Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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CONTENTS:Coral Gables Is A Finalist In Livability Award
Public Hearing On Metal Roofs Set For April 8
Looking For Mobile Patrol Volunteers
Landscape Beautification Award Winners Are Announced
City Receives Grant From U.S. Forestry Service
Coral Gables Elementary Student Wins Spelling Bee Contest
Gables Charity Organization Featured On Oprah’s TV Show
Coral Gables Volunteer Is Torchbearer Of Olympic Flame
Be A Good Pet Owner, Please!
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Coral Gables Is A Finalist In Livability Award >>> The City of Coral Gables has been selected as a finalist in the 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors/Waste Management City Livability Awards. Coral Gables is one of 15 small cities selected over 200 applications from cities across the country with successful programs that are making a difference in people’s lives in their communities. Coral Gables will move on to the second round of applications for its Historic Preservation of Neighborhoods program. The 2008 City Livability Award recipients will be announced in June during the City Livability Awards luncheon at the 76th Annual Conference of Mayors in Miami.
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Public Hearing On Metal Roofs Set For April 8 >>> The Coral Gables City Commission will discuss the report from the Board of Architects and the Planning and Zoning Board on the newly installed metal roofs in the City of Coral Gables at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 9 a.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers. Interested parties can provide written comments to metalroofcomments@coralgables.com which will be provided in verbatim to the City Commission. For additional information, contact the Planning Department at 305-460-5211.
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Looking For Mobile Patrol Volunteers >>> The City of Coral Gables is looking for residents who want to volunteer time for the Coral Gables Mobile Patrol to serve as the “eyes and ears” of the Police Department. Residents must be 21 years of age or older and have no criminal record. All candidates are subject to a thorough background investigation by the Police Department prior to being accepted into the program. Founded in 1983, the Mobile Patrol is a citizen volunteer program working in partnership with the Coral Gables Police Department to help reduce crime in neighborhoods. Private citizens donate time to actively patrol communities to observe and report suspicious activities to the Police Department. Each unit typically patrols the streets of Coral Gables three to five times per week, always with the assistance of a uniformed police officer. Mobile Patrol members never carry firearms, never leave vehicles or make arrests. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer for the Mobile Patrol, contact Sgt. Joe Nelson at the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-441-5764.
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Landscape Beautification Award Winners Are Announced >>> Congratulations to the winners of the Landscape Beautification Awards: Mr. & Mrs. Sean M. Murphy, Maria Julia Yanez, Mr. & Mrs. Michael H. Jacobs, Roberto Canal and Robert Martinez and Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence D. Kries. These proud Coral Gables homeowners were selected by the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board for having the best landscapes in the City Beautiful. The group was honored last week during the Arbor Day Celebration held at Ingraham Park. The City of Coral Gables hopes to inspire others like this outstanding group of individuals to enhance the quality of life along the streetscapes of every neighborhood in Coral Gables. If you wish to nominate a property for next year’s awards, you can contact the City of Coral Gables Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.
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City Receives Grant From U.S. Forestry Service >>> The City of Coral Gables has received a $29,000 grant from the U.S. Forestry Service, administered by Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, to conduct an evaluation of the health of its Ficus benjamina trees. The information will be used to more efficiently manage the City’s urban forest through the prioritization of management activities. The funding will also be used for a new computerized tree inventory management program and laptops which can provide an aerial map location of every tree in Coral Gables through a geographic information system software. “We appreciate the funding assistance from the U.S. Forestry Service and from the our local and state representatives in support of our commitment to maintaining Coral Gables lush tree canopy,” says Coral Gables City Manager David L. Brown. Recently named as a Tree City USA for the 23rd consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Coral Gables has an urban forest that exceeds 24,000 trees. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.
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Coral Gables Elementary Student Wins Spelling Bee Contest >>> Christopher Rossi, a fifth grade student from Coral Gables Elementary won the 68th Annual Miami-Dade Spelling Bee Contest last March 10th at the Arsht Center for The Performing Arts. Ten year-old Rossi won for grades four and five after battling during 27 rounds against several tough opponents in a competition particularly harder and longer than usual. More than 300 students from public and private schools in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties competed this year to be the champion in each of the counties’ categories. Rossi believes the secret behind the amazing ability to spell complicated words relies on a passion for reading books and knowledge on Greek and Latin root words. Unfortunately elementary students don’t get to participate in the National Spelling Bee contest at Washington D.C., but Rossi is determined to be a spelling wizard and, as soon as he enters middle school, Rossi will try for the national title.
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Gables Charity Organization Featured On Oprah’s TV Show >>> “We’re Just Mothers” is a Coral Gables philanthropist organization dedicated to raise awareness and funds to fight children’s cystic fibrosis disease, and because of these important contributions the organization was featured on Oprah’s “Big Give” reality show on March 23. Show contestant Rachael Hollingsworth was given a challenge to distribute thousands of dollars to worthy organizations and somehow she found this group created by Robin Ford Wells, Yaquelin Coniglione, Michelle Blair, and Maria Ricardo, mothers who live in Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay and Doral whose children attend Gulliver School in Coral Gables. Hollingsworth gave the group a $10,000 donation of medical equipment to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation such as room air purifiers, breathing equipment, exercise bikes and gift certificates. Maria Ricardo’s son, Christopher, who is 7 years-old, has cystic fibrosis and is one of the reasons why this dedicated group of mothers has bonded to help his family, as well as others in the community, who have to face this deadline disease. The community can participate in taking steps to cure cystic fibrosis by registering in the 2008 Great Strides Walk on Saturday, May 17, 2008, 8 a.m. at Merrick Park across from City Hall. The event is organized by the Florida Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To register for the event, click here.
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Coral Gables Volunteer Is Torchbearer Of Olympic Flame >>> Sondra Galperin, a 61 year-old senior resident who volunteers her time as a member of the Venetian Pool Aquatic Club will be a torchbearer of the Olympic flame on April 9th in San Francisco, California. On March 24, the Torch for the 2008 Olympic Games was lit successfully in Ancient Olympia, Greece and has traveled so far through Greece, Istanbul, London and Paris before it is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco. Galperin was selected over more than a 1,000 nominations thanks to her active lifestyle and dedication to promote sports in her community. For more than 30 years, she has taught thousands of children about the importance of water safety and life saving swimming skills, and currently runs the ongoing swimming program and activities as a volunteer teacher at the Venetian Pool. The 2008 Summer Olympics will be held in August in Beijing, China.
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Be A Good Pet Owner, Please! >>> The City of Coral Gables wants to remind all residents to be good pet owners and, if you take Fido out in public, be responsible for cleaning after the pets properly. As a courtesy to neighbors, do not leave bags of droppings on someone else’s yard or in the neighbors’ trash containers as they are considered private property. Poop patrol is nothing to laugh about and failing to pick up after a pet can seriously damage not only the harmony among neighbors but can also affect the health of everyone who lives nearby. So please, keep your pet’s toileting habits under control and out of the neighbor’s garden, yard, sidewalk and trash container.
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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.
> San Lorenzo Avenue between Laguna and Aurora Streets: San Lorenzo Avenue between Laguna and Aurora Streets -right along the Shopping center of The Village of Merrick Park- will be closed due to a wine and food festival on April 3, from 7:30 a.m. 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.
Sundays: Learn everything about one of the most magnificent constructions in the City Beautiful during The Biltmore Hotel Historic Tours. The Dade Heritage proudly presents one of the most complete and interesting tours about the “Crowning Jewel” as George Merrick used to call it. Visit the Al Capone's suite, the world's largest outdoor pool, its old casino and much more. Every Sunday at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Register at the concierge desk or call at 306-667-5222.
Wednesdays: Join old friends and meet new ones during a pleasant, sociable lunch. Let's Do Lunch! It is held every Wednesday at 12 noon at the Chapel of University Baptist Church located at 624 Anastasia Avenue. Fee is $5 per person. The menu for April 9 is lasagna, and for April 16 is salmon. For more details on how to register, please call 305-460-5609.
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 the 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 1:00 to 4:00pm, at the sales office for the Old Spanish Village located at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. For more information, please contact 305-910-3996.
April 3 – May 4: New Theatre presents the world premiere of The Mission by Jules Tasca. Within the confines of a penitentiary, a trusting Christian priest is drawn closer to the heart of darkness of a prisoner. Performances will take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Tickets range in price from $15 to $40. Please call the box office for more information at 305-443-5909. New Theatre is located at 4120 Laguna Street.
April 3: The United Way of Miami-Dade is proud to present The Miami Wine and Food Festival. Enjoy three blocks of wine tasting and food sampling under the stars. The festival is an annual event destined to raise funds for the non-profit Camillus House. The event begins from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. along San Lorenzo Avenue in The Village of Merrick Park. For more information, contact Roberta Silva at 305-646-7115.
April 4: The Kiwanis Club and Old Spanish Village present Art in the Park, a special event featuring live jazz music bands, artists and refreshments. More than 50 artists of growing national and international reputation will display their works and do live art demonstrations for the public. The event is held under the stars at Fred B. Hartnett/Ponce Circle Park, 2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from 7 – 11 p.m. The Art in the Park concert series brings a musical element to the famous Gables art walk. For more information, call 305-644-8888 or click here.
April 5: The University of Miami will host a seminar about how historic architecture can blend with Green construction. Learn how to preserve older buildings and neighborhoods within a powerful force for environmental sustainability. Guest speakers include Professor Vincent Scully (Dean of UM School of Architecture), award winning architects Jorge Hernandez and Alan Schuman, among others. “Green Spaces and Historic Places” is scheduled to take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the UM Jorge Perez Architecture Center located on 1223 Dickinson Drive. Admission is $45 and $35 for students and faculty members. For more information or reservations, call 305-358-9572.
April 5 & 6: Come to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden to enjoy The Palm and Cycad Festival. Guests will enjoy looking throughout a large assortment of palms for sale, and lectures by horticulturists and palm enthusiasts as well as children activities and cooking demonstrations. The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road and it opens from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For admission prices information, call 305-667-1651.
April 6: The Miami Pioneers/Natives of Dade invites you to a book discussion with Jim Broton author of “Home on the River.” Learn the early Miami days when the district area around the Miami River was a quite and special residential neighborhood. The lecture will be held at the Central Christian Church at 222 Menores Ave at 2 p.m. This event is free and open to general public. For more information, call 305-274-3096.
April 6: Decorate your helmets for the next Family Bike Ride around the City of Coral Gables. The riders and families are invited to join the cycling Rotarians at 10 a.m. for early breakfast and registration at the corner of Augusto and Dixie Highway, right in front of Ponce Middle School. For more information about this event call the Coral Gables Park and Recreations Department at 305-460-5604.
April 7: Seniors are invited to come and spend an afternoon playing fun table games at the “Game Session,” sponsored by the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center. Meet new friends, and chat about current social and political events while playing bingo, scramble or chess. The games begin at 1 p.m. at the University Baptist Church, 624 Anastasia Avenue in Room 101. No registration is needed.
April 7: Honor the 75th Anniversary of President Roosevelt's New Deal plan in “A Lasting Legacy for Coral Gables.” Learn how its Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps projects contributed not only to the end of the Great Depression but also to the foundation of Coral Gables. The photo exhibit and lecture will be hosted at Coral Gables City Hall, Commission Chambers, located at 405 Biltmore Way, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call 305-460-5311.
April 10: Seniors are invited to embark in a fun adventure on the Jungle Queen Riverboat Dinner Cruise. Sailing out of the Bahia Mar Docks, in Fort Lauderdale, this voyage travels up to the Tropical Isle providing a variety of on-board entertainment including an all you can eat dinner, hilarious shows and games. Fee for residents is $48.50 per person and $53.50 for non-residents. Prices include transportation. The excursion group will depart at 4 p.m. from War Memorial Youth Center located at 405 University Drive, and will return at 11 p.m. For more information, call at 305-460-5609.
April 12: A group of individuals will be sharing personal collections and memorabilia about the early days in Coral Gables during the Museum Oral History Project. This is an extraordinary and one-time event that you can not miss. Participants are also encouraged to bring personal memories, photos, documents and even accessories that contribute to the history of the City Beautiful. The display begins at 10 a.m. at The Old Spanish Village located on 2901 Ponce the Leon Boulevard. For more information, call 305-910-3996.
April 12: The American Cancer Society presents its annual event Relay For Life, a fun-filled experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer, and to help raise money and awareness to fight the disease. The event will be held at War Memorial Youth Center from 12 noon to 10 p.m. For more information, call American Cancer Society at 305-779-2870.
April 12: The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will host its 13th Annual Baptist Health and Tour of the Gables 5K. This race takes you on a beautiful tour through scenic areas of the City Beautiful, beginning and ending at the historic Coral Gables City Hall, located on the corner of LeJeune Road and Miracle Mile. Awards and medals will be giving to the female and male runners and walkers, including wheelchair category. To participate you need to register 30 days in advance from the race date. For more information, please call Krystal Cacci with the Chamber of Commerce at 305-446-1657.
April 13: Stroll with Dr. Paul George along the tree-canopied streets of the City Beautiful developed by George Merrick in the next Coral Gables Walking Tour. This delightful tour highlights some of the Gables' most notorious landmarks including the Venetian Pool, Merrick House, The Biltmore Hotel and DeSoto Fountain. The tour begins at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 907 Coral Way. Admission is $20 for members and $25 non members. For more information, call 305-375-1627.
April 14: Mondays are fun in Coral Gables with our Monday Movie days.
Enjoy the
free screening of “The Last of the Mohicans” at the
Adult Activity Center at University Baptist Church located on 624 Anastasia Avenue. The presentation
begins promptly at 1 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. No registration
is needed.
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