Boca Bits by Barry Epstein

FAUs School of Communication and Multimedia Studies (SCMS) received a donation of $1.5 million from Living Room Theaters, Inc. (LRT) in 2008 for the construction of a state-of-the-art movie complex with four separate theaters and a café. With matching funds from the state of Florida’s Alec P. Courtelis Capital Facility Enhancement Challenge Grant Program, the gift doubled to $3 million. Groundbreaking was held in June of 2009 and construction began last summer. The theatres are attached to a classroom and office building, located on the Eastern end of campus as part of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. The building should be completed this fall and the theatres open by the beginning of 2011.
The movie complex will be used during the day by FAUs film study program in the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, allowing students to study film in a true cinema setting with outstanding picture and sound quality. On evenings and weekends, the theaters will be used by LRT for community screenings of foreign, classic and independent films. The complex will feature films that are rarely shown in mainstream, high volume theaters, and it will emphasize new releases from around the world. Moviegoers will be able to relax in the comfortable seating of the 50-person theaters while enjoying food and beverages purchased at the LRT cafe; The café will offer a wide range of food and a sophisticated selection of beer and wine.

Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre, 100 N. U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter, presents the Burt Reynolds Master Acting Class Summer Showcase, June 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. By invitation only. RSVP to 561.743,9955 or info@brift.org. $20 suggested donation.

Rick Versace and A1A Limousine is having a party to celebrate their grand opening & the end of the recession this Friday June 11th 2010 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at 1990 NW Boca Raton Blvd. (southeast corner of 2 Ave. and 20^th St.). Everyone is invited to enjoy the food, drinks & music.

Jazz Concert in Mizner Park to Benefit Hospice by the Sea! Purchase tickets for an unforgettable evening June 25 with renowned jazz pianist, Copeland Davis! Be one of the first to experience a live performance at the newly constructed Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, while showing support of Hospice by the Sea and enjoy an evening of sensational music, fine food and exclusive networking opportunities. Tickets are $75 per person and include complimentary valet service, as well as a private champagne reception with the artist immediately following the concert. There are a limited number of concert tickets still remaining, so to act quickly! For additional information visit www.hbts.org.

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Central Command speaks in Boca July 16 at Spanish River Church, sponsored by the South County Community Partnership. Admission is free but reservations are required. Send request to: wbccemail@gmail.com.

Derek Turesky, son of Boca Raton residents Lenny and Barbara Turesky and a psychology doctoral student, recently produced a mindfulness meditation training DVD entitled, “Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction for Beginners: The Garden of NOW.” The DVD is a revolutionary new training tool designed to help users tap into the many benefits associated with practicing mindfulness, and is the #1 Bestselling meditation DVD on Amazon.com. Turesky’s meditation training program is also available as a CD or instant download exclusively through Amazon.com.

West Palm Beach based Newsmax Magazine, made a bid to purchase Newsweek magazine, being sold by the Washington Post Company. Newsmax publisher Chris Ruddy confirmed the bid saying “News of this bid is receiving wide press attention.”

Gray Line New York, New York City’s premier double-decker bus and motor coach tourism company, announced that Palm Beach County resident real estate mogul and New York icon, Donald Trump will be honored as the Ride of Fame dedicatee. As Hollywood has its Walk of Fame, New York has its own mobile monument to commemorate New Yorkers honored by Gray Line New York, for their contributions to making New York a great city. Other New Yorkers are slated to be honored each month moving forward with this campaign. A ribbon cutting ceremony and tour with Donald Trump on his newly dedicated bus took place Tuesday, June 8, 2010 in front of Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Ave.

To celebrate the Florida Atlantic University regional baseball tournament birth the FAU Bookstore has a commemorative t-shirt to honor the team’s first postseason play in five years! This special t-shirt is only available at the FAU Boca Raton campus bookstore. All other NCAA Regional t-shirts can be ordered at the website below. GO OWLS! http://www.fanstore.com/COLLEGE_Florida_Atlantic_University_Owls/browse/source/FAU-BaseballRegionals-Story