Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – April 29, 2015
This columnist was featured Monday in the Bulldog Reporter PR profile, https://www.bulldogreporter.com/dailydog/article/pr-profiles/pr-profile-barry-r-epstein-barry-r-epstein-associates.
The Camino Real Bridge in the City of Boca Raton will be closed for most of April 29th. The historic drawbridge near the Boca Raton Resort will be closed to traffic from 8AM – 6PM. The closure comes as Palm Beach County completes work on a repaving project on Camino Real between Federal Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway. Rebuilding a bridge to the past in Boca Raton may preserve its place in history. But it also may jeopardize the city’s vision of a bicycle-friendly future. The aging Camino Real Bridge is on Palm Beach County’s list for a much-needed, $6 million renovation beginning in the second half of 2016. But because of its historic designation as one of the oldest bridges in Palm Beach County, there’s little room to expand the 76-year-old span, meaning any plans to widen it will jeopardize its status. The end result is that bikes and vehicles will still need to share the road when the nine-month project is complete.
Jafco’s 13th annual Mother’s day lunch is10 a.m April 10 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, with a shopping boutique and noon lunch honoring Boca Raton’s Marilyn Simon Weinberg as Woman of the Year and live auction with premium tickets to Madonna and VIP Club access, dinner for two at Il Gabbiano and a Jewish Heritage cruise valued at $6,000. Tickets are $125 per person. Contact Janet Epstein, janet@jafco.org or call.954.315.8696.
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Following the lead of nearby municipalities, the Boca Raton City Council approved an ordinance that restricts the use of e-cigs in public places consistent with state prohibitions on tobacco cigarettes.
Want your meal delivered for $5, or $7 if you use credit? No problem. Delivery Dudes has just added central Boca to a 14-town South Florida coverage area that extends from midtown Miami to Palm Beach Gardens, including east Boca. West Boca is on the list to expand coverage in the next phase. Call 561.450.9050 or visit deliverydudes.com.
Robert Avossa will become Palm Beach County’s schools superintendent June 12, three weeks earlier than expected, being paid $325,000 per year.
Palm Beach county voters this year may be asked to support either raising property taxes or the sales tax to pay for fixing up aging parks and building new ones next year.
South Florida’s foreclosures were up sharply in March, reversing months of decline, with over 6,000 foreclosure filings in the tri-county areas of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade and the upswing was caused by long standing cases being flushed out of the pipeline, with Palm Beach county posting 1300 filings in March, up 16% from the previous March, but down 20% from March of 2013.
In a related matter, South Florida’s housing market is seeing a falloff in cash sales which one dominated the market. Last year, Palm Beach County posted nearly 17,000 cash sales, off or 57% of the market, which was off a solid 5% from the previous year. Although it’s tough to get a mortgage from very skittish lenders, borrowers are still finding it’s a bit easier to get loans for primary residences, with cash rich investors bailing out of the market as higher prices are making it harder to make a profit on the flip.
South Florida’s marine industry are joining the ever growing opposition to All Aboard Florida’s proposed express train service running from Orlando to Miami with 32 trains a day. The rail service had become the industry’s top concern as three vital bridge closings for full rail traffic will block access for the ocean boatyards and marinas along the intracoastal. Boaters say the All Aboard service is a major threat to South Florida’s marine economy employing 18,000 people in Palm Beach County alone.
South Florida cruise ships boarded 9 million passengers in 2014 and the South Florida cruise industry predicts smooth sailing for this year with big three operators Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian reported strong bookings in the first quarter of this year as Norwegian led the way.
Delivery Dudes has just added central Boca to a 14-town South Florida coverage area that extends from midtown Miami to Palm Beach Gardens.
Ileana Olmsted was selected by the City of Boca Raton to be the Downtown Marketing Coordinator for the 344 acre pedestrian friendly district.
98,000 Square foot Glades Twin Plaza at 2300 Glades Road was sold for $23.7 million a fund managed by BlackRock to Dallas-based L&B Realty Advisors.
Two new stores have opened at Town Center,6000 Glades Rd. Boca Raton. Billabong, specializing in surf gear, casual apparel and accessories for men and women next to Neiman Marcus and Athleta, a retailer of women’s sports apparel, swimwear and dresses, between Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Watch Barry Epstein live with guests to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. This week’s guests are The Advertising & Marketing Consortium president Paul M. Garner, The Self Esteem Doctor Simone Alicia and Human Capital Group Managing Partner Roy Assad. 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.
Boca Leaders East meets 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.
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.
Boca Leaders meets every Thursday 7:45 a.m. at First Watch, Mission Bay in West Boca, 441, north of Glades Road. No dues, no fees, no mandatory meetings, just pay for your own breakfast. Bring business cards and friends.
Avengers: Age of Ultron opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Adult Beginners opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Clouds of Sils Maria opens at the Movies of Delray. Avengers: Age of Ultron opens at the Movies of Lake Worth. Insurgent and While We’re Young opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Avengers: Age of Ultron and Dior opens at the Classic Gateway in Ft. Lauderdale. 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.
Get your fresh produce now….it’s the last three Saturdays for the Boca Raton Green Market season! The Market will be closing for the season on May 9. This Saturday, live music by flautist Jim Kovalcik and Jason Henley on the keyboard playing some cool jazz, at the Boca Raton Green Market, in its 18th year with 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.
Sophie, Totie & Belle runs to May 17 at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. Tickets at 561.880.0319 or visit DelraySquareArts.com.
A Chorus Line is at the Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Rd. Margate, Fl., through May 17. Call 954.344.7765 or visit stagedoortheatre.com for tickets.
The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes; Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. To order go to kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
Evening Star Productions’ The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy will run to 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.
Boca Raton Football Club plays South Florida Football Club, 8 p.m. May 1 at Boca Raton High School Stadium, 1501 NW 15th Ct. (Glades 7 I-95). For tickets: Bocaratonfc.com or 51.316.2838. Get tickets to the inaugural game NOW by clicking here: http://bit.ly/1QjZnLR (First 100 fans to use the code BOCAFIRST gets their tickets for FREE, yup, free.)
Boca City Councilman Scott Singer host a coffee, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. May 2 at the downtown Library to hear and discuss citizens’ concerns. RSVPs requested to scott@scottforboca.com.
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 Kentucky Derby: Relay for a Cure. Go to relayforlife.org/westbocaratonfl to register and form teams. Call 1.800.227.2345 for further information.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society event honoring the 2015 Man & Woman of the year is 5:30 -8:30 pm May 2 at Lord & Taylors in Mizner Park. $30 tax deductible admission includes a cocktail party with light bites, raffle, a “Best of Lord & Taylor Spring Fashion collection for men and women” and Friends & Family discount. RSVP to http://www.mwoy.org/pages/sfl/ftl15/mjaffe.
Maria Contreras-Sweet, head of the Small Business Administration, will participate in a free event starting at noon to 4 pm May 4 at Office Depot headquarters, 6600 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Sign up at nsbwbocaraton.eventbrite.com.
Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations presents Troy M. McLellan, president & CEO of The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce and The Golden Bell Foundation, Tuesday May 5th, 2015. Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd, Boca Raton Fl 33432.
Dames at Sea is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, May 5 to May 17. Tickets start at $34.75. For tickets visit www.browardcenter.org; by phone 954-462-0222.
Westbocaleaders.com is the best networking group in the area and meets at City Fish Market, Glades and the turnpike 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 May 6. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
The Boca Raton Regional Republican Club, formerly the Boca Raton Republican Club, will be hosting a forum, “Christians and Jews Living Under Islam.” A Christian and a Jew who were raised in Muslim Egypt will be the speakers. They will share their experiences and today, with the surge in Islamic violence around the world, they will share their outlook for the future, as well. 7 pm. May 12, at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. next to City Hall and across from the Boca Raton Police station. There will be a Q & A after the discussion. There is no fee and the public is invited to attend.
FAU president John W. Kelly speaks at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club lunch, 11:30 a.m. May 13 at City Fish Market, Glades and the Turnpike. Go to goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/registration to RSVP or call 561.852.0000.
The Twin Palms Center for the Disabled, The Habilitation Center and JARC are proud to host a fun and informative event offering support, inspiration and guidance for families with developmentally disabled teens and adults. A Celebration of Hope and Help for Special Needs Families will feature information from the three organizations and talks led by Jan Jessup, who has chronicled her 60 year journey as a mom of a developmentally disabled daughter in her new book, “Will I Be on Television?” A Special Needs Child Who Wouldn’t Give Up. The open house style event takes place from 4-7pm on Wednesday, May 13th and is free to the community. Complimentary appetizers will be provided by 5 Spice Asian Street Market.
Israelfest 2015 is 3 pm May 17 at the Mizner Park amphitheater. Free community wide event for the whole family. Kosher food available for purchase. For sponsorship opportunities, call 561.852.3169.
The Place of Hope at the Leighan and David Rinker Campus (formerly The Haven Campus), 21441 Boca Rio Road has its ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of various buildings, 6:30 p.m. May 20. Barbecue dinner and refreshments will be served. RSVP by May 18 to 561.483.0962.
Republican Federated Women of South Florida presents Bernard Sansaricq, former President of the Haitian Senate, 6 pm May 23 at the Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvc. $30 per person, includes dinner and cash bar. Men welcome. RSVP to cherylmullings@comcast.net or 561.852.9520.
Bill Mahar will be at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, fl. 8 pm June 13. Tickets start at $35. Visit Kravis.ort of call 561.832.7469.
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.
Save The Date: Fifth Annual White Coats-4-Care Reception, presented and co-chaired by Bonnie and Jon Kaye, Kaye Communications, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. August 3 at the Waterstone Resort & Marina, Atlantic Ballroom 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton. Call 561.297.2097 or email smithg@health.fau.edu.
Save the Date: JARC Golf Tournament, Dec. 7. 2015 at St. Andrews Country Club. Continental breakfast & Lunch. Limited to 100 players. Individual and foursomes welcome. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact fallong@jarcfl.org or call 561.558.2572 for information.
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.
David Weir, South Florida Business Report, George Bennett, The 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 and on his website: publicrelations.nu.
