Wednesday, November 29, 2006
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CONTENTS:Coral Gables Shines As City Of Excellence
Get Ready To Celebrate The Holiday Season
City To Conduct Customer Service Study
Restoration Work Starts At DeSoto Fountain
Enjoy Free City Parking During Holidays
Holiday Open House At Merrick House
Junior Orange Bowl Festival Is Here
Students Exhibit At City Hall
Listen To GABLES Radio 1620 AM
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Coral Gables Shines As City Of Excellence >>> The City of Coral Gables was one of five municipalities recognized in the Third Annual Florida Cities of Excellence Awards Banquet, held in Orlando on November 17. Coral Gables, along with the cities of DeLand, Miami Beach, Oldsmar and Pembroke Pines were finalists for the Florida City of Excellence Award for representing the best in city government in the State of Florida. City Manager David L. Brown was present at the important ceremony to receive the recognition on behalf of the City of Coral Gables. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Get Ready To Celebrate The Holiday Season >>> Join members of the Coral Gables City Commission for the lighting of the Holiday Tree on Friday, December 1, at 7 p.m. in front of City Hall. Activities of the 2006 Holiday Spectacular begin at 5 p.m. at Merrick Park with food, carnival rides and games, face painting, giant slide, bounce houses, arts and crafts and more. Jolly old Santa Claus will also be there for photographs and taking notes of who's been naughty and who's been nice. The event, free and open to the public, kicks off the holiday season in the City of Coral Gables. For more information, call the City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
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City To Conduct Customer Service Study >>> To improve the services of the Building and Zoning Department, the City of Coral Gables is planning on conducting focus groups and a customer service study to gauge the level of user satisfaction. The idea was discussed at City Commission meeting on November 15 as a step to identify those areas that need attention and possible modification to improve the quality of service in building and zoning areas. In the next couple of weeks, the City will seek outside professional groups to conduct focus groups and prepare a customer service survey to gather input from the general public. Residential and commercial property owners, business owners, licensed contractors, architects, engineers, land developers, as well as Building and Zoning employees will be asked to participate in the focus groups and survey. For more information, contact the City Manager's Office at 305-460-5202.
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Restoration Work Starts At DeSoto Fountain >>> In the next couple of weeks, residents can expect to see restoration work being done at the DeSoto Fountain. This local historic landmark built in the early 1920's is being restored thanks to state grants and City Capital Improvements funding. Selected contractor Keystone Restoration will begin drilling next week to collect samples of the original materials for analysis and duplication. This delicate process is expected to last about two weeks. Once completed, the restoration of the basins, central pier and column of the historic fountain begins. The entire pump will also be replaced and a new pump room will be installed at the parking lot across from the Venetian Pool. By May of 2007, residents can expect all construction to be completed in the restoration of the DeSoto Fountain. Funding for the renovations comes from a $240,000 grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources with the assistance of the Florida Historical Commission and with necessary matching funds from the City of Coral Gables.
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Enjoy Free City Parking During Holidays >>> The City of Coral Gables wants to wish you a happy and relaxed holiday season and doesn't want you to worry about paying for parking during this busy time. All on- and off-street parking in the City of Coral Gables will be free during Christmas on Monday and Tuesday, December 25 and 26 and on New Year's Day on January 1, 2007. Beginning on December 1, if you're too busy shopping and the time on your parking meter has expired, a parking enforcement specialist will leave you a Holiday Courtesy Ticket on your windshield to let you know that the City will extend the period of meter overtime for another hour. This is just another way to thank patrons for coming to the City of Coral Gables during the entire month of December. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parking Department at 305-460-5542.
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Holiday Open House At Merrick House >>> You're also invited to the Holiday Open House at the Coral Gables Merrick House, home of founder George Merrick on Saturday, December 9, from 1-5 p.m. Join the Coral Gables Merrick House Governing Board for an afternoon filled with music from Juan Areco, Santa's arrival, a surprise musical performance, incredible food and wine tasting, and tours of the home. This event is also free and open to the public. The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way in Coral Gables. For more information, contact Mary Agnes Beach at 305-460-5095.
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Junior Orange Bowl Festival Is Here >>> Each year, the City of Coral Gables is home to the Junior Orange Bowl Parade. This year the parade will be taking the theme of "A Caribbean Adventure," featuring marching bands and colorful floats. The fun starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 30th in downtown Coral Gables. But the festival is more than a parade, in fact, many events are held throughout the fall providing opportunities for competitive and multi-culture activities for the youth. The Caroling Competition, kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. at the steps of the 550 Building on Biltmore Way. The festival also includes the International Tennis Championship at the Biltmore Tennis Center beginning on December 13 and the International Golf Championship at the Biltmore Golf Course beginning on December 18. Read more about the Tennis and Golf Championships in the Events Roundup section of e-news. For a complete list of events, call the Junior Orange Bowl Committee at 305-662-1210 or click here.
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Students Exhibit At City Hall >>> Thanks to a partnership between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the City of Coral Gables, the exhibit "Art of Our Youth; Art of Our Future," will be on display at City Hall, from December 1 through the 20 during the hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please join the City of Coral Gables to celebrate the artistic vision in an exhibit of inspired art by the students of Miami-Dade County Public Schools including Coral Gables Elementary, Coral Gables Senior High School, David Fairchild Elementary, George Washington Carver Elementary, George Washington Carver Middle, Ponce de Leon Middle School, South Miami Elementary School, South Miami Middle School, South Miami Senior High, Sunset Elementary and Henry S. West Laboratory School. For more information, contact Jessica Wotherspoon at the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5314.
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Listen To GABLES Radio 1620 AM >>> Set your car radio to 1620 AM to listen to GABLES Radio, the new voice of Coral Gables. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road from S.W. Eighth Street to Alhambra Circle: The Florida Department of Transportation has shifted all traffic to the southbound side of Le Jeune Road between S.W. Eighth Street and Alhambra Circle. Work is now taking place along the northbound side of Le Jeune Road. Traffic flow will remain in this configuration for approximately five months while construction work is completed in this area. At all times, one lane will remain open in each direction during this phase of construction and access to residences and businesses will continue. Contractors will be performing drainage, lighting, sidewalk, curb and gutter work, and resurfacing the road during this phase of construction. You may experience some delays if traveling through the area.
> The outside southbound lane of Le Jeune Road from Andalusia Avenue to Bird Road will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may encounter traffic delays in the area as crews pour concrete, update sidewalks, lighting and draining systems and resurface the road. All access to side streets for residents and businesses will remain open.
> Construction of a building will affect traffic on the outer northbound lane of Le Jeune Road between Palermo and Sevilla Avenues. The outer lane will experience intermittent closures from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as private contractors work on sidewalk and curb reconstruction. For more information on any of these projects, call Public Information Specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410.
Traffic during special events:
> November 29 - December
5: The 2006 Junior Orange Bowl Caroling Competition will close
off starting tonight at Biltmore Way from Hernando Street to Segovia
Street between the hours of 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Please make plans to take
an alternate route to get through the area.
> December 3rd &
17th: The Globe Café's Open Air Antiques Market will close off
Alhambra Circle between Le Jeune Road and Salzedo Street on alternating
Sundays. Please use Alcazar and Giralda Avenues to get through the
area.
> Friday, December
1: There will be a few road closures as a result of the City's
annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Starting at 10 a.m., Biltmore Way and
Andalusia Avenue will be closed from Le Jeune Road until Hernando Street.
The road will reopen at midnight.
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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.
Ongoing: The historic Merrick House, the family 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, a remarkable example of South Florida architecture, is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5095.
First Friday of The Month: Art lovers flock to Coral Gables the first Friday of every month for Gallery Night. Boasting dozens of galleries, Coral Gables is the premier destination for art and cultural events. The City offers free trolley service to most of the galleries locations from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Some galleries will feature musicians for your entertainment. For a list of art galleries in Coral Gables, click here.
November 29 through December 5: Starting tonight, music will fill the air in Coral Gables as the 20th Annual Junior Orange Bowl Caroling Competition kicks off in front of the 550 Biltmore Way building. Public and private school choirs made up of very talented musicians will gather to sing on the steps of the building and compete to win more than $20,000. Hear the young singers from November 29th through December 2 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday December 3rd from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The final competition and prize money will be awarded on Tuesday, December 5th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information call 305-662-1210.
December 3: Join the Coral Gables Rotary Club for a Cycling Celebration through many of the streets of the City Beautiful. This Sunday take your family and friends on a bike ride starting at 11 a.m. at Ponce de Leon Middle School located at 5801 Augusto Street and ending at noon in front of City Hall. The first part of the loop is geared toward families with children with top speeds at seven to 10 miles per hour. The second loop starts at 12:15 p.m. also at Ponce de Leon Middle School and will end at 2 p.m. on Maynada Street. This loop is for adults or avid riders and will keep a pace of 16 to 20 miles per hour during the 15-mile ride. For more information contact the Rotary Club of Coral Gables at 305-441-8063.
December 3: He has delighted audiences throughout the United States and Europe and now outstanding young pianist, Joshua Wright, performs right here in Coral Gables courtesy of the Chopin Foundation of the United States. The performance will take place Sunday, December 3 at 3 p.m. at the Granada Presbyterian Church located at 950 University Drive. Wright has won several prestigious competitions and performed at many of the top concert halls around the world, a great accomplishment considering he's only 19 years old. Sunday's concert is free. For more information call 305-868-0624.
December 5: The Coral Gables Chamber Symphony & Opera, Inc. invites you to "The American Ideal," a free concert on Tuesday, December 5 at 10 a.m. Enjoy concertos and arias from Saint-Saens, Mozart, Paganini and more at the Granada Presbyterian Church on 950 University Drive. Call 305-444-8435 for more information.
December 5: Today is your last day to register to take a ride to the wild side. The Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department is taking seniors on a field trip toMiami Metro Zoo on Tuesday, December 5. See the latest attractions and newest additions to the zoo. A bus will leave from the Coral Gables Youth Center to the zoo at 10 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m. Coral Gables residents pay $25, non-residents pay $30. The cost includes transportation, admission to the zoo and a tram tour. Today is your last day to register. To register, call 305-460-5609 or click here.
December 7: The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presents its 10th Annual Holiday Party "Taste of the Season" with a feast on a festive fare of food and fun. The event takes place on Thursday, December 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Biltmore Hotel, Country Club Ballroom and Terrace, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Members who R.S.V.P. pay $25 and late members $30 each. Donations will be distributed to the Boys & Girls Club, Charlee Homes for Children, His House, Home Instead Senior Care, and Merrick Educational Center. Please R.S.V.P. by December 4 by clicking here.
December 7 - 12: Seniors may find it difficult going shopping during the holidays but the Parks and Recreation Department is trying to take the hassle out of the holidays with convenient rides to some of the biggest malls in South Florida. On Thursday, December 7th, a bus will depart from the Coral Gables Youth Center to Dolphin Mall at 9:30 a.m. and returning by 4 p.m. On Thursday, December 12th, take a similar bus ride to the popular Dadeland Mall. Transportation will cost $12. To register call Helen Barnfather at 305-460-5609.
December 8: Seniors are invited to attend the latest session of Tea & Talk where the guest speaker will be Team Metro Special Projects Coordinator Maria De La Milera, on Friday, December 8 at noon. The goal of Team Metro is to improve public access in Miami-Dade County by offering citizens services such as transit tokens, passes, dog license tags and more. A complimentary lunch will be served at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. Please make reservations by December 6th by calling 305-460-5609.
December 8, 9, 15 & 16: The Miami Children's Theater at the Coral Gables Youth Center gets into the holiday spirit with its rendition of A Christmas Carol. The play is about an old wealthy scrooge who is given a chance at redemption when visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Coral Gables Youth Theater located at 405 University Drive. Tickets for the performance cost $20 for adults at the door or $18 for students, seniors and children. If you purchase tickets in advance, the cost for adults drops to $13.50 and $11.50 for children, seniors and students. You can buy tickets by calling 305-274-3595 or by clicking here.
December 9 - May 31: The whimsical creations of Dale Chihuly return to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden with a new and expanded exhibition. This is the first time Chihuly installs his famous glass art exhibit in the same place twice. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is open everyday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Thursday nights between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., experience Tropical Chihuly Nights when his glass sculptures are lit, giving the garden a whole new feeling. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children ages 6 through 17 and free to children 5 and younger. For more information call 305-667-1651.
December 9: Watch as Nicholas the storyteller makes the children's tale The Nutcracker from George Balanchine come alive at the Books and Books on 265 Aragon Avenue. Children ages 5 to 12 are encouraged to participate. Story time is free and is scheduled for noon and again at 2 p.m. For more information call Books and Books at 305-442-4408.
December 11: The movie The Misfits will be playing at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater for seniors on Monday, December 11 at 1 p.m. Seniors are encouraged to bring a friend and enjoy a couple of hours of laughter and romance. Recently divorced Roslyn is invited by two male friends to the country to relax. Everything is fine at first, but soon the two men fall in love with Roslyn and tempers start flaring. The movie is free and refreshments will be served. For more information call 305-460-5609.
December 12: The Country Club of Coral Gables will continue its once-a-month Learn and Dine Lecture Series for Seniors on Tuesday with guest speaker Marina Pavlov, President of the Florida Association of Non-Profit Organization. Pavlov will hold an interactive workshop designed to address volunteer leadership and development and the latest strategies of fundraising and friend-raising. The event is presented by Barry University's Older Adult Opportunity Center. The event starts at 12:30 p.m. with a delicious and healthy lunch at the Coral Gables Country Club located at 997 North Greenway Drive. The cost is $20 per person. Reservations are required. Call the Older Adult Opportunity Center at 305-899-3387 for more information.
December 13 - 23: The Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship is considered to be one of the most prestigious junior tennis tournaments in the world. Children ages 14 and under who love to play tennis are encouraged to participate in the qualifying round scheduled for Wednesday, December 13th through Friday, December 15th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you make the main draw, younger players will face off with the best players from other countries. More than 1,000 young tennis players from over 60 countries have registered to compete in the event. Boys ages 14 and under will play at the University of Miami Tennis Center located at 5821 San Amaro Drive; girls ages 14 and under will play at the Biltmore Tennis Center at 1150 Anastasia Avenue; boys ages 12 and under play at Tropical Park located on Bird Road and 79th Avenue; and girls ages 12 and under will play at Salvadore Park located at 1120 Andalusia Avenue. Semi-finals will be held on Friday, December 22 with finals taking place on Saturday, December 23 at the University of Miami's Tennis Center. For more information or to register your child to participate in the tennis tournament call 305-662-1210 or click here.
December 18 - 30: Tomorrow's golf stars are shining now at the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship being held at the City of Coral Gables Biltmore Golf Course. Children with a love of golf are encouraged to participate in the qualifier round of the tournament being held on December 18th and 19th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The main draw will be held December 27th through the 30th. Local golfers will have the opportunity to play with young and very highly competitive international players ranked in their respective country. For more information or to register your child, contact the Junior Orange Bowl Committee at 305-662-1210 or click here.
Until December 23: The famous children's character Madeline comes to the Actors' Playhouse for the play Madeline's Christmas. The holidays were looking great for Madeline and her 11 other friends when suddenly all but Madeline get the flu. Can she save the holiday for everyone else? Find out for yourself Saturdays at the Actors' Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile, at 11 a.m. All tickets for this performance are $12. For more information call 305-444-9293.
Through April 29: The Globe Café presents the second annual Open Air Antiques Market held every other Sunday from now until April 29th. Alhambra Circle will close for just one block east of Le Jeune Road so antique dealers can line the street with booths full of furniture, fashion, jewelry and special memorabilia. The next Antiques Market will be held on December 3rd and 17th, January 14th, February 4th & 18th, March 4th & 18th, and April 1st, 15th & 29th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call 786-269-1331.BACK TO TOP
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