Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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CONTENTS:City Manager Defends Purchasing Cards Process
Mayor Slesnick Pens One-Act Play For New Theatre
April Is Water Conservation Month In Coral Gables
Justice For Victims Is Justice For All
Sister Cities Gala To Benefit Colombian Children Hospital
Coral Gables Historic Church Celebrates 85 Years
Saluting The 9-1-1 Dispatchers This Week
Seminars to Help Small Businesses
Events Roundup
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City Manager Defends Purchasing Cards Process >>> In response to recent news media reports that employees of the City of Coral Gables have been abusing the use of purchasing cards (p-cards), City Manager David L. Brown vigorously defended the process saying that it helps purchase necessary items in a more expeditious manner. Brown presented an explanation of the p-card process to all Commissioners at a televised April 8th City Commission meeting. The City Manager explained that spending has not increased through the p-cards, as erroneously portrayed in news reports, but rather p-cards are a replacement tool of procuring goods and services of items under $1,000 that are within budget. Most cities, counties, and corporations issue p-cards to employees for small purchases. In prior years, the City would have to issue hundreds of blank purchase orders to buy the same items, a process that was slow and cumbersome. Now p-card purchases can be directly linked to the person responsible for making those purchases with an account code attached and a reconciliation immediately made upon receipt of the monthly statement. Brown said that the administration is reviewing the current p-card policy to clarify what items can be purchased and how many employees are given city-issued credit cards. The suggestion was also made and accepted that the City’s Budget Advisory Board review all p-card purchases on a monthly basis similar to the current review of employees’ overtime.
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Mayor Slesnick Pens One-Act Play For New Theatre >>> Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick can now add the title of playwriter to his credits. An original one-act play penned by the Coral Gables elected official will be part of New Theatre’s Miami Stories 2008, a dinner/theater production to take place on Friday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Miami Science Museum to benefit the award-winning Coral Gables theater. His play “On Roddey Burdine’s Steps,” is a nostalgic conversation between Juan and Linda on what the Orange Bowl Stadium, originally named the Roddey Burdine Stadium, has meant to their lives upon knowledge of the stadium’s impending demolition. Other local personalities, Museum of Contemporary Art Executive Director Bonnie Clearwater and Sunglass Hut Founders and philanthropists Dolores and Sanford Ziff, have also written plays that will be performed during the night. The evening also includes a cocktail reception, three-course gourmet dinner, silent auction and music. The Coral Gables-based theater hopes to raise funds to support its continued growth and stature as an award-winning venue for world-class productions. For further event information, please contact Meg Daly at 305-439-1199.
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April Is Water Conservation Month In Coral Gables >>> According to the South Florida Water Management District, the lower east coast of Florida had 62 inches of rainfall last year. However, Lake Okeechobee, the main water supply to 6 million people, only got 30 inches of rain. Effective April 18, South Florida moves to a two-day-per week water restrictions. Odd street addresses can irrigate lawns and landscapes on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Even street addresses may irrigate lawns and landscapes on Thursdays and Sundays between 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. The purpose of the restrictions is to reduce landscape irrigation. Miami-Dade County uses 348 million gallons of water per day, with half of that or 176 million gallons going to irrigation. Thanks to the cooperation of users, the reduction in the usage of water is starting to make a difference. For more information on how you can save water, click here.
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Justice For Victims Is Justice For All >>> National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, celebrated the week of April 13-19, offers a chance to look beyond the headlines to show that crime affects not only victims but everyone. The City of Coral Gables showed its support for crime victims on Monday during a luncheon held in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, the Victim/Witness Unit of the Coral Gables Police Department and the Crime Victims Resource Network. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez presented the group a proclamation and helped recognize those who have gone above and beyond in providing services to victims of crime. Justice for victims has progressed dramatically since the 1980s. All states and the federal government have comprehensive victims’ rights law, and 33 states have constitutional amendments to protect victims’ rights. The Coral Gables Victim/Witness Advocate Unit was established to provide support for victims and witnesses of crime and to help understand the rights of victims, gain access to resources and navigate the legal system. For more information on their services, contact Kattia Castellanos, Victim Advocate Coordinator at 305-460-5471.
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Sister Cities Gala To Benefit Colombian Children Hospital >>> As part of the 50-year anniversary celebration of the sister cities relationship between Coral Gables and Cartagena, a fundraising gala is being held this month to benefit a Colombian hospital that serves impoverished children. The non-profit organization “Sharing for Kids” is hosting this event on Saturday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 50 Alhambra Circle. A silent auction, a dinner with show and dancing will raise funds to benefit the Napoleon Franco Pareja Hospital in Cartagena, Colombia. For more information, contact Victoria Trucco at 305-525-4671.
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Coral Gables Historic Church Celebrates 85 Years >>> Congratulations to the Coral Gables Congregational Church, the first church built in Coral Gables, now celebrating its 85th anniversary. The community is invited to participate in a Recapturing the Joy celebration taking place on Sunday, April 20 at 11 a.m. The Coral Gables Congregational Church is located directly across from the Biltmore Hotel at 3010 DeSoto Boulevard. City founder George Merrick donated the land for the construction of the Congregational Church in appreciation of his late father who was a Congregational minister. The Congregational Church has been a place for spiritual growth and has an outstanding community arts program, a top notch early childhood center and outreach program. On October 10, 1978, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. For more information, call 305-448-7421 or click here.
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Saluting The 9-1-1 Dispatchers This Week >>> Every day, millions of people depend on the skill, expertise, and commitment of the men and women who work in the public safety telecommunications field as calltakers and dispatchers of the emergency 9-1-1 system. These individuals help save countless lives by responding to emergency calls, dispatching emergency professionals and equipment, and providing moral support to citizens in distress. For this reason, the City of Coral Gables is also celebrating the week of April 13-19 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Congratulations to all these unsung heroes of public safety who are a calming influence on terrified victims and serve the City of Coral Gables during extraordinary situations.
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Seminars to Help Small Businesses >>> On Thursday, April 17th, the City of Coral Gables will host a small business seminar presented by Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center. During this free, two-hour event, titled Financing Your Small Business, find out how to get the money you need to start or expand your business from the private and government sectors. Topics include: The Six C’s of Lending, Conventional Financing, Government Guaranteed Programs, Pre-Qualification Programs, Unconventional Financing & Guerrilla Financing. The workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. and takes place in the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, at 405 University Drive. For more information or to RSVP contact Jessica Wotherspoon at the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5314 or jwotherspoon@coralgables.com.
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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.
Thursdays: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is offering Movie Nights on the main lawn every Thursday night during the month of April. Visitors will be able to enjoy a movie among the illuminated sculptures of artists Fernando Botero, Roy Lichtenstein and Dale Chihuly. The screening presentations include: “The Bee Movie” on April 10th, “Juno” on April 17, and “Madagascar” on April 24. Movies start at 8 p.m. and they are included with the admission price. For admission information, call 305-667-1651 or click here. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables.
Now through May 18: You have an opportunity to win a brand new mini Cooper vehicle by entering in the Miami Children’s Chorus Raffle. All funds collected will be destined to promote the Mid Year 2008 season. Only 600 tickets will be sold. The raffle will take place May 18th at the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables located at 536 Coral Way. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Miami Children's Chorus at 305-662-7494.
April 16 - 26: Set in Damon Runyon's mythical version of New York City, the play Guys and Dolls is considered by some to be the perfect musical comedy with a romantic twist. Call the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre box office at 305-284-3355 for specific dates showing the play. Ticket prices are $18 for Friday and Saturday night performances and $16 for weeknights and matinees.
April 18: The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami presents East Meets West. 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.
April 17: Join the annual M. Lewis Temares Entrepreneurship Forum sponsored by the College of Engineering "Discipline Now, Serendipity Later.” At this University of Miami’s interactive event, the audience is encouraged to ask questions and share perspectives on entrepreneurship. The event is free and open to the public, but reservation is required. The forum begins at 6 p.m. followed by a networking reception at 7:30 p.m. in the Bank United Center, located on the University Campus at 1245 Dauer Drive, Room 100. For more information or reservations, please call Maria Pando at 305-285-6764.
April 19: The City is offering a Boating Safety Course for any person 21 years of age or younger wanting to operate a watercraft. The course will explain the use of boating safety equipment and how to safely navigate on the water. The class will be held at the Cocoplum Yacht Club, 6500 Prado Boulevard, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $20. The fee includes training material, books, certification card and lunch. For more information, call the Coral Gables Police Department’s Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5401.
April 19: The Saturday before Earth Day, all residents of Coral Gables are invited to visit the future home of your “green” museum. There will be children activities, a hard-hat tour of the environmentally friendly building, refreshments, giveaways and more. The Gables Museum Community Open House will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 285 Aragon Avenue.
April 21: The Miami Bach Society ends its 2006 – 2007 Concert Season with Heinrich Schutz's German Requiem. The Miami Bach Society Chamber Orchestra and the University of Miami Collegium Musicum will perform together this early Baroque masterpiece at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 1142 Coral Way, at 8 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, call 305-669-1376.
April 21: The April meeting of Miami Memorabilia Collectors Club is an annual open house event honoring the Dade Heritage Days. At this meeting, members are encouraged to bring Miami memorabilia to exhibit relating to the Dade Heritage. The public is invited to come, look, talk, swap and enjoy. It is a free event taking place at Central Christian Church on 222 Menores Avenue from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Seth H. Bramson at 305-757-1016.
April 22 – May 27: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden wants you to capture the beauty of nature through art. The garden is offering art classes taught by artist Marcelle Zanetti. During the six-week course on oil painting, students will explore composition, color shading, paint application and much more. The classes will take place at the garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at a cost of $200 for non-members. For more information, call 305-667-1651.
April 24: Love to teach? Enjoy swimming? Then come and register to be part of the exciting team of volunteers at the Venetian Aquatic Club. The group of volunteers has been instructing hundreds of kids on how to swim every summer for the past 50 years, plus after serving two summer sessions your kids can attend classes absolutely free. Come to the next Venetian Aquatic Club Volunteers Registration Meeting and enjoy a complementary brunch, starting at 9:30a.m. at the Venetian Pool located on 2701 DeSoto Boulevard.
April 25, 26 & 27: Enjoy a taste of Spanish food and music during Paella Fest. The festival will take place in the plaza outside Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way. Dine on delicious paella, enjoy live music and the seductive flamenco dance. Friday and Saturday the fun starts at 6 p.m. and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call 305-774-1883.
April 26 & 27: The Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theater presents an entire weekend of theater fun for the whole family at the 13th Annual National Children's Theater Festival Kids Fest. This year's edition will feature the winning musicals Paint! Marc Chagall's Colorful Musical Adventure, and also the performance of 7 year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick. For performances' schedule, pricing or more information, please call 305-444-9293 or click here. The Actors' Playhouse is located at 280 Miracle Mile.
April 27: Sunday Afternoons of Music brings the internationally renowned Julliard String Quartet to Coral Gables. The performance, featuring the work of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert and Bartok, is sure to please the most classically inclined ear. The concert will take place at Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at 4 p.m. Tickets for adults cost $40, seniors pay $32 and students pay $10. For more information, call 305-271-7150.
April 27: The Coral Gables Garden Club is having a fundraiser benefiting the underwriting of their cookbook “Tropical Temptations.” The event features a dinner- party exhibiting exotic and creative dishes that will be included in the upcoming book. Wine tasting and food sampling will be provided. The event is scheduled to take place at the Coral Gables Congregational Church located at 3010 DeSoto Boulevard from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $20 per person. For more information or reservations, call 305-444-6613.
April 27: The Venetian Pool invites you and your best friend for a splash,
during the Venetian Pool Dog Swim. Beat the heat and bring your doggy with you for
this day specially created to have the paws in the pool. Please bring leashes to keep your pet
leashed when not in the pool and supplies to clean after its little messes. The pool will be closed
to general public unless accompanied by a dog. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and the
admission is $2 per dog.
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