Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – April 20, 2016
Long time Boca PR expert Jay Van Vechten will be writing a column in the Boca Tribune website.
I Love a Piano is at the Wick Theatre on Fed. Hwy in Boca through May 17. Tickets at www.thewick.org or call 561.995.2233. Enjoy lunch or dinner at the Tavern on the Green inside and be sure to tour the Costume Museum Before it closes on May 20.
Boca-based A1A Airport & Limousine Service was awarded the 2016 Operator of the Year by LCT Magazine, the trade journal of the National Limousine Association.
A 14,000 sq. ft. 4th Generation Organic Market is opening May 18 with Café and fresh ingredients in the Lyons and Glades Road Shopping Center.
Newell Rubbermaid has completed a merger with Boca Raton-based Jarden Corp. The newly formed Newell Brands is a $16 billion global consumer goods company, with a portfolio of brands including Paper Mate, Sharpie and Mr. Coffee. Prior, Jarden was reporting net sales of $8.6 billion in 2015.
Fresh Kitchen opened in the 5th Ave. shops, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering catering, vegan and gluten-free meals, prepared without fryers, microwaves or any other equipment that reduces the health benefits of meals. Owners Joran and Brandi Levinson also run Juice and Java café in Boca.
Ocean Bank has issued a $50 million construction loan for 282 apartments on 14 acres at the Park at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, on the SE corner of Congress Avenue and Clint Moore Roads, expected to open in the summer of 2017. Rents have not been announced.
Boca Raton Community High School’s Geoff McKee isn’t the only principal who will move up to the regional level starting July 1. Calusa Elementary School’s Jamie Wyatt will be one of two instructional superintendents for elementary schools in the south region. Regional offices will consolidate from five to four under Superintendent Robert Avossa’s reorganization plan, which was approved by the school board. Wyatt was at Calusa for six years and in the School District of Palm Beach County for nine. McKee will move to the central region as instructional superintendent for secondary schools. A longtime administrator in Boca, he’s completing his 13th year at Boca High and was principal at Spanish River High from 1999 to 2003. It is his 19th year in the district.
Dr. Kevin Wagner is Florida Atlantic University’s new Faculty Senate president. The Faculty Senate discusses issues relating to the university. He is an associate professor and director of graduate studies.
The Jewish Association for Residential Care received nearly $200,000 in grants. The nonprofit, nonsectarian organization operates 10 group homes for adults with developmental disabilities in Boca. The nonprofit received a state grant for $180,000 and $10,000 from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County.
Ambassador Joseph R. DeTrani, the president of the Daniel Morgan Academy, a new graduate school in Washington, D.C. focusing on national security issues, spoke at the Citizens for National Security meeting at the Polo Club in Boca Raton. DeTrani, who previously had a long career in the U.S. intelligence community, including a distinguished stint at the Central Intelligence Agency, spoke about “Nuclear Threats from North Korea and Iran.” Before DeTrani spoke, the Citizens for National Security (CFNS) unveiled its new film, “Textbooks and Terrorists,” for the very first time in an exclusive screening for CFNS members and guests. This film shows how biased content in K-12 history and geography textbooks in the United States can indoctrinate and radicalize children, causing some of them to become homegrown terrorists.
A plan to raise Palm Beach County’s sales tax rate crossed a major hurdle this week, securing the necessary support from cities to move forward, County Administrator Verdenia Baker said. “We have come together as a community. a united front in recognizing the need to improve our infrastructure”.
Uber and Lyft got a green light in Palm Beach County. The County Commission gave final approval in a 5-1 vote to new rules that will keep the popular ride-hailing services on the road. But the vote wasn’t without a few bumps in the road. Commissioner Paulette Burdick said she has concerns about the quality of the background checks Uber conducts.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art has two new exhibits, Arnold Newman: Masterclass and Charles McGill: Front Line, Back Nine. The newest works will be on display from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on April 20 with cocktail and hors d’oeuvres. The event is free for museum members and $20 for non-members.
Participate in Gumbo Limbo’s eco-watch lecture series on from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on April 20. An assistant professor from Nova Southeastern University will discuss “Romance on the Reef: When Threatened Coral Species Mate.” The talk is followed by refreshments. It is located at the center’s classroom. It is recommended participants are over the age of 14. Register online to reserve a seat. A $5 donation is suggested.
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 21, 2016, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tulipe Café, Boca Grove Shopping Center on Powerline Road between Glades and Palmetto Park Roads. $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.
Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music has two concerts planned this week. The Dean’s Showcase No. 4 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 21 at the Count and Countess de Hoernle International Center/ Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall. Tickets cost $10 per person. At 4 p.m. April 24, the Bassoon Studio Concert will take place at the same location. The performance is free.
Miles Ahead. The Huntsman: Winters War, Elvis & Nixon, A Hologram for the King and Everybody Wants Some opens at the Boca Cinemark on Airport Road. Take Me to the River and A Hologram for the King opens at the FAU Living Room Theatre on the FAU campus, A Hologram for the King opens at the Movies of Delray on Atlantic and Hagen Ranch Road. Miles Ahead, Hologram for the King and Elvis & Nixon opens at the Classic Gateway on Sunrise Blvd. and U.S. 1 in Ft. Lauderdale. Eye in the Sky, Divergent and Allegiant opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. See movie capsules http://www.publicrelations.nu/movie-capsules-by-barry-epstein-april-15-2016/.
Boca Raton Elementary has been selected as one of only 400 Showcase Schools for 2017 by Microsoft. A fire closes Walmart in Coconut Creek. A big gator has been spotted in Boca Falls. There was a burglary and vandalism at Spanish River High School. Roadwork is going on at Palmetto Park Road and 441. The drama departments at West Boca High School and Boca High School were nominated for 29 South Florida Cappies.
Same Time Next Year will run to May 22 at Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Margate. 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 http://www.stagedoortheatre.com.
Just a few more weeks available to check out the Boca Raton GreenMarket, open every Saturday until May 7th, 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 by La Paella, Chef George of M.E.A.T, take-home pizzas, 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.
Singles can improve their online dating profile by going to www.myprofileguru.com.
Stepping Out Florida hosts a Passover/Holiday non-religious open to all faiths dinner 6 pm April 23. The evening will include a 4 course traditional dinner with a glass of wine offered at the price of $45 all inclusive, then live music and dancing to follow at no extra charge. Reservations at 561.912.0000.
Evening Star Productions will present Peter Gordon’s comedic send-up of classic ‘whodounnits’, Murdered to Death through May 1st 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 best Billy Joel Tribute band, Turnstiles will be in concert, 7 pm April 23 at the Boca Black Box Theatre, 8221 Glades Road, #10. Tickets at www.bocablackbox.com.
Nearly 800 local runners are expected to turn out later this month for the annual Run From the Rays 5K event at the Spanish River Athletic Complex in Boca Raton. Set to begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, the Run From the Rays attraction hopes to continue its strong impact on the various charities it supports in the area. During its three previous years, approximately $100,000 has been raised in the fight against skin cancer. Register at the site.
The Bridges of Madison County is at the Kravis Center April 26 – May 1. Get tickets at www.kravis.org.
Vowing, “Never again,” the South Palm Beach County Jewish and Christian communities will walk together in solidarity in commemoration of the Holocaust at the March of Remembrance on Sunday, May 1, 2016, a few days before Yom HaShoah, (Holocaust Memorial Day). Hundreds of participants will gather at 3:00 pm for brief welcoming remarks in the Boca Raton Christian School’s gymnasium (470 NW 4th Avenue). Hundreds of community members will join Holocaust survivors, their families and their supporters to march together on the streets of Boca Raton, beginning at 3:15 PM. Their destination will be Temple Beth El of Boca Raton (333 SW 4th Avenue) for a meaningful Holocaust Remembrance program at 4:00 pm. The march is approximately half a mile; a complementary return shuttle bus will bring marchers back to the Boca Raton Christian School parking lot following the Yom HaShoah program.
All women in the Jewish community are invited to attend a spring education event, hosted by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County on Tuesday morning, May 10. The breakfast program will feature author Sima Goel, whose book, Fleeing the Hijab: A Jewish Woman’s Escape from Iran, chronicles her journey to achieve personal freedom. The event will be held at Federation’s Zinman Hall at 9901 Donna Klein Boulevard in Boca Raton. Registration will begin at 9:30 am, and the $45 couvert includes breakfast, with dietary laws observed. For additional information or to RSVP, women may call Frannie Watt at 561.852.6058 or email francescaw@bocafed.org.
WPTV NBC News anchor Michael Williams is the speaker at the 11:30 a.m. May 11 lunch seminar at City Fish Market, Glades and the Turnpike. RSVP at http://www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/event/michael-williams-nbc-news-anchor/.
10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s will be presented by Chris Dragomer, MSW & Patient Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association 5 pm May 11 Free at Advanced Dentistry South Florida, 15340 Jog Rd, Delray Beach. Reservations are limited. Call 561.404.1079 to reserve a seat.
Technology Business 3Cinteractive, a mobile marketing company with 100 employees was named Business of the Year, Jim Dunn,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.
Christina Applegate will be the keynote speaker at the 13th annual Go Pink luncheon to benefit the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. Save the date: October 21, 2016.
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.
Happy Passover to all my members of the Tribe. Next year in Jerusulem.
Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Business Journal, Boca Life Magazine 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; 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.
