Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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CONTENTS:Share Your Love Story And Win Great Prizes
Focus Groups To Study Building & Zoning Department
Help Survey Our Parks
City Asking Merchants To Help Keep Downtown Clean
Liz Hernandez Is New Cuban American Bar Association President
Coral Gables Celebrates Chinese New Year
Parents Should Watch Young Gables Show
Banners On Display On Miracle Mile
County Grants Available For Small Business Owners
Don't Miss Gallery Night On February 2
Business Referral Group Meets Every Tuesday
Local Students Compete In Debate Competition
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Share Your Love Story And Win Great Prizes >>> Last year, dozens of romantic souls sent the most enduring tales of love to compete for the first ever "Greatest Love Story of Coral Gables" contest. The winning entry, submitted by Coral Gables resident Linda Wilson, recounted a love sealed with a first kiss at Tahiti Beach in 1961 that has survived more than 40 years. The contest is back by popular demand this year and the City is now receiving entries for the "2007 Greatest Love Story of Coral Gables" contest until Friday, February 9 by 5 p.m. If you found love in Coral Gables and want the entire world to know it, e-mail your story with a minimum of 50 words, plus a photo, to e-news@coralgables.com. You can also fax an entry to the Office of Public Affairs to 305-460-5350 or mail it to 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134. The protagonists of the Greatest Love Story will receive a one-night stay in a junior suite at the Biltmore Hotel, one of the most alluring and preferred locations to celebrate weddings in the state. Winners will also receive a dinner certificate for two under the stars at the romantic 1200 Courtyard Grill in the Biltmore Hotel, a dinner for two for The Country Club of Coral Gables Valentines' Day Dinner Dance and a brunch certificate for two at the St. Michel Hotel sponsored by Vine Communications. For additional information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Focus Groups To Study Building & Zoning Department >>> A research consultant with 10 years of experience in social research will be assisting the City of Coral Gables in order to make improvements to the Building and Zoning Department. Marilyn Rodriguez, Ph.D., who is a faculty member of the University of Miami's Psychology Department will be conducting a two-phase study of this City Department. The Qualitative Phase includes three focus groups that will meet February 1 and 2 at Ask Miami Research, 2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard to gather important first-hand information from Department users and employees. The first focus groups will include both residential and commercial property owners; the second group will include all professional users such as contractors, architects and permit expediters; the third group will include 12 randomly selected employees from all Department Divisions. A second Quantitative Phase will evaluate the opinion of employees and outside Department users from the past two years through the use of anonymous, mail-in surveys. If you are interested in participating in the focus groups, contact Alexis Soffian or Joyce Neff at 305-448-7769.
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Help Survey Our Parks >>> The City of Coral Gables wants you to help shape the future of the City's parks, recreational facilities and programs. In the continued efforts to improve the quality of life for residents, a survey is being developed to gauge the level of satisfaction residents have with the City's parks and recreational facilities. The survey will focus on the needs for more facilities, renovations to existing facilities, and the purchase of new park land. Residents are encouraged to participate in focus groups to develop survey questions. The focus groups will be held tomorrow and Friday, January 25 and 26 at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Make time to attend one of the focus groups that have been conveniently scheduled throughout the day. Tomorrow, the one- hour meetings will take place at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. (for children ages 11 - 18), 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. On Friday, the meetings will begin at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Please make reservations to attend by calling Luanne Santangelo at 305-460-5606 or by email at lsantangelo@coralgables.com.
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City Asking Merchants To Help Keep Downtown Clean >>> Downtown Coral Gables has grown dramatically over the past decade with new restaurants, stores, and new residential developments. This revitalization brings additional pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and it also increases the litter left behind. The City is now asking merchants to assist the City in maintaining the area abutting the businesses in Coral Gables. This month, a letter was sent to all downtown merchants explaining the need to work together to improved the cleanliness of the commercial streets and sidewalks as the Coral Gables downtown expands with activity. The City is also doing its part by adding additional trash receptacles, hiring three additional people for litter patrol, purchasing an additional street sweeper for the area and adjusting schedules to increase the frequency of collection routes. The City will recognize those businesses that make a special effort to beatify and maintain their surrounding areas.
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Liz Hernandez Is New Cuban American Bar Association President >>> Coral Gables City Attorney Elizabeth "Liz" Hernandez was installed last week as the new President of the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) in front of South Florida's most prominent attorneys, business men and women, members of the judiciary, and members of the State and local legislature. Hernandez is CABA's third female president in more than 30 years and has been an active member of the organization since 1985. Founded in Miami in 1974, CABA is a voluntary bar association established to bring together by association, communication, and organization, Cuban American lawyers who are members of the Florida Bar. For more information, please contact Coral Gables City Attorney Elizabeth Hernandez at 305-460-5218.
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Coral Gables Celebrates Chinese New Year >>> It's the year of the pig, and we're not talking about your bad-mannered cousin. Merrick Park across from City Hall will be transformed into a mystical Chinese village to welcome the Chinese New Year on Sunday, February 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Colorful lanterns, a Chinese dragon boat exhibition, Chinese food delicacies, martial arts demonstration and much more will be some of the exciting activities taking place. The Chinese New Year will be the Year of the Pig and is good for people born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983 and 1995. Observed by the Chinese around the world, this is the first time that the celebration comes to the City of Coral Gables, thanks to the sponsoring of Master Agon of Perfect Balance Martial Arts and Fitness, located in Coral Gables. Partners in this exciting day of education, fun and festivity include the City of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Dade County Public Schools, the City of Miami, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (New York City), the Miami Overseas Chinese Association, the Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, the United Chinese News of Florida, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and the National Association of Professional Martial Artists. For more information on this event, contact Socorro Villa or Iris Ratcliffe at Perfect Balance Martial Arts at 305-445-4900 or by e-mail at masteragon@aol.com.
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Parents Should Watch Young Gables Show >>> The award winning team of Coral Gables Television has produced a new television show called "Young Gables." This show is dedicated to Coral Gables parents guiding them through all stages of a child's life. In the first show, host Jackie Diaz interviews a Coral Gables dietitian about how to provide a proper diet for young children. Learn also how prenatal yoga, offered right here in Coral Gables, can help you become one with your baby. View "Young Gables" on Channel 77 if you have Comcast cable or Channel 97 for Adelphia subscribers. For a preview of "Young Gables," click here.
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Banners On Display On Miracle Mile >>> Walking or driving through Miracle Mile is a pleasant experience on its own, but now there's more to see. Colorful street banners celebrating the City Beautiful's 16th Anniversary of the Farmer's Market are now lining Miracle Mile. The banner design is the first in a series of five that will adorn Downtown Coral Gables this year. The welcoming signs are meant to inform those who live, work and play in Coral Gables about events and celebrations happening in the City, in the hopes of drawing more business and activity to the downtown area. Watch for the next banner to be in place by the end of March.
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County Grants Available For Small Business Owners >>> Small businesses located in District 7 of Miami-Dade County, which includes the City of Coral Gables, can now apply to the 2007 Carlos A. Gimenez Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program for up to $10,000 in financial assistance. Funding can be used to purchase equipment, supplies, advertising or marketing, inventory, building liability insurance, security systems and to make minor renovations. Hard copies of the applications can be picked up after today at the City of Coral Gables Development Department located at 95 Merrick Way, Suite 450. Applications must be hand delivered or sent via Registered Mail on or before 5 p.m., February 12, 2007. For additional information on guidelines and how to apply, click here.
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Don't Miss Gallery Night On February 2 >>> Remember that if you're planning to attend Gallery Night on February 2, there will be no parking enforcement in the Central Business District between the hours of 6-10 p.m. During this time, there will be no parking tickets in the Downtown Coral Gables in the area bounded by LeJeune Road to the east and Douglas Road to the west and Navarre Avenue to the north and Almeria Avenue to the south. This trial basis will last until March of this year. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Public Affairs Office at 305-460-5205.
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Business Referral Group Meets Every Tuesday >>> The Business Referral Group (BRG), a business exchange founded to help members expand businesses, meets every Tuesday at noon at City Cellar, 45 Miracle Mile. New members are welcome and the first luncheon meeting is free to potential new members. The BRG is one of South Florida's largest and most successful business networking groups with a membership policy of allowing only one member representative for every profession. It provides a forum for members to expand the scope of businesses by cultivating business relationships and sharing leads. For more information, contact Eli Ristine at 305-443-1364.
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Local Students Compete In Debate Competition >>> The natural argumentative talents of teenagers are called into play on Saturday, January 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the Fairchild Challenge's Fifth Annual Debate Competition taking place at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Students from 19 South Florida high schools tackle complex environmental issues as part of the ongoing environmental education outreach program. Through Fairchild, the Challenge Program entices students to appreciate the natural world, to think critically about environmental issues and then to engage - at any level - in addressing them. For more information call David Whitman, Fairchild Challenge Program Manager at 305-663-8054 or click here.
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Traffic >>> Good News, construction crews have completed the road project that affected the area of LeJeune Road from Southwest 8th Street to Mendoza Avenue (Southwest 16th Street). All lanes of traffic are now open. Florida Department of Transportation is now shifting its focus to the remaining construction on LeJeune Road.
> LeJeune Road from Mendoza Avenue (Southwest 16th Street) to Coral Way. Phase One of this project is now underway. The inside lanes of both north and southbound LeJeune Road are now closed. This includes the median of LeJeune Road between Mendoza Avenue south to Coral Way. Work in that area will consist of milling and resurfacing LeJeune Road. The outside lanes of LeJeune Road in each direction will be open to traffic. This phase should be complete in one week. The paving of the street will take place between the non-peak traffic hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and weekends.
Phase Two of the project is scheduled to begin on January 28th with contractors shifting all lanes of traffic to the northbound side of the road with one lane in each direction. The outside lane of southbound LeJeune Road will be closed while crews perform milling and resurfacing work. This phase of the project is estimated to take two weeks to complete. The paving of the street will take place between the non-peak traffic hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and weekends. For more information, please contact Carlos Sarmiento at (305) 499-2410 or via e-mail at carlos.sarmiento@dot.state.fl.us.BACK TO TOP
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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. There will be no parking enforcement in Business Central District during Gallery Nights between the hours of 6-10 p.m. on the months of February and March of 2007. For a list of art galleries in Coral Gables, click here.
Next At The Farmers Market: The Coral Gables Farmers Market takes place on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from now until March 31, in front of City Hall. Enjoy fresh produce, baked goods and plants. On January 27: "Tai Chi in the Park" with Master Al Agon from Perfect Balance at 8 a.m.; "Edible Landscapes" gardening workshop presented by Wendy Fleming Saltzburg of Wendy's Landscaping and Design at 9 .m.; cooking demonstration by Fountain Bistro Restaurant at 10 a.m., and a reading of "The Peace Book" by Todd Parr as children activities beginning at 11 a.m. On February 3: "Tai Chi in the Park" with Master Al Agon from Perfect Balance at 8 a.m.; "Butterfly Gardening" presented by Cindy David at 9 a.m.; cooking demonstration by Toscano Grille Restaurant at 10 a.m.; and enjoy the scenes from the play "Charlotte's Web" for children presented by Actor's Playhouse beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, contact 305-460-5311.
January 25: The world's leading authority on naps, Dr. Sara C. Mednick, from the prestigious Salk Institute at the University of California, is coming to Coral Gables. Dr. Mednick will be at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, at 6 p.m. tomorrow to talk about her new book Take a Nap! Change Your Life, and explain how her research shows fitting a nap into your day can increase alertness, creativity and reduce stress. For more information, call Books & Books at 305-442-4408.
January 27: The Army-Navy Club will be having their famous Winter Ball this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Enjoy a social hour, dinner and dancing among friends. Non-members pay $85 per person while the event is free for members. Make your reservations by tomorrow, January 25th, by calling Ed Mazzei or Yanil Iglesias at 305-446-5348. The Country Club of Coral Gables is located at 997 North Greenway Drive.
January 28: Listen to a beautiful compilation of Chamber Music performed by professors and alumni of the University of Miami on Sunday at 4 p.m. Rosalina G. Sackstein, professor of the Frost School of Music, will hold a concert at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive. The afternoon of chamber music will also showcase the talents most of her grandchildren. All the proceeds from this concert will find the Rosalina G. Sackstein Scholarship Fund to help pay for current students tuition at UM. Many former recipients of the scholarship will also be performing. Tickets cost $10 to $20. For more information, call 305-271-8449.
January 31 - March 31: The classic book Charlotte's Web comes to life at the Actors' Playhouse, Saturdays at 2 p.m. This new exciting musical version of Charlotte's Web will offer everyone the chance to experience the true meaning of friendship. The Actors' Playhouse is located at 280 Miracle Mile. All tickets are $12. For more information, call 305-444-9293 or click here.
February 3 & 10: This year AARP continues offering a 55 Alive course for seniors ages 50 and over that can help reduce traffic accidents. The two-day Saturday session will be held at the Coral Gables Youth Center, 405 University Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a fee of $10. After completing the Mature Driving Course, seniors will receive a certificate. Most auto insurance companies will provide a discount on your insurance premium for taking the course. For more information, contact Fred Collard at 305-663-1792 or call the Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
February 3: Bring your children to Books & Books for a special story time with author Laurie Friedman as she reads from her newest picture book titled Love, Ruby Valentine. The book, meant for children in kindergarten through third grade, shows what happens when Ruby sleeps through her favorite day of the year, Valentine's Day. Friedman will read from her book starting at 11 a.m. at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue. For more information, call 305-442-4408.
February 4: Get your helmets, knee pads and bike ready to go because the Gables Cycling Celebration returns on the following Sunday. The 12-mile long ride starts off at Ponce de Leon Middle School, 5801 Augusto Street, at 10:30 a.m. with a scenic ride through beautiful Coral Gables at a pace of about 12 miles per hour. The ride will end at 2 p.m. Coral Gables police will escort riders to avoid stopping for traffic lights and stop signs. The Cycling Celebration is a community service project of the Coral Gables Rotary Club and is held every first Sunday of the month. For more information, contact Calvin from "Bikes To Go" at 305-666-7184 or click here.
February 10: With school and extra curricular activities, it's easy for grandparents to loose touch with their grandchildren but a cup of tea can be the perfect remedy. Spend an afternoon with your grandchild at the historic Merrick House, 907 Coral Way, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During High Tea with Grandma and Me, create one-of-a-kind bonnets, enjoy refreshments and learn traditional tea time rituals. The fee for the event is $20 and the registration deadline is February 3rd. Call 305-460-5609 for more information.
February 14: Find Romance Under The Stars at the Venetian Pool on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, February 14, from 6-10 p.m. The event includes open bar, dinner, dancing and photo for keepsake. Reservations are required by February 9. Fee for Coral Gables residents is $120 per couple and non-residents pay $150 per couple. The Venetian Pool is located at 2701 DeSoto Boulevard. For more information, contact Maggie Hill at 305-460-5357.
Through April 29: The next Open Air Antiques Market presented by the Globe Café will be held on Saturday February 4th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. During that time Alhambra Circle will close for just one block east of LeJeune Road so antique dealers can line the street with booths full of furniture, fashion, jewelry and special memorabilia. Mark you calendars! The next Antiques Market will be held on February 18th, March 4th & 18th, and April 1st, 15th & 29th. For more information, call 786-269-1331.BACK TO TOP
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