Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Barry’s Buzz – June 30, 2011

George Bolge, 16 year Executive Director of the Boca Museum of Art, retires today.
South Florida’s mortgage fraud index increased 10%, shooting the state up from #20 to #2 in the nation for potential housing scams, the only area in the country with an increase.
• State Rep. Irv Slosberg says: In 2009, the State of Florida reported 646 automobile accidents a day, a total of 235,790 a year. The roads are perilous and unforgiving. Are you prepared?
Road Safety Tip: 10 items every car should have in case of an automobile accident:
1.First Aid Kit, 2.Flares, 3.Flags, 4. Blankets, 5. Flashlights, 6. Tool Kit, 7. Spare Medication, 8. Small Hammer or Window Breaking Tool, 9. Water. 10. Jumper Cables.
• The Jet Bag is an inexpensive and lightweight solution to provide protection for breakable items stored in a suitcase. It is an efficient and effective way to transport wine, liquor, perfume or any liquid that may be contained in a breakable bottle. The Jet Bag is a bio-degradable carrier
with a reusable zip seal closure that completely secures any bottles and liquids. The product is lined with the same absorbent materials found in baby diapers. That material pads and protects bottles, but if a bottle does break, the Jet Bag rapidly absorbs any liquid spilled, preventing damage valuables in the suitcase. A Jet Bag 3-pack sells for $15 and is available at a growing number of retailers as well as online at Amazon and at www.thejetbag.com.
Film Florida presents the Legends Awards at 6:30 tonight to Burt Reynolds and others at the Wold Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Lynn University on Military Trail. Tix are $50.
"Barry Epstein Live will feature State Representative Dr. Steve Perman, VFW Commander Charlie Epstein (no relation) Dominos Founder Tom Monaghan and Kingsley Guy editorial columnist of the Sun-Sentinel, The show airs on Fridays at 10 a.m. on www.wrpbitv.com. Tune in to win a pair of tickets to the Cinemark, Paragon and Movies at Delray theatres.
The city of Boca Raton’s "Fabulous Fourth" starts at 6 p.m. Monday on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University with a performance by "American Idol" contestant Brett Loewenstern, followed by family activities, food vendors and a concert by the Florida Wind Symphony leading up to the fireworks by Zampelli. The fourth annual "July 4th Celebration" at the South County Regional Park in West Boca off of Glades Road, starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday with a concert by the Soul Survivors, leading up to the fireworks, also by Zambelli.
County Charter Review Committee meets July 6, 6 p.m. at the Hagen Ranch Library, 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach. Participate.
Stuff opens July 8 at the Caldwell Theatre. Visit www.caldwelltheatre.com for details.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #10556 encourages all veterans to attend and offers a free lunch at noon, July 16 at Veterans Park, West of Lyons Road and East of 441 on the south side of Palmetto Park Road. RSVP to Commander Charlie Epstein at 561.487.2721.l
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere Theatres are: Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Larry Crowne and Monte Carlo (Cinemark only). Movies opening at the Movies of Delray are; Larry Crowne, Double Hour, Incendies and The Music Never Stops.
Despite the higher cost of gas this year (90 cents more than the same time last year), the AAA expects that 10% of Florida’s population, 1.9 million, will be traveling over the holiday. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday weekend with your family and loved ones.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is the president of the Luxury Chamber of Commerce (www.luxurychamber.com), and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His websites are www.publicrelations.nu and is now a division of www.regancomm.com. His email is pr@publicrelations.nu and his blog is on the Sun-Sentinel Jewish Journal web 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

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Barry’s Buzz – June 23, 2011

Paragon Theaters, owned by the former executive team at Muvico, recently acquired the Deerfield Beach movie theater on Hillsboro and Powerline. The theater currently has VIP luxury seating and a wine bar offering "affordable luxury". Paragon will be adding other features such as an outdoor bar and Sony HD projection. Paragon offers $5 Senior Day Tuesdays and $5 Kids Day Wednesdays. They are also featuring $1 family films, Mon.-Thurs. at 10:30am to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. Call 954.571.2445 or visit www.paragontheaters.com.
Not only is she busy enough running her own shopping center and travel agency, and Chair of the Palm Beach County International Film Festival, Boca Raton philanthropist Yvonne Boice has been named Chair of the Mizner Park Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts, which presents the annual Festival of the Arts.
Donald Trump picked up the $6,145 tab from the City of Boca for the recent Tea Party Rally.
Rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk-show host and Palm Beach resident, has started his own line of bottled iced tea called Two if by Tea. Branded by Boca Raton-based Karhl Holdings LLC, a 12-pack of Rush's sauce, including labeling depicting Limbaugh on a horse is $23.76 per case, with free shipping.
Former Congressman Ron Klein has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in the Public Policy & Regulation Group, in the Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C. offices.
Stratis Morfogen, brother of Nick Morfogen’s 32 East in Delray, will be opening Philippe Chow, a hot Chinese restaurant in the former III Forks location at Palmetto and Mizner Park Blvd.
Francis Marincola, owner of Caffe Luna Ros, a Delray Italian restaurant, is giving 50% ownership to four long time employees.
Sprint will be the only company with an unlimited data plan.
Pennsylvania based Keystone Property Group bought 1200 N. Federal Hwy. for $15.25 million.
PNC will purchase RBC bank for $3.4 billion.
American Media in Boca with over 350 employees is up for sale.
Perkins Pancake House has filed bankruptcy.
Dave Bradley, one of the “Dirty Dozen” developers of the PC, will be in Boca to open the IBM: A Centennial Celebration today at the Boca Historical Museum, 71 N Federal Highway at 10 a.m. The exhibit runs through July 8. Admission is free. He also speaks tonight at 6:30 at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail.
West Boca Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at Davito's Restaurant, 19635 State Road 7, Boca Greens Shopping Center, 5:30 to 7:00 P.M., tonight. For more information visit www.davitosrestaurant.com and register at info@westbocachamber.com.
Barry Epstein Live will feature Ken Esrig and Jill Morton, via SKYPE from Sweden, movie maven Morrie Zryl and Kingsley Guy editorial columnist of the Sun-Sentinel, The show airs on Fridays at 10 a.m. on www.wrpbitv.com. Tune in to win a pair of tickets to the Cinemark, Paragon and Movies at Delray theatres, as well as two $50 tickets to the Film Legends awards.
County Charter Review Committee meets June 27, 6 p.m. at the 6500 Congress avenue and July 6, 6 p.m. at the Hagen Ranch Library, 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach. Participate.
Network with dynamic Business Professionals and watch live, the Barry Epstein interview, on the, Coach Judy Live Talk Show. offering Practical Tips for Achieving Personal and Professional Success. June 28th, Paradise Salon, Spa & Café 140 NE 2nd Avenue Delray Beach..4:45PM, talk show interviews 5 to 6 pm Cost::Donation that fits your budget to benefit National Single Parent Resource Center. To help reduce risks of abuse children and parent can face. RSVP 561.441.8557.
A gourmet truck expo will be on June 29 at Boca Center on Military Trail with free admission from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. and $10 VIP tickets are available from 5:30 to 6:30. Go to www.sun-sentinel.com/eventsforyou to purchase and see the truck line-up.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #10556 encourages all veterans to attend and offers a free lunch at noon, July 16 at Veterans Park, West of Lyons Road and East of 441 on the south side of Palmetto Park Road. RSVP to Commander Charlie Epstein at 561.487.2721.
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere Theatres in Boca and the Paragon Theatres in Deerfield Beach are: Bad Teacher and Cars. Cinemark will also open Buck.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is the president of the Luxury Chamber of Commerce (www.luxurychamber.com), and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His websites are www.publicrelations.nu and is now a division of www.regancomm.com.
His email is pr@publicrelations.nu and his blog is on the Sun-Sentinel Jewish Journal web 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.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Barry’s Buzz – June 16, 2011

Regan Communications Group of Boston has acquired Barry R. Epstein Associates of Boca Raton, Florida. With over 100 employees, the acquisition expands the reach of the 9th largest independently owned public relations agency in the nation and the largest in New England.
Boca developer and Ambassador Ned Siegel hosted a $2300 a plate fundraiser Tuesday night at his Wooodfield Country Club home for Mitt Romney.
The Tea Party is still trying to avoid paying the bill to the City for security and barricades, claiming they shouldn’t be charged because they were practicing “free speech”.
Most of the attendees at the West Boca Community Council meeting Tuesday indicated when Burt Aaronson asked if they would be willing to pay a tax increase to keep county services.
Temple Beth El barred a reporter from covering a public speech by AIPAC.
County Commissioner Steve Abrams announced Palm Beach County has procured federal grant dollars to be used to upgrade the security system at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
The grant money will be used to modify its current dispatch and closed circuit television systems, creating a more secure environment, particularly, in the labor and delivery areas.
The $50,000 in funding was obtained from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with a new program titled Urban Area for Security Initiatives. The county partnered with numerous agencies including Palm Beach County Sheriffs office and Broward County, to successfully obtain these grant dollars. No county match dollars are required.
Entr’acte Theatrix presents How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying at the Caldwell Theatre now through June 22. Go to www.caldwelltheatre.com for information and tickets.
Barry Epstein Live will feature Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission Operations Director Michelle Hillery discussing the Legends of Florida awards Ceremony on June 30 at the Wold Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Lynn University, tickets for which can be obtained at www.pbfilm.com, along with Kingsley Guy editorial columnist of the Sun-Sentinel, discussing his upcoming columns Friday and Sunday on Privatization and Marco Rubio. The show airs on Fridays at 10 a.m. on www.wrpbitv.com. Tune in to win a pair of tickets to the Cinemark and Movies at Delray theatres, as well as two $50 tickets to the Film Legends awards.
A classic car show of autos from the 1920s to 1960s will be on display in Mizner Park from 9 to 9 on Father’s Day, Sunday June 19, with free admission. The show will also include post-war European sports and exotic cars by Lou La Vie. Some vehicles are rare or one of a kind.
West Boca Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at Davito's Restaurant, 19635 State Road 7, Boca Greens Shopping Center, 5:30 to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, June 23. For more information visit www.davitosrestaurant.com and register at info@westbocachamber.com..
Network with dynamic Business Professionals and watch live, the Barry Epstein interview, on the, Coach Judy Live Talk Show. offering Practical Tips for Achieving Personal and Professional Success. June 28th, Paradise Salon, Spa & Café 140 NE 2nd Avenue Delray Beach..4:45PM, talk show interviews 5 to 6 pm Cost::Donation that fits your budget to benefit National Single Parent Resource Center. To help reduce risks of abuse children and parent can face. RSVP 561.441.8557.
A gourmet truck expo will be on June 29 at Boca Center on Military Trail with free admission from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. and $10 VIP tickets are available from 5:30 to 6:30. Go to www.sun-sentinel.com/eventsforyou to purchase and see the truck line-up.
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere Theatres are: The Tree of Life with Brad Pitt and Sean Penn; Green Lantern with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively; Mr. Popper’s Penguins with Jim Carrey and The Art of Getting By with Sam Robards, Emma Roberts and others.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is the president of the Luxury Chamber of Commerce (www.luxurychamber.com), and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce (www.westbocachamber.com), with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com. His websites are www.publicrelations.nu and regancomm.com, 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, June 8, 2011

Barry’s Buzz – June 9, 2011

Dominos Pizza founder and owner of the Detroit Tigers Tom Monahan, speaks at the Luxury Chamber network, Monday, June 13 from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. at the Lakeside Terrace, 7880 Glades Road, across from the Florida Turnpike exit. Tickets for one free drink and complimentary appetizers are only $20 and must be registered on line at www.luxurychamber.com. He will also sign bring complimentary copies of his book.
Dr. & State Representative Steve Perman will speak on the changes made in the last session in Tallahassee at the West Boca Chamber of Commerce 7:30 a.m. breakfast Tues. June 14 at Boca Lago Country Club. Go to www.westbocachamber.com for info and rsvp to info@westbocachamber.com
State Senator Maria Sachs and CFO Jeff Atwater are being honored by the Voters Coalition tonight at the Westchester Country Club in Boynton Beach.
Congressman Allen West holds a Town Hall meeting tonight at Lynn University Wold Center 7 to 8:30.
Barry Epstein Live airs Friday at 10 a.m. with guests: Jennifer Pennypacker, President of Film Florida; Former State Senator and current pill mill drug czar Dave Aronberg; Insurance guru Scott Weinbrand; Lynn University political professor Dr. Robert Watson and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy discussing Weinergate and other issues. Tune into www.wrpbitv.com.
Thanks to your objections, the proposed widening of Palmetto Park Road from I-95 to Powerline Road may be scaled back to St. Andrews Avenue to Powerline as a first stage.
Boca’s Chris Evert has signed to do commentary for ESPN’s coverage of Wimbleton.
Florida Stage theatre has declared bankruptcy and closed Sunday after the current run at the Rinker Playhouse in the Kravis Center, following a move from Manalapan.
Senator and current candidate for Senate 2012, George LeMieux, announced the eight founding Chairs of his campaigns finance team including Boca Raton’s Yvonne Boice.
Crocker Partners has contracted to buy the 420,080-square-foot SunTrust International Center in downtown Miami, for approximately $80 million, according to several sources.
Zed 451 has closed in Mizner Park. Rudy is jumping into the Republican race for President again.
Federal prosecutors have charged Anthony Cutaia, the host of a South Florida real estate talk show with defrauding investors by creating a Ponzi scheme. Cutaia went off at County Commissioner Burt Aaronson debating Palm Beach County Republican Chair Sid Dinerstein at a Boca Raton Roundtable meeting, to the shock of all the attendees. Karma is sweet.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detectives said they are searching for Michel Barrera as a person of interest in the 2007 killing of Randi Gorenberg.
Suntrust Bank has sold nine residential lots at the Oaks of Boca Raton to GL Homes for $2.7 million (about $300,000. each), down from their $700,000 parcel price at the height of the boom.
Florida Atlantic University increased Freshmen enrollment this year by 1,000 to 3600 from 2600 last year. 22,000 applications were received. There are 28,000 totally enrolled.
There is almost a 19 years supply of unsold condos in the Boca/Pompano area.
Garda Worldwide Security to move U.S. headquarters to Boca Raton.
Boxing promoter Don King on Tuesday sold his two-home Manalapan estate for $15.95 million, $4 million less than the asking price and highest sale price in Manalapan this year.
To maintain high water quality in the county’s water distribution system, Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (WUD) will temporarily modify the disinfection process used to treat our drinking water. The county will be using a somewhat stronger disinfection process to produce chlorine residual instead of a chloramine residual from June 14, 2011, to July 14, 2011. The county will also increase hydrant flushing during this time. This is a preventative maintenance process. Customers served by the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in their tap water during this period. These temporary conditions will not cause adverse health effects. If you are especially sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine, keep an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional advice as the method for removing chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water.
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere Theatres are: Super 8 and Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. Opening at the Movies of Delray is The Princess of Montpensier.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is the president of the Luxury Chamber of Commerce (www.luxurychamber.com), and the founder and former 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

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Barry’s Buzz by Barry Epstein – June 2, 2011

Flash: You read it here first. League of cities Executive Director Jamie Titcomb is resigning to become Manager of the Village of North Palm Beach.
Boca philanthropist Marleen Forkas hosts the VIP reception for Ed Asner at Caldwell Theatre Friday. Ed Asner as "FDR" plays June 1 to June 5 at Caldwell Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Tickets run $40 to $75. Call 561-241-7432, or visit CaldwellTheatre.com.
The County listened to the City and readers of this blog to hold off on widening Palmetto Park Road. Well done folks. Now on to another travesty. The Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee voted to recommend that the city stop barricading the medians in Mizner Park during concerts.
Peter Feaman, the state Republican committeeman from Palm Beach County, is running to become Florida’s national committeeman.
Famed Miami attorney Roy Black and his wife purchased a home on Star Island for $7.1 million, originally listed for $19.1. million.
Former Palm Beach Post gossip columnist Jose Lambiet, most recently with radaronline, is back in South Florida looking for a local journalism gig.
Hall of Fame catcher and Palm Beach Atlantic University baseball coach Gary Carter has a brain tumor that is likely cancerous and non operable..
Fresh Market opens Wednesday June 8 at the Mission Bay shopping center in West Boca with freebies.
The Voters Coalition of Palm Beach County is honoring Florida CFO Jeff Atwater and State Senator Maria Sachs at the 28th Annual Celebration dinner, Tuesday, June 9, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Westchester Country Club, 12250 Westchester Country Club Drive, Boynton Beach, Fl. Tickets are $50 and the dress is business attire. Call 561.361.8528 for information.
Barry Epstein Live” is on the internet at 10 a.m. Friday with guests, James Delisle, Director of Lakeside Terrace, Boca philanthropist Marleen Forkas and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy. Tune into www.wrpbitv.com.
Dominos Pizza founder and Detroit Tigers owner Tom Monaghan speaks at the Luxury Chamber of Commerce 5;30 to 7 p.m. network on Monday, June 13. Details at www.luxurychamber.com.
State Rep. Steve Perman speaks at the West Boca Chamber breakfast, Tues. June 14. See www.westbocachamber.com for details and registration or call 561.382.9333.
The Music Man plays through June 19 at the Stage Door theatre in Coral Springs. Go to http://www.stagedoortheatre.com/ for details.
Entr’Acte Theatrix presents How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying June 16-26 at the Caldwell Theatre.Tickets at www.entractethreatrix.org or www.caldwelltheatre.com.
Movies opening Friday at the Cinemark Palace are Midnight in Paris and X-Men: First Class.
Hurricane season is here. Are you prepared? If not, don’t wait till the last minute. Do it now!
Always validate yourself and others you interact with.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, and is president of the Luxury Chamber of Commerce (www.luxurychamber.com) as well as founder and past 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.