Boca Raton philanthropist Countess de Hoernle, died last week at the age of 103. Leaving a legacy of projects bearing her and her husbands’ name.
In their regular meeting, the Boca City Council voted 4-1 in favor of rezoning the former Wildflower site from residential to commercial. Today’s vote will be followed by a vote to put this proposition on the ballot in November to let the people decide what to do with the land. While the rezoning was a start to the decision, action such as leasing and building will require more meetings.
A tech startup pitch event and networking event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 27 at Cendyn Spaces, 980 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Local tech startups will be given up to three minutes each to pitch their concepts to a panel of successful entrepreneurs and investors. Panelists will be able to ask questions after each pitch. Admission is $15. To attend the event, register at http://www.meetup.com/Boca-Raton-Tech-Start-ups-Meetup
Real Estate company Colliers International leased a 2,079 sq. ft. office at 2385 NW Executive Center Drive in Boca Raton, the sixth in tri-county region.
Visitors to downtown Boca Raton will have a better view of eye-pleasing areas, whether it’s a courtyard surrounded by plants or pathways unencumbered by buildings. With a building boom underway in the downtown, elected officials have said they want to create more meaningful and accessible open spaces that are visible to those walking in the downtown.
A Fall re-opening is still expected, but the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District was expected to expedite the construction process on the all-accessible playground in Sugar Sand Park. That move would shrink three phases into two, consolidating the $1.5 million project. The playground was closed for renovations in June 2015.
For the first time in about five years, Boca Raton homeowners may see a $20 increase in their fire services fee. Homeowners in the city currently pay $85 each year for fire protection. The city manager’s office is recommending that rate be increased to $105 during the 2016-17 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Commercial and industrial property owners pay between $282 and $14,653. They would see increases in their fee, too, based on property size.
Here are some good inexpensive ways to spend the lazy days of summer for the entire family. Take the Diva Duck Tour out of City Place in West Palm Beach, 561-844-4188 and spend the day on the Water Taxi out of Ft. Lauderdale stopping at many landmarks where you can get on and off. Call 954-467-6677.
Catch Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times, which will be available for public viewing from through August 5 during the Downtown Library’s regular hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am–9:00 pm, Friday–Saturday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm, and Sunday, 12:00 noon–6:00 pm.
Jason Bourne, Bad Moms, Nerve and Captain Fantastic opens at the Boca and Boynton Cinemarks. Captain Fantastic opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres. Café Society, Captain Fantastic and Jason Bourne opens at the Classic Gateway. The Infiltrator, Ghostbusters, Tarzan and Finding Dory opens at the Last Picture show.
Summer in the City: Music and Movies Under the Stars will run through Aug. 19 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater in downtown Boca Raton. On nights with free concerts, the event will start at 7:30 p.m., Movies are set to begin at 8 p.m. Here’s a list of the free performances and movie showings: July 29: Bob Marley tribute by Ruffhouse; Aug. 5: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” showing; Aug. 12: Eagles tribute by The Long Run; Aug. 19: The Symphonia.
Broadway Bound will run to August 14 at Stage Door Theatre at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate. Tickets for Broadway Bound are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com.
West Boca Leaders is the best networking group in the area. One of a kind networking group. First and Third Thursdays. Next meeting is Aug. 4, 2016, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tulipe Café, Boca Grove Shopping Center on Powerline Road between Glades and Palmetto Park Roads. $60 per quarter. Fill out form on site if you qualify and bring $60 for fourth quarter. For more information or questions, call 561.702.0000.
Dr. Ed Moore speaks on the Impact of National Events on the Future of Florida at the next Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 10,at City Fish Market, Glades and the Turnpike. RSVP at http://www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/event/ed-moore-ph-d-speaks-on-the-impact-of-national-events-on-the-future-of-florida/.
The Boca Real Estate Investment Club next meeting is 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Gold Coast School of Real Estate, 7035 Beracasa Way, discussing the basics for new investors. Admission is free for club members and $10 for nonmembers. Valid college ID is $5. Call 561.391.7325 or visit
The second annual Boca Raton Mayor Ball is Oct. 8 at Broken Sound Country Club, honoring Christine E. Lynn, Boca Raton Resort & Club and Boca Helping Hands with coveted George E. Long Awards. The event is co-chaired by Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton members Jon A. Kaye, immediate Club past president who served as the founding chair of the inaugural 2015 Mayors Ball and Club member Constance J. Scott. The 2016 Mayors Ball Honorary Chair is Former Mayor Bill T. Smith. Honorary Advisors include Mayor Susan Haynie, Former Mayors Susan Whelchel and Steven Abrams who currently serves as a Palm Beach County Commissioner; Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Michael Mullaugh and Council Members Robert Weinroth, Jeremy Rodgers and Scott Singer. For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org or contact Jon A. Kaye at 561-392-5166 or Deborah Freudenberg at 561-299-1429, email info@rotarydowntownbocaraton.org.
Good Morning America news anchor Amy Robach and her husband Andrew Shue will be the keynote speakers at the 13th Annual Go Pink luncheon to benefit Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. Save the date: October 21, 2016.
The Fourth Annual Hope Bash Boca is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Boca West Country Club. For sponsorship opportunities and additional event information, visit placeofhoperinker.org. Tickets will be available for purchase online late summer.
Woman of the Year Luncheon is Nov. 18 at the Boca Resort & Club with fashion show by Saks Fifth Ave. Tickets and info at wvoy@jlbr.org or 620.2553.
The 2016/2017 Broadway series at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts include Cinderella, Cabaret, The Little Mermaid, Something Rotten!, Matilda and Finding Neverland. More info at browardcenter.org.
The Marmot Boca Raton Bowl game will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Florida Atlantic University Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. It will be the third annual bowl game for FAU.
Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Business Journal, Palm Beach Post contributed to this column.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant . Email: pr@publicrelations.nu, or fax column items to 561.451.0000. facebook.com/BarryEpstein and on his