Wednesday, July 11, 2007
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CONTENTS:Next Commission Meeting Takes Place At Biltmore Hotel
Metal Roofs Permits To Open For 90 Days
Defibrillators To Be Required In Certain Gables Buildings
What It Takes To Maintain All City Vehicles
Gables Communicates With Other First Responders
This Old Gables House
Planting And Trimming Trees By The Numbers
Hispanic Community Health Study Coming Soon
Coral Gables High To Host 30th Year Reunion
Providing Safe And Well Information After Disasters
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Next Commission Meeting Takes Place At Biltmore Hotel >>> The next City Commission meeting will not take place at Coral Gables City Hall. Instead, the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting of Tuesday July 17 will be held at the Merrick Room at the Biltmore Hotel Conference Center of the Americas beginning at 9 a.m. The Budget Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, July 18 beginning at 9 a.m. will also take place at the Merrick Room. The temporary change of venue is due to the ongoing work being completed at City Hall Commission Chambers which is getting an upgrade of audio visual equipment, Chamber restoration and a new ADA accessible speaker podium.
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Metal Roofs Permits To Open For 90 Days >>> On June 26, the City Commission gave the initial approval to allow metal roofs on single family residences located in South Gables (east of South Dixie Highway/U.S. 1) for a period of 90 days. After months of debate on whether to allow metal roofs in Coral Gables, the Commission solicited input for amending the Zoning Code to permit metal roofs citywide or in a specific area of the City. The latter proposal was favored, but only after requesting additional guidelines further limiting allowable colors, use, design, style, type of installation for metal roofs, among other criteria. The temporary measures would only allow metal roofs for single family residences in areas of the City, east of South Dixie Highway/U.S. 1 subject to criteria. If approved on Second and final reading, scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 17 at the Biltmore Hotel, the City will accept permit applications for metal roofs for 90 days from the date of adoption. City staff will return to the Commission within 180 days of adoption with a progress report on metal roofs, at which time the Commission may provide further direction. For more information on the July 17 metal roofs agenda item, click here on or after July 13.
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Defibrillators To Be Required In Certain Gables Buildings >>> Nationwide, around 450,000 people are victims of a massive heart attach every year. Fifty percent of those suffering from sudden cardiac arrest die as a result. The good news is that, a new City Code will soon require buildings of a certain size in Coral Gables to have automated external defibrillators installed and maintained on premises to increase the survivability rates. The City Commission recently approved on first reading a new law that mandates that the life-saving defibrillators be available for use on places of public assembly, office buildings in excess of 20,000 square feet, gymnasiums, fitness centers and indoor recreational centers in excess of 1,500 square feet, restaurants with 100 or more seats, commercial and retail spaces in excess of 35,000 square feet, and all hotels and motels within Coral Gables. Building owners are responsible for the installation and operation of defibrillators which cost around $1,000, an investment that can save lives.
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What It Takes To Maintain All City Vehicles >>> While most citizens have never heard of the Automotive Department, their work is essential to the delivery of municipal services. This unit of local government is responsible for providing a safe and reliable fleet of vehicles and equipment suitable to the functions of the entire City. The current fleet is over 700 vehicles including police and fire vehicles, waste collection, generators, motorcycles, boats and tractors. The Department does preventive maintenance, general repairs, hydraulic, welding, auto-body, and electrical work performed by a crew of well-trained ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified mechanics. The teamwork and technological advances keep the City’s fleet in optimal operating condition, with an average availability of 94 percent, while remaining cost-effective and efficient.
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Gables Communicates With Other First Responders >>> The City of Coral Gables has become a member of the Florida Interoperability Network, a group of more than 200 dispatch centers for fire rescue, emergency management and law enforcement in 62 counties who can communicate directly during critical events. This network enables first responders on dissimilar radio systems and frequencies to communicate with each other as connected talk groups without requiring the replacement of local 9-1-1 systems, ensuring that wherever first responders travel — now including Coral Gables — will have radio communication capability at all times.
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This Old Gables House >>> If you live in a historically designated home in Coral Gables and are proud to tell the world, consider being part of Coral Gables Television’s new program that will showcase the historic homes of the City. Producers of CGTV are looking for historic homes in Coral Gables with willing homeowners that will allow the filming of the home to showcase the architectural style and beauty of the property. Homeowners will also be interviewed for the program. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Maria Rosa Higgins Fallon at 305-460-5205 or via e-mail at mfallon@coralgables.com.
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Planting And Trimming Trees By The Numbers >>> If you think maintaining the City of Coral Gables’ beautiful surroundings is an easy job, think again. Every day, a lot of hard work is accomplished by the Public Service Department in charge of the landscape maintenance of all the City’s parkways, medians, swale areas, parks and parking lots. This year alone, City crews have trimmed 6,500 trees, planted 575 new trees, and removed 274 trees. Among the projects accomplished in the last months is the landscaping of the newly inaugurated Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, new irrigation and landscaping at Orduna Park, as well planting more trees in Kings Bay. Trees are very important and valuable to Coral Gables: not only do trees provide cooling shade and purify the air, trees give this City a distinct look of being a nationally designated “Tree City USA.”
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Hispanic Community Health Study Coming Soon >>> On average, Hispanics in the United States lead longer lives than non-Hispanics, despite having less access to healthcare. To discover the issues that affect the health of the Hispanic population, the University of Miami, as one of four sites in the country, will conduct the largest long-term study of health and disease in the Hispanic population living in the United States. Researchers will study not only diseases and risk factors, but also family relationships, cultural values and levels of assimilation. Study participants will be asked questions regarding medical, family and work related history, lifestyle practices and will receive complete physical exams including blood tests, electrocardiogram, dental exam, among others. Residents of the City of Coral Gables, among other areas in Miami, will be selected at random to participate in the study that begins in September. Residents working with Hispanic/Latino groups or who live in the designated area of the study can play an important role in this study by becoming a member of the Community Advisory Committee. For more information, contact Hispanic Community Health Study –SOL, Recruitment and Outreach Manager Brendaly Rodriguez at 305-243-1392 or via e-mail at hchs-sol@miami.edu.
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Coral Gables High To Host 30th Year Reunion >>> Graduates of Coral Gables Senior High will have a chance to go back to memory lane. The Class of 1977 will hold its 30th high school reunion on the weekend of July 20-22 with a series of activities organized to reacquaint with old friends and relive those unforgettable high school memories. Friday evening begins with a Happy Hour party at Chispa Restaurant, followed by a dinner at the Westin Colonnade Hotel on Saturday night. The weekend will culminate with a brunch on Sunday in the hotel’s Rotunda. For more information, contact Kelly Altosino-Sastre at 305-444-2508 or by clicking here.
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Providing Safe And Well Information After Disasters >>> After landfall of a storm, many families struggle to find out if loved ones have survived the ordeal, sometimes having to wait weeks before knowing about their well-being. In order to relieve those high anxiety moments and provide a way of communicating with family members, the American Red Cross has launched a Safe and Well Website which provides users who have been affected by a disaster to register and indicate to the world that they are “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, users can select those that need to be communicated to family members, whether residing at home, at a shelter, with neighbors, and whether they will be calling or e-mailing soon. Concerned family and friends can then search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of Date,” and the “safe and well” messages selected. To have access to this website, click here.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road between Southwest 16th Street and South Dixie Highway: Expect lane closures at various locations on Le Jeune Road between the hours of 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. Crews are in the final stages of construction which includes minor concrete work, signalization improvements and roadway resurfacing. One lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Side streets adjacent to Le Jeune Road may be affected by the work. For more information, 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 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 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 in 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.
July 11 – September 2: The Actors' Playhouse is bringing back famed satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer with the play Tom Foolery. See Lehrer's twisted take on a number of issues through his remarks and songs. Performances are held Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday matinee at a cost of $38.50; and Friday and Saturday evenings for $46. For information on specific times, call the box office at 305-444-9293. The Actors' Playhouse is located at 280 Miracle Mile.
July 12: The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami is holding a special “Taiwanese Film Night” featuring an award-winning movie that emphasizes Asian culture and history. On Thursday, at 7 p.m. watch “The Puppetmaster” by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, an epic narrative of one man’s struggle against a seemingly insurmountable adversary. The film, sponsored by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami, will be played at the Storer Auditorium located at 5250 University Drive in the UM School of Business complex. Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 305-284-3535 or click here.
July 14: Celebrate the French Bastille Day with a Culinary Demonstration and Champagne Luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel’s Granada Ballroom. This year the celebration is headed by the hotel’s two French chefs Philippe Ruiz and Guy Gateau. The event starts at noon. The Biltmore Hotel is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue. Cellar Club and Premier members pay $48 and non-members pay $60. To reserve your spot, call 305-913-3203.
July 14 & 15: The ever popular Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden International Mango Festival is back! This year’s two-day festival will showcase Mangoes of the Caribbean. See one of the world’s largest displays of locally grown mangoes, enjoy tasting the varieties, see food demonstrations and buy trees from Fairchild’s very own collection. This event starts at 9:30 a.m. and wraps up at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children ages 6 through 17. For more information, call 305-667-1651 or click here.
July 18: Say “g’day mate” to the flavorful wines and creative cuisine from our friends ‘Down Under.’ The Biltmore Hotel is offering you the opportunity to experience Australian Wine Themed Dinner. The tasteful meal will take place at the 1200 Courtyard Grill located at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, starting at 7 p.m. Cellar Club & Premier members pay $59 while non-members pay $75. To make reservations for this event, call 305-913-3203.
July 19: There are unmistakable similarities
between Nat “King” Cole and his brother Freddy Cole. Join Freddy Cole as
he plays the piano and sings with the Freddy Cole Quartet
during the Coral Gables Congregational Church Summer Concert Series. This
memorable event will take place at the Coral Gables Congregational Church,
3010 De Soto Boulevard, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at
the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-448-7421,
extension 33 or click here.
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