Robert’s Community Report: 1/19
Brightline is a reality! Please be careful as you approach the FEC Railway Crossings. Several people have died attempting to beat the train after gate arms have lowered. Brightline trains are traveling at over 70 mph. There are no immediate plans for the new service to stop in Boca Raton (service is currently going between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale). The privately funded express intercity passenger rail service is offering an introductory price as low as $10 each way. With plans to extend to downtown Miami in the coming months, the company hopes to become a legitimate alternative for South Florida commuters frustrated with gridlock on the highways or nightlife revelers looking for a permanent, diesel-electric designated driver. To learn more, go to: https://gobrightline.com
On January 12 over 300 community members came out to support the Boca Raton Police Foundation’s “Call for Backup.” Hosted by Jennifer and Marc Bell, at their beautiful home, guests experienced an evening of delicious hors d’ouevres, cocktails, live entertainment, demonstrations of police equipment, vehicles & K9s as well as live and silent auctions to raise funds to enhance the safety of our community and the effectiveness of our police department.
Joined by Boynton Beach Mayor Steven B. Grant and Commissioner Christina Romelus, I attending the South Palm Beach County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Founders Day Luncheon. The sorority is celebrating 105 year’s of continued commitment to public service.
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding more than 200,000 women have joined the organization which is a sisterhood of predominantly black, college educated women. The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the US, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Republic of Korea.
The City of Boca Raton honored Dr Martin Luther King Jr on January 15th. The theme of the MLK Jr Day Celebration was, Together We Are One.” Rev. Henry Willis acted as master of ceremonies. Joseph Martin explained the Pearl City 2.0 Imitative. Community Redevelopment Consultant Oscar Groomes, delivered a moving tribute to Dr King after which participants walked down Federal Hwy to continue the celebration.
Salul Blinkoff spoke at the JEC of South Florida on January 15th. It was an inspiring story of a determined artist looking for a position with the Walt Disney Company as an animator. Blinkoff presented a story of his professional and religious journey, each of which he has made with a continuing emphasis on striving to be the best he can be.
He began his career as an animator for the WALT DISNEY STUDIOS working on the hit films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, & Tarzan. He made his directorial debut with the hip action-adventure series Spy Groove for MTV. Shortly thereafter, he re-joined DISNEY, directing the films Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo & Kronk’s New Groove- starring Eartha Kitt & David Spade. Saul also consulted in development on the DISNEY films: Tinkerbell, Fox and The Hound II, Brother Bear II, Cinderella III, and Dumbo II. Saul was a director on the hit DISNEY show Doc McStuffins and directed The Numberlys, a pre-school show for AMAZON with MOONBOT STUDIOS. Saul was a consulting producer on The Stinky & Dirty Show for AMAZON and directed Dreamtopia; a re-imagined Barbie movie for MATTEL premiering on NICKELODEON. For “My Disney Tale & Jewish Journey”
Connected Warriors co-founder, Judy Weaver, invited the community to join her at the grand opening of their beautiful faculties at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus. Weaver’s mission is to empower service members, veterans, and their families worldwide through trauma-conscious yoga. The Connected Warriors faculties are located at 4950 Communication Ave Ste 115. For more information about this wonderful organization, go to:www.ConnectedWarriors.org
Coming up:
The City Council will be meeting as the Community Redevelopment Board on Monday January 22nd followed by a City Council Workshop. The meetings begin at 1:30PM and will convene in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The following evening (Tuesday January 23rd) the Regular City Council Meeting begins at 7PM.
Meeting agendas can be viewed at https://www.myboca.us/129/Agendas-Minutes
This January, it’s Time To TAKE 5 For You™. Conceived and presented by Boca Raton’s Promise in collaboration with a diverse group of community organizations and professional personal coaches, the interactive program is designed to kick-start personal balance, growth and hope in the new year through a robust blend of art, music, comedy, literature, theater, mind / body / soul balance and enlightenment, TAKE 5 For You™ will deliver 11 empowering opportunities to help energize you to hit your “personal reboot” button for more self-discovery, fulfillment and enjoyment in 2018. Whether you are seeking reflection, renewal and reconnection or a bit of entertainment, laughter and fun with family and friends…you will find it when you TAKE 5 For You™. For the full program guide and registration information visit: BocaRatonsPromise.org/Take5ForYou
On Sunday January 21st the Kiwanis will be holding a 5K race at Spanish River Park (3001 N Ocean Blvd Boca Raton). Funds raised will provide scholarships to homeless and foster care students, administered by the George Snow Scholarship Foundation. For more information contact Ro at 561.702.0506. or go online to register at: http://runnersedgeboca.com/race-results/
The Wings of Freedom Tour is scheduled to return to the Boca Raton Airport on Monday January 22nd at 2PM through Thursday January 25th at Noon. Admission is $5 – $15. Please note, due to possible flight restrictions in Southeast Florida if the President is in town, this schedule is subject to last minute changes. Updates to the schedule will be posted as they are finalized.
Walk Through Tour Times (no reservations needed):
Monday Jan 22nd – 2PM – 4:30PM
Tuesday Jan 23rd – 9AM – 4:30PM
Wednesday Jan 24th – 9AM – 4:30PM
Thursday Jan 25th – 9AM – Noon
$15 Adults / $5 Children 12 and under.
Flights take place before and after tours.
30-minute flight on the B-17 or B-24 is $450 per person
30-minute flight training on the TF-51D is $2,200
60-minute flight training on the TF-51D is $3,200. Call 978.562.9182 for flight reservations.
The Inner Circle New Year Kick off Event for Tri County Animal Rescue. Tuesday, January 23 2018 5:30-8pm Pinon Grill Restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida at Town Center Mall Complimentary Cuisine Drink Specials Free Entry.
Are you interested in learning about the natural world around us? Attend Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s environmental lecture series for a presentation by a guest scientist, researcher, or other expert. Light refreshments and an opportunity to talk with the speaker follow talks.
On January 23rd’ the speaker will be Rob Moir, PhD. Director of the Ocean River Institute. Dr. Moir will be speaking about deep-sea canyons. Meet in Gumbo Limbo’s Classroom in the building behind and to the left of the Nature Center. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Minors under the age of 18 must attend with an adult.
The 2018 Greek Festival runs from January 25-28. OPA! Get ready for a fun weekend of food, dancing, and “kefi” at the St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church grounds.
HotWorks.org will present the 9th Annual Boca Raton Fine Art Show™ on January 27 & 28, 2018 in downtown Boca Raton on Saturday & Sunday from 10AM-5PM at Sanborn Square Park on East Boca Raton Road and NE 1st Ave. Affected streets will be closed to vehicular traffic at 3PM on Friday January 26th and re-open on or before 10PM Sunday January 28th. Downtown Boca Raton is the perfect venue for a beautiful art show, featuring an exclusive collection of high-quality, original, and refreshingly unique artwork created by a wide range of exceptional students.
Coming in February:
In its 9th year, the Junior League of Boca Raton invites you to the Flavors of Boca on Thursday February 1st at The Addison (2 E Camino Real Boca Raton 33432) from 6:30-11PM. This is one of the most entertaining boutique food and wine events in South Palm Beach County. Attendees will enjoy the finest fare and wines this side of delicious. A combination of celebrated chefs and restaurants participate in this event and each one is just the right. Don’t miss this great event – make your reservations at: https://www.jlbr.org/flavors-of-boca-event-raffle-tickets/
On Saturday February 3rd and Sunday February 4th the Boca Raton Museum of Art hosts the 32nd Annual Museum of Art Festival in Mizner Park. The streets of Mizner Park will, again, be filled with a tremendous selection of art from across the country. One of a kind art will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to the support of the museum’s educational programming. The festival is open from 10AM – 5PM and is free and open to the public.
The Boca Raton Seafood & Music Festival follows the next weekend (Saturday and Sunday February 10th and 11th) from 10AM–6PM. The ticketed event is a unique blending of food, music and visual entertainment offering a potpourri of delectable seafood creations and delicious drinks prepared by our city’s top restaurants combined with outstanding musical performances by local and regional musicians. General admission is only $5.00
The Festival of the Arts returns to Mizner Park Amphitheater for its 11th season on Friday February 23rd at 7:30PM with Grammy Award winning American soprano Kathleen Battle.
Itzhak Perlman returns to the amphitheatre stage on Saturday February 24th at 8PM. Perlman is the reigning virtuoso of the violin.
On Sunday February 23rd the Festival presents Grupo Company Segundo, an iconic band from Havana Cuba. The show begins at 7PM
Don’t miss Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & friends present an evening of music, poetry and prose on Friday March 2rd at 7:30PM.
The Festival of the Arts concludes on Sunday March 4th with a special presentation of ET the Extra-Terrestrial. As in years past, the film will be accompanied by The Symphonia Boca Raton & Constatine Kitsopoulos, conductor. The movie presentation begins at 6PM
Tickets to the Festival of the Arts Boca (designed to promote the cultural arts and to enrich the quality of life of the residents of Boca Raton) are available for these events (and others) at www.FestivalOfTheArtsBoca.org or through the box office at 866.571.2787
Boca Raton has a new comedy club! Located at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, Comic Cure is a social non-profit with the simple mission of using the power of laughter to uplift and engage communities around important causes. Shows are presented once a month. On February 10th, the theme of the show is Florida’s Funniest Parents. Love and laughter is in the air as moms and dads from across the state take the stage to deliver their best jokes to win over the audience judges. Secure your tickets at www.MiznerParkCulturalCenter.com
Don’t forget the Wick Theatre where Singing in the Rain continues through February 18th. This “greatest movie musical of all time” is the perfect entertainment for fans of the golden age of movie musicals. For tickets or more information on upcoming shows, go to www.TheWick.org
There’s plenty more to do and see, in and around Boca Raton. Follow me @BocaRatonCalendar and check out our website: www.BocaCal.com
