Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – March 25, 2015
Palm Beach County will be repaving Glades Road from Ponderosa Drive to State Road 7 and Can Boulevard between Glades and Yamato Roads.
A portion of Boca Raton’s popular El Rio Trail will be closed for four months as a massive new Interstate 95 interchange is being built. The bicycle and pedestrian trail will close starting March 30 from just south of Yamato Road to Spanish River Boulevard. The trail travels through the middle of a construction project to build a new interchange at Spanish River that will take I-95 traffic directly to Florida Atlantic University. The trail has to be closed to allow contractors to build three new bridges, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Cyclists and pedestrians can take the T-Rex Trail to travel between Yamato and Spanish River. The extensive $67.7 million project includes 13 new and refurbished bridges and additional lanes on I-95 between Glades and the Spanish River interchange as well as between Yamato and Congress Avenue. There will also be a widened Spanish River west of Florida Atlantic Boulevard and an elaborate ramp network connecting I-95, Spanish River and Yamato Road. In addition to the trail closing, the southbound I-95 entrance ramp from eastbound Yamato will be closed nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday. And through the month of April, lanes will be closed on I-95 at night between Glades Road and Congress Avenue. One to two lanes may be closed in each direction.
It’s officially a go, as a U.S. customs facility at the Boca Raton Airport moved forward after a joint agreement was approved, an expected first state grant came through and the federal agency appointed a project manager.
Five top Office Depot executives will receive $85 million in golden parachute payments if the merger with Staples goes through, with Chairman and CEO Roland Smith collecting $46.8 million, including vesting of shares and cashing in options worth $39.3 million, plus a cash severance of $7.5 million.
Office discounter retailer Staples, who is about to make a $6 billion takeover of Boca Raton’s Office Depot, reported a fourth quarter loss of $260 million but still ended the year with a $135 million profit. On the flip side, Office Depot revealed last year’s red ink was a brutal $354 million. Both retailers plan to close about 400 stores this year. The proposed merger still needs a green light from the Federal Trade Commission.
City National Bank Plaza, on the southwest corner of Palmetto and Powerline Roads, is facing a $22.9 million foreclosure lawsuit.
A six-bedroom home in Long Lake Estates on Clint Moore Road in west Boca, sold for $3.8 million or $518 a square foot, the highest in the community since 2007. The total price of $4.1 million included the furnishings. Buyer on the home was Chris Ferguson, owner of TLF Apparel in Boca Raton.
Looking for a unique way to say who you are, what you do and how people can get in touch with you? How about a video profile? Based in Boca Raton, Florida. BYL Network is all about helping you make life better by producing a short :30-:60 second personalized video for YOU, about YOU, and what YOU do. 1) Personal video profile will be pre-produced, shot and edited in our Boca Raton studio. 2) Each video will be optimized and tagged with your key words. 3) Video will be sent in MP4 file along with a link that can be tracked. 4) Video’s can be placed anywhere you like. Emailed, placed in your signature, Linkedin, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and personal websites. Cost $299. For more information and to schedule your studio time. Call Danielle Silverman at 561-487-3690. And if you would like to do my TV show for only $150, call me at 561.852.0000.
A group of homeowner associations are gearing up to fight the All Aboard Florida express rail service slated to run 32 trains a day from Orlando to Miami called CARE and they are putting their money where their mouth is, already raising $600,000 in a war chest on their way to $3 million in a law suit.
The Grand Celebration cruise ship sailing from the Port of Palm Beach is receiving a standing ovation from passengers. The ship sails to Freeport Bahamas three times a week and launched its schedule in February. So far the 1900 passenger capacity ship has seen an 80% occupancy and will be sold out the first two weeks in April. Passengers commented that food, entertainment and service is exceptional for the $149 per person price tag.
The old adage that no man is safe when the state legislature is in session sure applies to this year. Capital watchdogs are reporting state lawmakers have proposed almost 50 exemptions from the state sunshine law where the public by law has access to records of meetings and information conducted by elected official. Several respected journalists reported that Gov. Scott who is pushing the exemptions, is one of the most blatant offenders of that law.
South Florida based discount carrier Spirit airlines which passengers love to hate is also the industry’s most profitable, announcing it will hire 1500 workers this year, as Spirit adds new flights across its network, operating 50 daily flights from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and holds an 18% market share at FLL, behind leader share Jet Blue. Spirit has 65 in its fleet and will add 15 more next year.
More Venezuelan citizens are fleeing into South Florida as the country is nearing anarchy and a complete economic collapse. A brutal 70% inflation rate and vast consumer shortages of everything from car parts to toilet paper are plaguing the country plus the healthcare system has become virtually non-existent because of massive shortages of medical supplies and drugs as well as diagnostic equipment. There are about 100,000 Venezuelans living in South Florida and that number is climbing.
South Florida bankers are taking a pass at doing business with Cuba despite the administrations opening of diplomatic and trade relations with the communist island, saying the cost of compliance is too costly and doing business with the Cuban government is a bureaucratic nightmare, plus Cuba has been targeted as a terrorist nation for the past 48 years, which adds enormous uncertainty for any U.S. Bank doing business on the island.
3 million tourists visited Cuba last year, with 75,000 of them Americans, and over 200,000 Americans will visit the island this year.
Watch Barry Epstein live with guests to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. This week’s guests are Magician Extraordinaire James Randi, Professor of Executive Education at Nova Southeastern University Bernie Cronin and Annuities Maestro Gary Mettler. 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. Taping is 5 p.m. Tuesdays at the bylnetwork.com. Call 561.852.0000 for details.
The FAU Living Room Theatres movie club meets every Wednesday at 7 pm. There is no membership fee to be a part of the club, you simply buy tickets to the movies/days you wish to attend. Go to http://faulivingroomtheaters.com/movie_club.cfm. Call 561.549.2600 for further information.
West Boca Leaders meets April 1, 6 pm at a new location, IHOP, sw corner of Glades and 441. See westbocaleaders.com and if you are in a category we don’t have, call 561.852.0000.
Boca Leaders East meets April 1 and every Wednesday, 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Corner Bakery Café, 2240 NW 19th St. #800 in the Boca Glades Plaza, just west of I-95. No dues, no fees, no mandatory meetings, just pay for your own breakfast. Bring business cards and friends.
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 March 26. Call 561.852.0000 for more information.
Get Hard, Home and It Follows opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Queen and Country opens at the FAU Living Room theatres, 3 Hearts opens at the Movies of Delray. 3 Hearts and MacFarland USA opens at the Movies of Lake Worth. 3 Hearts opens at the Classic Gateway. Streits Matzah, Gett and Focus 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.
Sloburn Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 7:30 p.m. 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.
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.
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.
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, March 27 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.
Local young country singer sensation, Jess Taylor, will be performing at the Boca Raton Green Market on Saturday, March 28. In its 18th year, the Market offers farm-to-table, fresh-picked produce from local growers and lots more, 8am to 1pm every Saturday at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd in downtown Boca Raton.
Kathie Lee Gifford, the wine guzzling co-host of the fourth hour of the “Today” show, is coming to Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton March 28 to sign up to two bottles of her newly launched wine brand at $19.99 per bottle, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at 1400 Glades Road in the University Commons center.
The late Nelson Mandela’s daughter will speak in a rare U.S. appearance at a West Boca benefit to raise money for wells at two schools in her father’s hometown near his burial site. Makaziwe “Maki” Mandela, a South African businesswoman and chairwoman of the House of Mandela, will be the keynote speaker for “The Power of Hope” at 6 p.m. March 28 in St. Andrews Country Club, 17557 W Claridge Oval, Boca Raton.
The American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event for South Palm Beach County, the Fourth Annual Hope Gala, is 6:30 pm, March 28, 2015 at The Cultural Arts Center and Jazziz at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida. 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.
They’re Playing Our Song is at the Delray Beach Playhouse, March 28-April 19. Tickets are $30 and $15 for students. Call 561.272.1281 Ext. 4, or visit delraybeachplayhouse.com.
Jewish Federation Super Sunday is March 29 at Zinman Hall, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. Call 561.852.3271 or marcil@bocafec.org for more information and volunteer opportunities.
Swearing in for new Boca City Councilman Jeremy Rodgers and returning City Councilman Robert Weinroth is 10:30 a.m. March 31 at Council chambers.
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.
Pippin is at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale. 8 p.m. March 31 through April 12. Tickets start at $34.75. Visit browardcenter.org or call 1.800.745.3000.
Reception for outgoing Boca City Councilwoman Constance Scott benefitting the Boca Police Athletic League is 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm April 2 at The Waterstone Resort & Marina ballroom, 599 E. Camino Real. Tickets are $50. RSVP at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/constance-scott-appreciation-reception-tickets-16016315230?fb_action_ids=10203947204657601&fb_action_types=og.shares.
Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations meeting April 7th, 8:30am, Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd, Boca Raton 33432. Subject: Transportation and Connectivity. Speakers: Exec Dir Jack Stephens-SFRTA and Joy Puerta-Transportation Analyst City of Boca.
The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes; Memphis, April 7-12, 2015 and Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. To order go to kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
Gypsy is at the Zinman Hall, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. Boca Raton, 8 pm April 11, 2 pm April 12 and 7:30 pm April 14. Tickets online at levisjcc.org/boxoffice (save $2 per ticket), or call 561.558.2512. Tickets are VIP reserved: $36, Reserved: $26; A&L Gold members: 423 and A&L Platinum members: Free.
The Friends of the Boca Raton Library’s “Sunday Matinee Music Series” presents the Hurricane Harmonizers featuring barbershop voices singing all your familiar barbershop tunes, April 12, 3-4pm, at the Downtown Library, 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.
Ira Leesfield, former Presidential Advisor and renowned attorney is at the B&P Industry Icon Event, April 16, 6:00 p.m., Zinman Hall, Boca Raton.
The season’s final Industry Icon event will feature Ira Leesfield, former presidential advisor and renowned attorney. This series connects a diverse group of professionals and entrepreneurs to help build their businesses and our community. $36 per person includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, with dietary laws observed. For details, visit jewishboca.org/bpnetworking or call 561.852.3128.
Ten-time Grammy Award winner George Benson will take center stage at the fourth annual GENERATIONS, a Nat King Cole Generation Hope Inc. concert benefit to raise funds for music education April 25, 2015 at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. The GENERATIONS Concert begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring music performed by students from the Nat King Cole Generation Hope Summers Strings Camp and the Guitars Over Guns Operation After-School Program plus a bountiful silent auction with proceeds benefiting Nat King Cole Generation Hope. At 8:00 p.m. the attendees will enjoy music from talented local youth artists followed by the performance by headliner George Benson.
Dave Barry fans can see him live at the Delray Beach Public Library. Tickets to see the former Miami Herald columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner are on sale for $35. He will speak from 6 to 8 p.m. April 30 at the library, 100 West Atlantic Ave. Barry will discuss his latest book “Live Right & Fine Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster,)” There will be a question-and-answer session, reception and book signing following Barry’s presentation. Proceeds will go toward the library’s “Foothold on the Future Campaign,” which will help pay for the expansion of the Children’s Department of the library. To purchase tickets, visit delraylibrary.org, the Library’s Circulation Desk or call 561-266-0799.
The 2015 March of Remembrance will be 3 pm April 12 from Boca Raton Christian School, 470 NW 4th Ave. to Temple Beth El, 333 SW 4th Ave. followed by a special 4 pm Yom HaShoah program at the temple featuring Holocaust survivors, community leaders and violinist Gil Morgenstern. Complementary return shuttle to BRCS parking lot following the program. For more info, call 561.852.6022 or email: marissat@bocafed.org.
Evening Star Productions’ The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy will run from April 16 – May 3 at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton. Tickets are $25 or $10 for students. Group rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Sol Theatre box office at 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org. Sol Theatre is located at 3333 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton.
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.
Kravis on Broadway Announces 2015-2016 Series Packed with Broadway Hits & Kravis Center Debuts: BLUE MAN GROUP (December 8-13, 2015); 42nd STREET (January 5-10, 2016); MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (February 9-14, 2016); MATILDA THE MUSICAL (March 1-6, 2016); Woody Allen’s BULLETS OVER BROADWAY (March 22-27, 2016); THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY THE MUSICAL (April 26 – May 1, 2016). Subscribers for the Kravis on Broadway series will receive their renewals in mid-March. Kravis Center donors will receive information on becoming a Kravis on Broadway subscriber for the 2015-2016 series in mid-May. For more information about becoming a donor, log on to kravis.org/membership, or call (561) 651-4320. Subscriptions for all six Kravis On Broadway productions are $180 to $499 and will go on sale to the general public midsummer. For information about purchasing a subscription to Kravis on Broadway, contact the Kravis Center box office at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471, or log on to kravis.org/broadway.
Westbocaleaders.com is the best networking group in the area and meets at IHOP, SW corner of Glades and 441 on the first and third Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. Cost is $60 per quarter. Check out the website for openings in some categories. Next meeting is March 18. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
David Weir, South Florida Business Report, Jeff Ostrowski, Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel 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.
