Barrys Buzz – May 28, 2014

     Boca Raton developer Anthony Pugliese faces over $6 million in foreclosures on seven of his commercial properties, and has also been charged with Grand Theft and money laundering for allegedly stealing $1.2 million from Subway founder Fred DeLuca in an aborted Real Estate deal.

  Boca City Attorney Diana Grub Freiser concluded that former City Council member Anthony Majhess is not eligible to run for another City Council term in 2015 as he resigned his seat which was filled by Robert Weinroth for the year remaining, and the charter prohibits running for a succeeding term.

   Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria is adding to the chill of an already frosty relationship with fellow Commissioner Steven Abrams by backing Abrams’ opponent, Andy O’Brien, in the November election.

   Boca Raton's City Council members wouldn't go along with a proposal to invest city money in Israel Tuesday — but Israel bonds might end up in the portfolio anyway. Council members agreed that the city should have a greater range of options for investing the city's $300 million portfolio than its current set, but the council's majority don't want to dictate specific investments.

    Finally, the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District is addressing the unfairness of West Boca residents who pay taxes to the district but are not allowed residency rates for the Boca dog beach and other facilities by discussing the disparity.

    Boca is among those vying for the $100,000 top prize and four $25,000 runner up awards to build dog parks through PetSafe’s “Bark for your Park” contest. Vote once a day till 5 pm June 7 at www.petsafe.net and www.facebook.com/PetSafebrand. A new round of voting starts June 13 for finalists.

   Meanwhile West Boca residents are clamoring for a place for medium size dogs in additional to small and large dogs at the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park dog park, but are facing opposition from bureaucrats. Contact Eric Call at ECall@pbcgov.org with your opinion.

       Thrill Me: the Leopold and Loeb Story runs through June 8 at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real (2cnd floor), Boca Raton. Get tickets at www.outretheatrecompany.com or call 954.300.2149.

     Cougar The Musical runs through June 29, 2014 at the Plaza Theatre, 262. S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan. Get tickets at www.theplazatheatre.net or call 561.588.1820.

   JAZZIZ Nightlife, next to the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center will now upgrade and cater events, providing furniture and fixtures over the next year with security, box office and lobby furniture to be in place within a year.

    Waterstone Resort & Marina (formerly the Bridge Hotel) in Boca, appointed Jennifer Graham as director of sales and marketing, Fran Bannon as director of catering, Lindsay Schwartzseid as sales and catering coordinator and Brittany Millner as digital media coordinator. Two new waterfront dining locations are also now open along with reduced summer rates for residents.

   City National Bank celebrates the grand opening of its Boca del Mar Banking Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Located at 7000 West Palmetto Park Road, the center features more than 5,000 square feet on the corner of Palmetto Park Road and Powerline Road and will offer expanded private banking and business banking service, as well as three drive-thru lanes and two ATMs.  The bank will also have naming rights for the landmark office building.

    Crocker Partners in Boca Raton appointed Fred W. Taeger as director of financial reporting and Josh Edwards as vice president, regional asset manager for North and Central Florida.

    The Miami Heat champion basketball franchise value jumped a healthy 23% over last year and is now priced at a hefty $800 million. Team owner Mickey Arison’s dad bought the franchise 25 years ago for $33 million and the teams operating income is $30 million with a player payroll of $90 million. Total revenue last year was $188 million, including gate receipts of $81 million and Heat apparel sales hit $35 million.    

  Palm Beach County home sales posted mixed reviews for the first quarter, with 3,000 closings, off 6% from the previous year, but the median sales price hit $286,000, up $50,000 from last year. 50% of the closings were paid in cash, off 3% and there was a spike of 7,000 new listings, up 14%.

   Figures just released show the number of South Florida homeowners underwater with their mortgages has improved considerably. In the first quarter, 22% of Palm Beach County mortgage holders owed more than their homes were worth, compared to 40% last year.

    Palm Beach County had 259 short sales, 477 foreclosures and 1523 cash sales in the first quarter of 2014.

    Palm Beach County home construction surged for the first quarter of this year despite land a labor shortages plaguing the market. Builders launched 600 home sites during the quarter, up 13% from the previous year and the most active in six years. The average new home is selling for half a million dollars and major builders GL Homes, Lennar, Divosta and Toll Brothers all report strong sales.

    South Florida tourism had a record first quarter with 26.7 million visitors, 1.5 million from Canada, visiting the state and 10.2 million visiting South Florida, with 1.2 million visiting Palm Beach County. Brazil and Latin America had over 200,000 for the quarter, and 1 million European tourists.

    Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl on www.wrpbitv.com Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m.

   Watch Barry Epstein Live with double Purple Heart Veteran Jeff Colaiacovo, USellClub partner Howard Appell, Manufacturers rep. Sherman Postal, College Path Executive Director Kimba Williams and South Tech Academy Recording Arts Academy instructor Ryan Dockery. www.vimeo.com/96811316.

     Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit www.moviesofdelray.com for more information.

    Malificent and A Million Ways to Die in the West opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Chinese Puzzle opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres, Movies of Delray and Movies of Lake Worth.      

     Family Fun Fridays are at Coconut Cove waterpark, located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, West Boca on May 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Young children and their parents can enjoy splashing in the shallow water, climbing on the play structure, and taking a fun ride down the playground slides. Family Fun Friday admission fees are $3.50 for children 11 and under and $5 for adults (12 & over). Call 561.629.8840 for more info.

       The Delray Beach Playhouse at 950 NW 9th St. in Lake Ida Park, off Swinton Ave. Delray Beach presents: Doubt to June 8, Visit www.delraybeachplayhouse.com or call 561.272.1281 x 4 for more information and 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.     

   Every Sunday at AMF bowling, 1190 Boynton Beach Blvd. and Congress Ave. Brain Bowlers sponsors a bowling league for families and children with disabilities to raise funds and awareness for agencies and children who are void of social interaction.  Cost is only $1.38 per game and families can bowl one or two games.  There is also entertainment and prizes. For further information, call Robert Gottesman at 561-676-2075.
    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 League of Women Voters of PBC hosts an afternoon of Music & Dancing at the Arts Garage, 180 NE 1^st Street in Delray Beach, 2 pm to 5 pm June 1. Tickets are $50, including wine and heavy hors d’oevres. Proceeds benefit the League of Women Voters’ Palm Beach County’s Education Programs, which are currently focused on climate change, education, health care and voters’ rights. Visit www.http://artsgarage.org to purchase tickets.

    Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations meets 8:30 am – 9:30 am June 3 at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. with State Rep. Bill Hager, Association of Realtors of PB County, Boca Raton state of the market and spotlight on Faulk Center for Counseling. Call 561.859.4931 or email andieorourke22@gmail.com for more information.

    The Boca and West Boca Relays for Life will be combined this year starting 6 pm, June 6 on the grounds of St. Jude Catholic Church in central Boca and needs volunteers and sponsors. Contact Jennifer.DeGruccio@cancer.org or call 561.394.7751. Visit www.relayforlife.org for more information.

   On The Money’s Steve Pomerantz will be the guest speaker at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com lunch 11:30 June 10 at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton. (Glades and the turnpike). Register on the site.

     The “J Street Challenge” will be shown 6 pm June 12 at Wings Plus, 9880 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, west of University Drive, south side, between 99^th Way and 96^th Avenue, followed by discussion led by Alan Bergstein for the Jewish Republican Club of Broward County. Call 954.718.1308 or email Irma.gordon@comcast.net for reservations.

     Avenue Q runs June 19^th to June 29^th, at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts Crest Theater at Old School Square, 51 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach.  Tickets are available at: http://delraycenterforthearts.org or by calling 561-243-7922 ext. 1. (Not suitable for children under the age of 15).

      Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale July 22-27. Call 954.462.0222 or visit www.browardcenter.org for tickets or more information.

     The National Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be in Boca Raton for the first time on Oct. 11 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The kickoff for the Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at JAZZIZ Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real in Mizner Park. The event will include cocktails and appetizers, a silent auction, photo booth and a deejay. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door at http://goo.gl/wq17A5. Registration for the walk is free at www.alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.

      The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk for mental health is 8 am. Nov. 8, at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. Register at namibroward@gmail.com. For more information, call 954.316.9907 or visit www.namibroward.org.

    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.

     Thanks to David Weir’s South Florida Business Report for contributing to the 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.vimeo.com, www.youtube.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.com – www.http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com  and on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.

Barrys Buzz – May 21, 2014

      Sincere condolences to Boca PR guru Gary Schweikhart on the loss of his beloved mother, Maggie Arendt. Gary co-founded the Gold Coast Public Relations Council with me and he has been the driving force behind the organization all these years.

      Boca developer Gregg Talbott committed suicide last week by shooting himself in the head. Details in the Boca Tribune.

     Starting Jan. 1, the campus of Florida Atlantic University will be smoke free. Tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco will be banned everywhere, including outdoor campus locations and in cars on campus.

     The FAU Board of Trustees also voted to not raise tuition for the second year in a row, although FAU needs to figure how to get back $5.2 million taken away by the Board of Governors, which oversees all state universities. FAU was penalized because of its low retention and graduation rates.

     Top officers of Boca based 1st United Bank pocketed windfalls from the $312 million sale of the bank to Jersey based Valley National Bank with CEO Rudy Shupp hitting the jackpot when he engineered the sale, receiving $1.3 million up front for a three year non-compete agreement along with a ton of perks, and pocketing $6 million in Valley National stock when the deal closes. 1st United chairman Warren Orlando and CFO John Marino will also carry away $6 million in cash and stock on the sale.

      American Traffic Solutions, the vendor for the 6 red light camera intersections in Boca, will ask the City Council to add 22 more locations.

     KFC has closed on Federal Highway in Boca.

      Welchel Partners Real Estate Services leased 50,000 sq. ft. for new tenants at the former Compson Financial Center in Boca Raton. The 95,000 sq. ft. office building at 980 N. Federal Highway in Boca was recently renamed 980 Cendyn and Cendyn Spaces is the new anchor tenant, taking one floor at the building. The firm leases space to independent contractors by the hour, day, month or year. Other new tenants include R2 Unified Technology, Flagship Solutions, Mattels & Co., and the new restaurant M.E.A.T. The renovated and redesigned building has occupancy at 75% from 25% in the past year.

     Civil Engineer Wantman Group will provide civil engineering, surveying and construction administration for the Sinai Residences on the north side of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County campus at Glades Road and S.R. 7. The $250 million continuing care retirement community already has 228 of the 237 independent living units reserved, with construction started in March and is scheduled to open in October, 2015.

    People riding Palm Beach County ambulances but not paying for the trip have racked up a $24 million debt that the county now doesn't count on collecting. County commissioners Tuesday agreed to "write off" the losses accumulated over four years, but also called for stepping up efforts to collect fees for ambulance rides.

    The superrich Seminole Indian Tribe which employs 3700 people in Hollywood and 800 more in its two other casinos in South Florida, and pocketed almost $600 million in revenue last year, plans to sink $100 million to upgrade its lucrative Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood as well as other facilities. State wide, the Tribe earned a whopping $2 billion in gambling revenue last year, with the cash rich tribe doling out $120,000 in gambling revenue dividends to each of its 2,500 members every year and offers to all a free education, free medical care and a guaranteed job, but the IRS and Tribal brass are arguing over whether the dividends are taxable, as the Tribe is claiming sovereign immunity from U.S. taxes, although several courts have ruled otherwise.    

    The new Palm Beach County Outlet Mall may be sold from a New England Real Estate partnership group that bought the 88 acre parcel of the old Palm Beach Mall for $35 million and sunk another $100 million into massive renovations, resulting in a 98% occupancy rate with several big box stores slated to open this fall. 

     Well-heeled gambling lobbyists rolled snake eyes this legislative session trying to influencing lawmakers to overhaul the states “Alice in Wonderland” gambling statutes. After pouring millions of dollars into lawmakers’ pockets, political parties and the governor’s re-election campaign, the gambling lobby failed to establish destination resorts in South Florida, spinoff dog racing at Kennel Clubs and expand table games at existing casinos.

      The 600 passenger day trip gambling ship Island Breeze casino which launched in March after several delays out of the Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach, sailing mostly empty twice daily with an average of 98 passengers per trip,  dropped anchor for a week for repairs and will be in dry-dock for two weeks next month. The lackluster day trip gambling market at the Port has been volatile for four previous vessels sailing out of the port which were torpedoed.

     South Florida-based Windridge Yacht Charters has joined the portfolio of Entertainment Cruises brands, the largest harbor cruise company in the United States. The first high-end, full-service private yacht charter company in South Florida, Windridge’s fleet is comprised of the 170-foot Lady Windridge and the 131-foot Windridge K, with docking locations across South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beach and Miami. For more information, please visit www.windridgeyachts.com or www.entertainmentcruises.com.

     There are 43,578 boats registered in Palm Beach County.

    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 10:30 a.m.at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00 p.m  at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit www.moviesofdelray.com for more information.

    X-Men: Days of Future Past, Blended and The Immigrant opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Locke and For No Good Reason opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres. The Love Punch and Belle opens at the Movies of Delray. The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, The Love Punch and the German Doctor opens at Movies of Lake Worth. The Love Punch, The Immigrant, Chef and X-Men opens at the Classic Gateway Theatre in Ft. Lauderdale. 

    Family Fun Fridays are at Coconut Cove waterpark, located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, West Boca on May 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Young children and their parents can enjoy splashing in the shallow water, climbing on the play structure, and taking a fun ride down the playground slides. Family Fun Friday admission fees are $3.50 for children 11 and under and $5 for adults (12 & over). Call 561.629.8840 for more info.

   Red White and Blue Salute Our Troops-Fundraiser for FSO is 7 pm May 23 at Blue Martini 6000 Glades Rd in Boca Raton (outside Town Center Mall) $10 a person with MC Former SFC William Schedneck - served in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more info, contact Tara Laxer 561-289-6031.

    The Delray Beach Playhouse at 950 NW 9th St. in Lake Ida Park, off Swinton Ave. Delray Beach presents: Doubt, May 24-June 8, Visit www.delraybeachplayhouse.com or call 561.272.1281 x 4 for more information and 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.     

   Every Sunday at AMF bowling, 1190 Boynton Beach Blvd. and Congress Ave. Brain Bowlers sponsors a bowling league for families and children with disabilities to raise funds and awareness for agencies and children who are void of social interaction.  Cost is only $1.38 per game and families can bowl one or two games.  There is also entertainment and prizes. For further information, call Robert Gottesman at 561-676-2075.
    The Veterans Coalition of South Florida will present its annual Memorial Day program beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, at Veteran’s Park, in West Boca on Palmetto Park Road between 441 and Lyons Road.

    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.

     Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations meets 8:30 am – 9:30 am June 3 at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. with State Rep. Bill Hager, Association of Realtors of PB County, Boca Raton state of the market and spotlight on Faulk Center for Counseling. Call 561.859.4931 or email andieorourke22@gmail.com for more information.

    The Boca and West Boca Relays for Life will be combined this year starting 6 pm, June 6 on the grounds of St. Jude Catholic Church in central Boca and needs volunteers and sponsors. Contact Jennifer.DeGruccio@cancer.org or call 561.394.7751. Visit www.relayforlife.org for more information.

   On The Money’s Steve Pomerantz will be the guest speaker at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com lunch 11;30 June 10 at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton. (Glades and the turnpike). Register on the site.

     Avenue Q runs June 19^th to June 29^th, at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts Crest Theater at Old School Square, 51 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach.  Tickets are available at: http://delraycenterforthearts.org or by calling 561-243-7922 ext. 1. (Not suitable for children under the age of 15).

      Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale July 22-27. Call 954.462.0222 or visit www.browardcenter.org for tickets or more information.

     The National Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be in Boca Raton for the first time on Oct. 11 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The kickoff for the Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at JAZZIZ Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real in Mizner Park. The event will include cocktails and appetizers, a silent auction, photo booth and a deejay. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door at http://goo.gl/wq17A5. Registration for the walk is free at www.alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.

      The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk for mental health is 8 am. Nov. 8, at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. Register at namibroward@gmail.com. For more information, call 954.316.9907 or visit www.namibroward.org.

    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.

     Thanks to David Weir’s South Florida Business Report for contributing to the column.

     Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend with your friends and loved ones or your family and take time to observe it with your children on Monday.

     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.com – www.http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com  and on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.

Barrys Buzz – May 14, 2014

   Real Estate entrepreneur and five time best-selling author Frank McKinney will be the keynote speaker at the third annual Senator Philip D. Lewis noon Luncheon May 14 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The super hero-themed luncheon will benefit homeless families and children in Palm Beach County. Tickets are $75. Visit http://www.homelesscoalitionpbc.org/events/annual-be-extraordinary-senator-philip-d-lewis-luncheon/.

 For more information, call 561.355.4764 or email: HomelessCoalitionPBC@gmail.com.

    Former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic Presidential nominee Michael Dukakis will speak at the annual Florida Fishing Academy fundraiser “SOS: Save Our Students” 6 to 8 pm May 15 at City Fish Market 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton, across from the Florida’s Turnpike entrance. Tickets are $150 and available at www.FloridaFishingAcademy.com.

     An IT Job Career Fair with more than a dozen exhibitors will be held at the PC Professor Computer School, 7056 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, 11 am to 6 pm, May 15^th.  To R.S.V.P, please contact Erika or Ashley at 561-750-7879 as soon as possible.  Professional attire is expected.

   Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw speaks at the campaign kick-off fundraiser in support of Children’s Services Reauthorization for Palm Beach County, 5:30-7:30 pm May 15 at the West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, including cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. RSVP to Events@FriendsofChildrensServices.com or call 561.689.9787. Sponsorships needed too. For more information visit www.friendsofChildrensServices.com.

      Reza-Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran, is the featured speaker at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com  luncheon, 11:30 a.m. May 20. RSVP on the site or call 561.852.0000 for more information.

     The new Waterstone Resort & Marina (formerly The Bridge Hotel), 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, opened quietly after a media preview, following a $10 million renovation, including a new lobby, 270 foot seawall waterfront promenade, revamped pool area and updated guest rooms, all with private balconies and water views. Rates are $127 weeknights, $169 weekends till Labor Day. See www.watersoneboca.com or call 561.368.9500.

   Boca Pointe is in the midst of a $10 million massive renovation at the four corner intersection of Powerline Road and S.W. 18^th. St. along with all the entrances, to include new fountains at each corner and along five lakes, new entrance gates and signage, new landscaping with Bismark Palms on the medians and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2015.

     Outback Steakhouse in the Boca Greens Shopping Center on 441 has closed. The Outback Steakhouse in the Shops of Village Pointe on S.W. 18th St. in Boca is still open.

   Boca started its red-light camera programs in April 2012. Now, the amount of fines collected has fallen to the point that Boca's share has been reduced to nearly nothing. The State of Florida and American Traffic solutions get cuts of the fines before Boca.

     The JCC Maccabi Games are this summer and need 1,200 people to host athletes, greet hotel visitors, keep score at games, deliver water and ice, serve as doctors and nurses, and perform dozens of other jobs for the 1,000 teens expected for the games Aug. 10 to 15, which will be hosted by the Levis Jewish Community Center west of Boca Raton. The JCC will offer information sessions for potential volunteers at 7 p.m. May 14 and 6 p.m. May 22 at the Sandler Center on the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County campus. Call 561-852-3206 for more information.

     The original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. opened at 22191 Powerline Road in the former Palms Plaza Hurricane Grill & Wings location and Yoga Aura for Yoga classes opened at 2910B N. Fed. Highway, Boca Raton.

    A sales center for Akoya, by developer Richard Siemens, at Boca West, a 120-unit luxury condominium inside the 3,400 home country club, the first new community inside Boca West in two decades has opened at the Boca West Sports Complex, 20583 Boca West drive, with 10 contracts signed and 10 more on the verge for the $1.25 million to more than $2 million units, which buyers will have access to the country club’s expansive amenities, including four golf courses, 33 tennis courts and a large spa. Construction starts in September. Call 561.362.2719 or visit www.akoyabocawest.com for more info.

    Tri-Rail may add another Boca stop on Military Trail, south of Glades Road and north of Boca Center, two miles from the existing Yamato Road station, the busiest stop with 1,600 daily passengers, whichcould open by 2018 with $8.5 million of federal money from the $18 million project if agencies ok.  

    PB Post reporter Alexander Clough said Boca based Tom Prakas will open a Rhino Doughnuts and Coffee at 126 N.E. 2 St., Boca, after July 4, featuring gourmet doughnuts, and that Prakas is the exclusive broker for Miami Grill, an evolution of the Miami Subs brand, now known as the New Miami Subs Grill.

    The West Boca High School concert bands received top honors at the Florida Bandmasters Association State Band Assessment, the only high school in Palm Beach county with two bands qualified to perform with the Symphonic Band receiving an overall “Excellence’ rating and the Wind Ensemble, the school’s top band, receiving an overall highest possible “Superior” rating, the only Palm Beach County band receiving that top honor distinction.

    Boca based 1^st United Bank has been purchased by New Jersey based Valley National Bancorp for $32 million pending regulatory approvals.

    Boca based Office Depot/Office Max will close 10 of its 38 South Florida Office Depot and 10 Office Max stores from the 150 announced last week.

    Boca based National Enquirer is moving its editorial staff and 30 jobs back to New York City after first moving to Lantana and then Boca. Sister publications Star and Globe will remain in Boca.  

     Tighten security to discourage car break-ins, add adjustable basketball hoops for younger players and build a double gymnasium like Sugar Sand Park were some suggestions by folks at a Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation focus group in the Coconut Park Recreation Center to improve Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in West Boca.

     After months of considering sites from North County to Boca Raton for another spring training facility in Palm Beach county, and including the county's John Prince Park near Lake Worth, County officials talk with the Houston Astors and Washington Nationals focused exclusively on 160 acres between Haverhill Road and Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

    1^st Southern Bank of Boca Raton reported first quarter earnings of $2 million, double the profits from the fourth quarter. The increase was due to the unexpected gift to Winter Haven based Centerstate bank which closes on its $190 million takeover of 1^st Southern this summer. To pay for the acquisition Centerstate plans to shutter ten 1^st Southern branches and slash its payroll.

    The Florida Bar nailed Boca Raton attorney Jeff Rosenberg, who was suspended 90 days for fraudulent loan modifications.

    Palm Beach county March home prices continued to rise while sales cooled a bit. Median price for an existing single family home hit $265,000, up 6% from a year ago. Condo sales were off 21% for the month, with a median price of $122,000. Local Real Estate pros say it’s still a seller’s market, but things are beginning to level off.

     Wheels from The Heart helps women by giving them cars to go to work. See. www.wheelsfromtheheart.org or email sfmwheels@aol.com. Call 561.445.7444 for more information on how you can help.    

    Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl discussing Godzilla, Chef and more 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 with Avatar Airlines President & COO Marv Ruthenberg, Senior EVP Michael Zapin; legendary football coach and FAU Ambassador-At-Large Howard Schnellenberger, Steven Sanders Drafting & Design President Steve Sanders and Florida State Senator Maria Sachs on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres and the Wick Theatre. 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.

     Chef, Million Dollar Arm, Belle and Godzilla opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. The Galapagos Affair and The German Doctor opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres and at the Movies of Delray, which also opens Dancing in Jaffa and Fading Gigolo. G-d’s Pocket and The German Doctor opens at Movies of Lake Worth. Fading Gigolo and The Lunchbox opens at the Last Picture show in Tamarac. Belle opens at the Classic Gateway Theatre in Ft. Lauderdale. 

    Family Fun Fridays are at Coconut Cove waterpark, located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, West Boca on May 16, 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Young children and their parents can enjoy splashing in the shallow water, climbing on the play structure, and taking a fun ride down the playground slides. Family Fun Friday admission fees are $3.50 for children 11 and under and $5 for adults (12 & over). Call 561.629.8840 for more info.

    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.     

   Every Sunday at AMF bowling, 1190 Boynton Beach Blvd. and Congress Ave. Brain Bowlers sponsors a bowling league for families and children with disabilities to raise funds and awareness for agencies and children who are void of social interaction.  Cost is only $1.38 per game and families can bowl one or two games.  There is also entertainment and prizes. For further information, call Robert Gottesman at 561-676-2075.
     Reza-Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran, is the featured speaker at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com  luncheon, 11:30 a.m. May 20. RSVP on the site or call 561.852.0000 for more information.

      Red White and Blue Salute Our Troops-Fundraiser for FSO is 7 pm May 23 at Blue Martini 6000 Glades Rd in Boca Raton (outside Town Center Mall) $10 a person with MC Former SFC William Schedneck - served in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more info, contact Tara Laxer 561-289-6031. 

    The Delray Beach Playhouse at 950 NW 9th St. in Lake Ida Park, off Swinton Ave. Delray Beach presents: Doubt, May 24-June 8, Visit www.delraybeachplayhouse.com or call 561.272.1281 x 4 for more information and reservations.

    The Veterans Coalition of South Florida will present its annual Memorial Day program beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, at Veteran’s Park, in West Boca on Palmetto Park Road between 441 and Lyons Road.

  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.

     Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale July 22-27. Call 954.462.0222 or visit www.browardcenter.org for tickets or more information.

     The National Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be in Boca Raton for the first time on Oct. 11 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The kickoff for the Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at JAZZIZ Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real in Mizner Park. The event will include cocktails and appetizers, a silent auction, photo booth and a deejay. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door at http://goo.gl/wq17A5. Registration for the walk is free at www.alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.

      The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk for mental health is 8 am. Nov. 8, at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. Register at namibroward@gmail.com. For more information, call 954.316.9907 or visit www.namibroward.org.

    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.

     Thanks to David Weir’s South Florida Business Report for contributing to the 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.com – www.http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com  and on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.

Barrys Buzz – May 7, 2014

     The Waterstone Resort & Marina, formerly the Bridge Hotel is planning a soft opening on May 13, following a media preview on May 12.

   Rumor has it that the Shops of Village Pointe is being sold by Boca philanthropist Yvonne Boice, but the sale has not closed yet.

   Wal-Mart is refurbishing the store at U.S. 441 and Palmetto Park Road, scheduled to open in the fall. 300 jobs are available at www.careers.walmart.com.

   Boca Raton based Office Depot plans to close 400 U.S. stores -150 in 2014, more than 20 percent of the 1,900 merged Office Depot and OfficeMax stores.   

    Reza-Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran, is the featured speaker at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com  luncheon, 11:30 a.m. May 20. RSVP on the site or call 561.852.0000 for more information.

    ADT Corp. agreed to buy Reliance Protection for about $500 million in cash with plans to expand in Canada. Boca Raton-based ADT will fund the purchase through cash on hand and an existing credit line. 

    Equity investor Summit Partners will acquire MDVIP from Proctor & Gamble Company after it sold MDVIP to them in 2009.

  The outside right lane of the westbound entrance ramp to I-95 northbound from Yamato Road will be closed 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday through Wednesday, May 14. The closure is part of the work on the I-95 Interchange at Spanish River Boulevard. Part of the work on the 2.5-mile project includes constructing 13 bridges between Spanish River Boulevard and Yamato Road, signalized intersection improvements and the addition of auxiliary lanes on Yamato Road, and sound wall construction along Yamato Road and on the east side of I-95 north of Yamato Road. The project costs an estimated $67 million. The work is expected to be completed by fall 2016.

   Boca water customers may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor through Sunday, May 18. The city’s Utility Services Department is temporarily using a stronger disinfection process in the water treatment plant, according to a city posted announcement. For more information, call 561.338.7310.

     The Boca Bay DUI Program Inc. just received the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles’ first DUI-education program license in 17 years after a denial and complaint filing process. Judge Mary Li Creasy issued a Recommended Order directing the Department to grant Boca Bay the license to operate the DUI program in Broward County that would be accessible from Palm Beach County as well. In short, the Department made numerous errors in its denial. It ignored the requirements of applicable statutes and rules when reviewing and denying the application. It relied on incomplete, insufficient and constantly changing client data compiled by the Department from existing DUI program vendors. 

     For the first time in its 61-year history, the Boca Raton Garden Club was named club of the year for the state and the Deep South Region of National Garden Clubs, which includes six states. Club president Carol Brown brought home several wins from back-to-back conventions last month in St. Petersburg, the Deep South and Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. She also won the leadership award for the state.
     Palm Beach County’s Art in Public Places Program invites visual artists who reside in Palm Beach County to submit artwork to be considered for inclusion in a four-month exhibition at the Palm Beach International Airport.  Artists can enter one original, two-dimensional artwork. All media welcome. Exhibition dates are July 9 to Oct. 8, 2014. Obtain a copy at http://www.pbcgov.com/fdo/art/artists/ or call 561.233.0235 for more information.

    The Palm Beach County Library System’s Talking Books program has earned the 2013 National Library Network Subregional Award for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Talking Books Manager Sarah Smedley and Outreach Services Manager Wendy Rosenfeld are planning to attend a ceremony on June 5 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The award carries with it a $1,000 cash prize.
  Brazil is South Florida’s top trading partner with $13 billion in 2013, Trade with Columbia was $8 billion and trade with Switzerland was $7.5 billion in 2013.

   Romantic musical comedy Ghost at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts has the most unique lighting, staging and set direction with superb audio visual effects. Don’t miss it, through May 11! Tickets at www.browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222.

     Openings in Boca include The Filling Station, a gastropub at 133 S.E. Mizner Blvd.; El Jefe Luchador Mexican restaurant at Town Center and IchiyamiBuffet & sushi Bar at 145 S.E. Mizner Blvd., suite 16B.

     The Trouble with Doug is 7:30 p.m. through May 11 at the Arts Garage, 180 NE 1^st St. Delray. Visit www.artsgarage.org or call 561.450.6357 for tickets.

   Ain’t Misbehavin’ is at the Wick Theatre, May 8-June 1, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. If you would like to win a pair of tickets to see it, send an email to barryepsteinlive@yahoo.com. The 2014/2015 season for the Wick Theatre 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.

   Avery Sommers will be in concert at the Candle Club in the Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 9:50 p.m to 1:00 a.m. every Thursday, Friday & Saturday starting May 8. Cash bar, delectable nibbles. Call 561.995.2333 or visit www.thewick.org for more information and reservations.

   Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl and Barry Epstein discussing CHEF and more 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 with Wick Theatre and Costume Museum Founder and Executive Producer Marilyn Wick, WRPBITV Interactive Intelligence Source Vice President Sonya Pressley and WRPBITV Founder and Executive Producer Wayne Filowitz on www.wrpbitv.com at 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres and the Wick Theatre. 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.

      Fading Gigolos, Neighbors, Moms’ Night Out, Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return and Only Lovers Left Alive opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Only Lovers Left Alive opens at the Classic Gateway Theatre. Fading Gigolo and Bright Days Ahead opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres. The Railway Man opens at the Movies of Delray. Dancing in Jaffa opens at Movies of Lake Worth. Richard II from the Royal Shakespeare Company is 7:00 p.m. May 7 at the Movies of Delray.

     TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading.” The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.) Visit the first official TEDx in Boca Raton at FAU on May 9th. For tickets and additional information please visit www.tedxbocaraton.com.

    Family Fun Fridays are at Coconut Cove waterpark located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, West Boca on May 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Young children and their parents can enjoy splashing in the shallow water, climbing on the play structure, and taking a fun ride down the playground slides. Family Fun Friday admission fees are $3.50 for children 11 and under and $5 for adults (12 & over). Call 561.629.8840 for more info.

    It’s the final week of the Boca Raton Green Market!  The Market, in its 17th year, has farm-to-table, freshly-picked produce (organics, too) from local growers and lots more,  8am to 1pm every Saturday at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd in downtown Boca Raton, now until May 10th.  “It Takes Two” are entertaining at this week’s market.   Call (561) 299-8684 for information.

   Another great Dinner & Show at the MEATBALL ROOM on May 10. One night only starting at 7:30PM Till. THE BLUES BROTHERS. If you missed the last sold out show don't miss this one; includes a full dinner and a great show all for $34.95 PP. Make sure you call and make a Reservation 561-409-4111.

    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.     

   Every Sunday at AMF bowling, 1190 Boynton Beach Blvd. and Congress Ave. Brain Bowlers sponsors a bowling league for families and children with disabilities to raise funds and awareness for agencies and children who are void of social interaction.  Cost is only $1.38 per game and families can bowl one or two games.  There is also entertainment and prizes. For further information, call Robert Gottesman at 561-676-2075.
     Palm Beach State College Foundation’s 2014 Golf Classic is May 9 at the Country Club of Mirasol. Sponsorship opportunities and registration information is at www.palmbeachstate.edu/foundation/golf or contact Ana Thomas at 561.868.3569.

     The sixth annual FREE score business conference with Google and Godaddy, etc. coming to Boca is 8 am. To 3:30 pm May 10^th. Reserve your ticket at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sixth-annual-score-business-conference-tickets-8777996223.

     Tina Turner Tribute Band, Simply Tina, is free 7-9 pm May 10 at the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park Amphitheatre, 20405 Amphitheater Circle, off Glades Road, West Boca. Lawn chairs and picnic baskets ok. Food available for purchase on site. Call 561.488.8069 for more information.

     Real Estate entrepreneur and five time best-selling author Frank McKinney will be the keynote speaker at the third annual Senator Philip D. Lewis noon Luncheon May 14 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The super hero-themed luncheon will benefit homeless families and children in Palm Beach County. Tickets are $75. Visit http://www.homelesscoalitionpbc.org/events/annual-be-extraordinary-senator-philip-d-lewis-luncheon/. For more information, call 561.355.4764 or email: HomelessCoalitionPBC@gmail.com.

    Former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic Presidential nominee Michael Dukakis will speak at the annual Florida Fishing Academy fundraiser “SOS: Save Our Students” 6 to 8 pm May 15 at City Fish Market 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton, across from the Florida’s Turnpike entrance. Tickets are $150 and available at www.FloridaFishingAcademy.com.

     Reza-Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran, is the featured speaker at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com  luncheon, 11:30 a.m. May 20. RSVP on the site or call 561.852.0000 for more information.

      Red White and Blue Salute Our Troops-Fundraiser for FSO is 7 pm May 23 at Blue Martini 6000 Glades Rd in Boca Raton (outside Town Center Mall) $10 a person with MC Former SFC William Schedneck - served in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more info, contact Tara Laxer 561-289-6031. 

    The Delray Beach Playhouse at 950 NW 9th St. in Lake Ida Park, off Swinton Ave. Delray Beach presents: Doubt, May 24-June 8, Visit www.delraybeachplayhouse.com or call 561.272.1281 x 4 for more information and reservations.

    The Veterans Coalition of South Florida will present its annual Memorial Day program beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26, at Veteran’s Park, in West Boca on Palmetto Park Road between 441 and Lyons Road.

  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 National Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be in Boca Raton for the first time on Oct. 11 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The kickoff for the Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at JAZZIZ Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real in Mizner Park. The event will include cocktails and appetizers, a silent auction, photo booth and a deejay. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door at http://goo.gl/wq17A5. Registration for the walk is free at www.alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.

      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.

     Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there.

     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.com – www.http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com  and on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.