Thursday, April 28, 2011

Barry’s Buzz by Barry Epstein – April 28, 2011

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Israel. The group leaves Monday and will visit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as well as meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Tzipi Livni, along with top military officials. They will also visit Sderot and the Gaza Strip border, receive a security briefing at Israel's border with Lebanon, and tour Ramallah in addition to conducting a meeting with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad. Eight other members of Congress, from both parties and different states, will be on the trip.

Delray Republican Adam Hasner, a former leader in the Florida Legislature, announced he is running for the nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.

County Commissioner Steve Abrams has saved taxpayers over a million dollars. He released the final results of an audit he requested, showing county taxpayers saved $1.3 million. In 2010, Abrams requested Risk Management staff perform an audit of the countys self-insured health plan to determine dependent eligibility. Over 5,149 dependents were enrolled in the plan at the time of the audit, and approximately 325 (6.5%) of them were found to be ineligible.

Commissioner Abrams also announced that the county will be offering free compost (aka mulch) at the Lantana Transfer Station as part on an ongoing pilot program that was established by the county's Solid Waste Authority. Starting this Friday (April 29), anyone can visit the Lantana Transfer Station at 1810 Lantana Rd (right off of I-95) in Lantana and pick up free compost materials. The hours are Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5pm and Saturday from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon. All interested parties will be required to hand-load their own material.

“Barry Epstein Live” is on the internet at 10 a.m. Friday on www.wrpbitv.com. Guests include RadarOnLine Executive Editor Jose Lambiet, Florida Stage Marrketing Director Michael Gepner, FAU Head Football Coach Howard Schnellenberger, Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy and Lynn University Political Professor and Sun-Sentinel columnist, Dr. Robert Watson. Send an email to barryepsteinlive@yahoo.com for a Vimeo file in HD and to win two tickets to Cinemark, Movies of Delray or Movies of Lake Worth theatres.

Compassionate Friends, a non-profit support group in Boca for parents who have lost children, is sponsoring a fundraiser on April 29 at St. Paul Church, including a car show, raffles, silent auction, Chinese auction, 50/50, along with food and entertainment. Donations are gratefully accepted and welcomed. Their Tax ID # is 59-2125976 and Group Exemp. # is 36-2968329. Call 561.368.0324 for further information.
The Cha-Cha of a Camel Spider opens Friday, May 6 at the Florida Stage Theatre in the Rinker Playhouse of the Kravis Center. Tickets are $25 and up. Visit www.floridastage.org or Call 561.832-SHOW.

The West Boca Chamber of Commerce sponsors a noon shotgun start golf tournament at Southwinds Golf course on Friday, May 13th to benefit the West Boca Chamber Foundation to be used for student scholarships. Entry fees are only $100 and includes golf, lunch, beverages, goodie bag and cocktail reception. Sponsorships are also available. Call 561.482.9333 or email info@westbocachamber.com.

South Florida Green Drinks (http://www.southfloridagreendrinks.org), an environmental non-profit group, announced its 2nd Annual Eco-Lifestyle Gala,on Thursday, May 19 at the exclusive Boca Raton Resort & Club. The event is designed to honor environmental stewardship and support socially conscious causes through fundraising and community support. This year, Green Drinks will recognize celebrity actress and philanthropist, Patricia Arquette, with its prestigious Eco-Lifestyle Pioneer Award for her work with GiveLove, a non-profit Haiti relief organization she founded in 2010. Arquette will serve as the honorary hostess of Green Drinks 2011 Eco-Lifestyle Gala. The event will support Give Loves work to improve housing and sanitary conditions in Haiti, as well as Global Green USAs greener rebuilding efforts in Haiti.

Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace include Fast Five, Prom and Hoodwinked too! Hood vs. Evil

Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His website is www.publicrelations.nu and his email is pr@publicrelations.nu. His blog is on the Sun-Sentinel Jewish Journal site: http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com/. You can friend him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barryepstein or follow him on Twitter @cme4pr. Fax items for the column to 561.451.0000 or email to: bocaspindoctor@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Barry’s Buzz by Barry Epstein – April 21, 2011

Former New Mexico governor, proponent of legalizing Marijuna, and potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson was in Boca last week, hosted by Al Zucaro.
The South Florida Tea Party paid $2800 to the city for the rally with Donald Trump and Allen West for nine off duty police officers, barricades and standby EMS. Another blog, Florida Clarion, posts the Tea Party's ultimate fantasy: A Trump-West presidential ticket! Don't laugh too hard -- West hasn't ruled it out, according to the Daily Caller. "Who knows what's going to happen," West reportedly said. "If the people think that I have an ability to continue my service of my country in a different capacity, first of all we gotta talk to God, we gotta talk to my family, we gotta talk to the constituents."
Ed Asner will be bringing his one man show FDR to the Caldwell theatre June 1-5. A reception will be sponsored by Boca philanthropist Marleen Forkas.
Dennis Max is planning to open an Italian Bistro in West Boca’s Regency Court shopping center.
County Commissioner Steve Abrams announced the approval of a privatization contract by the County Commissioners that will provide taxpayers with over $500,000 in savings in its first year alone. The county has hired Classic Caterers to provide meals served to children attending Head Start/Early Headstart programs countywide. Previously, county employees were performing this service. In a competitive bid process, the caterer was chosen based on numerous requirements including a guarantee in their quality of food and a commitment to on-time deliveries.
“Barry Epstein Live” is on the internet at 10 a.m. Friday on www.wrpbitv.com. Guests include Radaronline gossip columnist Jose Lambiet, Cirque dreams publicist Jennifer Sierra Grobbelar, New Times Ace investigative reporter Bob Norman, FAU Head Football Coach Howard Schnellenberger, Caldwell Theatre artistic managing director Clive Cholerton and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy. Send an email to barryepsteinlive@yahoo.com for a Vimeo file in HD and to win two tickets to Cinemark movies.
He Wrote THAT?! 12 time Grammy nominee Dennis Lambert wrote pop music hits including Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got), We Built This City (On Rock and Roll), It Only Takes A Minute (to Fall in Love), Nightshift, Baby Come Back and more. Concert includes guest artists Tavares, Mickey Thomas, the lead singer of Starship and Peter Beckett, the lead singer of Player. Lambert, whose life will be portrayed in an upcoming Warner Brothers movie starring Steve Carell, performs at Florida Atlantic University’s Kaye Auditorium on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.fauevents.com or call 1-800-564-9539.
Pearl City 4th Annual Easter Dinner, hosted by Temple Beth El, Boca Helping Hands and at the Wayne Barton Study Center, 269 NE 14th Street on Sunday, April 24th 1 to 4 p.m. free to all. 620.6203.
The Luxury Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Boss/Secretaries network at the Palm restaurant in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, April 27. Call 1.888.584.1119 x 112 for details or visit https://www.facebook.com/barryepstein#!/event.php?eid=174980952552999.
Compassionate Friends, a non-profit support group in Boca for parents who have lost children, is sponsoring a fundraiser on April 29 at St. Paul Church, including a car show, raffles, silent auction, Chinese auction, 50/50, along with food and entertainment. Donations are gratefully accepted and welcomed. Their Tax ID # is 59-2125976 and Group Exemp. # is 36-2968329. Call 561.368.0324 for further information.
The Cha-Cha of a Camel Spider opens Friday, May 6 at the Florida Stage Theatre in the Rinker Playhouse of the Kravis Center. Tickets are $25 and up. Visit www.floridastage.org or Call 561.832-SHOW.
South Florida Green Drinks (http://www.southfloridagreendrinks.org), an environmental non-profit group, announced its 2nd Annual Eco-Lifestyle Gala,on Thursday, May 19 at the exclusive Boca Raton Resort & Club. The event is designed to honor environmental stewardship and support socially conscious causes through fundraising and community support. This year, Green Drinks will recognize celebrity actress and philanthropist, Patricia Arquette, with its prestigious Eco-Lifestyle Pioneer Award for her work with GiveLove, a non-profit Haiti relief organization she founded in 2010. Arquette will serve as the honorary hostess of Green Drinks 2011 Eco-Lifestyle Gala. The event will support GiveLoves work to improve housing and sanitary conditions in Haiti, as well as Global Green USAs greener rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace are Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family, Water for Elephants and African Cats.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His website is www.publicrelations.nu and his email is pr@publicrelations.nu. His blog is on the Sun-Sentinel Jewish Journal site: http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com/. You can friend him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barryepstein or follow him on Twitter @cme4pr. Fax items for the column to 561.451.0000 or email to: bocaspindoctor@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Barry’s Buzz by Barry Epstein – April 14, 2011

Ed Asner will be bringing his one man show FDR to the Caldwell theatre June 1-5.
Palm Beach Post gossip columnist Jose Lambiet left the Post for Radaronline.com.
You probably have a coupon in your wallet or purse for a gallon of gas. It’s called a five dollar bill. Don’t forget The IRS spells THEIRS! Get yours to them by Monday at midnight!
The Harry Connick, Jr. concert last Saturday night at Mizner Park either had sound difficulties or the volume was deliberately turned down so those trying to listen in the median heard very little, The new City policy preventing coolers and food from being brought in was a joke as people brought whatever they wanted in right under the noses of the cops and so-called support staff. The experiment was a disaster.
Kudos to the City of Boca Raton for blocking the unnecessary widening of Palmetto Park Road.
Forbes Magazine ranked Miami as #2, the second most miserable city behind only Stockton, California. The good weather and lack of a state income tax are the only things that kept Miami out of the top spot. Forbes considered a total of 10 factors in the rankings including unemployment, crime, taxes, weather and commute times. West Palm Beach was #8 and Fort Lauderdale 13th.
“Barry Epstein Live” is on the internet at 10 a.m. Friday on www.wrpbitv.com. Guests include FAU Head Football Coach Howard Schnellenberger, Cool to be Kind honcho Rick Alovis and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy. Send an email to barryepsteinlive@yahoo.com for a Vimeo file in HD and to win two tickets to the Cinemark theatre in Boca Raton.
God of Carnage, the smart comedy 2009 Tony Award winner for best play and winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy opens tonight at the Caldwell Theatre in Boca. Ticket prices vary. Call (561) 241-7432 or visit www.caldwelltheatre.org for further information.
The Downtown Boca Film Festival (DBFF) continues till April 17, 2011.
Donald Trump headlines the Tea Party rally at 1 p.m. April 15th in Sanborn Square, Boca.
Back by popular demand, the Ultimate Jersey Boys live tribute concert returns Saturday April 16th at the Spanish River High School. Call 561.994.6869 for information but the show is sold out.
The West Boca Women in Business luncheon and network of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce at City Fish Market on April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Consumer Auto Advocate Holly Wright, president of Auto Source America. Details at www.westbocachamber.com.
He Wrote THAT?! 12 time Grammy nominee Dennis Lambert wrote pop music hits including Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got), We Built This City (On Rock and Roll), It Only Takes A Minute (to Fall in Love), Nightshift, Baby Come Back and more. Concert includes guest artists Tavares, Mickey Thomas, the lead singer of Starship and Peter Beckett, the lead singer of Player. Lambert, whose life will be portrayed in an upcoming Warner Brothers movie starring Steve Carell, performs at Florida Atlantic University’s Kaye Auditorium on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.fauevents.com or call 1-800-564-9539.
The Luxury Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Boss/Secretaries network at the Palm restaurant in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, April 27. Call 1.888.584.1119 x 112 for details or visit https://www.facebook.com/barryepstein#!/event.php?eid=174980952552999.
Compassionate Friends, a non-profit support group in Boca for parents who have lost children, is sponsoring a fundraiser on April 29 at St. Paul Church, including a car show, raffles, silent auction, Chinese auction, 50/50, along with food and entertainment. Donations are gratefully accepted and welcomed. Their Tax ID # is 59-2125976 and Group Exemp. # is 36-2968329. Call 561.368.0324 for further information.
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace are The Conspirator, Atlas Shrugged and Rio.
Happy Passover to all my Jewish friends and Happy Easter to all my Christian friends.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His website is www.publicrelations.nu and his email is pr@publicrelations.nu. His blog is on the Sun-Sentinel Jewish Journal site: http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com/. You can friend him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barryepstein or follow him on Twitter @cme4pr. Fax items for the column to 561.451.0000 or email to: bocaspindoctor@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Barry’s Buzz by Barry Epstein – April 7, 2011

“Barry Epstein Live” returns April 8 at 10 a.m. on www.wrpbitv.com. Guests include FAU Head Football coach Howard Schnellenberger, Downtown Boca Film Festival honco, Michael Posner and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy. Send an email to barryepsteinlive@yahoo.com for a Vimeo file in HD and a chance to win two tickets to the Cinemark theatre.
Did you catch my Aprils Fools posting last week? LLeju Productions will be releasing CAT RUN at the Cinemark Palace in Boca on April 1st. April Fools!
A little bit of Italy is coming to Boca Raton. Brio Tuscan Grille, which is owned by Columbus, Ohio-based Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, has taken 8,405 square feet of space at the Shops at Boca Center, where it is scheduled to open in the fall.
DISH Network to buy Blockbuster for $228M in cash.
Lynn University is on the short list to host one of the Presidential debates next summer.
The City of Boca Raton will be installing parking meters in Mizner Park and near the beach this month. Delray Beach will consider them also.
On April 2, County Commissioner Steve Abrams attended a beach cleanup event hosted by the Sand Sifters, a local volunteer-based organization dedicated to keeping our beaches and parks clean. Abrams presented the Sand Sifters volunteers with their annual proclamation declaring May Sand Sifters appreciation Month in Palm Beach County. Hundreds of volunteers participated in the beach cleanup located at Oceanfront Park on A1A in Ocean Ridge. The event featured family-friendly activities such as exotic live animals including turtles and alligators, volleyball and a water balloon toss. For the past six years, with over 1200 volunteers, the Sand Sifters have removed hundreds of tons of litter from 5.5 miles of local beaches, saving hundreds of thousands of tax dollars. For more information on the Sand Sifters, please contact Gary Solomon at 561-734-9128.
Palm Beach Pops features the next segment in their concert series today, Friday and Saturday at the FAU Performing Arts Auditorium. Call 1.877.370.8295 or go to www.palmbeachpops.org.
The Downtown Boca Film Festival (DBFF) will run from April 9-17, 2011.
Chair Karen Lynne Asher and Vice Chair Jamie Telchin request the honor of your presence at the American Cancer Society Amore Gala on Saturday, April 9 a the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, 2425 Maya Palm Drive West. Cocktails and Silent Auction at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Dancing at 8:00 p.m. Mistress of Ceremonies will be Liz Quirantes, Anchor WPEC CBS 12. The black tie event tickets are $250 each and sponsorships are also available by contacting Jacqui Nicholson at 561.394-7751 ext. 5308 for more details. The West Boca Chamber 7:30 a.m. breakfast April 12 at Boca Lago Country Club features Jane Garee partner with Constant Contact. Visit www.westbocachamber.com & RSVP to info@westbocachamber.com.
David Osborne, Las Vegas headliner also known as the "Pianist to the Presidents," performs at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University in Boca Raton on Tues. April 12th.
Donald Trump headlines the Tea Party rally at 1 p.m. April 15th in Sanborn Square, downtown Boca.
Back by popular demand, the Ultimate Jersey Boys live tribute concert returns Saturday April 16th at the Spanish River High School. Call 561.994.6869 for information and tickets.
The West Boca Women in Business luncheon and network of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce at City Fish Market on April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Consumer Auto Advocate Holly Wright, president of Auto Source America. Details at www.westbocachamber.com. RSVP to info@westbocachamber.com.
He Wrote THAT?! 12 time Grammy nominee Dennis Lambert wrote pop music hits including Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got), We Built This City (On Rock and Roll), It Only Takes A Minute (to Fall in Love), Nightshift, Baby Come Back and more. Concert includes guest artists Tavares, Mickey Thomas, the lead singer of Starship and Peter Beckett, the lead singer of Player. Lambert, whose life will be portrayed in an upcoming Warner Brothers movie starring Steve Carell, performs at Florida Atlantic University’s Kaye Auditorium on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.fauevents.com or call 1-800-564-953. $125 for onstage seating with a meet and greet, $70, $60 and $55 and $40.
Plaza Suite at the Stage Door theatre in Coral Springs has been extended to April 24 and The Light in the Piazza is playing through April 10. Tickets and information at 954-344-7765.
Movies opening Friday include Arthur, Win Win, Hanna, Your Highness and Soul Searcher.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His website is www.publicrelations.nu and his email is pr@publicrelations.nu. His blog is on the Sun-Sentinel Jewish Journal site: http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com/. You can friend him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barryepstein or follow him on Twitter @cme4pr. Fax items for the column to 561.451.0000 or email to: bocaspindoctor@gmail.com.