(PRESS RELEASE)_The Village of North Palm Beach announces the grand re-opening of the newly rebuilt North Palm Beach Country Club this Saturday, Dec. 21, and is proud to introduce Farmer’s Table as the new clubhouse restaurant operator.

The excitement begins at 2 p.m. when the beautiful new clubhouse opens with tours of the 37,000 square-foot building that includes the Farmer’s Table restaurant and bar, a Farmer’s Table Express takeout market, as well as a banquet room, a well-stocked Golf Pro Shop, and a cart barn for overnight storage and recharging of golf carts.

Also beginning at 2 p.m. is a ballroom reception with guitar entertainment, a snack bar and appetizer stations serving tantalizing “small bites” by Farmer’s Table until 7 p.m.

The Country Club Tennis Center will hold a round-robin tournament at 2:15 (weather permitting), and the Johan Kriek Tennis Academy will greet guests also.

At 5:30 p.m., there will be an official ribbon-cutting with the Village Council, followed by a brief fireworks show at 6:30 p.m.

The Country Club originally opened in 1963 and served as a central gathering place for residents until the clubhouse was demolished in June of 2018. The Council budgeted $19 million to renovate the pool and build the new clubhouse, and invested more than a million dollars to replace the greens on the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course – one of only two Nicklaus-designed municipal courses in the USA.

Village residents have been planning and preparing for years for the grand re-opening of this historic venue, which will again become a special place of memories and important life experiences for generations of Village residents.

Because it is publicly owned by the Village residents, the full Country Club, including Farmer’s Table, the golf course and driving range, the Tennis Center and the pool, is open to the public for use.

The Country Club website is www.npbcc.org. The Facebook and Instagram pages can be found at @northpalmbeachcountryclub.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Palm Beach Gardens, FL – December 17, 2019 –  It’s “lights, camera, action!” for South Florida film fans with today’s announcement of the schedule and lineup for the 30th Annual Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. The Film Festival is hosted by the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches and will be held from January 26 to February 16, 2020 in theaters in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Boynton Beach. This year’s films span diverse themes from sports, politics and history to music, romance and religion. Evoking the past, present and future of Jewish life in the United States, Israel and far-flung corners of the world, the 32 festival selections offer compelling dramas, light comedies and edge-of-your-seat thrillers.

“For 30 years, The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival has been a highlight of cultural programming in Palm Beach County,” said Jesse Rosen, Chief Executive Officer & President, Mandel JCC. “This year, our talented film committee has curated a collection of movies that will resonate with film goers of all ages and backgrounds. We are confident everyone who enjoys great cinema will find worthy films to experience.”

The festival’s opening day film on January 26, 2020 will be the Palm Beach County premiere of Aulcie, an inspiring film about Aulcie Perry, a remarkable American-born black athlete and basketball legend who captured the spirit of a nation during the summer of 1976 when he was spotted by a scout for Maccabi Tel Aviv. In 1977, Perry led the team to its first European Championship and to what many called ‘the most extraordinary season in the club’s remarkable history,’ before converting to Judaism, adopting the Hebrew name Elisha ben Avraham, and becoming an Israeli citizen. Both the director and the star of the film will be in attendance at the premier to meet and speak with the audience.  

Additional films include:

• Flawless – A teenage prom drama co-starring the first transgender actress to receive the Israeli Ophir Award.  
• The Rabbi Goes West – A Chabad rabbi has moved from Brooklyn out to Montana in order to bring his brand of Judaism to the American West. 
• Here and Now – This thoroughly engaging slice-of-life film is both realistic and understated as four young immigrants, living in the slums of Ashdod improve their troubled lives through music. 
• Latter Day Jew – A lighthearted take on converting to Judaism as comedian H. Alan Scott gets personal when the gay ex-Mormon embarks on a religious journey.
• Picture of His Life – Israeli photographer Amos Nachoum, one of the greatest underwater photographers of all time, faces his ultimate personal challenge at age 65: photographing a polar bear, up close, without any protection. 
• The State Against Mandela and the Others – In 1963, Nelson Mandela and nine other confederates were tried on charges of trying to overthrow South Africa. Several of them were part of South Africa’s close-knit Jewish community and the film explores the very different sides on which the Jewish players in this drama found themselves in the name of freedom and liberty for all.

Film Festival Schedule and Locations:

Opening Day Matinee, January 26, 2020: Eissey Theatre Campus, Palm Beach Gardens
January 27 – February 1, 2020: Cobb Theatre, Palm Beach Gardens
February 2 – 8, 2020: Cinemark, Boynton Beach
February 9 – 15, 2020: Cinepolis Cinema, Jupiter
Closing Day Matinee, February 16, 2020, Eissey Theatre Campus, Palm Beach Gardens

A full listing of films and schedules can be found at www.PBJFF.org.

(PRESS RELEASE)_BOCA RATON, FL – December 11, 2019 – The Boca Raton City Council has approved a long-term land lease with Brightline, soon to be Virgin Trains, for the construction of a train station and parking garage near the City’s Downtown Library.  By the end of 2020, Boca Raton is expected to be the third new station in the company’s south corridor, joining Aventura and PortMiami in connecting the privately-operated, intercity rail system. Current stations and stops include West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

According to Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, the public private partnership with Brightline/Virgin Trains will bring to fruition long term policy goals that included a downtown parking garage, new transit options, and a downtown train station. 

“We pursued an opportunity to be included in this major transportation network and have seized the moment,” said Singer. “Many community partners have discussed how this train station is a game changer and puts us on the map. Once open, these vital transportation upgrades will provide benefits to Boca’s residents and businesses and will advance the long-term future of our thriving, progressive city.”   

Brightline will begin building the train station, which it will fully fund and operate, on a 1.8-acre site near Palmetto Park Road and Dixie Highway in 2020, as a rail-ready connection to the $4 billion, 170-mile intercity train system. The City will fund most of the of the design and construction of a 455-car parking garage for train guests and the public. Brightline will be responsible for all the operating expenses of the garage and the parties will split the profits.  Library visitors will have dedicated, covered, parking on the first floor, which will be complimentary. 

“I want to thank Mayor Singer and the entire city council for getting this project done. As South Florida continues to grow, a Virgin Trains’ station in Boca Raton will add greater connectivity between our South Florida region while taking cars off the road. Expanding Virgin Trains in Boca Raton will serve as a catalyst for economic growth by creating jobs and bringing new visitors and spending to the area.”

Brightline is currently operating between Miami and West Palm Beach with nearly two million riders. Construction is underway to connect South Florida to Orlando in 2022.

“With trains already passing through Boca, our residents will now enjoy the benefit of a station that connects us to the region,” added Singer. “It’s a great win for our residents, commuting professionals, major employers, tourism, and our City’s presence.”

(PRESS RELEASE)_Coconut Creek, FL – Tuck into a new year at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek with a trove delectable dining specials and festive live entertainment on Tuesday, December 31 and Wednesday, January 1.
 
New Year’s Eve Entertainment
The Pavilion: The Motowners, 9 p.m. 
Legends Lounge: Mark Telesca and Friends, 9 p.m.
Nectar: Music City Stones, 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Dining

The casino’s fine dining restaurant, NYY Steak will offer a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Highlights include a wagyu flight ($105), pan-seared sea scallops & jumbo Gulf shrimp ($65), and chocolate strawberry baked Alaska ($18). New Year’s Day brunch ($85 per person), featuring live entertainment, will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Menu will include freshly shucked oysters, lobster eggs Benedict, angel food cake French toast, slow-cooked baby back ribs, and forget-the-diet desserts. For reservations, call (954) 935-6699.

Sorrisi will present a three-course prix fixe dinner ($75 per person) on New Year’s Eve (5 p.m. to 12 a.m.) and New Year’s Day (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Courses will include imported burrata, heirloom carrot salad, or lentil soup (primi), bucatini, 14-day dry-aged NY strip, butter-poached lobster, Bell & Evans chicken, or veal parmesan (secondi), and fig crostata or flourless chocolate torte (dolce). For reservations, call (954) 585-5379.

Authentic New York-style delicatessen, 1st Street Deli will unveil a New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day menu between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. It will feature soup (black-eyed peas with collards, $5-6), appetizer (buffalo-fried cauliflower, $11), entrées (surf & turf, $26; panko-crusted chicken, $18) and dessert (sticky toffee pudding, $10).

Fresh Harvest, the property’s elevated variety dining experience, will serve up a New Year’s Eve brunch with endless sparkling wine and house wine between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. ($55 per person; $17 for children 10 and under). Chef-inspired holiday favorites include shrimp and scallops with champagne, split pea risotto, braised short ribs with port wine reduction, lobster mac and cheese, and herb cobia with lemon butter sauce. New Year’s Day brunch is available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy bottomless sparkling wine along with mouthwatering must-haves like seared salmon with citrus tarragon beurre blanc, chive scrambled eggs, fried chicken, and stuffed French toast.  

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located at 5550 NW 40th Street, Coconut Creek. For more information, call (954) 977-6700 or visit CasinoCoco.com.

The sparkling new North Palm Beach Country Club is only a few days away from its official grand opening, which happens Saturday, Dec. 21. But today, Pam and I got a sneak preview of what the Farmer's Table restaurant will be serving at the club soon.

North Palm residents, like us,  and others are "beta testing" the menu and the facility over the next few days (sorry -- no more testers needed). This was actually our first experience with Farmer's Table, which has become a mainstay in Boca, known for their healthy choices and fresh ingredients. Here's our report:

Of course, all meals come with magnificent views of the golf course and awesome sunsets, as well the upscale ambiance of the new clubhouse. How does it compare to the Farmer's Table in Boca? Our server, Jeremiah, said it best: "It's like Farmer's Table meets the White House." After our lunch, Joey Giannuzzi, a co-owner of the restaurant, gave us a tour of the work still in progress.

More details are coming about the much-anticipated grand opening. Judging from the fact the New Year Eve's Gala is already a sellout, residents can't wait. -- Gerry and Pamela Barker. All photos by North Palm Beach Life.

Today marks the grand opening of Belle's Bar and Grill, the new restaurant at Old Port Cove in the former waterfront location that Sandpiper's occupied. (Read more about Belle's HERE.) Hours are 11 am- 11 pm Monday through Saturday, and 10 am to 9 pm on Sundays. Note they will start serving Sunday Brunch starting Dec. 22. Here are some photos from today's opening:

(PRESS RELEASE)_COCONUT CREEK – Two of Motown’s greatest recording artists – The Temptations and the Four Tops – will perform in The Pavilion at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek on Thursday, January 23 at 8 p.m.

The recipients of numerous accolades, The Temptations were the first Motown recording artists to win a Grammy Award. The group has won a total of four Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Named the “#1 R&B/Hip Hop Artists of All Time” and one of the “125 Greatest of All Time Artists” in popular music by Billboard Magazine, as well as one of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” by Rolling Stone Magazine, the group is truly a beloved national treasure. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll, Vocal Group and Rhythm and Blues Music’ Halls of Fame and have been honored with stars, both on the Hollywood and Apollo Theater’s Walks of Fame.

The Temptations are currently the subject of the smash hit Broadway musical, “Ain’t Too Proud,” which won a 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, and the musical will tour more than 50 cities around the country, beginning July 2020.

The Temptations, who will celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2020 with an international tour, are led by Otis Williams, the founding and sole surviving member of the legendary Temptations’ lineup. They have 43 Top 10 R&B hit songs to their credit, 14 of which were number one R&B singles.

Additionally, the Temptations have collected four Billboard Hot 100 number one pop singles including their first, “My Girl,” which sold one million copies in 1965. In 2018, the song was entered into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. For the holidays, Universal Music Enterprises just released a first-of-its-kind animated video featuring the Temptations’ popular holiday song, “Silent Night.”

From Detroit, the Four Tops helped define the city’s Motown sound of the 1960s. Founded as the Four Aims, the group broke through with their first hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” in 1964.

After rising to stardom, the Four Tops would go on to produce a plethora of hits including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Standing in The Shadows Of Love,” and “Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over).” 

In 1990, after accumulating 24 Top 40 pop hits, the Four Tops were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Like The Temptations, the Four Tops have received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Billboard Magazine also listed the Four Tops among the Top 100 Artists of All Time.

Tickets are priced at $45/$55/$65 per person and can be purchased via Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 653-8000. The Pavilion box office will also open at 1 p.m. on the day of the show for on-site ticket purchases and will-call pickup.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located at 5550 NW 40th Street, Coconut Creek. For more information, visit CasinoCoco.com or call (954) 977-6700.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – December 12, 2019) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden today announced a huge, eye-popping and family-friendly presentation – perfect for Leap Year!

Ribbit the Exhibit
January 11–May 31, 2020

Come to Mounts and see this enchanting cast of 23 whimsical, larger-than-life frog characters. Follow the exhibit guide to discover them in 17 locations throughout the Garden. Each frog has a name and a story; it’s a fun and interactive experience for families to enjoy together.

The Ribbit sculptures are each 5 to 7 feet tall and handcrafted from copper, colored with natural patina with some secured to a solid stone tread, others sitting in chairs or on trees—all designed by artist J.A. Cobb. The delightful tableaux include a hoppy jazz trio, a meditating post-pollywog in Mounts’ Windows on the Floating World, a jiving froggy Fred and Ginger, a coffee-sipping frog enjoying lakeside views, and so many more.

Hours & Admission for Ribbit the Exhibit
Daily – 10 am to 4 pm
Throughout the Garden

FREE for Mounts members; $15 for nonmembers; $8 for students and RAP members with ID; $5 for children 5 to 12

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.Mounts.org or at the Garden’s main gate. The last entry and ticket sold each day will be at 3:30 pm.

For Mounts Botanical Garden, Ribbit the Exhibit is a natural follow-up to two recent eco-friendly exhibitions: Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea (2017-2018) and this year’s popular Cutting Corners: A Stickwork Exhibition by Patrick Dougherty.

“All of our dynamic exhibitions use the power of art to draw attention to the environment, and the use of reclaimed or natural materials to produce monumental pieces that delight visitors of all ages, while having minimal impact on the environment,” says Wolberg. “This exhibition presents an invaluable opportunity for the Garden to educate visitors of all ages about science, nature and the amazing diversity of wildlife, while adding the excitement of these larger-than-life sculptures. What better way to ‘inspire and educate through nature,’ as is our mission.”

Note: Ribbit the Exhibit replaces the previously announced Big Bugs presentation. Mounts Botanical Garden will be closed January 6-10 for the installation of Ribbit.

About J.A. Cobb, the artist behind Ribbit the Exhibit:

Andy Cobb’s unique copper art is owned and enjoyed by clients around the country. He is particularly renowned for his large-scale, fanciful frog sculptures which are displayed in creative ways both indoors and outdoors. He also produces exquisite copper sculptures of birds, fishes and other animals with an uncommon level of skill and artistry.

His first large, whimsical frog was patterned after Old Toad from the book, The Wind and the Willows. He wore a vest and morning coat and carried a brass oil lamp. Cobb fashioned five more large frogs for his first one man show in Wilmington North Carolina, where he is based. This first show also included many copper fish, birds, crabs, shrimp and sea turtles; 30 pieces in all. Cobb hand draws each piece, then cuts them from sheets of copper. They are then hammered and folded into the desired shape, much like origami. The pieces are assembled with a brazing process of solid copper, usually around a steel armature to give the sculpture the strength to last for many generations. Last comes the finish, either from a chemically forced patina or a colorful pattern coaxed from the metal using the heat.

Cobb is now often referred to as the “Frog Man” due to the hundreds of whimsical, reptilian sculptures he has built for people throughout the country. “I once wondered if and when I would ever be considered a serious artist. I now realize I’m serious all right, serious about my whimsy. I get several calls and letters each week from people telling me that one of my sculptures made them smile or laugh. What more could anyone ask for?”

(PRESS RELEASE)_NANTUCKET– December 12, 2019 - Restaurateur Marco Coelho and Team Hospitality announced today that they’re expanding their popular ACK-based LoLa brand.  Slated for late December or early January, LoLa 41, a 156-seat global bistro and sushi bar will open on the corner of Sunset Avenue and Bradley Park.  LoLa 41 will be the signature restaurant for White Elephant Palm Beach, a luxury boutique hotel scheduled to open in early 2020. Sharing their origins on Nantucket, this landmark hotel and celebrated restaurant will bring a winning combination of old-school glamour and sizzling sex appeal to one of the toniest sections of South Florida.

“We are thrilled to bring LoLa 41 to Palm Beach,” said Coelho. “It makes perfect sense. So many of our friends and guests from Nantucket spend their winters here, and we’re eager to open our doors to visitors and residents alike who will be experiencing LoLa 41 for the first time.”

“LoLa 41 is a Nantucket mainstay, so it was a natural selection for White Elephant Palm Beach given the synergies between the two resort destinations. We’re looking forward to welcoming their culinary team,” said Khaled Hashem, Managing Director of Hospitality for New England Development.

Named for the latitudinal location of the flagship location on Nantucket, LoLa 41 Palm Beach will feature an eclectic menu inspired by the cuisine of countries along the 41st parallel.  Signature dishes range from sushi rolls and sashimi to Japanese kushiyaki as well as global dishes such as Tempura King Crab Leg with sweet chili sauce, Korean Beef Bulgogi with Chinese broccoli, egg noodles, & crispy garlic, and from the sushi bar Hot Pepper Hamachi - sashimi of hamachi with serrano, cilantro, sriracha, & ponzu sauce. The LoLa Burger, an 8 oz. hand-packed Certified Angus Beef patty, is an all-time favorite. It comes served on an oversized English muffin topped with aged cheddar and red onion compote and served with foie gras gravy that doubles as a dipping sauce for fries. LoLa 41 Palm Beach will also feature an impressive wine list, sake selection, creative cocktails and craft brews.

Alluring with its hip vibe and chic ambiance, LoLa 41 Palm Beach will boast an expansive bar area as well as outdoor dining by the pool within a beautifully landscaped courtyard. Interior design elements include a concrete bar embedded with vintage coins from around the world, hand-blown glass candles, artful lighting to guide the mood throughout the day, and striking works of original artwork selected by the LoLa team. Private rooms are available for special events.

LoLa 41 Palm Beach will be open for dinner 4-10pm - hours subject to change (breakfast and lunch will be served in coming weeks. Check website for details.) Located at 290 Sunset Ave, Palm Beach FL, 33480. For more information call 561-599-5652 or visit LoLa41.com.  

(PRESS RELEASE)_COCONUT CREEK – The Pop/R&B vocal group 98 Degrees will perform in The Pavilion at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek on Friday, February 28 at 8 p.m.

Formed in the 1990s, 98 Degrees consists of brothers Nick and Drew Lachey and their friends, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons. They have sold over 10 million records and scored eight top-10 singles in the U.S.

The group emerged at a time when teen-oriented acts such as The Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC were just hitting the top of the charts around the world. They differentiated themselves from many of the other teen bands at the time, as they wrote much of their own material, which reflected their R&B influences.

Over the past 15 years, all four members have enjoyed other careers outside of music. Nick Lachey, who was on Season 25 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, has starred on television shows as an actor and host. Drew Lachey, who was the Season 2 winner of Dancing with the Stars, has performed on Broadway.

Timmons joined members of the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC for VH-1’s Mission Man Band and Nick Carter’s sci-fi feature, Dead Seven. Jeffre has been involved with various media and cause-related projects stemming from his foray into politics as a mayoral candidate in Cincinnati.

Tickets are priced at $30/$40/$50 per person and can be purchased via Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 653-8000. The Pavilion box office will also open at 1 p.m. on the day of the show for on-site ticket purchases and will-call pickup.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located at 5550 NW 40th Street, Coconut Creek. For more information, call (954) 977-6700 or visit CasinoCoco.com.