Wednesday, May 30, 2007
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CONTENTS:Kerdyk Appointed As New Vice Mayor
Assessing The Building & Zoning Department
Art Cinema Proposed For Museum Garage Space
Hurricane Season Starts Tomorrow
No Motorized Vehicles Allowed On Downtown Sidewalks
City Website Gets Two Million Page Visits Per Year
Nominate A Gables Rising Star
Gables Bus Connection Is Discontinued
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Kerdyk Appointed As New Vice Mayor >>> Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick has appointed William H. Kerdyk Jr. as the new Vice Mayor. Slesnick made the announcement at the May 8th City Commission meeting, after thanking Commissioner Maria Anderson for her tenure as Vice Mayor during the past two years. City Resolution 1228, adopted in November of 1932, created the Office of the Vice Mayor, empowering the Mayor to designate a Vice Mayor. Elected for the first time to the City Commission in 1995, Kerdyk Jr. was reelected this April to his fourth consecutive term.
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Assessing The Building & Zoning Department >>> To improve the efficiency of the Building and Zoning Department, the Office of the City Manager contracted Marilyn Rodriguez, Ph.D. to conduct a study to asses user perception as well as department’s strengths and weaknesses. From February through April, focus groups and random mail-in surveys were conducted with department users such as property owners and professionals, as well as with employees within the department and others. Survey data indicate that most customers are satisfied with the Building and Zoning Department, with inspections and code enforcement receiving the highest rates of satisfaction. With respect to department weaknesses, most surveyed were dissatisfied with the limited working space and the lengthy process. Study recommendations include the hiring of more appropriately trained staff to alleviate the workload, additional employee training especially in customer service, and providing for more working space. Recently, the Code Enforcement section has relocated to the 427 Biltmore Way building, adjacent to City Hall, to alleviate the space crunch on the third floor of City Hall.
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Art Cinema Proposed For Museum Garage Space >>> The City of Coral Gables is soon to enter in negotiations with Coral Gables Cinemateque, a group that will manage an art cinema on the first floor of the Museum Parking Garage located at 260 Aragon Avenue. The 4,200 square foot space is proposed to be converted into a 144-seat art cinema, a venue that would further energize the City of Coral Gables cultural prominence by offering year-round programming. The project was recommended by the City’s Cultural Development Board, and was supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the University of Miami School of Communications, Miami International Film Festival, Books & Books, plus several consulates and foreign cultural offices and area businesses. The City plans to fund the cinema buildout with $250,000 from the Capital Improvement Program, and is seeking additional funding from private donations. Technical buildout and equipment will be donated by International Cinema Equipment and Magna-Tech, leaders in the cinema equipment industry. The management agreement will be presented to the City Commission in the upcoming months for final approval.
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Hurricane Season Starts Tomorrow >>> June 1 is the official start date for hurricane season and time for all residents and businesses owners to review all residential and commercial emergency plans. The National Hurricane Center predicts a very active hurricane season expecting 17 named storms to form in the Atlantic, with seven to 10 of those storms becoming hurricanes. Tropical Storm Andrea has already passed, and hopefully Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van or Wendy won’t knock at our doors. Effective June 1 through June 12, 2007, there is a sales tax exemption on certain hurricane preparedness products. Among the no sales tax items are portable generators selling for $1,000 or less; storm shutter device selling for $200 or less; carbon monoxide detector selling for $75 or less; plus batteries, gas fuel tanks, self-powered radios and more. To obtain a list of all these products, click here.
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No Motorized Vehicles Allowed On Downtown Sidewalks >>> The riding of motorized vehicles, such as Segways or powered scooters, may soon not be allowed on sidewalks of Miracle Mile and the City's business district. In the May 22nd City Commission Meeting, the ordinance banning motorized vehicles passed on first reading. There are exceptions for motorized wheelchairs or other motorized vehicles for the disabled as well as for the Coral Gables Police Department using electric mobility devices during the performance of duties. This amendment clarifies the prohibition of using motorized vehicles upon pedestrian sidewalks after the arrival of Segways, a personal transportation device that was introduced to the market in 2001 and has become very popular in urban cities. The ordinance still needs the Commission's final approval.
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City Website Gets Two Million Page Visits Per Year >>> The www.coralgables.com is a very popular source of information, according to statistics recently announced by the Information Technology Department. From January to December of 2006, the official website of the City of Coral Gables received 2,187,669 page visits, with the most popular pages being the job postings, news announcements and City department information. The busiest times of the day for website visits is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Coral Gables recently began offering on-line registration for parks and recreation programs such as summer camps, athletics, tennis, dance, fitness and wellness, and more. To register and pay on-line for these activities, click here.
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Nominate A Gables Rising Star >>> The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 20/30 Group wants to salute tomorrow’s leaders today. The Rising Star Award was established to honor outstanding young professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate excellence in their business or profession. Applicants need to live or work in the City of Coral Gables or be members of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Nominees will be judged on individual and volunteer achievements. An award ceremony will take place on June 21 at the Good Morning Coral Gables Breakfast. To obtain a copy of the nomination, click here.
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Gables Bus Connection Is Discontinued >>> Miami-Dade Transit has announced that the service provided by bus Route 152, known as the Gables Connection, has been discontinued due to low ridership. To accommodate passengers on this route, bus Route 56 will now be extended to serve Miami Children’s Hospital which was formerly served by Route 152 and provides alternative weekday service along most of the route’s alignment. Route 56 westbound trips will serve Coral Gables up to 20 minutes later. Weekend service to Miami Children’s Hospital will be discontinued. For a description of the service adjustments, click here.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road between Southwest 16th Street and South Dixie Highway: Expect delays on Le Jeune Road with lanes closing between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., and during the overnight hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. During these times, construction crews will be completing road improvements. Lanes on adjacent side streets will also be affected by this work. This is the final step in the Le Jeune Road improvement project. At least one lane will remain open in each direction. Access to residents and businesses will be maintained along with left turn lanes at major intersections. For more information, please contact Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410 or via email at carlos.sarmiento@dot.state.fl.us.
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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 may feature musicians for your entertainment. For a list of art galleries in Coral Gables, click here.
Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays: Promote relaxation after a hard days work with the gentle postures and breathing techniques of Yoga. Basic Yoga is offered at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Mondays and Thursdays from 6 – 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 – 12:30 p.m. Create harmony in your body, mind and spirit. Members pay $11 for a single class or $41 for four classes, residents pay $15 per class or $55 for four classes, and non-residents pay $19 per class or $69 for four classes. The Youth Center is located at 405 University Drive. For more information, call 305-460-5600.
Mondays: The Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center has created a special yoga class just for seniors. Yoga for seniors is meant to build strength, flexibility, balance and coordination for the older generation. The class will be held on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the classroom next to the Fitness Center. Wear comfortable clothing, don’t eat two hours prior to the class and bring a towel. Registration is required at the front desk before attending the class. The Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center is located at 405 University Drive. Classes cost $11 for members or $41 for a series of four classes. Residents pay $15 per class or $55 for four classes. Non-residents pay $19 a class or $69 for four classes. Call 305-460-5600 for more information.
June 3: Miami City Ballet dancers have created a performance just for children devoted to the graceful moves of ballet. The concert Up on Your Toes guides children through the journey of rehearsing and performing with to classic music in beautiful costumes. The 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. performances are part of Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children held at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive. Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for children. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-284-4940.
June 4 – June 27: Get a workout and enjoy a good game of tennis at the same time. Ladies Boot Camp at Salvadore Park Tennis Center will take place Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Women who join will be exposed to match situations and doubles strategy with emphasis on conditioning and cardio workouts. Members of the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center pay $16 a class, residents pay $22 and non-residents pay $28. Salvadore Park Tennis Center is located at 1120 Andalusia Avenue. For more information or to register, call 305-460-5333.
June 5: Explore the music of Brazil and its historical and political contexts with Tracy Devine Guzman. During the lecture Music and Society in Brazil, Guzman will discuss the evolving relationship between Brazilian music and nationalism. The event will take place at the Otto G. Richter Library on the University of Miami Campus, 1300 Memorial Drive, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 305-284-4026.
June 7: The University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum is holding its monthly LoweDown Happy Hour event on Thursday. Don’t miss live music, light desserts and guided tour of the Art of The Pacific from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event is free for Lowe Members and $5 for non-members. The Museum is located at 1301 Stanford Drive. For more information, call 305-284-3535 or click here.
June 7: The Coral Gables Congregational Church Community Arts Program kicks off the 2007 Summer Concert Series with some lively jazz. The event will honor International Jazz Hall of Fame musician Cab Calloway. In fact, Cab’s grandson C. Calloway Brooks will lead the Cab Jivers Jazz Band as they perform at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Boulevard, on Thursday at 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary from $25 to $35. Purchase tickets by calling 305-448-7421, extension 33.
June 7: This summer the Biltmore Hotel will continue its series of poolside events featuring live music, food and drink specials. Kicking off the event at the Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill is the local band LIVE performing from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Thursday night for the month of June. For more information, contact the Biltmore Hotel at 305-445-1926.
June 9 – September 2: View the ceramic art of China without leaving Coral Gables. The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami presents Clay and Brush: Chinese Ceramics from the Lowe Art Museum, a historic survey of the development of Chinese ceramics from the Neolithic Period to the 21st century. More than 190 objects are being divided into three sections: pottery, stoneware and porcelain. The museum is located on the Coral Gables campus at 1301 Stanford Drive, and open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7, and free to museum members, University of Miami students, faculty, staff and children under the age of 12. For more information, call 305-284-3535.
Through June 23: The Italian Cultural Center is hosting an event that is sure to make you a culinary master of Italian food. The Italian Cooking Courses are held on Saturdays at La Cuisine Gourmet, 50 Aragon Avenue, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be no class on June 9th. Make sure to reserve your spot early since these classes fill up fast. Each class costs $60. Call 305-336-3566 for more information.
June 12 – August 21: Want to get back in shape? Join the Adult Basketball League at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. The team meets every Tuesday to play. The games are scheduled at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. The fee for the league is $475 which includes referees, game ball, score keeper, and awards to top team in league. Register by calling 305-460-5600 or by clicking here.
Through June 13: You still have time to sign up for Sunrise Yoga at Venetian Pool sponsored by Shakra Relaxation Oasis and the City of Coral Gables. Every Wednesday, at 6:45 a.m., come practice breathing exercises, and classic Yoga postures while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Venetian Pool, 2701 De Soto Boulevard. The one hour class will be given by professionals from Shakra. Single class price is $15 and pre-registration is required. For more information, call 305-774-1355.
June 14: Mark your calendar. Learn how to
maintain business records manually, payroll records keeping and get an
overview of computerized accounting software when you attend the
Small Business Seminar: Basic Bookkeeping for Your Small
Business. The class, hosted by the City of Coral Gables and
presented by the Florida Atlantic University’s Small Business Development
Center, is free of charge. It will be held at the Coral Gables War
Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For more information or to register, call 305-460-5314 or email jwotherspoon@coralgables.com.
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