Published On: Wed, Apr 19th, 2017

Barry’s Buzz – April 19, 2017

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           Dr. Richard Staller and Advanced Dentistry-South Florida are sponsoring a fun fundraiser to freeze out childhood cancer April 29 from 2 to 5 pm at Ben & Jerry’s , 1155 E. Atlantic. Ave. Delray Beach to benefit The Anthony Rizzo Family (former Chicago Cubs first baseman) and P4 Foundations. Celebrity scoopers include Delray Mayor Carey Glickstein, FAU Head Football Coach and 850’s morning radio personality Rich Stevens. Money raised for these organizations go DIRECTLY to childhood cancer research and the families affected. Less than 3% of cancer funding today goes toward childhood cancer research…it’s alarming how little funding they get. Here is the link to the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/freeze-out-childhood-cancer. Also on Facebook.

      Boca Raton City Councilman Jeremy Rodgers is the new deputy mayor and re-elected Mayor Susan Haynie welcomed a second woman to the dais after a packed swearing-in ceremony in council chambers. Councilwoman Andrea Levine O’Rourke took the seat vacated by former Deputy Mayor Mike Mullaugh.

     The Diplomat Hotel and Spa has undergone a complete remodeling and a new name to the Diplomat Resort, adding a new restaurant and two suites, totaling 1,000, the largest in Palm Beach County.

     Comcast is looking to hire 600 more technicians in the area.

     Ten Palm Beach County schools will be getting promised construction upgrades starting this summer, Superintendent Robert Avossa said. The projects, funded by a penny sales tax increase that voters approved in November, include paving at Del Prado Elementary in Boca Raton and water intrusion repairs at Eagles Landing Middle, west of Boca Raton. Avossa said at a press conference he plans to provide quarterly updates on progress to the School Board and public.

      Daggerwing Nature Center is breaking out the ladybugs for the annual free Earth Day bash billed as “Come Celebrate the Planet!” “This year our theme is reduce, reuse, recycle refuse,” said Sean Mallee, manager of Palm Beach County’s nature center in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in West Boca.

      Free seminars at the Faulk Center for Counseling, 22455 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton First Wednesdays of each month, 11 a.m. – 12 noon – see specific dates below*: Altered States of Consciousness In Therapy May 3, 2017 – Feminist Therapy June 7, 2017 – Autism Spectrum Disorders. All seminars are presented by Faulk Center for Counseling graduate students pursuing master’s degrees or doctoral degrees in psychology, social work or mental health counseling. No cost to attend. *Dates subject to change.

        The body found in Mizner Park over the weekend was that of an 18-year-old Lynn University student, Boca Raton police said Monday. Security and cleaning workers found Shayan Mortazavi’s body behind Truluck’s restaurant about 6 a.m. Saturday at Mizner Park, the retail and entertainment complex in downtown Boca.  Mortazavi’s injuries were consistent with a fall, but police have declined to release more details, citing the open investigation. It’ll be up to the medical examiner to determine his cause of death, police said. Mortazavi, of Franklin Lakes, N.J., was a freshman at Lynn who expressed an interest in film and journalism, Jamie D’Aria, a university spokeswoman, said in a statement.

     Monica Lewinsky speaks on social media safety at a Boca West Country Club lunch 20583 Boca West Drive, 11;30 April 19. Tickets are $100. Email mariannnej@levisjcc,org or viait www.levisjcc.org or call her at 561-3253.

     The George Snow Scholarship Fund sponsors a Tiki dinner 8 pm April 19 at the Boca Beach Club 9000 S,Ocean Blvd. Let the ocean breeze take you away  to a tropical  evening with Polynesian dancers and a four-course meal, $250,  561.347.6799 or www.scholarship.org.

   With the sponsor pointing to neglect by the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would lead to paying $3.75 million in the Barahona case. The bill (SB 18) stems from a settlement reached in the death of Nubia Barahona and injuries suffered..              

               Capt. Joseph Brooks is the new Firefighter of the Year and Emergency Medical Services Capt. Patrick Bayne was chosen Paramedic of the Year in Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services’ moving Last Roll Call & Badge and Award Ceremony. Boca Raton Firefighters Pipes and Drum Corps and the honor guard provided a stirring start to the ceremony at fire rescue headquarters, Standing before a replica of a bright red fire engine front as the official podium, Fire Chief Tom Wood welcomed the honorees, their families and dignitaries. Families were there to pin on official badges, receive awards and take a photo with the chief in the auditorium at headquarters in the 6500 Congress Ave. building. All eight Boca Fire Rescue Services stations called in to salute firefighter Jack Culligan, who retired after 37 years with the department.

   Two educators from Boca Raton area schools won’t be allowed to work in a Florida classroom for at least a year. One is accused of allowing students to cheat on a test, the other is alleged to have made inappropriate comments to students.

      Palm Beach Taste of the Nation, Share our strength No Kid Hungry campaign,  the annual tasting event , 7 p.m. April 20 features more than 50 of the county’s top chefs, sommeliers, brewers and mixologists $15, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Call 202.738.5501, email averille@createlan.com or visit wwww.nokid hungryord/palmbeach.  

      Lynn University will break ground Thursday, April 20, on the Christine E. Lynn University Center. The 11 a.m. ceremony will take place at the heart of campus and will feature guest speakers, food and drink, a unique photo opportunity, virtual reality trend. “Mrs. Lynn is our university’s strongest supporter, through both her leadership as our board of trustees chair and her unparalleled generosity as a donor,” says Lynn President Kevin M. Ross. “We are excited to come together as a campus to thank Mrs. Lynn for her latest gift—the largest gift in our university’s history—as well as the other donors inspired by her giving.” The university center is the final component of the Lynn 2020 strategic plan. It has been in the works since October 2015, and was made possible thanks to a $15 million challenge grant offered by Mrs. Lynn. Construction is expected to begin immediately following the groundbreaking. “Our goal in designing the university center is to embrace student-centered activities and drive energy on campus,” says Cliff Bollman, project manager for Gensler, architects of the Lynn University Center. “Small touches, like utilizing daylight design, will help students remain connected with each other, feel connected to campus and be encouraged to get involved.” The new 65,000-square-foot, three-story building will be home to the university’s Center for Student Involvement, offering large multi-purpose rooms for student organizations, classes and events, as well as traditional conference areas and staff offices. Its revamped Christine’s café and new Elaine’s multipurpose dining area will provide ample space for socializing and expressing creativity. Student services will be relocated to the university center from around campus, including Career Connections, the Center for Learning Abroad, a modernized Campus Store, expansion of the university’s award-winning 24/7 dining experience and a new mail room. The facility’s additional special event spaces and its west- and north-facing balconies will overlook sporting facilities and the Wold Performing Arts Center, offering students and guests pleasant campus and sunset views. “The Christine E. Lynn University Center is the largest project we have ever undertaken on our campus,” continues Ross. “This game-changing building, which we have dreamed about for a while, will combine social and learning spaces and be a one-stop destination for our students.

      National Council of Jewish Women SE Atlantic Section Officers will be installed for the 2017-2018 year. The program will be about  Katherine Graham, Pulitzer Prize winner and editor of the Washington Post Watergate and Pentagon papers events. A $30 Iialian buffet will be served at the Delray Sands Hotel/Latitudes  restaurant 2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Highland Beach. Call 561.716.0980.

       Best Foot Forward’s blooming BASH will take place at 7 p.m, April 22 at the Polo Club, 5400 Champion Blvd. with Palm Beach County Schoola Superintendent Robert Avossa as guest speaker. Tickets are $60, For more information, call 561-470-8300 or visit www.bestfoot.org.

     Starting April 24, the one-of-a-kind west boca leaders networking group will meet on the second snd fourth Mondays from 4:30 to 6- two for one Happy Hour, etc. cost is only $60 per quarter, questions? 561.702.0000. link  your website to ours plus other benefits.  Bring  application and second quarter membership. Applications at www.westbocaleaders.com.

     Faulk Center Networking Event & Butterfly Release in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May at 5:30 May 11 free and open to the community. RSVPs mandatory. Call Ali Rubin at 561-483-5300 to RSVP or for more information.

       The weather may have postponed a grand opening twice, but Watergate Estates residents have been using their new neighborhood park since September. The former vacant lot at 10537 Sandalfoot Blvd., which is a few blocks west of State Road 7, has been completely transformed.

     West Boca News, Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Business Journal, Boca Life Magazine, New Times 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-emeritus 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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