Wednesday, April 5, 2006
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CONTENTS:City Manager to be Honored by Miami Today
Miami-Dade Schools, Coral Gables Unite for Education
Go "Eggstreme" for the Golden Eggs
Celebrate National Telecommunications Week
Plan Now for Spring Break, Summer Camp
"Tea & Talk" Covers Legal Issues for Seniors
Gables High Named Magnet School of Distinction
Ponce Middle School Shines in Finance and the Arts
Security Quick-Tips
Pick a Fundraiser - Support a Good Cause
Traffic Watch
Cultural Roundup
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City Manager to be Honored by Miami Today >>> City Manager David L. Brown is in the running for Miami Today's Gold Medal Awards - a yearly program that honors people and organizations, both for-profit and non-profit, that are doing good work within the community. The 2006 Gold Medal Awards mark the seventh year that Miami Today, an award-winning weekly publication, holds this recognition program. Only individuals and companies that received recognition the previous year are eligible for the Gold Medal Awards. Last year, City Manager Brown and City Attorney Elizabeth "Liz" Hernandez were named best in the state by the Florida League of Cities, which selected both as the 2005 City Manager and City Attorney of the Year. The City of Coral Gables congratulates City Manager Brown for a long and distinguished career of public service.
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Miami-Dade Schools, Coral Gables Unite for Education >>> On March 28, the Coral Gables City Commission voted unanimously to partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to create internships, mentoring opportunities and parent/child activities to ensure that every local student has the tools and resources to excel in school and in life. These "compacts" between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and local governments serve to formalize a team approach to providing greater educational and life skills experiences for children in the community. High on the priority list, for example, is a pledge to ensure that no school in Coral Gables will have an accountability grade lower than a "B." The City will work with the public schools system to establish an International Studies High School close enough to Coral Gables Senior High so that it will not only offer specialized studies, but will also serve to relieve existing overcrowding conditions. Other programs under consideration include: working with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce to partner businesses and consulates with schools, connecting students with art galleries to highlight student artwork, placing information kiosks at the Youth Center, and creating a Coral Gables Speakers' Bureau to give teachers access to local experts willing to speak on specialized topics. The City will also collaborate with Miami-Dade Schools on legislative agendas and grant opportunities. The idea came to life several months ago, when Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick met with Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudolph "Rudy" Crew on education issues. For more information, call John Schuster with Miami-Dade Public Schools at 305-995-1126, or the Coral Gables Public Affairs Office at 305-460-5205.
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Go "Eggstreme" for the Golden Eggs >>> Just as Charlie found his golden ticket, children of all ages will get a chance to find the golden egg on April 15, when Coral Gables holds the first-ever "Eggstreme" Hunt & Carnival - the largest egg hunt in South Florida. The hunt kicks off simultaneously at 10 a.m. at 20 City parks, where children will vie for 100,000 prized eggs hidden among the park grounds. Senior citizens are invited to celebrate their own egg hunt at Merrick Park for giveaways and prizes. Toddlers will have a special egg hunt of their own at the Youth Center playground. At 11 a.m., everyone heads back to Merrick Park for a fun-filled carnival with games, bounce houses, pictures with Bunny, and the "Titanic Slide." Participation in the Eggstreme Egg Hunt is free, and rides and carnival games are $.50 each. Merrick Park is located across from City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. For more information, pick up a flyer at the Youth Center, 405 University Drive, or call 305-460-5600.
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Celebrate National Telecommunications Week >>> The Coral Gables Police and Fire Departments will honor 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 9-15. About 40 operators who work in the City's Communication Center receive and dispatch an average of 160 calls per day for both police and fire-rescue service, around the clock, year-round. These individuals help save countless lives and remain poised under pressure. The City will conduct a ceremony to announce the Communications Operator of the Year at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Coral Gables Police Department, 2801 Salzedo St. For more information, call 305-460-5402.
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Plan Now for Spring Break, Summer Camp >>> Spring Break, April 10-14, is just a few days away, and Summer Camp season isn't too far behind, so it's not too early to explore the many programs in store for vacationing children at the Youth Center and the Actors' Playhouse .
> The Spring Break Art Camp is for children ages 7-14 and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Young artists will explore paints, pastels, watercolors, clay and other media. Fees are $180 for members of the Youth Center, $240 for Coral Gables residents who are not members, and $300 for those who are neither residents nor members. Call 305-460-5600 for more information.
> The Club P.L.A.Y. Spring Break Camp is for children ages 5-12 years old and runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Youth Center. Sports, special events, and field trips to Superwheels and C.B. Smith Park are on the agenda. Fees are $95 for members of the Youth Center, $126 for Coral Gables residents who are not members, and $157 for those who are neither residents nor members. Call 305-460-5600 for more information.
> The Gymnastics Spring Break Camp is for children ages 3-15 and is offered at the Youth Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the schedule chosen. Activities include lessons in gymnastics skills as well as arts and crafts, games, movies and more. Fees vary by schedule. Call 305-460-5615 or visit www.gymkidzmiami.com on the Web for more information.
> The Spring Break Theater Camp is presented by Miami Children's Theater and offers children the chance to act, sing and dance on stage every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater. Fees are $112.50 for Youth Center members; $150 for Coral Gables residents who are not members, and $187.50 for those who are neither residents nor members. Call 305-274-3595 or visit www.miamichildrenstheater.com on the Web for more information.
> Summer Camp 2006 at the Youth Center means sports, arts, performing arts and fitness camps to delight every young camper. These Summer Camps will run Monday-Friday from May 30-July 28. Registration for Youth Center members starts April 22; for Coral Gables residents who are not members of the Youth Center on April 29, for Youth Center members who are not Coral Gables residents on May 6, and open registration begins May 13. For more information, visit the Youth Center at 405 University Drive or call 305-460-5600.
> Actors' Playhouse Spring Break Mini-Camp and Summer Camp is offered at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, during Spring Break, April 10-14, and during the summer, June 5-July 28. Both camps offer hands-on training in many aspects of theatre. Fees vary. Call 305-444-9293 Ext. 606 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org on the Web for more information.
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"Tea & Talk" Covers Legal Issues for Seniors >>> Senior citizens ages 55 and older are invited to the Youth Center Theater at 405 University Drive for a "Tea & Talk" session on legal issues that may affect South Florida seniors. As the life expectancy of the average American continues to grow due to medical and technological advances, many senior citizens are experiencing challenges meeting the financial demands of the twilight years. The discussion, led by elder law attorneys Terry Abrams Berger and Valerie Peterson, will focus on the impacts of changes to the Medicaid program, how to plan for incapacity and what to do if you didn't plan, and how to protect savings from the high cost of long-term care. This "Tea & Talk" session starts at Noon on Friday, April 14, with a complimentary lunch. Please call 305-460-5609 to make reservations no later than April 12.
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Gables High Named Magnet School of Distinction >>> Coral Gables High School has been named a Magnet School of Distinction - a national merit award based on criteria such as diversity goals, innovative instructional strategies, student involvement, and parent and community involvement in the magnet school. Graduates of the Coral Gables High School International Baccalaureate Program now attend some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country: Harvard, Cornell, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, Duke, Columbia, the University of Miami, and others. The IB Class of 2005 included four Gates Millennium Scholars, two Hispanic Heritage Award Winners, one National Merit Scholar, among other prestigious titles. Through the years, the Coral Gables IB Program has graduated two Pulitzer Prize winners in music, the 2000 Florida Rhodes Scholar, the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and hundreds of other students who have become leaders in our society. A Coral Gables High School representative will receive the Magnet School of Distinction Award during the 24th Annual Magnet Schools of America Conference April 23-27 in Omaha, Nebraska. The City of Coral Gables congratulates Coral Gables High School and its International Baccalaureate students and faculty for this well-deserved honor.
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Ponce Middle School Shines in Finance and the Arts >>> Ponce de Leon Middle School students wowed gurus on Wall Street and judges at the Miami-Dade County Youth fair recently. Richard Twaits, a 7th-grade civics student, competed against 9,000 other middle school students and captured 1st Place in a recent "Stock Market Challenge" for his essay, "Invest Write." Some members of the New York Stock Exchange intrigued enough to research the points mentioned in his essay and found that he was right on the money. Earning 3rd Place in the Stock Market Challenge were 7th-grade gifted math students Manny Boras, Nicolas Estrada, Natalie Ruiz and Yocelyn Tolosa. Earning similar honors at the Youth Fair, Sarah Callis won 1st Place in Color Photography, and Leo Kaplowitz captured 2nd Place in Graphic Arts CD Cover. In the Graphic Arts Business Package Category, Claude Pinoc won 1st Place, and Mackenzie Helms captured 2nd Place. In the literary arts, more than 16 Ponce Middle School students will have essays published in the "Celebrating What Is Important to Me" anthology, part of an annual student writing contest. In the performing arts, the Leonettes placed First for jazz dance and Second for Hip-Hop dance during the Florida Dance Team Competition in Boca Raton. Congratulations to Ponce de Leon Middle School for fostering such fine local talent.
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Security Quick-Tips >>> The Coral Gables Police Department urges all residents and business owners to follow these tips to stay safe:
> Exiting Your Home or Business: Whenever leaving your home or business, try to be aware of your surroundings. If you see someone suspicious, go back inside and call the police. If you have driven away from the building and think that you are being followed, call the police from your cellular phone. If you do not have a cell phone, drive to a well lighted area that is frequented by police officers or drive to the nearest police station, stop outside, blow your horn several times, then go inside. If you are approached by someone after being followed, do not exit your vehicle. Roll the windows up and continue to sound your horn until someone comes to your aid.
> If a Plainclothes Officer/Detective Comes to Your Home: Should a plainclothes officer come to your home and wish to speak to you, you can request that a uniformed officer respond to that location so you can be sure that the plainclothes officer at your door is legitimate. Another option would be to ask the "Officer" at your door, what department he/she works for, then contact that department and ask them if they have any officers checked out at your address. Always get the telephone numbers from directory assistance or the telephone book, not from the officer at the door.
> If You Are Being Stopped by a Driver in an Unmarked Vehicle: If there is any doubt about whether the driver that is attempting to stop you is a law enforcement officer, you may continue to drive the speed limit to a populated location or police station, or you may call the local police department and ask if they have anyone advising that they are in the process of stopping a vehicle with your description, at your location. If not, ask the department to send a marked police car to your location and you will cooperate fully.
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Pick a Fundraiser - Support a Good Cause >>> Coral Gables will be host to numerous fundraisers over the next few days - don't miss these opportunities to attend fun events for a good cause.
> The Lowe Art Museum and Friends of Art present "Spring into Art," an evening of food, cocktails, and a silent auction showcasing works in every price range from emerging and established artists. The event is at 7 p.m. April 5. Tickets are $150 per person, and proceeds benefit the Lowe Art Museum, the Francien and Lee Ruwich Educational Endowment, and the University of Miami Department of Art and Art History. The Lowe Art Museum is located at 1301 Stanford Drive on the UM Campus. Visit www.lowemuseum.org or call Alison Hesh at 305-284-6756 for more information.
> The Wellness Community presents the "Hot Fashions, Cool Cars" Fourth Annual Party, a fundraiser to benefit the Community, which provides support services to cancer patients. The event starts at 6 p.m. April 6 in the Garden at the Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Avenue, and features Caribbean-style music, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, fine wines, a fashion show and a display of sleek sports cars from The Collection. Guests will be able to purchase $20 gift boxes, one of which will contain a ¾-carat diamond. Tickets are $75 in advance, or $85 at the door. For more information, visit www.twcmiami.org or call 305-668-5900.
> The American Lung Association presents its Third Annual Coral Gables Wine and Food Festival from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 6, along Giralda Avenue. For more information, call 1-800-524-8010.
> The Rotary Club of Coral Gables presents its 15th Annual Gables Promenade at 7 p.m. April 7. A black-tie dinner at the Coral Gables Country Club is followed by a trolley tour through Coral Gables. Proceeds benefit the Community Partnership for the Homeless. For more information, call 305-441-8063.
> The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presents the 11th Annual Sports Classic at 11:30 a.m. April 7 at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue. For more information, call Linda Reynolds at 305-446-1657.
> The Miami Children's Hospital Foundation presents, "I Got Gershwin," an evening of dinner, dancing, and smooth jazz at 7:30 p.m. April 21 at the Coral Gables Country Club, 997 North Greenway Drive. Tickets are $150 per person and include open bar and complimentary valet parking. To make reservations, call Liliana Romero, 305-666-2889.
> The American Cancer Society presents Relay for Life of Coral Gables, starting in the early evening of April 22 and lasting through the night, at Coral Gables High School, 450 Bird Road. Relay for Life is a unique overnight celebration of life in honor and in memory of those touched by cancer. For more information, call Kira Dykstra at 305-779-2860 or click here.
> The University of Miami/Sylvester Cancer Center, in conjunction with Chocolate Fashion, presents the "Benny Good Cause" fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 28, at 248 Andalusia Avenue. For more information, call Mary Pechewlys at 305-443-0135.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project is currently in its final stages, with construction of the median now underway. Areas around the construction area have been barricaded, and "No Left Turn" signs are still in place. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution while driving around the construction zone.
Two roadway improvement projects on Le Jeune Road may also impact traffic. The work involves installing a new water main along Le Jeune Road from SW 8 Street to Altara Avenue, as well as improvements to paving, curbs and sidewalks. The work will be performed around the clock and will involve some lane closures. Construction around Coral Gables High School will be completed during the summer to minimize impacts to the school. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times during construction. For more information on this Florida Department of Transportation project, click here, or call Public Information Manager Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410 or Project Administrator Marlon Lobban at 305-970-7476.
In other construction-related news:
>
Construction of traffic circles along Maynada Street is scheduled to begin
on April 10.
> The
Granada/Bird Road project has been approved by Miami-Dade County.
Improvements to the area include increasing the number of northbound lanes
on Granada Boulevard and Bird Road to help alleviate traffic congestion in
the early mornings.
The following event-related street closures may also impact
traffic:
> The American Lung Association
presents its Third Annual Coral Gables Wine and Food Festival from 5:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 6, along Giralda Avenue. For more
information, call 1-800-524-8010.
> The
final day of 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 on April 30. 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 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 is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5361.
8 March-9 April: The Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents the Tony-nominated musical, The Full Monty,a raucous and heartfelt story of six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, NY, who are willing to go to great lengths to make some cash to help out a friend in need. The Miracle Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile. Performance dates and ticket prices vary. Call 305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org on the Web for more information.
6-16 April: FIU Theatre presents Lanford Wilson's ground-breaking play, Balm in Gilead, a fast-paced exploration of lost innocence and the search for healing and comfort in the dangerous streets of New York. Performances are at the Wertheim Performing Arts Complex in the Studio Theatre, on FIU's University Park Campus, at SW 8th Street and 107th Avenue. Times and ticket prices vary. For more information, call 305-348-3789, or click here.
7 April: The Alexander & Victor Fine Art gallery presents Cuban artist Rolando Díaz at a reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the gallery, located at 314 Miracle Mile. The event is from 7-10 p.m. and is held in conjunction with Gables Gallery Night, an open-air celebration of art held the first Friday of each month in downtown Coral Gables. Call 305-441-2324 or visit www.alexanderandvictor.com on the Web for more information.BACK TO TOP
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