Wednesday, May 3, 2006
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CONTENTS:City Commission Approves Purchase of 427 Biltmore Way
City Manager David L. Brown Honored by Miami Today
And The Telly Award Goes To: CGTV
East/West Route of Coral Gables Trolley Suspended
Help Prevent Stormwater Pollution
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
Get Ready For Hurricane Season
Register Your Children Now For Summer Camp At Youth Center
I Love You, You’re Perfect. Now Let’s Eat!
Join Tour of the Gables 5K Run/Walk
Traffic Watch
Cultural Roundup
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City Commission Approves Purchase of 427 Biltmore Way >>> On April 18, the Coral Gables City Commission gave approval to purchase the building located at 427 Biltmore Way, adjacent to City Hall. City officials gave the green light to purchase the 12,333 square feet property for $4.6 million with the primary intent to preserve the integrity of the block where Coral Gables City Hall is located and safeguard it for future generations. The City’s Budget Advisory Board, Property Advisory Board, and Economic Development Board were in support of the acquisition. To finance the purchase, City Commission authorized a loan of $6 million from the Sunshine State Governmental Financing Commission, amortized over 25 years, which will be used to acquire the property, make building and office upgrades, and pay for Museum Parking Garage capital improvements. A portion of the 427 Biltmore Way building will be used to provide additional space for City staff that is currently suffering from office overcrowding. For additional information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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City Manager David L. Brown Honored by Miami Today >>> Coral Gables City Manager David L. Brown, Florida League of Cities’ selection for City Manager of the Year among all municipalities in the state of Florida, was honored by the weekly Miami Today as a top community leader. Brown was among five outstanding leaders and four prominent companies receiving honors at the Seventh Annual Gold Medal Awards dinner ceremony that took place April 19 at Miami City Club. The honorees were selected from among 44 top award winners of respected local and national competitions held within the past year. Judges made the selections based on the importance of the achievements for which nominees had already won recognition as well as the long-term impact of their success in this community. Former Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President and U.S. Army Reserve Colonel Lettie Bien was honored with the Gold Medal, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Judge Steven Leifman received the Silver Medal and Brown the Bronze Medal for his exemplary efforts as Coral Gables City Manager. Bronze Medals were also awarded to City of Miami Beach Tourism and Convention Director Michael Aller, and Miami Dade College educator Dr. Ana M. Cruz. Organizations that were also recognized included Teach for America (Gold), The Related Group (Silver), The University of Miami and The United States Southern Command (Bronze). For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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And The Telly Award Goes To: CGTV >>> The creative team of Coral Gables Television (CGTV) has received a Bronze Telly statuette for outstanding achievement in a television program. The award was presented to the City of Coral Gables for the nine-minute video "Coral Gables: An Exceptional City," an informational television program showcasing the City's accomplishments of 2004-2005 and the goals set for the upcoming year. The award winning video was aired during last year's budget hearings to unveil the new fiscal plan. Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives more than 12,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Because of the high number of entrants, earning a Telly Award is a significant creative achievement. Produced and edited by CGTV staff member Tony Leal, hosted by Liane Morejon and written by Maria Rosa Higgins Fallon, the video can be viewed at the City's web site at www.coralgables.com by clicking on the video link from the homepage. Cable subscribers can view CGTV at Channel 77 in most of Coral Gables, Channel 18 in parts of Western Coral Gables, and Channel 97 in Deering Bay and Kings Bay. Internet users can watch CGTV live at www.coralgables.com. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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East/West Route of Coral Gables Trolley Suspended >>> Due to insufficient demand, the East/West Route of the Coral Gables Trolley traveling from the Biltmore Hotel through Miracle Mile to Douglas Road, has been suspended. The popular North/South route along Ponce de Leon Boulevard with stops from S.W. 8 Street to the Douglas Road Metrorail Station, and averaging 3,000 passengers per day, will continue with no interruptions in service. City leaders made the decision to cancel the East/West route after analyzing the low numbers in ridership since the Trolley’s inception in 2003. On an average day just 30 people boarded the Trolley running on Biltmore Way and Miracle Mile. A decision has not been made to expand other proposed routes for the Coral Gables Trolley. For additional information, contact the Coral Gables Trolley at 305-460-5070.
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Help Prevent Stormwater Pollution >>> With summer rains around the corner, the City of Coral Gables wants to remind all residents that the quality of the City’s surface water and groundwater can be altered not only by the effects of nature, but also by mankind. Both residents and businesses are asked to take proper steps to protect the water quality of our City, knowing that anything that spills on the ground could contaminate the source of drinking water, the aquifer, which is located just below the surface. The following is a list of important tips that can help prevent stormwater pollution:
> Never dump anything in washes or storm drains
> Never pour used motor oil on the ground; recycle instead
> Take your car to the car wash where the dirty water is prevented from polluting the environment
> Use fertilizers sparingly and never use before it rains
> Minimize pesticide use and avoid highly toxic products
> Pick up after your pet.
By doing your part in keeping the City’s ground water clean, you will make a great contribution to maintain the community clean and beautiful.
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Honoring Our Fallen Heroes >>> The City of Coral Gables will pay tribute to nine police officers for making the ultimate sacrifice in protecting this community. The public is invited to participate in a Memorial Ceremony on Thursday, May 6, 4 p.m., at Merrick Park, across from City Hall, in tribute to those brave officers killed in the line of duty. Always remembered as Coral Gables heroes are Sergeant Francis Cyril Guest (1928), Sergeant Homer Barton (1938), Constable Luther T. Hardison (1951), Officer Billy Stephens (1957), Officer Walter Stathers (1967), Officer Robert DeKorte (1972), Officer Louis Pena (1978), Sergeant Alfred Terrinoni (1980), and Officer Robert Bonnet (1992). For additional information, contact the Coral Gables Police Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5402.
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Get Ready For Hurricane Season >>> With less than a month before the start of hurricane season, the City of Coral Gables wants to ensure that all residents and businesses are prepared for the next storm. It is imperative to develop a family or business plan, create a disaster supply kit, have a place to go in case you need to evacuate, secure your home or business, and have a plan for your pet. It is also important to remember that you, your family or your business must be prepared to be on your own for at least 72 hours after a storm. That is at least three days without electricity, telephone, cable, water, gas, ice, medicines, or any other modern conveniences. Your local government will be very busy during this time with important functions such as rescue/recon, damage assessment and debris removal. It may take several days before vital services are restored. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable during these situations and are urged to attend a special program “Tea and Talk: Hurricane Preparation. Are You Ready?,” presented at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center on Friday, May 12 at Noon. Registration is required by May 9. For additional information on this program, please call 305-460-5609.
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Register Your Children Now For Summer Camp At Youth Center >>> The City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department is coordinating exciting summer camp activities under the theme of “Around the World in 48 Days.” Children can participate in various programs such as Summer Art Camp, Club Play Summer Camp, My First Camp, Primetime Camp, Half Day Fun Club, Summer Performing Arts Camp, Gymnastics Camp, and the popular basketball, baseball, T-Ball, soccer, sports development, fitness condition, high school football, tennis, and junior lifeguard camps. For more information on these programs visit the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center at 405 University Drive or contact the main office at 305-460-5601.
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I Love You, You’re Perfect. Now Let’s Eat! >>> Coral Gables seniors are invited to enjoy this hilarious new musical on the good, the bad, and the just the plain ugly of going out on the town. Please reserve your spot today to attend this play on Wednesday, May 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Actor’s Playhouse at Miracle Theater, 280 Miracle Mile. The social is presented by the Senior Services Division of Parks and Recreation Department. For additional information, call Helen Barnfather at 305-460-5609.
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Join Tour of the Gables 5K Run/Walk >>> The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce invites all residents and corporate joggers to be part of the 11th Annual Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K Race and Walk.Businesses can participate in the corporate challenge for bragging rights, and a trophy, as the company with the most number of participants. The run or walk begins and ends at City Hall at 405 Biltmore Way on Saturday, May 20, at 7:30 a.m. and tours through scenic parts of Coral Gables. Proceeds of the event will go toward local community charitable organizations. For information on sponsorships, contact Linda Reynolds at 305-446-1657. To register on-line, click here.
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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.
Improvements on Le Jeune Road continue: From
S.W. 9 Street to S.W. 16 Street, the southbound corridor
will be closed on Le Jeune Road. A barrier wall will be placed on the
westside of the median on Le Jeune Road for a lane shift of the southbound
traffic to the northbound side with one lane in each direction. The
watermain installation, drainage and concrete work will also be performed
along Le Jeune Road. Detour signs and access for local traffic for
businesses and residences that travel from Le Jeune Road to westside
streets will be posted at S.W. 13 Terrace. Local traffic on side
streets, from S.W. 9 Street to S.W. 15 Street, will have access to enter
Le Jeune Road, southbound only. For more information on this Florida
Department of Transportation project, click here, or
call Public Information Manager Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410.
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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.
May 10-12: “The A.E. Backus Road Show” with free appraisals of the work by late Fort Pierce artist Albert Ernest Backus takes place at the Coral Gables Junior Women’s Club, 1009 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Collectors of A.E. Backus paintings can bring their artwork to have them appraised and catalogued. For additional information, contact the A.E. Backus Gallery & Museum at 772-465-0630.
May 12-20: The jungle is jumping with jazz when Miami Children’s Theater presents Disney’s Jungle Book at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. Join Mowgli, Baloo, King Louie and the gang as they swing their way through madcap adventures and thwart the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan. Specially adapted from the beloved film, this musical includes all your favorite Disney tunes, like “The Bare Necessities,” and “I Wan’na Be Like You.” Performances take place at 8 p.m. on May 12, 13, 19 and 20. Tickets purchased in advanced are $12 for general admission and $10 for children. Tickets purchased at the door are $15-$20. For more information, contact 305-274-3595.
May 12: Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will discuss and sign her book, “The Mighty and the Almighty,” beginning at 8:30 p.m. at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Boulevard. Free tickets are available at all Books and Books location. For more information, click here.
May 12: Seraphic Fire, Miami's professional chamber choir, presents The Complete Motets of J.S. Bach, at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 536 Coral Way. Twelve of the most talented ensemble singers from across the country come together to present some of Bach's meticulously crafted and magnificently challenging music. Tickets for adults are $28, $15 for seniors, students, and children. For more information, call 305-476-0260 or visit www.seraphicfire.org.
May 12-13: The 19th Annual Quilt Fest takes place at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Auction on Saturday at 2 p.m. The event features the work of local quilters and students, special traveling exhibits including the Organ Donor Family Memorial Quilt exhibited at the State Capitol, featured artist, and more than 20 vendors from around the country. Admission is $6. For more information, contact Rosa Brito at 305-385-8063.BACK TO TOP
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For e-News en español, click here.
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