WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Local Heroes Earn Respect Of The World

The members of the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue Team Task Force 2, made up of 80 highly trained members from local fire departments, have returned from Haiti earning the respect of the world for their heroic efforts in Port-Au-Prince. Our own Coral Gables firefighter David Vargas and Gables Medical Director Mark Grossman were among the group who worked feverishly to save people from collapsed buildings and attend to their medical needs, putting at times their own lives at risk. A short video about this most recent mission of Task Force 2 brings home incredible images of the pain and misery of the Haitian people, and the efforts of our local heroes answering the urgent call from a devastated country in need. To view this incredible video, click here.  

More Improvements Coming
To Ponce De Leon Boulevard

The City of Coral Gables has selected a construction company that will be responsible for the second phase of the median installation and roadway improvements on Ponce de Leon Boulevard.  This new phase, to be done between Alcazar and Salamanca avenues, is the continuation of the first stage of improvements completed in 2007 which significantly reduced traffic congestion and improved pedestrian safety. The upcoming project will provide a raised landscaped center median with irrigation and accent lighting, new sidewalks, paving and drainage improvements, curb and gutter realignment, and intersection curb bump outs to allow easier access for passengers riding the Coral Gables Trolley. Three new traffic signal locations are planned for Ponce’s 1600 block, with replacement signals at Coral Gables Elementary School and at Salamanca Avenue. Two new dedicated left turn lanes at Alcazar and Salamanca avenues will also be added. The $1.5 million project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and Miami-Dade County impact fees. Further details regarding construction scheduling will be provided in later e-News updates.  

Show Off Your Love This Valentine’s Day

Sunday, February 14 is Valentine’s Day and traditionally a holiday to show off your love. There are more than 230 merchants, including trendy boutiques, fine jewelers and top-notch restaurants in Downtown Coral Gables where you can get a great gift for your significant one for this special day. Dinner-for-two reservations can be made at Miracle Mile’s many romantic restaurants such as Randazzo’s Little Italy, Benihana, Le Provencal, Da Vittorio or Sushi Maki. Nothing says “I love you” quite like jewelry and you can find that perfect gem at Jae’s Jewelers, Lister Jewelers, Montica Jewelry or Snow’s Jewelers. To complete the love fest, don’t forget the flowers and chocolate, which you can conveniently purchase at Flowers & Services and Peterbrooke Chocolatier. For a complete list of Coral Gables downtown retailers and restaurants offering special gifts and promotions for every heart’s desire, click here.  

Coral Gables Crime Watch:
Promoting Safety For 30 Years

Founded in 1980, the Coral Gables Citizens’ Crime Watch is a not-for-profit organization which was instituted to educate the citizens of Coral Gables about crime prevention, personal safety, homeland security and fire prevention. Three decades later, this organization continues to work with the Coral Gables Police and Fire Departments, involving the participation of entire neighborhoods to protect themselves and their property.  Crime Watch organizes weekly presentations to neighborhoods, civic groups and religious organizations throughout Coral Gables concerning crime prevention and public safety, homeland security, and fire safety. This organization supports the R.A.D. (Resist Aggression Defensively) and radKids programs, which has taught many of our residents the proper self-defense techniques. To find out more information about the Coral Gables Citizens’ Crime Watch and how you can get involved, contact Executive Director Pat Kiel at 305-441-5760. 

2010 Census: Counting Everyone Once

The foundation of our American democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within the nation’s borders, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years. In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the decennial census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more. The goal of the 2010 Census is to count all residents living in the United States on April 1, 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of its surveys and census programs. With one of the shortest questionnaires in history, the 2010 Census asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It takes only about 10 minutes for the average household to complete. It is important that you mail back your 2010 Census questionnaire by April 1, 2010. All responses are used for statistical purposes only, and all are strictly confidential. For more information, click here.  

Pisa’s Monumental Buildings
On Exhibit In Coral Gables

Scale models of Coral Gables sister city of Pisa’s most famous architecture will be part of the exhibition “Pisa AD 1064-The Square of Miracles: A Thousand-Year History.” The artistic and cultural masterpieces of Pisa’s Miracle Square, including models of the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral of Pisa, are temporarily transferred to Coral Gables for this exhibition which is free and open to the public. The display opens Friday, February 12, 6 p.m. at UM’s Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center Irvin Korach Gallery, 1215 Dickinson Drive. It runs through February 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends. The exhibition is brought to the City of Coral Gables by Opera Della Primaziale Pisana of Pisa, Italy. For more information, click here.  

Gables Storm Girls Win Kelme Soccer Cup

A homegrown team from Coral Gables is scoring some big wins on the soccer field. The Storm Girls Under 14 soccer team brought home the Kelme Florida Cup by defeating Real Madrid 2-0 in the championship game held the weekend of January 9th in Naples, Florida.  They have also won the 2009-10 regular season of the Florida State League (FSL) Division III.  The Storm Girls are the first girls’ team from Coral Gables to participate in the FSL, which has teams from Orlando, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Tampa, Boca Raton, Naples, and other locations across the state. The local athletes are now busy practicing at the War Memorial Youth Center preparing for the Florida State Cup which starts in March.  

One Community, One Play Exposes Diversity

Leadership Miami is presenting a “One Community, One Play” program in the City of Coral Gables which is set to have a positive impact on the ongoing discussion about the diversity of our community.   The organization will present the award-winning play “Melt,” which explores the history, the similarities and the trials and tribulations of Miami's diverse community. Performances of “Melt” take place February 10 – 28 at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile. The play tells the story of an African American brother and sister, a Jewish father and son and a Hispanic mother and her son who find their lives intertwining over social and moral issues as seen from the perspective of each culture.  “Melt” will expose all those who attend to concepts of similarity, understanding, tolerance and empathy. Leadership Miami will underwrite a significant number of tickets to make “Melt” available to young audiences. For tickets and performance information, click here.