Wednesday, July 27, 2005
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CONTENTS:City Passes Sexual Predator Law
Trash Removal After Hurricane Dennis Continues
City Lowers Rates for Residential Parking Permits
It's Back-to-School Time and the Fun Continues
City Awards College Scholarship to Local Student
City Renews Commitment to Excellence
Nominate Your Favorite Landscaping Job
Discover South Florida Commuter Services
Traffic Watch
Cultural Events Roundup
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City Passes Sexual Predator Law >>> Coral Gables Commissioners recently enacted a law that restricts where people convicted of felony sex offenses can live in the City. This municipality joins a number of other South Florida cities that have passed similar laws in reaction to disturbing recent occurrences where innocent children have been kidnapped, molested, and murdered by released sex offenders. The new law, adopted on July 12, prohibits sexual offenders and sexual predators convicted of crimes from establishing temporary or permanent residence within 2,500 feet of "any school, designated public school bus stop, day care center, park, playground or other place where children congregate." The ordinance also prohibits property owners from renting to sexual offenders and sexual predators, and establishes penalties of fines and imprisonment for violations. The City has published a list of Coral Gables facilities, parks and locations frequented by children. To see it online, click here. For more information, call the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Trash Removal After Hurricane Dennis Continues >>> The Public Service Department is working every available hour to stabilize the trash removal services as a result of Hurricane Dennis' powerful winds affecting Coral Gables the weekend of July 8 and 9th. Strong winds and rain from the hurricane's outer bands knocked down more than 25 large trees and created a large amount of debris throughout the City. Cleanup efforts began immediately after the storm, focusing initially on removing trees blocking streets and houses, and cutting hundreds of tree limbs. The City is now catching up with trash pickup, and has since removed more than 2,000 tons of garbage, close to twice the amount of trash compared to a similar two-week period last July. For more information, please contact the Public Service Department at 305-460-5346.
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City Lowers Rates for Residential Parking Permits >>> Good news for residents who use residential parking permits: the annual fee has dropped from $40 to $20, and the City will now issue four instead of two visitor hanging tags per household. Those who have already paid this year's fee will receive a $20 refund check by the end of the month. The Residential Permit Parking Program is available to any homeowner whose neighborhood suffers from parking shortages due to its proximity to high-traffic commercial areas. For more information, call the Parking Department at 305-460-5540.
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It's Back-to-School Time and the Fun Continues >>> Summer Camp may be coming to an end, but the fun doesn't have to. As the kids get ready to head back to school, the Youth Center is preparing an exciting lineup of after-school programs. Club P.L.A.Y., held from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, offers arts and crafts, special events, ceramics, games, sports, and more. Homework assistance is also available. Cost per four-week session is: $200 for members; $267 for residents and $334 for non-residents. Also available during after-school hours: Ceramics classes on Mondays; Arts & Crafts classes on Wednesdays, and Fine Arts classes on Fridays. Class times vary depending on the student's age. Cost for the art classes is per 10-week session. For 1-hour classes, it's $45 for members; $60 for residents and $75 for non-residents. For 1.5-hour classes, it's $56 for members; $75 for residents and $94 for non-members. Registration is now open for all the after-school programs. For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
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City Awards College Scholarship to Local Student >>> Congratulations to Paul Z. Johnson, this year's recipient of the Donald R. Hopkins Scholarship. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Coral Gables High and plans to attend the University of Central Florida to study physical therapy. He will receive a $5,000 grant toward tuition, room and board, textbooks and other related expenses. The City established the scholarship program in 1990 to help young black residents meet educational and career goals. It is named after Dr. Donald R. Hopkins, who was born in Coral Gables and studied at Morehouse College, the University of Chicago, and Harvard University. He is Associate Executive Director of the Carter Center, where he directs all humanitarian health programs. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control from 1984-87. His work has been instrumental in nearly eradicating Guinea worm disease and controlling river blindness worldwide. For more information on the scholarship, call Candy Suris at 305-569-1817 or e-mail her at csuris@coralgables.com.
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City Renews Commitment to Excellence >>> Renewing a commitment to excellence for the 2005-06 fiscal year and beyond, City leaders set out to define what it means to deliver top-notch municipal services, and developed this mission statement: "The City Beautiful - Dedicated people providing exceptional services to residents, businesses and visitors while preserving our historic heritage." Meanwhile, all City employees will be asked to continue to follow these values as they carry out their day-to-day duties in the delivery of municipal services: responsiveness, integrity, dedication, competency, loyalty, innovation and accessibility. With these standards in mind, City Commissioners have identified the following eight goals for the 2005-06 fiscal year: continue to deliver exceptional services; continue to manage citywide development; provide a strong residential focus; improve the overall landscaping of the City; preserve historic landmarks; build a vibrant downtown business district; enhance the hometown quality of life, and improve the automation of services. The City looks forward to another year of excellence.
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Nominate Your Favorite Landscaping Job >>> Is there a home or business you drive by just to look at the fabulous landscaping? Let us know about it. The City is now accepting nominations for the 2005-06 Landscape Beautification Awards. Anyone may nominate any residential or commercial property in Coral Gables, regardless of ownership. Since 1977, members of the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board have selected five winners each year to receive a photo and plaque. Photos of the winning properties are also placed on display at City Hall for the rest of the year. To obtain a nomination form online, click here. Attach two to five photographs or digital images that show the view from the street. Send a printed copy of the completed form with attached photos or digital images on a disk to: Coral Gables Public Service Department, 2800 SW 72 Ave., Miami, FL 33155. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 31, 2005. For more information, call the Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.
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Discover South Florida Commuter Services >>> Looking for ways to deal with skyrocketing fuel prices? One way is to share a ride to and from work, and South Florida Commuter Services can help. The program, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), helps South Florida commuters and employers find existing carpools to join, or create new ones. The agency offers information on park-n-ride lots, public transit, bike partners and routes, and alerts on highway construction, as well as emergency rides home. The programs are free to anyone in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties and offer many benefits, such as cost savings on gasoline and auto maintenance, and avoiding the stress of having to deal with traffic twice a day. For more information, visit www.1800234ride.com on the Web, or call Suzell Hopman at 305-401-9880.
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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. The following measures are being implemented along Ponce due to construction:
> Sidewalk construction continues on the intersections along the east side of Ponce, from Alcazar Avenue heading south.
> The four traffic lanes on Ponce de Leon Boulevard continue to be shifted to the west, temporarily blocking parking on that side of the street.
> Left turns are allowed only at the Miracle Mile and Alhambra Circle intersections of Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
> Left turns at the remaining intersections continue to be restricted, and police continue to enforce the "No Left Turn" signs.
> The Trolley stops along Ponce de Leon Boulevard at Valencia Avenue, Miracle Mile, Alhambra Circle and Minorca Avenue have been temporarily suspended.
> The valet service adjacent to Houston's, at the corner of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Miracle Mile, has been moved to Miracle Mile.
> Alleys perpendicular to Ponce de Leon and within the boundaries of the construction will be monitored to make sure vehicles are not blocking the alleyways.
Here are other projects that may impact traffic:
> Construction continues on the 400 block of
Palermo Avenue to alleviate flooding. Construction will last several weeks.
> A sewer line is being installed on Ponce de
Leon, between Merrick Circle and Riviera Drive, for a new development at
Riviera Drive and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Most of the work is being completed
at night, but there will be partial lane closures during the day.
> Paving and drainage work continues on 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-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 9-Aug. 28:
The Shakespeare Project, featuring Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of
Venice, and Macbeth, at the New Theatre, 4120 Laguna St.
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For
information, call 305-443-5909 or visit www.new-theatre.org
on the Web.
> June 25-July 30:
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, musical, Actors'
Playhouse Theatre for Young Audiences, 280 Miracle Mile. Every Saturday at 2
p.m. Tickets $10 for children; $12 for adults. For information, call
305-444-9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org
on the Web.
> July 6-Sept. 4:
The Big Bang, musical, at Actors' Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile.
Schedule and ticket prices vary. For information, call 305-444-9293 or visit
www.actorsplayhouse.org on the Web.
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