Published On: Fri, Dec 15th, 2017

Robert’s Community Report: 12/15

– On Saturday, December 9th, FAU President John Kelly and First Lady Carolyn Kelly hosted a reception for academic and civic leaders to announce the establishment of the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. President Kelly noted that both he and Carolyn would not have achieved what they have been it not for the scholarship assistance they received early in the academic careers. Together with plastics entrepreneur Aubrey Strul and his wife Sally, the Kellys have created a vehicle to provide financial resources and individual support to enable the first generation, low-income scholars to attain an undergraduate degree in four years or less. The scholarship was established with an initial investment of $1 million by the Skrulls, followed by a commitment of an additional $50,000 per year. Great things are happening at Florida Atlantic University!

– On Sunday, the 15th Annual Lynn University Gingerbread Holiday Concert was held in the Great Hall at Boca Raton Resort & Club. The concert, which serves as a major fundraiser for Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music provided entertainment for the whole family. Pictures with Santa were followed by treats for nibbling and a wonderful concert of holiday tunes conducted by Dr Jon Robertson. With an impressive triangle solo performed by Lynn University president, Dr. Kevin Ross. It was a fun afternoon for one and all

– Later that night, residents were treated to a free concert at Mizner Park Amphitheatre. A hearty group of musicians, with but a few hours of rehearsal, performed a Tuba Christmas. They entertained an equally hearty group of enthusiastic residents on a chilly Sunday afternoon. It was amazing to hear how versatile these instruments can be. Notwithstanding the chilly weather, everyone had a great time, performers and a grateful audience.

– Florida Atlantic University was back in the news this week as they are hoping to become home to some of the top young scientists in the United States. The university is partnering with the Max Planck Society, the Germany-based biotech research giant, to create a new undergraduate honors program for students interested in neuroscience. The program, which will start in the fall of 2018 and include about 100 students will create a pipeline for future scientists in South Florida who can help develop cures and treatments for ailments such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. Max Planck, which houses its U.S. research on Florida Atlantic’s Jupiter campus, currently works with graduate students, but this will be the first time it will work with undergraduate students. The honors program will help FAU attract more high-caliber students and better leverage its partnership with Max Planck and Scripps Florida, the other biotech giant on its Jupiter campus.

– Wearing white after Labor Day? Perfectly appropriate for the Junior League of Boca Raton’s White Party, hosted by Clive Daniel Boca Raton on December 11th. The 2nd Annual White Party Foodraiser was a wonderful evening with the price of admission, a generous donation of non-perishable food items.

– The holiday displays are up in Sanborn Square. Five spaces were provided within the “free speech” zone and, to the relief of many, the sponsor of last year’s “anti-religious” installation opted not to request space for his display. There is a trio of penguins wandering around the park — perhaps they’re looking for a bus to the South Pole
Tis the season for our community to show its Spirit of Giving. Since 2002, the Annual Holiday Gift Drive has ensured the holiday wishes of over 4,000 local children come true. The Spirit of Giving Network, in partnership with the Junior League of Boca Raton, works with over 35 agencies to provide gifts to needy children in Palm Beach County. This year over 4000 gifts will be distributed to local non-profit agencies. The Spirit of Giving Holiday Gift Drive is a leading organization in our community granting holiday wishes to thousands of children; it is a grand community-wide project which owes its continued success to the hundreds of people willing support this effort. For more information, please call 561.385.0144 or email info@SpiritOfGivingNetwork.com

– A visitor to our city who happened into Ouzo Bay on Tuesday evening might have wondered if our residents had taken leave if their fashion sense as Habitat for Humanity held its first ugly sweater event. Ugly might seem a bit harsh but some of the sweaters would be best left in the bottom drawer of someone’s bureau! My personal favorite, a blue & white item proclaiming, “Come on Baby, Light My Menorah” was, presumably, designed to celebrate the first night of Chanukah)! Hopefully, these fashion faux pas will go back in the drawer (or the back of the closet) until next year.

Coming up:

– The Chabad of Boca Raton invites you to its annual Menorah lighting on Thursday December 14th at 6PMat Town Center Mall. Come see live ice sculpting of a beautiful 6 ft ice Menorah! There will be family friendly entertainment, latkes, gelt and dreidels. It’s all free of charge. The lighting will take place outside of the mall, at the Terrace (between Anthropolgie & Crate and Barrel).

– The final lunch on the lawn at the Mizner Amphitheatre is scheduled for Friday December 15th between 11AM and 4PM. Bring your lunch or enjoy the fare offered by the food trucks.

– Later on Friday afternoon, the Akron Zips will be arriving for the cheribundi® Boca Raton Bowl. They are scheduled to arrive around 3PM at PBI. Even though FAU won’t be jetting across the US to the bowl game it earned by its perfect Conference-USA record (8-0), it won’t miss out on the perks of participation. As the “home” team representing Conference-USA, they will be staying at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. With the Owls playing in front of a home town crowd there is NO EXCUSE for the stadium to be less than FULL!

– On Saturday December 16th the 41st Annual Boat Parade will begin at 6:30PM at the C-15 Canal on the Intracoastal Waterway and proceed south, through Lake Boca. Watch for notices on the bridge openings along the parade route. Bleachers will be set up on the “Wildflower” park for viewing.

– SNOW is coming back to Sugar Sand Park on Saturday December 16th! Book your reservation TODAY for your kid’s snow play! Snow play is for children ages 5-12. $15 advance reservations include the snow play, plus other “cool” winter activities. One free adult event admission is allowed with each paid child’s wristband ($5 each additional adult event admission).

– On Monday December 18th there will be a community pep rally for our Conference-USA Champion FAU Owls. The pep rally will be held at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre with the marching band parading through Mizner Park. Doors open at 6pm.

– On Tuesday December 19th it’s the “big game!” The 2017 playing of the cheribundi® Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium will begin at 7PM. The “fan-zone” for family fun opens at 3PM on the FAU grounds on Tuesday afternoon. Opening on-field ceremonies begin at 6:30PM with IDOL competition winner, Nick Aquilino, singing the National Anthem. This year the Bowl will feature teams from the American Athletic Conference and Conference USA. Last year C-USA champion Western Kentucky bested Memphis, 51-31. The three past Boca Raton Bowl champions, Marshall, Toledo and WKU combined to go 34-6 in years they won the game. Get your tickets at: www.TheBocaRatonBowl.com

– On Friday, December 22nd another family favorite, the City of Boca Raton presents The Polar Express movie and activities at Mizner Park Amphitheatre (under the stars). Doors open at 4:30 PM with family-friendly activities and the free movie will begin at 5:30 PM. Feel free to bring your chairs or blankets for seating or, for your convenience, chairs can be rented for $5 cash. Food and beverages will be available to purchase at the venue. No outside food or beverages are allowed. The show is rain or shine.

– And for something different, how about Joan & Friends starring master puppeteer Jerry Halliday. This will be a special presentation by the Mizner Park Comedy Club at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center (201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432). Celebrity puppets include Joan Rivers, Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Mae West and more! Crafted by world-class puppet designer, Jerry Halliday. Halliday brings his puppets to life with his incredible skill. Every performance is a carefully crafted comedy gem that leaves audiences mesmerized and rolling with laughter. His living, breathing characters don’t just say funny things, they are naturally funny. He is a true original, the best in the business at what he does. The show will be at 5PM on December 23rd (Doors open at 4:00 PM). Tickets: $20 General Admission – 10% off with promo code: FB Purchase tickets over the phone at (786) 564-2291

– Grammy and Oscar winner Melissa Manchester will be in concert at The Wick on December 24th and 25th. The renowned entertainer will be performing all her classic hits, plus songs from her new release, The Fellas, a radiant encomium to the men, including Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin, and the iconic songs they made famous.

– BARNEY & ME with Hal Linden – Ring in the New Year with seven-time Emmy Award-winning Actor Hal Linden as he takes the stage in Barney & Me. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look inside the life and career of this incredible performer. Linden’s high energy show, backed by a live orchestra, has everything from Broadway Classics to Dixieland with some serious Swing mixed in. 2 NYE Shows-December 31st at 5:00 with Champagne Toast. December 31st – 10:00 Show

– Don’t forget – if you wish to take advantage of the 3% discount on the payment of your property taxes, your payment must be received by the PBC Tax Collector before end of business on December 31st.

– There are lots of things going on (this is just a sample). Follow me on Twitter at @bocacalendar and check out our new website www.BocaCal.com to stay informed.

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