Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Barrys Buzz Dec. 4, 2013

Hillstone Restaurant Group which has a Houston’s on Military Trail in Boca, wants to develop a 5,500 to 7,500 sg. ft. restaurant with patio dining, parking, dockage and finger piers, along with an observation deck and public space linking to Silver Palm Park on the old Wildflower site on Palmetto Park Road, just west of the Intracoastal waterway, which was the only proposal submitted to Boca City Council.
   The Tribune Company, parent of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper revealed it will slash 700 jobs from its newspaper division, which comprises 6 papers including the Orlando Sentinel. The Sun-Sentinel has already been decimated by cutbacks prior to the parent filing Chapter 11 years ago.
   Jason Lewis Walton, Lynn University chief of staff, liaison to the board of trustees and co-chair of the Obama/Romney debate at Lynn, is now executive director of donor relations for Nova Southeastern University in Davie.
  Ron Potter has been appointed Director of Operations for the new Waterstone Resort & Marina (formerly the Bridge Hotel), currently undergoing major renovations and will have direct management oversight for hotel operations, including valet and watersports activities.
   Stephen Hare, former CFO of Wendy’s, was appointed CFO of Office Depot.
   Major League Lacrosse may be coming to FAU stadium in April.
 Regent Bank’s Boca Raton Office, 568 Yamato Road, is collecting non-perishable food supplies for Boca Helping Hands, a non-profit organization that delivers meals to disabled and elderly people who are homebound.  They can drop off food or monetary donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   An ode to Boca, penned by Deerfield Beach resident Richard O’Connell is in the current issue of the National Review.
   Farmer’s Table, a 200 seat restaurant in the former Mario’s adjacent to the Wyndham Hotel, 1901 N. Military Trail in Boca, is now open, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, take out service and kids’ menu.
   Charlie Crist’s newly hired campaign manager Bill Hyers and press secretary Lauren Hitt have quit, sources say due to a fallout with Christ’s wife Carole.
   St. Patrick's Day Parade in Delray Beach run by Code 3 events, Inc. Looking for Sponsors/Donations/Float entries.  For more information visit our website www.stpatrickparade.com for more information.
 The groundbreaking for the new Palm Beach County Convention Center hotel is slated for Friday.
 South Florida’s Real Estate market which was on the verge of collapse five years ago, has risen from the ashes. At the time, Palm Beach County had nearly 30,000 residences on the market. Now the county has only 12,000 homes for resale. Major cause for the quickened upswing are cash buyers from abroad and wall street investors converting thousands of home buys into rentals. Condos and townhouses account for the majority of the resales.
    In a related matter, South Florida short sales have shown a sharp decline. Palm Beach County short sales were 16% of the market in October, off from 23% compared to the same month last year. But short sales could fall off the cliff if Congress doesn’t move to renew the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act that expires in January, which allows taxpayers to exclude income from reduced mortgage debt, otherwise they face a huge tax tab.
    In what critics are calling the insanity of Obamacare, the dysfunction of the Obamacare website is only the tip of the iceberg. The top guy in charge of implementing the law testified in Congress that 40% of the website aimed at handling the payment system even hasn’t been built yet. Like peeling an onion, each revelation of the law brings an avalanche of disruption to the nations’ health care system that borders on the catastrophic.
   Spirit Airlines pocketed a whopping $536 million bucks last year in baggage fees and numerous add-on surcharges. Spirit, which is the nickel and diming kingpin of the airline industry, stashed away 40% of its annual revenue from non-ticket sales, such as booking fees, seat selection, reservation charges and cancellation fees. This year’s nickel and diming is expected to reach $700 million bucks for Spirit.
   Florida’s Public Service Commission approved a $4.90 per month increase for FP&L residential customers as of Jan. 1, bringing the bill to $100.01.
   The Book of Mormon is a clever, irreverent, raunchy, offensive to some but hilarious for most, written by the creators of South Park, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Don’t miss it. Tickets at www.browardcenter.org.
    Laffing Matterz has returned to the Broward Center with a new dinner show, Thursday-Sunday. Get tickets are line at www.browardcenter.org.
   Bank of America has 203 branches in South Florida and Wells Fargo has 200 branches in South Florida.
     Out of the Furnace opens at the Boca Cinemark Palace & Premiere theatres and the Regal Entertainment Shadowwood theatres. Broken Circle Breakdown and Twice Born opens Friday at the FAU Living Room Theatres. The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers opens at the Movies of Delray and Lake Worth and the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Lee Daniels’ The Butler opens at Movies of Lake Worth.
    Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl on www.wrpbitv.com Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m.
 Barry Epstein live features former Nixon and Reagan political consultant and author of “JFK, the case against LBJ” Roger Stone, Sweet Servings president Cindy Soto and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday. Watch to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres.  You can now watch my TV shows ON Demand on wrpbitv. Just click on this link: https://vimeo.com/channels/barryepsteinlive.
  The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes is at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, to Dec. 8. Go to www.kravis.org or call 561.832.7469 for more information and ticket reservations. Don’t miss this spectacular show! Upcoming shows at the Kravis Center include: Steve Solomon: My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m Still in Therapy Dec. 18-22; The Midtown Men, featuring four stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys Dec. 31; Jackie Mason Jan. 29; Mandy Patinkin, Feb. 5; Jay Leno, Feb. 8, and Joan Rivers March 13.
  Respect: A Musical Journey of Women is Dec. 7-Jan. 5 at the Studio Theatre in Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center. Visit www.brtg.org or call 866.811.4111.
  SHOWTIME Performing Arts Theatre Presents NUNSENSE!, updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements and a brand new song! Fridays December 6th & 13th @ 8pm; Saturdays November 30th, December 7th & 14th @ 8pm; Sundays December 1st, 8th & 15th @ 2pm & 8pm. Tickets are $22 Adults; $18 Seniors and Students with ID. For tickets call 561-394-2626 or visit www.ShowtimeBoca.com.
     The Boca Raton Green Market, in its 17th year has farm-to-table, fresh-picked produce from local growers and lots more 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd.in downtown Boca Raton, featuring live music on the Piazza stage by the Boca Elementary School Choir and Percussionists under the direction of Liese Connell.  They will be singing and playing various holiday music.  Call 561.299.8684 or email elilly707@aol.com for further information or if interested in participating.
      The Last Night of Ballyhoo is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Coral Spring, just east of Riverside Drive, to Dec. 31. Call 954-344-7765 or visit www.stagedoortheatre.com for tickets and more information.
      Upcoming shows at the Delray Beach Playhouse at 950 NW 9th St. in Lake Ida Park, off Swinton Ave. Delray Beach include: Driving Miss Daisy, Nov. 30-Dec. 15; You Can’t Take it with You, Feb. 1-Feb. 16; The Pajama Game, March 29-April 13; Doubt, May 24-June 8, and musical memories shows include; Come Fly With Me, Harlem On My Mind, Call Me Madam, Good News and Make Someone Happy. Visit www.delraybeachplayhouse.com or call 561.272.1281 x 4 for more information. Tickets are $30. Call 561.272.1281 x 4 for reservations.
  The 43rd annual Holiday Parade along Federal Highway downtown Boca will be Dec. 4.  Tickets are $35.
  David Gergen, senior political analyst for CNN will keynote following a cocktail reception and dinner for the Jewish Federation’s Ketuba Society, 6 p.m., Dec. 5, at St. Andrews Country Club, 17557 W. Claridge Oval, Boca Raton. Call 561.852.3342 or email idan@bocafed.org for further information.
 RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women is Dec. 5 – Jan. 5 at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center’s Studio Theatre, with two special New Year’s Eve champagne performances at 4 and 9 p.m. Tickets at www.brtg.org call 866.811.411. For more information, call 561.445.9244, email kassie@gmail.com.
   The Plaza Theatre, 262 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan has I Love you, You’re Perfect Now Change, Dec. 5-22; Renee Taylor, My Life on a Diet, Jan. 16-Feb. 9 and Dirty Blonde, March 27-April 13. See www.theplazatheatre.net  or call 561.588.1820.  
   The Women’s Theatre Project presents the Southeastern premiere of “The Lyons”, Dec. 6-Dec. 22 in the Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Tickets are $26. Call 561.347-3948 or 561.445.9244 for more information.
   Palm Beach Dramaworks presents The Lion in Winter, Dec. 6-Jan. 5, at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Call 561.514.4042 or visit www.palmbeachtramaworks.org for ticket information and reservations.
   The Boca Raton Children's Museum hosts its 20th annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 7. Admission is $10 per person and infants are free. For more information, call 561.368.6875.
    The Shoppes at Loggers Run, 11379 West Palmetto Park Road, will host the free 3rd annual holiday adventure 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7, with tenants showcasing great offerings and featuring holiday train rides for children, Santa Claus, treasure hunt, magic show, face painting, live demonstrations, games and prizes.
   The 37th annual Holiday Boat Parade on the Intracoastal Waterway is set for Dec. 7.
   U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch and his wife Jill will be honored with the JTS Shin Award by the Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen and B’Nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton, at a 6 p.m. Dec. 9 dinner co-chaired by Alisa and Dr Richard Cohen and Dr Tobi and Rabbi David Steinhardt. Tickets are $100 and RSVP by Dec. 1 to 561.852.3453 or cakantor@jtsa.edu.
   The Friends of the Boca Raton Library Foreign Film series screens Certified Copy followed by discussion 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 400 NW 2 Ave. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Go to www.bocalibrary.org to register on the Events Calendar for December.
  A cocktail and K-9 reception in support of Susan Haynie for Boca Raton Mayor will be 5:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Dubliner Irish Pub, 435 Plaza Real, Mizner Park. Requested minimum contribution is $25 per person, $40 per couple and bring one doggie toy or canned dog food to be donated to the Tri County Humane Society, PBC’s only no-kill animal shelter, to hear about Boca’s new dog beach program. Dogs are invited. Drinks, hors d’oevres and doggie treats will be served. RSVP to Events@SusanHaynie.com or donate online at www.SusanHaynie.com.
    The Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service (JFS) Annual Gala and Auction is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at St. Andrews Country Club, 17557 W. Claridge Oval, Boca Raton, honoring Michele & Larry Blair and Craig Donoff, P.A., chaired by Roxane Lipton, Wendy Legum and Jill Viner. Cost is $500. For more information, visit www.ruthralesjfs.org/gala2013, call 561.852.5013 or email jillw@rrjfs.org. To learn more about JFS, visit www.ruthralesjfs.org.
     9 to 5: The Musical is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Coral Springs, Dec. 13- Jan. 19. Visit www.statedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765. for tickets.
    Pop artist Peter Max will be in Boca 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Wentworth Gallery: Boca Town Center, 6000 Glades Road. RSVP to 561.338.0804 or visit www.towncenter@wentworthgallery.com. More information at www.petermax.com.
     The Sheffield Brothers will be at the free Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert Dec. 15, 3-4 p.m. at the Downtown Library, 400 NW. 2 Ave. Reservations are required at www.bocalibrary.org to register on the events calendar for December.
   The Boca Raton theatre Guild presents Marilyn: Forever Blonde, Jan. 9-11, 2013 at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center’s Studio Theatre. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.brtg.org or by calling 866-811-4111. Visit www.marilynforeverblonde.com,  call 561.445.9244 or email ckassie@gmail.com.
   The Rotary Club of Boca Raton 2014 OPAL honorees Gary Peters, Irving Gutin, Karen and Howard Weiss, Anthony Comparato and Cecil Roseke, chaired by Doug Mummaw, Neil Saffir and Peter Boronoff will be Jan. 18 at the Club of Boca Pointe, announced club president Julie Vianale. Call 561.477.7180 or email Claudia@rotaryclubbocaraton.com. for more information and reservations.
   The Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club will feature a Mayoral debate for the City of Boca Raton, moderated by the “Prince of Palm Beach County” Andre Fladell and a Meet the Council candidates, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Jan. 21 at Bogarts, on the Premiere level of the Cinemark Palace, 3200 Airport Road, just north of Glades Road. Membership, reservations and further information can be done on www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com or call 561.852.0000.
   Save the Date: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum South Florida Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 27, Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, featuring International jurist and survivor of the Auschwitz and Sachsenhausen concentration camps, Judge Thomas Buergenthal. Call 561.995.6773 or visit www.southeast@ushmm.org for more information.
   Weight Watchers Group CEO Florine Mark speaks at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Business & Professional Division (B&P), 8 to 10 am. Jan. 29 in Zinman Hall on the Federation campus. Registration at $36 is available at www.jewishboca.org/icon or sonnies@bocafed.org, 561.852.3128. Future guests include Saks Fifth Avenue CEO Stephen Sadove on March 26.
   Inside the mind of John Lithgow; actor, musician, author, arts advocate 11:30 a.m. luncheon Jan. 30 Kravis Center Cohen Pavilion. For sponsorship opportunities and to register to attend the event, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/Foundation/STEAM.
   A tribute to the late Maestro Bob Lappin by the Palm Beach Pops will be 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Kravis Center with guest conductor Lee Musiker, longtime music director and conductor for Tony Bennett, featuring broadway star Christine Andreas, acclaimed pianist and singer Tony DeSare, big band songstress Lynn Roberts, trumpeter and vocalist Longineu Parsons and former Pops concertmaster and violinist Mary Rowell. This one-time concert will not only honor the memory of Maestro Bob Lappin by recounting many of the wonderful musical memories over the past 21 seasons, but proceeds will support the ongoing Palm Beach Pops Music & You In-School Youth Education Program for underserved Palm Beach County Schools. Enjoy a magical musical evening as only the Pops can deliver and assist the continuing mission to Keep the Music Playing in our schools and community. Tickets are $29 and up. Call 561.832.7677 for reservations and more information.
    Save the Date: Phyllis & Harvey Sandler, Jan Savarick, Shirley & Allan B. Solomon and Jaime & Zachary Keyes will be honored at the Levis JCC Casino Royale Feb. 8, 2014. Email cindyb@levisjcc.org or call 561.852.3253 for more information. Committee in formation: www.levisjcc.org/casino.
    Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein will speak at FAU 3:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Go to www.https://www.fauevents.com/online to purchase tickets.
   Save the Date: The Caribbean Cowboy Ball is 6 pm. Feb. 22, 2014 at Red Reef Park. Tickets are $175. Call 561.347.6799 or www.scholarship.org for info.
      42 St. is at Boca Raton High School, Feb. 27- March 2. Visit www.bocatrama.com or call 561.338.15333 for more information and reservations.
      The West Boca High School Drama Dept. presents Young Frankenstein Feb. 28-March 8. Tickets are $15. Call 561.672.2066. Upcoming shows include Death by Dessert, April 25 & 26.
    The Harlem Globetrotters will play at the FAU arena on March 3 and 8. Go to www.harlemglobetrotters.com or call 1.800.745.3000 for ticket information.
   Arturo Sandoval, Forte, Cirque de la Symphonie, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Danna Deveare Smith and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance company highlight the 2014 Festival of the Arts Boca, March 6-15. Early bird tickets of $39 (regular price is $125) are available through Dec. 31. Call either 561.368.8445 or too free: 866.571.ARTS  or visit www.festivaloftheartsboc.org for more information or reservations.
    Save the Date: Follow the Yellow Brick Road to JARC’s 29th Annual Gala Dinner Dance March 9, 2014 at West Boca Country Club.
    Palm Beach Dramaworks presents “Some Enchanted Evening”, 14th annual Spring Gala, 6:30 p.m. March 14 at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach. Tax deductible tickets are $500 and tables of ten are $5,000. Call 561.4042 ext. 106 for reservations and information.
   Florida’s Annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities will take place on March 22, 2014, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM at Spanish River Park and A1A in Boca Raton. The Bash is the nation’s largest, free, fun-day for people with special needs, their care givers and family members.  The 6th Annual Bash is expected to draw 6,000 attendees from South Florida and beyond. Tax deductible contributions should be directed to The Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities, PO Box 99, Boca Raton, FL  33429.  For further information call: 561-715-2622.
    Save the Date: Former Miami Dolphin and now owner of Offerdahl’s CafĂ© Grill John Offerdahl will be the keynote speaker for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s 12th annual Inspiration breakfast fundraiser, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 8 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
        www.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. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.
      Thanks to David Weir and the South Florida Business report for contributing to this column.

     Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president of the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the www.luxurychamber.com, the www.westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on www.wrpbitv.com and www.publicrelations.nu. His motto is: Public Relations is the enemy of anonymity. email: pr@publicrelations.nu, or fax column items to 561.451.0000.  His blog is on www.bocatribune.com, www.facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at www.floridajewishjournal.comwww.http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com  as on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.                

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