Wednesday, February 8, 2006
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CONTENTS:2005 Figures Show Drop in Crime in Coral Gables
Online System Now Available for Feedback on Public Utilities
Only Two Days Left to Submit Your Love Stories
Farmers Market: "The Art of Tea" and Ortanique on the Mile
Nominate a Coral Gables Employee of the Month
Smart Actions Help Prevent Identity Theft
Get In The Mood for Cupid With Casablanca
Don't Miss "Friends of Carver" Tropicana Night
Chamber Luncheon to Focus on Fundraising, Mentoring
Traffic Watch
Cultural Roundup
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2005 Figures Show Drop in Crime in Coral Gables >>> Citing better law enforcement protection along with active community involvement programs such as Crime Watch and Mobile Patrol, the Coral Gables Police Department reported an overall crime drop of 11 percent in 2005, the largest single-year decline in the past five years. In 2005, the City of Coral Gables was a safer place in which to live, visit and do business than the previous year. Non-violent crimes such as burglaries and motor vehicle thefts dropped by 11 percent last year, while violent crimes such as sexual crimes and aggravated assaults fell by 5 percent. There were no homicides in Coral Gables in 2005. Since 2001, overall crime in the City of Coral Gables has declined by almost 17 percent.
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Online System Now Available for Feedback on Public Utilities >>> Need a place to vent? The residents of Coral Gables can now tell City leaders what they think of the area's public utilities by filling out an online survey. Visit www.coralgables.com, then click on Utility Service Feedback to access the online form. The survey aims to collect opinions from residents and business owners who were affected by last year's hurricanes. The project is an outgrowth of the newly established Utility Service Reliability Task Force, a panel of volunteer residents who are looking for ways to improve utility outages during an active hurricane season. The panel welcomes public input and has invited any interested parties to attend their next meeting tomorrow, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. To access the survey directly, click here. For more information, call Assistant City Manager María Alberro Jimenez at 305-460-5202.
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Only Two Days Left to Submit Your Love Stories >>> Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so don't miss this opportunity to share your love story and possibly win romantic prizes. You have until Friday, February 10, to submit your entry, minimum 50 words, for the "Greatest Love Story of Coral Gables" campaign, part of the City's 80th Anniversary celebration, "1925-2005: Eight Decades of Greatness." Residents can e-mail their entries to e-news@coralgables.com or mfallon@coralgables.com; by fax to 305-460-5350, or by regular mail to the Office of Public Affairs, 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Winners 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 county, and a landmark that is also celebrating its 80th Anniversary this year. Other prizes include a certificate for a romantic dinner for two under the stars at the 1200 Courtyard Grill in the Biltmore Hotel, and a $100 gift certificate for another special dinner at City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill, located at 45 Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables. For more information, call the Coral Gables Public Affairs Office at 305-460-5205.
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Farmers Market: "The Art of Tea" and Ortanique on the Mile >>> On Saturday, February 11, at 10 a.m., the popular Coral Gables Farmers Market will feature "The Art of Tea" by Théine Salon de Thé, a local tea house that specializes in gourmet loose leaf teas from the world's best tea estates. The following weekend, on Saturday, February 18, at 10 a.m., Ortanique on the Mile takes the stage with a cooking demonstration showcasing its award-winning "cuisine of the sun." Visit the Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through March 25 for fresh produce, mini-courses on food-related subjects, and entertainment for children - all conveniently located in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way - just west of the intersection of Miracle Mile and Le Jeune Road. Free parking is available at the metered parking spots west of Le Jeune Road. Not to be missed are the free weekly gardening workshops at 9 a.m., cooking demonstrations at 10 a.m., and children's activities at 11 a.m. The ever-popular Tai Chi classes are held at 8 a.m., thanks to instructor Al Agon of Perfect Balance. 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 e-mail Florence Dawson at fdawson@coralgables.com.
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Nominate a Coral Gables Employee of the Month >>> Were you impressed by a City worker that went above and beyond the call of duty to offer exceptional service? If so, take the time to nominate this person for the City Employee of the Month recognition program. Every month, an employee of the City of Coral Gables is selected for outstanding work, professionalism, and dedication to the highest standards of service to residents and the business community. Most nominations come from City peers and supervisors, but residents and businesses are also eligible to submit a nomination to recognize an outstanding employee. All full-time employees of the City can be nominated to become an Employee of the Month. Each month, the winning employee receives a plaque presented at a City Commission meeting, and is honored at a Rotary Club luncheon. Other awards include a $300 cash bonus, plus the opportunity to be selected City Employee of the Year. To submit a nomination, click here. For more information, e-mail Vonda Lawson at vlawson@coralgables.com.
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Smart Actions Help Prevent Identity Theft >>> A lost or stolen wallet or purse contains a jackpot of information for a new generation of crooks - the identity thieves. Here are some helpful hints to help prevent this crime:
> The next time you order checks, have only your initials and last name put on the checks. If someone takes your checkbook, no one will know if your checks are signed with just initials or the first name. The bank will know how checks are signed.
> Do not sign the back of any credit cards. Instead, write "Photo I.D. Required."
> When writing checks to pay credit card accounts, do not put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling the check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to the account number.
> Put a work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use this instead of a home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use a work address.
> Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of all licenses and credit cards. This way a copy of what is in your wallet will be on file with all account numbers and the phone numbers to call if you need to cancel an account. Keep these photocopies in a safe place. If your wallet is stolen, remember to take quick action to protect yourself against a potential identity theft crisis:
- Cancel your credit cards immediately.
- Immediately file a police report in the jurisdiction.
- Most important, call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. The numbers are Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742; Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289. Also call the Social Security Administration (fraud line) at 1-800-269-0271.
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Get In The Mood for Cupid With Casablanca >>> Voted Number Two in the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time, Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, is a must-see for Valentine's Day. The film will be shown on Tuesday, February 14, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Warner Brothers originally wanted Ronald Reagan and Ann Sheridan to star in a picture called "Everybody Comes to Rick's," but the studio later decided to cast the popular Bogart with a new leading lady, renaming the movie Casablanca. The free movie is part of the City's Senior Programs, designed for residents age 55 and older. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Helen Barnfather at 305-460-5609.
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Don't Miss "Friends of Carver" Tropicana Night >>> G.W. Carver Elementary School will host its 31st annual "Friends of Carver" Tropicana Night Cocktail and Silent Auction from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the Rotunda Room of the Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon Avenue. Sponsored by the Parent Teacher Associations at G.W. Carver Elementary School and G.W. Carver Middle School, Tropicana Night promises to be a fun-filled event for a good cause. Participants will be treated to music, food and cocktails as they bid on exciting auction items such as restaurant certificates, hotel accommodations, entertainment tickets and much more. Proceeds benefit the multi-lingual programs at G.W. Carver Elementary and Middle Schools by providing curriculum enriching materials, equipment, and cultural and education programs. Tickets are $20.00 per person and may be purchased in advance or at the door. To RSVP, purchase tickets or for more information, call Aida Shafer at 305-446-0969.
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Chamber Luncheon to Focus on Fundraising, Mentoring >>> The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has invited Cynthia Eisaman, director of development at the Partnership for Homeless, to be the guest speaker at the February Women's Business Network Luncheon, taking place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza. Ms. Eisaman, a Miami native recognized as a consummate business woman, entrepreneur and fundraiser, raises more than $4 million each year for the organization. Her talk, titled, "Making Miracles Happen Every Day," will touch on the differences between helping corporate and non-profit organizations, the obstacles one faces every day, and how she mentors future female leaders. Both men and women are invited to this event. Cost is $20 for Chamber members who RSVP before the February 21st deadline. After February 21st, the cost for members, guests and non-members will be $35. For more information or to register, please call 305-446-1657 or visit www.coralgableschamber.org on the Web.
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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 has been completed along the west side of Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from Alcazar Avenue heading south.
> Construction continues on the east side of the Boulevard, moving south to north. Traffic is still shifted to the west side.
> Drainage installations, corner demolitions and underground irrigation systems have been completed on the east side.
> Placement of curbing is now underway. Barricades have been installed along the east side of Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from Almeria Avenue 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 continue to 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 Cir cle, from Le Jeune Road to
Salzedo Street, on the following dates: Feb. 15, 19; March 5, 26,
and April 2, 30. For more information, click here.
> The Coral Gables
Farmer's 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.
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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, 2
and 3 p.m. The tour of this charming home built of coral rock, still home
to the Merrick family's artwork and early possessions, lasts about 45
minutes. Tickets are $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and free
for children 5 years old and under. The Merrick House is located at 907
Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5361.
10 February :
Gregory J. Wallace discusses his book, Two
Men Before the Storm: Arba Crane's Recollection of Dred Scott and the
Supreme Court Case That Started the Civil War, at 8 p.m. at
Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., 305-442-4408.
15-26 February: The Jerry
Herman Ring Theatre presents the plays Electra,
and How I Learned to Drive, which won the 1998
Pulitzer Prize. The Theatre is offering a "two for one" package, where
buying tickets to one play includes free admission to the other.
Electra is playing at 8 p.m. Feb. 16, 18, 22 and 24; and at 2
p.m. Feb. 19 and 25. How I Learned to Drive is playing at 8 p.m.
Feb. 15, 17, 23 and 25; and at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 and 26. Ticket prices vary.
For more information, call 305-284-3355 or visit www.miami.edu/ring on
the Web.
1 March &
3 March:
The University of Miami Frost School of Music presents Dr. Donald
Hodges, who will discuss the effects of music on the brain with
two lectures, "What's Going on in There? Peeking into the Music
Brain," at 8 p.m. March 1 at the Victor E. Clarke Recital Hall,
and "Can Neuroscience Tell Us Whether Music Makes Us
Smarter?" at 9 a.m. March 3 in Broby Hall. Both venues are
located at the Frost School of Music, 5501 San Amaro Drive. Dr. Hodges is
a Distinguished Professor of Music Education and director of the Music
Research Institute at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The
lecture is part of the Stamps Family Distinguished Visitors Series and is
free and open to the public. For more information, call 305-284-4940 or
visit www.music.miami.edu on the Web.
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