Wednesday, June 15, 2005
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CONTENTS:"Pay by Cellphone" Parking is Here
Celebrate "A Fabulous Gables Fourth" at the Biltmore
Venetian Pool Offers Swimming and Lifeguard Lessons
Firefighters Get New Tool to Teach Safety
Coral Gables Among the Top 10 "Most Livable" Small Cities
City Website Offers New "Arts & Culture" Link
South Florida Parenting Honors Gables with Kids Crown Awards
Gables Chamber of Commerce Gets New Home
Prestigious Business School Looks for Coral Gables Home
Celebrate All Things French on June 26
Chilean Latin Rock Band "La Ley" Comes to Coral Gables
PIAG Museum Takes Culture on the Road
Traffic Watch
Cultural Events Roundup
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"Pay by Cellphone" Parking is Here >>> If parking meters in the City of Coral Gables are looking a little green lately, it's for a very good reason. The new green stickers are announcing that visitors to the City Beautiful can now pay for parking with their cellphones. No more fishing around for change or getting a parking ticket because the meter ran out. The new system is the first of its kind in the United States and is available at all on-street and off-street parking locations operated by the City. Coral Gables is offering this service through a partnership with Canada-based Mint, Inc., which provides electronic payment solutions. Those who would like to use this system must first register for the service by calling 1-866-Pay Mint (1-866-729-6468), or by visiting www.mintinc.com on the Web. A Visa or Master Card credit card number, license plate number, cellular phone and e-mail address are required for registration. A confidential password will be provided to each user. Once registered, this is how the system works: a driver pulls into a parking space and calls the number on the green sticker to begin a parking session. The driver leaves and calls the number again to end the session. The system then calculates the applicable parking fees and deducts that amount, plus a .25 cent transaction fee, from the driver's account. For people who park in the Gables often, a $7 a month package will allow unlimited transactions. Parking meter enforcement officers will recognize pay-by-cellphone users by a sticker Mint provides for each registered car. They will also be able to check that a valid pay-by-cellphone transaction is in progress. Customers are responsible for logging out of the system and are liable for any fees incurred until they actually log out. Once a parking session is ended, Mint will send a confirmation text message. Transactions can also be checked online at any time. For more information about the Park and Pay by Cellphone program, call the Coral Gables Parking Department at 305-460-5541, or the Mint Customer Service Center at 1-866-729-6468.
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Celebrate "A Fabulous Gables Fourth" at the Biltmore >>> The City of Coral Gables joins many communities across the U.S. in celebrating July as Parks and Recreation Month. This year, the City also celebrates 10 years of hosting the best Fourth of July fireworks display in town. "A Fabulous Gables Fourth" kicks off Monday, July 4, with two golf tournaments and a tennis match. The Firecracker Open Golf Tournament is $125 per person and starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Biltmore Golf Course. The Sparkler Golf Tournament is $35 per person and starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Granada Golf Course. Then join the Stars & Stripes Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament at the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center for $25 per person. Participants will change tennis partners in each round, ensuring play time with beginners and advanced players. After the morning's exercise, enjoy tasty foods offered by many of the City's finest restaurants starting at 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the majestic Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave. At 5 p.m., enjoy a carnival with bounce houses and face-painting for the kids and more activities for grown-ups. Hopefully, festival-goers will bring lawn chairs or blankets so they can stretch out on the grounds and enjoy an open-air concert starting at 7:30 p.m., introduced by Master of Ceremonies Bob Soper. At 9 p.m., all eyes turn skyward for spectacular fireworks that have made the "Gables Fourth" a signature event of the City Beautiful. Free parking will be available at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Dr., with free shuttle service to the Biltmore. Arrive early for the best spots on the lawn, and leave behind any glass containers, pets, or fireworks, which are not allowed. Advance registration is required for the morning golf and tennis games. For information on the golf tournament, call 305-460-5364. For information on the tennis tournament, call 305-460-5360. For those who wish to stay at the hotel, the Biltmore is offering "Star Spangled Weekend" vacation packages July 1-4. For more information, call the Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600. Call the Biltmore Hotel at 305-445-1926 or 800-727-1926, or visit www.biltmorehotel.com on the Web.
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Venetian Pool Offers Swimming and Lifeguard Lessons >>> The historic Venetian Pool is offering swimming lessons and lifeguard training this summer. The classes run from June through July and are open to children ages five and up, as well as adults. The Pool also is offering a Jr. Lifeguard Day Camp, where children learn about pool safety through fun water activities. The program also includes non-water activities such as arts, crafts and games. Red Cross "Learn to Swim" lessons for children are offered Monday through Friday at 8:30, 9:10, or 9:50 a.m. Cost is $40 per two-week session. Red Cross adult swim lessons are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 6-7 p.m. Three, two-week sessions are offered, and cost is $40 per two-week session. Ellis & Associates lifeguard training is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 10-12. Cost is $150. A series of junior lifeguard training classes are available for children ages 4-10, at a cost of $60 per session for residents and $75 per session for non-residents. Advanced classes for children ages 11-15 also are offered, at the same price. The Venetian Pool is located at 2701 De Soto Blvd. For information, call 305-460-5306 or visit www.venetianpool.com/programs.html on the Web.
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Firefighters Get New Tool to Teach Safety >>> The Coral Gables Fire Department recently acquired a "Surrey Fire Safety House" through a grant. The Surrey House is actually a mobile trailer that can be used at public events to teach people about fire and life safety. It is fully equipped with a Severe Weather Training package, a smoking door system, a generator, a sound system, interior bleachers, and many high-tech upgrades. The trailer also is fully equipped to work as a Mobile Command Center in times of emergency. For information, call the Fire Department at 305-460-5582.
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Coral Gables Among the Top 10 "Most Livable" Small Cities >>> The U.S. Conference of Mayors has chosen Coral Gables among the top 10 "most livable" small cities in the United States. The City Livability Program honors mayors and their city governments for developing programs that enhance the quality of life in urban areas. The awards, established in 1979, are given annually to 10 mayors and their cities. The judges were impressed with the traffic-calming measures that have been implemented in The City Beautiful.
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City Website Offers New "Arts & Culture" Link >>> In the mood for a little cultural enrichment and don't know where to go? Take a look at the new "Arts & Culture" page on the Coral Gables website, www.coralgables.com. From the main page, click on "Arts & Culture" and browse through the City's many offerings, including theater, museums and art galleries. Parents can find cultural activities for their children as well by clicking on "Arts & Culture for Kids" from the Arts & Culture page. For information on happenings nearby, click on "Arts & Culture Around South Florida." To be considered for a listing on the Coral Gables Arts & Culture page, please send an e-mail message to e-news@coralgables.com and include the organization's name, address, telephone number, web address, and a brief description of the type of cultural activities offered.
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South Florida Parenting Honors Gables with Kids Crown Awards >>> Each year, South Florida Parenting magazine readers vote for their favorite activities, products and places to go in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. The result is the Kids Crown Awards, honoring the winners with gold, silver and bronze designations in each county. This year, Coral Gables entities captured six of those awards, in the following categories:
> Best Art Museums for Families: Gold - Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, 1301 Stanford Dr.
> Best Live Entertainment for Kids: Gold - Miami Children's Theater, Coral Gables Youth Center Theater, 405 University Dr.; Silver - Actors' Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile
> Best Children's Story Time: Gold - Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 152 Miracle Mile; Bronze - Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave.
> Best Sports Activity/Classes: Silver - My Gym (various locations, including 2531 Coral Way)
> Best Kids' Specialty Clothing: Bronze - Cheeky, 350 San Lorenzo Ave.
> Best Kids' Furniture: Silver - Pottery Barn Kids, Village of Merrick Park.
The City congratulates these top-notch organizations!
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Gables Chamber of Commerce Gets New Home >>> The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has acquired a new home, and for the first time in its 80-year history, it will own the property it occupies. The Chamber plans to move to its new home at 224 Catalonia Ave. during the summer. The two-story building was built in 1957 and renovated in Mediterranean style in 2001. It houses more than 4,000 square feet of space and is located one block south of the Coral Gables Police Station. For information, call the Chamber at 305-446-1657.
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Prestigious Business School Looks for Coral Gables Home >>> The Kellogg School of Management, a nearly century-old institution widely regarded as one of the world's best, is looking to open a new campus in Coral Gables. The school plans to offer its prestigious MBA program at a South Florida campus in January, and specifically asked State authorities for a Coral Gables location. Kellogg officials say being in South Florida will allow them to better serve the United States and Latin America. The school has been working with Coral Gables officials to find a suitable site.
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Celebrate All Things French on June 26 >>> Come to downtown Coral Gables on June 26 for cocktails and music as the French Institute holds a hometown version of La fęte de la musique, or the festival of music, which is celebrated with outdoor music on June 19 in France. The Institute, located at 4130 Aurora St., will hold the festivities indoors this year. For more information, call 305-774-5716.
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Chilean Latin Rock Band "La Ley" Comes to Coral Gables >>> The Chilean band "La Ley," one of the pioneers of the Latin rock music genre, will perform at the University of Miami Convocation Center at 9 p.m. July 2. The concert is the final stop on the U.S. leg of La Ley's "Historias e Histeria" tour and is the last performance before the group splits up to pursue solo opportunities. The trio blends sounds from British rock and new wave music of the 80s and is known for the powerful vocal range of its lead singer, Beto Cuevas. The band won a Latin Grammy for the 2001 MTV Unplugged album - one of their most highly acclaimed productions. Making a guest appearance that night is JD Natasha, an 18-year-old musician from Miami who is making waves with her music featuring pop and punk rock influences. Tickets are $28, $38 and $48, which includes taxes and parking. Tickets are available at the Convocation Center box office and Ticketmaster, at 305-358-5885 or or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information, call 305-284-8686 or visit www.umconvocationcenter.com on the Web.
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PIAG Museum Takes Culture on the Road >>> The PIAG Museum has created a "museum on wheels" - a colorful bus that takes exhibits and art lessons to schools, parks, art fairs, colleges and communities. The non-profit organization aims to promote the visual arts through educational programs brought directly to the community. Touted as the first mobile museum in the U.S., the PIAG Museum on Wheels allows the public to enjoy art anywhere and to meet the artists, curators, historians and photographers who help put together the exhibits. The traveling museum will be parked in front of the PIAG Museum at 2724 Ponce De Leon Blvd. during Gallery Nights, which features free minibus tours of local galleries on the first Fridays of the month. It will be at other locations throughout South Florida in the coming months. For information, call 305-443-0770 or visit www.piagmuseum.org on the Web.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project continues, so stay tuned for regular updates on possible traffic disruptions in every edition of e-News. Please be patient while some roads are closed during construction - the end result will be well worth the wait. 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 current phase of the project covers improvements from Almeria Avenue to Alcazar Avenue. The Public Works Department is working closely with area merchants and residents to make sure disruptions are kept to a minimum. If you have any questions or concerns, drop us a note at e-news@coralgables.com. The following measures are being implemented along Ponce due to construction:
> Left turns are being restricted at most intersections along Ponce. Police will be enforcing the "No Left Turn" signs. Beginning this week, the four lanes of traffic along Ponce de Leon will be shifted to the east in order to facilitate the contractor space for drainage and construction work.
> The Trolley stops along Ponce at Valencia Avenue, Miracle Mile, Alhambra Avenue and Minorca Avenue have been temporary suspended.
> The valet service adjacent to Houston's, at the corner of Ponce and Miracle Mile, has been removed.
> Alleys perpendicular to Ponce and within the boundaries of the construction will be monitored to make sure vehicles aren't blocking the alleyways. Here are other projects that may impact traffic:
> A sewer line is being installed on Ponce de Leon Avenue between Merrick Circle and Riviera Drive for a new development at Riviera and Ponce. Most of the work is being done at night, but there will be partial lane closures during the day.
> Paving and drainage work is underway at Catalina Place, Angelo Avenue, Trascoro Avenue, Alegriano Avenue and Mendavia Avenue.
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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.
> 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 - seven concerts on Thursday evenings, 8 p.m. at the Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd. For information, call 305-448-7421 or visit www.coralgablescongregational.org on the Web.
> June 15, 16, 17: Fantasy Theatre Factory, Cultural Series for Children and Families, "Cinderella: the Fractured Fairy Tale," 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd. Tickets are $6, which includes price of admission to the Garden. Advance reservations requested. For information, call 305-284-8800 or visit www.ftfshows.com/fieldtrips/index.htm on the Web.
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