Wednesday, September 6, 2006
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CONTENTS:Select Your Best Workers In The City Beautiful
Pay For Parking Now With Cellular Phone
New Truck Fleet Improving Service Efficiency
City To Host Two Budget Public Hearings
Mayor Presents State Of The City Address
New Rescue Technology Saves Lives
Open House Set For Lifelong Learning
Call 2-1-1 For Crisis Intervention
Seminars Help Small Businesses
CPR Classes Now Available
Traffic Watch
Events Roundup
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Select Your Best Workers In The City Beautiful >>> To celebrate the significance and importance of all workers of this community, the City of Coral Gables has created “The Best In Coral Gables” contest and is asking the public to select a favorite worker in the City Beautiful. One lucky worker with the most nominations wins two round-trip tickets from Miami/Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica, courtesy of Air Jamaica, Jamaica’s official airline and an all inclusive five-day, four-night stay at the AAA Four Diamond Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, courtesy of SuperClubs, the world's only Super-Inclusive resort group, and the Jamaica Tourist Board. Employees of the City of Coral Gables are not eligible to participate. The rules are simple: check “The Best In Coral Gables” categories below and submit the names, addresses and phone numbers of those whom you believe to be the best workers in each category and a brief description of why the worker was selected. Workers must live or work in the City of Coral Gables to qualify. You may submit only one name per category by sending an e-mail to e-news@coralgables.com or by fax at 305-460-5350. You can only vote once in each category. The deadline to submit entries is September 30th, 5 p.m. For rules and regulations, go to www.coralgables.com or call the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205. Vote for the following:
> Most Inspiring Educator In Coral Gables
> Best Tip-Deserving Waiter/Waitress In Coral Gables
> Best Hair Stylist In Coral Gables That Won’t Fry, Dye or Snip Your Image
> Best Up & Coming Business Person Making A Difference In Coral Gables
> Nicest Coral Gables Bank Teller You’re Happy To Give Your Money To
> Most Humanitarian Lawyer In Coral Gables Accepting Many Pro-Bono Cases
> Best Jeweler In Coral Gables You Like To Buy Holiday Gifts From
> Best Coral Gables Chef With The Tastiest Dish On The Menu
> Best Valet Person In Coral Gables That Treats Your Car Like His/Her Own
> Most Original And Cost-Effective Florist in Coral Gables
> Best Doctor In Coral Gables That Won’t Keep You Waiting For Too Long
> Most Efficient, Loyal, And Personable Secretary In Coral Gables
> Best Store Clerk In Coral Gables That Really Knows Their Product
> Best Coral Gables Baker With The Tastiest Pastries In Town
> Best Coral Gables Gardener With The Greenest Thumb
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Pay For Parking Now With Cellular Phone >>> Do you love to pay for parking in Coral Gables using your cellular phone? The City of Coral Gables popular Pay By Cellphone Parking Program is up and running with a new vendor, Clancy Systems International. In order to use, you first must register at www.parkinghelp.com. Click on the “sign up” link and be guided through the application process. An annual member fee of $5.95 will be charged at the time of registration. After the user has entered and submitted the registration information, the member will be sent an e-mail with a temporary membership dashboard card and a member number. A permanent dashboard card will be sent in the mail. The member will also receive a four-digit PIN number via e-mail which is needed when parking. Customers must display the membership card on the vehicle’s dashboard or from the rearview mirror. When parking, users must call 1-888-310-PARK (7275) or 888-350-PARK (7275) for Spanish. Members are billed automatically at the end of the month for all parking activity plus a 10 percent convenience fee. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parking Department at 305-460-5540.
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New Truck Fleet Improving Service Efficiency >>> This year the City of Coral Gables purchased the following major equipment to enhance its fleet: four new rear steer trash cranes, four new extended cab garbage trucks, seven new trash dump trucks and four extended cab self-contained top loading recycling trucks. These new trucks are replacing old vehicles that had no place for collection workers to sit while the vehicles are moving and have greatly improved the safety and efficiency of Public Service Department who weekly collect the garbage, trash and recycling in neighborhoods. For additional information, call the City of Coral Gables Automotive Department at 305-460-5140.
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City To Host Two Budget Public Hearings >>> The proposed budget for next fiscal year will be discussed and presented at two public hearings scheduled for Tuesdays, September 12 and 26 after 5 p.m. following the regular City Commission meetings. The proposed budget for the fiscal year 2006-2007 of approximately $137 million includes no increases in taxes and a transfer of more than $3 million to reserves. Fiscal projects will help achieve the City Commission goals of applying best practices, ensuring future infrastructure, providing for quality programming and a safe downtown experience. For more information, call the City of Coral Gables Finance Department at 305-460-5276.
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Mayor Presents State Of The City Address >>> Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick will present his Annual Report on the City’s accomplishments at the next Good Morning Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce breakfast scheduled for Thursday, September 21, at the Biltmore Hotel beginning at 7:45 a.m. The Chamber’s Board of Director for 2006-2007 will also be installed during the breakfast. More than 300 people are expected to attend the function. The Biltmore Hotel is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue. For more information, contact the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce at 305-446-1657.
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New Rescue Technology Saves Lives >>> In the very near future, Coral Gables paramedics will be able to electronically record a patient’s condition as well as records of any treatment given, thanks to a matching grant of more than $200,000 received from the State of Florida EMS Program. The grant monies will be used to purchase 15 laptops for the Fire Department equipped with medical patient reporting software that will facilitate the treatment of emergency patients. Currently, all paperwork is handled manually on paper-form. The new equipment will expedite the process of capturing patient information by paramedics which will track survival rates, and medical treatment history. This new technology offers many benefits including a quick evaluation of rescue care, data about rescue medical treatment and the potential of helping to save lives. This new program is expected to be as good as the one introduced last year by the Fire Department, the AutoPulse CPR device. AutoPulse delivers perfect CPR compressions on a device that runs on a rechargeable battery and never gets tired, with a national average of seven percent for return to spontaneous circulation. Data from the last seven months show a return of spontaneous circulation of 30 percent when Coral Gables paramedics use AutoPulse, which means that the survival rate in this City is four times greater than the national average. For more information, call Captain John Curry from the City of Coral Gables Fire Department at 305-460-5537.
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Open House Set For Lifelong Learning >>> The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Miami, formerly known as The Institute for Retired Professionals, will have an Annual Open House for prospective members on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. If you are 50 years of age and older, this is your chance to meet current members, teachers and ask questions about this excellent program that focuses on learning and achieving beyond retirement. Classes taught by experts, institute members and invited national guests include Islam 101, Refresher French, Digital Photography, The Art of Listening, In Search of Florida, The History of the English Language and Beginning Watercolor. Classes begin Tuesday, September 12th and members are able to audit courses on campus, take group tours at the Lowe Museum, and receive discounts for the Ring Theater. The Institute is located in the Plumer Building at 5915 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 29. For more information or reservations, call Noreen Frye at 305-284-6554 (OLLI) or send an e-mail to osher@miami.edu.
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Call 2-1-1 For Crisis Intervention >>> If you or your troubled child need help with counseling or crisis intervention, dial 2-1-1, the Children’s Trust Helpline, a 24/7 service operated by the Switchboard of Miami that provides assistance in English, Spanish and Creole. Experienced crisis interventionists are capable of managing complex cases even those that require suicide prevention. Callers presenting chronic situations who are unable to navigate the social service system alone will be offered case management assistance. Confidentiality is protected at all times and callers have the option of remaining anonymous. All 2-1-1 services are available countywide to every family and youth in our community. To access information on more than 5,000 agencies, programs and services in Miami-Dade County, just dial 2-1-1.
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Seminars Help Small Businesses >>> The City of Coral Gables is hosting two seminars this month designed to help small business owners. On Wednesday, September 20, 6:30 p.m., the Counselors to America’s Small Business (SCORE) present “Is Owning A Franchise Right For You?” During this two-hour seminar you’ll discover the four myths of franchise ownership and explore in depth the perils of that business model. The cost is $35 per person. In addition, the City of Coral Gables and Florida Atlantic University’s Small Business Development Center is also presenting an “Introduction to the Business Plan,” on Thursday, September 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This free seminar will offer a comprehensive business plan for starting and growing a successful small business. Both seminars will take place at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. For more information on any of the seminars, call Jessica Wotherspoon at the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5314.
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CPR Classes Now Available >>> The City of Coral Gables Fire Department continues teaching 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, September 23rd 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 Laura Rodriguez of the City of Coral Gables Fire Department at 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. 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. Traffic will be shifted to the northbound lane where there will be one lane available in each direction. 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. Motorists 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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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 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.
September 15: The University of Miami invites the South Florida community to a free outdoor screening of The Lost City, Andy Garcia’s epic love story set in Havana, Cuba during the 1950’s. The event takes place Friday, September 15, 8 p.m. at the University Green, 1305 Stanford Drive. The film follows one man’s struggle to navigate Cuba’s political and social transition during Fidel Castro’s revolution as he decides whether or not to leave his homeland. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a movie under the stars. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 305-284-5671 or e-mail umneighbors@miami.edu.
September 15: Parents can enjoy a night out without the children. Every third Friday of the month plan your own special evening and drop off your kids ages 8 through 14 at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center for a Sleep-over Party. The kids will enjoy a different theme party every time. Pizza and breakfast will be provided along with special activities. Children should be dropped off Friday at 7 p.m. and picked up on Saturday no later than 11 a.m. The Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center is located at 405 University Drive. The fee for Youth Center members is $24, residents $30 and non-residents $37. Call the Parks and Recreation Department for more information at 305-460-5600.
September 16: The Junior Orange Bowl Committee invites you to an island-themed Fundraising Auction on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza. The event will raise funds for the 20 events of the 2006-2007 Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival. Hundreds of incredible deals are up for bid in this fun Island-styled party. Live Auction will feature Continental Airlines tickets to anywhere in the US. Tickets are $50 and include dinner, two drinks and a special Polynesian show. For reservations and information, please contact the Junior Orange Bowl Committee at 305-662-1210.
Through 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.
September 30 – November 4: South Florida music lovers will be pleased to know the University of Miami and the Frost School of Music presents the 23rd season of Festival Miami. This year’s festival features 27 concerts showcasing music from around the world, children’s concerts, tango performances and more. The concerts will be held at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall located 1314 Miller Drive. Guest artists in town for Festival Miami will be offering free musical classes at the UM campus. Ticket prices range from $8 to $55 per person. For more information on specific concerts or to purchase tickets call 305-284-4940 or click here.
Through November 6: Children ages 3 to 14 are
welcomed to a 10-week course on Ceramics. Clay is
flexible and can be molded into creative and unique objects. The classes
on basic clay and glazing techniques will be held on Mondays with times
varying according to the age of the child: 4- 5 p.m. for 3 years-old,
2:30-3:30 p.m. for 4 to 5 years old, 4-5 p.m. for 6 to 9 years old and
5-6:30 p.m. for 10 to 14 years old. Fees range from $45 to $94. The Youth
Center is located at 405 University Drive. To register, call the City of
Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
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