Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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CONTENTS:Property Owners Responsible For Graffiti Removal
Downtown Building To Be Demolished March 29
Coral Gables Among Best Places To Retire In the USA
Celebrate Spring With Eggstreme Hunt Carnival
Planting The Seeds Of Tomorrow Today
Turn Lights Off For Earth Hour
Be Part Of Oral History Project
Don’t Forget To Vote For Phillips Park
How Do We Communicate?
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Property Owners Responsible For Graffiti Removal >>> Coral Gables property owners are now responsible to remove graffiti from their property, and if not done within 72 hours, the City will remove the graffiti and then charge the property owner for these services. This new law applies to both commercial and residential properties and no permits are required for graffiti removal. Since 1998, the City has provided graffiti removal to private and public properties at no cost. However, due to the increase in cost which has dramatically increased over the years, averaging $90,000 annually, the City has adopted a new ordinance shifting the responsibility of graffiti removal back to the property owners. Destruction of property with spray paint, markers and stickers are considered forms of graffiti. Studies over the years have shown that the immediate removal of graffiti helps prevent and discourage other criminal activities, as well as further deterioration of an area. For more information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 305-460-5202.
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Downtown Building To Be Demolished March 29 >>> If you hear a series of loud bangs on the early morning of Saturday, March 29 in downtown Coral Gables, don’t be alarmed. It is the scheduled demolition of the remaining of 2801 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, a building which is going to be fully destroyed to make room for the Old Spanish Village project. Contractors have been working with the City of Coral Gables to plan for the controlled demolition and minimize the effect on surrounding businesses and residences. The demolition involves a series of timed blasts in sequence that will last for about 10 seconds and is expected to produce some dust depending on the weather conditions and the wind velocity of the day. Contractors will contact surrounding neighbors to explain what they should expect before and after the implosion. Cleanup crews will be available after the blasts and will have a dust buster, two water trucks and a street sweeper to begin the cleanup process immediately after the demolition.
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Coral Gables Among Best Places To Retire In the USA >>> Last Friday, the City of Coral Gables made national television as one of the best places to live and retire in the United States. NBC’s Today Show host Ann Curry interviewed real estate expert Barbara Corcoran about the top places to retire in the golden years of life. Corcoran selected Coral Gables as a great place to retire, a young City where people from different nationalities are living side by side and loving every minute. Coral Gables was highlighted as a fun place for retirees who spend only $4 to swim all day at the Venetian Pool. Other places mentioned also as top picks included Astoria, Oregon; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Loveland, Colorado; and Tybee Island, Georgia. To view the interview on the Today Show, click here.
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Celebrate Spring With Eggstreme Hunt Carnival >>> Ready, set, go: there will be 100,000 prized eggs for hunting, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 22 at 17 participating Coral Gables parks in one of the biggest egg hunts around! Then bring your gold, silver or bronze eggs to Fred B. Harnett/Ponce Circle Park at 2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard beginning at 11 a.m. to enjoy food, games, rides and crafts with your family, friends and neighbors. The finders of the golden egg will win a fabulous prize. The egg hunts are free, the rides and carnival games are $.50 cents. Choose your egg hunt at the following participating parks: Carlos S. Kakouris Park (corner of Campo Sano Drive and Court); Rotary Centennial Park (512 Ponce de Leon Boulevard); Coral Bay Park (1590 Campamento Avenue); War Memorial Youth Center (405 Biltmore Way); Fred B. Harnett/Ponce Circle Park (2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard); J. Fritz and Frances Gordon Park (902 Country Club Prado); Jaycee Park (1230 Hardee Road); Maggiore Park (5028 Maggiore); Phillips Park (90 Menores Avenue); Pierce Park (101 Oak Avenue); Riviera Park (6611 Yumuri Street); Salvadore Park (1120 Andalusia Avenue); San Sebastian Park (130 San Sebastian Avenue); Sunrise Harbor (25 Sunrise Harbor); Venetian Pool (2701 DeSoto Boulevard); Washington Park (4920 Washington Drive); and Young Park (950 Castile Plaza). For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
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Planting The Seeds Of Tomorrow Today >>> More than 120 million Americans live in a Tree City USA, communities like Coral Gables committed to planting the seeds of tomorrow today. The public is invited to attend this year’s Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting, on Thursday, March 27, beginning at 11 a.m. at Ingraham Park located at the intersection of LeJeune Road and Ingraham Highway. Event guest speaker is landscape architect Raymond Jungles. The event is co-sponsored by the Coral Gables Garden Club and the Coral Gables Landscape Beautification Advisory Board. Winners of the 2008 Landscape Beautification Awards will also be announced. For more information, contact the Public Service Department at 305-460-5130.
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Turn Lights Off For Earth Hour >>> On March 31, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2 percent for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year. Many major global cities, including Coral Gables, are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement. Earth Hour is a call on individuals and businesses around the world to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday, March 29, 2008, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. The aim of the campaign is to express that individual action on a mass scale can help change our planet for the better. Global warming is one of the greatest threats the world has ever faced causing a dramatic increase in the Earth’s temperature, resulting in rising sea levels, an increase in drought and severe storms, and massive changes to the environment we all rely on to survive. To sign up and get involved on Earth Day, click here.
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Be Part Of Oral History Project >>> Do you have early Coral Gables stories to share? Do you have memorabilia that has a meaningful Coral Gables history? The Board of Directors of the Coral Gables Museum wants to hear and record your stories. On Saturday, April 12, beginning at 10 a.m. the Coral Gables Oral History Project will conduct interviews at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard to be considered for a future museum exhibit. For more information, call 305-910-3996.
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Don’t Forget To Vote For Phillips Park >>> You still have until April 10, 2008 to vote for Phillips Park to win the second annual Staples Dream Park Challenge with D-Wade. From a list of local parks, the one with the most votes will receive $25,000, the second-place park will receive $10,000 and third place will receive $5,000 for park improvements. Vote for Coral Gables’ Phillips Park at www.StaplesDreamPark.com. You can vote once per day online. You can also visit your local Staples store to pick up a “power card” to obtain 10 extra votes.
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How Do We Communicate? >>> The
City of Coral Gables would like to know what you think about its communication program and vehicles.
To participate, simply log on to the City’s homepage and complete the on-line survey titled “How
Do We Communicate?” The information gathered will help the City evaluate the effectiveness
of all external communications. To go directly to the survey, click
here.
Don’t forget to listen to GABLES Radio 1620 AM on your car radio
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road between S.W. 16 Street and South Dixie Highway: Florida Department of Transportation has completed its Le Jeune Road Project.
> Biltmore Way between Le Jeune Road and Hernando Street: Every Saturday throughout March 29, the Farmers Market will be closing down the east and westbound lanes of Biltmore Way from 5:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
> Ponce de Leon Circle: Both traffic lanes around the Fred B. Hartnett/Ponce Circle Park, located at 2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 22nd due to the Eggstreme Hunt festival. Please seek alternative routes, and expect heavy traffic flow around this area.
> Marius Street: Marius Street between Miami Homestead and Aguero Avenue will be closed on Sunday, March 23rd due to an outdoor family festival beginning at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please seek alternative routes during those hours.
> Giralda Avenue: The 100 block of Giralda Avenue between Ponce De Leon Boulevard and Galiano Street will be closed all day Thursday, March 27th due to the celebration of a Wine and Food Festival. Streets will be closed from early in the morning throughout midnight. Please seek alternative routes.
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Events Roundup >>> Here is a partial list of upcoming cultural events in Coral Gables. Please call ahead to confirm, as dates and times may change. For a complete list of events in Coral Gables, click here.
Wednesdays: Join old friends and meet new ones during a pleasant, sociable lunch. Let's Do Lunch! is held every Wednesday at 12 noon at the Chapel of University Baptist Church located at 624 Anastasia Avenue. Fee is $5 per person. For more details on how to register, please call 305-460-5609.
Wednesdays: Spend Wednesday afternoons at the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center for a Social Hour. Meet at the chapel of University Baptist Church, 624 Anastasia Avenue, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to catch up with your friends, play a few games or just relax.
Wednesdays and Sundays: Come and enjoy “Celebrate,” curated by Arva Moore Parks, an exhibition featuring artifacts from the early Coral Gables. This is a beautiful opportunity to learn about the unique history of our community and to preview a timeline exhibition to be housed in the new Coral Gables Museum. The event is free and open to the public from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., at the sales office for the Old Spanish Village located at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. For more information, please contact 305-910-3996.
Tuesdays: Learn everything about Acrylic and Oil Painting in these fun classes that welcome beginners and experienced artist. This is a great opportunity to explore your talent and develop new techniques. Classes start from 3-6 p.m. at Coral Gables Senior High School, Adult Education Center, 450 Bird Road. For further information, call 305-443-4871 after 3 p.m.
March 19: The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables invites you to the Spring Social and Membership Drive where you can talk, share and contribute important aspects for the preservation of our City Beautiful. The meeting will be held at 900 Coral Way, (home of Frank and Susan Rodriguez) from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wine and hors d'oeuvre will be provided. Fee for members is $15; $20 for non-members. For more information, call Julia Coppinger at 305-498-2437.
March 22 & 29: Enjoy the last two weekends of the Farmers Market. On Saturday, March 22, enjoy the last routine of Tai Chi exercises at 8 a.m. across from City Hall. Then at 9 a.m. learn about backyard wildlife habitat with an expert from the Florida Extension Service. At 10 a.m. enjoy a cooking demonstration with a chef from Le Provencal Restaurant, and bring your children at 11 a.m. to experience the Coral Gables Fire and Life Safety Trailer. On March 29, say goodbye to this year’s Farmers Market with a fun day filled with activities and entertainment for everyone, beginning at 11 a.m. Enjoy the Grand Finale Chef’s Picnic, hosted by the American Institute of Wine & Food. South Florida’s finest chefs team up with purveyors of fine produce and foods to offer delicious samples at a modest charge. Antique cars will also be on display for the family to enjoy. Children can enjoy the visit of baby farm animals from Little Farm. The Farmers Market takes place on the corner of Miracle Mile and Le Jeune Road. For a detail schedule of the events, click here.
March 22: The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami presents As in Poetry, So in Music. This concert will take place at 8 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive. For more information, call 305-439-7788.
March 27: Working late? Want to socialize with others? Don't have time to cook? Meet local active individuals 55+ and enjoy a great meal together in Let's do Dinner! Participants will meet this month at the Canton Chinese located on 2614 Ponce de Leon Boulevard by 6 p.m. Sit together, have fun and everyone pays for its own bill. The event takes place every last Thursday of each month. Make your reservation by calling 305-460-5609 or by visiting the War Memorial Youth Center registration office at least two days before the event.
March 29: The Walenstein Music organization presents The Walenstein Music Competition Finals, a remarkable piano concert performed by the best finalist of this reputable music school. Concert begins at 2 p.m. at the Steinway Piano Gallery located at 4104 Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables. Admissions are open to the public. For more information, call 786-380-4533 or click here.
March 27: Don't miss one of South Florida's most prestigious open-air charity events taking place in the heart of Coral Gables' famous Restaurant Row. The 5th Annual Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Coral Gables Wine & Food Festival presents the cuisine of over 40 local restaurants and wines from around the world. Enjoy local bands playing live music as well. The festival takes place on the 100 block of Giralda Avenue between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Galiano Street. The event starts at 7 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. with an admission of $50. VIP tickets cost $150 and include a VIP reception from 5:30-7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the American Lung Association of Florida and the International Bronchitis Center at The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 954-524-4657.
March 29: Learn about the world of insects living in your backyard at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's class What's Bugging You in Your Garden. Learn about the good, the bad and the ugly insects in your garden. This course will focus on the identification of the most common insects seen in your garden. Principles and practices of pest management will be discussed, with an emphasis on natural control and integrated pest management. This Saturday session will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at a cost of $35. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road. For more information, call 305-667-1651, extension 3322.
March 30: This season's Sunday Afternoons of Music with Children will showcase the musical ensemble, Tales & Scales. The group spins music, stories, theater and dances to an unforgettable music telling performance of The Pied Piper. The event starts at 3 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall located at the University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive. Tickets for adults cost $12, children pay $10. For more information, call 305-284-4940.
Now through May 31: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is transformed into an open air art gallery as the monumental pop art sculptures of Roy Lichtenstein grace the Garden. The exhibit runs in conjunction with Dale Chihuly’s A Garden of Glass exhibition located in the Windows to the Tropics Conservatory. The Garden also presents the monumental sculptures of Colombian world-renowned master Fernando Botero. Admission to the garden costs $20 for adults; $15 for senior citizens and $10 for children ages 6 – 17. Experience these amazing works of art at night every Thursday night. Poppin' Tropical Nights takes place from 6 – 9 p.m. and until 9:30 p.m. Admission is $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 6 – 17. For more information, call 305-667-1651 or click here.BACK TO TOP
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