The Manalapan property purchased by Jeff Greene sits adjacent to county-owned property at the Boynton Inlet. Photo courtesy Palm Beach County Property Appraiser

By Christine Davis

Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene has expanded his sizable Florida real estate holdings by purchasing the southernmost property in Manalapan, the 4020 S. Ocean estate formerly owned by longtime resident Ken Brown. Greene was the sole participant in a bankruptcy court-ordered auction April 8, handled by Fisher Auction Co.
According to auctioneer Lamar Fisher, “Greene paid the $6.5 million minimum bid and 6 percent brokers fees for a total of $6.89 million.”    

The 2.39-acre estate reaches from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal Waterway and is just north of the Boynton Inlet. It was once appraised at $11 million and is currently taxed at more than $3.3 million.
Greene said he loves the property. “It’s a good value, a fantastic location. Right next to the Boynton Inlet, if you want to get out into the ocean, you can’t get any better than that. And the deck. Isn’t that a great thing? It feels like you are standing out in the middle of the water.”
He bought it as an investment property, and he’s not sure what he’ll end up doing. “We have lots of choices. Right now, we are working on getting it closed, and then we’ll decide. We might fix it up, subdivide it, resell it. We may clean it up and rent it until we decide what to do with it.”
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We’ve heard “location, location, location” over and over again when it comes to real estate, but the buzzwords are “growth” and “development” when it comes to Manalapan, Point Manalapan and Hypoluxo Island.
In 2012, 13 waterfront homes in that area sold, totaling more than $39 million in sales. The next year, sales nearly doubled to more than $76 million. Sales jumped again in 2014, with 22 waterfront residences selling for a total of more than $80 million.
“The interest seems to be at an all-time high,” said Jack Elkins, a Realtor with Fite Shavell & Associates. Reasons he cites include harsh winters in the North, Florida’s favorable tax rates and incentives, and an increase in the number of companies relocating in the county.
Three recent companies that the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County helped relocate are Olympus Insurance, DB Capital, and wealth management firm and hedge fund Govic Capital.
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The George family’s Abeleina Properties Inc., owner of 326 and 400 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, sold on April 1 for $19.5 million. The properties were listed in October for $21.5 million through Howard Bregman, of Marcus & Millichap. Rosebud George West One, an affiliate of Menin Development, is the buyer.
“Menin Development is a prominent developer throughout the Southeast, but this is their first (development) in Delray Beach,” Bregman said. Tenants include Kilwins Chocolate and Ice Cream, Huber’s Pharmacy, Thida Thai Jewelry, Real Eyes Optical, Cupcake Couture, the Legacy and the Green Owl restaurant.
All have lease contracts.
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Through a $500,000 grant from the Gail S. Posner 2008 Revocable Trust, Wayside House in Delray Beach opens the Tina Posner Center for Career Excellence, a career center to help women recovering from substance abuse prepare for interviews, find and retain jobs, as well as assist them with future career goals. Also, the new career center and the Drug Abuse Foundation are collaborating with the Delray Beach Drug Task Force to form a business council of employers, for whom the center will provide a resource to help ensure employee retention, conflict resolution, employee productivity, personal development and random drug testing for their employees.  
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For folks who prefer fresh produce and other natural goodies but hate driving way out west of Boynton to Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market on State Road 7, cheer up. Bedner’s is heading east. The family that moved from Pennsylvania to begin farming mostly cucumbers and peppers in 1960 has its eye on some property in downtown Delray Beach just north of Atlantic Avenue and east of the railroad tracks. They hope to open this fall.
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Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas recently received a certificate of recognition for gathering exceptional guest ratings and reviews from Hotels.com customers. In addition, Crane’s has earned awards for outstanding customer service from Expedia, TripAdvisor and the Florida Superior Small Lodging Association. Crane’s is at 82 Gleason St., Delray Beach.
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On Thursdays in May, from 6 to 9 p.m., Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative hosts “On The Ave: Sets in the West” free concerts along with activities, a Kid’s Corner and food tents. On May 7, Plaid Blazer will play classic hip-hop music, and members of the Milagro Teen Center’s 7 Cyphers hip-hop program will perform. On May 14, Pocket Change will play R&B and dance music.
Also, former NBA stars Otis Birdsong and Micheal Ray Richardson will be on hand to meet and greet.
On May 21, FUSIK will play Funk music. On May 28, Eric Biddines with Freedom in the Groove will play hip-hop. Performances will be at the Libby Wesley Plaza Stage at West Atlantic Avenue and Southwest Fifth Avenue.
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Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach has established a junior board of directors, a group of children and teens ages 10 to 18, who meet quarterly with the club’s general manager and COO, Larry S. Savvides, and Mizner’s Kids Manager Kristy King. At formal meetings, they discuss upcoming events, give feedback on previous activities, and brainstorm for future events and endeavors. One of the first recommendations by Junior Board members — an open gym time at the club’s fitness center for their age group — was approved by Mizner’s Board of Directors. “The goal of the program is to empower Mizner’s next generation with leadership skills and promote dependability and creativity among Mizner’s junior population,” said Savvides.
For the second consecutive year, Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach has received the Club Managers Association of America’s International Wine Society Award of Merit. Additionally, Mizner’s sommelier, Sylvie Gervais, received the “Simply the Best Women Sommelier” title at the Simply Italian Great Wines Americas 2015 Tour in Miami.
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The Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce recently held a Focus on Women Business Expo at the Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. Affording opportunities to network with business leaders and minute-mentoring with business experts, the expo provided women entrepreneurs and small business owners with a place and a platform to promote their businesses, as well as meet and support each other.  
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The Realtors Commercial Alliance of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast has received a $2,200 micro-grant from the National Association of Realtors. The alliance will use the funds to build a walk-through pergola with seating within the Gladiolus Education Garden, 51 NW Ninth Ave., Delray Beach, in partnership with the Gladiolus Education Garden Committee.
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Carls Patio is opening its newest location at 14851 Lyons Road, Delray Beach, at the Delray Marketplace.
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BYL Network Inc., a new free 24-hour interactive broadcast network based in Boca Raton, launched its third season of shows April 6. BYL stands for Better Your Life, and it aims to do just that with its programming across six channels: Women, Men, Money, Home & Travel, Sports & Entertainment and Late Night. New shows this season include Louise Phillips Forbes’ Live, Delray Beach resident Lori Wilk’s Successipies, and Boca Raton resident Neha Uberoi’s Neha Shows. To watch, visit bylnetwork.com.
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John W. Kelly, president of Florida Atlantic University, will speak about the university’s current achievements and future growth plans at the Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club’s 11:30 a.m. luncheon meeting to be held May 13, at the City Fish Market, 7940 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Costs to attend are $35 for members paid in advance or $40 at the door and $35 for first-time guests or $50 second-time guests. For information, call 852-0000.
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Brenner Real Estate Group’s senior vice president, Helen Weissman, and Scott Brenner, president/CEO, negotiated the lease of 7,880 square feet of office space within Atrium Financial Center, 1515 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Weissman and Brenner represented the tenant, Center-State Bank. The landlord, Atrium Financial Center, Ltd., was represented by Dyana Kenney of Penn-Florida Realty Corp.
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On March 23, Gov. Rick Scott appointed Terri Harmon of Boca Raton to the Area Nine Family Care Council. Her term will go through March 19, 2018.
Since 1998, Harmon has served as the executive director of the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization, Boynton Beach, a nonprofit that offers education and advocacy programs for children and adults with Down Syndrome throughout Palm Beach County. The Family Care Council Florida’s mission is to advocate, educate and empower individuals with developmental disabilities.
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The Swedish fashion retailer H&M plans to open an 18,000-square-foot store in time for back-to-school shopping at the Boynton Beach Mall. It will be near the Center Court. H&M also has stores in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach and Wellington. The Boynton Beach Mall is at 801 N. Congress Ave.
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Eric Shepherd (left), president of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, congratulates Vince Cerone, general manager and COO of Braman Motorcars. Braman Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Palm Beach is the first North American dealership to win both National and Global Dealer of the Year awards. Photo provided

Braman Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Palm Beach is the first North American Rolls-Royce dealership in history to win Rolls-Royce’s National and Global Dealer of the Year awards simultaneously. These awards recognize Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Palm Beach as the top dealer in 2014 among 127 Rolls-Royce retailers worldwide and 41 in North America. Also, they signal that North America has regained the title of largest sales region for Rolls-Royce with a 30 percent increase from 2013 to 2014.
“Winning these awards means two things to our customers,” said Ralph Avila, general sales manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Palm Beach. “First, they know that not only are they getting the best luxury car in the world, but they’re getting it from the best dealership in the world. And, as Dealer of the Year, we will also be able to offer our customers more bespoke and special-edition Rolls-Royce models than anyone else. For instance, Rolls-Royce will build only 35 of the new Waterspeed Collection Phantom Drophead Coupés for the entire world, and we’ll get three of them. And, in a few years, when the new ‘all-terrain’ Rolls-Royce is introduced, we will be among the first to have one on the showroom floor.”
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Within two years of buying 323 unsold units at the Promenade condo in Boynton Beach, the Related Group of Miami has almost sold the place out. Only 15 units are left. Related bought the note on the 14-story, two-tower complex with 318 condo units and 77 hotel condo units in December 2012. Related renamed the complex, Casa Costa (Spanish for Beach House).
“It’s a charming development, right on the Intracoastal with spectacular views of the Intracoastal and ocean,” said Craig Studnicky, principal of Related ISG International Realty. His job was to bring the buyers, and he did, with 40 percent coming from Argentina, Venezuela and Brazil. “My job was to get the South Americans there,” he said.
“Jorge Perez got it at a very good price, and Related gave it to me to sell for around $285 a foot. That’s under replacement value, which would be $325-350 a foot just in costs, so buyers were getting a great value.” Casa Costa is at 400 N. Federal Hwy.
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At the Florida Capitol in April, State Rep. Lori Berman (D-Lantana) introduced House Resolution 9065 to honor Dennis Gallon, president of Palm Beach State College, for his more than 50 years of service in education. Gallon will retire on June 30.
After a national search for his successor, Ava L. Parker, executive vice president and COO of Florida Polytechnic University, has been named Palm Beach State College’s new president. Before her time at Florida Polytechnic University, she served on the Board of Governors of the State University System, and she is a partner with the Jacksonville law firm of Lawrence & Parker. She earned her Juris Doctor degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Florida.
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The Business Development Board and the Palm Beach County School District have added an alternative to the nationwide Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The new program, Take a Student to Work Day, is scheduled for May 26, the same day as the School District’s annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
Aimed toward high school students gaining knowledge about employment opportunities available in the county, local businesses are encouraged to volunteer to host a student for a day of job shadowing.
Businesses that have already volunteered include the Greater Delray Chamber of Commerce, Quantachrome Instruments, Discover The Palm Beaches, Glidden-Spina and Partners, the O’Donnell Agency, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Lockheed Martin, Biotools, NCCI, BDO, The Gehring Group, the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Leo A Daly and Morgan Stanley. Businesses that are interested in participating, contact Allie Amelio at aamelio@bdb.org.

Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis@comcast.net.

By Mary Thurwachter  

    You can never go wrong taking Mom out for brunch on Mother’s Day.
But this year, why not give her a pretty water view to go with her eggs Benedict? From elegant dining rooms to more laid-back surroundings reachable by boat or car, there is a restaurant sure to please any mom and her minions.

The Waterstone Resort & Marina’s ‘Brunch at the Top’ will offer complimentary champagne and mimosas, as well as views of Boca Raton, the lake, inlet and ocean. Photos provided

Waterstone Resort & Marina, 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, 386-5900, waterstoneboca.com
For a spectacular view of the ocean, the Boca Raton Inlet and Lake Boca Raton, take Mom to the Atlantic ballroom (or penthouse ballroom) at the Waterstone Resort & Marina (formerly the Bridge Hotel).
Seating for Mother’s Day “Brunch at the Top” on May 10 begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
Brunch costs $69 for adults (includes complimentary champagne and mimosas) and $30 for children. There will be live entertainment by David Fernando with Rumba Latin Jazz. Because seating is limited, a credit card is required to reserve a table.

Latitudes restaurant serves Sunday brunch with an ocean view at the Delray Sands Resort in Highland Beach.
Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Latitudes at the Delray Sands Resort, 2809 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach, 278-2008, delraysandsresort.com
Latitudes restaurant in the Delray Sands Resort (formerly the Highland Beach Holiday Inn) has a brand-new look but the same gorgeous ocean view. Latitudes serves up Sunday Champagne brunch every week from 10:30 to 2, including Mother’s Day. Known for its fresh seafood, the restaurant also delivers French toast, eggs Benedict, an omelet station and a carving station serving succulent slow-roasted meats. It will have bottomless mimosas made with Barefoot Bubbly. Cost: $44.95.

50 Ocean will have a Grey Goose Bloody Mary Bar, as well as views of Delray Beach’s shoreline. Courtesy of Gyorgy Papp

50 Ocean, 40 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, 278-3364, 50ocean.com
Brunch at 50 Ocean, with its chic, Florida contemporary interiors, gives diners panoramic views of the ocean, and the second-story outdoor veranda is picture perfect with fresh ocean breezes and a healthy dose of sunshine. Brunch is from 10 to 4.
An inspired a la carte menu offers tasty options that include traditional items, a few decadent selections, trendy “jar” options and hearty sandwiches sure to satisfy.
The iconic Grey Goose Bloody Mary Bar lets your imagination run wild, with more than 30 embellishments to customize your own “Mary,” or diners can chose a bottomless mimosa.

Caffe Luna Rosa, 34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, 274-9404, caffelunarosa.com
This seaside restaurant serves up brunch each Sunday and, like all of the restaurants with a water view, expects a crowd for Mother’s Day. Brunch is from 7 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Price depends on what you order;  options range from cinnamon raisin swirl French toast to eggs Benedict and a crispy potato pancake to made-to-order omelets to breakfast pizza and a wide range of sides. Bellinis, mimosas and bloody Marys are available, too.
No reservations taken for brunch.

Deck 84, 840 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 665-8484, rapoportsrg.com
You can make your own bloody Mary or omelet during brunch from 11 to 2 weekends at Deck 84, with its inviting waterway view. The a la carte menu includes quiche, breakfast burritos and smoked Scottish salmon scrambled eggs. The outdoor patio is dog-friendly. Ten boat slips are available for those who arrive by water.

Prime Catch, 700 E. Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, 737-8822, primecatchboynton.com
Known for its fresh fish and fabulous view of the Intracoastal Waterway, Prime Catch serves Sunday brunch from 11:30 to 3. Diners can begin with fresh Indian River orange juice or Chandon Champagne, move on to sweet potato doughnut holes or banana foster crepe, eggs Benedict, goat cheese frittatas, shrimp omelets or even slow roasted prime rib. Lots of tasty choices. Sit inside or on one of two patios. Prices vary.

Temple Orange, at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, will have a hot bar and carving station for Mother’s Day.

Temple Orange at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, 533-6000, templeorangerestaurant.com
You’ll find a lovely ocean view and a scrumptious Mother’s Day brunch at Temple Orange at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa from 11:30 to 2:30 on May 10. From a hot buffet and salad bar to smoked and cold seafood and carving station to sushi and dessert, no mom will leave hungry. Cost is $85 for adults and $25 for children 5-12. Valet parking is complimentary.

Old Key Lime House, 300 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana, 582-1889, oldkeylimehouse.com
Arrive by boat or car for brunch at the Old Key Lime House overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway in Lantana. This century-old restaurant has three boating docks, thatched roof patio, tiki bar, table swings and even a gift shop (who knows, you may want to buy Mom a souvenir).
The brunch menu is a la carte, so prices vary depending on what you order. Some choices include steak and (crab) cake, swordfish, egg dishes, pastries and more. Save room for a rumrunner and a slice of Key lime pie.
Brunch is from 11 to 2.

Dune Deck Café, 100 N. Ocean Blvd., Lantana, 582-0472, dunedeckcafe.com
Fun, casual and right on the beach, the Dune Deck Café serves al fresco brunch from 7 to 4:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. Choose from a menu that offers gazpacho, spinach pie, conch fritters, steamed mussels, coconut shrimp and homemade crab cakes. You can create your own omelet, blueberry pancakes or perhaps try filet mignon and eggs among many choices for hungry moms and their families. Payment is cash only.

Brandon’s at the Tideline Resort & Spa, 2842 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, 540-6440, tidelineresort.com
Tideline’s restaurant, Brandon’s, will host a buffet-style Mother’s Day brunch from noon to 3 complete with springtime staples from Florida and around the world. An omelet station, Belgian waffle station, smoked bacon and salmon, salad bar, raw bar, sushi rolls and carving station are included. Price is $65 for adults, $24 for children 12 and under. The amazing Atlantic Ocean view at Tideline (formerly the Omphoy) is complimentary.

Graze Restaurant, at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach, will offer a Mother’s Day brunch that includes unlimited Bellinis and mimosas. Courtesy of Libby Volgyes

Graze Restaurant, Four Seasons Palm Beach, 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, 582-2800, fourseasons.com/palmbeach
At the Four Seasons, Mother’s Day Brunch will take place in the poolside Graze restaurant from 11:30 to 3:30. There’s no dress code, service is impeccable, and food is divine. Price is $115 per person ($45 for kids 12 and under). For 21 and over this price includes unlimited Bellinis and mimosas.
The menu includes chilled watermelon gazpacho, arugula and cold poached salmon bar, chilled seafood and sushi, exotic fruit and yogurt parfaits, artisanal cheeses and Bellinis and mimosas made to order.

Al Fresco, at the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course, offers ocean and Intracoastal views.

Al Fresco at the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course, 2345 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, 273-4130, alfrescopb.com
Perched on the second story of the Key West-style clubhouse at Palm Beach’s Par 3 golf course, Al Fresco with its wraparound outdoor balcony, offers magnificent views of the ocean and the golf course.
Good food and service make it a good choice anytime, but perhaps the best deal comes with its breakfast buffet, from 7  to 10:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. Price is $15.
The buffet has French toast, pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, pastries and more.  An a la carte menu is available. You’ll really score with Mom with this one. Valet parking available, but not mandatory. 

United Way’s Lexi Savage and Laurie George, Palm Beach County Commissioner Shelley Vana and Brad Hurlburt, of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, receive a proclamation for Great Give. Photo provided

By Amy Woods

More than 400 nonprofits in Palm Beach and Martin counties will join forces during this year’s Great Give fundraising campaign with the goal of generating $3 million in private donations for their causes.
The campaign runs for a 24-hour period May 5 to 6 and enables anyone to become a philanthropist.
“You don’t need to have a million dollars to make a difference in the community,” said Jennifer Sullivan, director of marketing and communications for the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, which is organizing the event with the United Way. “All you need is $10 and a passion.”
Great Give kicks off at 5 p.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. the following day. Between those times, residents are invited to visit greatgiveflorida.org and learn about the 437 participating charities. The charities are listed alphabetically, by county, with links to their individual Web and social-media sites. Donors who prefer to give by phone can call 844-448-3329.
“It’s important to give to these nonprofits because they are working hard for us every day to help make our community a better place,” Sullivan said. “When you give during the Great Give, you’re giving with many other people, so your donation makes a bigger impact.”
A bonus pool totaling $500,000 also will be doled out to the nonprofits based on how much each raises in comparison with total proceeds. In addition, a prize patrol will award nonprofits with cash, in-kind services and other goodies every hour.
The Community Foundation will monitor the campaign in a Giving Lounge set up in its West Palm Beach offices, dubbed the “war room.”
“The team kind of basically stays up for 24 hours,” Sullivan said. “We’ll be able to sleep for a few hours, I think. But you see that ticker racking up all those donations, and you just can’t sleep.”
Great Give debuted last year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first community foundation established in America — The Cleveland Foundation in Ohio. The inaugural Palm Beach and Martin counties event raised $2.2 million for 330 organizations. This year, the stakes are higher.
“Over half of our nonprofits participating are new this year, so we feel that means the buzz has really started,” Sullivan said. “The vibe is definitely different. People are more excited.”
Sponsors for this year’s Great Give include Valley National Bank; Publix; WPEC-TV; The Palm Beach Post; Comcast; Palm Beach Broadcasting; Florida Weekly; The Stuart News; Green Advertising; Florida Power & Light Co.; Tracey Benson Photography; LexisNexis; TouchSuite; Hart-Lines; Evelyn & Arthur; Whole Foods Market; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Sponsors of the bonus pool include John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Fortin Foundation of Florida; Quantum Foundation; Palm Healthcare Foundation; Lawrence A. Sanders Foundation; Anonymous Family Foundation; and Martin County Community Foundation. Ú


To submit your event, contact Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.

The organization sponsored a party to honor Boynton Beach firefighters and paramedics from station No. 4. A plaque of recognition was presented to Lt. Luke Henderson for the station’s service and dedication to caring for residents in times of need. ABOVE: (l-r) Firefighters Greg Jackson, Chris Macalpine, Jason Murphy, Henderson, Krystal Gomez and Mike Villamarin, paramedic student Derek Zayne and club President and retired Boston firefighter Mickey McKay.
Photo provided

ABOVE: Board members of Impact 100 celebrate the gathering of $436,000 in grant money to benefit nonprofit organizations serving South Palm Beach County. This year, four groups received $100,000 grants. They were: Best Foot Forward, Boca Helping Hands, Pathways to Prosperity and The Soup Kitchen.  Two others, Flamingo Clay Studio and Florida Fishing Academy, were awarded $18,000.
BELOW: Enrique Zuanetto, executive director of The Soup Kitchen in Boynton Beach, is all smiles after receiving $100,000.
Photos by Jerry Lower/
The Coastal Star

Marty and Joyce Kobak rolled out the red carpet for celebrities including Tom Arnold, Ellar Coltrane, Connie Francis and George McCrae at a disco-themed fete in celebration of the 20th annual festival.  ‘We are extremely thankful for the generosity of Marty and Joyce, who opened their home in support of the Palm Beach International Film Festival,’’ said  Randi Emerman, president and CEO. ABOVE: (l-r) Marty Kobak, Francis, George McCrae and Joyce Kobak. Photo provided by Janis Bucher

The launch of a pilot program that ran through May 3 saw bicyclists pedaling to the restaurant during their Sunday afternoon rides to receive free valet service and a complimentary libation with brunch. ‘As an avid cyclist, I thought it would be great for biking enthusiasts to be able to bike to SoHo, have a safe place to leave their bike and enjoy a leisurely brunch,’ said Dennis Max, co-owner of Max’s Social House. ABOVE: Bicyclists Jestena Boughton and Carol Fisher enjoy the first Bike 2 Brunch. Photo provided

More than 1,500 guests joined the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum for a weekend unlike any other. Bacchanalia kicked it off at the Boca Raton Airport, wowing guests from the moment they arrived on the red carpet. The vintner dinners took place the following night at seven private homes. Celebrity Kathie Lee Gifford, representing GIFFT Wines, was a presenter at both events. ABOVE: (l-r) Mike and Amy Kazma, Derek and Lisa Vander Ploeg and Robin and Charles Deyo. Photo provided

The kickoff event to the Boca Walk To End Alzheimer’s shined a light into the dark world of the disease. Ticket sales, silent-auction items, raffles and sponsors resulted in proceeds of more than $45,000. ABOVE: Chairwoman Pam Polani and Vice Chairwoman Victoria Karasin. Photo provided by Matt Sturgess/4th Avenue Photography

Dr. Barry Davis won the most votes and earned the 2015 Doctor of Distinction honor at the 17th awards luncheon. ‘This was the most successful Honor Your Doctor luncheon in its 17-year history, on many fronts,’ event Chairman Alan Kaye said.  ‘I am extremely pleased to say that we raised more money for scholarships than in any previous year, had more doctors nominated and more in attendance, with a record-breaking 270 guests at the event.’
ABOVE: (l-r) Dr. Michael Dennis, Jon Kaye, Dr. Charlie Hennekens, Joanne Davis and Dr. Barry Linger. Photo provided

Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 15th-anniversary gala featured an evening of dinner, dancing and celebration, as well as the Shelly Award, presented to Sherron Long. More than 250 guests gathered for the theater company’s biggest fundraising event of the season, which brought in more than $220,000. This year’s theme was Everything’s Coming up Roses. ABOVE: Sponsors Don and Linda Silpe. Photo provided

The Caridad Center celebrated the construction of an 11,000-square-foot addition to its facilities, which are operating above capacity with more than 25,000 patient visits annually. The expansion will allow the clinic to serve an additional 3,000 patients each year. ABOVE: (l-r) Bob Franden, Marie Speed, Dr. Pablo Guzman, Sanjiv Sharma, Laura Kallus, Luis A. Torres, Caroline Moran, Billy Williams, County Mayor Shelley Vana, Connie Berry, Bob Souaid, Penny Kosinski, Rick Retamar and Dr. Paul Archacki.  Photo provided

When Judi Sikes retired after more than a decade of waiting tables at Park Avenue BBQ & Grille in Lake Worth, Delray Beach and Boca Raton, the local chain celebrated her last day by naming it in her honor. Sikes recently married Russell Buckingham, of Ocean Ridge, and will divide her time between Florida and New Jersey. ABOVE: Park Avenue owner Dean Lavallee celebrates with Sikes. Photo by Scott Simmons/The Coastal Star

This year’s event raised more than $100,000 for the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach. Community Impact honorees were Jerry Lower and Mary Kate Leming of The Coastal Star. Kyra Dobard was Youth of the Year. ABOVE: (l-r) Co-Chairman Beau Delafield, Patsy Randolph, John Lynch and Kirsten and Tom Stanley. Photo provided

Proper Affair: The Addison, Boca Raton – April 16

Boston Proper and the Achievement Centers for Children & Families united in April to host the seventh annual Proper Affair to benefit low-income children and families in our community. The event featured fabulous food, cocktails, silent auction, raffles, and the much anticipated runway show.  LEFT: One of the Boston Proper models shows clothing from the Boston Proper spring line.

BELOW: Spectators enjoy the fashion show and festivities. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Thom Smith

He may be 6-foot-3 and turning 40 in August, but Nick Loeb still seems to be the little boy lost. He first attracted attention in the Palm Beaches in 2005 when he ran unsuccessfully for Delray Beach City Commission and has been popping in and out of the news like a Whack-a-Mole ever since.

Nick Loeb and Sofia Vergara before they broke off their engagement last year.  Photo provided

In recent times, he’s made news for his lengthy (by Hollywood standards) fling with actress Sofia Vergara. They met in 2010, broke it off in 2012, announced their engagement two months later and broke it off — reportedly for good — last May.
But Loeb, always alert for opportunity, never sits still for long.
Nick was born with a diamond-studded gold spoon in his mouth. His father, John Loeb Jr., has been described as a businessman, philanthropist, art collector, vineyard owner, publisher, lecturer, onetime aspiring sculptor and ladies’ man. Nick lived in Denmark for three years when his father was Ronald Reagan’s ambassador. His mother was Danish but he hardly knew her: His parents divorced when he was a year old. He went to the elite Loomis-Chaffee School in New York, but instead of going Ivy League he took a finance degree at Tulane.
While Nick was at college, his mother married Jeffrey Bauer, a New Jersey newspaper publisher. In 1996, she went to Bauer’s office in New Jersey, dispatched him with three slugs from a .357 magnum and then turned the gun on herself.
Nick’s uncle is Edgar Bronfman, who ran Seagram’s and Universal Studios. After graduation from Tulane, Nick headed west, interning at Universal. He worked as a production assistant on Mike Nichols’ political blockbuster Primary Colors and was given a few lines as a waiter so he could earn a Screen Actors Guild card. He appeared in one barely seen flick, The Smokers, but soon realized the money was elsewhere.
His father has owned condos on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach since 1978, so in 2003 Nick headed east, landing in Delray Beach. Two years later, he invested in real estate, married Swedish store manager Anna Pettersson, and moved into a big house on Lake Ida listed in his father’s name. And he set a new goal: a seat on the Delray Beach City Commission.
He raised a record amount of money for a local campaign, much from supporters in California and New York, and hired one of the top campaign management teams in Florida. Opponents accused him of carpetbagging. Loeb lost to longtime Delray Beach resident Fred Fetzer by 104 votes.
Loeb lay low for more than a year. He and Pettersson were among several co-chairs for a veterans support fundraiser in November 2006. He raised money for another City Commission campaign in 2007 but didn’t run, then sought an appointment from Gov. Charlie Crist for an open School Board seat. Another opportunity presented itself in 2009 when Loeb considered running for the Florida Senate seat of Jeff Atwater, who had decided to run for chief financial officer.
But in late August, Pettersson was cited for DUI in Boca. Six weeks later, Loeb pulled out of the race and, to clear his head, once again headed west.
Early in 2010, in the restaurant in L.A.’s Sunset Tower, he met Vergara. Six months later, as he recuperated from a car crash that broke his pelvis, she took care of him.
Meanwhile, back in Palm Beach County, Nick and Anna were divorced. Thanks to a prenup, she got $15,000 and Santorini, a Labrador retriever.
In 2011, Nick launched Crunchy Condiments, a crispy   fried onion-based topping for burgers and dogs. He entertained a U.S. Senate run in 2012, but then put politics on a back burner as he and Vergara announced their engagement. He sat at the Modern Family table at the 2013 Emmy Awards and they hugged joyously as the cast rose to accept the show’s best comedy award. All seemed well with the world.
A few months later, in February 2014, Vergara was invited to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Lots of big pols, lots of stars. For Loeb, it marked an end and a beginning: Vergara met Joe Manganiello, the Pittsburgh-born jock turned actor; he met Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey.
Last winter the actress announced that she and Manganiello, who’s two inches taller than Loeb, were engaged. In February, the New York Post’s Page Six gossip column reported that Loeb had signed on as “honorary chairman” for Leadership Matters for America, a new political action committee headed by Christie. Subsequent reports, however, listed Christie as the honorary chairman and “New York investor” Loeb as a contributor.
Loeb said he changed his mind about politics after meeting the governor and would “work to bring awareness of and raise money” for Christie, noting, “He’s a normal guy who you can have a beer with.”
(Incidentally, among others helping Christie raise money is Linda McMahon, a major GOP player who co-hosted a fundraiser for the PAC in Connecticut. She and husband Vince McMahon, of pro wrestling infamy, own a beachfront penthouse in Boca.)
As for Loeb, is he really over Vergara? Back in their huggy-kissy days (November 2013), the couple created two frozen embryos. Loeb has filed suit to prevent her from ever destroying them. The Colombian actress countered that she would never destroy them because the act might alienate many in her fan base who believe life begins at conception.
Stay tuned.
                           ***

Jim Kelly speaks at the Inspiration Breakfast for the YMCA. Photo provided

              
At 55, Jim Kelly looks as if he could still zip a pass to Andre Reed for another one of their 65 touchdowns. He’s trim, just under 200 pounds. That’s 20 under his playing weight, more than 60 under his retirement weight. A ramrod straight 6 foot 3 inches, he still cuts an imposing image. He can joke about losing four consecutive Super Bowls, because they are inconsequential when compared with his other challenges.
In 2005 he buried his son, Hunter, 8 years old, a victim of Krabbe disease, a nervous system disorder. Two years ago, doctors began a battle against an aggressive squamous cell cancer by removing much of Kelly’s jaw and most of his teeth. They thought he was clear, but several months later it was back. The fight resumed, with 35 radiation sessions and three chemotherapy treatments. He’s been cancer-free since last spring, but the feeding tube into his stomach didn’t come out until last November.
When he finally left the hospital in Buffalo, two dozen doctors, nurses and family members lined the walkway, all in No. 12 or “Kelly Tough” T-shirts, waiting for high-fives from their hero.
The scene was similar March 24 at the annual Inspiration Breakfast for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County at Office Depot’s headquarters on Military Trail.
“I smile because I’m here. It’s better to be seen than to be viewed,” Kelly said, and in closing challenged the more than 500 guests to “make sure when you leave today to make a difference in someone’s life.”
Kelly is adjusting to the prosthetic jaw and dental implants, but the absence of saliva glands requires that he take frequent sips of water. The guests had no trouble understanding, and afterward they jammed the hallway for nearly an hour as he signed autographs.
Special guests included Howard Schnellenberger, former FAU head coach and Miami Dolphins assistant among many jobs, but best known to Kelly as the man who persuaded him to play at the University of Miami. The good-natured barbs flying in both directions helped the Y raise $103,000.
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Hendrick’s Gin has launched the world’s first and only Flying Cucumber. Photo provided

It’s a bird. ... It’s a plane. ... It’s a flying cucumber!  Move aside, Goodyear Blimp. There’s a new dirigible headed this way. Hendrick’s Gin has launched Hendrick’s Air (HendricksAir.com), the world’s first and only Flying Cucumber. The big balloon debuted in LA in April and is making its way to its home at the Lantana Airport by May 28. The 130-foot-long, 44-foot-tall Flying Cucumber is adorned with a giant “eye in the sky,” exuding whimsy and a dashing sense of purpose.  
Jim Ryan, Hendrick’s brand ambassador, says the company “has been continually surprised by the odd popularity of our unusual cucumber-infused gin, so taking on the challenge of air travel seemed like the next logical step.” That’s one way to look at it.
Engineered to follow a slow and low flight pattern, the Cucumber maintains a civilized speed of 35 mph. The sub-1000-foot cruising altitude allows for “an invigorating view of the marvels below,” Ryan says, for those lucky enough to climb aboard.
Rides aren’t open to the public. However, the blimp will be visible from almost anywhere here, especially the beaches between noon and 4 p.m. daily. There will be a viewing party from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hudson Delray (900 E. Atlantic Ave.) on May 29.
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Alexis Roderick and Billy Joel

Billy Joel, a new Manalapan property owner — $40 million for three parcels — may use some space for a playground.
The singer, 65, and girlfriend Alexis Roderick, 34 this month, are expecting this summer.  
Joel, however, wouldn’t be the first with a playground. You can’t see it from the street, but what is likely the most elaborate private kids playground this side of Michael Jackson’s Wonderland is just down A1A in Ocean Ridge. It takes up the side yard of Al and Nancy Malnik’s beachfront estate at the east end of Ocean Boulevard. Al Malnik, a lawyer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, had it built a decade ago for his infant triplets, Spencer, Jarod and Nathan. Since then Nancy has given birth to Jesse, 5, and twins Noah and Sterling, 4.
By the way, Al, who is 83, had hosted Jackson at the estate several times while offering financial and legal advice.
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When Russ Hibbard closed his Bamboo Room blues bar, he said he hoped it wouldn’t be permanent. A year later, the pickin’s look good for a comeback, just not with Hibbard.
The local businessman, who launched the club just off Lake Worth’s main drag in 1999, had made it clear he was cutting loose so he and his wife would have the freedom to enjoy their retirement. But he made it clear he intended to sell the building to someone who would keep the music that was performed by local and regional acts as well as John Sebastian, Bo Diddley, Jorma Kaukonen, Big Bill Morganfield, Al Kooper, Marcia Ball and Levon Helm. A year and several rumors later, he may have his wish.
On March 6, the name of Ryan Mueller, a Delray Beach real estate investor, appeared in state corporate records as the registered agent for Bamboo LW LLC. Mueller runs RJM Real Estate. The deal is for a reputed price just under $1 million, and the new owners have pledged to bring back the live jazz, folk, rock and, of course, blues.
“We hope to be ready this fall, and we want to keep the same feel as before,” Mueller said. “We’re already looking for someone to come in and run it full time.
“There’s a lot of things going on in Lake Worth. It’s different from Delray, but a lot of money is being spent and a lot of good things are happening.”
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For term-limited Boca Raton City Council member Constance Scott, it’s back to school, and no doubt she’ll have to be a quick study. Scott has accepted an appointment as director of local relations for FAU. Her job is to develop sound relations with the cities and communities around the university’s campuses.
Scott was graduated from the University of Michigan but has lived in Boca most of her life. She remembers attending the campus’ dedication by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Things were a little different back then. FAU opened as a high-tech, upper division school — no freshmen or sophomores. It ultimately became a full-fledged university, but the original futuristic concepts that included direct electronic access to recorded documents and classroom lectures from dorm rooms was never realized — budget cuts by the Legislature. It continues to excel despite politics.
Scott’s successor on the City Council is Jeremy Rodgers, 36, who first came to the city as a student at FAU while working for IBM. A Brooklyn-born army brat, Rodgers still works for IBM as a computer security engineer. Rodgers’ wife, Mandy, holds a master’s degree from FAU. They have three kids, ages 6, 4 and 2. Rodgers also serves in the Naval Reserve as a warfare information officer. That could be a plus in his new job.
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Delray’s popular On the Ave series of free evening concerts is usually held in the hustling and bustling downtown. But for a month, beginning May 7, the party moves west, to the Southwest 5th Plaza Stage for four Thursday shows plus special activities, a kid’s corner and food tents. The move, says Stephanie Immelman, executive director of the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative, provides some traffic relief downtown while affording the opportunity to check out such attractions as Vintage Tap and the new Fairfield Inn.
Classic hip-hop group Plaid Blazer  plays May 7, with a special performance by members of the 7 Cyphers hip-hop program at Milagro Teen Center.  R&B and dance fill the bill May 14 with Pocket Change plus a meet and greet with former NBA stars Otis Birdsong and Micheal Ray Richardson.
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Will Diane Cestari, DeAnne Friedberg and Barry Roberts of Boca Raton, Roman DeSilvio of Delray Beach or “A” Marchese of Boynton Beach be Tri-Rail’s next “Senior Idol”? They’re among a dozen over-65 finalists who will sing in the commuter rail service’s 10th annual competition at 2 p.m. May 17 at Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. The preliminaries attracted more than 100 hopefuls and the judges faced tough choices.
“Usually we have a pretty good idea who will win,” Tri-Rail public information officer Bonnie Arnold said, “but this year everyone is really talented. It’ll be very close.”
The winner receives $500 and a one-year pass on Tri-Rail. Tickets are $12; proceeds go to Broward Meals on Wheels. For tickets, visit parker playhouse.com or call 954-462-0222.

Reach Thom Smith at thomsmith@ymail.com.

The Plate: Chicken Parmigiana
The Place: Josie’s Ristorante, 1602 S. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach; 364-9601 or josiesristorante.com
The Price: $8.99 (at lunch)
The Skinny: Once again, it was lunchtime and we were starving. Fortunately, Josie’s offered a solution.
The Chicken Parmigiana offered a tender chicken breast half that was pounded flat, breaded and sautéed until tender. Add Josie’s slightly sweet marinara, some spaghetti and a slice of tender mozzarella, and you have a meal fit for even the largest of appetites. Also tasty: the ravioli served in more of that marinara. Refreshing, and good, if not good for you.
— Scott Simmons

By Steve Pike

Sometimes fiction makes the best truth.
Bob Brink looked up from his plate of fried mushrooms and smiled at the notion.
“That’s it in a nutshell,” said Brink, a former reporter for The Palm Beach Post and Palm Beach Illustrated magazine. “Sometimes it’s the only way to tell the story.”
Brink has done just that in his book Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died, a fictionalized tale of Mark Herman. He was convicted — wrongfully, by most accounts — in the 1976 murder of Palm Beach oilman Richard Kreusler.
Brink combed through nearly 150 newspaper clippings to help him research Murder in Palm Beach, and had several conversations with the reporter who Brink says was blocked by his employing newspaper from revealing the truth about Herman’s innocence.
“I was going to do a roundup of the players for the 50th anniversary of Palm Beach Illustrated,” Brink said. “The last person I talked to was the reporter who dropped the bombshell about what he had found out. He knew who the real (killer) was but wouldn’t reveal his sources.”
Without the names, of course, there could be no accurate storytelling. Thus, Murder in Palm Beach was born.
In the book, published this past January by Pegasus Books, Brink creates the character of Rodger Kriger, who was allegedly killed by Mitt Hecher, a small-time crook. But did Hecher actually pull the trigger on the shotgun that killed Kriger? What underworld figures and even politicians might have been involved? Did a love triangle lead to the murder?
Remember, Brink, who lives in Boynton Beach, is writing fiction. But for those who were around at the time of the Kreusler murder and Herman’s trial, the lines between fiction and truth run closely parallel.
Brink's fictionalized tale takes readers through some terrific twists and turns en route to a whirlwind finish. In the end, we don’t learn the truth about who killed Kreusler, but Brink said the book should lead readers to realize Herman was innocent.
As an epilogue to the real-life case, Herman was released from prison in 1992 after his sentence was commuted by Gov. Lawton Chiles.
Murder in Palm Beach has been as high as No. 13 on Amazon’s best-seller list for criminal procedure books and also is available at Barnes &  Noble and other online book-selling sites.

By Steve Pike

It was quite an adventure for Daring Dog to find his way to book form. Whereas many books eventually become screenplays and perhaps even movies, Charlotte Jerace’s flying dog hero of The Adventures of Daring Dog started out as a screenplay.
It came within a whisker (pardon the pun) of becoming a movie before Jerace, who splits her time between Hypoluxo and Cape Cod, took back her publishing rights and self-published the book last June.
“I wouldn’t recommend doing it that way,” Jerace said with a laugh. “It happened for me that way because I had made relationships with some phenomenal women (including Linda Hope, daughter of the late entertainer Bob Hope) and we wanted to do business together.”
In The Adventures of Daring Dog, Jerace — a terrific storyteller — tugs at the funny bones and heartstrings of readers of all ages with a story about the friendship between Sam, a bullied boy in a wheelchair, and Daring, a left-for-dead bloodhound with an extraordinary gift.
The book, available at Classic Bookshop in Palm Beach and on Amazon, was inspired by two things close to Jerace’s heart — her lifelong love of all things canine — and her granddaughter.
“My granddaughter had been bullied in school so I was very aware of the pain,” Jerace said.
The Adventures of Daring Dog is Jerace’s first foray into children’s books. Her previous novel, Kentucky Rain, was published in 2006. Jerace also co-wrote a screenplay for Showtime called Secret Hiding Places.
She is working on a Daring Dog sequel.
“I have a great interest in humpback whales,” said Jerace, who grew up in coastal Maine. “I think Daring and Sam might just be spending some time on Cape Cod.”

By Steve Pike

It’s always a challenge and risk for an author to write about a well-known historical figure. When that figure is Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, youngest daughter of Russian Czar Nicholas II, the bar is raised even higher.
In his self-published book, Challenging Destiny: The Untold Story of Anastasia, Dr. Mark Jay Gang goes over the bar. A retired psychologist who lives in Boynton Beach, Gang has used his clinical experiences and family history to weave a story that will have readers guessing until the end.
Because the Grand Duchess, along with her entire family, was killed (or believed killed) by the Bolsheviks in 1918, Gang’s story is a fictionalized telling of her survival from the carnage at Yekaterinburg. It spans three continents and a century of love, despair, death and destruction.
Challenging Destiny is Gang’s first book. It was accepted in the Palm Beach County Library System in the local author collection. It also is available at Amazon.
“I’ve always been a history buff,” Gang said. “And over the past 30 years I’ve come in contact with a variety of people who have all kinds of stories. So I’ve become a wealth of information on stories about people.”
Gang developed a love of stories and history at a young age when he listened to his grandmother tell stories of the Mother Homeland.
“My grandmother talked to me about Russia and coming over here on a ship,” Gang said. “As Americans, we’re a melting pot of immigrants. My mother was from Great Britain and my grandmother was from Russia. So there is that influence.
“I’d always wanted to write about Anastasia. She was no ordinary woman.”

     Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene has expanded his sizable Florida real estate holdings by purchasing the southernmost property in Manalapan, the 4020 S. Ocean estate formerly owned by longtime resident Ken Brown.

      Greene was the sole participant in a bankruptcy court ordered auction April 8, handled by Fisher Auction Co. 

      According to auctioneer Lamar Fisher, “Greene paid the $6.5 million minimum bid and 6 percent brokers fees for a total of $6.89 million.”

      The 2.39 acres estate reaches from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal Waterway and is just north of the Boynton Inlet. It was once appraised at $11 million and is currently taxed at more than $3.3 million.

      Jeff Greene said he loves the property. “It’s a good value, a fantastic location. Right next to the Boynton Inlet, if you want to get out into the ocean, you can’t get any better than that. And the deck. Isn’t that a great thing? It feels like you are standing out in the middle of the water.” 

      He bought it as an investment property, and he’s not sure what he’ll end up doing.

      “We have lots of choices. Right now, we are working on getting it closed, and then we’ll decide. We might fix it up, subdivide it, resell it. We may clean it up and rent it until we decide what to do with it.”

— Christine Davis