Boca Raton attorney Peter Sachs, managing partner of Sachs Sax Caplan has been reappointed to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council for a term ending Oct. 1, 2016 by Governor Rick Scott and Business Development Board of Palm Beach County president and chief executive officer Kelly Smallridge was appointed by Scott to a vacant seat term ending Oct. 1, 2015. Both are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Wal-Mart in West Boca will open Sept. 10, but will “soft open” on Sept. 9.
Hobby Lobby in the Boca Square (Target) shopping center, at the NE corner of 441 and Palmetto Park Road behind Chilis, is slated to open Sept. 29. Job opportunities will be posted at hobbylobby.com/careers/retail/newstorecareers.cfm.
Looking for an inexpensive source for new and used iphones, Samsung Galaxys, repairs, unlocking, International SIM cards, accessories, etc. as well as SELLING your old phone? Contact Ed Kissel at Mobile Source, 3500 Boca Raton Blvd., Suite 603, in east Boca Raton, 561-416-7224.
Boca Raton based Office Depot had second quarter losses of $190 million and announced an $80 million settlement with California on an over-billing charge law suit. This column previously posted it would close 165 stores this year and a total of 4000 through 2016. Office Depot currently employs 1700 people at its Boca Raton headquarters and will add more with its merger with Office Max. The company could receive up to $5 million in new economic incentives from Florida and local governments — on top of millions of dollars granted years earlier — for keeping its headquarters and jobs in Boca Raton.
Ongoing construction on the new Interstate 95 interchange at Spanish River Boulevard in Boca Raton is affecting both car and pedestrian traffic. Nightly lane closures are planned on northbound and southbound I-95 between Glades and Yamato roads until Sept. 7. The outside lanes will be closed 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday.
Early voting for the Aug. 26 primary election continues through Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Old Boca Raton Library 200 NW Boca Raton Blvd. and the West Boca Branch Library, 18685 S.R. 7/US 441
Sparked by a demand for new housing, Palm Beach County added nearly 3,000 construction jobs in June, up 15% from June of last year. G. L. homes led the building upswing with two 300 home developments west of Delray and Boynton Beach. Ranger construction has 200 people working on 30 developments in South Florida, but builders have become concerned about finding skilled labor for projects looming on the horizon.
An independent analysis by Florida’s Tax Watch revealed the number of Florida’s visitors increased 2.8 million last year, adding 38,000 tourism related new jobs, 15,000 in South Florida. Tourism in Florida reached 94 million last year and estimated to reach 100 million by the end of 2018. The boost in visitors reflected adding 37,000 non-tourism related jobs.
Despite all the recalls hammering the industry, AutoNation had the best July sales month in eight years, selling over 27,000 new cars and trucks, up 8% from a year ago. Leading the sales were luxury cars, Lexus, BMW and Mercedes, that were up a solid 17% from last year. South Florida’s 31 stores jumped 12% from 2013. AutoNation has 260 stores selling 35 different brands.
The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, may not be so affordable next year, according to the state insurance commissioner. South Florida Enrollees face a 15% hike in premiums and higher deductibles in 2015. In addition, the Obamacare website, healthcare.gov is still not working right and causing widespread confusion when the Feds attempt qualify enrollees for subsidies that will pay partial premiums.
Officials at state-owned Citizens Property Insurance are being lambasted for excessive travel expenses of $1.3 million in 8 months to Bermuda, London, Zurich and other European destinations, including a $633 per night stay in Bermuda for one Citizens official.
Forbes Magazine reported that the Miami Dolphins franchise is valued at a little over $1 billion, the same amount owner Steve Ross paid for it five years ago. Miami Marlins baseball owner Jeff Luria is making a killing on his team. He paid $138 million and now Forbes says it is worth $500 million. The Miami Heat is valued at $770 million and the Florida Panthers is worth $240 million, according to Forbes.
Publix has 251 stores in South Florida, employing nearly 24,000 people and made $1.6 billion in profits last year and $404 million for the second quarter of this year, with same store sales up 6%, on its way to make $1.8 billion on sales of $28 billion this year. The company is also creating a higher profile in real estate by acquiring property in shopping centers where its stores are anchored.
Sicilian Oven, serving pizzas, pastas, wings and salads opened at 21170 St. Andrews Blvd. next to Greenwise Publix in Boca Raton.
Luxury real estate firm Engel & Volker will open two offices in Boca Raton at 310 E. Palmetto Park Road and 4855 Technology Way, along with an office in Delray Beach at 900 E. Atlantic Ave. Claire Collins is the broker for all three offices.
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 moviesofdelray.com for more information.
The March of the Living will hold informational meeting for its 2015 trips to Israel 7 p.m. Aug. 14; 2 p.m. Aug. 17; 7 p.m. Aug. 19 and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Levine Board Room on the Federation campus, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. Boca Raton. To RSVP, email mol@bocafed.org or call 561.852.6013. Applications and information are available at molsouth.org.
Watch Movie Talk with Morrie Zryl on wrpbitv.com Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 6 a.m.
Watch Barry Epstein live at barryepstein.com to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. You can be on too to promote your business and we send a link of your segment to put on your website and send out in emails to prospects and clients for only $100. It also goes out on Vimeo, Facebook and YouTube. Call 561.852.0000 for details.
The Expendables 3, The Giver, Let’s Be Cops and Calvary opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Calvary opens at the Movies of Delray. Boyhood and Magic in the Moonlight opens at the Movies of Lake Worth. The Last Sentence opens at the FAU Living Room theatres. Calvary opens at the Classic Gateway theatre. A Most Wanted Man, Hercules and Transformers opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac.
"Taste Atlantic Avenue" tours run every Saturday, 11am - 2pm and the "Pineapple Grove" tour runs the third Thursday of each month from 5pm - 8pm. Both tours are $65 per person, plus gratuity. For more info, visit SavorOurCity.com or call 800.979.3370.To purchase Gift Certificates or Private & Group Tours, contact Denise Righetti at (954) 410-3177 or info@savorthecity.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.
Butterflies are Free, a romantic Comedy is at the Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, through September 14. Call 954.344.7765 or email stagedoortheatre.com for more information or tickets.
A Back to School Expo will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 16 at Town Center featuring exhibitors from public and private schools, trade schools, universities and education-related companies and services, including health related companies.
The George Snow Scholarship Fund presents Boca’s Ballroom Battle, 6 p.m. August 16 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real. Tickets start at $150. Tables and sponsorships available. Call 561. 347.6799. Visit scholarship.org for tickets and more information.
AEG Live presents Slightly Stoopid with opening acts Stephen Marley and G. Love & Special Sauce, 6:30 p.m. August 16, at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater, 20405 Amphitheater Circle, Boca Raton, in the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 2 ½ miles west of State Road 7 on Glades Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $34.50 advance and $40 day of show. Box office opens at noon. No chairs, strollers, professional recording/camera equipment, coolers/containers/backpacks, food, beverages, pets of any kind (service animals are okay), weapons, umbrellas, musical instruments, fireworks, or illegal substances.
JARC is sponsoring a VIP screening fundraiser movie, Gabrielle, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the FAU Living Room Theatres, 777 Glades Road. Tickets are $36, including movie, beverage ticket, appetizers and a JARC donation. Contact fallong@jarcfl.orgor call 561.558.2572.
Contractor Marketing Tools presents the Ultimate South Florida Contractor’s Marketing Conference, August 21 in Boca Raton. Call 561.503.7265 or email info@contractormarketingtools.com to register at ultimatecontractorseminars.com for further details. Cost is $69.97.
What’s New Pussycat, the songs of Burt Bacharach, is at the Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, August 22-September 28. Visit stagedoortheatre.com
JARC sponsors Cocktails for a Cause, 6 to 8 pm August 26 at BRIO Tuscan Grille in the Shops at Boca Center. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door for Hors d’oevres and two drink tickets. Go to jarcfl.org/events or call 561.558.2550.
Nicest Theatre Company presents Cabaret August 29-Sept. 7 at the Showtime Performing Arts Theatre, Boca Raton. Tickets are $18 for students and seniors; $25 for adults. Call 866.811.4111 or visit nicesttheatrecompany.com to purchase tickets and for more information.
The Boca Raton Tribune and Palm Beach State College presents an International Trade Show Sept. 26. Booth space is $250 until Sept. 1 and $350 after Sept. 1. Admission is $20 per person. Email gabriela@bocaratontribune.com for more information.
Nixon political consultant and confidante Roger Stone returns to the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club lunch Sept. 10 to discuss his new book, Nixon’s Secrets. RSVP at goldcoasttigerbayclub.com or call 561.852.0000 for more information.
JAFCO hosts its fourth annual In My Shoes Luncheon, Sept 12 at Boca West Country Club. Tickets are $75. RSVP at jafco.org or call 954.315.8698.
The 26th Annual Golf Classic benefiting the George Snow Scholarship Fund is 12:45 p.m. Oct. 6 at Boca West Country Club. Sponsorship and Underwriting opportunities are available. Email dfeiler@scholarship.org or call 561.347.6799 for 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. Registration for the walk is free at alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.
The 16th Annual Lynn University Blue & White Auction will take place on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m., in the de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center. Call 561-237-9000 or register online at lynn.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=672701.
JARC sponsors a bowling fundraiser 12:30 to 3 Oct. 26 at Strikes Boca to benefit Adult Day Training Program. Sponsorships are needed. Call 561.558.2572 or email fallong@jarcfl.org. Register at jarcfl.org.
The Junior League of Boca Raton’s 27th annual Volunteer of the Year fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue and luncheon is Nov. 7 at Boca West Country Club. Nominations are still being accepted by calling 561.620.2553.
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 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 kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.
The Palm Beach Pops kicks off an abbreviated new season Dec. 14 with a one-night-only show at the Kravis Center featuring the Manhattan Transfer, Frank Sinatra Jr. will sing on Jan. 10 at the Boca Raton Community Church and Jan. 11 at the Kravis Center, and a tribute to Marvin Hamlisch on March 7 at the Boca Raton Community Church and March 8 at the Kravis Center. Tickets go on sale Sept. 2. Call 561.832.7677 or visit palmbeachpops.org, bocacommunity.org, or kravis.org for more information.
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.
Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president of the goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the luxurychamber.com, the westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on vimeo.com, youtube.com and 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 bocatribune.com, facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at floridajewishjournal.com –barrys-journal.blogspot.com and on his website: publicrelations.nu.
