Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – July 29, 2015
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw will be the speaker at the next Gold Coast Tiger Bay luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at City Fish Market, Glades Road and the Turnpike. RSVP at goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/registration.
The South Florida Business Owners Luncheon is July 29, 11:30-1 p.m., City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road in Boca Raton. This is a new group for business owners who want to network with other business owners, as well as help each other be even more successful. Initially, we will have different business owners as keynote speakers each month but we want to hear from you on what programming you would like us to develop. Please join South Florida Business Owners at http://www.meetup.com/South-Florida-Business-Owners/ Remember to RSVP and invite other business owners.
Barry Epstein Live is at https://vimeo.com/134825073 with guests JARC FL Executive Director Dr. Debra Hollow, Massage Therapist Fabien DeGuffroy and Palm Beach County Interagency Council Dental Home Initiative Grant Coordinator Michelle Ryan. You can be on too to promote your business. Call 561.852.0000 for more information or visit http://www.publicrelations.nu/barry-epstein-live-july-28-2015/.
A plan to let West Boca High Principal Mark Stenner return to his school after a plagiarism scandal has been retracted by school district administrators, who say now that Stenner will be put into a “non-instructional position” instead. The extraordinary about-face, released on the school system’s website just hours before the school board was set to consider the proposal, comes after days of back-and-forth regarding Stenner’s fate.
August has been declared Special Needs Appreciation Month by Sandra Peoples, manager of Not Alone (www.specialneedsparenting.net), a website for special needs parents. Lending support to this first national effort is Jan Amis Jessup, a special needs mom for the past 62 years. Jessup, who wrote candidly about her journey from the 1950’s to today, has been called a “pioneer parent” by families seeking practical tips and personal encouragement. Inspired by Peoples’ creation of an appreciation month, Jessup offered to assist the cause. For more information www.specialneedsparentsmonth.com.
Boca Raton based company MyProfileGuru.com sends their Online Dating Gurus to meet with you face-to-face to set up or tweak your existing online dating profiles. Your Guru writes an accurate and effective custom profile for you, selects your best photos, and teaches you the skills and strategies you need to finally have all the success you ever wanted with online dating. Mention Promo Code: BT1501 to save 15%. Visit them on the web: MyProfileGuru.com or call/text (561) 510-0105.
FDOT will be putting non-skid overlays at the ramps of I-95 and Glades Road. Closings will be during over-night hours.
Boca Raton has installed its first sharrow, a shared lane marking and sign for motorists and bicyclists that could be a model for other neighborhoods with a heavy bike presence. A street sign and insignias were placed along Southwest 13th Street from Southwest Fourth Avenue to just short of Walnut Terrace, the entrance to Camino Gardens where the street name changes to Camino Gardens Boulevard. That road already has bike lanes, which is why that particular site was chosen.
A year after the 5.9-acre site on Military Trail and Spanish River Boulevard was rezoned and remains untouched, Spanish River Townhomes was back for a landscape approval for 11 buildings. The approvals meant the site can finally be cleared of old utilities from a complex that was never built when the Recession hit. So passers-by will start to see heavy equipment on the northeast corner of Military Trail and Spanish River Boulevard.
Bocaview Optical has a new store at 21126 St. Andrews Blvd., offering eye exams, contacts and more than 1,000 different frames for eye and sunglasses.
Dunkin’ Donuts, the global doughnut company and coffeehouse, is opening mid-2016 in the Loggers Run Plaza, with approximately 15 full-time and part-time employee positions.
Palm Beach County commissioners may bring in financial consultants to review county coffers before deciding whether to ask voters to approve a sales tax increase to raise money to fix roads and parks.
Home prices and home sales are on the upswing showing signs of a post-crash recovery. The Realtors Association of Palm Beach County reported that Palm Beach County median home prices rose to $305,000, the highest level in the post-crash recovery, which could be a reason for steady home sales. There were 1,901 sales in June, up 16%. The National Association of Realtors say the rising trend is nation-wide, with mortgage rates up slightly, but holding in the 4% range. Analysts say there may be an increase in the fall due to a shift in the housing market.
Gas prices at the pump continue to fall with prices at the lowest level in three months as average prices fell to $2.73, down from $2.82 a week ago and statewide, dropping three cents to $2.62. Gas prices have been on the downward trend since peaking last June and should continue to drop if the price of oil holds or drops below $51 per barrel, good news especially for plans of a late summer road trip.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning cautioning to beware of fraudulent hotel websites. Always book with the hotel reservation systems. If you have been a victim, file a complaint at FTC.Gov/complaint.
West Jet Airlines announced seasonal service between PBIA and Toronto starting in December, operating Boeing 737-800 aircraft, taking about 3 hours.
Companies across the state and nationally are cashing in on same-sex marriages, boosting the business economy, with $182 million filtering into Florida over a three year period, as an estimated 24,000 couples tie the knot. That money will be spent on weddings, travel, honeymoons as well as other big ticket items such as homes and recreational purposes.
The Florida Legislature will hold a special session at the end of October and the start of November to redraw the state Senate districts. Already returning to Tallahassee for a special session to redo the congressional districts after the Florida Supreme Court ruled eight of them failed to pass constitutional muster, the special session on Senate districts will take place from Oct. 19 through Nov 6.
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 West meets every Thursday 7:45 a.m. at First Watch in Mission Bay Plaza, 441, just 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.
Vacation (opens July 29) and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. A LEGO Brickumentary opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Mission Impossible and Irrational Man opens at the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth. Irrational Man opens at the Classic Gateway. Amy, Jurassic World and The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet 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.
Oh What A Night tribute to the Jersey Boys is weekends from July 31 through Aug. 9 at Showtime Performing Arts Theatre in Royal Palm Place, 503, SE Mizner Blvd. Get tickets at showtimeboca.com/apps/webstore/ or call 561.394.2626.
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.
Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center presents Summer Post Camp at the J, August 3-21, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information or to register online, visit levisjcc.org/summerpostcamp.
The 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.
The Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations meets 8:30 a.m., August 4th with Commissioner Steven Abrams providing an update on Palm Beach County and Todd Bonlarron, Director of Legislative Affairs, Palm Beach County providing a report from the Legislative Session. Note summer location change to the Historic Train Depot, 747 South Dixie Hwy., Boca Raton, FL.
The Boca Raton Tribune, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Boca Raton West, will host A Night to Enjoy as part of the Boca Festival Days, 6 to 9 pm, Aug. 4 at Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton. All funds raised that night will go to the Rotary Boca Raton West Scholarship fund. The ticket includes food served by Zinburger and soft drinks. All alcoholic beverages will be available at the bar that will have happy hour pricing.
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 Aug. 5. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
Salsa Dance Nigh to benefit the Boca Raton Children’s Museum is 6 to 9 pm Aug. 5. Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple in advance or $5 more at the door. Call 561.391.7274 for tickets.
The Miami Touchdown Club is hosting a Tribute Dinner for coaching legend Howard Schnellenberger on Thursday, August 6th, 2015 at the Signature Grand in Davie, FL. Each attendee will receive an autographed copy of Howard’s book, “Passing the Torch” which can be personalized beginning at @ 5:30 pm. Sponsorships and tickets are still available by calling Bob Marconi @ 305-283-3992 or Chris Ball @ 305-215-4616.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw will be the speaker at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at City Fish Market, Glades Road and the Turnpike. RSVP at goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/registration.
Boca Chamber Days – Football Fever is 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Community Table, 1901 NW 2 Ave. in Boca Raton. Call 561.672.7854 for more information.
Dr. Richard Staller and his team at Advanced Dentistry of South Florida, will be providing free dental services to the residents of JARC August 17.
The Golden Bell Education Fund Raiser in Partnership with Freedom Medical Services is 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Aug. 18 at DaVinci’s of Boca featuring celebrity bartenders Mayor Susan Haynie Bonnie Kaye, Sam Kerrigan, Marie Speed and Deputy Mayor Robert S. Weinroth. For Pre-registration, call at 561.395.4433, email to SDeros@BocaChamber.com or fax Sonya at the Golden Bell at 561.392.3780 on or before August 13th (Cost: $30 / $35 at the door).
The GEO Group Foundation, Inc. presents Boca’s Ballroom Battle benefitting the George Snow Scholarship Fund is 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. For more information call 561-347-6799 or visit scholarship.org. Other sponsorship opportunities available too.
Women’s Equality Day is 2-4 pm Aug. 29 free at the Unitarian Church, 2601 St. Andrews Blvd. Boca Raton. Ads and table Sponsorships are available. Contact sueabanks@gmail.com or call 561.309.1772.
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).
The 10th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance presented by AutoNation and Mercedes-Benz, will be celebrating a decade of philanthropy February 19-21, 2016 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton. This year the Concours will feature the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Grand Classic® and showcase Packard as the marque, along with presenting two Automotive Lifetime Achievement Awards to event founders Rita & Rick Case of Rick Case Automotive Group and Steve Cannon, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, renowned comedian, actor, television host and car collector Jay Leno will perform on Saturday, February 20th at the Gala Dinner & Show and will also appear as a celebrity judge on the showfield Sunday, February 21st for the main event at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
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.
Save the date: Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center presents Shine Like A Star Luncheon to benefit Levis JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Programs, 11 a.m., April 13, 2016 at Boca West Country Club, featuring Keynote Speaker Jacqueline Laurita from The Real Housewives of New Jersey, chaired by Elyssa Kupperberg, Judy Levis Markhoff and Marisa Baker. For Sponsorship opportunities, contact Cindy Bergman at 561.852.3253 or email: cindyb@levisjcc.org. For more information, call Marianne Jacobs at 561.852.3256 or email: marianne@levisjcc.org.
The South Florida Business Report, Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post contributed to this 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.
