Wednesday, May 18, 2005
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CONTENTS:Historic Merrick House Receives Two Awards
Coral Gables Selected as Best Local City
Firefighters Take Show on the Road
Porsches, Ferraris and Maseratis on Display
Coral Gables Art Club Creations on Display at City Hall
Happy 101st Birthday to an Extraordinary Woman
Walk or Run for Two Good Causes
Boys of Summer Needed
Don't Miss American Bougainvillea Society Sale
Traffic Watch
"Miami Lifestyle" Auction Postponed
Cultural Events Roundup
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Historic Merrick House Receives Two Awards >>> The newly restored Merrick House - the boyhood home of Coral Gables founder George Merrick - has received two prestigious preservation awards. The Dade Heritage Trust gave the Merrick House its 2005 Preservation Award, and the Tallahassee-based Florida Trust for Historic Preservation gave the Merrick House its 2005 Preservation Award for Restoration. After two years of careful restoration work by skilled craftsmen and historical experts, the Merrick House reopened its doors in Coral Gables last December. The Merrick House, at 907 Coral Way, is open for tours on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. For more information, call the Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5095.
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Coral Gables Selected as Best Local City >>> Citing the lush foliage, the exquisite Mediterranean architecture, the arts and entertainment scene and tourist attractions, the Miami New Times Best of Miami 2005 selected Coral Gables as the Best Local City in Which to Live. Other local venues and restaurants won in 33 categories such as Best Hole at a Golf Course, Best Urban Bike Ride, Best Picnic Spot, Best Bistro, and other interesting selections. To view this year's Best of Miami, click here.
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Firefighters Take Show on the Road >>> The Coral Gables Fire Department will join the Miami, Miami-Dade, Hialeah, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne Fire Departments to celebrate EMS Week, May 16-20, with daily community events. The firefighters will travel "caravan style" to a different part of South Florida each day to display the fire trucks and helicopters and to offer free diabetes testing and blood pressure checks to the public. They will also hand out free Medical Information Kits to the elderly and special needs members of the community. The events are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day, at the following locations: May 18: Wachovia Tower Atrium, SE 2nd Street and SE 3rd Avenue. May 19: 10th Street at Ocean Drive, Ocean Rescue Building, in Miami Beach. May 20: Coral Gables Youth Center, 405 University Drive. For more information, call Lt. Hope Gibbs 305-441-5751.
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Porsches, Ferraris and Maseratis on Display >>> With a dream $10 million car display of Porsches, Ferraris, and Maseratis, courtesy of The Collection and the Ferrari Club of America, the City of Coral Gables and the Business Improvement District will celebrate the opening of the Museum Parking Garage this Thursday, May 19, 5:30-8 p.m. at 250 Aragon Avenue. More than 20 luxury automobiles will be showcased by the new facility to celebrate all about parking in Coral Gables. Participants can enjoy mouth-watering offerings from Sushi Maki, Books & Books Café, and other local vendors, plus free decadent ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery (opening soon on Miracle Mile). Radio personality Gina Martell from Love 94 will also participate in the festivities that include live music, plenty of fun, and drawings for prizes including gift certificates from local merchants and Parking Cash Keys. The event is free and open to the public. The new Museum Parking Garage is just feet away from Coral Gables' popular shops and restaurants and provides more than 600 new parking spaces, in a secured and state-of-the-art location. For additional information, contact the City's Public Affairs Office at 305-460-5205.
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Coral Gables Art Club Creations on Display at City Hall >>> The Coral Gables Art Club, a 55-year-old organization dedicated to all forms of visual art, has a collection of its works on display at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. The Club started in 1950 with a few people who met every month to discuss art and share techniques. Through the years, more members came along and they began to invite artists to their meetings for demonstrations. Today, the Club has 40 members who produce art in a variety of mediums, including fabric art, collage, pastels, and prints. It is open to anyone who is interested in art, not just artists. The group meets from September to May and is looking for new members. For more information, call Pat Kavanaugh at 305-445-1308 or Kathryn Whalen at 305-635-6651.
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Happy 101st Birthday to an Extraordinary Woman >>> The City would like to congratulate Gables resident Geraldine Howlett on the occasion of her 101st birthday. Ms. Howlett was born in 1904 and grew up in Niagara Falls, then moved to Florida 37 years ago. She is much beloved by her friends and family for her outgoing personality, determination and spirit. Ms. Howlett is a member of the Friendship Club at the Coral Gables Youth Center and stays in shape by working out three days a week, including practicing Tai Chi and going on three-mile walks with the Dadeland Mall Walkers. She insists on doing her own housework and laundry by hand. At their April 26 meeting, City Commissioners named April 24, 2005 "Geraldine 'Gerry' Howlett" Day and gave her a plaque. She was invited to return for her 102nd birthday celebration.
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Walk or Run for Two Good Causes >>> Put on some comfortable shoes and head out this weekend to get some exercise and perform a good deed. On Saturday, May 21, The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce holds its 10th Annual Baptist Health "Tour of the Gables 5k." The race starts and finishes at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. Registration is at 6:30 a.m., and the race starts at 7:30 a.m. The Chamber will donate part of the money raised to local charities. For information, call 305-666-7223 (305-666-RACE) or visit www.footworksmiami.com on the Web. On Sunday, May 22, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holds its annual Great Strides event, the organization's largest national fundraiser. This year's three-mile walk is titled "Great Strides - Sunset Stroll," and winds through scenic Coral Gables and South Miami streets. Registration is at 4 p.m. at Sunset Elementary, 5102 SW 72 St., and the walk starts at 5 p.m. For information, call Eden Carr at 305-947-4243 or visit www.cff.org/great_strides on the Web.
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Boys of Summer Needed >>> Attention all boys ages 11 to 15: If you like to play ball, grab your bats and gloves and head over to Coral Gables High School for a Summer Baseball Camp offered by the Coral Gables Police Athletic League. The camp is for boys only and runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6-17. There is no cost for attending the camp, and a free lunch will be provided each day. Coral Gables High School is at 450 Bird Rd. Parents, please call 305-460-5637 to register your sons.
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Don't Miss American Bougainvillea Society Sale >>> Come to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden this weekend for the American Bougainvillea Society Sale, offering an unparalleled selection of Florida's finest Bougainvillea. Visit the "Collector's Corner" and see reliable favorites, extraordinary hybrids and new multi-color varieties for sale. The show runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, May 21-22. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and free to children ages 12 and under. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is at 10901 Old Cutler Rd. For information, call John Lucas at 954-989-7617 or visit www.fairchildgarden.org on the Web.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project starts this week, so stay tuned for regular updates on traffic disruptions. This first phase of the project covers improvements from Almeria Avenue to Alcazar Avenue. Please be patient while some roads are closed during construction - the end result will be well worth it. About a year from now, Ponce de Leon will have a whole new look: A landscaped, lighted median, dedicated turn lanes to improve traffic flow, and sidewalk improvements including trolley stops and new crosswalks. The City will work closely with area merchants and residents to make sure disruptions are kept at a minimum. If you have any questions or concerns, drop us a note at e-news@coralgables.com. Here are some other street closures to look out for: - May 16-20: the City plans to start paving and striping Blue Road this week; expect periodic traffic delays. - May 20: the 300 block of Alhambra Circle will be closed all day in connection with an event by The Globe. - May 20: the 400 block of Biltmore Way will be closed from 3 to 11 p.m. in connection with an event by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
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"Miami Lifestyle" Auction Postponed >>> The "Miami Lifestyle" auction, originally scheduled for May 4 at the Biltmore Hotel to raise money for economic development in Miami-Dade, has been postponed until Sept. 26. Stay tuned for more details closer to the date.
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Cultural Events Roundup >>> The following is a list of upcoming events put on by recipients of the Coral Gables Cultural Grant. Event schedules are subject to change, so please call the organizations directly in advance of a show.
> May 21: Miami Civic Music Association, David Lessner, piano, 8 p.m. concert at Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami, 1314 Miller Dr. For information, call 305-667-9905.
> May 22: Sunday Afternoons of Music, 4 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami, 1314 Miller Dr. For information, call 305-271-7150 or visit www.sundaymusicals.org on the Web.
> May 22: Miami Children's Chorus, "Let the Children Sing," 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, 536 Coral Way. For information, call 305-662-7494.
> May 29: Chopin Foundation of the United States, Chopin Festival, Rachel Kudo, piano, 3 p.m. concert at Granada Presbyterian Church, 950 University Dr. Part of a free, monthly concert series. For information, call 305-868-0624 or visit www.chopin.org on the Web.
> June 2-26: City Theatre, Summer Shorts 2005 - The 10th Anniversary Festival, at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre at the University of Miami, 1312 Miller Dr. For information, call 305-755-9401 or 305-365-5400 box office, or visit www.citytheatre.com on the Web.
> June 2-26: Teatro Avante, XX International Hispanic Theatre Festival. For information, call 305-445-8877 or visit www.teatroavante.com on the Web.
> June 2-Aug. 25: Coral Gables Congregational Church Community Arts Program, 2005 Summer Concert Series, 7 concerts on Thursday evenings, 8p.m. at the Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd. For information, call 305-448-7421 or visit www.coralgablescongregational.org on the Web.
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13 Miami New Times Best of Miami 2005 winners >>>
Best Local City in Which to Live: Coral Gables
Best Hole at a Golf Course: Sixth at the Biltmore Golf Course (Readers' Choice), 1210 Anastasia Avenue
Best Place to Meet Intelligent Men, Best Bookstore and Best Reading Series: Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue
Best Picnic Spot: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road
Best Place to Rollerblade: Old Cutler Road from Cocoplum/LeJeune to Ludlam Road
Best Urban Bike Ride: Granada Boulevard
Best Toy Store: Animated Toys, 479 Biltmore Way
Best Juice Bar: Jamba Juice, various locations including 208 Miracle Mile
Best Argentine Market: La Estancia Argentina, 4425 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Best Wine Store: Wolfe's Wine Shoppe, 124 Miracle Mile
Best Movie Theater: Bill Cosford Cinema, University of Miami, 1111 Memorial Drive
Best Restaurants in Coral Gables: Pascal's on Ponce, 2611 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, and Houston's (Readers' Choice), 201 Miracle Mile
Best Bistro: Brasserie Les Halles, 2415 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Best Indian Restaurant: House of India, 22 Merrick Way
Best Restaurant Name: Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle Mile
Best Chef: Norman Van Aken
Best Inexpensive Italian Restaurant: La Gastronomia, 127 Giralda Avenue
Best Puerto Rican Restaurant and Best Hamburger: Carmen the Restaurant, 700 Biltmore Way at the David William Hotel
Best Restaurant for Dining During a Hurricane: Palme d'Or at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue
Best Place to Dine Alone: The café at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue
Best Greek Restaurant: Mylos, 1111 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Best Chain Restaurant: The Palm, 4425 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Best Restaurant To Take Out-of-Towners: Chispa, 225 Altara Avenue
Best Caesar Salad: Christy's (Readers' Choice), 3101 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Best Healthy Fast Food: Giardino's Gourmet Salads (Readers' Choice), 30 Giralda Avenue
Best Place for Tea and Scones: Theine, 119 Madeira Avenue
Best Tiramisu: Via Quadronno, Village of Merrick Park, 320 San Lorenzo Avenue, Suite 1205
Best Black Bean Soup: Norman's, 21 Almeria Avenue
Best Microbrewed Beer: Titanic Restaurant & Brewery, 5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Best Ceviche: Cacao, 141 Giralda Avenue
Best Bar Food: The Bar, 172 Giralda Avenue
Best Happy Hour: JohnMartin's Irish Pub & Restaurant: 253 Miracle Mile
Best Public Restroom: Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave.
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