Wednesday, May 31, 2006
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CONTENTS:Coral Gables Shines In Best Of City Life
City To Host Hurricane Preparedness Workshops
Know Where To Evacuate In Case Of Hurricane
Get A Tax Break For Historical Home Improvements
Like Father, Like Son: Share Your Best Father’s Day Story
Flag Day Celebrates Multicultural Heritage
Secure Your Home For The Summer
Learn About Boating Safety
Traffic Watch
Cultural Roundup
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Coral Gables Shines In Best Of City Life >>> The City of Coral Gables offers the best of choices for culture and entertainment, shops, restaurants and outdoor activities. But don’t take our word for it, check out the Best of City Life 2006 special edition of the weekly publication, Miami New Times. The following Coral Gables own were among this year’s top picks:
> Best Public Pool: Venetian Pool, 2701 DeSoto Boulevard
> Best Picnic Spot: Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Road
> Best Place To Buy Bridal Attire: Miracle Mile
> Best TV News Anchor: Coral Gables resident Elliott Rodriguez, Channel 4
> Best Actor: Euriamis Losada in Romeo and Juliet, New Theatre, 4120 Laguna Street
> Best Actress: Lauren Feldman in A Bad Friend, Gablestage, 1200 Anastasia Avenue
> Bet Director: Ricky Martinez, New Theatre, 4120 Laguna Street
> Best New Drama: Madagascar, New Theatre
> Best Action Ensemble: The Shakespeare Project, New Theatre
> Best Supporting Actress: Kimberly Daniel in Romeo and Juliet, New Theatre
> Best Perfumery: The Boys Cosmetics, 295 Miracle Mile
> Best Tailor: Christian Garcia Custom Tailors, 147 Alhambra Circle, Ste. 215
> Best Tea Shop: Théine, 119 Madeira Avenue
> Best Sailboat Rental: Castle Harbor Boating School, Matheson Hammock Marina
Readers’ choices for best places to eat will be listed in the next issue of e-News. For more information contact the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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City To Host Hurricane Preparedness Workshops >>> Tomorrow marks the ominous start of the hurricane season and with it, the worries of residents over what weather woes may be on the horizon. The City of Coral Gables believes there is no better way to triumph over Mother Nature than to plan for the expected and unexpected. To ensure all residents and businesses are prepared for the next storm, the City of Coral Gables will host two free Hurricane Preparedness Workshops for the community, the first one scheduled for tomorrow, June 1st at 7 p.m. at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Theatre and later on Thursday, June 22nd at 7 p.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Come learn how to plan and prepare to survive on your own for the first 72 hours after a storm. The Youth Center is located at 405 University Drive and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables. For additional information, contact Anna Garcia at the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-460-5637.
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Know Where To Evacuate In Case Of Hurricane >>> Coral Gables residents who live in Zone B of Miami-Dade’s Hurricane Storm Surge Evacuation Map, which are homes located mostly east of Old Cutler Road, may be asked to evacuate before the arrival of dangerous hurricanes. By now, everyone should have an evacuation plan as a worst case scenario. That means taking shelter in an area outside of the announced evacuation zones where you can stay with friends, family or hotels and out of harms way. To check if you are in a flood zone, call 3-1-1 or 305-468-5900. Residents who are home-bound, need assistance with daily living, are electrically dependent or require specialized transportation and will need help evacuating for a hurricane, should register with the County’s Emergency Evacuation Assistance program by calling for an application at 305-468-5900 or TDB 305-468-5402. This must be done in advance of the storm. Once an evacuation order is given, available shelters will be announced by the local media. The last recourse should be to go to a shelter in your area. Your first choice should be to make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative who resides closest to your home and who will not have to evacuate. If you’re planning on traveling, be prepared to wait in traffic.
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Get A Tax Break For Historical Home Improvements >>> Making improvements to your home can be a costly proposition, but if your residence in Coral Gables has been designated as a historic property, it doesn’t have to be. Owners of local historically designated properties can request an exemption from increases to ad valorem taxes for qualified improvements to properties listed in the Coral Gables Register of Historic Place for up to 10 years. The Ad Valorem Tax Relief Program encourages historic preservation by freezing ad valorem taxes at the rate they were assessed before improvements are made. The improvements must be made to the historic structure and certain upgrades such as swimming pools and landscaping are not eligible. Owners must apply for the exemption before starting the project and receive approvals from the City Commission and the Historic Preservation Board, and Miami-Dade County. For more information on the program, contact the City of Coral Gables Department of Historical Resources at 305-460-5093.
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Like Father, Like Son: Share Your Best Father’s Day Story >>> The first widely promoted Father's Day celebration was held in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. The holiday was unofficial until 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June to be Father's Day. This Sunday, June 18 is the day when we honor fathers around the world, and the City of Coral Gables wants to make this occasion extra special for your dad. Do you have a special memory of your father or a lesson that you learned from him that you always treasure? Do you have a special story about your dad that is worthy of sharing with the world? Share those remarkable moments by sending your most endearing stories and photographs about your father to e-news@coralgables.com. The City’s website will post these stories to share with the community. For more information contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Flag Day Celebrates Multicultural Heritage >>> In June 1776, George Washington approached Betsy Ross to produce the nation’s first flag. More than 200 years later, on June 14th, residents will have the opportunity to celebrate Flag Day and remember what this American patriotic symbol represents. Recently, the City of Coral Gables joined a national campaign to encourage the learning of the words of the “Star Spangle Banner” as a tribute to our American heritage. The City of Coral Gables also proudly displays at Commission Chambers the flags of Ecuador, Colombia, France, Guatemala, and Spain as part of its Sister Cities program that promotes international culture, academic and business exchanges. The flags of many nations that have official representation in this municipality are also displayed along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, demonstrating the influence of Coral Gables as Florida’s most global City. For more information on the City of Coral Gables Sister Cities, contact the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5310.
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Secure Your Home For The Summer >>> Now that summer months have rolled in, many residents and their families will be taking those long awaited vacations. During these months of leisure, burglars might be roaming the streets looking for easy targets. To avoid becoming a victim, there are some simple measures to take to make your house a little less inviting for burglars while you are away:
> Trim the shrubbery around your house so a burglar cannot work undetected.
> Leave a few lights on inside or buy automatic timers that will vary the on/off pattern of your lights while you are gone.
> Stop paper deliveries and have a friend pick up your mail.
> If necessary, arrange for lawn care and advise a neighbor to watch over your house.
If further assistance is needed, notify the Coral Gables Police Operations Department at 305-460-5408 to place a watch order for your house while you are out of town.
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Learn About Boating Safety >>> Thousands of acres of waterfront property and more than 40 miles of waterway only add to the beauty and allure of Coral Gables. But people’s attraction to the water has led to a record number of boats being registered in the state and consequent congestion of our waterways, which increases the potential for accidents. The City of Coral Gables is taking proactive measures to minimize boating accidents by offering Boating Safety Classes. On June 17th, July 15th and August 19th, the Coral Gables Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit will offer a State of Florida Approved Boating Safety Course at the Cocoplum Yacht Club, 6500 Prado Boulevard. The Saturday 8 a.m. course is open to adults and children and will include training material, books, certification card and lunch. Florida State Statue requires that any person 21 years of age or younger must complete an approved Boating Safety Course and carry proof when operating a vessel with an engine greater than 10 horsepower. The cost of the course is $20 and you must pre-register since class sizes are limited. For more information call the Coral Gables Police Department’s Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5401.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project is currently in its final stages, with construction of the median now underway. Areas around the construction area have been barricaded, and “No Left Turn” signs are still in place. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution while driving around the construction zone.
> The northbound corridor on Le Jeune Road will be closed from S.W. 9th Street to S.W. 14th Street. Detours signs and access for local traffic will be posted at various locations. Direct access to and from Le Jeune Road will be provided for S.W. 13th Terrace and S.W. 13th Street. Access for local traffic on side streets will be available via S.W. 41st Avenue. Access for local traffic only for S.W. 11th Street will be provided through the work zone.
> Single lane closures will occur at the south end of S.W. 40th Street/Bird Road at the intersection of Palmarito Street from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. while workers perform drainage installations. The work is scheduled to take three more weeks. For more information, please contact Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410.
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Cultural 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.
Ongoing: The historic Merrick House, the boyhood home of Coral Gables founder George Merrick, is open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays for tours at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. The tour of this charming home built of coral rock, still home to the artwork and early possessions of the Merrick family, lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for senior citizens (ages 65+) and students with ID; $1 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under. The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5361.
June 1-August 24: The 2006 Summer Concert Series at the Coral Gables Congregational Church opens with the widely acclaimed Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with music for kids of all ages. Whether you're a jazz aficionado and/or a classical music lover, your ears will be blessed with the best. Performances at 8 p.m. by various musicians on June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10 and August 24. The Coral Gables Congregational Church is located on 3010 De Soto Boulevard. Admission is $25. Call 305-448-7421 or click here for more information.
Through June 4: The Lowe Art Museum presents an exhibition of artwork by Glexis Novoa, a visionary artist best known for his drawings and installations in graphite on marble. Also on view at the Lowe, the annual, two-part UM Student and Master of Fine Arts Exhibitions. The UM Master of Fine Arts Exhibition and the Novoa exhibition run through June 4th. The Lowe Art Museum is located at 1301 Stanford Drive, on the University of Miami campus. For more information call 3050 284-3535 or click here.
June 24-July 23: GableStage at the Biltmore Hotel presents the Florida Premiere of “This is How It Goes,”a play byNeil LaBute about an interracial love triangle in a small town in America, which sets off a fierce drama of manipulation, exploitation, infidelity, and passion. Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m .and 7 p.m. Regular tickets are $35, and $40 for Saturday performances. For more information, call 305-445-1119 or click here.
June 10-11: The Caribbean Chapter of the American Bamboo Society is holding it Bamboo Show and Sale on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Come enjoy the beautiful displays of bamboo and choose your own bamboo from one of the many vendors with booths at the show. Admission: $20 adults, $15 seniors and $10 for children 6 to 17 years of age. For more information call 305-667-1651.BACK TO TOP
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For e-News en español, click here.
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