Published On: Tue, Jun 16th, 2015

Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – June 17, 2015

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     Boca’s Waterstone Resort & Marina currently offers the Summer Escape Package. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, the resort offers unprecedented panoramic views, a dock-to-dine restaurant and a myriad of on-site activities. The Summer Escape Package includes deluxe waterfront accommodations, a daily food & beverage credit, free overnight parking, 10% off water-sport rentals, premium Wi-Fi and daily savings up to $60. Visit waterstoneboca.com and click ‘Specials’ to learn more about this limited-time offer.

     Spanish River Blvd. west of Interstate 95 will have periodic lane closures throughout the week, occurring in both directions from 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday between Broken Sound Boulevard and I-95, as part of the new interchange taking traffic directly to FAU.

     Surveys just released show South Florida has more property risk from storm surge than any other place in the country, except New York City Metro. On the list is Boca Raton with $2 billion at property risk. Going a decade without a hurricane leaves emergency management officials worried that local residents have storm-prep amnesia. Hurricane Wilma, which damaged roofs and knocked out power for millions when it swept across Florida in 2005, was the last one to hit the state. But at the start of new hurricane season, Palm Beach County officials say the risk of facing another storm is as high as ever. And it doesn’t take a direct hit to cause deadly flooding or dangerous winds.

     Subway developer Larry Feldman has been elected Vice Chair of Campaign and Estate Attorney David Pratt has been elected Vice Chair, Financial Resource Development of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

      The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County announced that Betty Kane has received the James H. Nobil Community Leadership Award, presented by Larry Feldman at the 2015 Annual Meeting.  Among other roles, Kane was the Annual Campaign Chair from 2013 until April, 2015.

     Newsmax TV in Boca has hired former CNN and TheBlazeTV executive Eric Pearce for the newly created position of senior vice president, broadcast operations and strategy to oversee all key operational aspects of the channel, including production, programming development, content acquisition, talent development, and multiplatform distribution activities including OTT platform expansion and budget management.

     The National Association of Realtors released a report saying the biggest menace to the industry was the large number of lackluster and marginal agents. The trade group reported the industry is saddled with part time and untrained and incompetent agents that threaten the business. Several leading Florida Realtor brokers agreed with the scathing report. There are 30,000 licensed Real Estate agents in Palm Beach County alone. For a reputable agent, call Joanne Epstein with Regency Realty Services in Boca Raton at 561.945.0000 for all your Real Estate needs whether buying or selling or more information.

     Florida Atlantic University now has a fully accredited medical school. The university’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine was notified this month that it received full accreditation from the committee which sets the national standards for medical schools in the United States and Canada.

     The head of the newly created Federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau issued a Consumer Advisory targeting reverse mortgages as being very risky with South Florida being “ground zero” for reverse mortgage marketing aimed at seniors over 62. The Feds claim consumers are not fully aware of the risks involved in taking out the loan. For instance, a borrower can lose ownership of the loan or outlive the loan money.

     Riding on the coattails of the healthy tourism season, Palm Beach County sales tax revenue racked up $435 million for the first quarter, up a solid 8% compared to the same quarter last year. Tourism was the big factor in the rebound with hotel occupancy in the county at 86%. The once devastated construction industry is also making a comeback which is adding to the tax revenue.

     Humana, one of South Florida’s largest Medicare Advantage health insurers has booted HCA hospitals out of its network, effective July 10, causing massive headaches for Humana customers, that will be forced to find alternative providers. Among those being dumped are 3 hospitals in the county.

     BBX capital, one of South Florida’s private equity firm continues its chocolate buying binge. BBX which spun off Bank Atlantic, its biggest asset two years ago revealed it bought another chocolate company, the 7th retailer it acquired in the past 18 months, launching its chocolate empire buying Hoffman’s Chocolate based in West Palm Beach, followed by Williams Bennett in Boynton Beach and then added four California retailers.

     The Palm Beach Kennel Club picked up a nice break, with the Florida Appeals Court ruling allowing slots at a racing track in the panhandle. The spillover will allow slots at the dog track if the voters approve which they already have, but opening the door to other dog track approval faces many hurdles before it’s a done deal, one of which is the state appealing the ruling to the Florida Supreme Court.

     Sears and Kmart continues its money losing slide into oblivion. Sears lost $303 million in three months prior to May and same store sales posted a brutal 14% decline over the past year. Sears plan to slash costs closing South Florida stores, cut promotions and sell off assets. The ailing once iconic chain has lost billions of dollars in the past decade and its survival is in jeopardy.

      Looking to be inspired? Get an exclusive Better Your Life offer.  Spend $10 on 12 Issues of Forbes Magazine and your company name, website or favorite charity will be broadcast on the BYLNetwork.com Money Channel. Click in the link below to get this special offer: https://subs.forbesmagazine.com/pubs/B4/FRB/FRB_BYLNetwork_Sub_LP.jsp?cds_page_id=183846&cds_mag_code=FRB&id=1430274908993&lsid=51182131334022076&vid=3.

          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. 

        Watch Barry Epstein live at publicrelations.nu/tv-show/ to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. This week’s guests are Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg and Carner, Newmark & Cohen, LLP name partner Scott M. Newmark. 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 West 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.

     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.

     The Republican Federated Women of South Florida (men welcome too) dinner is 6 pm June 18 at the Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd. (off Congress Ave. just north of Clint Moore Road across from Costco), with guest speakers Janine Lutz, Niger Innis, and KCarl Smith. Cost is $30 per person/cash bar. For info or RSVP, call 561.852.9520 or email: cherylmullings@comcast.net.

       Inside Out and Dope opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. About Elly and Love at First opens at the FAU Living Room theatres.  5 to 7 opens at the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth. Woman of Gold, Mad Max and Tomorrowland 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. 

     Bell, Book and Candle is at Stage Door Theatre 8036 Sample Road, Margate and runs 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.

     Slow Burn Theatre Company presents Little Shop of Horrors is at the West Boca Performing Arts Theater on the campus of West Boca Raton High School on Glades Road in Boca Raton to June 28.  Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm.  Tickets can be purchased at http://slowburntheatre.org ,or by calling 866-811-4111.

     Sisters of Swing is at The Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Margate, 33065 to July 12.  Tickets for Sisters of Swing are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Get tickets at the box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com

     The Mystery of Edwin Drood is at the Sol Children Theatre, 3333 N. Federal Highway, June 12-28. Tickets or info at solchildren.org or call 561.447.8829.

     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 June 17. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.

     Car lovers can admire and take selfies with 150 classic, new, custom and vintage cars when the Downtown Drive Show returns to Mizner Park on Father’s Day Sunday for the fifth year. The free show is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the park and the Mizner Park Amphitheater, before a free concert 7 to 8:30 p.m. by the Florida Atlantic University Summer Concert Band. Make-A-Wish Foundation benefits from the car entrance fees and donations.

     Into the Woods will run for 12 performances only, to June 28 at the Crest Theatre at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, 51 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, 33444.  Tickets are on sale now, and are available by calling 561-243-7922, ext. 1.

     Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation and West Boca Community Council presents a free Fourth of July event, 6:30 p.m. at Sunset Cove Amphiteatre,12551 Glades Road, Boca Raton, featuring a live American Classic Rock concert with Ocean Boulevard, the Kids Fun Zone, food, beverage concessions and ice cream trucks on site, along with a fireworks by Zambelli. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for more information, Call 561.488.8069.

     Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations Meeting – National Crime Stop Program, Director, Kevin Gilpin, Identity Theft & Protection, Tuesday, July 7th 8:30-9:30am. NOTE: Summer Location-The Historic Train Depot,747 South Dixie Hwy ,Boca Raton, FL.

     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: The Inaugural black tie Boca Raton Mayor’s Ball presented by the Rotary Club Downtown will present the “George Long Awards” named for the city’s first appointed mayor in 1924, and will be presented to both an individual and an organization who embody the tradition of bringing big visionary ideas to Boca Raton, Oct. 17 at Broken Sound Club. For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities as well as ticket reservations, visit rotarydowntownbocaraton.org or contact Deborah Freudenberg at 561-299-1429, email Deborah@thefreuds.com.

     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.

     The Boca Raton Bowl will be at the Howard Schnellenberger Field on the FAU Stadium 7 p.m. Dec. 22 with teams from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the American Athletic Conference (as opposed to Conference USA).

     Melissa Rivers will be the speaker at the Jewish Family Services Reflections of Hope Luncheon, Feb. 25, 2016. Visit ralesjfs.org or call 561.852.3333.    

    David Weir, South Florida Business Report, the Palm Beach Post, the Miami Herald 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 www.barry’s.buzz. His blog is also on bocatribune.com, facebook.com/BarryEpstein and on his website: publicrelations.nu.

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