Wednesday, August 23, 2006
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CONTENTS:Cultural Grant Applications Due September 8
Next Month Are Final Zoning Code Public Hearings
Fire Rescue Teams Are At The Top Of Their Game
Who Is Ponce De Leon Middle School Named After?
Celebrate Labor Day On Monday, September 4
Is Owning A Franchise Right For You?
Coral Gables Now Presents Show On International Success
Hurricane Survival: Staying Safe After A Storm
Here’s A Traffic Lesson When School Is In Session
Classes Available For Mature Driving
Life Saving Classes On CPR Offered
Traffic Watch
Cultural Roundup
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Cultural Grant Applications Due September 8 >>> Each year, the City of Coral Gables distributes a limited amount of cultural monies to worthy nonprofit organizations which produce meaningful cultural experiences in Coral Gables. Applications are now being accepted for Cultural Development, Festival & Special Events, and Community Grants programs. Specific eligibility and evaluation criteria and allowable uses for grants have been established for each of the programs. Applications must be received in the Development Department, 95 Merrick Way, Suite 450, Coral Gables, FL 33134 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2006. Postmark dates or applications transmitted by fax are not acceptable.The decision to recommend funding of grant applications will be made at a public meeting of the Cultural Development Board on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at 2 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers, 405 Biltmore Way, second floor. The Board’s recommendations for funding will be submitted to the City Commission for final approval. All funding recommendations and the City Commission’s final approvals are contingent upon the availability of funds in the City’s 2006/07 Budget. Grants approved by the City Commission carry no commitment for future support beyond the current annual funding cycle. City of Coral Gables Cultural Development Board grant applications are available at www.coralgables.com and are available upon request via email at fdawson@coralgables.com. For more information, call the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5311.
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Next Month Are Final Zoning Code Public Hearings >>> The time-consuming process of the Zoning Code rewrite is now entering its final stages. The Planning and Zoning Board will be reviewing the final zoning code and new zoning maps at public hearings scheduled for Wednesday, September 6 and September 27, beginning at 6 p.m., at the City Commission Chambers, 405 Biltmore Way, second floor. Members of the public interested in reading the Proposed Zoning Code can click here to obtain a copy. After the last public hearings, the City Commission is expected to consider the final Zoning Code in October. For additional information, call the City of Coral Gables Planning Department at 305-460-5212.
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Fire Rescue Teams Are At The Top Of Their Game >>> A team of paramedics from the City of Coral Gables put their skills to the test recently at the annual Bill Shearer International Advanced Life Support (ALS) Competition. More than 67 paramedic teams from across the country competed in ALS scenarios that included administering medicines to patients and deciding on the correct treatments based on symptoms. Coral Gables Fire Rescue Team came in Sixth Place overall, beating every other participating municipality in Miami-Dade County. The two-day event took place in Orlando last July. The conference attracts between 400 to 500 paramedics, firefighters, medical directors and educators interested in learning practical research-based street medicine. The knowledge gained at these conferences and events helps paramedics better serve the citizens of Coral Gables. Don’t forget to show your appreciation during Firefighter Appreciation Week in Coral Gables beginning September 1. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Fire Department at 305-460-5751.
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Who Is Ponce De Leon Middle School Named After? >>> With thousands of students getting ready for a full year of learning and striving to maintain a perfect score, the focus is on Coral Gables local “A” schools who have received top honors for academic excellence. Like many of the historic landmarks in the City Beautiful, its public schools are also rich in history, such as Ponce de Leon Middle School. This institution is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. In 1493, Ponce de Leon accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to America. He later headed another expedition that would take him to Puerto Rico, Cuba and Florida where he landed just north of St. Augustine. In 1521 Ponce de Leon set out to colonize Florida with about 200 people and many domestic animals but the natives attacked and the wounded explorer sailed to Cuba where he died. Despite the thousands of years that separate Juan Ponce de Leon and his namesake middle school in Coral Gables, their mission is similar: A worldly desire for knowledge and adventure. To learn more about Ponce de Leon Middle School click here.
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Celebrate Labor Day On Monday, September 4 >>> Did you know that 124 years ago American workers were already celebrating Labor Day? The first Labor Day holiday was held in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, to be exact. Today, as many enjoy the long weekend and an extra day off from work, Labor Day is a real tribute to the creator of so much of this nation’s strength, freedom and leadership: the American worker. And if you happen to work in the City of Coral Gables, there is much to celebrate. The City of Coral Gables is not only a great place to live, but also one of the most desired places to work. With a vibrant downtown community, Coral Gables is home to more than 175 multinational corporations who have selected this municipality as the place to make a living. The City is also home to many charming small businesses that have discovered the benefits of having a Coral Gables zip code. Want to know more about the top employers in Coral Gables or the top reasons to relocate here? Pick up your free issue of the City of Coral Gables Business Guide, available at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Is Owning A Franchise Right For You? >>> That is the question that the Counselors to America’s Small Business — SCORE — will present to you on Wednesday, September 20, as part of a series of workshops designed to help small business owners. During this two-hour seminar you’ll discover the four myths of franchise ownership and explore in depth the perils of that business model. Later on October 18, another workshop will help you Power Pack Your Marketing and on November 15 you’ll find the answers to Funding Your Business Plan. These seminars are hosted by the City of Coral Gables, at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost for each seminar is $35 per person. For additional information, contact Jessica Wotherspoon at the City of Coral Gables Business Development Department at 305-460-5314.
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Coral Gables Now Presents Show On International Success >>> Don’t miss this month’s Coral Gables Television public affairs show, Coral Gables Now, when host Belkys Perez interviews representatives of the nationally acclaimed Sister Cities program to find out what makes it a success. Then watch how 9-1-1 emergency calls are handled, second by second, by a talented and dedicated group of communication operators who are always ready to react in pressure situations. The honorable Counsel General of Peru is also a guest talking about the special partnership between this South American country and the City of Coral Gables to benefit the community arts. Tune in to Channel 77 if you have Comcast cable or to Channel 97 if you are an Adelphia subscriber to watch Coral Gables Television. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Hurricane Survival: Staying Safe After A Storm >>> Throughout this hurricane season, the City of Coral Gables has been actively informing residents, visitors and business owners about hurricane preparedness through community workshops, cable television shows, hurricane newsletters and on e-News. Staying true to form, this edition focuses on the hazards encountered after a hurricane, when the majority of injuries and deaths occur. Knowing the dangers can help prevent harm and most of the accidents that occur after the storm. Be aware of your surroundings as the potential for danger is everywhere. The following are important and potentially life-saving pointers to keep in mind:
> Generators must only be used outdoors and away from windows, doors, garages and sheds. Make sure your generator has cooled off before refueling. Fumes from the gasoline could easily ignite the tank.
> Use extreme care when operating a gas powered or electric chainsaw and always protect yourself by wearing safety glasses and gloves.
> Do not walk or drive through flooded areas. As little as six inches of water can take control of your car. Also, broken glass, nails, downed power lines and other debris could be submerged.
> Avoid using candles around children, use flashlights instead.
For more hurricane preparation information or tips from the City of Coral Gables drop by City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way, and pick up a City Beautiful Newsletter Special Hurricane Edition or click here.
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Here’s A Traffic Lesson When School Is In Session >>> Now that children are back in school, it is especially important that drivers pay extra attention while behind the wheel. Even though many traffic calming measures have been implemented in Coral Gables, drivers should use extreme caution when driving through the City’s residential areas and school zones. Commuters are urged to slow down and obey the speed limit or face speeding fines. Residents have complained that speedy drivers endanger the safety of family and friends in neighborhoods. The Coral Gables Police Department’s Special Patrol Section will be looking out for speeders and parking violators especially in school zones and will enforce a zero tolerance policy.If pressed for time, try leaving your home or workplace a few minutes earlier as those extra minutes can prevent a terrible accident. Remember that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” For more traffic tips, call the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-460-5402.
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Classes Available For Mature Driving >>> Being able to get behind the wheel is a form of independence for seniors. Although many seniors have years of experience driving, increasingly congested roads are making driving dangerous. Changing road and physical conditions do not mean that older commuters should surrender a driver’s license. On Saturday September 2nd and 9th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center will host an AARP course called 55 Alive. The two-day course for drivers ages 50 and over serves as a refresher course that can reduce the chances of traffic accidents. Older drivers have a crash rate second only to that of teenage drivers. Through the AARP 55 Alive course, seniors will have the power and skills necessary to change those statistics. The fee for the course is only $10. After completing the two Saturday session, seniors will receive a certificate good for three years. Most auto insurance companies will give you a discount on your insurance premium for taking the course. For more information, contact Fred Collard at 305-663-1792 or call the Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
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Life Saving Classes On CPR Offered >>> The City of Coral Gables Fire Department wants to teach residents a couple of the most fundamental life saving techniques: CPR and the use of portable AED’s or Automated External Defibrillators. The free three-hour course will go through the steps to perform CPR on adults, children and infants and the proper way to use a defibrillator. The class will be offered on Saturday, August 26 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Community Training Room in the basement of Coral Gables Fire Station 1 located at 2815 Salzedo Street. There are a limited number of seats available. For more information, call 305-460-5588.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project is expected to wrap up by September 30. All major construction of the median, landscaping, traffic signal replacement and installation of the irrigation system have been completed. All barricades marking the construction area have been removed and the Boulevard was recently swept and temporarily striped in time for the beginning of the new school year. Only minor details remain such as finishing the installation of the crosswalks and permanent striping. For more information, contact the Coral Gables Public Works Department at 305-460-5000
> The southbound corridor on Le Jeune Road will be closed from S.W. Eighth Street to Majorca Avenue. Workers will be performing concrete, drainage and resurfacing operations. All access to side streets, residences and businesses will be open and maintained to local traffic only.
> The eastbound lane on Altara Avenue at Le Jeune Road will be closed while workers perform watermain lateral work. Only local westbound traffic will be allowed to exit Altara Avenue unto Le Jeune Road. Motorists traveling northbound on Le Jeune Road wishing to enter Altara Avenue can continue north on Le Jeune Road, making a right turn at Bird Road and then another right turn at Laguna. Motorits traveling southbound on Le Jeune Road wishing to enter Altara Avenue can make a left turn at Bird Road and then a right turn at Laguna. For more information, please contact Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410.
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Cultural Roundup >>> Ongoing: The historic Merrick House, the boyhood 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 is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5361.
August 23 - September 17: GableStage at the Biltmore Hotel presents The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. This new original play has been called psychologically terrifying and viciously funny. It deals with a man who is being questioned by police for his series of short stories on child killings that have become reality. You can see the drama unfold on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 and $40 on Saturdays. GableStage is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue. For more information, call 305-445-1119.
August 24: The Ravi Coltrane Quartet will be performing at the Coral Gables Congregational Church as part of the Summer Concert Series. The performance will take place at 8 p.m. at the Coral Gables Congregational Church which is located at 3010 De Soto Boulevard. Tickets range in price from $20 to $40. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 305-448-7421, extension 33.
August 27: Just in time for summer's last hurrah, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is offering free admission to all visitors this Sunday. It's the perfect opportunity to walk Fairchild's grounds, have a family picnic or simply sit on a bench and read your favorite book while overlooking 83 acres of lush tropical paradise. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables. For more information, contact 305- 667-1651.
August 29: On Tuesday at 8 p.m. Miami Cuban author Ata Gonzalez, a 29 year-old self-made millionaire will be at Books & Books to talk about his book “The Soul of a Hustla-The Ultimate How-To Book for Using Your Mind to Make a Fortune.” Gonzales will reveal the secret road map on how to be a smart real estate investor and build successful companies. Books & Books is located at 265 Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables. For more information, call 305-442-4408.
Saturdays: Barnes & Noble Booksellers presents Saturday Storytime, every week beginning at 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 to 7. The event is free and open to the public. Barnes & Noble is located at 152 Miracle Mile. Parking is validated. For more information, call 305-446-8627.BACK TO TOP
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For e-News en español, click here.
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