Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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CONTENTS:Slesnick, Kerdyk and Withers Are Reelected
Water Use Restrictions Now In Effect
Florida League Of Mayors Releases Bill Of Rights
Coral Gables Fights Telephone Companies Power Grab
Metal Roof Meetings Begin Today
Herald Hot List Picks Gables Spots
Landscape Beautification Winners Announced
Golden Gables Debuts On TV
Detecting Carbon Monoxide in People
Rock The Plantation For A Good Cause
How Sweet It Is
Special Home Chemicals Collection On April 21
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Slesnick, Kerdyk and Withers Are Reelected >>> Proving that the majority of Coral Gables voters approve of how officials are handling City matters, three incumbents were re-elected to their City Commission seats during the April 10th municipal election. Don Slesnick received 56.67 percent of the votes cast and was reelected to a four term as Coral Gables Mayor. Commissioner William H. Kerdyk Jr. received 78.86 percents of the votes winning his fourth consecutive year term in the Group V seat. In the Group IV Commissioner seat, Wayne "Chip" Withers received 61.91 percent of the votes cast, winning his fifth consecutive term as City Commissioner. The Honorable Frank A. Shepherd from the Third District Court of Appeal conducted the Oath of Office of the re-elected officials at the April 13th's Induction Ceremony. Voter turnout in this year's election represented 18 percent of total registered voters. To see a detailed description of the election's result, click here.
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Water Use Restrictions Now In Effect >>> The Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase II severe water shortage order for the Lake Okeechobee Service Area requiring water users to limit outdoor water use. Coral Gables residents are affected by these restrictions and are asked to follow the general guidelines intended to produce a 30 percent reduction in overall demand on water resources. Residential water users in the affected area are required to limit outdoor irrigation times to two days per week and four hours per day. Residents with odd numbered home addresses will be allowed to water between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Residents with even numbered home addresses will be allowed to water between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays. No domestic water use for outdoor irrigation will be allowed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. In additional, Coral Gables residential users may wash cars, boats and other equipment from 5-7 p.m. and within the specific times and days where irrigation is permitted. Residents are also expected to observe normal water conservation practices within the home. The use of water for firefighting, safety, sanitation, health, medical and other essential purposes will not be restricted. For more information about residential community water restrictions, click here.
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Florida League Of Mayors Releases Bill Of Rights >>> The Florida League of Mayors released last month a Tax Reform Bill of Rights, a one-page document that stresses the need to increase fairness in the property tax system, provide stable sources of funding and avoid one-size-fits-all solutions and unfunded mandates. Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick is a board member of the Florida League of Mayors. The Bill of Rights does not endorse nor criticize any particular property tax proposal. Instead, it stresses control of local funding and for solutions that are fair and respect the unique needs of Florida's great municipal diversity. The League warned that a one-size-fits-all approach to property tax reform is the quickest way to disaster and that city services could be affected by huge cuts in funding. The Florida League of Mayors is an association that complements the Florida League of Cities and provides a forum for Florida's mayors to jointly study problems and find solutions faced by cities throughout the state. To view the Bill of Rights, click here.
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Coral Gables Fights Telephone Companies Power Grab >>> The City of Coral Gables has joined other Florida municipalities to fight an attempt by telephone companies on undercutting local authority when it comes to cable franchise agreements. House Bill 529 resurrects legislation that telecommunication companies attempted last year that would take away the ability of municipalities to regulate cable television franchises. The proposed bill weakens municipalities by repealing the role of local governments in franchising cable television and transferring that role to a statewide permitting system that gives preferential regulatory treatment to companies entering the video business and by allowing the new companies to avoid serving neighborhoods deemed undesirable and to only target customers living in upscale areas or new developments. House Bill 529 will also undercut significant funding for local public education and government access channels such as the award winning Coral Gables Television. For more information on the proposed bill, click here.
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Metal Roof Meetings Begin Today >>> If you have an opinion whether metal roofs should be allowed on single family residences in Coral Gables, don't miss today's meeting at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Garden Center, 10901 Old Cutler Road, from 6-8 p.m. Future meetings will be held at the same time on April 25 at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, and on May 2, Coral Gables City Hall, Commission Chambers, 405 Biltmore Way. For more information, contact the City Manager's Office at 305-460-5202.
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Herald Hot List Picks Gables Spots >>> Do you want to know where to get the best "mojito" in town, what hotel to recommend to relatives, or the best boutique for men? On the April 6's Weekend Tropical Life, readers of the Miami Herald chose the best places to eat, shop and be entertained in South Florida -- and some of the best choices are right here in Coral Gables. The Bar at 172 Giralda Avenue was chosen as runner-up for having the Best Jukebox; Chispa at 225 Altara Avenue was also runner-up for offering the Best Mojito in town. Readers were impressed with Houston's at 201 Miracle Mile for winning as the Best Chain of restaurants; and Damiani at 356 Miracle Mile was selected as the winner in the Best Boutique for Men category. How about the Best Hotel To Recommend To Relatives? The majestic Biltmore Hotel, at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, was the number one choice of readers.
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Landscape Beautification Winners Announced >>> Congratulations to the following Coral Gables residents for keeping their yards looking beautiful and proud! The 2006 Landscape Beautification Awards, a yearly recognition of the best landscaped yards in the City of Coral Gables, are: Mr. & Mrs. Manuel A. Penalver, Mr. & Mrs. Anibal J. Duarte-Viera, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Needle and Mr. & Mrs. Orestes Navarro. A special thank you to this dedicated group of City residents for doing their part in keeping our "City Beautiful."
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Golden Gables Debuts On TV >>> Duplicating the success of the newly published publication dedicated to seniors, Coral Gables Television is now airing the newly produced show "Golden Gables." Watch hosts Mary Pechewlys as the first programming is dedicated to seniors in the golden years of life. The first show includes a profile of the Young Viejos Baseball Team, plus an in-depth interview with senior resident Doug Hafner who volunteers time organizing a golf program for veterans. Watch Coral Gables Television on Channel 77 on Comcast Cable or Chanel 97 on Adelphia. If you have ideas or suggestions for future television shows, please contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Detecting Carbon Monoxide in People >>> Checking your Carbon Monoxide levels is now right at your fingertips. The Coral Gables Fire Department EMS vehicles are equipped with Carbon Monoxide devices that attach to your fingertip to provide an accurate reading in your blood stream. Sitting in a running car with a faulty exhaust, running a gas powered generator or being involved in a house fire can increase your risk of suffering the potentially deadly effects of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The devices can help EMS determine the level of severity of your condition and will come in handy especially during hurricane season when residents increase the use of portable generators. The Coral Gables Fire Department is the first emergency department in Miami-Dade County to use this technology.
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Rock The Plantation For A Good Cause >>> An admirer of the original Coral Gables Merrick House? Mark your calendar for an event that is going to rock the house. The Merrick House Governing Board invites you to "Rock the Plantation" an evening of dinner and dancing to raise funds for the Merrick House historic preservation and educational programs. The event is planned for Saturday, April 28, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Country Club of Coral Gables, 997 North Greenway Drive. Tickets are $175 per person. For more information, contact Event Chair Pupi Perez-Abreu at 305-460-5095.
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How Sweet It Is >>> The Third Annual Chocolate Fashion Is Sweet On Benny helps raise funds to benefit the UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center on Friday, April 27, 5-8 p.m. Hosted by Chef Georges and Persy Berger, along with Benny the Celebrity Bear, enjoy entrée samplings, desserts, music, raffle and auction at Chocolate Fashion, 248 Andalusia Avenue. Donation is $20 per person. For more information, contact Mary Pechewlys at 305-443-0135.
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Special Home Chemicals Collection On April 21 >>> On Saturday, April 21 you can bring your home chemicals and electronics for proper disposal or recycling to any of the three Solid Waste Management locations, and best of all, you will receive a free gift. Bring your oil-based paints, mineral spirits, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and other home chemicals to Miam-Dade County's Home Chemical Collection Centers at 8831 N.W. 58th Street or 23707 S.W. 97 Avenue, Gate B, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also drop them at the City of Homestead Solid Waste Department at 548 S.E. 6 Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are a non-commercial resident of Miami-Dade County, you can dispose or recycle, at no charge, up to 50 pounds of home chemicals. The centers will also accept used electronics for recycling. For additional information, call 305-594-1500 or click here.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road between Southwest 16th Street and South Dixie Highway: Expect travel delays as this area will experience various lane closures between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Lanes on adjacent side streets will also be affected by the road improvement work. Please note that at least one lane will remain open at all times. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained and motorists will be allowed to turn left at major intersections.
> Le Jeune Road Between Palermo and Sevilla Avenues: This month crews are connecting new water lines to the water main in the area which will require two travel lanes to close between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The west side of the road is now being affected. There is one lane is open in each direction. Only a few residents may not have access to driveways during the daytime hours. Please contact Construction Public Information Specialist Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410 or via email at carlos.sarmiento@dot.state.fl.us or Project Administrator Victor Ortiz at 305-525-4956 for more information. Once work is complete on the west side, crews will move to the east side of Le Jeune Road.
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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.
April 18 - 28: The University of Miami's Department of Theater closes its 2006-2007 season with the performance of On the Town. Three sailors on a temporary pass from the Brooklyn Navy Yard make it a mission to find Miss Turnstiles and in the process get a spirited tour of New York's subways, streets, museums, nightclubs and upper floors of Carnegie Hall. The play will be performed at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre located on the University of Miami at 1312 Miller Drive. Ticket prices for weeknights and matinees are $18 for adults, seniors and UM faculty, staff and alumni pay $16 and $8 for students. Friday and Saturday nights regular admission is $20, seniors and UM faculty, staff and alumni pay $18, and $10 for students. For more information, contact the box office at 305-284-3355.
April 18 - 19: As part of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Distinguished Visitors Series, the Frost School of Music presents Steve Reich at 70: A Celebration. The two concerts by the great composer will be held at 8 p.m. at the Victor E. Clarke Recital Hall, 5500 San Amaro Drive with tickets costing $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-284-4940. On Thursday at 5 p.m. take part in the lecture and roundtable discussion: Steve Reich's Writings on Music also being held at the Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public.
April 19: Interested in teaching children how to swim? Want to make a difference in the community through volunteering? The Venetian Aquatic Club has just the job for you. Join the club and help teach children how to swim in the beautiful Venetian Pool. The Water Safety Instructor Aide Course kicks off on Thursday with a complimentary brunch at 9:30 a.m. but the classes will be given from May 8- 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Venetian Pool located at 2701 De Soto Boulevard. For more information or to sign up, call Dallas at 305-445-2671 or Edith Starling at 305-740-4653.
April 19: The City of Coral Gables is hosting a series of Small Business Seminars that are being presented by Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center. On Thursday, Danilo Vargas will discuss the Keys to a Successful Website to include website fees, design tips and how to market your website. The course is free and will be held at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, call Jessica Wotherspoon at the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5314.
April 19: To celebrate 15 years of music and culture, the University of Miami Salsa Orchestra will hold a concert for the public. The orchestra will feature the music of Tito Puente, Miguel Matamoros, Ernesto Lecuona, Arsenio Rodriguez and more. The performance will take place at the Gusman Concert Hall located at 1314 Miller Road at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Make your reservations by calling 305-284-5813.
April 21: The International Affairs Committee of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to the 2007Gables International Festival beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the poolside of the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza. Win trips, hotel stays, sea excursions and much more. Event cost for members who RSVP by April 16th is $60. Cost for on-site registration and guests is $75. For more information, click here.
April 21 - 22: Garden lovers are invited to attend the Bromeliad Society of South Florida Show and Sale being held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Almost a dozen nurseries will be selling a selection of Bromeliad plants at the show. Visitors are welcomed to look at the display of award winning plants that will be located at the Garden House. On Saturday participate in an auction where you can own extremely unique Bromeliads. The show and sale will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden located at 10901 Old Cutler Road. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children ages six through 17. For more information, call 305-667-1651.
April 21: Enjoy the screening of a French film in the courtyard of Books & Books at 8 p.m. The event is curated by Kitty Morgan who will present films of the French New Wave of the late 1950s and 1960s by Francois Truffaut. On Saturday the film is titled Bed and Board (1970) and is about a married woman who finds out she's pregnant, her husband gets a new job and is tempted by another woman. Will love prevail? The French film has subtitles. The screening is free. For more information, contact Books & Books at 305-442-4408.
April 21 - May 20: Golda's Balcony is a moving theatrical performance written by William Gibson and now playing at GableStage. The play is set in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir is involved in a crisis while pondering her most difficult decision yet; whether to utilize nuclear weapons against Egypt and Syria. Performances are held Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Prices for Thursday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. is $35 and for Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. the price is $40. For more information, call 305-445-1119.
April 22: Sunday Afternoons of Music brings two of the most esteemed and influential classical musicians to South Florida for your enjoyment. Cellist David Finckel and wife Wu Han, an accomplished pianist bring their talent and energy to the Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at 4 p.m. General admission costs $40, seniors pay $32 and students pay $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-271-7150 or click here.
April 25 - May 26: The Actors' Playhouse invites a younger audience to experience the theatrical performance of Understood Betsy. Based on the classic novel by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, the play shows how the city-raised Betsy must adjust to life in rural Vermont. Find out how this musical journey ends every Saturday starting at 2 p.m. The Actors' Playhouse is located at 280 Miracle Mile. Tickets cost $12. For more information, call 305-444-9293.
April 26 - May 31: The City of Coral Gables is celebrating its 82nd anniversary this month. In an effort to highlight the City Beautiful and its unique landmarks, residents and visitors are invited to an art exhibit at City Hall titled "A Legacy of Landmarks and Beauty" a pen and ink study of early public buildings in Coral Gables with artist Jorge Fornes.The exhibition runs until the end of May, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. For more information contact the Development Department at 305-460-5311.
April 28: Join the American Cancer Society and fellow Coral Gables residents to walk for a cure in the Relay for Life. The overnight event starts at 6 p.m. on the Coral Gables Senior High School track field. Members of various assembled teams will gather at the field to walk laps in memory of those who lost the battle against cancer. Survivors are also honored in a Survivors Lap. There are several events scheduled throughout the night. For more information on how you can participate in the Relay for Life in Coral Gables click here or call 1-800-ACS-2345.
April 28: Calling all young ballerinas! On Saturday at 11 a.m., grab your tutus and head over to Books & Books for a morning of ballet to celebrate Ballerina National Dance Week. Enjoy a children's ballet workshop and much more. Books & Books is located at 265 Aragon Avenue. For more information, call 305-442-4408.BACK TO TOP
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