Florida Atlantic University plans to use the closed Living Room Theaters on its Boca Raton campus for student classes and for a digital media production hub. Photo provided
By Christine Davis
Living Room Theaters, which was located in Florida Atlantic University’s Culture and Society building on the Boca Raton campus, closed in February, citing low attendance due to the pandemic.
Independent and foreign films were shown on four screens since 2010 in a public/private collaboration with the university.
Founded in 2006 by Ernesto Rimoch, Living Room Theaters still has locations in Portland, Oregon, and Indianapolis.
The closure of Living Room Theaters is a loss to the university, its students and the local community, said Carol Mills, professor and director of FAU’s School of Communication and Multimedia Studies.
She also said that “in the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, we will be retaining at least two of the theaters for student classes because that is foundational for a superior film education experience. We are exploring opportunities to continue community programming, as well.
“The remainder of the space will be converted to a state-of-the-art digital media production hub for filmmaking and entertainment content creation, social media and public opinion research, and broadcast journalism.”
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A new Delray Beach business called Love and Healing Energy features a 24-unit Energy Enhancement System, or EES, that allows the body to recharge itself.
During a session, “you immerse yourself in scalar and bio-photonic waves while listening to high frequency music as you rest in anti-gravity chairs in our spa setting,” according to owner Michelle Kaplan.
The system, invented by Sandra Rose Michael, Ph.D., is not a medical device and does not heal you, Kaplan explains. “What it does do is balance and restore the power of your own DNA so that the body can heal itself.”
The EES brings cells back to that optimal charge so that they can function again and allows the body to do the work that it needs to do.
Clients say that after a session they feel a release of stress, tension and anxiety. Often, they report feeling a reduction in inflammation and general body pain. A feeling of energy and clearness of mind is also commonly reported.
Love and Healing Energy opened in January at 2196 W. Atlantic Ave. For more information, call 561-270-1850 or visit www.loveandhealingenergy.com.
A similar, although not related business, the Energy Room, opened last fall at 200 W. Palmetto Park Road, Suite 204, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-210-0502 or visit www.theenergyroom.org.
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GoodVets, a national veterinarian partner-led animal hospital platform, has opened a new practice at 9884 S. Jog Road, Suite D6, Boynton Beach, in partnership with local veterinarian Dr. Victoria Tomasino. Tomasino also plans to open a Delray Beach location this spring. GoodVets offers online booking at https://goodvets.com/locations/delray-boynton/boynton.
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Three local resorts have been awarded five-star ratings from the 2023 Forbes Travel Guide.
For the ninth consecutive year, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan has been awarded a five-star rating. Individually, Eau Spa also won a five-star rating for the ninth year in a row.
“We are thrilled once again to be recognized with the prestigious Forbes Five-Star rating for Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in 2023, making us only one of seven double-star hotel and spa winners in Florida,” said Tim Nardi, general manager. “It is an extremely difficult test to pass, and our dedicated staff works diligently every day to ensure all our guests receive a first-class experience here in Palm Beach.”
The Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach is on the five-star list, as well, as it has been for 25 years. The resort’s spa has received five stars from Forbes for seven consecutive years.
“Receiving the Forbes Five-Star distinction for the 25th consecutive year and recognition for our flagship restaurant Florie’s by Mauro Colagreco fills me with immense pride to work alongside each individual who made this possible,” said Mohamed Elbanna, regional vice president and general manager. “Behind every memorable moment is a heartfelt passion to make a connection and leave a lasting impression, whether soaking in sunny oceanside hospitality or taking in the thoughtful touches in their guest rooms, our guests can feel that each detail is delivered with love.”
Also receiving five-star ratings this year were the Boca Raton Beach Club, part of The Boca Raton — and the property’s signature wellness oasis, Spa Palmera.
“This success is a testament to our dedicated team at The Boca Raton,” said Daniel A. Hostettler, president and CEO. “We will continue to raise the bar on our properties to meet and exceed Forbes’ rigorous luxury standards.”
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Under the leadership of Jan Kinder, chair of the Delray Business Partners, the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce’s leads group has set a record for collaborating with one another. During 2022, its 30 members generated more than $202,221 of gross sales by doing business with one another and by referring their colleagues in the group to potential clients. For more information visit https://delraybusinesspartners.com.
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Steven Abrams has joined LSN Partners as a managing partner of its Palm Beach County practice. Abrams focuses on the transportation and emergency management practice groups. Abrams was elected to the Boca Raton City Council in 1989 and was then city mayor for two terms. Subsequently, he served as a Palm Beach County commissioner, including a term as county mayor. He now joins LSN after 12 years with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, where he was chairman and then executive director.
Abrams also has accepted a position as a partner of LSN Law, P.A., where he will assist clients with land use and zoning, contracts and procurement, and permitting and licensing.
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Dr. Safiya George was named to the Boca Helping Hands’ board of directors. George earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing from Emory University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University in religion and health research. She is currently dean and professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University. Her primary research area aims to promote the health and holistic well-being of individuals with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.
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Erin L. Deady, attorney and a certified land planner with an office in Delray Beach, recently assisted multiple cities and counties in securing more than $26 million in funding from the state of Florida. Local projects included in the funding are $700,000 for the city of Boca Raton Lake Wyman Living Shoreline project, and $627,500 for the city’s Old Floresta Innovative Sustainable Stormwater Infrastructure project. The city of Delray Beach received $10 million for the Historic Marine Way Seawall, Roadway and Drainage improvement and $2.5 million for the Thomas Street Stormwater Pump Station improvement. For more information, visit https://erindeadylaw.com
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Volunteers with golf carts are needed to drive World War II and Korean War veterans in the Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The veterans are grand marshals for the event, which involves a two-mile trip down Atlantic Avenue on March 11. Veterans & Homefront Voices is spearheading the search for volunteers with golf carts to help drive the veterans.
Drivers, veterans and other volunteers will decorate the carts together and then ride down Atlantic Avenue to be cheered on by a throng of spectators.
Golf carts and drivers need to be at Holly House at the First Presbyterian Church campus at 33 Gleason Street by 9:45 a.m. Veterans will complete the parade at around 1 p.m.
A picnic for all vets, their families, and volunteers will be held after the parade from 1-2:30 p.m. at Pompey Park, 1101 NW Second St.
To register as a volunteer, go to bit.ly/DelrayStPattyVetVolsReg.
Veterans who wish to be in the parade can register at bit.ly/StPattyVetFamReg.
For more information, contact Conrad Ogletree at conrad@toplinerev.com.
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The Delray Beach Housing Authority received the October 2022 Community Service Award from the Delray Beach Police Department for its work to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income families by providing quality housing options.
“Through our partnership with the (police department’s) community outreach team and our commitment to provide affordable housing, seniors were able to be placed at the Lake Delray Apartments with a federally funded subsidy and have ongoing case management provided to them to ensure that they are able to remain housed and have an opportunity for a sustainable quality of living,” said Shirley Erazo, the housing authority’s president and CEO.
“The housing authority would not have been able to successfully engage these efforts without the commitment and dedicated services of the community outreach team of Delray Beach.”
Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com. Mary Thurwachter contributed to this column.
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