Published On: Fri, Aug 18th, 2017

Robert’s Community Report: 8/17

• edgeMED was honored last Friday as the winner of the first “Boca Means Business” award presented by the Boca Raton Tribune in partnership with the City Boca Raton’s Office of Economic Development. The award recognizes Boca Raton-based companies for their valuable contributions to the city’s corporate community. Started in 1981 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, edgeMED’s core function is pioneering the use of technology and expert.services that enable healthcare providers deliver first-class patient care and financial results. From developing one of the nation’s first electronic billing systems to providing the most advanced software, revenue cycle management services and managed IT solutions available today, edgeMED is dedicated to improving the health of the entire healthcare community.

• On Friday evening, the Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches held its annual White Party, hosted by Jennifer and Marc Bell. Billed as the event of year, over 400 Realtors and Affiliates attended the 5th Annual White Attire Fundriaser hosted by the Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches’ Young Professionals Network.

• This year’s beneficiaries included the RAPB Pay it Forward Foundation which assists Realtors and their families who are in need of financial assistance and Rebuilding Together, a non-profit division of the Solid Waste Authority which helps to preserve affordable housing by rehabilitating the homes of low-income homeowners including those that are elderly and veterans. Guests had full access to Bell’s entertainment space fully equipped with pin ball, video games, ski ball and much more.

• It was a great showing of community support on Saturday as the BCFD Block Party Luau was held in historic Pearl City. The proceeds from the event will support the great work being done in our community by Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County.

• Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County works to provide affordable home ownership opportunities for hardworking and deserving families in South Palm Beach County building homes in partnership with families who demonstrate a need for housing and a willingness to work with them to purchase a home of their own. With the help of their generous supporters and volunteers, since their establishment in 1991 they have empowered over 126 families in our community to achieve their dream of owning a safe, decent and affordable home.

• The proceeds from the event will support the impactful mission of Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County in our Community and according to its CEO, Randy Nobles, we will see some of the wonderful impact for yourself with the Habitat families right here in Boca Raton’s Pearl City.

• This was the last weekend for the 2017 edition of the Summer in the City. On Friday night, it was the music of Bob Marley performed by Ruff House and the finale was a performance by the Symphonia Boca Raton played the music from A Space Odyssey. What an awesome lineup this summer — can’t wait for next year! .

• In a move that would seem to settle any questions about Office Depot’s future in Palm Beach County, the Fortune 500 retailer this week paid $132 million for its 625,000-square-foot complex at 6600 N. Military Trl from its landlord. Equity Commonwealth said it collected rent of just under $17 million a year on the three-building complex, or about $27 per square foot. Office Depot is one of Palm Beach County’s most prestigious corporate citizens. Its headquarters employs 2,000 workers, and the retailer is one of only two Fortune 500 companies based in the county. Local business boosters welcomed the real estate deal as a vote of confidence by Office Depot on its future in Boca Raton.

• This past Monday brought back the popular BCFD Boca’s Got Talent.  Another great display of local talent was on display at the Dubliner as the event helped raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Congratulations to all of the great performers. It was a pleasure to judge the event along with GBRCC CEO Troy McLellan and local recording artist, Maggie Baugh. Top honors for the evening went to Gavin Graber.

• On Tuesday the Tower 155 sales team hosted the Downtown Business Alliance for lunch at their sales office at 124 E Boca Raton Blvd (adjacent to the construction site). Guest speaker, Derek Vander Ploeg gave a short history Boca Raton from its early development of lands originally acquired by ARthur VIning DAvis (ARVIDA) through its decision to redevelop a downtown that was blighted and headed in the wrong direction to today, the “New Boca,” vibrant and exciting.

• On Tuesday night it was a double bill of fund raising events. We started our night at the inaugural event sponsored by the Boca Raton Police Foundation and hosted by Piñon Grill as  part of Boca Chamber Festival Days. The Boca Police brought several robots and their mobile command post for addressing situations where a possible Bonn needs to be addressed, quickly and safely. The event was well attended and raised funds and awareness for the needs of the Boca Raton Police.

• And then we were off to Saks 5th Avenue where Heather Shaw and John Tolbert hosted a Boca Ballroom Battle Celebration and Dancer Reunion Event which helped raise additional funds for the big event this weekend.

• The 10th Annual Boca’s Ballroom Battle is the “Don’t Miss” charity event of the summer. The Ballroom is a local spinoff of the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars”.The event is being held on Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club from 6 – 10PM. All proceeds from the event benefit the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

• Eight prominent community leaders have accepted our invitation to compete in a ballroom dance and fundraising competition. Paired with professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios, all of our community dancers have been given a series of dance lessons to perfect a routine, and then compete for the grand prize at an elegant cocktail reception and dance. The competitors have trained for 4 months! The winner will receive the coveted 1st place Fundraising “Mirror Ball” trophy.

• Get some fresh air, exercise and join your neighbors on Saturdays. From 8-10AM it’s Free Fitness Saturday at Sanborn Square. Every Saturday come join the fun. Tai Chi presented by KUNG FU & TAI CHI of Boca Raton goes from 8-8:45AM and then its yoga, presented by YOGA JOURNEY from 9-10AM. Then it’s Zumba at the South Beach Park Pavilion from 10:30-11:30AM. Wear your sneakers, bring a water bottle and towel.

• Boca Chamber Festival Days continues on Saturday with Bubbles, Brunch and Bloom at BRIO Boca Center, from Noon to 2PM.. Your $29 ticket price will buy a brunch entree from a prix fixe menu, a yummy glass of bubbly and a beautiful bloom from the HabCenter. Portions of the proceeds will go directly to support the HabCenter. Join the fun for a great cause!  Reservations recommended. Questions? Contact 561-483-4200 ext. 112 or email mdelatorres@habcenter.org

• The City Council/Community Redevelopment Authority is still on its summer schedule. It will only meet once in August (returning to its twice monthly schedule in September). The CRA meets on Monday at 1:30PM followed by the City Council Workshop and shortly thereafter. On Tuesday, the City Council Regular Meeting will be held at 6PM. All meetings are in the Council Chamber at City Hall (201 W Palmetto Park Rd Boca Raton FL 33432). .

• Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, Minuteman Press of Boca Raton and The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce team up for Boca Festival Days Margarita Monday to support the work being done by the KidSafe Foundation on Monday, August 21, 2017 from 5:30 – 7:30PM. Tickets in advance are $25 and include two signature drinks and Rocco’s favorite appetizers.

• And speaking of taco, Place of Hope will be partnering with Blue Moon Mexican Boca, for Taco Tuesday. Guests will enjoy great Mexican food and reduced pricing on your favorite beverages. All event proceeds will directly benefit the foster children and youth who call our campus “home.” Tickets are available for $25 when purchased in advance or $30 when purchased at the door. co’s favorite appetizers.

• Don’t forget the event of the decade — the solar eclipse on Tuesday will be the first total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States since 1979. And, while we’ll only get to see a partial (80%) eclipse, it will still be quite spectacular. Join the Children’s Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park (300 S Military Tr Boca Raton FL) on Tuesday to view this celestial event. Guests can drop by anytime between 2-4:30PM for free science demonstrations.

• There will also be a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Spanish River Library from 1-4PM. The party will be held on the Lakeside Patio. Freed solar eclipse glasses, cookies and lemonade will be provided (while supplies last). No registration is required. The library os offering the free event to bring the excitement of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) to children, teens and adults.

• Celebrate 20 years of changing lives during the BCFD Back to School Brunch event at Lakeside Terrace. Proceeds will benifit the Caregiving Youth Project, a program of the American Association of Caregiving Youth that supports children who care for ill, disabled, or injured family members. Cost: $50 in advance or $60 at event RSVP to Gerry Fallon, 561.391.7401

• The BCFD BATTLE of the BARTENDERS will be held on Friday, August 25, 2017 from 5:30 – 7:30PM at the Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel. Advance Registration thru Aug 24th) is $25 which includes 2 drinks & appetizers, $30 at the door.Register at: https://bestfoot.org/ourevents/battle-of-the-bartenders/  Help your favorite bartending team win the Battle by attending the event and tipping them generously! The scheduled bartenders are:

5:30 to 6PM:
Wade Waddick and Paula Bernstein
Barry Rabkin and Teddy Kaufman

6 to 6:30PM:
Troy McLellan, Roxana Scaffidi and Rosie Inguanzo Martin (Last year’s champions)
Jan Savarick and Mary Wong

6:30 to 7PM:
Jacqueline Qualters and Elaine Weinberg
Sophia Eccleston and Mohamed Abdalla

7 to 7:30PM:
Brian Altschuler and Dan Davidowitz
Andy Thomson and Alex Price

This event is a fun and social gathering with the added bonus of raising awareness about the children living in foster care in our area.  All proceeds benefit Best Foot Forward’s innovative and powerful programs.

• Follow me on Twitter at @BocaCalendar to stay up to date on the events around the City of Boca Raton.

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