Robert’s Community Report: 9/29
With the memories of Irma still fresh in your mind, consider supporting the relief efforts of a non-profit agency you feel you can support. The news from the Keys and Puerto Rico is pretty bleak and its clear the recovery from Harvey, Irma and Marie will take time.
For many within our community, Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) was celebrated. This Saturday those same members of our community will be observing Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). To those who will fast as part of the observance of this holiday, wishing you an easy fast!
There was a marked uptick in the number of events this past week as people have gotten back to normal (or next to normal) routines and events and meeting originally set for the period pre and post storm have now been rescheduled.
Friday Sep 22nd marked the start of “Lunch on the Lawn” at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre.. For the next two weeks food trucks will be on site. Experience the Lunch on the Lawn September 29th and October 6. The next planned dates are December 1st, 8th and 16th.
Three cheers to our first responders! After ensuring our residents were safe after Irma, a crew of our firefighters left their families to head to the Keys on Friday, September 22nd to help distribute supplies collected for distribution in the Keys. A special thanks goes to Joe Bonnie & Son Movers for helping to bring those goods where they are required. We are a stronger community for the way we have responded – neighbor-helping neighbor!
On Saturday, the 23rd, Undaunted by damage to its buildings, the Boca Raton Children’s Museum held an event to at the museum.. It was great to see all of the wonderful people in our community who came out to support two amazing souls trying to help this community! Lexi Hidalgo and DJ Aiden Sherlock were amazing! Jaime Colby Hidalgo, Mary Sol Gonzalez and Ellyn Okrent helped to educate about the mission of thje Florence Fuller Child Development Centers and the Children’s Museum and its importance to the people touched by their programs.
It was my honor to represent Boca Raton and deliver a proclamation to the residents of Edgewater at Boca Pointe, signed by Mayor Haynie, declaringSeptember 24th to 30th 2027, “Active Aging Week.”
The mayor noted our community’s interest in promoting the physical and social wellbeing of all of our residents, regardless of age as we encourage them to remain active and independent.
On Monday night (September 25th), the City of Boca Raton held its storm delayed public hearing on the tentative budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year (due to begin on October 1st). This was the first of two public hearings to discuss the proposed budget. Residents were invited to weigh on how the city should spend about $168 million in taxpayer money.
The proposed budget calls for a 6% increase from this year’s general fund operating budget. About $3.4 million is earmarked for the addition of 34 new municipal employees, including four more police officers, four firefighters and an assistant fire chief. The City Manage also proposed setting aside $13.4 million for future hurricane and disaster relief.
.The budget process, which, by statute, must be completed by the end of September (to allow the FL Department of Revenue to review and certify the tax rolls) has been extended by Governor Scott in light of the delays caused by Irma. The City Council is scheduled to finalize the budget at a second public hearing to be held on October 2nd at 6PM at City Hall.
The long-awaited Spanish River Boulevard exit on northbound Interstate 95, championed by Mayor Susan Haynie for over a decade has opened. It’s part of a $69 million interchange project to relieve I-95 traffic congestion through Boca Raton. The new exit gives Florida Atlantic University students and other commuters an alternative to sitting in traffic at the Glades Road exit that routinely backed up onto I-95.
Mayor Haynie recognized the inaugural Boca Restaurant Month, launched this year by the Tourism Committee of Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to showcase what Boca Raton has to offer as it promotes our city as a destination and to increase the number of visitors to our area. This year’s theme is Boca Loves New York.
The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton held a “pre-event” for the upcoming Mayor’s Ball. The VIP reception at the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club recognized sponsors of the event and provided and opportunity to hear from the honorees. The third annual event has been moved to the Boca Raton Resort to accommodate additional attendees. [n October 14th.
Attention Residents: To assist residents and businesses, the City of Boca Raton will be expediting all hurricane related repairs including roof, window and screen enclosure repairs, until October 13.Homeowners and contractors can apply for and receive permits over the counter at 200 NW 2nd Avenue from 8AM – 4PM weekdays, except Wednesdays when the counter closes at 3PM. Repair work can start once permits are issued, and additional application requirements can be deferred. No permits are necessary to repair or replace existing permitted fences through Halloween.
Coming Up:
The Boca Raton Public Library is an incredible community resource. Here are just a few of their upcoming programs:
Foreign Film Series – October 10th: The Headless Woman from 6:30-9:30PM at the Downtown Library. Register at www.BocaLibrarfy.org
A Novel Idea Book Club meets on Thursday Octber 12th fro 7-8PM at the Downtown Library.
It’s Oktoberfest at the BRPL on October 13th with Mark Denote. Come attend a Florida Craft Beer Tasting & Author Talk from 6:30-8PM at the Downtown Library. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and attendees must be 21 or over.
Now through September 30th, come see “In the Fog” photography by Irina Dakhnovskaia Lawton at the Downtown Library.
It’s Monday Morning Muffins & Mysteries at the Downtown Library at 10:30AM. On October 16th it’s “The Shapes of Water” by Andrea Camilleri
When The Earth Shakes Explorium Exhibit Sneak Peek, Friday. Find out how science makes the world safer when the Earth shakes at the sneak peek of the Children’s Science Explorium’s new interactive earthquake exhibit from 7 to 9PM. There will be free demonstrations, crafts and more at the Explorium at Sugar Sand Park (300 S. Military Trl Boca Raton). For more information, go to: www.ScienceExplorium.org
Don’t forget Saturdays at Sanborn, you can enjoy Yoga, presented by Yoga Journey. Yoga begins at 9AM followed by Capoeira at 10:30AM. Zumba is held at the South Beach Pavilion every Saturday at 10:30. Bring sneakers, towel and water.
On Saturday, the 30th, Adults and families will join forces attacking the marine debris washed up on the beach and along the Intracoastal Waterway from 8-11AM. October 1st Learn about the fascinating behaviors of sharks, stingrays, and other marine life during daily feeding presentations. For more information, contact the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center at 561.544.8615,
This Saturday, FAU Football hosts Middle Tennessee at 7PM. The owls lost to Buffalo last week (34-31) on the road. A big home crowd should energize the team and help them add another win to their season record.
Throughout the month of October, the Boca Raton Museum of Art is waiving admission charge. Visitors are welcome to relax and enjoy the galleries and Sculpture Garden.
On October 3rd the Lewis Katz Industry Icon Series continues with guest speaker, Marc Serota, a world renowned photojournalist. $36 includes breakfast 561-852-8605.
The Boca Raton Garden Club is holding its Welcome Back Meeting on October 3rd at 1PM at the Boca Raton Community Center.
Also on October 3rd the Boca Noon Toastmasters will meet at Noon at the Boca Raton Community Center Annex (260 Crawford Blvd).
Tickets are now available for the 2017 Woman Volunteer of the Year 30th Anniversary luncheon to be held on October 5th, 2017! Chairing the event will be Kirsten Braaten Stanley. Mark your calendars and get ready for another fabulous event with fabulous woman volunteers.
On October 7th from 5-9PM, come celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month at the Peter Blum Family YMCA with Baila Conmigo. This is a FREE event with fun for the entire family!
The Inner Circle Executive Club Power Networking featuring ADL (Anti-Defamation League-Florida Region) has been rescheduled to Monday October 9, 2017 fro, 5:30-7:30PM at Pinon Grill. Admission is free. There will be Raffle Prizes, Complimentary Cuisine and Drink Specials All proceeds go to ADL a nonprofit 501c3
On October 11th the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club will host its monthly lunch and learn. State Attorney David Aronberg will address the group on topics ripped from the headlines. The public is welcome. Lunch and meeting is $35.00 for first timers. For tickets and information, go to: www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com
“Art in the Arthouse,” featuring a series of 14 photographs by celebrity/fashion photographer, Rose Hartman runs runs now through October 22, 2017 at the Levis JCC Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center in Boca Raton. Hartman will attend the final evening of the exhibit, October 22, and lead a gallery tour and screening of the film, “The Incomparable Rose Hartman,” which premiered at SXSW in 2016.
Here is a link to three of the images that will be featured: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jgr00d1dkqxdrc6/AAB_dO7kROrL38qRjEbyFyf8a?dl=0
South Florida families will get to experience the excitement around the change of seasons at the 1st Annual Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival taking place October 14 & 15 at Mizner Park Amphitheater, from 10AM – 6PMeach day. The Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival will feature a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including a giant pumpkin patch in the center of all the action with more than 2,500 pumpkins and a carnival for all ages! Plus, families will enjoy our fall-themed attractions such as our corn stalk maze, a dress-your-own scarecrow village and beautiful fall photo vignettes! Included in the entrance fee are unlimited carnival rides, our fall attractions, and on-going shows & activities on our main stage!
For separate fees, attendees can also enjoy picking their perfect pumpkin in our patch (prices vary based on size), decorating their pumpkins in our Pumpkin Decorating tent (we provide all the supplies, and clean up the mess too), and yummy offerings in our Pumpkin Food Court featuring savory & sweet pumpkin delights (and delicious fair food)! Adults can also enjoy a “cold one” at one of our Pumpkin Beer Bars! More information: https://www.bocapumpkinpatch.com/
Stay in touch, follow me on twitter at @BocaCalendar and soon, we will be launching the Boca Community Calendar. If you have an event you would like promoted, please send it to me at RobertWeinroth@gmail.com
