Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Barrys Buzz - March 26, 2014

   Boca Mayor Susan Welchel will be honored for her 20 years of service 5:30 pm-7:30 p.m. March 26 at the Boca Raton Marriott in Boca Center to benefit the non-profit 501 (c) 3 Spirit of Giving Network. Tickets are $50. RSVP at www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com or call 561-385-0144 for more information.
    The Tri-county animal shelter on Boca Rio Road in West Boca, has been renamed the Tri-County Animal Rescue and undergoing a capital campaign.
     Through March 31, customers at Macy’s Boca Furniture Gallery, 9339 Glades Road, Boca Raton can donate $1 or more at the register, with 100 percent of the donations benefiting Sandalfoot Cove Park.
   Red, The Steakhouse at 1901 N. Military Trail is closing Sunday after a two year run and sold their lease to Farmer’s Table, next door.
    State Senator Maria Sachs is backing a bill to phase out dog racing at the Palm Beach Kennel Club and open the door for slot machines in the county.
    The Palm Beach Post reported that Boca Raton financial advisor Paul Shumack who signed up customers at $3500 each, is the focus of an FBI nationwide investigation after numerous complaints of an alleged investment scam involving electronic virtual concierge kiosks placed in hotels, hospitals, casinos and businesses customized for client services, but has denied wrongdoing.   
     Private equity powerhouse Blackstone Group continues its spending spree buying South Florida single family homes for investment rentals. Court records show since the first of the year Blackstone has picked up 200 homes at an average price of $241,000. Property records show the company owns around 1,200 Palm Beach County homes and an estimated 7,000 homes in Florida with the largest concentration in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach with 256 home buys in the past year.
   Palm Beach billionaire Wilber Ross has wrapped up his four-year stint as director of Bank United and will leave the board after getting a huge break from the FDIC and three other private equity firms by taking over the bank after it was seized by the Feds, shelling out $250 million initially for the stock and has walked away with an estimated $500 million in subsequent stock sales of the 90 branch bank in South Florida with assets of $13 million.   
    The Men’s Wearhouse $1.8 billion takeover of Jos. A. Bank will mean a consolidation of the South Florida apparel stores and probably the end of competitive discount sales. No longer will buy one-get two free and other hyped up sales incentives be touted on megabuck TV buys on major TV channels, with an estimated 250 jobs slashed from the payrolls of 35 South Florida stores in the merger.     
    The New York Times reported that the U.S. Justice Department wildly inflated post-recession financial fraud investigations led to little or no convictions. South Florida was the hotbed of the mortgage fraud meltdown, yet the FBI’s Miami office gave financial fraud a low priority. Blatant criminal activity by brass at Countrywide Mortgage and Washington Mutual led to no prosecutions by cooking the books but the Feds said otherwise.  
    President Obama signed the Flood Insurance bill that backed off huge premium rate hikes for South Florida homeowners. A previous bill was passed two years ago requiring homeowners to buy flood coverage that charged back breaking premiums of thousands of dollars that were unaffordable and the uproar caused Congress to reverse the law, which more than 5,000 Palm Beach County homeowners were affected.
     Despite high prices, South Florida is picking up more than its share of college Spring Breakers this year. Weary of constant winter storms, college kids are throwing caution of cash and credit cards to the winds and looking for warm breezes and sunny beaches, despite South Florida’s seasonal prices that command an average $200 per night for modest hotel rooms.   
    Slow Burn Theatre Company presents Chess, through April 5 in the West Boca Performing Arts Theatre at West Boca High School, 12811 W. Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 1.866.811.411 or visit www.slowburntheatre.org for tickets and further information.
   The Plaza Theatre, 262 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan presents Dirty Blonde, March 27-April 13. See www.theplazatheatre.net or call 561.588.1820.     
  The G-D of Isaac is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs through April 20. Visit www.stagedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765 for tickets and more information.
   American Idiot is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, through April 6. Go to www.browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222 for tickets.
   Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl on www.wrpbitv.com Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m.
    Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30am at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00pm at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit www.moviesofdelray.com for more information.
     Watch Barry Epstein live featuring One Plus One Band George and Marion Frega, AllBrite Window Cleaning and Home Services owner Scott Westman, Certified Hypnotist and Comedy Hypnotist Glenn Miller and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres. You can be on too to promote your business or profession. Call 561.852.0000 for details. You can also watch the TV shows ON Demand on wrpbitv. Just click on this link: https://vimeo.com/channels/barryepsteinlive.
    Noah, Sabotage and Cesar Chavez opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. The Lunch Box opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres, the Movies of Delray and the Classic Gateway in Ft. Lauderdale. Movies of Delray also opens Noah and Budapest Hotel.
   The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards is the Nat King Cole Generation Hope concert, 6:30 p.m., March 28 at the Wold Performing Arts Center, Lynn University. For more info and sponsorship opportunities, email; info@natkincolegenhope.org or call 561.213.8209.
      Palm Beach Dramaworks presents Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate, March 28-April 27 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. Visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or call 561.514.4042 for tickets and further information.
   The 12th annual "Boca Bacchanal," benefiting the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum will feature a weekend of wine, food and luxury March 28-30. Visit www.bocabaccanal.com or call 5611.395.6766 ext. 101 or email info@bocahistory.org.
   Boca Raton Green Market, in its 17th year, has farm-to-table, freshly-picked produce (organics, too) from local growers, plants and flowers, bakery items and lots more,  8am to 1pm every Saturday and featuring “It Takes Two” (Zella and Phil) performing a wide variety of musical selections at the sw parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd. Call (561) 299-8684.
  The Boca Raton Junior League's Birthday Party for Dr. Seuss is 10 am – 2 pm March 29 at the Community Garden, next to the Downtown Library. Cost of Admission: One package of diapers for the League's Diaper Bank.  
    FAU’s Making Waves Gala is 6:30 p.m. March 29 at the football stadium tower. Tickets are $150. Call 561.297.6144 or visit www.faugala.info.
  Another great Pop, Rock & Doo Wop show is 8 p.m. March 29 at the FAU Barry & Carole Kaye Performing Arts Center, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 561.693.3632 or visit www.poprockdoowopp.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: The Pajama Game, March 29-April 20; 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.
   Larry Ferber has a movie club 10 a.m. every Sunday at the FAU Living Room theatres, followed by discussion. Call 757.617.1936 for more information.      
       The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County “Everyone Counts” Super Sunday is March 30. For information on Super Sunday opportunities or to RSVP, visit www.jewishboca.org/supersunday or contact Marcy Lippman at 561-852-3271 or email marcyl@bocafed.org.
  Bolshoi Ballet live simulcast from Moscow is 7 pm March 30 at the Movies of Delray.
  Boca city residents and the public are invited to the swearing-ceremony for Boca City Mayor Susan Haynie, Council members Michael  J. Mullaugh, Scott M. Singer and Robert S. Weinroth, 10:30 a.m. March 31, City Hall Council Chambers, 201 W. Palmetto Park Road, with light refreshments served.
   Boca West $100,000 purse Charity Golf Challenge is March 31. Tickets are $475 per person. Call 561.488.6980 or email foundation@bocawestcc.org.
   The Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations' Meeting is 8:30 am, April 1st, at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. (next to City Hall). Meet the New Boca Raton Airport Authority, Executive Director, Clara Bennett, a Tribute to Outgoing Mayor Susan Whelchel and Community Spotlight: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
     Diana Ross headlines the Boca West Foundation Charities Concert for Children on the lawn starting at 6 pm. April 1 with charities selling tickets keeping 100% of the tickets they sell. Visit http://www.bocawestfoundation.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=369142&ssid=281889&vnf=1
 for further information.
   The Little River Band is at the Crest Theatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. Delray Beach, 7:30 pm to 9 pm. April 1,  to benefit Florida Fishing Academy programs. Tickets are $50. RSVP to Rich@FloridaFishingAcademy.com or call 561.470.7727 for more information.
   Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the 16th Annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. April 3, at Broken Sound Club to benefit the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship Fund, Call 561.212.8866, email robintromp@aol.com or visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org for tickets or more info.
    The Palm Beach International Film Festival is April 3-10. Call 561.362.0003 or visit www.pbifilmfest.org for tickets theatres and more information.
  Steel Magnolias is at The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum, 7901 N. Fed. Hwy. April 3 to April 20. Call 561.995.2333 or visit www.thewick.org for tickets. The 2014/2015 season includes: Swing, Oct. 23-Nov. 16; Mame, Dec. 4-Dec. 28; La Cage aux Folles, Jan. 8-Feb. 15; Man of La Mancha, Feb. 26- March 22; Oklahoma, April 2-April 26 and Dames at Sea, May 7-24. Order tickets at www.thewick.org or call 561.995.2333.
   The American Fine Wine Competition and Gala benefitting Deliver the Dream is 6:30 pm – 11 pm April 4 at the Boca Resort & Club, with David Letterman announcer Alan Kalter and Hilary Kole. Tickets are $310. Visit www.americanfinewinecompetition.org or call 305.627.3409 for more information.
   Coaching the Mature Driver: Florida law requires drivers over 55 to receive discount on their auto insurance for three years when they take this course. Some insurance companies allow drivers 50 and over to receive the discount. This course is designed for senior drivers, age 55 and older to review the effects of aging and driving and how to compensate for the physical and mental changes to promote defensive driving. The state of Florida has approved this course for insurance discounts, which last for three years. Course may also be court ordered. Class fee: $12. April 7   9 a.m. – 4 p.m.   South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. To register, visit www.safetycouncilpbc.org or call 561.845.8233 or 1.800.640.2415 for further information.
   Former Miami Dolphin and now owner of Offerdahl’s Café 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.
   Gossip columnist Jose Lambiet is the featured speaker at the www.GoldCoastTigerBayClub.com lunch, 11:30 a.m. April 8 at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road opposite the Turnpike. RSVP on the site or call 561.852.0000 for more information and reservations.
  Keep the Faith "Bon Jovi Tribute Experience" Comes to Boca to help raise research funds for ALL cancers. 7:00 p.m. April 16 at the Funky Biscuit, 303 SE Mizner Blvd.  Tickets are $15-$25. The first 50 people get a complimentary drink. Comedian and cancer survivor Wayne Felber opens. If you love Bon Jovi and hate cancer, join us for an amazing night. Please purchase tickets in advance at www.funkybiscuit.com and look at upcoming events.
     The Boca Raton Republican club features a dinner and book signing with former Congressman Allen West, 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 17 at Deer Creek Golf Club, 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd. Deerfield Beach. Costs are $40 members, $50 guests, $200 seating with Allen West, $400 Table sponsor (10) RSVP by March 23 to www.http://bocagop.com/Boca_GOP_Events.html or email info@bocagop.com for more information.
    The Trouble With Doug is 7:30 p.m. April 23-May 11 at the Arts Garage, 180 NE 1st St. Delray. Visit www.artsgarage.org or call 561.450.6357 for tickets.
    The West Boca High School Drama Dept. presents Death by Dessert, April 25 & 26. Tickets are $15. Call 561.672.2066.
    Florida will offer a 15-day sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness supplies from June 1-14. During that time period, Floridians can purchase flashlights, batteries, weather radios and other basic hurricane supply items, all tax-free. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30.
      The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Nov. 11-16; The Book of Mormon, Dec. 16-21; Flashdance – the Musical, Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 2015; Anything Goes, March 10-15, 2015; Memphis, April 7-12, 2015 and Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. Subscribers will get renewals in April. General public tickets will go on sale midsummer. To order go to www.kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469. 
     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.
     You can win a pair of tickets to an upcoming movie at any Regal Entertainment Cinema Theatre. Send an email to pr@publicrelations.nu and two winners will be chosen each week.
     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

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Barrys Buzz - March 19, 2014

     Sincere condolences to Donna Askew and the family of former governor Reuben Askew, one of the best Florida governors. Services are 2 pm today in Tallahassee and he will be buried in his home town of Pensacola Friday.
     The Creative City Collaborative is proud to announce their summer camp programs for both Arts Garage and BaCA campuses. Arts Garage in Delray Beach will continue it's successful program of a weeklong Summer Jazz Camp, and an 8- week long summer camp. The new program in Pompano Beach at the Baily Contemporary Arts Center, will be named ‘BaSE Camp,’ for Bailey Summer Enrichment and will run for 8 weeks. Both camps include classes in visual arts, music, drama, spoken word, dance and more.  Camps begin June 9th.  Scholarship programs are available. For more information on the Pompano offerings visit www.BaCApompano.org for classes in Delray Beach visit www.artsgarage.org.
   The Full Monty is at the Wick Theatre and Costume Museum, 7901 N. Fed. Hwy. to March 23. Call 561.995.2333 or visit www.thewick.org for tickets. The 2014/2015 season includes: Swing, Oct. 23-Nov. 16; Mame, Dec. 4-Dec. 28; La Cage aux Folles, Jan. 8-Feb. 15; Man of La Mancha, Feb. 26- March 22; Oklahoma, April 2-April 26 and Dames at Sea, May 7-24. Order tickets at www.thewick.org or call 561.995.2333.
  The G-D of Isaac is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs through April 20. Visit www.stagedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765 for tickets and more information.
   The annual Jewish Guild Healthcare (formerly The Jewish Guild for The Blind) Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon will take place Wednesday March 19, 2014 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The Runway Fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach will showcase 50 top looks from various designers. The event will begin at 11:00 am with a cocktail reception, shopping boutique and silent auction followed by a lunch and runway show at 12:30. For more information, contact Lauren Malis at 917-609-8017 or visit http://www.theluxegrp.com/.
  Theatre at Arts Garage, 180 NE 1st St, Delray Beach, presents: Fighting Over Beverley, A Romantic Comedy by Playwright Israel Horovitz, to March 23. Call 561.450.6357 or visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets.
   Laughing Matters continues through March 22, 2014 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue. Fort Lauderdale. Tickets at www.browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222.    
   Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl on www.wrpbitv.com Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m.
   The KOP Mentoring Network Salute to Excellence dinner honoring entrepreneur Burt Rappoport is 6:30 p.m. March 20 at Bogarts on the premiere level of the Boca Cinemark Theatres, 3200 Airport Road. Call 561.306.6000 or visit www.kopmn.org
     Watch Barry Epstein live featuring Florida First Insurance president Jonathan Rausch, The Olschansky Group president Curtis Olschansky, Vistage Florida chair Chuck Anderson and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres. You can be on too to promote your business or profession. Call 561.852.0000 for details. You can also watch the TV shows ON Demand on wrpbitv. Just click on this link: https://vimeo.com/channels/barryepsteinlive.
    The Grand Budapest Hotel, Divergent, Bad Words and Muppets Most Wanted opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Deneuve On My Way opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres, the Movies of Delray and the Classic Gateway in Ft. Lauderdale. Face of Love also opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Nymphomania opens exclusively in Florida at the Classic Gateway, along with Enemy.
     Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30am at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00pm at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit www.moviesofdelray.com for more information.
    Slow Burn Theatre company presents Chess, March 21-April 5 in the West Boca Performing Arts Theatre at West Boca High School, 12811 W. Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 1.866.811.411 or visit www.slowburntheatre.org for tickets and further information.
  Boca Raton Green Market, in its 17th year, has farm-to-table, freshly-picked produce (organics, too) from local growers, plants and flowers, bakery items and lots more,  8am to 1pm every Saturday and featuring “It Takes Two” (Zella and Phil) March 8 performing a wide variety of musical selections at the sw parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd. Call (561) 299-8684.
   Florida’s Annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities, sponsored by the Unicorn Children’s Foundation is March 22, 2014, from 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.  
     Larry Ferber has a movie club 10 a.m. every Sunday at the FAU Living Room theatres, followed by discussion. Call 757.617.1936 for more information.      
    The Tri-County Humane Society gala is 5:30 p.m. March 23 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive. Tickets are $250. Call 561.482.8110 or visit www.doggieball2014.eventbrite.com for tickets or more information.
     Lynn University political professor Dr. Robert Watson will discuss Jewish Contributions to the American Revolution, 7 p.m. March 24 as part of the 2014 ADL Lecture Series at Boca West, 20583 Boca West Drive. Call 561.988.2935 or email lsalvin@adl.org for tickets. Further information is at www.florida.adl.org/event/join-us-for-the2014-adl-lecture-series-at-boca-west-lecture.
   The Boca Raton Jewish Experience presents a free night of Inspiration, 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Olympic Heights High School to help Jews connect to a local synagogue, featuring  Rabbis Efrem Goldberg, Dan Levin, Yaakov Gibber, David Baum, Robert Silvers and David Steinhardt. Registration is required by calling 561.702.3864 or visit www.myjewishexperience.org for more information.
     Chairman of the Braman automobile dealership, Norman Braman speaks at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Business & Professional Division (B&P), 6 to 8 pm. March 26 in Zinman Hall on the Federation campus. Register for $36 at www.jewishboca.org/icon or sonnis@bocafed.org, or call 561.852.3128.     
     The Plaza Theatre, 262 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan presents Dirty Blonde, March 27-April 13. See www.theplazatheatre.net or call 561.588.1820.   
     The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards is the Nat King Cole Generation Hope concert, 6:30 p.m., March 28 at the Wold Performing Arts Center, Lynn University. For more info and sponsorship opportunities, email; info@natkincolegenhope.org or call 561.213.8209.
      Palm Beach Dramaworks presents Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate, March 28-April 27 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. Visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or call 561.514.4042 for tickets and further information.
   The 12th annual "Boca Bacchanal," benefiting the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum will feature a weekend of wine, food and luxury March 28-30. Visit www.bocabaccanal.com or call 5611.395.6766 ext. 101 or email info@bocahistory.org.
   FAU’s Making Waves Gala is 6:30 p.m. March 29 at the football stadium tower. Tickets are $150. Call 561.297.6144 or visit www.faugala.info.
  Another great Pop, Rock & Doo Wop show is 8 p.m. March 29 at the FAU Barry & Carole Kaye Performing Arts Center, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 561.693.3632 or visit www.poprockdoowopp.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: The Pajama Game, March 29-April 20; 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 Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County “Everyone Counts” Super Sunday is March 30. For information on Super Sunday opportunities or to RSVP, visit www.jewishboca.org/supersunday or contact Marcy Lippman at 561-852-3271 or email marcyl@bocafed.org.
   Boca West $100,000 purse Charity Golf Challenge is March 31. Tickets are $475 per person. Call 561.488.6980 or email foundation@bocawestcc.org.
   Diana Ross headlines the Boca West Foundation Charities Concert for Children on the lawn starting at 6 pm. April 1 with charities selling tickets keeping 100% of the tickets they sell. Visit http://www.bocawestfoundation.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=369142&ssid=281889&vnf=1
 for further information.
    Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the 16th Annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. April 3, at Broken Sound Club to benefit the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship Fund, Call 561.212.8866, email robintromp@aol.com or visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org for tickets or more info.
    The Palm Beach International Film Festival is April 3-10. Call 561.362.0003 or visit www.pbifilmfest.org for tickets theatres and more information.
   Former Miami Dolphin and now owner of Offerdahl’s Café 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.
   Gossip columnist Jose Lambiet is the featured speaker at the www.GoldCoastTigerBayClub.com lunch, 11:30 a.m. at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road opposite the Turnpike. RSVP on the site or call 561.852.0000 for more information and reservations.
   The Boca Raton Republican club features a dinner and book signing with former Congressman Allen West, 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 17 at Deer Creek Golf Club, 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd. Deerfield Beach. Costs are $40 members, $50 guests, $200 seating with Allen West, $400 Table sponsor (10) RSVP by March 23 to www.http://bocagop.com/Boca_GOP_Events.html or email info@bocagop.com for more information.
     The West Boca High School Drama Dept. presents Death by Dessert, April 25 & 26. Tickets are $15. Call 561.672.2066.
    Florida will offer a 15-day sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness supplies from June 1-14. During that time period, Floridians can purchase flashlights, batteries, weather radios and other basic hurricane supply items, all tax-free. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30.
        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.
     You can win a pair of tickets to an upcoming movie at any Regal Entertainment Cinema Theatre. Send an email to pr@publicrelations.nu and two winners will be chosen each week.
     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

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Barrys Buzz - March 12, 2014

    Noted political consultant Dick Morris will speak at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club lunch 11:30 am. to 1 pm March 13 at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road across from Florida Turnpike. Register on the site at www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com or all 561.852.0000 for further information.
   Congratulations to new Mayor Susan Haynie, new Boca Council members Robert Weinroth and Scott Singer and returning Council members Michael Mullaugh and Constance Scott.  More than 70 supporters of Mayor Susan Whelchel are on a committee to throw her a farewell from public service party the evening of March 26 at the Boca Raton Marriott, a fundraiser organized by the Spirit of Giving Network. Tickets are $50 each, and reservations will be accepted through March 24 at www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com. The 10 candidates who ran for four open seats in Boca Raton, including the mayor's chair, collectively raised $548,410.
   Nine traffic signals on Military Trail from Via Verde to Spanish River Blvd. are slated for upgrades, similar to Glades Road.
  The County Commission shot down a proposal that would have asked voters to pay an additional 1/2-cent sales tax on everyday purchases. The $110 million collected from the sales tax increase could have paid for road resurfacing, bridge replacements and drainage improvements countywide.
   Eager to learn more about how to develop a solid web presence that includes social media? A Web Consultant can do wonders for your online image, just as a PR Marketer can enhance your public persona. Contact Eileen Brown @ Buddy Web Services: Web Development - Web Consultant - Web Graphics & Logo Design, http://www.webdevelopmentbuddy.com/.
  Joan Rivers is at the Kravis Center. 701 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, 8 p.m. March 13. Visit www.kravis.org for tickets or call 561.832.7469.
   The Full Monty is at the Wick Theatre and Costume Museum, 7901 N. Fed. Hwy. to March 23. Call 561.995.2333 or visit www.thewick.org for tickets. The 2014/2015 season includes: Swing, Oct. 23-Nov. 16; Mame, Dec. 4-Dec. 28; La Cage aux Folles, Jan. 8-Feb. 15; Man of La Mancha, Feb. 26- March 22; Oklahoma, April 2-April 26 and Dames at Sea, May 7-24. Order tickets at www.thewick.org or call 561.995.2333.
   Theatre at Arts Garage, 180 NE 1st St, Delray Beach, presents: Fighting Over Beverley, A Romantic Comedy by Playwright Israel Horovitz, to March 23. Call 561.450.6357 or visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets.
    The Women’s Theatre Project presents Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, to March 16 at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Tickets are $25. Call 561.347.3948, visit www.womenstheatreproject.com, email ckassie@gmail.com or twtp@bellsouth.net.
   Evening Star Productions presents Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, to March 16 at Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Fed. Hwy. Visit www.eveingstarproductions.org or call 561.447.8829 for more information.
   Laughing Matters continues through March 22, 2014 at the Broward Center For the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue. Fort Lauderdale. Tickets at www.browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222.
    The Plaza Theatre, 262 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan has Rags to March 16 and Dirty Blonde, March 27-April 13. See www.theplazatheatre.net  or call 561.588.1820.   
     Wiesenthal is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, through March 16.Visit www.stagedoortheatre.com or call 954-344.7765 for tickets. For more information, visit www.wiesentahltheplay.com or www.facebook.com/wiesentaltheplay.
     Doris Kearns Goodwin, Danna Deveare Smith and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance company highlight the 2014 Festival of the Arts Boca, to March 15. Call either 561.368.8445 or toll free: 866.571.ARTS  or visit www.festivaloftheartsboc.org for more information or reservations.
   War Veterans Memoribilia Museum & Education Center acts as a hands on facility for the education of all Palm Beach school students, residents, visitors, and tourists to honor those who served & American History and is looking for donations of Veterans Memoribilia to house and display with your name mentioned on the honor wall. Contact edu-vet@comcast.com. As the # 1 Veterans Speakers Bureau in Palm Beach County, they can come to your school, location or organization and educate students and scholars of all ages. Call 561-734-4527 for more information.
   The Faulk Center for Counseling, formerly the Center for Group Counseling, has been providing free and low-cost mental health services since 1973 to people of all ages.  The Faulk Center provides psychological and mental health counseling to everyone from children to the elderly, including individual, couples and families plus support groups for specific concerns including caregivers, divorce and separation, men’s, women’s and senior’s issues. Call the Faulk Center (561) 483-5300 or visit www.faulkcenterforcounseling.org for more information.
   Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl and Barry Epstein on www.wrpbitv.com discuss the Oscars Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 6 a.m.
   Watch Barry Epstein live featuring Signature Advisory Groups Sara Finkelstein, Pension Investors Corporation Chairman Larry Wiener, WRPBITV director of creative intelligence and media design Sonia Pressley and Sun-Sentinel editorial columnist Kingsley Guy on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres. You can be on too to promote your business or profession. Call 561.852.0000 for details. You can also watch the TV shows ON Demand on wrpbitv. Just click on this link: https://vimeo.com/channels/barryepsteinlive.
   Need for Speed, Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club and Veronica Mars opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Better Living Through Chemistry opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres,  the Movies of Delray and the Classic Gateway in Ft. Lauderdale. Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30am at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00pm at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit www.moviesofdelray.com for more information.
    Boca Raton Green Market, in its 17th year, has farm-to-table, freshly-picked produce (organics, too) from local growers, plants and flowers, bakery items and lots more,  8am to 1pm every Saturday and featuring “It Takes Two” (Zella and Phil) March 8 performing a wide variety of musical selections at the sw parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd. Call (561) 299-8684.
   Larry Ferber has a movie club 10 a.m. every Sunday at the FAU Living Room theatres, followed by discussion. Call 757.617.1936 for more information.     
   The Junior League presents Flavors, featuring 17 restaurant sampling, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 13 at The Sonoma House, 220 NE 11th St. Boca. Visit www.flavors2014.com, email flavorsofboca@gmail.com or call 561.620.2553 for more information or tickets.
    The G-D of Isaac is at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs March 14-April 20. Visit www.stagedoortheatre.com or call 954.344.7765 for tickets and more information.
    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.
   Jan McArt presents Sweet Charity March 15 & 16 in the Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton. For tickets, call 561.237.9000 or visit www.events.lynn.edu.
    “My Author Is My Hero Day", produced by Barbara M. Wolk is not your normal BookTalk, 3 p.m., March 16 at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2 S.W. 12th Ave. Boca Raton. These authors really do walk the walk. These authors truly do care...and have something unique to share. In fact, 50% of their sales on this day are donated to The Boca Raton Walk on Water Fund.    (www.awalkonwater.com)  Donation: ONLY $5.00. Call 561.483.2054 or email bhasha108@aol.com for further information.
  John Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, will be the guest speaker at the AFMDA 2014 Humanitarian Awards cocktails, dinner and entertainment, honoring Eileen & Michael Goldman, March 16 at St. Andrews Country Club. Call 561.835.0510 or e-mail palmbeach@afmda.org.
   The annual Jewish Guild Healthcare (formerly The Jewish Guild for The Blind) Runway Fashion Show and Luncheon will take place Wednesday March 19, 2014 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The Runway Fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach will showcase 50 top looks from various designers. The event will begin at 11:00 am with a cocktail reception, shopping boutique and silent auction followed by a lunch and runway show at 12:30. For more information, contact Lauren Malis at 917-609-8017 or visit http://www.theluxegrp.com/.
    Slow Burn Theatre company presents CHESS, March 21-April 5 in the West Boca Performing Arts Theatre at West Boca High School, 12811 W. Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 1.866.811.411 or visit www.slowburntheatre.org for tickets and further information.
   Florida’s Annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities, sponsored by the Unicorn Children’s Foundation is March 22, 2014, from 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.
   Lynn University political professor Dr. Robert Watson will discuss Jewish Contributions to the American Revolution, 7 p.m. March 24 as part of the 2014 ADL Lecture Series at Boca West, 20583 Boca West Drive. Call 561.988.2935 or email lsalvin@adl.org for tickets. Further information is at www.florida.adl.org/event/join-us-for-the2014-adl-lecture-series-at-boca-west-lecture.
   The Boca Raton Jewish Experience presents a free night of Inspiration, 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Olympic Heights High School to help Jews connect to a local synagogue, featuring  Rabbis Efrem Goldberg, Dan Levin, Yaakov Gibber, David Baum, Robert Silvers and David Steinhardt. Registration is required by clling 561.702.3864 or visit www.myjewishexperience.org for more information.
     Chairman of the Braman Automobile Dealership, Norman Braman speaks at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Business & Professional Division (B&P), 6 to 8 pm. March 26 in Zinman Hall on the Federation campus. Register for $36 at www.jewishboca.org/icon or sonnis@bocafed.org, or call 561.852.3128.    
    The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards is the Nat King Cole Generation Hope concert, 6:30 p.m., March 28 at the Wold Performing Arts Center, Lynn University. For more info and sponsorship opportunities, email; info@natkincolegenhope.org or call 561.213.8209.
      Palm Beach Dramaworks presents Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate, March 28-April 27 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach. Visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or call 561.514.4042 for tickets and further information.
   The 12th annual "Boca Bacchanal," benefiting the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum will feature a weekend of wine, food and luxury March 28-30. Visit www.bocabaccanal.com or call 5611.395.6766 ext. 101 or email info@bocahistory.org.
   Another great Pop, Rock & Doo Wop show is 8 p.m. March 29 at the FAU Barry & Carole Kaye Performing Arts Center, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Call 561.693.3632 or visit www.poprockdoowopp.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: The Pajama Game, March 29-April 20; 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 Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County “Everyone Counts” Super Sunday is March 30. For information on Super Sunday opportunities or to RSVP, visit www.jewishboca.org/supersunday or contact Marcy Lippman at 561-852-3271 or email marcyl@bocafed.org.
   Boca West $100,000 purse Charity Golf Challenge is March 31. Tickets are $475 per person. Call 561.488.6980 or email foundation@bocawestcc.org.
   Diana Ross headlines the Boca West Foundation Charities Concert for Children on the lawn starting at 6 pm. April 1 with charities selling tickets keeping 100% of the tickets they sell. Visit http://www.bocawestfoundation.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=369142&ssid=281889&vnf=1
 for further information.
   The Palm Beach International Film Festival is April 3-10. Call 561.362.0003 or visit www.pbifilmfest.org for tickets theatres and more information.
   Former Miami Dolphin and now owner of Offerdahl’s Café 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.
   The West Boca High School Drama Dept. presents Death by Dessert, April 25 & 26. Tickets are $15. Call 561.672.2066.
    Florida will offer a 15-day sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness supplies from June 1-14. During that time period, Floridians can purchase flashlights, batteries, weather radios and other basic hurricane supply items, all tax-free. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30.
        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.
     You can win a pair of tickets to an upcoming movie at any Regal Entertainment Cinema Theatre. Send an email to pr@publicrelations.nu and two winners will be chosen each week.
     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.               


Friday, March 7, 2014

Restaurant Review: FORK AND KNIFE

Last November the Fork and Knife restaurant opened in Boca Raton offering “Modern, Comfort Foods” at 99 SE Meizner Boulevard (561-405-6542).

Barry, Joanne, C.Ron and this reviewer sampled 3 of the 7 appetizers offered. A lightly crisped lobster spring roll was with a fine filling, enhanced with a sweet chili dipping sauce. The Maryland crab cakes had an unusual mango chutney emulsion while the fried calamari was lightly battered, crispy and flavorful with a Thai chili peanut sauce. All three were superior in taste. Also available are filet tips, chicken lollipops, portabella mushrooms and a spinach/crab/artichoke dip.

The French onion soup was as fine as in a French bistro, the roma tomato bisque was a bit off in taste. Unfortunately, the matzo ball soup was bland dishwater with 2 tasteless matzo balls floating therein.

Of the 5 salads presented, “the Good Salad” was a treat with romaine feta, dried cherries, red onions and cashews in a sesame seed vinaigrette. Try it!

Chef Megan Weller offers a dozen entrees to consider. We had lobster truffle mac and cheese which was baked with a nice crispy onion and parmesan crust. Chef created a turkey meat loaf cupcake- delicious with a smashed potato “frosting” and a fine blanched spinach. We have had shrimp and grits before, this dish adds cheeses and crispy sausage to raise its taste level. Try the stuffed pepper trio – 3 different color peppers – one containing wild rice, another with spaghetti squash and the third with roasted red pepper hummus. Served with homemade baked pita chips, this is a tasty, colorful concoction.

Of the 9 sides listed, we tried the spaghetti squash, the grilled thin asparagus and liked them. A creamless creamed corn (Fork and Knife’s words) was so-so with a slightly odd flavor. Glazed carrots, 2 potato versions, a half salad, season green vegetable and a tasty toasted coconut/ginger brown rice can be had.

Our server, Ashley, presented a dessert menu of 6 delights – we sampled all. There is an ice cream sandwich-vanilla bean ice cream between chocolate chip cookies, fried mini apple pie wontons with cinnamon ice cream, a hot fudge cream puff, s’mores cake lollipops, a flourless warm chocolate lava cake and chocolate chip banana bread. All made in house and all nice size portions of rich flavor.

A complete range of beverages includes both regular and decaf cappuccinos and espressos. There are 16 signature cocktails plus a roster of 12 white wines and 11 red wines, available by both bottle and glass.

FYI- there is also a menu featuring a 10 oz signature burger, a turkey burger, black bean burger, hot dogs and fish/chips plus 6 versions of hand-cut fries. A kids menu offers 6 entrees plus 2 desserts.
There is a Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring 5 egg dishes, 8 signature dishes and more usual fare.

Fork and Knife is open 7 days. Monday through Thursday from 11AM to 10PM, Friday and Saturday from 8AM to 11PM and Sunday from 9AM to 3PM. Seating 175 inside and 80 outside- it is a pleasant place to dine- Go and Enjoy!