WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010

Coral Gables Athletic Club
Now Open At Historic Country Club

If you like going to the new Liberty Caffé to enjoy an Italian gelato or your daily cappuccino, you’re going to love playing a game of tennis, working out at the gym, or taking a dip in the pool at the Coral Gables Country Club. The Coral Gables Athletic Club, the latest component of the extensive renovation transforming this historic facility located at 997 North Greenway Drive, is now open and accepting members. The Athletic Club features newly resurfaced tennis courts, a fitness center with the latest exercise equipment and a refurbished pool and deck, just what you need to beat the summer heat. Membership packages are currently available for individuals, couples, children, families and seniors. There are also daily and hourly guest rates when visitors are accompanied by a member. Past members of the Coral Gables Country Club will receive a 10 percent discount from the point of new membership. The new operator of the Country Club opened the Liberty Caffé on May, and plans on operating a restaurant late this year and banquet facilities next year. To learn more about the Coral Gables Athletic Club, click here.

Granada Pedestrian Bridge To Be Built For Safety

The City of Coral Gables is in the process of developing a pedestrian bridge across the east side of the vehicular bridge on Granada Boulevard, between Jeronimo Drive and Orduna Court, north of Blue Road.  This bridge, which crosses over the Coral Gables Waterway, will allow for safe, uninterrupted pedestrian access through this busy roadway. This project is made possible through an Economic Development Initiative Special Project grant of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated at $140,000. The project is presently in the design stage and is expected go to out to bid within the next three months.

Coral Gables Mayor Honored By Republic Of China

Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick received an important diplomatic honor on June 28, becoming the first Floridian to receive a Friend of Foreign Service Medal “in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the friendship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States of America.”  The medal was awarded by Miguel Tsao, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office on behalf of Timothy Chin-tien Yang, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Tsao stressed the significance of this honor as Mayor Slesnick is the first medal recipient in the 21-year history of their Florida office. During his speech, Mr. Tsao proudly declared that Taiwan was the supplier of 50 percent of all orchids imported by the United States, and then presented Mayor Slesnick with a beautiful twenty-bloom Taiwan orchid plant as a token of his nation’s appreciation. The ceremony and reception took place in the Taipei cultural office in downtown Coral Gables and was attended by various consular corps dignitaries, local Chinese nationals as well as friends and family members. Present were the Consul General of St. Lucia Mr. Kent Hippolyte, Consul General of Honduras Ms. Lizette Hawitt, and Consul General of El Salvador Ms. Maria Teresa Pacheco de Gonzalez.  Also attending were Coral Gables Commissioners Maria Anderson and Chip Withers, Coral Gables City Clerk Walter Foeman and City Manager Pat Salerno. In his speech, Mayor Slesnick expressed his appreciation for the distinguished honor, paid tribute to the freedom-loving citizens of the Republic of China and acknowledged the great friendship and cooperation existing between Taiwan and Coral Gables.

Downtown Coral Gables
Attracting New Restaurants, Merchants

Norman’s 180, Panera Bread and Season’s 52 are just some of the new names you’ll see as new restaurants and merchants are making the right choice to open in downtown Coral Gables. Chef Norman Van Aken, known internationally as “the founding father of New World Cuisine,” returns to Coral Gables with his new casual dining restaurant Norman’s 180. The restaurant opened last week and is now serving dinner at the Westin Colonnade, 180 Aragon Avenue. Dinner will be served Sunday through Thursday from 5:30-11 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Following the initial launch, Norman’s 180 will serve breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30-10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7-10 a.m.; lunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; a special midday menu from 3-5 p.m.; and a late night menu from 12-1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Presenting more dining choices and coming soon to our downtown district are Panera Bread at 137 Miracle Mile, Seasons 52 at 335 Miracle Mile, Ale House at 101 Miracle Mile and Iron Sushi at 70 Aragon Avenue. Also coming to Ponce de Leon Boulevard is another well known restaurant, BrickTops, an American bistro with uptown style. By the end of this year’s first quarter, 93 percent of all storefronts on Miracle Mile were leased, resulting in one of the lowest commercial vacancy rates in Miami-Dade County, according to the Business Improvement District.

Computer Classes Available For Seniors

The world of technology has no age boundaries and savvy seniors are empowering themselves with the help of computers. The War Memorial Youth Center is offering computer classes for seniors who want to learn the basics and for those who are already familiar with a computer but are looking to learn more. A Computer I class for beginners is scheduled for Tuesdays, August 3 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A Computer II intermediate class follows on Tuesdays, September 7 and 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The fee is $60 for the two-week session. There is a minimum participation of six people. Registration and classes are held at the Youth Center, 405 University Drive. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department Senior Services Division at 305-460-5609.

Love Guacamole?
Then Help Us Save The Avocado Trees

A nasty fungus disease transmitted by an infected beetle is threatening our local avocado trees, and now federal, state, and local authorities want you to be on the lookout to help prevent the disease.Florida’s laurel wilt trees are being attacked by a tiny non-native insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle, and by the laurel wilt disease caused by a fungus which the beetle carries. Symptoms of the disease includetoothpick-like tubes or piles of fine sawdust on the bark, drooping foliage with a reddish or purplish discoloration and black discoloration on the sapwood surface. Avocado trees have been reported as infested in Duval and Brevard Counties and the beetle causing this disease has been detected in Miami-Dade County.  Currently, the redbay ambrosia beetle-laurel wilt disease infestation continues to spread west and south in Florida. Homeowners are encouraged to use local firewood only and to not transport firewood from other states because destructive pests and diseases can hitchhike into Florida on infested firewood. Please report any suspicious redbay, sassafras, and avocado trees to the Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517. To learn more about the insect and disease threatening avocados and what you can do to help, click here.