Barrys Buzz – June 25, 2014

    35 year old Boca resident Frankie Grande, who has a YouTube channel with over 185,000 subscribers, will be among the residents of the 16^th season of CBS’ Big Brother, debuting June 25.

     The Republican Federated Women of South Florida will be joining with the Boca Raton Republican Club, the Boynton Beach Republican Club, and the Palm Beach Republican Club, to present a Candidate Debate with the three candidates for Florida's Congressional District 22. 6:30 pm June 25 at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. There is no charge for this event, and light snacks will be served.

    Palm Beach County will consider the 252 home Mizner Trail development plan again June 26, which has been ongoing for nine years.

    West Boca’s Slow Burn Theatre inked a deal to produce shows at the renovated New River Room of the Broward Theatre for the Performing Arts.

    Boca will lose out on $2 million in road impact fees collected as the city bailed on the County’s $5.6 million proposal to widen Jog Road between Glades and Yamato Roads to six lanes, so the County cancelled the project.

    Boca based 1^st United Bank’s top 3 execs will get a total of $28 million in golden parachutes when they sell their bank to Jersey based Valley National bank for $312 million, yet will stay on after the merger. Chairman Warren Orlando is poised to get $9.38 million, CEO Rudd Schupp is expected to get $9.35 million and President John Marino is to get $9.45 million, after they agreed to reduce their golden parachutes by $4.5 million each.  

    Wealthy home builder Ed Falcone, who was hit with a $6 million civil theft suit jury verdict recently was nailed with a $2.2 million punitive damage award last week Falcone was convicted in a civil trial of deceptive dealing in the purchase of prime Boca Raton property housing the Gardens Memorial Park cemetery. Falcone was also ordered to pick up the plaintiff’s megabucks legal tab, but he plans to appeal the verdict. 

     Eric Fowler, appointed CEO in April of Boca based energy drink DNA brands, was forced to resign last week after he approved a phony press release touting the company had signed a lucrative distribution deal and the board later corrected the release. DNA brands trades on the penny stock pink sheet and recently posted losses of $800,000.    

     Florida Atlantic University may be hammered with budget cuts over its miserable graduation rate of only 20% of the students entering as freshmen graduate in four years and just 40% get a diploma after six years. The school’s dismal marks can cost FAU over $5 million in state incentives that rewards or penalizes universities on performance. School officials say they will try harder.

     The Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center was sold and will undergo a $7 million renovation. Look for more sales as investors open their checkbooks.

     Sales of upscale Palm Beach County homes priced at $1 million or more showed a healthy increase. There were 245 home closings for the first quarter and that was up a solid 16% from the same period last year and it was the second straight year that the well-heeled bought more million dollar plus homes than the previous year. Wealthy home buyers were able to obtain mortgages by laying out mega-buck down payments or in most deals avoided mortgages by just paying cash.

     South Florida’s Seminole Indian Tribe continues to expand its business empire, soon to acquire a bank that will add to the tribe’s diverse interest in cattle, seafood, beverages, wine and construction.   The tribe generates about $2 billion a year in gambling revenue across the state with around $800 million coming from its South Florida casinos. Each member of the tribe pockets $120,000 annually from gambling profits.

     Gluttonous Goat gastropub serving burgers, mussel and crawfish stew, braised lamb shank and rib-eye steaks is open at 99 SE Mizner Blvd. in Boca.

     Slow Burn Theatre’s award winning company’s production of High Fidelity runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2pm through June 29. Buy tickets online at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/29635 or call 866.811.4111. For more information, call 954.323.7884. 

    Arts Garage production of Ring of Fire, the Johnny Cash tribute musical, runs through July 13 at 180 NE 1^st St. Delray Beach. Email info@artsgarage.org or call 561.450.6537.    

     On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s runs to 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. 

     Avenue Q runs to June 29th, 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).

     The Life is at the Delray Square Performing Arts Center, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach through July 27. Call (561) 880-0319 or visit www.delraysquarearts.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

     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 to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. You can be on too to promote your business. Call 561.852.0000 for details.

     Transformers: Age of Extinction opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Violette and Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres. Million Dollar Arm and Godzilla opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Tranformers: Age of Extinction opens at the Movies of Lake Worth and the Classic Gateway theatre in Fort Lauderdale. 

     The free Friday Night Summer Tribute Series is 7:30 pm Fridays at the Mizner Park amphitheater including: Crazy Fingers, Grateful Dead tribute band June 27, Odyssey Road, Journey tribute band July 11, U2 by UV , U2 tribute band, July 25, Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, Jimmy Buffet tribute band Aug 1 and Turnstiles, Billy Joel tribute band Aug. 8. Visit www.mizneramphitheatre.com for more information.

    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.

    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 County Parks & Recreation and the West Boca Community Council present their seventh annual Fourth of July celebration at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park on Glades Road, west of 441, featuring Replay. Following the concert is a musical fireworks display by Zambelli Fireworks. The Kids Fun Zone will feature tons of games, a tattoo parlor, sidewalk chalk, and more. Several food trucks will be on site. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted. Free admission. In the city, shuttle buses will start running at 5:30 p.m. July 4, between all parking at the Boca Corporate Center and Countess de Hoernle Park/Spanish River Athletic Facility on Spanish River Boulevard just east of Military Trail.

Family activities, including a full-size Ferris wheel, obstacle courses and sports activities will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the city, and the All-Star Band will start playing 1960s and '70s music at 7 p.m. Both shows are shot over a lake. The city show is 21 minutes and the West Boca show is 10-12 minutes. Food is available at both venues and coolers are allowed, but no pets, except service animals.

     Keyes Real Estate president Mike Pappas speaks at the www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com lunch 11:30 a.m. July 8 and Legalizing Medical Marijuana is the program August 12. RSVP on the site.

     The Palm Beach Pops final two Summer Rocks Mini-Concerts for children will be July 11, 9 a.m. at Florence Fuller Child Development Center East, 200 N.E. 14^th St. and 10:30 a.m. at Florence Fuller Child Development Center West, 10130 185^th St. South Boca Raton, featuring a dozen professional musicians from the Palm Beach Pops. For more information, visit www.palmbeachpops.org or call 561.832.7677.

     The Delray Beach Playhouse Children’s Theatre, 950 NW 9^th Street, Delray Beach, presents ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR., a fast-paced stage adaptation of the timeless film, on Saturday, July 12 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm, Sunday, July 13 at 4:00pm and Saturday, July 19 at 4:00pm with a cast of nearly 30 talented young actors ranging in age from 6 – 16 from all over Palm Beach County.  To reserve tickets to the show, 561-272-1281 Ext. 4. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 18 and younger, Day-of-Show Tickets are $18 for Adults and $15 for Children.    

     Business & Professionals Networking Happy Hour (Sponsored by the Business & Professional Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County) is Tuesday, July 15, 2014   6:00 pm at New York Prime, 2350 Executive Center Drive, Boca Raton. Cost is $25 per person which includes cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, dietary laws observed. B&P is redefining business networking by making connections among a diverse, growing group of professionals and entrepreneurs that help build businesses as well as our community. To RSVP or for more information, visit www.jewishboca.org/bpnetworking, call 561-852-3128 or email sonnis@bocafed.org.

     Young Adults Wandering Happy Hour (Sponsored by the Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County) is July 24, at 5:45 - 8:00 p.m. at Saltwater Brewery, 1701 W Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Cost is $8 per person for pre-registration (includes a drink), $10 at the door (includes a drink). Spend an evening with young Jewish locals in their 20s to early 40s who enjoy the best in happy hour venues and company, and connecting with the community. RSVP at jewishboca.org/happyhour. For more information, call 561.852.3165 or email brians@bocafed.org..

     The Boca Black Film Festival will take place at the Boca Raton Marriott from July 17-19. It is a new festival for black content makers based in the U.S. For more info, visit www.bocablackfilm.org.

    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 fourth annual White Coats-4-Care awareness and fund raising reception to benefit Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 31 at the all-new Waterstone Resort & Marina’s Penthouse Atlantic Ballroom, 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton. Admission starts at $100 and other sponsorship opportunities are available. Call 561.392.5166 or email www.smartstrategiesstart@kcompr.com 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 www.alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.

      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 www.jarcfl.org.

     The Junior League of Boca Raton’s 27^th 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 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.

     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 www.palmbeachpops.org, www.www.bocacommunity.org, or www.kravis.org for more information.

     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 - June 18, 2014

   The Luxury Chamber features State Rep. Bobby Powell, 6 to 8 p.m. June 18 at Peninsula On The Intracoastal, 2690 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. Fl. 33435. RSVP to register at www.luxurychamber.com to network with upscale business and professional people.

    Keyes President Mike Pappas speaks at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club lunch 11:30 a.m. July 8 at City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road at the Florida Turnpike in Boca. RSVP and register at www.goldcoasttigerbayclub.com

   Correction: Boca Raton did not agree to help fund the Airport’s Administration Building in the amount of $622,000 and did not agree to fund any portion of the building.  The Airport Authority did agree to self-fund the building with an 80% FDOT participation as the Authority operates the Airport and sets policy for their staff to implement.  The Authority was created as a special district by the state legislature and the land is owned by the State of Florida.  Even though the airport shares an excellent relationship with the City, the City has no jurisdiction over or participation in the funding of Airport operations.

     370 residential units approved by the City Council will be the first buildings in the Arvida Park of Commerce in northwest Boca to have bedrooms.

      Racks Restaurant’s pork-belly patty melt in Mizner Park was named one of the best sandwiches in the country by Restaurant Hospitality.

      Restaurant broker Tom Prakas and Davin Tran will be opening their second location of Rhino Doughnuts in July at Mizner Plaza, 126 N.E. 2 St.

     Federal regulators are turning up the heat on Boca Raton based Med-Care Diabetics and Medical Supplies as an ongoing investigation into Medicare fraud and a recent review of Medicare claims reveal the company may owe millions of dollars to the government. One of the principals, Danny Porush served three years in prison for Medicare fraud. CEO Steve Silverman denied any wrongdoing.   

     Palm Beach County home builder Ed Falcone was found guilty in a civil theft lawsuit and could pay $6 million just for starters. Falcone was accused of deceptive practices along with his lawyer Mike Massinoff when buying a prime Boca Raton property housing a cemetery. The jury also agreed that Falcone acted with criminal intent on the deal which could cost him big in punitive damages and legal fees.

     The rumor mill is churning that giant supermarket chain Publix will buy specialty grocer Whole Foods, which has run into a rough patch of stagnant sales and pinched profits. It’s a long shot to happen, but Publix can certainly afford the major takeover price as first quarter earnings reached $493 million on sales of $7 billion. Last year Publix posted a profit of $1.5 billion.

     The Palm Beach Post featured an in-depth peek at annual paychecks for top executives in Palm Beach County. Leading the parade was Boca Raton’s, Martin Franklin, head of Jarden Corporation which makes home appliances, who clocked in at $44 million, former Office Depot Chairman Neil Austrian made $19 million, despite Office Depot losing millions of dollars under his watch, a stock price that went into the tank and a slew of lawsuits alleging overbilling, Boca’s First United Bank CEO Rudy Schupp made $971,970, Boca’s GEO group CEO George Zoley made $5.4 million and NextEra Chairman Lew Hay made $18.5 million in 2013.

     Seven former officers and directors of Boca’s now defunct Sun America bank have agreed to pay the FDIC $1.6 million to settle a $13 million lawsuit. The Feds seized the bank four years ago with a $157 million clean-up tab. Bank Chairman Mike Golden and several officers and directors were accused of making millions in garbage loans, cooking the books and blatant insider dealing.

     Boca Raton attorney Stu Rosenfeldt pled guilty to bank fraud charges in the notorious Scott Rothstein Ponzi scheme and faces five years in jail. He was a name partner in the firm where he and his partners Rothstein and Adler ran the scam. Rothstein is doing 50 years in jail and Adler plead guilty too.

    Several attorneys from the marital and family law firm Gladstone & Weissman, P.A. have been named to the prestigious Florida Super Lawyers 2014 list. Partners Peter L. Gladstone and Jeffrey A. Weissman, and senior attorney Christopher W. Rumbold have been selected as Florida Super Lawyers, and senior attorney Denise L. Jensen has been named to the Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

    UNOde50, a jewelry line from Spain has opened at the Town Center in Boca Raton, offering a wide selection of men’s and women’s accessories.

     The Life is at the Delray Square Performing Arts Center, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach through July 27. Call (561) 880-0319 or visit www.delraysquarearts.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

    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 to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. You can be on too to promote your business. Call 561.852.0000 for details.

     Jersey Boys, Think Like a Man Too opens Friday at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Supermensch and Ida opens at the FAU Living Room Theatres. Jersey Boys, Ida and Redwood Highway opens at the Movies of Delray and Movies of Lake Worth.  The Immigrant, Neighbors and Disney Bears opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Jersey Boys and Ida opens at the Classic Gateway theatre in Fort Lauderdale. 

     On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s is through 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.

    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.
    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).

      The free Friday Night Summer Tribute Series is 7:30 pm Fridays at the Mizner Park amphitheater including: Crazy Fingers, Grateful Dead tribute band June 27, Odyssey Road, Journey tribute band July 11, U2 by UV , U2 tribute band, July 25, Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, Jimmy Buffet tribute band Aug 1 and Turnstiles, Billy Joel tribute band Aug. 8. Visit www.mizneramphitheatre.com for more information.

    Dr. Robert Watson speaks 2 pm June 23 on the 2014 mid-term elections and 2 pm June 25 on 1814: The Bicentennial of the most intriguing year in American History in the sanctuary of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowhip, 2601 St. Andres Blvd. north of Glades Road. $40 for both sessions, $25 for one. Call 561.883.0999 to reserve or email ilirincinfo@att.net. Visit www.iliretirement.org for more information.

    The Republican Federated Women of South Florida will be joining with the Boca Raton Republican Club, the Boynton Beach Republican Club, and the Palm Beach Republican Club, to present a Candidate Debate with the three candidates for Florida's Congressional District 22. 6:30 pm June 25 at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. There is no charge for this event, and light snacks will be served.

     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.

     Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation and the West Boca Community Council present their seventh annual Fourth of July celebration at Sunset Cove Amphitheater in the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park on Glades Road, west of 441, featuring Replay. Following the concert is a musical fireworks display by Zambelli Fireworks. The Kids Fun Zone will feature tons of games, a tattoo parlor, sidewalk chalk, and more. Several food trucks will be on site. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted. Free admission.

     The Boca Black Film Festival will take place at the Boca Raton Marriott from July 17-19. It is a new festival for black content makers based in the U.S. For more info visit www.bocablackfilm.org.

    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 fourth annual White Coats-4-Care awareness and fund raising reception to benefit Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 31 at the all-new Waterstone Resort & Marina’s Penthouse Atlantic Ballroom, 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton. Admission starts at $100 and other sponsorship opportunities are available. Call 561.392.5166 or email www.smartstrategiesstart@kcompr.com 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 www.alz.org/walk. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Pamela Polani at polani@bellsouth.net or call 561-496-4222.

      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 www.jarcfl.org.

     The Junior League of Boca Raton’s 27^th 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 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.

     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 www.palmbeachpops.org, www.www.bocacommunity.org, or www.kravis.org for more information.

     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.

Travel Review: Waterstone Resort & Marina

        If you have never been to the former Bridge Hotel, you will be impressed with the transformation into the Waterstone Resort & Marina. If you have been to the former Bridge hotel, you will be blown away with the $10 million plus makeover.

     With the additional affiliation into the DoubleTree by Hilton brand, the new modern facility boasts the finest in a boutique hotel that will satisfy the taste of the most discerning traveler, whether for business or pleasure.

     Nestled in the crook of the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Boca Raton, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the magnificent 180 degree views from every angle is simply breathtaking in the 139 guest rooms, Presidential suite, 10 Executive Suites all with private balconies, decorated in a modern crisp white and ocean blue color scheme.

     The inspiration of the new name comes from the merging of water and stone throughout the entire resort, boasting custom-made art work, fabrics and furnishings on every level, coupled with a sophisticated coastal design befitting the opulent Boca Raton style.

     The former Watercolors outdoor dining area has been completely redone into the Waterstone Bar & Grill, with panoramic views of watercraft plying the Intracoastal and Lake Boca Raton, with a new 280 foot seawall for up to 80 foot boat dockage and walkway. A quick easy shuttle service takes you right to the beach if you prefer sand in your toes, and all types of water play rentals, jet skis, catamaran cruises, as well as many more are available too.

    The new Boca Landing restaurant replacing the check in and administrative offices has a glass enclosed private dining area for meetings and the entire restaurant opens to the sea with outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring local seafood, including oyster raw bar with shrimp cocktails, marinated conch and stone crab claws, followed by an offering of creative small plates, specially prepared meats and fish and side orders easily shared.

    Some examples include Snapper Ceviche, Filet Mignon, Steak Tartare and Seared Yellowfin Tuna, paired with such sides as Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Wild Mushrooms and Sauteed Baby Kale.

    The former Carmen’s on the top floor has been completely redesigned for private catered functions, including weddings, birthdays and special events.

    The entire staff has been trained to be ever so attentive to your every need, from the friendly accommodating pool area with a new oversized pool and swim-out, to the dining room personnel and of course, the check in area.

    The old drive through is now the gorgeous lobby which you enter from the south side and makes you reluctant to leave after you have been pampered to your heart’s content. It’s a great staycation for locals too.

     Go to www.waterstoneboca.com or call 561.368.9500 to make your reservations now or use your local travel agent.

Restaurant Review: UNCLE TAI’S

Sampling the dinner menu at Uncle Tai’s Hunan Yuan, a Boca Raton landmark.

Of the six soup offerings, we tasted the house wonton soup (for 2) very, very tasty with pieces of shrimp, scallops and vegetables. This was followed by a cup of seafood gumbo soup (for 2) with a true gumbo taste, a slightly sweet, mild, tasty selection.

Some eighteen appetizers include salt and pepper calamari rings-soft texture and just a bit chewy. We savored the steamed mussels, plump, rich taste with a fine sweet sauce-a good choice. The soft shell crab was crisp and full flavored while the spring roll was only average.

We had the honey crisp boneless duck with duck flavor coming through beautifully. The jumbo shrimp with basil was done a tasty Szechuan style which we applaud. Our selection for the best dish is Uncle Tai’s crispy beef-crispy is the word…crunchy and delicious with true rich beef flavor…don’t miss this one! There are 14 items under the title “Uncle Tai’s Specialties”

The 10 seafood listings include jumbo shrimp with garlic sauce and jumbo shrimp with a fine black bean sauce. Both excellent choices as the shrimp are truly jumbo.

We selected sliced lamb with scallions-tender and full flavored as was the sliced pork with scallions. Both their sauces rich and fine tasting. These are just two of the 10 meat dishes offered.

Uncle Tai’s presents 9 vegetable dishes and 8 under the title of noodles and rice. We enjoyed the noodle dish-Chow Fun, Hunan style. It’s tender, flavorful with its unique sauce.

Uncle Tai’s is open 7 days, Luncheon-Monday through Saturday from 11:30 to 2:30- Dinner- Sunday through Thursday from 5PM to 10PM, till 10:30PM on Friday and Saturday. Seating 250 inside and 50 on the patio, their regular menu is augmented by Chef’s monthly Specials. There is a full bar available and they  also offer five “Oriental Sunset Dinners”, limited menu choices at reduced prices, served from 5PM to 6:15PM.

Located at Boca Center on Military Trail in Boca Raton, reservations (561-368-8806) are suggested for superior Chinese foods!