The Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club presents Decorated War Veteran Brian J. Mast, at lunch, 11:30 a.m. March 11, City Fish Market, Glades and the Turnpike. RSVP at goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/reservations or call 561.852.0000.
The old adage that sex sells was validated again last week when Boca Raton self-styled domain name kingpin Rick Schwartz pocketed and eye-popping $8.8 million for the sale of the online porno.com domain name. Buyer on the deal was a Prague company in Chezosolvakia. The website doesn’t feature porn but directs the user to other adult websites. Schwartz bought the name from a college student 18 years ago for $42,000.
South Florida cities and towns with red light camera programs are finding themselves in shaky legal and financial dilemma as class action lawsuits based on court rulings are seeking millions of dollars in refunds collected illegally for the past five years, which could put a big dent in municipal budgets. YAY! Boca Raton, along with Palm Beach County pulled the plug on their program, while several cities in Broward County have already dropped theirs.
A proposal to regulate the use of e-cigarettes in public parts of the city dissipated amid concerns there was too little medical information about them.
The City Council voted to snuff out an ordinance that would have limited e-cig use in public places, just as tobacco is prohibited in certain public places.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Service has relocated to a 5,000 sq. ft. bigger space at 1200 N. Fed. Hwy, Boca Raton from 1,860 sq. ft. at 660 Glades Road.
Florida Tourism officials reported that over 97 million tourists visited Florida last year, up a solid 4% from the previous year, with 11.5 million visitors coming from overseas, while 3.8 million came from Canada. Palm Beach County reported 6 million travelers. The increase in tourism is expected to continue this year. In a related matter, hotel tax increase in collections are fattening South Florida marketing budgets. Palm Beach County boosted its bed tax to 5%, which should generate $34 million annually.
State owned Citizens Property Insurance unloaded 80,000 more policies.
The day trip gambling casino Island Breeze has been deep sixed. The vessel that sailed from the Port of Palm Beach filed bankruptcy after being plagued with megabuck mechanical failures and a business model that was doomed from the launch date, according to the bankruptcy trustee
Watch Barry Epstein live with guests to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. You can be on too to promote your business and we send a link of your segment to put on your website and send out in emails to prospects and clients for only $150. It also goes out on Vimeo, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. Call 561.852.0000 for details.
Boca Leaders meets every Thursday 7:45 a.m. at First Watch, Mission Bay in West Boca, 441, north of Glades Road. Next meeting is Jan. 8. Call 561.852.0000 for more information.
The Golden Bell Education Foundation presents the 2015 Golden Chef Award, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Feb. 26 at the Shops of Boca Center Courtyard, Town Center Circle, off Military Trail. $20 Pre-Registration required to taste and vote. Register today at sderos@bocachamber.com or call 561.395.4433 ext. 232.
Focus and The Lazarus Effect opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Leviathan, Deli Man and Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Deli Man opens at the Movies of Delray and the Movies of Lake Worth. Leviathan and Deli Man opens at the Classic Gateway. Deli Man opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Read movie capsules at http://www.publicrelations.nu/category/reviews/movie-reviews/.
The Movies of Delray and The Movies of Lake Worth will be showing The Met Opera Live, simulcast from The Met Opera, and the Encore for the 2014-2015 season. In HD with Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound on new wider screens and new high back seats with more leg room. Tickets are $19.00 and reserved seats are available. Tickets are available online and at the box office. Visit moviesofdelray.com and moviesoflakeworth.com.
Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit moviesofdelray.com for more information.
Shenandoah runs to March 1. Sophie, Totie & Belle runs March 25-May 17 at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. Tickets at 561.880.0319 or visit DelraySquareArts.com.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run to March 8 at The Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. Cabaret is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Coral Springs, to March 15. Visit stagedoorfl.org or call 954.344.7765 for tickets.
The 23rd annual Florida Renaissance Festival continues for six weekends through March 15 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Each weekend has a separate theme which are detailed on the web site at ren-fest.com. Tickets are $21 for adults and $9 for children. Call 954-776-1642.
Emmy Award winning actress Linda Evans speaks at the Jewish Family Services Reflections of Hope Luncheon, 11:00 a.m. Feb. 26 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive. For more information, call 561.852.5013 or email jillw@ralesjfs.org. Visit ralesjfs.org.
Sloburn Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, starting 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 to April 19, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Tickets at goldstar.com/events/fort-lauderdale-fl/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee#show_date_selector.
The award-winning Boca Raton Community High School Drama Department presents the multi-TONY Award winning musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone on February 26-March 1. General admission tickets are $10 in advance (before 2/26) and $15 after with open seating in the Kathryn Lindgren Theatre. General admission group rates (for twenty or more) are $9 each and VIP advance reserved seating is available upon request for $15 each. For more info, call (561) 338-1533 or visit bocadrama.com.
Evening Star Productions’ The Gin Game will run from February 26 – March 15 at Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Fed. Hwy, Boca Raton. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students. Group rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Theatre box office at 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org.
The Boca Raton Theatre Guild’s production of Tuesdays with Morrie will preview on February 27th, open February 28th, and run through March 15th at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park. The Willow Theatre is located at 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton, 33486 (in the heart of Sugar Sand Park, just south of Palmetto Park Road). Tickets for Tuesdays with Morrie are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 561-347-3948.
Jan McArt presents Tommy Tune at the Lynn University Wold Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 4 p.m. March 1. Visit events.lynn.edu or call 561.237.9000 for tickets.
Barry Tracht, aka the “Ultimate All-in-One Tribute Entertainer” will be performing at the Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert, March 1, 3-4pm, at the Boca Raton Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Ave (Boca Raton Blvd), Boca Raton. The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Boca Raton Library and is open to the public, free admission. Register at bocalibrary.org or call (561) 544-8596 for information.
Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations meeting is March 3rd 8:30am at the Boca Raton Community Center. Speakers will be Dan Grippo, Director of City of Boca Raton Municipal Services and Boca Raton Police Chief Alexander discussing how new density will impact services, along with updates on the Boca Festival of the Arts and Junior League.
Local estate planning professionals committed to philanthropic giving and the future of the Jewish community will once again honor their own at the Mitzvah Society Cocktail Reception at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton. The Cocktail Reception is chaired by Elyssa Kupferberg and Marjorie Horwin. The couvert is $50 per person. Dietary laws will be observed. For additional information or to RSVP, contact 561.852.3109 or lottien@bocafed.org.
The Boca Raton Tribune presents a forum for candidates to City Council, https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2015/02/city-council-candidates-to-have-one-more-forum-prior-to-election/ 6 pm, March 4 at the Wayne Barton Study Center. The event is free and open to the public, however due to seat limitations, you must register for the event online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-boca-raton-city-council-candidate-forum-hosted-by-the-boca-raton-tribune-tickets-15761581314 to receive your complimentary ticket to the final forum of the 2015 City Council Elections.
Palm Beach County ACT for America chapter presents a discussion on Homeland Security, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 5 at the West Boca Library, 18685 State Road 7 (441). RSVP at golf6710@ymail.com.
The Palm Beach Pops presents “One Singular Sensation: A Tribute to the Music of Marvin Hamlisch,” featuring Donna McKechnie, Jodie Benson, and Doug LaBrecque, led by Principal Conductor and Music Director Lee Musiker, March 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Boca Raton Community Church. Call 561.832.7469 or visit palmbeachpops.org
The Original Florida Follies, 2015 show returns March 8 1:45 p.m. at Olympic Heights High School Theatre, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. Tickets are $28. Call 561.391.8253 for tickets.
Attention Young Actors! Auditions for Shrek The Musical, Jr. at The Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th St. Delray Beach which is holding auditions by appointment only (email: jennifergresh@yahoo.com) 2 pm to 5 pm March 8 and 15 for children 6-18 (must be able to read on their own), cast of 30, Production fee (if selected) $750. Bring sheet music – no CD’s allowed, wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can dance in. For more info, call 561-272-1281 Ext. 4 or visit delraybeachplayhouse.com.
JARC FL presents A Night in Casablanca, Jarc’s 29th Annual Gala Dinner Dance, March 8 at Boca West Country Club, featuring NY Times bestselling author, Brad Meltzer, and a Live and Silent auction. Tickets are $250. Call Fallon Gechter at 561.558.2572 or visit jarcfl.org.
The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes; Anything Goes, March 10-15, 2015; Memphis, April 7-12, 2015 and Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. To order go to kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
Jewish Women’s Foundation presents their 2015 Granting Wishes Cocktail Reception and feature Sharon Tal, Head Designer of Maskit-The Israeli Fashion House 5:30 p.m. March 11, at Boca Rio Golf Club, 22041 Boca Rio Road. The Granting Wishes event includes hors d’oeuvres, food stations, desserts, wine and soft drinks, with dietary laws observed. The couvert is $85 per person, and all are welcome to attend. To register, and for information about the event or about becoming a JWF Trustee, visit jewishboca.org/grantingwishes or contact Lisbeth Rock Cauff at 561.852.3188 or lisbethc@bocafed.org.
The music of the Beatles will rock The Pap Corps Walkathon, creating a fun-filled 1960’s theme for the 15th annual event. Members from all 52 chapters, as well as the entire community, are invited to Come Together to Beat Cancer on Saturday, March 14th. The event will take place at 8:30 am at FAU’s Boca Raton campus. Walkathon registration, including a t-shirt, is only $20. To walk, donate or support friends@thepapcorps.org
The 9th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA, presented by the Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts, will bring ten days of dazzling and diverse cultural experiences to South Florida March 6 – 15, 2015 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real and Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real (2nd Floor) in Boca Raton. This season’s Festival opens on March 6, 2015 with the Florida premiere of the ten time Academy Award winning film, West Side Story. Tickets for the 9th Annual Festival of the Arts BOCA range from $15 to $125 per person and are available at festivalboca.com or by calling (866) 571-ARTS (866-571-2787). Multi-event and full Festival packages are also available.
The West Boca High Drama Department presents the spring musical, The Addams Family, 8 pm, March 6, 7, 13 and 14, with a 2 pm matinee on March 8 and 14. For more info, visit wbhsdrama.com or call 561.672.2066.
The Palm Beach Pops season includes: a tribute to Marvin Hamlisch, featuring Donna McKechnie, Jodie Benson and Doug LaBrecque on 7:30 p.m. March 7 at the Boca Raton Community Church and 7:30 p.m. March 8 at the Kravis Center. Tickets are on sale now. Call 561.832.7677 or visit palmbeachpops.org, bocacommunity.org, or kravis.org for more information.
NY Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer speaks at JARC’s 29th Annual Gala Dinner Dance March 8, 2015 at Boca West Country Club. Tickets are $250. Call 561.558.2572 or visit jarcfl.org for more information.
The Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th St., Delray Beach, is holding auditions for Barefoot in the Park, 7:30 pm March 9 and 10, looking for 4 men and 2 women. Prepared monologues are not required. Rehearsals begin April 20. Production runs May 23-June 7. Call 561.272.1281 Ext. 4 for more information.
Soroptimist International of Boca Raton-Deerfield Beach is providing grants to non-profit organizations helping women and/or girls in the area to fund a special project. Contact Mariela.Montgomery@bluegreenvacations.com for applications, due by March 15.
The JEC 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner is 5:30 pm cocktails, 6:30 dinner & reception March 15 at the Double Tree by Hilton, 100 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, honoring Dr. William and Debbie Rand; Jewish Unity Awardees- Dr. Allen and Marlene Josephs, Founders Award- Rabbi Shimon and Nechama Feder.
Honored with a special candle lighting ceremony are10 Ambassadors of Light. Couvert is $180. Email: info@jecsfl.org or call 561.544.2854 for reservations.
Take a chance on ABBA tribute band Arrival from Sweden as they deliver the supergroup’s greatest hits with stunning flair and accuracy. The only act in the world licensed to wear exact copies of ABBA’s original costumes, 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18 and 19th at Jazziz Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real, south side of Mizner Park in Boca Raton. Tickets are $35 for General Admission; $45 for Premium and $65 VIP. Go to jazziz.com/events/category/ticketed-performances/ or call 561.300.0730.
Capturing Islamist terrorists is one thing…convicting them is another. Hear what a recognized expert has to say about prosecuting them. CITIZENS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY [a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Public Charity] presents a seminar by Andrew C. McCarthy National Review, Commentator on Legal and National Security Affairs; Former Top Federal Prosecutor “INDICTING AND PROSECUTINGRADICAL ISLAMISTS”, March 22, 2015 • 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Boca Woods Country Club, Boca Raton, Florida. Call 561.806.4633 for more information and reservations are required. Includes buffet lunch.
South Florida’s annual Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities (http://boatingbeachbash.com) will celebrate its 7th anniversary on March 21, 2015 at Spanish River Park, 3100 North Ocean Blvd., in Boca Raton. For more information on Boca Raton’s Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities go to http://boatingbeachbash.com or follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boatingbeachbash. To volunteer, sponsor or make a donation to the event, contact Jay Van Vechten at (561) 715-2622 or at jay@boatingbeachbash.com. Or at PO Box 99, Boca Raton, FL 33429.
An exclusive insider’s briefing with renowned terrorism financing expert Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Vice President for Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be 6 pm March 24 at the home of Chuck & Gayle Lichtman. $50 per person, plus a minimum men’s gift of $180 to the 2015 UJA/Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Heavy hors d’oevres and cocktails. Dietary Laws observed. RSVP to jewishboca.org/mensspringevent of call 561.852.6084, email felicen@bocafed.org.
Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the 17th annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. March 26, 2015 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, fundraiser for the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship fund to benefit medical and nursing school students attending local universities. Call 561.299.1429 or visit rotarydowntownbocaraton.org for more information.
Rotary Club Downtown Boca presents the 17th Annual Honor Your Doctors luncheon March 26 at Boca West Country Club. The public is again invited to nominate their favorite doctor by downloading a nomination form online at the www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org website and donate $40 per nomination (there is no limit to how many nominations you can make) or $100 for 3 nominations; all nominated doctors will be invited to attend the luncheon as a guest. Tickets for the luncheon are available to the public for $100.00 per person. The event is a fundraiser for the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship and will benefit medical and nursing school students attending four local universities: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.
The Palm Beach International Film Festival will be March 26-April 2 at the Cinemark Palace 20 & XD in Boca and others. Individual tickets and packages will be available at pbiff.com in March. Membership and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Call 561.362.0003 or visit pbiff.com for more information.
The Boca Walk to End Alzheimer’s Promise Garden Luncheon is 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton, Fl. RSVP at http://bit.ly/1CMkksA or call for reservations or more information to Pamela Polani at 561.496.4222 or email: polani@bellsouth.net.
The American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event for South Palm Beach County, the Fourth Annual Hope Gala, will take place March 28, 2015 at The Cultural Arts Center and Jazziz at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida. The evening will begin on Saturday, March 28th at 6:30 PM at Jazziz Nightlife with a Red Carpet arrival, cocktail party, silent auction, dinner at Cultural Arts Center (next door to Jazziz) live auction, dancing, special speakers and guests, and an after-party back at Jazziz. Tickets, tables and sponsorships available. For further information call Ellen Vaughan, Senior Manager, Distinguished Events 561-650-0143, ellen.vaughn@cancer.org or visit HopeGalaSouthPalmBeach.org.
Jay Leno will perform at “The Concert for the Children” with the Atlantic City Boys, March 31 at the Akoya Amphitheatre, on the lawn of Boca West sponsored by the Boca West Foundation. 100% of the proceeds to benefit 15 children’s charities reaching over 3,000 children in the Boca Raton and surrounding area, including the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Annual Campaign supporting agency programs that benefit children. Each of the charities has been given the ability to sell tickets to their donor base and keep the proceeds, with expected sales of about $150,000 to them. Doors open at 6 pm, The Atlantic City Boys at 8 pm, Jay Leno at 9 pm. $150 per person. For more information and to register for this event visit the Boca West Foundation website at bocawestfoundation.org or contact the Foundation directly at 561-488-6980.
The Relay for Life of West Boca will be noon to midnite May 2 at Olympic Heights High School on Lyons Road north of Glades Road with a theme of Kenducky Derby: Relay for a Cure. Go to relayforlife.org/westbocaratonfl to register and form teams. Call 1.800.227.2345 for further information.
Israelfest 2015 is 3 pm May 17 at the Mizner Park amphitheatre. Free community wide event for the whole family. Kosher food available for purchase. For sponsorship opportunities, call 561.852.3169.
The Broward Stage Door Theatre at 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, has announced their 22cnd Anniversary Season; Harvey, July 31- Sept. 6; The Fantasticks, Sept. 4- Oct. 11; Promises, Promises, Sept. 25 – Nov. 1; Dial “M” for Murder, Oct. 30 – Dec. 6; Gypsy, Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2016; Pompadour, Dec. 26, 2015 – Jan. 31, 2016; Carnival, Jan. 22, 2016 – Feb. 28, 2016; What’s New Pussycat?, Feb. 19, 2016 – March 27, 2016; Sunset Blvd., March 18 – April 24, 2016; Same Time, Next Year, April 15, 2016 – May 22, 2016; Putting it Together, May 13, 2016 – June 19, 2016; A Night in Motown, June 10, 2016, July 17, 2016; Present Laughter, July 8, 2016 – Aug. 14, 2016. Get tickets at 954.344.7765, or visit stagedoortheatre.com.
Kravis on Broadway Announces 2015-2016 Series Packed with Broadway Hits & Kravis Center Debuts: BLUE MAN GROUP (December 8-13, 2015); 42nd STREET
(January 5-10, 2016); MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (February 9-14, 2016); MATILDA THE MUSICAL (March 1-6, 2016); Woody Allen’s BULLETS OVER BROADWAY (March 22-27, 2016); THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY THE MUSICAL (April 26 – May 1, 2016). Subscribers for the Kravis on Broadway series will receive their renewals in mid-March. Kravis Center donors will receive information on becoming a Kravis on Broadway subscriber for the 2015-2016 series in mid-May. For more information about becoming a donor, log on to kravis.org/membership, or call (561) 651-4320. Subscriptions for all six Kravis On Broadway productions are $180 to $499 and will go on sale to the general public midsummer. For information about purchasing a subscription to Kravis on Broadway, contact the Kravis Center box office at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471, or log on to kravis.org/broadway.
Westbocaleaders.com is the best networking group in the area and meets at Hurricane Grill & Wings in the Mission Bay Shopping Center, next to Office Max, 10125 Glades Road, 33498 on alternate Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Cost is $60 per quarter. Check out the website for openings in some categories. Next meeting is Jan. 4. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
David Weir, South Florida Business Report, the Sun-Sentinel, Alexandra Clough, the Palm Beach Post and Warren Redlich, the West Boca News contributed items to the column.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president of the goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the luxurychamber.com, the westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on vimeo.com, youtube.com and publicrelations.nu. His motto is: Public Relations is the enemy of anonymity. email: pr@publicrelations.nu, or fax column items to 561.451.0000. Read his blog on http://www.publicrelations.nu/blog/. His blog is also on bocatribune.com, facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at floridajewishjournal.com –barrys-journal.blogspot.com and on his website: publicrelations.nu.