WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010

Construction Starts On Ponce De Leon Boulevard

The second phase of improvements on Ponce de Leon Boulevard to construct a raised median between Alcazar and Sidonia avenues has begun. This project will affect the surrounding area for the next 10 months.  Crews will be building a 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 will be installed at 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. Please allow yourself plenty of time when driving through this construction zone and remember to follow all traffic signals. 

Coral Gables Is Named Tree City USA

Coral Gables has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. It is the 25th consecutive year Coral Gables has received this national recognition. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. Coral Gables has met the standards to become a Tree City USA Community including having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes communities throughout the United States which go to great lengths to plant and care for their trees and consider them as vital components of the infrastructure providing environmental as well as economic benefits.  

Gables Launches Technical Assistance Series
For Small & Minority Business Owners

On Tuesday, April 27th, the City of Coral Gables will host the Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) for a small reception to launch its technical assistance series in Coral Gables.  The MBEC is one of 43 nationally funded programs of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. MBEC’s focus is to assist small businesses, including disadvantaged, women-owned and minority-owned enterprises, by providing them with managerial counseling and technical assistance. Among the services provided include business plan development, marketing research and development, minority and small business enterprise certifications, government and corporate procurement sourcing, construction services, business financial analysis and loan packaging, international trade research and training (import/export), managerial counseling, and entrepreneurship training through seminars and workshops.  The informative event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. in the City of Coral Gables Economic Sustainability Department, One Alhambra Plaza, Suite 617.  To RSVP or to learn more about MBEC, contact the City’s Business Development Specialist Jessica Wotherspoon at jwotherspoon@coralgables.com or 305-460-5314. 

Gables High Baseball Champs Reunite After 50 Years

Players from the 1960 Cavaliers baseball team reunited last week in Coral Gables for a ceremony held in their honor. Thirteen living members of the team representing Coral Gables Senior High that became state champs 50 years ago travelled from all over the country to be part of a ceremony held April 8th at Woodward Field prior to the baseball game between the current Cavaliers and Coral Park. Woodward Field was dedicated in 1988 in honor of William “Woody” Woodward, the Cavaliers’ shortstop in 1960, a former FSU All-American and 10-year major league veteran also present at the ceremony. After his career as a professional baseball player Woodward became general manager of the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. This year’s Cavaliers are among the top baseball squads in the state competing in District 14, Class 6A. Under the leadership of Head Coach Phillip Wisser, the Cavaliers have a current record of 14-3. Congratulations to the former and current athletes of Coral Gables High who continue to bring honor and a winning attitude to our City.  

City Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights

Each year, 23 million Americans become crime victims. Violent crime can strike anyone. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is celebrated this year April 18-24 under the theme “Fairness, Dignity and Respect.” On April 19, the Coral Gables Police Department, in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General, will be hosting a public awareness event that will recognize those who have gone above and beyond their duties assisting crime victims, supporting victim assistance programs and protecting victims’ rights. For more information about this event, contact City of Coral Gables Victim/Witness Unit Coordinator Kattia A. Castellanos at 305-460-5471. 

Former President Clinton
Hosts Third Global Initiative At UM

Former President Bill Clinton will host the third Clinton Global Initiative University meeting on April 16-18 at the University of Miami. The event will convene more than 1,000 college students, 100 university presidents, as well as leading non-profit organizations, social entrepreneurs and youth leaders. Attendees will participate in workshops and meetings focused on five main topics of importance to college students: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health. Participants will discuss how student activists can make a difference around the world. Among the expected participants include U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, Grammy-winning artist Usher, NBA player Alonzo Mourning, and actresses Mandy Moore and Heather Graham. For more information, click here.   

April Is Safe Digging Month

With Florida’s frigid weather long gone and many homeowners anxious to replace frost-damaged plants and embark on outdoor digging projects, now is the perfect time to remind residents to always call 811 before digging. This free call to 811 connects callers to the Sunshine State One Call of Florida (SSOCOF), a private, not-for-profit organization which notifies appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Utility locators are sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate location of underground lines with flags or spray paint. Once lines are marked, digging can begin. By having underground lines marked, homeowners reduce the risk of striking utilities and avoiding injury and inconvenient utility outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, requires a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, putting in a fence, building a deck and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting. For more information about 811 and the call-before-you-dig process, click here.