Wednesday, January 11, 2006
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CONTENTS:2006 Farmers Market Kicks Off Saturday
New Hearings Scheduled for Zoning Code Rewrite
SW 72nd Ave. Incinerator Demolished
FCCMA President Visits Coral Gables
Seniors' Lecture to Address Medicare and Parkinson's
Call for Love Stories for 80th Anniversary Celebration
Work Off Those Holiday Pounds with Weight Watchers "At Work"
Traffic Watch
Cultural Events Roundup
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2006 Farmers Market Kicks Off Saturday >>> The Coral Gables Farmers Market returns for a 15th run in downtown Coral Gables this Saturday, Jan. 14. As always, this City-sponsored event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through March 25 in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way - just west of the intersection of Miracle Mile and Le Jeune Road. Free parking will be available at the City garage located at 345 Andalusia Avenue and at metered parking spots west of Le Jeune Rd.
This European-style green market offers the freshest produce, flowers and plants directly from Florida growers, along with specialty gourmet foods, prepared foods, fresh fish and baked goods. Not to be missed are the free weekly gardening and cooking workshops at 9 and 10 a.m., respectively, and the children's activities at 11 a.m. The ever-popular Tai Chi classes also make a comeback at 8 a.m., thanks to instructor Al Agon of Perfect Balance.
On March 25, the Farmers Market comes to a close with its traditional Grand Finale Picnic, a culinary treat co-hosted by the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF).
To see a complete schedule of events, click here. For more information on the 2006 Farmers Market, call the Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5311, or send an e-mail message to: fdawson@coralgables.com.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
New Hearings Scheduled for Zoning Code Rewrite >>> Citizens and other interested parties, there is still time to participate in the Rewrite of the Coral Gables Zoning Code - the set of laws that govern development and virtually every aspect of City planning. Here are the upcoming hearing dates: Jan. 11, 18, 24, 25; Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, and March 8. Except for the Jan. 24 hearings, which will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. time certain during a City Commission meeting, the others will be held at 6 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. To see staff reports, new Zoning Code provisions, public comments, maps and minutes of prior meetings online, click here. Paper copies of these documents are also available at the Planning Department at City Hall. For more information, call the Planning Department at 305-460-5211.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SW 72nd Ave. Incinerator Demolished >>> The inactive incinerator on City-owned property at 2800 SW 72 Avenue, once the site of a municipal trash-burning operation, has been demolished. Engineers carefully studied the three-story building and accompanying 165-foot high smoke stack beforehand to ensure that the demolition could be accomplished safely and with the least possible impact to surrounding areas. The demolition work was completed on Dec. 30, and clean-up of the resulting debris was completed on Jan. 6. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 305-460-5000.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FCCMA President Visits Coral Gables >>> The president of the Florida City and County Management Association, William Whitson, stopped by Coral Gables on Jan. 9 during his 1,300-mile fundraising bike ride across Florida. President Whitson met with City Manager David L. Brown and congratulated him for being named the 2005 City Manager of the Year, an honor presented annually by the Florida League of Cities. City Manager Brown made a donation to the FCCMA Foundation, which promotes ethics and excellence in Florida municipal management through training and education programs for city officials. For more information, call the Coral Gables Public Affairs Office at 305-460-5205.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Seniors' Lecture to Address Medicare and Parkinson's >>> Senior citizens (ages 55+) are invited to the Coral Gables Youth Center from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, to attend a lecture titled, "Medicare Choices and Voices for Parkinson's Patients," a discussion of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan as it relates to Parkinson's Disease. The program comes to Coral Gables courtesy of the organization known as Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's. A question-and-answer period will follow. Guest speakers are: a representative from the SHINE program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders), and Dr. Abraham Lieberman, a world-renowned neurologist specializing in Parkinson's Disease and movement disorders. The Youth Center is located at 405 University Drive. Seating is limited, so interested persons are encouraged to call 1-800-481-7796 as soon as possible to reserve their seats. For more information, visit www.cureparkinsons.org on the Internet or send an e-mail message to: cureparkinsons@aol.com.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Call for Love Stories for 80th Anniversary Celebration >>> As part of its 80th Anniversary Celebration, "Eight Decades of Greatness," the City will unveil in February a compilation of the greatest love stories that unfolded in the City Beautiful. Do you know of a Gables story reminiscent of Bogart and Bacall? If so, please e-mail it to e-news@coralgables.com, and you just may see it again in this publication around Valentine's Day. For more information, call the Coral Gables Public Affairs Office at 305-460-5205.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Work Off Those Holiday Pounds with Weight Watchers "At Work" >>> Now that the holidays are over, many people find that they want to get serious again about their weight. The Weight Watchers "At Work" program makes that easy with a 12-week series of meetings held at the Youth Center from Noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday, starting Jan. 18. The program focuses on nutrition, eating management skills, safe weight loss, tips for fitting exercise into a busy schedule, and discussions on the effects of time pressures and stress on eating habits. Fees are $137 for new members and $121 for current program members or lifetime members over goal. The program is open to all members of the public. Seating is limited, so please call Dee Paris at 305-460-5461 to reserve a spot.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project is currently in Phase Three. The following measures continue to be implemented:
> Sidewalk construction is almost complete on the intersections along the west side of Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from Alcazar Avenue heading south.
> Construction has moved to the east side of the Boulevard, moving south to north. Traffic has been shifted to the west side.
> Drainage installations, corner demolitions and underground irrigation systems have been completed on Almeria and Valencia Avenues. Placement of curbing is now underway. Barricades have been installed along the east side of Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from Almeria to Alcazar Avenue, though access to businesses is still available.
> Police are ticketing people who illegally park inside the construction areas.
> Left turns are allowed only at the Miracle Mile and Alhambra Circle intersections of Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
> Left turns at the remaining intersections continue to be restricted, and police continue to enforce the "No Left Turn" signs.
> The Trolley stops along Ponce de Leon Boulevard at Valencia Avenue, Miracle Mile, Alhambra Circle and Minorca Avenue have been temporarily suspended.
> Alleys perpendicular to Ponce de Leon Boulevard and within the boundaries of the construction area will be monitored to make sure vehicles are not blocking the alleyways.
The following event-related street closures may also impact
traffic:
>The Coral Gables Antiques
Market, presented by The Globe Café & Bar, takes place from 8 a.m. to
4 p.m. along the 300 block of Alhambra Circle, from Le Jeune Road to
Salzedo Street, on the following dates: Jan. 15, 29; Feb. 15, 19; March 5,
26, and April 2, 30. For more information, click here.
> The Farmers
Market takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from Jan. 14 to
March 25 in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. For more information,
click here.
BACK TO
TOP
- - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
Cultural 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.
12 January: The Coral Gables
Community Foundation holds its annual Travel & Lifestyle Auction at 6
p.m. at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue. Bid items include
cruises, travel packages, jewelry and artwork. Proceeds benefit the
Foundation, which fosters programs and charitable projects to enhance the
quality of life in Coral Gables. The event includes gourmet treats and an
open bar. Bob Soper will serve as Celebrity Auctioneer. Tickets are $55.
For more information, call 305-446-9670 or visit www.gablesfoundation.org on the Internet.
12 January: Former Senator
George McGovern discusses his views on Social Security reform as outlined
in his new book, Social Security and the Golden Age, at 6 p.m. at
Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave. For more information, call 305-442-4408
or visit www.booksandbooks.com on the Internet.
17
January: Author Steven Watts discusses his latest book, The
People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century, a biography
covering the successes and controversies of this American icon, at 8 p.m.
at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave. For more information, call
305-442-4408 or visit www.booksandbooks.com on the Internet.
20
January: Famed humorist, author and newspaper columnist Dave Barry
discusses his latest book, Dave Barry's Money Secrets: Why is There a
Giant Eyeball on the Dollar? at 8 p.m. at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200
Anastasia Avenue. For more information, call 305-442-4408 or visit www.booksandbooks.com on the Internet.
22 January: Tibetan
Monk Geshe Lhakdor visits South Florida at the request of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama to conduct a special workshop on the Lam Rim, which means "the
stages on the path to enlightenment." He will give a free talk titled,
"Compassion, the Key to Human Happiness," at 4 p.m. at Books & Books,
265 Aragon Ave. For more information, call 305-442-4408 or visit www.booksandbooks.com on the Internet.
26 January: The 5th
Grade art students from Temple Beth Am Day School present "Shabbat
Flowers," an exhibit of floral arrangements, at The Gilded Hand, 165
Aragon Avenue. Drawing inspiration from Matisse and other famous painters,
the students used their vivid imaginations to create 3-D floral
arrangements in an assortment of vases to express the Shabbat dinner, the
main meal of the week in Jewish households. For more information, call
305-442-1445 or visit www.thegildedhand.com on the Internet.
29 January: Les
Boréades de Montreal, renowned string ensemble from Canada, performs at 4
p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 14260 Old Cutler Road. This
performance is part of the Bach 'n All series, presented by the Miami Bach
Society. Ticket prices vary. Call 305-669-1376 or visit www.miamibachsociety.org for more information.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
For e-News en español, click here.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -