WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009

e-News Is A Savvy Finalist

For the last six years, the City of Coral Gables has been churning out information to its residents and business community through this very popular e-News. The free electronic newsletter is e-mailed every other week keeping you informed with important information about everything and anything happening in the City Beautiful. Now the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) has selected e-News as a finalist for the 2009 National Savvy Awards Competition in the category of Digital Interactive Newsletter. The award will be presented at an upcoming annual conference of national communications professionals to be held in Scottsdale, Arizona. You can subscribe to e-News by logging on to the city’s website or by sending an email to e-news@coralgables.com. No matter who gets the top prize, e-News is already a savvy way to get in touch with our citizens.

Discount Card Program Saves You Money

Since the program’s inception in April, the City of Coral Gables Prescription Discount Card Program has saved users 18 percent on the cost of their prescription medication. A recent report shows that 66 discount card users have saved a total of $1,798, or an average of $13 per prescription medication purchased. The discount cards, a program offered in partnership with the National League of Cities, are available to residents for free at various facilities such as City Hall, War Memorial Youth Center, Adult Activity Center, Coral Gables Fire Station 1 and 2, and the Coral Gables Branch Library. Users can also print a card by going to the following website: www.caremark.com/nlc and selecting the City of Coral Gables from the list of participating cities. There is no enrollment form required to get a card, no membership fee of any kind and City residents and their family members can use the card any time their prescription is not covered by insurance. The discount card program is administered by CVS Caremark.

Riviera Park Is Closed For Renovations

Riviera Park, located at 6611 Yumuri Street, is currently closed to the public. A fence is going up around the entire park as it goes through a major improvement project, part of the county’s Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond program. Improvements, at an approximate cost of $445,000, will include a new gazebo, a playground, exercise trail and stations, concrete walkways, benches and new lighting. Once completed, the park will continue to have a passive area in addition to an active children’s area. The improvements project is expected to last for about six months.

H1N1 Flu Continues To Spread

Since the World Health Organization declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment. In Florida, there have been 2,915 of confirmed and probable cases of H1N1 flu infection. Of these, 23 have resulted in death. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing from people with influenza. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs, such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; washing your hands often with soap and water; avoiding contact with eyes, nose or mouth; avoiding close contact with sick people; and staying home from work or school if you get sick with influenza. For more information on the H1N1 flu from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.

What’s Happening Coral Gables?

Recently, Coral Gables Television celebrated the 100th episode of What’s Happening Coral Gables, a current affairs segment that covers the most important events in the City Beautiful. Our CGTV reporters have been there a hundred times when colorful characters, famous personalities and legendary journalists pay a visit to Coral Gables. And our cameras will be there ready to cover another 100 events happening in Coral Gables. To view the 100th episode of What’s Happening Coral Gables, click here.

Workshop Is A Must For Cultural Grant Applicants

The City of Coral Gables invites nonprofit and cultural organizations to attend the mandatory Cultural Grants Workshop for groups interested in receiving cultural grant funding. Starting this year, applicants for funding from the City of Coral Gables are required to attend the workshop; otherwise they will not be eligible to receive funding. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 4 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, second floor. The public meeting will explain the cultural grant process of the City of Coral Gables for fiscal year 2009-2010. Organizations interested in applying for a cultural grant from the City must have a staff, board member, or volunteer present at this meeting. Failure to attend this mandatory meeting will automatically disqualify the organization for consideration from cultural grant funding. The City has three categories of grants: Cultural Development; Cultural Series, Festivals and Special Events; and Community grants. At the mandatory workshop, City administrators will discuss grant eligibility requirements, the review process, allowable grant expenditures, funding evaluation criteria and agreement terms. Grant application forms will be available at that time, with a submission deadline of Friday, October 2, 2009, 5 p.m. For more information, contact Arts and Culture Specialist Catherine Cathers at 305-460-5313 or via email at ccathers@coralgables.com.