Rebecca Reports

Thursday evening, Altier Jewelers hosted a cocktail party at their stunning store to honor the 26th Annual Boca Raton Heart Ball. American Heart Association Regional Director, Jamie Vass, showed me the custom designed a 4-carat diamond heart necklace set in platinum and watch Altier has donated to the silent and live Ball auctions. Cutler Altier also announced that he is donating a portion of sales through January to the 2008 Heart Ball. Themed “Hearts in Flight,” the ball takes place February 9 at AVITAT Boca Raton. Dress is “A-list Attire” and you can get your boarding pass from 561-394-0170.

Then it was over to Royal Palm Place for my first visit to the Rustic Cellar wine bar. The place was packed inside and out. Owners, Keith Higdon and Deb Brubaker opened the popular spot in 2005. They serve over 300 wines by the glass and specialize in small California wineries. Boca Raton News wine columnists, Monty and Sarah Preiser had invited me along to meet Mary Rocca of Napa’s Rocca Family Vineyards, who just happened to be in town and in the Preiser’s Wine column last Sunday! Mary, a dentist, was in town with her husband, an anesthesiologist, who just happened to be lecturing at the Boca Resort and Club! And they still find time to run a successful winery!

Friday, it was opening night of the nostalgic “Noël and Cole” starring Libby Dodson’s Live at Lynn Series producer Jan McArt and New York cabaret performer Steve Ross, who channeled Noël Coward and Cole Porter throughout his performance. Ever the entertainer, McArt made a grand entrance on a golf cart complete with bellman, expertly played by Tommy Lewandowski, and Fluff the poodle, expertly played by Gypsy McArt, who made her Broadway debut at the age of 12 weeks!

Saturday, it was off to the Kravis Center for a Miami City Ballet performance of “Jewels”. Glorious costume and stage designs combined with Balanchine’s choreography created a magical evening. I was honored to be sitting next to “DanceView” magazine’s renowned ballet critic, Carol Pardo, who also reviews the American Ballet Theatre and Paris Opera Ballet!

Sunday, I wrapped up the weekend (literally) with some early Holiday shopping at Simon Evening of Giving™, at Town Center of Boca Raton. I was not alone, over 5,000 people brought tickets to support local charities. Spotted in the VIP area, were the Boca Resort and Club’s Stephen Ast and Carol Boucard who also modeled in the fashion show along with fellow models and City Council members, Mike Arts and Peter Baronoff, looking relaxed before the big moment on the runway. The last model of the night-Santa Claus-of course!

And that is life in Boca…