March 6 – 15, 2015 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real and Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real (2nd Floor) in Boca Raton. This season’s Festival opens on March 6, 2015 with the Florida premiere of the ten time Academy Award winning film, West Side Story. Tickets for the 9th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA range from $15 to $125 per person and are available at festivalboca.com or by calling (866) 571-ARTS (866-571-2787). Multi-event and full Festival packages are also available.
The West Boca High Drama Department presents the spring musical, The Addams Family, 8 pm, March 6, 7, 13 and 14, with a 2 pm matinee on March 8 and 14. For more info, visit wbhsdrama.com or call 561.672.2066.
The Palm Beach Pops season includes: 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.
NY Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer speaks at JARC’s 29th Annual Gala Dinner Dance March 8, 2015 at Boca West Country Club. Tickets are $250. Call 561.558.2572 or visit jarcfl.org for more information.
The Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th St., Delray Beach, is holding auditions for Barefoot in the Park, 7:30 pm March 9 and 10, looking for 4 men and 2 women. Prepared monologues are not required. Rehearsals begin April 20. Production runs May 23-June 7. Call 561.272.1281 Ext. 4 for more information.
Soroptimist International of Boca Raton-Deerfield Beach is providing grants to non-profit organizations helping women and/or girls in the area to fund a special project. Contact Mariela.Montgomery@bluegreenvacations.com for applications, due by March 15.
The JEC 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner is 5:30 pm cocktails, 6:30 dinner & reception March 15 at the Double Tree by Hilton, 100 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, honoring Dr. William and Debbie Rand; Jewish Unity Awardees- Dr. Allen and Marlene Josephs, Founders Award- Rabbi Shimon and Nechama Feder.
Honored with a special candle lighting ceremony are10 Ambassadors of Light. Couvert is $180. Email: info@jecsfl.org or call 561.544.2854 for reservations.
Take a chance on ABBA tribute band Arrival From Sweden as they deliver the supergroup’s greatest hits with stunning flair and accuracy. The only act in the world licensed to wear exact copies of ABBA’s original costumes, 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18 and 19th at Jazziz Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real, south side of Mizner Park in Boca Raton. Tickets are $35 for General Admission; $45 for Premium and $65 VIP. Go to jazziz.com/events/category/ticketed-performances/ or call 561.300.0730
South Florida’s annual Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities (http://boatingbeachbash.com) will celebrate its 7th anniversary on March 21, 2015 at Spanish River Park, 3100 North Ocean Blvd., in Boca Raton. For more information on Boca Raton’s Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities go to http://boatingbeachbash.com or follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boatingbeachbash. To volunteer, sponsor or make a donation to the event, contact Jay Van Vechten at (561) 715-2622 or at jay@boatingbeachbash.com. Or at PO Box 99, Boca Raton, FL 33429.
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.
Rotary Club Downtown Boca presents the 17th Annual Honor Your Doctors luncheon March 26 at Boca West Country Club. The public is again invited to nominate their favorite doctor by downloading a nomination form online at the www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org website and donate $40 per nomination (there is no limit to how many nominations you can make) or $100 for 3 nominations; all nominated doctors will be invited to attend the luncheon as a guest. Tickets for the luncheon are available to the public for $100.00 per person. The event is a fundraiser for the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship and will benefit medical and nursing school students attending four local universities: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.
The Palm Beach International Film Festival will be March 26-April 2 at the Cinemark Palace 20 & XD in Boca and others. Individual tickets and packages will be available at pbiff.com in March. Membership and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Call 561.362.0003 or visit pbiff.com for more information.
The Boca Walk to End Alzheimer’s Promise Garden Luncheon is 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton, Fl.
RSVP at http://bit.ly/1CMkksA or call for reservations or more information to Pamela Polani at 561.496.4222 or email: polani@bellsouth.net.
The American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event for South Palm Beach County, the Fourth Annual Hope Gala, will take place March 28, 2015 at The Cultural Arts Center and Jazziz at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida. The evening will begin on Saturday, March 28th at 6:30 PM at Jazziz Nightlife with a Red Carpet arrival, cocktail party, silent auction, dinner at Cultural Arts Center (next door to Jazziz) live auction, dancing, special speakers and guests, and an after-party back at Jazziz. Tickets, tables and sponsorships available. For further information call Ellen Vaughan, Senior Manager, Distinguished Events 561-650-0143, ellen.vaughn@cancer.org or visit HopeGalaSouthPalmBeach.org.
Jay Leno will perform at “The Concert for the Children” with the Atlantic City Boys, March 31 at the Akoya Amphitheatre, on the lawn of Boca West sponsored by the Boca West Foundation. 100% of the proceeds to benefit 15 children’s charities reaching over 3,000 children in the Boca Raton and surrounding area, including the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Annual Campaign supporting agency programs that benefit children. Each of the charities has been given the ability to sell tickets to their donor base and keep the proceeds, with expected sales of about $150,000 to them. Doors open at 6 pm, The Atlantic City Boys at 8 pm, Jay Leno at 9 pm. $150 per person. For more information and to register for this event visit the Boca West Foundation website at bocawestfoundation.org or contact the Foundation directly at 561-488-6980.
The Relay for Life of West Boca will be noon to midnite May 2 at Olympic Heights High School on Lyons Road north of Glades Road with a theme of Kenducky Derby: Relay for a Cure. Go to relayforlife.org/westbocaratonfl to register and form teams. Call 1.800.227.2345 for further information.
Israelfest 2015 is 3 pm May 17 at the Mizner Park amphitheatre. Free community wide event for the whole family. Kosher food available for purchase. For sponsorship opportunities, call 561.852.3169.
The Broward Stage Door Theatre at 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, has announced their 22cnd Anniversary Season; Harvey, July 31- Sept. 6; The Fantasticks, Sept. 4- Oct. 11; Promises, Promises, Sept. 25 – Nov. 1; Dial “M” for Murder, Oct. 30 – Dec. 6; Gypsy, Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2016; Pompadour, Dec. 26, 2015 – Jan. 31, 2016; Carnival, Jan. 22, 2016 – Feb. 28, 2016; What’s New Pussycat?, Feb. 19, 2016 – March 27, 2016; Sunset Blvd., March 18 – April 24, 2016; Same Time, Next Year, April 15, 2016 – May 22, 2016; Putting it Together, May 13, 2016 – June 19, 2016; A Night in Motown, June 10, 2016, July 17, 2016; Present Laughter, July 8, 2016 – Aug. 14, 2016. Get tickets at 954.344.7765, or visit stagedoortheatre.com.
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. Next meeting is Jan. 4. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
David Weir, South Florida Business Report, the Sun-Sentinel, Alexandra Clough, the Palm Beach Post and Warren Redlich, the 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.
