Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – May 6, 2015
Boca Raton resident Jeff Davis is the new Chairman of the Palm Beach International Film Festival and will remake the festival, among other things, leasing the former Plaza Theater in Manalapan as the Festival’s new home, finance the venue’s operations until it gets on its feet, proposing new plans in a few weeks to be presented to the board and bringing in new blood to run it. Former director Randi Emerman has left but her $150,000 back salary still has to be resolved. Palm Beach County Film Commissioner Chuck Elderd attributed the festival’s financial problems to its leadership saying “Maybe they’ve solved the problem….bringing in a businessman chairman to take it apart and put it back together again.”
Brian Mast will speak at the Downtown Library, 400 NW 2 Ave. Boca Raton, 6:30 p.m. May 6. Cake and coffee provided but you must RSVP in advance to http://palmbeachcountyteaparty.org/events/event-rsvp/?cmd=strt&eid=10060&submit=RSVP+for+the+Event.
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The Arvida Park of Commerce in Boca Raton has been rebranded as the Park at Broken Sound as it transitions from a traditional business park to a live/work center with residential units. The two property associations for the 750-acre property hired Fort Lauderdale-based ID & Design International to create a new logo and signage for the park. IDDI President Sherif Ayad showed new entrance features, street signs, building signs, and LED monuments that will be phased in throughout the park.
Ultra liberal Century Village in Boca Raton is starting a Republican Club. Call Max Deutsch at 917.699.7921 or email Maxd3@reagan.com.
Poised to revolutionize the airline industry with no baggage fees (up to two) and ultra-low fares, Boca Raton based Avatar Airlines is seeking the public’s help to launch the company through an Indiegogo donation campaign. The unprecedented campaign, aims to raise $5 million over the next 30 Days. Through a successful campaign, Avatar Airlines will be the first air carrier to utilize Indiegogo to fund its initial startup costs. For more information and to donate to the campaign, visit http://igg.me/p/avatar-airlines/x/10502740.
South county’s only water park has opened for the season in West Boca with spring hours on weekends only through June 4. The water playground only is open Fridays through May. Spring hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Memorial Day and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Family Fun Fridays are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park is off Glades Road and Cain Boulevard in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park.
The 33rd annual SunFest closed Sundfay and was expected to draw around 175,000 people. The non-profit festival has a budget of around $8 million with a large chunk going to big name entertainment. The first festival in 1984 had a budget of $245,000 and drew a little over 50,000 people.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission deserves a standing ovation from tourism officials as the upcoming spring and summer months the Commission has booked 60 youth and amateur sporting events between May and September for statewide competitions. The variety of sporting events will draw thousands of athletes and their families to the county and South Florida. Amateur baseball tournaments alone are expected to result in 13,000 nightly hotel room bookings.
The All Aboard Florida express rail service from Orlando to Miami could have big time trouble selling bonds to build the railroad. Bloomberg business news reported that several respected major players in the bond market are backing off on All Aboard Florida bonds saying it’s a high risk project. The initial $400 million bond is now rated as junk and is valued at 93 cents on the dollar.
Speaking of trains, South Florida’s Tri-Rail is having a tough time as only 70% of its trains were on time in March creating disruptions in riders’ work schedules, and April is even worse with only 58% on time, well below the 90% benchmark the railroad strives for. Even Tri-Rail’s brass calls its performance disastrous and pledged to restore riders’ confidence. The service carries about 15,000 riders on weekdays from West Palm to Miami.
Delta Airlines made $746 million, Jet Blue made $400 million and Southwest Airlines made a record $453 million and Spirit $69 million in first quarter profits. The carriers are making a bundle on plunging fuel costs which goes straight to the bottom line plus airlines are also pocketing millions in add-ons for baggage fees, seat selection and reservation changes, and all this without any break on airfares for the customers.
Watch Barry Epstein live at publicrelations.nu/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. 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.
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.
Far From The Madding Crowd, Hot Pursuit, The D Train and Iris opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. 5 Flights Up and Felix 7 Meira opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Far From The Madding Crowd, 5 Flights Up and Felix & Meira opens at both the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth. Dior and I opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Welcome to Me, Iris, 5 Flights up, Far from the Madding Crowd and Avengers 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.
Friends of the Boca Raton Library announce their 2015 Book Donation Drive. Bring books for all ages, DVDs, and music CDs to Friends of the Library Bookstore at 400 NE 2nd Avenue or call the Bookstore at (561) 544-8596 to make arrangements for pick-up of an extra large number of books. Sales of book donations will help the Friends fulfill its mission of Boca Raton libraries support. The Friends is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Get your fresh produce now….it’s the last Saturday for the Boca Raton Green Market season! The Market will be closing for the season on May 9 by DYMIN and her island music, at the Boca Raton Green Boca Raton Green Market in its 18th year with farm-to-table, fresh-picked produce from local growers and lots more, 8am to 1pm Saturday at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd in downtown Boca Raton. The Market will re-open in early November.
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.
Anything Goes 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.
Bell, Book and Candle will open at Stage Door Theatre 8036 Sample Road, Margate on May 15th, and run through June 21st. Tickets are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at stagedoortheatre.com.
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.
The Delray Beach Playhouse tops off its 2014-15 Season with one of Neil Simon’s best-loved comedies, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. In this affectionately autobiographical play, Simon tells the story of Paul and Corie Bratter, two newlyweds settling into their first Manhattan apartment. The show runs from May 23 – June 7, and tickets are $30 ($15 for students 18 and younger), and can be purchased by calling the box office at 561-272-1281 Ext. 4.
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.
