Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – March 23, 2016
The city of Boca Raton is moving ahead with its most extensive traffic study. The public is invited to attend a second workshop regarding the intersection of East Palmetto Park Road and NE/SE Fifth Avenue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 23 at the Boca Raton Downtown Library, located at 400 NW Second Ave.
- Ron Allen, editor of the Delray Tribune, sister publication to the Boca Raton Tribune, was honored at the Palm Beach County Convention Center as one of the Unsung Heroes of Palm Beach County.
Florida Atlantic University, which was once the underdog, is now ranked to the top of the pack of Florida public universities by the Florida Board of Governors (BOG), which oversees the State University System.Out of a total of 100 points FAU ties with the University of Central Florida with 84 points. The ratings are based on whether schools did well or improved in areas such as graduation rates, job placement and how well schools are serving minority and low-income students.
The Federal Trade Commission charges that Staples and Office Depot have been warning their corporate customers to lock in prices before they rise after the companies’ merger, according to documents filed Monday with the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The documents are part of the FTC’s opening statement in this week’s court hearing on the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction to stop the merger from closing. The hearing began Monday and continues through May 10, when U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan is expected to make a decision.
In 2015, the total value of all homes in Boca was about $26 billion — the highest of the 38 municipalities in Palm Beach County. The city also had one of the largest numbers of individually owned properties in the county, second only to West Palm Beach.
Elected officials are calling on new technology to improve the city’s emergency dispatch operations. City council members decided to spend about $3.5 million to replace Boca’s dispatch system, which is 16 years old. Palm Beach County, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach are doing the same.
Three months later, the fallout continues to make sure approving an oceanfront house won’t reverberate to other privately-owned beachfront sites. Boca Raton City Council reluctantly OK’d a four-story house at 2500 N. Ocean Blvd., voting 4-to-1 in December with Councilman Jeremy Rodgers dissenting. The owner’s attorney told council that federal and state law gave his client the rights to build on private land.
Palm Beach County commissioners spent hours debating a proposal to raise the sales tax, but one question proved to be a stumbling block. Should sales tax money be used to recruit businesses to the community and pay for expansions of museums, art galleries and zoos? Ultimately, the Palm Beach County Commission voted 5-2 to join forces with the school system and move forward with the sales tax increase, but it took hours of discussion and failed motions to get there. The sales tax would increase from 6 cents per dollar to 7 cents for a decade, generating $2.7 billion in new revenue.
Doris Market is being expanded and remodeled. A new Indian restaurant is opening in Mission Bay. There is a new pharmacy in Boca Greens.
Technology Business 3Cinteractive, a mobile marketing company with 100 employees was named Business of the Year, JM Lexus general manager was named Business Leader of the Year and Rose and Joe Martin, owners of Allegiance Home Health was named Small Business Leaders of the Year by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, to be honored May 20 at the Chamber’s annual luncheon May 20 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Mizner Center, 501 E. Camino Real, which is open to the public and Chamber members. Tickets are $75. Call 561.395.4433 or visit bocachamber.com/BAL.
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 opens at the Boca Cinemark. Look at us Now, Mother! And Risen opens at the FAU Living Room Theatre. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 and Look at us Now, Mother! opens at the Movies of Delray. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 opens at the Movies of Lake Worth. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Clan opens at the Classic Gateway. Look at us Now, Mother! opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. See movie capsules http://www.publicrelations.nu/movie-capsules-by-barry-epstein-march-11-2016/.
It’s a parking lot full of great vendors at the Boca Raton GreenMarket, in its 19th year, open every Saturday, 8am to 1pm, at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd in downtown Boca Raton, offering farm-to-table, fresh-picked produce from local growers, plants and flowers, prepared foods, doggie treats, cooking demonstrations, and lots more. Live music on the Piazza stage this week features Jim Kovalcik on flute and Jason Hanley on keyboards with their own special brand of music.
Pack OnThe Go is not your average moving company. They are a concierge full service, packaging, shipping moving and delivery company at affordable pricing. Their goal is to stand above the rest, by offering professional packing and moving assistance. Call 561.498.7801 for a free quote.
Singles can improve their online dating profile by going to www.myprofileguru.com.
What’s New Pussycat? The Soundtrack of an Era will run through March 27 at The Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Marggte. Tickets are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Call 954-344-7765 or go on line at http://www.stagedoorfl.org.
My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy will run to March 27 at the Palm Beaches Theatre (formerly Florida Stage/Plaza Theatre). Tickets are $40-$65 at 1.844.448.7469 or mysonthewaiter.com.
Capitol Steps: Mock the Vote is at the Kravis Center,701 Okeechobee Blvd.West Palm Beach to March 27.Tickets are $40.Call 561-832-7469 or kravis.org.
Outreach Performance Project of Boca Raton High School will host “I Rise,” an evening of dance, singing and entertainment, April 16, 2016 at the Kathryn Lindgren Theatre at Boca Raton High School at 1501 NW 15th Court, which is near the I-95 Exit to Glades. The cost is $20 for VIP seating, $15 for general seating and $10 for students. All proceeds go to cancer research at the Lynn Cancer Institute in Boca Raton. The event will feature top high school and university student talent plus young professionals from the surrounding community. The Outreach Performance Project is a nonprofit organization which brings talented dancers, singers and thespians together to raise money for local medical and health causes. For tickets and information call Maria Lasso at 561-212-3924 or outreachdance@icloud.com. Tickets available online at www.irise.myevent.com
Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway is at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach to March 27. Tickets start at $27. Call 561-832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
The Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th St. presents Little Shop of Horrors to April 10 . Tickets are $30 ($15 for students 18 and younger) and can be purchased by calling 561-272-1281 Ext. 4.
An Evening with Sophia Loren is at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach March 28. Tickets start at $39. Call 561-832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
Johnny Mathis: The 60th Anniversary Concert Tour is at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach March 28. Tickets start at $30. Call 561-832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
Michael Feinstein Conducts the Kravis Center Pops Orchestra Hooray for Hollywood is at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach March 30. Tickets start at $30. Call 561-832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
A free Young at Heart Women’s Expo is 9 am to 2 pm March 31, 2016 at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. Call 954.574.5341.
Kelly Carlin: A Carlin Home Companion, daughter of legendary comedian and social critic George Carlin, is at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach March 31-April 2. Tickets are $39. Call 561-832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
Honor Your Doctor Luncheon sponsored by the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is 11:30 a.m. March 31 at Boca West Country Club,20583 Boca West Dr. benefitting medical and nursing school students attending four local universities: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College. The public is invited to share in the celebration by nominating their favorite doctor (including dentists) by downloading, completing and submitting a nomination form online and donate $40 per nomination or $100 for 3 nominations. There is no limit to how many doctors a patient can nominate or how many times a patient nominate them. Nominated doctors will be invited to attend the luncheon as a guest with the physician receiving the most votes recognized as the 2016 ‘Doctor of Distinction’. For nominations, sponsorships, information and reservations, visit www.RotaryDowntownBocaRaton.org or contact Deborah Freudenberg at (561) 299-1429. https://www.prlog.org/12533671-18th-annual-honor-your-doctor-luncheon-presented-by-rotary-club-downtown-boca-raton-thurs.html.
A Concert for the Children starring the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin with the Symphony of the Americas and a tribute to Natalie Cole. Also, featuring the Atlantic City Boys, sponsored by The Boca West Foundation is 6 pm April 5, on the great lawn at Boca West Country Club. $175 per person to benefit childrens’ charities. To purchase tickets, please call Debbie Corso at 561.852.3142, email debrac@bocafed.org. or visit jewishboca.org/bwfoundation.
The Palm Beach International Film Festival is April 6 – April 14, 2016. See http://www.pbifilmfest.org/ for schedules and tickets.
West Boca Leaders is the best networking group in the area. One of a kind networking group. www.westbocaleaders.com. First and Third Thursdays. Next meeting is April 7, 2016, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tulipe Café, Boca Grove Shopping Center. $60 per quarter. Fill out form on site if you qualify and bring $60 for fourth quarter. For more information or questions, call 561.852.0000.
The 14th Annual Boca Bacchanal Wine & Food Festival benefitting the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum is Bacchanalia 7 pm April 8th and Vintner dinners April 9th at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real and Vintner dinners at various residences in Boca Raton. Cost is $125 for the Bacchanalia and $325 for Vintner dinners. Tickets at www.bocabaccahanal.com or call 561.395.6766 Ext. 101.
The Friends of the Boca Raton Library’s “Sunday Matinee Music Series” presents 33 YEARS, April 10, 3-4pm, at the Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Avenue. This dynamic group of musicians, featuring Paula and Kevin Tolly, and bass guitarist Dr. Robert Watson, consider themselves Americana as they like to perform covers from traditional and contemporary country, rock, blues, and bluegrass music. Reservations are required. Computer users need to enroll via the Library Event Calendar on the Library website, www.bocalibrary.org. Non-computer users may call (561) 807-7141 for enrolling.
The 14th Annual Doggie Ball to benefit Canines & Felines, has been rescheduled to Sunday April 10, 2016 at Boca West Country Club. This is the 20th Anniversary Celebration for the Tri-County Animal Rescue. Call Erica Tricarico at (561) 482-8110 or email Erica@TriCountyHumane.org.
Inaugural Shine Like a Star Luncheon is April 13, at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33434. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. VIP reception; 11:30 a.m. Luncheon. Luncheon Couvert $100; Luncheon and VIP Reception $200. Proceeds benefit the programs and services provided to children, teens and adults with special needs at the Levis JCC. Marianne Jacobs, Director, Helene & Roy Schwedelson Speical Needs Programs, 561-852-3256 • mariannej@levisjcc.org • levisjcc.org. RSVP online at levisjcc.org/shinelikeastar.
With so many reasons to celebrate, PJ Library® in South Palm Beach County is ordering a gigantic birthday cake for their third birthday party. Everyone is invited for tons of free family fun, and more than 1,000 guests are expected on April 17, between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm at the Sunset Pavilion in South County Regional Park, Boca Raton. Families are invited to attend PJ’s Third Birthday Party at no charge, but advance registration is available at www.jewishboca.org/birthdaybash; families who pre-register will receive two free raffle tickets for an iPad Mini. To learn more about the event or about PJ Library, contact Elana Ostroff, PJ Library Director, at PJLibrary@bocafed.org or 561.852.6080.
Elyssa Kupferberg and the late Irving Eckhardt will be honored 6 pm April 18 at Woodfield Country Club. The Reception couvert is $65 per person, and dietary laws will be observed. For additional information or to RSVP, contact Lisbeth Rock Cauff at 561.852.3188 or lisbethc@bocafed.org.
Evening Star Productions will present Peter Gordon’s comedic send-up of classic ‘whodounnits’, Murdered to Death, from April 14th through May 1st at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton. (There will be a preview performance on April 14th). All performances will be at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton. Tickets are $20 ($10 for students with valid ID). Tickets by calling 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org. Group rates are available. Sol Theatre is at 3333 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton (33431). For more information about Evening Star Productions contact Rosalie Grant at 561-447-8829 / info@eveningstarproductions.com or Carol Kassie at 561-445-9244 / ckassie@gmail.com .
The 2016/2017 Broadway series at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts include Cinderella, Cabaret, The Little Mermaid, Something Rotten!, Matilda and Finding Neverland. More info at www.browardcenter.org.
West Boca News, Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Business Journal, Boca Life Magazine, New Times and Palm Beach Post contributed to this column.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday. I was overwhelmed trying to respond to each and every one personally. I am eternally grateful to you all.
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; 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.
