Dogs, Wine and a Very Good Time
By Skip Sheffield
Royal Palm Place is going to the dogs in a good way. On Thursday, March 21 at the Monument Plaza at the intersection of US 1 and S.E. Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton, PROPEL is hosting its fourth annual Fine Wines & Canines fundraiser.
PROPEL (People Reaching Out to Provide Education and Leadership) was founded by Royal Palm Place owners James and Marta Batmasian as a 501 © non-profit organization to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and at-risk youth of Palm Beach and BrowardCounties.
Fine Wine and Canines was the brainchild of former PROPEL board president Andy Scott. Organizing the particulars of the past two events is board member and dog-lover Elizabeth Hevert, who chairs the event again this year.
“I guess I have been chairing this by default,” joked Hevert. “It is getting better each year for the vendors, committee and dog people. It’s such a neat cause and it brings the whole community together.”
This year wine is being provided by Total Wine and Crown Liquors. Blue Martini will be providing cocktails, and for the first time Bierhaus restaurant is donating a keg of beer.
Food samples from more than 40 area restaurants will be available, and there will be a raffle with prizes and a silent auction. Live musical entertainment will be furnished
by Kendra Fulmer and Amber Lee and her band.
For dog lovers the most important part is the friendly competition, with both serious and silly “best-of” categories, including costume.
“In addition to the Westminster Dog Show judge, we have a celebrity judge too,” Hevert reveals. “Judge Reinhart, who has a home in Florida, has agreed to be our celebrity judge.”
Actor Reinhart is perhaps best remembered for his breakout role in the classic youth comedy, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and in “Beverly Hills Cop” and its sequels.
“I think we’re going to knock it out of the park this year,” declared PROPEL programs director, Drew Gaut. “My wife and I enjoy it every time. It’s just a really fun community event for some really great kids.”
Tickets are $30 advance or $40 at the gate. Call 561-955-8553 or go to www.propelyourfuture.com.
