By: Barry Epstein
The SlowBurn Theatre Company recently presented the Wedding Singer at the West Boca Performing Arts Center in West Boca with Clay Cartland, Courtney Poston, Conor Walton, Domenic Servidio, Erica Mendez, Rick Hvizdak, Nicole Piro, Penny Mandel and ensemble providing a terrific update on the classic. The entire team, led by Director and Choreographer Patrick Fitzwater, had the audience clapping and stamping their feet to the tunes, with a colorful set designed by Ian Almeida. Don’t miss their next production, Next to Normal, Oct. 18- Nov. 2. Buy tickets at www.slowburntheatre.org or call 866.811.4111. For group sales or for season ticket packages, call 954.323.7884.
Nestors Bageland in the Garden Shops has closed.
The Levis Jewish Community Center has 14 months to raise $1 million and recruit at least 500 host families and 250 volunteers initially after being tapped to host the JCC Maccabi Games from Aug. 10 to 15. The West Boca-based center of Jewish activity for south county expects at least 1,000 visiting Jewish athletes ages 12 to 16 from the U.S., Israel and other countries; 1,500 visiting families and at least 200 coaches, plus their own local team, almost like a replay of the Presidential debate at Lynn University. This is the second time Levis has hosted and the first since 2000. Go to www.levisjcc.org for information.
The merger of Office Max and Office Depot will set off a bidding war between Florida and Illinois over where the headquarters will be located. Office Depot has already received $3.5 million from the state in job incentives plus $650,000 in tax breaks. Office Max is shooting for huge tax breaks and job incentives to keep 2,000 jobs in Illinois. It’s hard to imagine closing down a Florida headquarters with no state tax and a lower cost of living.
FAU jumped to the USA conference from the Sun Belt conference but will pay a $700,000 exit fee and a $2 million entry tab to be deducted from TV rights.
The Florida Atlantic University men’s ice hockey program will host next year’s American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III National Tournament at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs.
The planned almost $1 billion cost update to FPL plants in Dania Beach and Pt. St. Lucie will cost FP&L customers an additional $24 per year on their bills for the next three years. Last year, FP&L made over $1 billion in profit.
Big business has kicked in another $1 million to Gov. Scott’s reelection campaign with Boca based GEO group paying $100,000, sugar giant Florida Crystal in for $150,000, FP&L anted up $250,000 and U.S. Sugar gave $100,000 on top of $250,000 previously donated.
Long customs delays due to budget cutbacks at FLL and MIA checkpoints are causing officials grief and tourists to miss connecting flights and cruise departures, forcing overnight stays at the airport. Delays at MIA are over 2 hours and 1 hour delays at FLL are becoming the norm.
Florida led the list with 85 of the top 100 zip codes with over 55,000 owner vacated foreclosures statewide, leading the nation over Illinois and Nevada.
Oasis of the Seas serves 130,000 meals, launders 20,000 sheets and handles 10,000 pieces of luggage per 7 day cruise.
You can explore the Intracoastal Waterway on the Water Taxi in Ft. Lauderdale. Hop off and on all day. Visit www.watertaxi.com or call 954.467.6677.
Palm Beach Dramaworks presents Man of La Mancha through July 21 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $35. Call 561.514.4042 or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org for further information.
There have been reports of suspicious activity at Maggiano’s and a Detective has been called in to get to the bottom of the situation for an entertaining evening of “whodunit” and Maggiano’s Family Style Dinner while the case is solved! Just ask yourself, do you really know your dinner partners…or could they be part of the plot? July 12th at 7:30PM $65 per person – includes a show, appetizers and a three-course dinner (tax and tip included) Cash Bar available in room. Reservations are required, call 561-361-2322 to secure your seats. This is adult comedy and recommended for guests over 18.
Year after year, the Palm Beach Pops celebrates the Great American Songbook. Next season the Pops will continue the tradition featuring music from
Whitney Houston & Friends; Broadway, Marvin Hamlisch; Nat King Cole; Smoky Standards from The Mad Men Era and A major television star! Go to palmbeachpops.org for ticket packages to save up to $64 now or call 561-832-7677 for Immediate Seat Selection or fax order to 561.832.9686. You can also e-mail your request to info@palmbeachpops.org.
The Boca Palm Beach Business Connection meets every Wednesday 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Butts Road TooJays, south of Glades Rd and west of I-95 in the Boca Glades Shopping Center. No dues, no fees, no mandatory meetings. Bring business cards.
Pacific Rim and Grown Ups 2 opens at the Cinemark and Regal Entertainment Shadowwood theatres. The Hot Flashes opens exclusively at the Movies of Delray, partnering with Delray Medical Center, Susan B Komen Foundation and six PAP Corp. Additional sponsors needed. Call 561.636.0020 for details.
Barry Epstein Live airs Friday morning with Team Tennis Coach Ken Tolber, Entrepreneur Annette Reizburg, Travel expert Scott Grody and Sun-Sentinel Editorial columnist Kingsley Guy on www.wrpbitv.com, www.publicrelations.nu, www.vimeo.com and www.bocatribune.com. Watch to win free tickets to the Cinemark theatres.
Lynn University political professor Dr. Robert Watson lectures at the South County Civic Center, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays July 17, 24 and 31. Go to www.grandedventures.com to register or call 1.877.354.1077.
Temple Beth Shira presents free Adult Education classes- Journey From Torah To Talmud – 10:00 am July 24 at the South County Library on 441, just north of Yamato Road. RSVP to Rick Alovis 561.414.4423 or email ralovis@yahoo.com.
Palm Beach Dramaworks presents Man of La Mancha at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, 201 Clematis St. West Palm Beach to July 21 and Company Aug. 7-Aug. 18. Go to www.palmbeachdramaworks.org or call 561.514.4042. for further information and tickets.
Character Man is at the Stage Door Theatre July 12-August 11. Go to www.stagedoorfl.org or call 954.344.7765 for tickets and more information.
The Sounds of Simon, The music of Paul Simon in Vision & Light is 8 pm, July 12-28 at the Mizner Park Cultural Center Studio Theatre. Call 561.600.0495 or visit www.soundsofsimon.com for tickets and further information.
The Jackson Laskowski 3rd annual Keep Hope Alive Fund Golf Fundraiser; shotgun, silent auction and awards dinner is 11:30 a.m. July 13 at Westchester Country Club, 12250 Westchester Club Drive, Boynton Beach. Contact mlaskowski57@gmail.com, miti560@aol.com or call 561.252.2933 or 561.578.1948 for more details. Visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonlaskowski7.
Cabaret at the Plaza Theatre presents I’ve Got Rhythm, The music of George Gershwin, 7:30 July 24 at the Plaza Theatre in Manalapan, 262 S. Ocean Blvd. Visit www.theplazatheatre.net or call 561.588.1820 for tickets or more information.
The Monkees will be at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre July 27. Go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 800.745.3000.
The Sound of Music will be the first production at the new Wick Theatre, formerly the Caldwell on Sept. 18. Call 561.995.2333.
Mark your calendars: Rob Lowe, star of TV and film and a cancer awareness advocate, will be the keynote speaker at Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Go Pink Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 25.
If you would like to learn how you can make money and save money by NOT using a 401 k or IRA that will protect your money and generate tax free income, or are unhappy in your job, or want to change jobs, or need extra income, then visit www.yourretirementmiracle.com and call 561.852.0000 for further information. Everyone should see it.
Banks are now encouraging Short Sales, rather than the lengthy and costly foreclosures. FORECLOSURE IS NOT AN OPTION! Contact Keyes Company/Delray office Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) Realtor JOANNE EPSTEIN at 561.945.0000 and visit www.joanneepstein.com to find out how she can save you from foreclosure, with no cost for attorneys, fees or commissions.
Birch Communications is a multi-million dollar company with an exclusive wholesale agreement with AT and T. If you would like to save money on your AT&T land phones without changing your numbers or your service, call 561.852.0000.
www.WestBocaLeaders.com is the best networking group in the area and meets at the West Boca Library on 441, just north of Yamato Road on alternate Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. 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 www.luxurychamber.com, the www.westbocaleaders.com networking group and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on www.bocaratontribune.com (click on columnists) 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 in the Boca Raton Tribune and on the www.bocaratontribune.com (and click on columnists) website, on www.facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at www.floridajewishjournal.com – http://barrys-journal.blogspot.com as well as on his website: www.publicrelations.nu.