Wednesday, April 20, 2005
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CONTENTS:April 12 Election Results
Crime in Coral Gables Drops in Last Five Years
City Seeks Proposals for Senior Housing
Ponce De Leon Improvements Start Soon
Pet Walkers: Pick Up or Pay Up
Police Memorial Takes Place May 5
Don't Miss Bach Society's End-of-Season Concert
Come to the Gusman Center for Cabaret
Feed That Sweet Tooth - Help Cancer Research
Downtown Gables: Free Parking; Fine Shopping
Coral Gables Artist Opens Gallery
Don't miss the Biltmore's Food & Wine Weekend
Children's Theatre Festival Coming Soon
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April 12 Election Results >>> Incumbent Maria Anderson was reelected to a second term as Coral Gables City Commissioner, defeating architect Felix Pardo in his first bid for a City seat. Anderson, who ran a positive campaign on the accomplishments of the City during her tenure, received 55.67 percent of the total votes. Voter turnout at the April 12 General Biennial and Special Municipal Referendum Election was 15.91 percent, with 4,384 people voting out of 27,560 registered voters in Coral Gables. Voters also approved both amendments to the City Charter. The first Charter amendment to increase the term of the Office of the Mayor to four years received 2,242 yes votes, or 52.21 percent. The second Charter amendment to increase the threshold to $25,000 for formal bid and award process on public works projects received 2,412 yes votes, or 58.33 percent. An Induction Ceremony for Maria Anderson, as well as for Mayor Don Slesnick and Commissioner Rafael "Ralph" Cabrera, who ran unopposed, was held last Friday at City Hall. Judge John Schlesinger of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, and a resident of Coral Gables, administered the Oath of Office.
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Crime in Coral Gables Drops in Last Five Years >>> The City of Coral Gables is a safer placer to be than it was five years ago. A recent report released by the Coral Gables Police Department indicates that the total number of violent crimes between the years 2000 and 2004 have decreased by 45 percent. Also, non-violent crimes such as burglary, purse snatching, and theft from motor vehicles and buildings have also dropped by 8 percent. The decline in crime is attributed to the Police Department's implementation of a new squad system, where officers are now assigned to the same area for each shift. This allows them to do a better job of patrolling the same neighborhoods and noticing quickly when things are out of place or unusual. The Police Department also recently joined the Florida Law Enforcement Data Sharing Consortium, the only data and intelligence-sharing coalition in the United States. The Coral Gables police force is now able to identify and catch criminals more quickly by having access to all Florida law enforcement databases for criminal background and activity reports. This type of system has been credited with the speedy capture of suspected sex offenders and the quick recovery of stolen property that ends up across city or country lines.
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City Seeks Proposals for Senior Housing >>> Striving to create a wider range of living options for its elderly citizens, City officials are inviting private developers to submit proposals for a future senior housing facility in Coral Gables. The project, slated to go up where a City-owned parking garage and parking lot now stand, would emphasize active, elderly living facilities, with a limited number of assisted living units. Developers are asked to submit proposals that will replace existing parking as well as provide additional parking for future tenants. The proposals will be reviewed by a City-appointed evaluation committee and the City Manager, and City Commissioners will make the final decision. For more information, call the Development Department at 305-460-5311.
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Ponce De Leon Improvements Start Soon >>> The existing narrow lanes of Ponce de Leon Boulevard between Alcazar and Almeria Avenues are getting a much-needed facelift that will improve traffic flow as well. Construction of the first phase of median and roadway improvements on Ponce begins in May at an estimated cost of $1.8 million. The project is paid for by impact fees, private developers' contributions for landscaping, a grant from the Department of Transportation, and the Half-Penny Transportation Surtax. Similar to what was done on Miracle Mile, the three narrow lanes of Ponce de Leon will be transformed into two wider lanes in each direction, separated by a 14-foot raised and lighted landscaped median with separate turn lanes. Street corners will be improved with decorative concrete crosswalks, new Trolley stops and other features. The second phase of the project, still in the design stages, extends the improvements to S.W. Eighth Street and is estimated to cost $2 million. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 305-460-5000.
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Pet Walkers: Pick Up or Pay Up >>> In February, the City issued a reminder through e-News that people who walk their pets on Coral Gables streets should follow important rules to help keep the streets clean and beautiful for all to enjoy. Mainly, pets must be kept on a leash, they should not enter public recreational areas such as City parks, playgrounds or golf courses, and owners must pick up any waste their dogs leave behind. The City, however, continues to receive complaints to the contrary. The City imposes strict penalties on scofflaws. A first violation will result in a fine between $50 and $200, a second violation triggers a fine between $100 and $250, and third and subsequent violations will result in fines between $250 and $500. Police and Code Enforcement Officers have the authority to uphold these laws, and are on notice to take action against violators. For more information on the rules, call the Building and Zoning Department at 305-460-5226.
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Police Memorial Takes Place May 5 >>> The Coral Gables Police Department will pay tribute to its fallen heroes with a Memorial Ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Merrick Park. Family members of the fallen officers, as well as members of the Coral Gables City Commission and Administration will participate. There will be a 21-gun salute at 4:15 p.m., and light refreshments will be served after the ceremony. The public is invited to attend. The Department will honor these brave officers who were killed while protecting the public: Sgt. Francis Cyril Guest, Dec. 25, 1928; Sgt. Homer Barton, June 5, 1938; Constable Luther T. Hardison, Feb. 17, 1951; Officer Billy Stephens, Nov. 22, 1957; Officer Walter Stathers, Dec. 19, 1967; Officer Robert DeKorte, Jan. 21, 1972; Officer Louis Pena, April 2, 1978; Sgt. Alfred Terrinoni, Oct. 12, 1980, and Officer Robert Bonnet, Jan. 17, 1992 (who died while on duty). Merrick Park is at 400 Biltmore Way, across from City Hall. For more information, call the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-460-5402.
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Don't Miss Bach Society's End-of-Season Concert >>> The Miami Bach Society will conclude its 20th anniversary concert season with a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's B Minor Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at the First United Methodist Church of South Miami. Artistic Director Dr. Donald Oglesby will conduct the Miami Bach Society's Chamber Orchestra and the University of Miami Collegium Musicum in Bach's choral masterpiece. The concert features nationally renowned soloists Esther Jane Hardenbergh, soprano, and Steven Rickards, countertenor, among others. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for preferred admission, if purchased in advance. Add $5 if purchased at the door. Students under age 21 can attend for free, and those over 21 with a student ID card pay $5. The First United Methodist Church of South Miami is at 6565 Red Rd. For more information, call the Miami Bach Society at 305-669-1376, or visit their website at www.miamibachsociety.org.
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Come to the Gusman Center for Cabaret >>> The Coral Gables Jr. Woman's Club will hold its annual Cabaret from April 22-24 at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. This year's show, titled, "Red Hot & Blue," is a fun-filled musical featuring Broadway hits and popular tunes from yesterday and today. The members of the Club practice for months in preparation to star in the show, which is the main fundraiser for the May Van Sickle Dental Clinic - a place where underprivileged children can go for free dental care. The Jr. Woman's Club is a 76-year-old organization of professionals and homemakers from all over South Florida who want to help their community through service projects. Tickets range from $10 to $35, and show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24. The Gusman Center is at 174 East Flagler St. in downtown Miami. For more information, visit the Club's website at www.coralgablesjuniors.com. To buy tickets, call 305-450-6832 or 305-926-3399. Credit cards are accepted.
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Feed That Sweet Tooth - Help Cancer Research >>> Come to Chocolate Fashion in downtown Coral Gables from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 22, for desserts, music and prizes at a fundraiser for the UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Tickets are available at Chocolate Fashion, 248 Andalusia Ave., for a donation of $20 made payable to "Hellenic PCR" - a fundraising arm of UM/Sylvester. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cancer Center, South Florida's only academic medical center. UM/Sylvester opened in 1992 and today serves as the hub for cancer-related research, diagnosis, and treatment at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. For more information on the fundraiser, call Mary Pechewlys at 305-443-0135.
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Downtown Gables: Free Parking; Fine Shopping >>> With free parking at the newly-opened Museum Garage for the next few weeks and an antiques show coming up every Sunday in May, there are more reasons than ever to visit downtown Coral Gables. The Museum Garage, in the 200 block of Aragon Avenue, offers 600 safe parking spots just steps away from the trendy shops and restaurants the Gables is so well-known for. And in May, The Globe Café/Bar puts on its first "Coral Gables Antiques Market," an open-air show along the 300 block of Alhambra Circle where local antiques vendors will be showing their best wares for sale. For more information, call The Globe at 305-445-3555.
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Coral Gables Artist Opens Gallery >>> Coral Gables resident and artist Gloria Lorenzo has opened a studio/gallery at 4065 Laguna St. A sculptor and painter originally from Santa Clara, Cuba, Lorenzo's works have been exhibited in Spain, Belgium, her native Cuba, and other countries around the world. Ms. Lorenzo has also received commissions to create works for private homes in Florida. For more information, call 786-282-6222, or visit the artist's website.
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Don't miss the Biltmore's Food & Wine Weekend >>> Come to the historic Biltmore Hotel from April 29 to May 1 for the Ninth Annual Biltmore International Food & Wine Weekend. This event, hosted by the Biltmore Cellar Club, has raised more than $5 million for South Florida charities through the years and is the only major festival in the country to feature all reserve, single vineyard and upper tier wines, as well as international and local celebrity chefs and winemakers. The event features seminars, wind and food tasting, entertainment and a silent auction. This year, proceeds benefit cancer research at the UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit the Biltmore's website at www.biltmorehotel.com, or call 305-445-8066, Ext. 2095.
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Children's Theatre Festival Coming Soon >>> Bring the family to downtown Coral Gables from April 29 to May 1 for the 10th Annual "Family Fun Days," part of the National Children's Theatre Festival. The weekend is packed with indoor and outdoor events, including performances of the musical fairy tale "Isabelle and the Pretty-Ugly Spell," the "Pirates of Penzance," and a character breakfast sponsored by IHOP with Cinderella, Tigger, Piglet and Winnie the Pooh. The outdoor part of the festival happens along Salzedo Street, between Miracle Mile and Andalusia Avenue, and will also feature song and dance performances by local groups. Other treats include clowns, face painting, food vendors, and a fashion show. For more information and a full calendar of events, visit the Actors' Playhouse website at www.actorsplayhouse.org, or call 305-444-9293.
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