Rebecca Reports

Monday, I was at Casa DeVita, the Royal Palm home of Kids in New Directions VP Joyce DeVita and her husband, Thom. The DeVitas hosted a holiday party honoring two past presidents of Kids in New Directions, Betsy Fletcher and Andrea Knibbs. Party guests included current KIND president Chris Root, Patty Carpenter, whose mother had just arrived from New York, Deputy Mayor Susan Whelchel and Nicole Flier and Lori Ludwig, founders of SF VIPs , the young fundraising group behind KIND. I caught up with fellow Brit, Natalie Cwick, KIND’s Executive Director. Natalie also administers the Spirit of Giving campaign--a group of 15 local non-profits who work together to supply children with holiday toys - sadly demand has been high this year she told me. However there is some good news for next year - the Spirit of Giving campaign is one of the community projects the Junior League of Boca Raton has under consideration for 2008. Fingers crossed!

Tuesday evening began at the Boca Marriott for the Boca Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday auction. I had do idea that 400 people attend as I missed it last year! The festive event raised over $26,000 for the chamber’s community projects. In the live auction, a Panthers Luxury Suite (compliments of JM Family Enterprises) went for an ice- cool $1,100! The gift certificate for “Universal Design Cabinets, Countertops & More” went for $2,050. I hope he went to Jared or David Stern as well!

Next it was over to FAU for wonderful performance on violin and piano by Lynn University grad Gareth Johnson and Chair of FAU’s Music Department, Heather Coltman. Johnson moves so effortlessly between styles, it is easy to see why his parents, teachers and sponsors such as Madelyn Savarick, believe he has what it takes to be a leading concert violinist. The repertoire from the concert will be available on a CD from FAU’s Hoot Wisdom record label in the spring-- the duo started recording the day before performing.

Wednesday, I met with a bright new star on the local non-profit scene, Julie Ott, special event events and development coordinator for the Red Cross. Julie replaces Jennifer Witt who moved across town to the American Cancer Society. Julie is no stranger to the Red Cross, having been a volunteer for the past two years. Previously in HR and special events with the MGM Mirage group in Las Vegas (she is a native) Julie moved to Boca with her husband, Danny, two years ago. Her first event is the HEROES Campaign which kicks off March 5 at Old Calypso in Delray Beach.

Finally, one last minute gift idea for culture vultures…tickets and passes for Festival of the Arts BOCA 2008. Now available, classical, jazz and Latin, literature passes and the ultimate 17-day All Festival pass! Of course we’ll all want the ultimate! Call 1-866-6571-2787.

And that is life in Boca…

Merry Christmas everyone!

Rebecca