Wednesday, February 21, 2007
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CONTENTS:City Names New Parking Director
Love And Romance Wins Hearts Of Gables Residents
Understanding The Development Review Committee
Celebrate Merrick Day At Farmers Market
Caution, Children At Play
Coral Gables Licensed Merchandise On Sale At Biltmore Hotel
Seminars To Help Small Businesses
Miami Pioneers/Natives Of Dade Looking For Members
Census Bureau Looking For Field Representatives
Colombia Carnavale Is Here
Traffic
Events Roundup
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City Names New Parking Director >>> Kevin Kinney has been appointed as the new Parking Director of the City of Coral Gables. He was selected after a nationwide search that attracted more than 70 applicants for the position. Kinney was Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Anchorage Parking/Anchorage Community Development Authority since 1997 where he managed an annual budget in excess of $10 million, managing a staff of up to 50 employees and successfully completing two major reorganizations. He has vast experience in strategic planning and in working with various business and community groups. In his new position, Kinney will manage the City of Coral Gables Parking Department overseeing 4,600 municipal parking meters, six parking garages and 34 parking lots as well as innovative programs such as the Pay By Cellphone, Pay and Display, CashKey, and Residential Parking Program. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Love And Romance Wins Hearts Of Gables Residents >>> Congratulations to Gables resident Kelly Sastre, winner of the 2007 Greatest Love Story Contest in Coral Gables. She won a one-night stay in a junior suite at the Biltmore Hotel plus a dinner certificate for two under the stars at the romantic 1200 Courtyard Grill in the Biltmore Hotel. Second prize winner Michael F. Chenoweth was introduced to his wife of almost 30 years by Marjory Stoneman Douglas at an environmentalist luncheon. He received a dinner for two for the Country Club of Coral Gables Valentine's Day Dinner Dance. Third prize went to Tammy McIntyre, whose significant other lived just a few blocks away from her. She won a brunch certificate for two at the St. Michel Hotel sponsored by Vine Communications. To see the complete stories of the winners and all the contestants, please click here.
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Understanding The Development Review Committee >>> The City is in the middle of managing a development boom and that means that the Building and Zoning Department is busy accommodating the new projects through its Development Review Committee. The DRC is responsible for review of the construction plans of a new building or modifications to existing buildings. The Committee, which has a representative from almost every City department, studies the plans and looks for safety issues, whether the project will cause traffic problems, if pedestrians can access the area, and the potential for any of the City's landscaping to be damaged, among other things. Once the project has met all the requirements of the DRC, the project can move through the permitting process. For more information on the Development Review Committee, call 305-460-5228.
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Celebrate Merrick Day At Farmers Market >>> The City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Merrick House Governing Board, invite you to participate in Merrick Day at the Farmers Market, on Saturday, March 3, for a series of fun activities full of information about the Merrick family members. Learn about early South Florida landscaping and Althea's beautiful garden. Interested in cooking? View a cooking demonstration of a delicious dish that the pioneer family may have enjoyed, complete with a copy of the original recipe. Children will learn about Althea's and her son Richard's wonderful artistic talent while creating a colorful version of the Merrick House to take home. See family photos, artwork photos, browse through George Merrick's poetry book and even chat with one of George's friends. The fun continues at the Farmers Market the following Saturday, March 10, as the Coral Gables Trolley will take you on a tour of the Merrick House and a picnic in the garden. Tickets for this activity will be on sale at the Farmers Market on Saturday, March 3. Tickets cost $25 for adults; $10 for children ages 3-12, and free for children under 3 years old. The Coral Gables Farmers Market takes place in front of City Hall at 405 Biltmore Way from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on Merrick Day at the Farmers Market contact Mary Agnes Beach at the Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5095. For general information about the Farmers Market contact the Development Department at 305-460-5311.
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Caution, Children At Play >>> In an effort to protect children having fun and games in their front yard, the City is participating in the new pilot program called Children at Play Awareness or C.A.P.A. The program is designed to preserve safety in neighborhoods by getting drivers to slow down when children are at play. Parents can now purchase authorized City-issued "Caution, Kids at Play" signs to be placed in the swale area of homes while children are actively playing in the front yard. The signs are available to residents at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon at a cost of $6.50 per sign. For more information, call 305-460-5600.
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Coral Gables Licensed Merchandise On Sale At Biltmore Hotel >>> You can now buy the City of Coral Gables official branded merchandise at the Logo Shop located on the lower lobby of the Biltmore Hotel. High quality golf shirts, baseball caps and multi-colored coasters designed with the licensed brand of the City of Coral Gables were put on sale just in time to reach the tourists visiting South Florida for the Super Bowl festivities. The items will remain on sale exclusively at the Biltmore Hotel as a pilot program to introduce the new Coral Gables merchandise. The new merchandise reflects the colors of the City of Coral Gables with blue representing the waters flowing in the city canals, terra cotta for the tile rooftops and green for the lush tropical foliage. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Seminars To Help Small Businesses >>> On Thursday, March 15, the City of Coral Gables is hosting a small business seminar presented in Spanish by Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center. During this free two-hour seminar, titled Correo Electronico Para el Mercadeo Efectivo de su Negocio (Effective e-mail Marketing for your Business), learn how to maximize e-mail's marketing potential to increase sales both on and off the internet. The seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, at 405 University Drive. For more information or to RSVP, call Jessica Wotherspoon at the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5314.
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Miami Pioneers/Natives Of Dade Looking For Members >>> If you love to talk about history and want to find others who are concerned about preserving the culture and history of Coral Gables and Dade County, consider joining the Miami Pioneers/Native of Dade Inc. The group meets the first Sunday of the month to listen to topics of historical nature, featuring experts in their respective fields of interest. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 4 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Central Christian Church of Coral Gables located at 222 Menores Avenue, eight blocks south of S.W. Eighth Street, just west of Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Featured speaker will be Dr. Joseph F. Fitzgerald, founder and chairman of Miami Map Fair who will show slides and will talk about antique maps of Florida and the Gulfstream. For more information about the Miami Pioneers, please contact Joy N. McGarry at 305-665-2311.
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Census Bureau Looking For Field Representatives >>> During the spring and summer the U.S. Census Bureau will be conducting interviews for the American Housing Survey (AHS) in the City of Coral Gables to obtain up to date housing statistics for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Census Bureau is now recruiting field representatives to work in the community interviewing respondents in person or by phone. Duties include asking questions as worded on survey forms, explaining the survey and recording data accurately and completely. Pay rate is $12.98 and applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a car and valid driver's license, pass a written test and must be available for day, evening or weekend work. For more information contact the Atlanta regional office of the U.S. Census Bureau at 404-730-3959 or email them at atlanta.recruiting@census.gov.
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Colombia Carnavale Is Here >>> Join Colombians from the community to celebrate the country's history and culture at the first ever Carnavale of Barranquilla held in Coral Gables on Saturday, February 24th. The event kicks off at the Colombian Consulate located at 280 Aragon Avenue at 6 p.m. From the Consulate, colorful floats, dancers in typical ethnic clothing and bands will parade along Aragon Avenue, and then south on Ponce de Leon Boulevard until the party makes its way onto Ponce Circle Park where several bands will take the stage. For more information on the event, call 305-820-0761.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road between Mendoza Avenue (Southwest 16th Street) and Bird Road: The outside southbound lane of Le Jeune Road is closed as paving work continues. All other lanes are open to traffic. There may be intermittent lane closures on side streets between Mendoza Avenue and Bird Road. Paving work will occur during the non-peak traffic hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. weekdays and weekends.
> Le Jeune Road between Andalusia Avenue and Bird Road: Expect delays due to the outside southbound lane closure of Le Jeune Road between Andalusia Avenue and Bird Road. The closure takes place between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. as construction crews conduct concrete, lighting, drainage and resurfacing work. For more information, please contact Carlos Sarmiento at (305) 499-2410 or via e-mail at carlos.sarmiento@dot.state.fl.us.
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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 February 24: "Tai Chi in the Park" with Master Al Agon from Perfect Balance at 8 a.m.; "What Annual for What Season" gardening workshop presented by Cindy David of Living Designs Nursery at 9 .m.; a healthful cooking demonstration by the UM Wellness Center at 10 a.m., and Biscuit the Dog by Alyssa Satin Capucilli visits the market at 11 a.m. On March 3: "Tai Chi in the Park" with Master Al Agon from Perfect Balance at 8 a.m.; "Merrick House/ Old Florida Landscapes" presented by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden at 9 a.m.; sample a recipe by Althea Fink Merrick, mother of the City's founder, during the cooking demonstration scheduled for 10 a.m.; and children will learn about the history of Coral Gables and have the opportunity to paint their own version of the Merrick House starting at 11 a.m. For more information, contact 305-460-5311.
February 21 - March 4: Playwright Neil Simon turns the focus of his latest theatrical performance Brighton Beach Memoirs on his own childhood and family in Brooklyn. Throughout the play Neil describes life as a teenager living in an overcrowded house in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn in 1937. The memoirs continue with a second autobiographical play called Broadway Bound which describes how Neil broke into the world of professional comedy writing. Both performances will be held at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre located at the University of Miami, 1312 Miller Drive. Performances are held Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For specific days when Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound will be playing, call 305-284-3355. Tickets costs $16 for weeknights and Sundays with seniors paying $14 and general admission costs $18 on Fridays and Saturdays with seniors paying $16.
February 22 - March 18: Playwright Sonja Linden has been able to transform the horrors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide into a theatrical performance titled I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda. Sonja wrote the fictionalized account of the massacre after an encounter with Rwandan genocide survivor Lea Chantal who wrote a testimonial of her entire family's murder. Watch the play Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on select Sundays. New Theatre is located at 4120 Laguna Street. Ticket prices are $35 for Thursdays and Sunday evenings, and $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday matinees. For tickets call 305-443-5909.
February 22 - 25: The University of Miami's Frost Opera Theater presents the classic Viennese operetta The Merry Widow. The event, which will mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. premiere of the opera, will take place at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall located on the University of Miami campus, 1314 Miller Drive. Tickets cost $20, seniors pay $10 and UM students and faculty pay $5. For more information or to purchase tickets call 305-284-4886.
February 24: A yard sale to benefit the Rotary Club's Charitable Fund takes place on Saturday, February 24, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 7000 Old Cutler Road. If you want to participate, donate your priced items by February 23 before 5 p.m. Proceeds will be used to pay for community service projects. For more information, contact Sally Baumgartner at 305-491-4180.
February 24 - March 25: What would you do if the person you love happens to be overweight and ridiculed for it? That's the setting for playwright Neil LaBute's latest creation, Fat Pig. You can catch this funny yet provocative play at GableStage which is located at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Thursday through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, call 305-445-1119 or click here.
March 2: G.W. Carver Elementary wants you to become a "Friend of Carver". The school will host its 32nd annual Friends of Carver Arabian Nights Cocktail and Silent Auction on Friday. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, music, an Arabian Bazaar and belly dancing performances. The event takes place at the Colonnade Hotel Rotunda Room, 180 Aragon Avenue, 7-10 p.m. The cost is $20 per person with tickets purchased at the door costing $25. Proceeds will support the multi-language programs at G.W. Carver Elementary and Middle Schools. For more information or to make reservations call Aida Shafer at 305-446-0969.
Through March 2: The University of Miami School of Architecture is holding a special exhibition which offers a glimpse of European architecture. The exhibition titled Architecture in Spain 1935 - 2005 Modernity & Future is free and open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is being housed at the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center Gallery located at 1215 Dickinson Drive, on the University of Miami Campus. For more information, call 305-284-5002.
March 2: Photographer Robert A. McCabe spent four days in Havana, Cuba taking pictures of people rarely seen by the rest of the world. Both Cuba and the United States have strict guidelines governing the type of pictures that can be taken. McCabe fulfilled all requirements and has created a book titled Weekend in Havana: An American Photographer in the Forbidden City. McCabe will be at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, at 8 p.m. to promote the new pictorial book and talk about the experience in the island. For more information, call Books & Books at 305-442-4408.
March 3, 4, 10 & 11: Watch one of the most enduring fairy tales of all time. Rodgers & Hammersteins' Cinderella will be performed at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater at 8 p.m. and includes a modern twist. The performance costs $20 for adults and $18 for children at the door and if purchased in advance ticket prices are $13.50 for adults and $11.50 for children. For more information, call 305-274-3595.
March 3 - 6: The Miami Bach Society is presenting its annual early music celebration featuring classical music from Europe, the Caribbean and Central and South America composed before 1800. On Saturday, March 3rd, Elyma from Switzerland performs the Music of the Cathedral of Oxaca, Mexico. The performance will be held at 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of South Miami, 6565 Red Road. On Sunday, March 4th at 7 p.m., experience Handel's Royal Fireworks Music with Real Fireworks performed by the Miami Bach Society Chamber Orchestra at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue. Monday, March 5th at 8 p.m., Fuoco e Cenere from Paris performs Canta Napoli, 400 years of Napoletan songs. The performance is being held at Church of the Little Flower's Comber Hall, 2711 Indian Mound Trail. On Tuesday, March 6th at 8 p.m. Pierre Robert will perform Music from Versailles at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Boulevard. Tickets range from $30 to $75. For more information or to order tickets, call 305-669-1376 or click here.
March 4: Get your helmets, knee pads and bike ready to go because the Gables Cycling Celebration returns on 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.
March 4: Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children will host the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra as it performs Peter & the Wolf & Friends. This classic story comes to life as the cast of characters are portrayed by instruments. There will be two performances starting at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Gusman Concert Hall located at the University of Miami Campus, 1314 Miller Drive. Tickets cost $10 for children and $12 for adults. For more information or to purchase tickets call 305-271-7150.
March 2 - 4: The annual and highly anticipated Carnaval on the Mile is so popular, it's now a three-day event. On Friday night from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in conjunction with Gallery Night, the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana will take over Ponce Circle Park, 2810 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, for an art exhibition and concert. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. enjoy the signature events you love about Carnaval on the Mile; the food, the musical performances and the art. Carnaval on the Mile will close over 11 city blocks on Miracle Mile from Le Jeune Road to Salzedo Street for your entertainment. For more information click here.
March 5: The Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies and the Dr. M. Lee Pearce Chair in the Middle East Peace Studies presents an informative lecture on Monday. New York Times best selling author, Dr. Michael Oren will be talking about his new book Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present from 8 to 10 p.m. The lecture which will be held on the University of Miami Campus at the 105 Merrick Building at 5202 University Drive, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Please make your reservations by calling 305-284-6882.
March 5 - May 9: Learn how to draw and paint like professional artists through newly offered high quality lessons at ArtRouge Gallery. Portrait Drawing classes will be held Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting on March 5th. The 10 week course is $275. Classes onDrawing the Human Figure will be held on Monday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn how to draw live models using easy to learn techniques. Tuition for the 10-week course costs $200. ArtRouge Gallery is located at 3275 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. For more information, call 305-448-2060.
March 7 & 14: The high-end kitchen appliance store in Coral Gables offers an opportunity to meet the chef of your favorite restaurants. The Celebrity Chef Series continues on Wednesday, March 7 with Chef Alan Hughes from One Ninety preparing a personally selected dishes. On Wednesday March 14, Chef Keyvan from China Grill will share some signature dishes with you. The cost of the demonstration is $30 and reservations are recommended since space is limited. La Cuisine is located at 50 Aragon Avenue. For more information, call 305-442-9006.
March 8: Enjoy a delicious lunch in the company of other seniors while hearing guest speaker Doctor Jerald Berman from the Rand Eye Institute address aging eye concerns. The free Tea & Talk lecture will help seniors understand various age related eye problems and treatment methods that are available. Tea & Talk will be held at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive, at 11:30 a.m. Reserve your seat before March 6 by calling 305-460-5609.
Through April 29: The next Open Air Antiques Market presented by the Globe Café will be held on Sunday, March 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 March 18th, and April 1st, 15th & 29th. For more information, call 786-269-1331.BACK TO TOP
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