Published On: Wed, Mar 30th, 2016

Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – March 30, 2016

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     Executive Women of the Palm Beaches will honor four women for contributions to Palm Beach County. The four are Wendy Sartory-Link, managing partner and a founding partner of Ackerman, Link & Sartory, Private Sector Award; Dr. Laurie George, president and CEO of the United Way of Palm Beach County, Non-Profit Sector Award; Verdenia C. Baker, county administrator, Public Sector Award; and Yvonne Boice, philanthropist and owner of The Shoppes at Village Pointe and Fugazy International Travel, both in Boca Raton. They were selected from among 34 nominees. The awards will be presented at the 33rd annual Women in Leadership Awards event May 5 at the Cohen Pavilion at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The keynote speaker will be Susan Packard, co-founder of Scripps Networks Interactive and former chief operating officer of HGTV. Proceeds from the event support Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, provides financial aid and scholarships to women from Palm Beach County and enhances the educational advancement of women.

    Stir Crazy has stopped serving customers in Boca Raton. The restaurant closed for good Monday after 15 years at Town Center at Boca Raton, citing ongoing legal issues with the operator of Town Center mall, Simon. The lease-related dispute has been going for one to two years.

     Office Depot CEO Roland Smith and Staples CEO Ron Sargent are scheduled to testify this week in Washington, D.C., in the Federal Trade Commission’s court challenge to Staples’ $6.3 billion acquisition of Office Depot. Court documents show Smith and Sargent as the last two witnesses on the list this week in U.S. District Court before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. Staples and Office Depot, which employs about 2,000 at its headquarters in Boca Raton, are battling to complete the acquisition that Office Depot shareholders approved last May. The FTC voted in December to oppose the merger, saying it would harm competition and drive up prices for purchasers of bulk office supplies.

      Mr. Prime Steakhouse, 2,500 sq. ft. at 8177 Glades Rd. is for sale. Rent is $8,800/month Gross, 5 yr. lease w’ (2)5 year options, 85 seats. Great visibility from Glade road in shopping center, beer and wine license, asset sale with great potential. Contact A. Tom Prakas, 561.929.0111 Tom@Prakascompany.com. Asking $199,000, with terms to qualified entities.

    The completely renovated, Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel – an upscale, chic hotel for the Next Generation entrepreneurial traveler, conveniently located in Boca Raton’s urban and stylish business district – debuts a hotel transformation following a multi-million-dollar renovation. The Renaissance Boca Raton now presents an enhanced design that plays homage to the brand’s new “Fearlessly Chic” design philosophy, which centers on a contemporary high-low design approach with indigenous touch points to capture a spirit of wanderlust that inspires guests to explore the neighborhood and discover the unexpected. For more information on the reinvented Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel, visit the website, twitter and Facebook.

      As Boca Raton readies to upgrade its 911 calling system, it’s also making a strong push to bring its staff to full capacity. The city is seeking applicants to fill 10 open dispatcher and supervisor positions. This week, the city rolled out higher salaries for employees to lure applicants and to retain its current staff. The hiring initiative comes as the city recently announced plans for a new $2.2 million state-of-the-art communications center and allocated $3.5 million for new radio technology and maintenance. Overall, these improvements should provide even faster emergency response times for the public.

     Hoping to raise at least $1.5 million for an orchestra pit, scenery equipment and other upgrades, The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum has scheduled fundraisers April 2 and 3. “Some Enchanted Evening,” a tour of The Wick’s multi-million dollar Broadway and film costume collection, light bites and champagne, and a variety show/concert with Broadway performers with dessert, live music and dancing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 2. Tickets are $200 per person. The event at 12:30 p.m. April 3 includes the tour and concert only. Tickets are $95 per person.

     The scoreboard on baseball field 5 in Sugar Sand Park hasn’t worked for so long, nobody remembers when it was still functioning. But commissioners are likely to vote on fixing it and moving the center field scoreboards on fields 5 and 6 at the next meeting of the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District April 4 in Sugar Sand Park Community Center. The city’s Recreation Services’ department estimate is $34,330 for both scoreboards. A breakdown of each is $16,395 for field 5 and $17,935 for field 6. The electrical alone is estimated at $7,700 on field 5 and an additional 20 percent for field 6 with a deeper fence, according to a March 14 memo to the district. Fields 5 and 6 are used by Boca Raton Little League Baseball and 20 to 24 traveling teams, some from nearby communities including Delray Beach and Deerfield Beach.

   JetBlue Airways, the busiest carrier at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, is reportedly making a bid to buy Virgin America. Shares of Virgin America Inc. are taking off amid speculation that the carrier backed by celebrity entrepreneur Richard Branson has received takeover bids from JetBlue and Alaska Air Group Inc.

     Three mortgage industry veterans Robert Gottesman, David H. Katz and Drew Parker have formed Shelby Funding LLC, based in Boca Raton providing commercial bridge loans for real estate investors bidding at foreclosures and foreign nationals seeking acquisition financing in the U.S.

       Easter weekend is a time of prayer, but fewer may actually be doing that this year. The number of Americans who say they pray or believe in G-d has hit a low since at least the early 1970s, according to a new study co-authored by a researcher at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. However, non-religious people are twice as likely today to believe in an afterlife as those in the 1980s, according to the survey, which analyzes responses to four decades of data compiled in the University of Chicago’s General Social Survey. “It’s an indication that people believe they don’t have to do all the work, they don’t have to pray and go to church, but they will still enjoy all the benefits of an afterlife,” said Ryne Sherman, assistant professor of psychology at FAU, who helped conduct the study.

      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.

     Two Grooms and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts present the World Premiere of Diego & Drew Say I Do March 31 – April 10, 2016 as the grand finale of the 2015-2016 Abdo New River Room Theater Series at the Broward Center. Under the direction of Carbonell Award winner John Manzelli, the 15-member ensemble is comprised of South Florida’s best and brightest talent and also features a special performance by members of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus. Diego & Drew Say I Do will run for two weeks, Thursday, March 31–Sunday, April 10 with show times on Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $59.50 general admission and includes buffet dinner, cake and champagne toast. $105 VIP tickets are available on select performances including reserved seating, cast meet & greet and signed  show poster. A full cash bar is also available. As a thank you for the support from South Florida’s LGBTQ community, funds raised from Diego & Drew’s official Wedding Shower, hosted by Naked Grape Wine Bar and Tapas on March 3, as well as the grooms’ dollar dance during each performance, will directly benefit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and The Pride Center organizations.

     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.     

     I Saw the Light, Meet the Blacks and G-d’s Not Dead 2 opens at the Boca Cinemark. I Saw the Light and Eye in the Sky opens at the FAU Living Room Theatre. Eye in the Sky and Marguerite opens at the Movies of Delray and at the Movies of Lake Worth. Eye in the Sky opens at the Classic Gateway. Hello my name is Doris and London has fallen 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 Green Market, 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.

   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.    

     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’s food and wine tasting moves back to the covered Mizner Park Amphitheater April 8, with a new VIP pre-party in the Boca Raton Museum of Art lobby 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.

      The Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club presents White Collar Crime expert, former FBI agent and International Forensic Executive Ross Gaffney, 11:30 a.m. April 13 at City Fish Market, Glades and the Turnpike. RSPV at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Truth-About-White-Collar-Crime–an-International-Mega-Problem-.html?soid=1102010861425&aid=G2utjN2FnYs.

    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 Special Needs Programs, 561-852-3256 • mariannej@levisjcc.org • levisjcc.org. RSVP online at levisjcc.org/shinelikeastar.

          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.

     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.

     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.

   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.

    Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all my readers.

     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.

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