Boca Raton author publishes new teen novel.. "Diamonds in the Rough."

Most visitors ambling through a hotel lobby, even if it is the colossal Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, are probably not inspired to write a book.

But as she explored the colorful, ornate Wynn during several visits with her family over the past few years, Michelle Madow, of Boca Raton, began brainstorming her new novel, "Diamonds in the Rough."

In the novel, three teenage sisters reconcile with their billionaire father and move to Las Vegas, beginning life at a new high school, where they "uncover explosive secrets that turn the girls' lives upside down," according to promotional materials. The book is the second in Madow's trilogy, "The Secret Diamond Sisters."

The book was published in October by Harlequin Teen. Madow will sign copies at Barnes & Noble, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday.

"I love teen fiction because there are not a lot of limitations," said Madow, 27, a 2010 Rollins College graduate. "Teens go through so many new experiences. You can write about vampires, time travel, science fiction; there's so much flexibility."

Although some observers have lamented young adults' apparent lack of interest in reading books, the market is flourishing. Read more here:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-author-michelle-madow-20141031-story.html

Boca Raton trails rerouted during construction of new I-95 interchange

Two popular trails in Boca Raton are being affected by the construction of the new Interstate 95 interchange near Spanish River Boulevard in Boca Raton.

Both the El Rio Trail and the T-Rex Trail run through work zones for the massive project, which will take traffic directly from I-95 to Florida Atlantic University and include an intricate ramp network connecting I-95, Spanish River Boulevard and Yamato Road.

The El Rio Trail, a bike and pedestrian path, connects the Tri-Rail station on Yamato Road to FAU and runs underneath I-95. With construction going on in that area, the trail was diverted around the work zone, said Andrea Pacini, a Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

"They built a temporary pathway for pedestrians" around the tall columns that form the foundation for the ramps being built, she said.

The T-Rex Trail, another off-road path for pedestrians and cyclists, runs from the Tri-Rail station along the west side of the railroad tracks to the Spanish River Library. The trail runs under the Spanish River bridge that goes over I-95 and the railroad tracks. Read more here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-interstate-95-spanish-river-20141103-story.html

RealFin Boca Raton to Feature American Homeowner Preservation CEO as Panelist.. Nice

On February 15, 2015, American Homeowner Preservation (“AHP”) founder and CEO Jorge Newbery will be a panel member at RealFin Boca Raton: Introducing Online Realty Financing for Investors. RealFin Boca Raton aims to educate real estate professionals on ways to get projects funded online such as fix and flips and ground up development. In addition to Newbery, other leaders from the real estate crowdfunding industry will lend their expertise to those interested in learning about online funding for real estate projects.

Newbery started in real estate in the early 1990s in the mortgage industry, then moved onto purchasing and renovating distressed properties. Today, Newbery’s company AHP purchases distressed mortgages and executes a strategy to generate high yields and keep borrowers at risk of foreclosure in their homes.

Title II of the JOBS Act went into effect in September 2013 and allowed for public advertising of private investments. This prompted AHP to launch an online investment platform. Since launching its platform, AHP has funded three pools of distressed mortgages and is ready to launch its fourth offering. Read more here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/12/prweb12360616.htm

Self-Storage Developer Proposes Warehouse Conversion in Boca Raton, FL... Sayyy whaaat?

Real estate developer Tom Head has submitted a proposal to convert a Boca Raton, Fla., warehouse into a self-storage facility, but the city is considering height restrictions that could delay the project. A principal with Mission Bay Self Storage in West Boca, Fla., Head plans to build two levels of storage units inside the existing 64,000-square-foot structure, but the project has some city officials concerned about the height of future multi-story facilities, according to the source.

Head’s proposed project would include roughly 200 units covering about 70 percent of the building at 1900 N.W. First Court, the source reported. Representatives from development firm Head Properties and the law firm GrayRobinson PA addressed city council members on Nov. 10. The council first discussed the proposal on Aug. 11.

Charles Siemon, director at GrayRobinson, showed the council images of modern, aesthetically pleasing self-storage designs as examples of what could be possible in redeveloping the warehouse, according to the source. "We would not propose to change the physical height or the setbacks, but use performance standards to ensure the facility’s aesthetic qualities, its attractiveness,” Siemon told the council. “The big issue is access doors visible from the street." Read more here: http://www.insideselfstorage.com/news/2014/11/self-storage-developer-head-properties-proposes-warehouse-conversion-in-boca-raton-fl.aspx

TEDxBocaRaton is Breaking Barriers in 2015... Love these guys

TEDx a program designed with the mission “ideas worth spreading”, announced its complete line-up of speakers for the Boca Raton conference, taking place on March 26th at the Mizner Amphitheater from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The conference is a suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances on a wide range of subjects that provoke interesting conversations and ideas.

TEDx Boca Raton will connect attendees with a unique collection of expert speakers who will stimulate dialogue, engage the audience and develop ideas at the local level. The event will offer a variety of topics to foster learning, inspiration and wonder. Brace yourself for enriching stories that will trigger your own ideas and motive good in the world. The theme for this year’s event is “Breaking Barriers.” The line up of riveting, cutting edge and dynamic speakers will teach you to stop making excuses, develop a strong mind, keep moving forward, claim your strengths, achieve more, define your character and embrace life. “Breaking Barriers” means breaking through to find out who you are meant to be and what steps need to be taken to get there. How you pursue life and the ability to make it meaningful is what TEDxBocaRaton will offer you this year!

Read more here:  http://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2014/11/tedxbocaraton-is-breaking-barriers-in-2015/

Boca Raton entrepreneur builds on 20 years of success... Now that's a hero.

Scott H. Adams wears a lot of hats on the Florida Atlantic University campus in Boca Raton.

As CEO of the five-employee startup GroupCare Technologies, he's developing medical alert technology from an office at FAU's Tech Runway. He also serves as chairman of MobileHelp, one of the 200 fastest-growing companies in the nation, based at Research Park at the university.

On top of it all, he works with a few dozen students a semester at the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, which he endowed. Read more here: http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2014/11/07/scott-adams-boca-raton-entrepreneur-builds-on-20.html