$2 million in federal money clears the way for a new Jeffery Street crossing
A new east-west connection up north, and a full weekend from Mizner Park to the Wick.
$2 million in federal money clears the way for a new Jeffery Street crossing
Northeast Boca is in line for a new east-west route. The city announced a $2 million federal award to build a crossing at Jeffery Street, opening a connection that doesn't exist now for drivers heading across that side of town.
Getting across that stretch today means routing to the nearest through-street, and the rail corridor that runs through that part of town is part of why. A dedicated crossing at Jeffery Street would give the neighborhood a direct link and take pressure off the crossings people lean on now.
The money being federal matters: it means the bulk of the construction cost won't fall on the city's own budget. The award covers the crossing itself, announced June 22.
There's no ribbon-cutting date yet, and a project like this moves through design and permitting before any work shows up on the ground. But funding is the hard part, and that step is done. If you drive, bike, or walk near Jeffery Street, this is the change to track over the next year — the kind of small connection that quietly reshapes a daily route. Watch for a construction timeline as the city moves it into design.
Free Family Night at the Boca Museum tonight
If you're looking for something to do tonight, the Boca Raton Museum of Art is open and free from 4 to 7:30 p.m. for its Summer Solstice Family Night.
The Sculpture Garden turns into a chalk-art space, and there are two live sets in the Grand Hall: Create Space Dance Company at 5 p.m. with choreography from youth performers, and Jam with Jamie at 6 p.m. with drums, ribbons, bubbles, and freeze dance. Story time, hands-on artmaking, and gallery challenges run across the first floor all evening.
Student paintings, drawings, and ceramics from the museum's summer art sessions are also on view. No tickets needed — bring the kids and walk in.
A Friday-morning lecture on the art that broke the rules
For a quieter Friday morning, the museum is also running a three-part lecture series on the century that remade modern art, led by Dr. Terryl Lawrence.
The first session, on Abstract Expressionism, runs Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It covers the post-war New York scene that pushed Pollock, Rothko, and de Kooning onto the world stage, and closes with a guided look at the museum's Modernisms exhibition from the Manes Collection. Coffee and pastries are included.
The series continues with Pop Art on July 10. Registration is required for each session, so reserve a spot before you go.
An Eagles tribute under the stars at Mizner Park
Friday night brings live music to the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The Long Run, an Eagles tribute act, plays the city's Summer in the City series starting at 8 p.m.
The amphitheater shows are an easy outdoor option — bring a chair or a blanket and settle in for a run through the Eagles catalog. It's in the heart of Mizner Park, so you can pair it with dinner or a walk around the shops beforehand.
Check the venue listing for gate times and what you're allowed to carry in.
Two headliners, one comedy night at the Studio
A few steps away, the Studio at Mizner Park has a comedy double bill the same night at 7:30 p.m. Headlining are Yaqiao Yang, who earned a Golden Ticket on the live podcast and Netflix show Kill Tony earlier this year, and Sean Madden, the comedian behind the viral "Florida Man" character.
Yang draws on her experience as an immigrant and a fearless, observational style; Madden tours internationally and broke out at the Laugh Factory's Fresh Faces showcase. The venue says seats are going quickly, so reserve ahead if you want in.
It's an indoor, ticketed show — a good rainy-evening alternative to the amphitheater.
Billy Joel's hits come to the Wick this weekend
If your weekend is more Saturday or Sunday, the Wick Theatre is staging Turnstiles, a Billy Joel tribute fronted by Tony Monaco. Expect the catalog people actually want to hear — "Piano Man," "New York State of Mind," and the rest of the hits.
There are two chances to catch it: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The Sunday matinee is the easier one if you'd rather not make a late night of it.
The Wick pairs its shows with a dinner option, so check the theater's listing if you want to make it a full evening out.
Coming up: a July 4th picnic for America's 250th
Looking a week out: the Wick is hosting a July 4th picnic for the country's 250th birthday, starting at 11 a.m. that Saturday, with food, live music, and a Rat Pack tribute. It's a ticketed sit-down affair rather than a backyard cookout, so if that's your speed, book before the holiday rush. Details and tickets are on the theater's event page.