7960669292?profile=originalVilla Oceano Azul fetched a $25.2 million sales price this summer. It was a record price for a house in Manalapan. The ocean-to-lake estate features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, four half-baths and a 1,234-square-foot guest house. Photo provided

By Christine Davis

In a WalletHub study on the best small cities to start a business, Boca Raton ranked 56th out of the 1,268 small cities that were analyzed. The study noted that Boca Raton tied with five other Florida cities for having the highest number of startups per capita.
    Acknowledging small businesses and this entrepreneurial spirit, the Boca Chamber of Commerce is launching its newest workshop: the Small Business Exchange. The new program aims to assist in the growth and success of small-business owners by bringing them together to discuss challenges they face and brainstorm solutions. The Small Business Exchange will take place on the third Tuesday of the month.
    Roxana Scaffidi, CEO and founder of FL-Accounting & Advisers, is the official sponsor of the event. The first meeting is 8:30 to 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Renaissance Hotel Boca Raton, 2000 NW 19th St. Admission is $35; seats are limited.
    To participate, contact Chasity Navarro, Boca Chamber events manager, at 395-4433 or email her at cnavarro@bocachamber.com.
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7960670295?profile=originalHighland Beach resident Barbara Rodriguez, director of national accounts for Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, was elected to the board of directors for the nonprofit organization Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse.
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    There is some new commercial activity in Delray Beach, reports Roxanne Register, vice president of leasing and sales at Katz & Associates.
 The storefront at 417 E. Atlantic Ave., previously the longtime location of Lady Katy, was leased to LF Stores, which will open this fall with fashions for young women. With a signed lease, Sport Clips Haircuts will open at Harbor Plaza on the northeast corner of U.S. 1 and Linton Boulevard in the fourth quarter this year. A Sprinkles ice cream store also will open at this location during this time frame.
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    In July, Francis and Dolores Mennella bought a 20,712-total-square-foot estate, Villa Oceano Azul, at 1400 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan, for $25.2 million from 1400 S. Ocean LLC, an affiliate of West Palm beach-based Carnegie Hill Development Corp., which is led by Stewart A. Satter.
The new ocean-to-lake home on 1.85 acres, with seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and four half-baths, was completed in January. It features 205 feet on the ocean, beach access, and a 1,234-square-foot guest house.
    Francis Mennella is the president of Valley Tool & Plastics in Saylorsburg, Pa. Satter is the CEO of Consumer Testing Laboratories. He bought the Manalapan property in 2010 for $6.8 million. Listing agent was Pascal Liguori of Premier Estate Properties.
“This was a record price for this year in Manalapan,” he says.
 Philip Smith and Carla Ferreira-Smith, agents with Luxury Resort Portfolio, represented the buyer. The Benedict Group designed the two-story home, and Dale Construction built it.
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    In August, a company controlled by Finnish businessman and developer Markku Ritaluoma sold an Intracoastal Waterway home at 485 NE Spanish Trail, Boca Raton, for $6.24 million. Ritaluoma paid $5.45 million for the two-story, five-bedroom, 7,300-square-foot house in 2008, a year after it was completed. The buyer, 485 Spanish Trail LLC, which lists a Highland Beach address, is controlled by Elena Butenko. Bomar Builders developed the home. Corcoran agent Jennifer Kilpatrick was the listing agent. It was listed for $7.89 million in September.
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7960670454?profile=original7960670463?profile=original7960670666?profile=originalPalm Beach Habilitation Center has made the following appointments to its board of directors: Dennis J. Geraghty, former COO of Mediafeedia; Anthony M. Lofaso, financial consultant with Palm Planning Group; Melissa Santoro, legislative assistant to Florida Sen. Jeff Clemens, and Jacqueline Underwood, community relations specialist with external affairs and economic development, Florida Power & Light Co.
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Completely renovated by Gregory Bonner of B1 Architects and decorated by Marc-Michaels Interior Design, the home at 1370 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan was listed  in August by Jack Elkins, an agent with the Fite Group, for $48.9 million.
The 29,862-square-foot home on three acres has nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and five half-baths.  
It was built for Generoso Pope in 1972, and according to public records, is currently owned by EB ESM31 LLC, a company managed by Edward M. Brown, CEO and co-owner of Patron Spirits, the maker of tequila, rum and vodka.         

With 300 feet of water-frontage on both the ocean and Intracoastal, the modern Balinese-style home is stunning, Elkins says. He finds the “super exotic car salon,” at the front of the property, amazing with a bar, family room and parking for the owner’s sports cars.
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As part of a $20 million renovation project, Harbour’s Edge, a senior living community at 401 E. Linton Blvd., has completed its new media room, with video, conference and business centers and new computer technology.
    The final phase of the community’s renovation project is expected to be completed later this year and will include a transformation of the fitness and wellness areas, and an upgrade of the interior design throughout the main common areas.
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    Wow Wellness Center at Hanna Healing Arts Studio, 5821 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, which celebrated its grand opening in August, will present Wow Health Style, a fashion show and photo shoot followed by networking, makeovers, massage and more, from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 8. For information, call 866-376-0632.
                                
    7960670852?profile=originalAt The Wellbeing Space, 717 E. Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton, Lissette Balbiers is offering her “Lighten Up Corporate WellBeing Program,” which is designed for corporate employees. The program addresses the effects of stress and how to alleviate them through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, meditation, nutrition, lifestyle choices and exercise. For
more information, call 954-478-8298.
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    In September, Feeding South Florida, a food bank that serves Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, is taking part in a nationwide initiative, Hunger Action Month.
    Throughout the month, it will offer events and activities to encourage South Florida residents to get involved in hunger relief efforts.
 “Currently, our biggest need is funding,” said Paco Vélez, CEO of Feeding South Florida. “While we offer volunteer and food drive opportunities, for every $1 donated to Feeding South Florida, we can provide six meals. For Hunger Action Month, Feeding South Florida has set up a ‘virtual food drive’ so anyone can help.”
    For more information about the food drive and other volunteer opportunities, visit feedingsouthflorida.org or call 954-518-1818.
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    7960670675?profile=originalWendy Mendez, board-certified physician assistant, has joined Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton. Mendez has over 20 years of experience as a physician assistant.
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    As part of the Why Courts Matter series, Nancy Abudu, legal director for the ACLU of Florida, will speak on “How Judicial Vacancies Impede Access to Justice” at 11 a.m. Sept. 21. The talk will be held at Atlantis Country Club, 190 Atlantis Blvd., Lake Worth. The cost is $20 and rises to $30 after Sept. 11. Register online at lwvpbc.org.
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    Through Flavor Palm Beach during the month of September, visitors and locals have the opportunity to experience discounted prix fixe menus at more than 50 county restaurants. Three-course lunches are priced at $20 and dinners are priced from $30.
    For information on participating restaurants and menus, visit flavorpb.com. Reservations made through the site will benefit the Palm Beach County Food Bank.
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7960670472?profile=original
    Dr. Frank D. Vrionis was appointed director of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Marcus Neuroscience Institute. He will assume his new duties Oct. 1.
                            

7960670693?profile=originalABOVE: Delray Medical Center’s transcatheter aortic valve replacement team is (l-r) registered nurse Jennifer George; Dr. Brijeshwar Maini, interventional cardiologist and regional medical director of transcatheter therapies; Dr. Brian Bethea, cardiac surgeon and regional medical director of cardiovascular surgery; advanced registered nurse practitioner Kathy Malcolm-Bouza; and registered nurse Amanda Fernandez. BELOW: Michael Richman, the 100th TAVR patient, and his wife, Adrienne.

7960671256?profile=originalPhotos provided

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Delray Medical Center hosted an event to celebrate the completion of 100 transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures. The hospital started performing the treatment option in January 2015. The procedure benefits individuals who are not suitable candidates for traditional open-heart surgery.
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    The Institute for Regional Conservation will hold a Beach Restoration/International Coastal Cleanup event from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 at the Delray Beach municipal beach across from the Delray Beach Marriott. Volunteers are needed to help with planting native species and picking up trash. To volunteer, call Cara Abbott at 305-304-6610 or email her at abbott@regionalconservation.org
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During the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society’s annual Native Plant Garden Tour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 2, visitors can view six area gardens landscaped with Florida native plants. The cost is $10 per person and free for children younger than 13. For information, call 247-3677 or visit palmbeach.fnpschapters.org.
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    The Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Harvest Fest, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24-25, will feature children’s activities, live music, craft vendors, local food trucks and a car show. It will be held at the Boynton Beach Mall’s east parking lot in front of JC Penney and the food court.
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The Florida Festivals & Events Association recently announced the winners of its annual SUNsational Awards. In the $250,000+ budget category, 2016 Garlic Fest / Bacon / Bourbon Fest brought home first place for Best Commemorative Poster, second place for Best Photo (credits to Aaron Lurie, VMA Studios), and third place for Best Website (credits to RealTime Marketing Group). In the $50,000+ budget category, the 2016 Garlic Fest / Bacon / Bourbon Fest won first place for Best Photo (credits to Aaron Lurie, VMA Studios), second place for Best Facebook Campaign (credits to RealTime Marketing Group), and second place for Best Website (credits to RealTime Marketing Group).


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