Burt Rapoport Named Boca Raton's Business Leader of the Year

Philanthropists Honored by Boca Raton Business Community
Burt Rapoport (owner of Rapoport’s Restaurant Group) and JKG Group were honored at Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Industry Appreciation Awards Luncheon
BOCA RATON, FL (September 19, 2008) – On Thursday, September 18th, the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce (GBRCC) held its Industry Appreciation Awards Luncheon for the first time at the world renowned Boca Raton Resort & Club. Over 450 business people attended the prestigious luncheon to witness Burt Rapoport (owner of Rapoport’s Restaurant Group) receive the 2008 Business Leader of the Year Award and JKG Group take home the 2008 Business of the Year Award. Industry Sponsors were the Office Depot Foundation, Town Center at Boca Raton, and Woolbright Development.

Burt Rapoport, a notable restaurateur, has spent the last 25 years creating memorable Palm Beach County restaurants. He is dedicated to providing high-quality gourmet cuisine, a warm and welcoming ambiance, and truly attentive service, at all of his restaurants, some of which include Bogart's Bar & Grille, Henry's and Opus 5.Throughout his career, he has generously contributed to a multitude of charitable causes.

JKG Group has since opening its doors in 1984, grown from a small commercial printer into a sophisticated Marketing and Corporate Communications Company. JKG has received numerous accolades and awards for its corporate philanthropy and have been recognized by a large number of organizations for their donations of printing services and other charitable work. Bob Gittlin, President of JKG Group, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

The next major event for the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce will be the Masquerade-themed 56th Annual Black Tie Gala to be held on Saturday, October 18th at the Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Great Hall (501 E Camino Real, Boca Raton). Cocktail hour commences at 6:00pm and Dinner at 7:00pm. In addition to thanking outgoing Chair Sam Hosn, welcoming incoming Chair Al Petrangeli, the event will also honor Keith O’Donnell with the 2008 M. J. “Mike” Arts Award of Excellence. Tickets are $1,950 for corporate tables of 10, or $195 per person and must be purchased in advance online at www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar).

About the GBRCC: As the largest Chamber in Palm Beach County, the membership is presently composed of more than 1,700 companies representing over 35,000 employees in eastern, central, and western Boca Raton and beyond. Since 1952, the GBRCC has been enabling the community’s business people to thrive by providing opportunities for leadership, networking, innovative business programs, education, and giving back to the community.

www.rapoportsrg.com

"Sideway's" Wine Dinner & Movie Event at Bogart's Bar & Grille

Bogart’s Bar & Grille to Host Sideways Dinner and Movie Charity Event Featuring Famed Chef

Proceeds to Benefit Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Foundation

Boca Raton, FL – September 29, 2008 – Bogart’s Bar & Grille will be hosting a Sideways dinner and movie event to benefit the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Foundation on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 7 p.m. The scholarship honors Jimmy Mancbach’s dream of creating a scholarship for up-and-coming fine wine professionals.

The Oscar award-winning movie Sideways was filmed in California’s wine country, where famed chef, Frank Ostini, the special guest of the event, is the proprietor of the Hitching Post Restaurant, which was featured in Sideways, and winemaker of Hartley Ostini Vineyards. The dinner will feature the authentic Hitching Post menu and wines from the Sideways region, including Loring, Au Bon Climat, Hartley Ostini and others.

“We really wanted to honor Jimmy’s dream and felt that it was important to tie in pieces of the California wine area that he spent so much time at. It is an honor to have Frank Ostini joining us for this event and we hope to raise a significant amount of money to benefit the Foundation,” stated Burt Rapoport, owner of Bogart’s Bar & Grille.

Individual ticket donations for the event are priced at $195 and $1,200 for a table of eight. All donations will be endowed to the scholarship and dinner includes hors de oeuvres, a three-course meal with paired wines, a Premier movie ticket, valet parking, popcorn and gratuities. Availability for the event is limited and the attire is casual chic.

Before passing away, Jimmy expressed his wish to provide a rare opportunity for young wine enthusiasts to work with some of America’s greatest winemakers. The annual recipients of the scholarship travel to specially selected wineries during harvest, where they work with some of the most talented and celebrated winemakers and viticulturists in the wine industry. This year, the foundation sent out three recipients and Southern Wine & Spirits matched the necessary funds to enable these scholarships.

For additional information and to purchase tickets, please contact Francine Van Auken at 561.395.7682 or Francine@rapoportsrg.com. To find out more about the Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship, please visit: http://www.jimmymancbachscholarship.com/.

Special offer to all attendees: the opportunity to purchase specially created (Jimmy) magnums by award-winning winemaker Tony Soter of Soter Vineyards and Etude Vineyards in honor of his dear friend Jimmy Mancbach - all proceeds to go to the Jimmy Mancbach Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

www.bogartsofboca.com or www.rapoportsrg.com