Winning Team #7- Lisa Medland, Nanette Saylor, Deb Baron, Patrice Huber.
Lillian Martinez, John Schneyer and Jonathan Sahn, using technology to help solve the clues.
Karen Roumay, Matt Jaeger and Miriam Brown scoring the clue sheets.
Cecily Rouser, Noreen Foley, Gary Field and Bob LaRocca from Event Sponsor NuBarter.
Team 4: Consuelo Inestrosa, Audra Hodges, Kathy Sheridan and Alyssa Kleinman.
Tina Fienberg, Jean Ross and Tina Fienberg – Mission Possible Volunteers
Linda Gove and Lisa Elkan – Past chairs of Boca Festival Days.
Chris Evert Charities hosted the popular “Mission Possible” on Thursday August 12 at the Town Center at Boca Raton. Eighteen teams spanned the mall deciphering difficult clues and compete for the title of “Top Sleuth Detecti
BOCA RATON — Tired of the slow, hot, summer months? Are you under the impression that there is nothing going on in Boca Raton during August? Then you’ve never heard of Boca Festival Days!
During the recession of 1980, Boca Festival Days was created by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce with the intent to help boost business during what was traditionally Boca Raton’s “slow” month of August.
Boca Raton Council member Constance Scott with Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel and Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie at 2009 Wine & All That Jazz event.
Boca Festival Days is the result of local business leaders and representatives from area non-profit agencies, companies, and media working together to plan and promote events at many different locations in the greater Boca Raton area running throughout the month of August.
The 2010 chair is John Schneyer of Boca Consultants and the co-chair is Debbi Lawlor, a local non-profit professional.
Events begin this weekend. Activities planned for the two weeks are listed below.
August 2, 5-7 p.m.
Shopping Spree benefiting Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service
Sponsored By Comerica
Location: Kosher Marketplace (The Palms Plaza, 2191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433)
Teams of 2-5 people will have two hours to purchase as much food for the least amount of money possible. All purchased food will be donated to the food pantry. Contact Beth Levine at 561-852-3334 or bethl@rrjfs.org.
August 3, 6-9 p.m., Night for Small Pints, benefiting Kids in Distress
Sponsored By MDG Advertising
Location: Dubliner (435 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
Please join us for a fun-filled evening of entertainment and fundraising at Dubliner in Mizner Park. Guests will enjoy the live music of Taylor Road. Cost is $25 per person, which includes two drinks and appetizers. The proceeds will go to Kids in Distress. Contact 561.620.2540 for more information.
August 5, 6-8 p.m., opening Reception for Art Show benefiting Artist’s Guild of Boca Raton Museum
Sponsored By Wyndham Boca Raton
(Art Show to run Aug. 1-15th at Wyndham)
Location: The Wyndham Garden Hotel (1950 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL)
Contact (561) 368-5200 or the Event Chairperson Glenn Heino (561) 866-9670 or email at webadmin@bocaguild.com.
August 6, noon-2 p.m., Informative Luncheon benefiting and sponsored by Caron Renaissance
Location: Caron Renaissance (7789 N.W. Beacon Square Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33487)
Featuring guest speaker Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Best-selling author, activist and advocate for addiction recovery. Caron Renaissance is part of the Caron Treatment Centers network – a nationally recognized non-profit drug and alcohol treatment networks in the country. Based in Boca Raton, Caron Renaissance is celebrating more than 20 years of on-site family programs and pioneering new advances in the field of addiction treatment. Tours of the facility and residences will be available from 3-4 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jacquelyn Sherry at 561.241.7977, ext. 1777 or jsherry@renaissanceinstitute.net.
Kids show off their artwork at the 2009 Boca Raton Museum of Art’s Meet a Master event
August 7, 6-8 p.m., An Enchanted Evening benefiting Children’s Museum of Boca Raton
Sponsored By The Heritage Group / The House of Tia Crystal
Location: Children’s Museum (498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432)
“Meet at The Children’s Museum to travel in the vintage style Molly Trolley for an art inspired journey of storytelling, lite-fare, and music with a magical ending at the House of Tia Crystal.” Reservations are required for limited seating. $35 p/p. CONTACT: Sandy Manning at 561-368-6875/ SANDY@CMBOCA.ORG WWW.CMBOCA.ORG
August 8, noon-6 p.m., Donating the Clothes Off our Backs for Women in Distress!, benefiting Women in Distress
Sponsored By Oceans 234
Location: Oceans 234 (234 North Ocean Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441)
This is Oceans234 annual clothing drive to benefit Women In Distress. $15 includes buffet and raffle ticket for a chance to win a Stay-cation on “The Island”! All proceeds to benefit Women in Distress. Live entertainment, promotions and giveaways! Contact 954-428-2539.
August 10, 6-8 p.m., AVDA’s 5K Kick-Off Party benefiting AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence, Inc.)
Sponsored By Maui Spa & Wellness Center in Boca Raton
Location: Maui Spa & Wellness Center in Boca Raton (2100 N.W. Boca Raton Boulevard)
During the kick-off party, race highlights will be announced and registration for the 5K will be officially opened. Additional volunteer opportunities will also be available to assist with the 5K on race day. Maui Spa & Wellness Center has partnered with AVDA to provide a special happy hour which will include drinks, appetizers and raffle prizes for $20 per person. Seating is limited so sign up early by calling Riunite Carter at 561-265-3797 (ext 118).
August 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Relax to the Max! benefiting Hospice of Palm Beach County.
Sponsored By Max’s Grille at Mizner Park (404 Plaza Real, Mizner Park)
Location: Max’s Grille at Mizner Park (404 Plaza Real, Mizner Park)
$25 per person entitles you to 2 free drinks and hors d’oeuvres
Higher donation of $100 receives a $20 Gift Card, $500 receives a $50 Gift Card, $1,000 receives a $100 Gift Card. RSVP to Mary Coleman, (561) 988-2742 or mcoleman@hpbcf.org
From left are Bonnie Kaye, John Mulhall and Shanna St. John at the 2009 Wine & All That Jazz event.
August 12, 6-8:30 p.m., Mission Possible, benefiting Chris Evert Charities
Sponsored By NuBarter
Location: Town Center at Boca Raton (6000 Glades Rd #100, Boca Raton, FL 33431)
Teams of “super agents” will solve a mystery while gathering top-secret information or objects from participating stores throughout the Mall. Teams of four are encouraged, individuals are welcome. Cost: $35 per person or $125 for a team of four. Unless sold out, the on-site registration fee is $40 per person or $150 for a four-person team Event includes appetizers, drinks, awards for the winning teams and raffle prizes. Non-detectives may purchase tickets for the lively post-hunt party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information call: 561-394-2400 or visit www.chrisevert.org
August 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Cocktails for a Cause benefiting Benefitting Best Foot Forward
Sponsored By Morton’s The Steakhouse
Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse (5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219, Boca Raton, FL 33486)
Join Morton’s, former NFL player and color commentator Lamar Thomas, and Boca Raton Community member guest bartenders Forrest Heathcott, Frank Barbieri, Troy McLellan, Steve Tebon, during Boca Festival Days! They will be personally shaking and serving up an evening of cocktails to benefit the Best Foot Forward Foundation (www.bestfoot.org). For more information, contact Gina Campbell at 561-392-7724 or gina_campbell@mortons.com.
August 14 & 28, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Guided Tour of the Historic Boca Raton Resort & Club, benefiting Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
Location: Boca Raton Resort & Club (501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
August 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Back to School Bash benefiting Spirit of Giving Network
Sponsored By Continental Group
Location: Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club (1451 SW Seventh St., Delray Beach, FL, 33444)
Contact (561) 385-0144
August 14, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Dancing in the Sky, benefiting Shopping for Soldiers, sponsored By Boca Raton Bridge Hotel
Location: Carmen’s at the Top of the Boca Bridge Hotel (999 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
The famous Bulldogs begin at 7 p.m. along with Chefs Tables for your dining experience provided by local top restaurants. Tickets are $25 dollars and please purchase in advance so you will not have to stand in line. RSVP to: Neal 561-860-3173 or email sfsneeds@gmail.com
Business ToolboxFinancing Your BusinessA strong financial base is important to the success of a new or expanding business. |
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» Trading Game When Danielle Williams decided to remodel her upscale Deerfield Beach restaurant, Oceans 234, she relied heavily on barter, one of the oldest forms of obtaining goods and services. Williams, the restaurant’s director of operations, traded restaurant meals for more than $80,000 in new flooring, plumbing, interior design, uniforms, a logo, signs and more. The value of bartered goods added up to more than half the $150,000 total cost of remodeling. “It’s just so smart, so easy,” says Williams, who in late 2008 joined NuBarter, a Savannah-based barter network with offices in Daytona Beach, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton. NuBarter and other barter networks let members earn and use trade credits. So when Williams provides $500 in restaurant meals to the barter network, she can use those credits for any member’s goods and services, even if they never eat a meal at her restaurant. “It’s like having a Visa,” says NuBarter’s Karen Roumay. Barter networks charge members an annual fee, a monthly maintenance fee and collect a percentage of the value of the trade. In NuBarter’s case, the annual fee is $395 plus $15 per month in cash and $15 per month in trade credit. They collect 10% of the value of the trade in cash from the buyer. Williams says that originally she thought she would barter only for a short period, but now that the remodel is finished she is bartering for all types of goods and services for the restaurant on an ongoing basis. A key, she says, is knowing how much you can afford to trade each month. Still, says Williams, “There’s no reason I would stop bartering.” |
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By Eddith Sevilla | South Florida News Service
June 7, 2009
When Brian Remick shut down his Wilton Manors sculpture gallery after sales slumped last year, he had no idea the works of art would later pay to fix his car.
Lacking the $475 to get the radiator and air conditioner fixed, Remick decided to pay with two sculptures valued between $225-$250.
“Everything is tied to cash, and I would’ve had to pay cash or put it on a credit card, which I don’t have,” he said.
Throughout South Florida, bartering — the practice of exchanging goods for services instead of dollars — is helping businesses and their customers weather tough times. In the United States, it is estimated to generate more than $3 billion through trade and exchanges, according to Robert B. Meyer, editor of BarterNews.com.
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Car repairs are not all Remick is getting out of his sculptures.
He recently bartered a small sculpture for an 18 karat gold necklace for his fiancee. He feels the statue and necklace were of equal value — about $1,400.
And when he told his neighbor that things were starting to pick up, she pulled out a new $300 Electrolux vacuum cleaner. This became another barter opportunity for Remick who in exchange gave his neighbor a three-figure sculpture valued between $250 and $275.
Had he spent money on all the goods and services he has received from the trades, he would’ve spent $5,000, Remick said.
“Before barter was just a word for me and I always thought, ‘Wow, what a great concept,’” he said. “When I had so much inventory and when money became so tight, I decided to seek other avenues and bartering just made sense.”
He has another 1,200 sculptures from Zimbabwe in a Fort Lauderdale warehouse that he hopes to barter for more needs and services.
Felix Rodriguez, owner of LunchTimeRush, a home-based catering business in Hialeah, is about to launch into bartering, which he calls “matching favor-for-favor.”
Rodriguez has lost 7 of 10 clients, which amounts to about $1,400 in revenue per month, he said.
Rodriguez plans to host a networking party in the next few weeks to promote LunchTimeRush. Because he can’t afford the hundreds of dollars the event would cost, he’ll count on bartering to help pull it off.
He’s hopeful that entertainment for the party will come through bartering.
“A friend of mine has a production company where he has two or three bands under his label and I’ll be asking him to have one of his bands perform at the tasting,” said Rodriguez, who plans to offer catering service to his friend in exchange. “It’s a lot harder to just give that money over when I could easily trade the service.”
And that is why bartering is becoming more popular — it gives people the ability to find things that they don’t necessarily have the cash for, but have the excess capacity or inventory to trade for, said Karen Roumay, who runs the South Florida region of NuBarter, based in Boca Raton.
“People are looking to scale down instead of gear up,” Roumay said. “Companies that are looking to expand during this time are definitely going into barter. It has exploded.”
That’s good news for her company. While many businesses struggle in this economy Roumay said her company is gaining. In 2008, NuBarter generated $250,000 in revenue in Florida for the first quarter. This year the company has already generated $1.2 million in revenue in the first quarter.
Professor John H. Boyd, who heads the department of economics at Florida International University, said that bartering comes with a big disadvantage: inefficiency.
“In order to barter, both parties have to have goods the other party wants.” Boyd said. “This is usually not the case, and a more complex transaction involving several parties may be required to make the transaction work.”
Like Remick, Rodriguez plans to continue bartering even after the economy picks up.
“It provides an opportunity for future trades, future joint ventures. It’s almost limitless if you think about it,” Rodriguez said.
Eddith Sevilla can be reached at eddith.sevilla@fiusm.com. The South Florida News Service is staffed by Florida International University students, who report articles for the Sun Sentinel, The Miami Herald and The Palm Beach Post.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-barter-economy-060709sbjun07,0,4686660.story?track=rss
