Barrys Buzz – June 4, 2014

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

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

     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.

     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.

   Boca Raton resident and philanthropist, Ross Mandell, is still fighting for his freedom in a historic landmark case that is winding its way through the court system. His friends are all hoping that he is allowed to remain home with his family until the case is decided and it could be headed to the United States Supreme Court!  See: http://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2014/05/29/federal-judge-orders-ross-mandell-to-prison-but-hold-on/.

     Boca Raton lawyer Stu Rosenfeldt, formerly a name partner in the notorious now defunct law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, plans to plead guilty on charges of bank fraud and conspiracy. The plea deal involves Rosenfeldt’s role in Rothstein’s massive Ponzi scheme run out of the law firm’s offices. Other name partner Russ Adler has pleaded guilty for his part in the scandal while Rothstein is currently serving 50 years in jail.

     Ensuring that South Florida remains the con capital of the civilized world, Boca Raton stock brokers Kevin McKnight and Steve Bauer were nailed by federal prosecutors for a kickback scheme involving a shady penny stock scam and face five years in prison.

   Warren Redlich reports that Aldi will be opening in the Boca Square shopping center on the northeast corner of 441 and Palmetto Park Road, facing Chili’s, in the former Beal’s location, along with Hobby Lobby, facing 441.

    The cost of settling a fired employee's lawsuit against the city of Boca Raton was released Tuesday, showing the ex-employee will get $322,500 in a lump sum and her lawyers will get $215,000, for a total of $537,500 to be paid in the case. Christine Ferrigan, a 23-year employee of the city, was fired from the Water Department in 2008. She filed suit soon after, claiming that she was fired from her position as the utilities program coordinator in retaliation for pointing out threats to public safety of Boca's water system.

    Boca may provide Fire and Rescue services to Highland Beach as they currently use Delray Beach.

   St. Andrews Country Club in Boca spent $17 million on facility improvements to attract younger home buyers.

   Boca Raton soft porn king pin Marc Bell put his huge mansion on the sales block for a jaw dropping $35 million, the highest asking price ever in the city.

  Allen Edmonds, selling premium men’s footwear, leather belts, wallets and briefcases opened at the Shops of Boca Center, 5050 Town Center Road.  

   Tri-County Animal Rescue, the region’s largest 100% no-kill 501(c) 3 animal rescue nonprofit, is teaming up with California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) at Town Center at Boca Raton to co-host six weekly “Tri-County Thursdays” at the eatery beginning June 5th to raise much-needed funds to support the mission of TCAR that operates 100% on donations. TCAR supporters and patrons of CPK need only to print out and bring in a “Tri-County Thursdays” flyer (available from the TCAR website at www.tricountyanimalrescue.com, show the flyer on their mobile device, or mention to their server that they wish to participate in the CPK program to donate 20% of purchases to the rescue center, including dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages.

   Palm Beach County commissioners approved a contract with John A. Carey to become Palm Beach County’s Inspector General at a starting annual salary of $175,000. The four-year contract takes effect June 23, 2014.  

   Palm Beach County home sales showed a healthy jump of more than 5% compared to the same month last year. Closed sales hit 1,478 for the month with 50% paid in cash. A little over 2,400 new listings were posted for April, up 18% from a year ago.

     While South Florida single family home sales showed a healthy increase, condo sales for the six month period, November through April posted the worst winter buying season in the past four years, as Palm Beach County revealed a 5% fall off with a little over 7,200 deals.

    The average April Palm Beach County home sale price was $447,465, 7,326 home sales were listed in April and 730 April home sales were cash buys.

    For more information on Real Estate, contact Joanne Epstein at www.joanneepstein.com or call 561. 945.0000.

    The White house has quietly adjusted the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare to provide insurers with a taxpayer bailout if they lose money writing coverage for the new law. The bailout was buried in hundreds of pages of regulations issued last week, despite the White House spending months denying any bailout was in the works. The deal means insurers will keep premiums low for political reasons and taxpayers will get nailed for covering any shortfall, according to Obamacare critics.     

    Okeechobee cattle ranchers are pumping up their bank accounts on the soaring cost of beef. Huge beef consumers like McDonalds, fast food chains and major grocers are shelling out major money to insure supply and forcing higher prices. Beef prices at major South Florida supermarkets are up 20% and restaurants are cutting back on portions, rather than raising prices. The trend is expected to continue throughout this year.

   The Boca Museum of Art will offer free access to the general public every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during June, July, and August.

    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.

     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 at 10 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday on www.wrpbitv.com with Delivery Now president Scott Trachtenberg, Bauman Medical Group hair transplant specialist Dr. Alan Bauman, Rand Marketing Guru Seth Rand and Task Me Anything founders Harriett Lewkowitz and Lauren Donahue to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. You can be on too to promote your business. Call 561.852.0000 for details.

   Edge of Tomorrow and The Fault in Our Stars opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Bicycling with Moliere opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres and Movies of Delray, which also brings back Walking with the Enemy. Chef opens at the Movies of Lake Worth.  Railway Man and the Other Woman opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac.   

     On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s will be June 6-July 27 at the Broward Stage Door theatre, 8036 W Sample Rd. Coral Springs. Call 954.344.7765 or visit www.stagedoortheatre.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

     A combined East and West Boca Relay for Life starts 6 p.m. June 6 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton with continuous music by three bands, demonstrations, pizza and a survivors catered dinner by Olive Garden.  Contact Jennifer.DeGruccio@cancer.org or call 561.394.7751. Visit www.relayforlife.org for more information. 
    South Florida Parenting’s second annual Baby Fair is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.June 7 in the Pavilion Grille, 301 Yamato Road. General admission is $10 per person in advance at www.southfloridaparenting.com or 415 at the door. Children are admitted free, but the event is geared for parents. First 500 get goodie bags.

    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 “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.

     A rabbi, a social worker and a suicide-prevention expert will offer perspectives on suicide and how to cope with the death at a June 10 seminar in Boca Raton. The free session, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is sponsored by B'nai Torah Congregation and the Ruth and Norman Rules Jewish Family Services. It will address awareness, prevention and how to handle the loss of life. Call Shlomit Karasik, the family service's community outreach coordinator, at 561-852-3326.

     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).

      A never-before-seen collection of works by Michael Godard, the Rockstar of the Art World, will be on exhibition and available for acquisition at an exhibition presentation 6 to 9 pm June 28 at the Wentworth Gallery, Boca Town Center, 6000 Glades Road in Boca Raton. Call 561.338.0804 or Email to towncenter@wentworthgallery.com for more info and to RSVP.

     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 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.