Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – June 24, 2015
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Joanne Epstein has relocated as a Feng Shui Realtor with Regency Realty Services in Boca Raton. Contact her at 561.945.0000 or email joanne@joanneepstein.com.
Former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Welchel was appointed to the FAU Research Park Authority by the Palm Beach County Commission.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg announced on the Barry Epstein Live TV show that he would be running for reelection in 2016.
Dr. Robert Watson, Lynn University American Studies professor, author and prolific speaker, was awarded the gold medal known as the IPPY for U.S. history books at the 19th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards. He won the award for his 36th book, “America’s First Crisis: The War of 1812”.
Ben Berger is the new Executive Chef and Tommaso Frenquelucci is the new manager of Mariposa, located in Niemen Marcus, 5860 Glades Rd. Boca.
The science playground at Sugar Sand Park in Boca has closed after the city determined repairs were needed and major renovations were about to begin, but the carousel and tot will remain open. The reopening is projected for next spring.
Leashes are now a dog-walking requirement for Palm Beach County pooches. New countywide rules require keeping dogs tethered when away from home. That ends the past exception allowing dogs to go without leashes if they are considered obedient enough to follow owners’ commands.
Just say, ‘No'” could turn into “Just say, ‘No big deal'” when it comes to marijuana in Palm Beach County. Possessing a small amount of marijuana would become a minor infraction instead of a criminal offense under a proposal Palm Beach County officials agreed to explore. The idea is to allow law enforcement officers to issue civil citations, similar to traffic tickets, instead of filing criminal charges when one is found with a small amount of marijuana.
Panhandlers, fundraisers and campaigners will have to stay off Palm Beach County roads and medians under new rules to keep people from mingling with traffic. Anyone collecting money, passing out pamphlets or waving signs would have to stay on sidewalks and road shoulders and can no longer wander among lined-up cars at busy intersections. Breaking the rules could trigger penalties up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail, though the Sheriff’s Office maintains that warnings will come before handcuffs and tickets. The new rules that the County Commission approved apply to roads outside city limits, but local cities could opt to impose them as well.
Gary Rack, of GR Restaurant Management Group, and his wife, Videl, have listed their five-bedroom, six-bath, 10,424-square-foot Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club home featuring a wine room, two-story rotunda, infinity pool, and 110 feet of deep-water frontage and dock for $7.495 million.
Robert Marton has received the James and Marjorie Baer Outstanding Young Leadership Award for his outstanding efforts on behalf of the Federation and the Jewish community. The award was presented by Marjorie Baer and Richard Steinberg at the Federation’s 2015 Annual Meeting.
The Palm Beach County Regional Office of American Jewish Committee has a new director. Laurence Milstein joins AJC after serving nearly nine years at the Anti-Defamation League, most recently in the Florida Regional Office as director of corporate development.
Anne Jacobson has been elected Chair Designate of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, a newly created position on the Board.
United for Care, the organization that brought medical marijuana to the ballot in 2014, is launching an aggressive, statewide petition drive to put medical marijuana back on the ballot in 2016. Registered Florida voters who wish to sign the petition now, can fill it out, print it, and mail it in. Those who signed the petition in 2013 and 2014 must sign the new petition again, if they wish to see medical marijuana placed on the 2016 ballot. The petition can be found at unitedforcare.org/petition.
Underwater mortgages in South Florida have shown a healthy decrease the first quarter this year with Real Estate research firm Willow revealed 70% of all mortgage home owners were underwater compared to 25% during the same period last year. Rising home prices has helped homeowners escape the scenario of the property being worth less than the loan. Of the 160,000 South Florida loans underwater, 60% owed more than 120% of the home’s value.
Local veterans have until October 2, 2015, to take advantage of an innovative financial assistance program toward the purchase or rehabilitation of their primary residence in Palm Beach County. The Board of County Commissioners in January launched a pilot project in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) to help active and retired military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control (ACC) has joined forces with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue to provide pet notification stickers to be placed on the doors and/or windows of pet owners’ homes. In the event of an emergency such as a house fire, first responders will know how many pets are inside the home. Often, animals will hide in fear and this could prove deadly if rescuers don’t know to look for them. These bright red stickers are free to the public and are available at the ACC main shelter’s Customer Service counter as well as at Fire Rescue Headquarters.
South Florida movie theater operators hit the jackpot last weekend with the release of summer blockbuster hit Jurassic World and the 1200 South Florida screens premium ticket sales hit a record with IMAX and 3D formats accounting for more than half the sales at an average price of $15 bucks a ticket. Theater operators normally split ticket sales 50-50 with the studios for initial opening, but then hike their percentage after first run showings.
Media kingpin Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts shelled out close to $15 million bucks to build an ocean-front mansion at Lost Tree Village in North Palm Beach and the world’s second richest man Microsoft founder Bill Gates lopped off $120,000 bucks in fines levied against him for allowing his horses to create tons of illegal manure at his $9 million Wellington Estate. He negotiated the fine down to $30,000 bucks.
A massive computer glitch in the U.S. State Department has stalled issuing temporary visas for thousands of migrant farmworkers needed to harvest crops. Workers are being stranded at the Mexican border while farmers are looking to harvest this summer get underway. It’s uncertain how the costly delay will affect South Florida vegetable farmers and fruit packers.
Greenberg Traurig has 291, Ackerman has 265 and Gunster has 128 South Florida lawyers on the payroll.
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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 Celebrity comedian hypnotist and Simply Mens Health Treatment Coordinator Glenn Miller, Boca Clinic for Integrative Medicine Acupuncture Physician, Dr. Matthew Enright, Founder of the South Florida Public Relations Network and On Call PR owner Linda Hamburger and Bioven International Distributor Genevieve Mergen. 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.
Boca Leaders Central meets every Thursday 7:45 a.m. at Brooklyn Water Bagel on Powerline Road, just south of Palmetto Park 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.
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services will host a Community Conversation from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 at Temple Beth El of Boca Raton (333 S.W. 4th Ave.) to address the needs of the local LGBTQ community. Jewish Family Services (JFS), the Boca Raton-based Jewish social-services agency, specifically chose to host this event in June to coincide with LGBT Pride Month.
Ted2 and Max, opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Aloft and A Little Chaos opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. A Little Chaos opens at the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth. Ted2, Aloft and Me and Earle and the Dying Girl opens at the Classic Gateway. Avengers, Age of Ultron, Entourage and Love and Mercy 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.
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, to June 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 July 1. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
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 Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club will host a free cocktail party (cash bar) for all 6 to 8 p.m. July 8 at City Fish Market, Glades and the Turnpike.
The B&P Professional Division hosts a Networking Happy Hour, 6 p.m. July 28 at NY Prime, 2350 Exec. Cntr. Dr. $25 per person. For more info, contact 561.852.3128 or Sonis@bocafed.org. RSVP at jewishboca.org/bpnetworking.
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: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will speak Dec. 2 at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Leadership Gifts Event. For more information, Call Ida Novack at 561.852.3342. Sponsorship opportunities available.
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.
