Boca Raton Symphonia Welcomes Itzhak Perlman Protege Sujin Lee And Conductor Gunther Schuller At Intimate Pre-Concert Gathering

The Boca Raton Symphonia (BRS) held an intimate in-home pre-concert gathering for community leaders and cultural arts supporters hosted by Boca Raton resident Patti Carpenter. Those attending the special evening that included a performance by an ensemble of BRS musicians, got the opportunity to meet special guests Itzhak Perlman protégé 17-year-old cello soloist SuJin Lee and, and Pulitzer Prize recipient and two-time Guggenheim Fellowship awarded composer Gunther Schuller. Lee was personally selected by Perlman as soloist to perform in the Symphonia’s Connoisseur Series concert conducted by the legendary Schuller that weekend.

On hand to support the symphonic orchestra were City of Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel, Susanne Klein, Marta and Jim Batmasian, Dr. Raphael and Lori Cabrera, Debbie and Steve Schmidt, Ingrid and Fred Fulmer, Martin and Edith Stein, Bonnie and Jon Kaye, Suzanne Klein, Jean Grabil, Dr. Ira and June Gelb , Dr. Ron Rubin and Silva Alexandrov. BRS board and Allegro Society members Mimi Sadler, Mira Halpert, and Molly Foreman Kozel were also on-hand along with BRS Orchestra Manager Jeff Kaye.

Following a brief update on the symphonic orchestra’s 2011 schedule by BRS President Steve Pomeranz, Mayor Whelchel discussed the important role culture and the arts play in building and promoting of a world-class city such as Boca Raton. She asked: “How many other cities the size of Boca Raton can boast they have their own world-class orchestra? And added that “When our Symphonia travels, it serves as a quality ambassador for our City and all the wonderful cultural assets we have here.”

While based in South Florida, orchestra members that make up the BRS have performed with such conductors as Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa and orchestras worldwide, including the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, IRIS Orchestra, and Santa Fe Opera. Because of its strong acceptance, appeal and national recognition as an exceptional symphonic orchestra, the Festival of the Arts Boca 2011 has selected the BRS as the official orchestra of the Festival’s fifth annual event to be held at the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater, March 4-12, 2011.

The mission of the Boca Raton Symphonia, Boca’s world class orchestra, is to perform and make accessible classical music through concert performances and educational outreach programs featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists, including renowned Principal Conductor Philippe Entremont and Guest Conductors Gunther Schuller and David Commanday. The 2010-2011 season soloists include Itzhak Perlman protégé and cello soloist Sujin Lee, mezzo soprano soloist Daniela Mack, violin soloist Ludwig Mueller, cello soloist Christophe Pantillon, and piano soloist Soyeon Lee.

To learn more about the Boca Raton Symphonia, its performance schedule, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.bocaratonsymphonia.com or call 561-376-3848

If You Haven't Been To The Bridge Hotel Lately, You Haven't Been To The Bridge

Public Areas, Meeting Rooms, and Restaurants Boast New Chic Look


A Special “February” Invitation To Boca Businesses And Residents To Come, See And Share


The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel--one of Palm Beach County's iconic boutique waterfront hotels-is now sporting a new chic look as part of a phased-in renovation program and is offering a special Happy Hour invitation during the month of February for local residents and businesses to come, see, and share. Throughout the month, locals will be treated to a complimentary glass of wine or cocktail with the purchase from our "small plates" menu or appetizer from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every night at WaterColors Restaurant & Bar, and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Carmen's at the Top of The Bridge.


“The Bridge Hotel has long been known as the choice ‘guest house’ for Boca residents and businesses when friends, family or colleagues come to visit, and we forward to continuing that tradition with a warm new look and distinctive dining and entertainment options,” General Manager Greg Kaylor. “We encourage everyone to come out this month to experience first-hand all that is new at ‘their’ Bridge Hotel.”


According the Kaylor, the Bridge Hotel’s public spaces, including its reception area, lobby, executive conference room that is ideal for C-Suite retreats and strategy sessions, and private meeting rooms now imbues an new chic look, infused with inviting comfort, visually engaging elements, and playful architectural nuances designed to invite movement and interaction, all set among varying textures, rich woods, natural stone and colored glass, with refreshing and invigorating watercolor tones.


WaterColors Restaurant & Bar, the only open-to-the-public on-the-water dining in Boca Raton, now features cool tropical blues and greens to frame the waterfront views of Lake Boca, the Boca Inlet and Atlantic Ocean as a frequent cavalcade of yachts and powerboats parade by. It continues to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and feature live music nightly from 7 p.m.


The penthouse level restaurant Carmen’s, the only ala carte restaurant in the area offering nightly dinner and dancing to live music from Wednesday to Saturday evenings and home to one of the region’s premier Champagne Sunday Brunches (featuring its popular Bloody Mary Bar), boasts a new contemporary elegance framed by the most spectacular panoramic views of Boca Raton and its various waterways. It is now open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for Happy Hour and dinner offerings that include Sunset, prix fixe, a la carte, and “small plate” menus featuring Executive Chef Dudley Rich’s American California Continental-style masterpieces that have French, Italian, and Japanese influences and a strong emphasis featuring “fresh vegetables” as the centerpiece of his culinary designs rather than solely showcasing the protein as traditionally done. He does this by transforming a diverse selection of ordinary vegetables (sometimes a total of six per plate) into blissfully memorable treats, with each item prepared and paired as a bold, flavorful compliment to each other.


Several guest room floor hallways have been refitted with new wall treatments and carpeting, and all 121 guest rooms and suites now feature Simmons Beauty Rest “Felicity C Super Pillow Top” beds, new linens and bedcovering, and flat screen televisions, all set to draw inside the breathtaking water views beckoning from the balconies in every room. The Penthouse level offers guestrooms and suites with panoramic water views, upgraded amenities and décor for the discriminating guest.


The Bridge Hotel, Boca Raton is located at 999 East Camino Real, Boca Raton FL 33432-6311. For room reservations and information about this pet-friendly waterfront boutique hotel, call (561) 368-9500 or


toll-free (866) 909-2622, or visit www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com. For dining reservations, call (561) 886-4570 or visit www.opentable.com.

Bridge Hotel Selected As "Official Host Hotel" For The 2011 Downtown Boca Film Festival

The Bridge Hotel has been selected as the official host hotel for the Downtown Boca Film Festival (DBFF) that will run from April 9-17, 2011. The announcement was made by Dr. Michael Posner, DBFF founder and president.

According to Dr. Posner, the Bridge Hotel will serve as the hub for a variety of Festival activities and events, from volunteer trainings, filmmaker meetings, film screenings to an opening night film after-party featuring the popular “rock ‘n ‘roll with soul” band Bullett, impromptu poolside industry meet-and-greets, and special movie-themed dining experiences. Quickly gaining popularity as a “host” hotel for the entertainment industry for its intimate and casual “stay and play” environs and personalized services, producers of films, film festivals, and area concerts choose the Bridge for their featured performers and their entourages when they come to the area, and several celebs return often for long-stay bookings for vacation and while performing nearby.

“We very much look forward to the Bridge Hotel -- one of Palm Beach County’s iconic boutique waterfront hotels -- roll out the ‘red carpet’ for this year’s Festival organizers and filmmakers,” noted Dr. Posner. “We are collaborating on several cross-promotional opportunities, including hotel packages and themed dining options, to co-brand an exciting experience for those who join us from around the country and the globe.”

Just minutes from Downtown Boca, the 121-room all-balcony Boca Raton Bridge Hotel is known for its unparalleled ocean and Intracoastal views from every guest room. It is home to two of the most popular restaurants in Palm Beach County: Carmen’s, Top of The Bridge, an a la carte fine dining and dancing venue with sweeping panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and home to one of the region’s finest Sunday Brunches, and WaterColors Restaurant & Bar, the only open-to-the-public on-the-water dining in Boca Raton.

Recently refurbished, the hotel reception area, lobby, and private meeting rooms imbues a new chic look, infused with inviting comfort, visually engaging water elements, and playful architectural nuances designed to invite movement and interaction, all set among varying textures, rich woods, natural stone and colored glass, with refreshing and invigorating watercolor tones. WaterColors and its poolside bar features cool tropical blues and greens to frame the panoramic waterfront view of Lake Boca, the Boca Inlet and Atlantic Ocean as a frequent cavalcade of yachts and powerboats parade by. The penthouse level restaurant Carmen’s, the only ala carte restaurant in the area offering nightly dinner and dancing to live music from Wednesday to Saturday, boasts a new contemporary elegance framed by the most spectacular panoramic views of Boca Raton and its various waterways.

The Bridge Hotel is located at 999 East Camino Real in Boca Raton. To book guest room reservations at this pet-friendly, all-balcony waterfront boutique hotel located less than a mile from vibrant Downtown Boca and the area’s pristine beaches, call (561) 368-9500 or toll-free (866) 909-2622, or visit www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com. For dining reservations at Carmen’s, call (561) 886-4570 or visit www.opentable.com.

About The Downtown Boca Film Festival (www.dbff.us)

The Downtown Boca Film Festival is a non-profit 501(c-3) organization dedicated to providing the local community and international visitors with a diverse presentation of films from around the world, including a venue of student shorts and Xtreme sports. In addition to offering films that might not otherwise be released theatrically in the USA, the DBFF provides a unique cultural experience as well as educational programs and forums for exploring the future of cinema. Founding sponsors for the DBFF are committed to providing independent film makers/artist with a venue to screen their films and to network with other filmmakers and industry insiders.

The DBFF is truly an independent film festival, small enough to allow for an intimate environment in which to mix and mingle, yet big enough to attract large local audiences, which has stayed close to its roots and mission of making available original and independent films not ordinarily seen in mainstream movie theaters.

MORE THAN 300 CELEBRATE COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2011 OPAL AWARD HONOREES WHILE RAISING MORE THAN $142,000 FOR ROTARY CLUB OF BOCA RATON’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND

A sold-out crowd of more than 300 civic, business and community leaders filled the Club at Boca Pointe to celebrate the community accomplishments of six 2011 Rotary Club of Boca Raton OPAL Award honorees as Outstanding People And Leaders in Boca Raton. The event raised $142,000 net to be used for the Club’s granting of college scholarships and presentation of laptops to deserving local high school students in the Boca Raton community.




2011 OPAL Award recipients recognized for focus in time, energy and ambitions to make their community a better place in which to live, work and play were Dr. David Robbe, Teacher/Coach of Boca Raton Community High School (Education); Jerry Fedele, CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital (Healthcare); Emily Lilly, City of Boca Raton’s Community Resources and Affairs Specialist (Civil Service); Jim & Arlene Sclafani, Founders/Owners of Multi Image Group (Private Sector); and Marta Batmasian Co-Founder Investments Limited/PROPEL (Community Service). Florence “Flossy” Keesely was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. Each honoree was presented a signature marble and brass award, with the OPAL icon and engraved plaque that recognized the “commitment they have made and continue to make to the community”.



Notable guests included prior OPAL Award recipients: City of Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel, Countess Henrietta De Hoernle, Dr. Ira Gelb, Michael Kaufman, Rosemary and Ben Krieger, Dr. Geoff McKee and Ingrid Fulmer who served as this year’s Co-Chair, and Rotary International District Governor Louis Venuti.



“It is truly gratifying to have such an impressive group of community leaders and advocates in attendance for this important annual event that has afforded the Rotary Club of Boca Raton the ability to grant scholarships to so many who deserve a good start on fulfilling their dreams,” said Ingrid Fulmer.



Co-chair and live auctioneer Neil Saffer added that “Event success does not just happen. It takes the hard work and dedication of a passionate committee and tireless teamwork of Rotarians who put Rotary’s motto ‘service above self’ into perpetual action.”



A highlight of the evening was the chance to win $10,000 that included a second place prize of a two-night stay and spa visit at the Boca Beach Club donated by the Boca Raton Resort & Club.”



Focusing on “Changing Lives and Building Futures” through college scholarships to worthy candidates has been the primary mission of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton for more than 20 years. In 2010, the club awarded four- year college scholarships (including a laptop computer stipend) to local high school students from monies raised from the proceeds from the O.P.A.L. Gala and the Club’s annual Future Stars Performing Arts Competition. Set to once again open the Festival of the Arts BOCA 2011 program, this year’s Future Stars event will be held Friday, March 4, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the Count De Hoernle Amphitheater in Mizner Park.

The Rotary Club of Boca Raton is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders united to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide belonging to 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.