Barrys Buzz-March 15, 2017
Congratulations to Mayor Susan Haynie and Councilman Scott Singer on their reelection and congratulations to Andrea O’Rourke on her election to City Council.
As reported months ago in this column, Benihana is under construction in the former Denny’s on 441 and Glades road and is expected to open this summer.
Wheelchair tennis and basketball, even line dancing on wheels. Jay and Lowell Van Vechten know those activities will be draws at the ninth annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 18 in Spanish River Park and beach in Boca Raton, with 5,000 people expected.
Donations needed to American Disabilities Foundation Inc., PO Box 99, Boca Raton, FL 33429 or at boatingbeachbash.com. Spanish River Park is at 3001 N. State Road A1A. free admission.
Signups for Camp Boca start at 8 a.m. March 27 for residents and April 10 for others, and this year registration is online only. Parents, caregivers and grandparents of children here or visiting over the summer need to visit http://webtrac.myboca.us/ to register.
The building boom in downtown Boca may seem never-ending: Seven new high-rises have soared between seven and 12 stories to redefine the city’s skyline. And several more buildings are under construction. But the finish line to this extreme makeover is now in sight, the city says.
Palm Beach County is moving forward with a plan to provide paid parental leave to employees. Commissioners authorized county staff to draft a policy to offer six weeks paid leave to employees for child birth, adoption or foster-home placement. The benefit is estimated to cost $195,500 annually.
Come March 18, visitors to Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park will finally be able to check out the revamped Science Playground more than a year after the park was closed for renovations.
The Tri County Animal rescue hosts the 15thn annual Doggie and Kitty Ball 5:30 March 19 at Boca West Country Club. Western attire (hats boots denim). Complimentary parking. Visit tricountyhumane.org or call 561.482.8110.
Boca Bacchanal is back for the 15th year on March 24 and 25, and the community food and wine tasting is moving to Saturday with the time extended an hour.
The Chinese Lantern Festival continues 5:30 to 10 pm Wednesdays through Sundays through April 9 at the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in West Boca.
Falk Center for counseling offers “first Wednesdays” seminars 11 to noon, 22455 Boca Rio road.
April 5; Post Hypnotic Suggestions: Altered States of Consciousness In Therapy presented by Christopher Kelley, MS.
The Palm Beach International Film Festival is March 29-April 2. This year’s festival will consist of 30 films, including “Price for Freedom,” “Remember Me” and “Wrestling Alligators.” It will begin with a red carpet screening, followed by an after party at Bowery Palm Beach in CityPlace and Tilted Kilt on Airport Road next to Cinemark. From there, events will take place all around Palm Beach County, such as Jupiter, Lake Worth, Wellington and Boca Raton. Tickets are able to be purchased at pbifilmfest.org.
The headliner for this year’s A Concert for the Children is Oscar and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. The “Dreamgirls” star will perform at the fundraiser for the 25 children’s charities supported by the Boca West Foundation on April 4 at the Akoya Amphitheater on the country club’s grounds,
Senior citizens who need help with daily tasks but want to remain independent can get help from a new nonprofit service that supports their goal of staying out of a nursing home. JFS At Home was created by the Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, a social service agency. It brings certified nursing assistants and home health care aides into seniors’ apartments and houses to help them with bathing, toileting, feeding and other daily requirements. Social workers also check in regularly to make sure the senior is comfortable or in need of additional services, such as a psychologist or a house cleaner. “It sounds simple, but when cognitive abilities begin to decline, it can put a strain on the caregiver, the family or the seniors themselves,” said Danielle Hartman, JFS president. “If someone is no longer able to drive, they can become isolated or depressed.”
Avi Hoffman and Shari Unger speak at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club April 12 lunch and learn on the Dachau album. RSVP at http://www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com/event/avi-hoffman-speaks-dachau-album-boca-raton-april/
West Boca News, Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Business Journal, Boca Life Magazine, New Times and Palm Beach Post contributed to this column.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president-emeritus of the goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the luxurychamber.com, the westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; 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 www.barry’s.buzz. His blog is also on bocatribune.com, facebook.com/BarryEpstein and on his website: publicrelations.nu.
