Wednesday, September 20, 2006

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CONTENTS:
Send Your Vote For "Best in Coral Gables" Contest
Proposed Budget For Next Year Is Unveiled
Now Showing "A City Of Perfect Harmony"
Future Needs For Policing Downtown Coral Gables
Snapper Creek Lakes Requests Special Taxing District
Congratulations To The Mobil Patrol Unit, Twice
New Stores Announced for Downtown Coral Gables
The Key To Owning A Successful Small Business
Get Together For Tea And Talk
City Saves Money With New Trolley Drivers Contract
Traffic Watch
Events Roundup

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Send Your Vote For "Best in Coral Gables" Contest  >>> You still have time to vote for "The Best In Coral Gables" contest honoring workers in the community. 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. Just check out the "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. Include a brief description of why the worker was selected. Workers must live or work in the City of Coral Gables. 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. Employees of the City of Coral Gables are not eligible to participate.   Categories are as follows:
> 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 ThumbThe 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.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Proposed Budget For Next Year Is Unveiled  >>> The proposed budget for next fiscal year was presented at a public hearing on September 12 and will go to second reading on Tuesday, September 26 after 5 p.m. following the regular City Commission meetings. The proposed budget for the fiscal year 2006-2007 of $142 million includes no increases in taxes and a transfer of more than $2 million to reserves. More than $6 million are proposed to be spent on capital expenditures such as the renovation of the Water Tower, repairs of citywide sidewalks, additional renovations to the Merrick House, Country Club Prado, alleys, Biltmore cart path, traffic calming, Miracle Theater marquee, among other projects. The budget will help achieve the City Commission's 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.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now Showing "A City Of Perfect Harmony"  >>>  At the recent September 12 budget public hearing, the City of Coral Gables showcased "A City of Perfect Harmony," a 10-minute video about last year's accomplishments and new projects to be tackled in this next fiscal cycle. The video, produced entirely by Coral Gables Television, examines the City's flawless harmony between old world charm and cutting edge municipal programs and showcases how City administrators are challenged with serious issues of keeping a healthy balance between preserving our history, yet still offering a visionary future. To view this new video about Coral Gables, click here.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Future Needs For Policing Downtown Coral Gables  >>>  Coral Gables Police Chief Michael Hammerschmidt gave a presentation on September 12 to City Commission about the future needs for police services in Downtown Coral Gables. In the last two years, Downtown Coral Gables has morphed into a commercial/residential area that requires patrolling after 6 p.m. After explaining that policing a growing Downtown area requires a higher ratio of officers-to-citizens than in traditional residential areas, the Police Chief presented what new manpower, equipment and programs are needed in order to maintain a high level of service. For the year 2006-2007, the Police Department calls for the hiring of an additional five officers to create a downtown policing squad and one officer for the Youth Resource Unit.  A proposed five-year plan for additional manpower and deployment will enhance the City's downtown policing squad, motorcycle unit and investigations. Officers will be trained in patrolling this area to become known personally by merchants and residents and to develop strategies and programs exclusive for this zone. The City of Coral Gables also plans to implement crime watch programs to alert office and condominium occupants of suspicious activities.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Snapper Creek Lakes Requests Special Taxing District  >>>  Representatives of the Snapper Creek Lakes Club Homeowners Association, a Coral Gables neighborhood opposite Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens on the west side of Old Cutler Road, requested and received on September 12 approval from the Coral Gables City Commission to establish a Special Taxing District to relocate utility services underground. A petition was signed by 52 residents out of 103 resident owners requesting the taxing district. This homeowners association is the first in Coral Gables and in Miami-Dade County to move forward with this request that, if approved by residents, will tax homeowners over a period of time the cost to move overhead electrical services and other utilities underground. Last year, during a tumultuous hurricane season, power was interrupted for weeks in many homes of Coral Gables due to damage to Florida Power and Light's infrastructure. Miami-Dade County will now hold a referendum vote of the residents of Snapper Creek Lakes to determine if the majority would support this taxing district.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Congratulations To The Mobil Patrol Unit, Twice  >>>  The Coral Gables Mobil Patrol unit which helps keep our community safe has won not one, but two awards at the National Association of Citizens on Patrol Regional Conference held in Melbourne last month. The Unit received the Best In Show Car and Best Uniform awards, a great accomplishment for this volunteer group which was founded in 1983. Unit members have gone through a rigorous training process which includes patrolling techniques, identifying crimes in progress, traffic control and police terminology. They patrol Coral Gables neighborhoods almost every day in marked cars but do not carry firearms or make arrests. Volunteers are equipped with radios that directly link them to police officers who are ready to respond to any and all emergencies. For more information on the Mobile Patrol Unit, or to learn how you can become a volunteer, call Sergeant Pablo Garcia at 305-442-1600 extension 4266.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

New Stores Announced for Downtown Coral Gables  >>>  There are big improvements planned for the downtown area that are going to enhance your shopping, dining and entertainment experience in Coral Gables. Among the restaurants planning on opening on and around Miracle Mile, be on the lookout for Benihana, California Pizza Kitchen, Nexxt Café, Morton's, 1909 Café, Chicken Kitchen and L'Epicerie Fine Gourmet. Among the new banks and financial services to open soon are Sun American Bank, Country Wide Mortgage, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, and Commerce Bank. Other retailers and businesses will also be moving into the Downtown district. For more information on the businesses coming to Coral Gables, click here.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Key To Owning A Successful Small Business  >>>  It's part of the American Dream but getting a small business started and profitable can also be a nightmare. The City of Coral Gables and Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center presents a series of free Small Business Seminars, with the latest one titled Is Owning a Business Right for You? Scheduled for Thursday, October 19th, the seminar will touch on the basics of starting a business, how to select a business and the characteristics of a successful business owner. Coral Gables is also hosting another Small Business Seminar on Wednesday, October 18th presented by SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business called Power Pack Your Marketing. This seminar, which requires a $35 fee, will help make marketing an effective tool, target best customers, build customer loyalty and define the five rules of marketing. Both seminars will be held on their respective dates at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center located at 405 University Drive from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Reserve your spot in advance by calling Jessica Wotherspoon at the Development Department at 305-460-5314 or email jwotherspoon@coralgables.com.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Get Together For Tea And Talk  >>>  The Senior Citizens Advisory Board of Coral Gables while host a Tea & Talk on Monday, September 25th at 11:30 a.m. at the Biltmore Hotel. The informal seminar which focuses on senior issues will feature guest speaker Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While you enjoy a free lunch, Carbonell will talk about the future of programs for the elderly. Tea & Talk will be held in the Alhambra Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue. Reservations are required for this event. Contact Helen Barnfather at 305-460-5609 for more information or to reserve a seat. 
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

City Saves Money With New Trolley Drivers Contract  >>>  At the last City Commission Meeting, City leaders authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with First Transit Inc., to provide drivers for the Coral Gables Trolley. The approval of this new contract results in a $150,000 year savings to the City, as compared to the previous contract for drivers with Greyhound. Funds for this contract come from the Miami-Dade County One-Half Penny Sales Surtax. The City expects to receive two new purchased Trolleys, one at the end of this month and another one in early October. The Coral Gables Trolley runs Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Fridays until 10 p.m. through Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from Douglas Metrorail Station to S.W. Eighth Street. For more information on the Coral Gables Trolley, call 305-460-5070.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Traffic Watch  >>> The southbound lanes of Le Jeune Road will be closed from S.W. 8th Street to Alhambra Circle. A barrier wall will be placed on the west side of the median on Le Jeune Road for a lane shift of southbound traffic to the northbound side with one lane in each direction. 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.
> All lanes of Le Jeune Road at Alhambra Circle will be shut down beginning Tuesday, September 26th through Wednesday, October 4th between the overnight hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for a watermain installation. The closure will affect Le Jeune Road between Alcazar Avenue and just north of Alhambra Circle. It will also affect Alhambra Circle between Salzedo Street and Le Jeune Road. All lanes will be open during the day. Detour signs will be posted at night and police officers will be on site to direct traffic. For more information on this project and detours click here. Local businesses and residents will have access to the area at all times.
> The eastbound lane on Altara Avenue at Le Jeune Road will be closed while crews work on the watermain. Only local westbound traffic will be allowed to exit Altara Avenue onto 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 Street. 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 Street. For more information, please contact Carlos Sarmiento of the Florida Department of Transportation at 305-499-2410.
> You have probably noticed the Ponce de Leon Median is finally taking shape. The Poncede Leon Median Improvement Project is scheduled to be completed by September 30.  The remaining issues include cleaning the area, hooking up the irrigation system and finishing up the electrical connections for inspections. Once that's completed, Florida Power and Light will connect power to the traffic lights. Because we are approaching the holiday shopping season, permanent striping of crosswalks at major intersections will be on hold as it would force lane closures for at least two full days for drying. For more information, contact the Coral Gables Public Works Department at 305-460-5000.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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 7 - October 21:New Theatre presents the comedic play Lincolnesque. It portrays two brothers living in Capitol Hill, one a struggling writer for an up and coming politician and the other a psychiatric patient who believes he's Abraham Lincoln. Watch the plot unfold Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. The price for the performance is $35 on Thursdays and Sundays evenings, $40 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday matinee and $10 for Fulltime students under 25 year of age with proper identification. New Theatre is located at 4120 Laguna Street. For more information or to buy tickets call 305-443-5909 or click here.

September 20 through March 2007: The Coral Gables Branch Library, located at 3443 Segovia Street, presents "Library and the Lens: Photographs from the Permanent Collection," an exhibition of well-known artists Mario Algaze, Eduardo del Valle and Mirta Gomez, Silva Lizama, J. Thomas Lopez, New-York based Alexis Rodriguez-Duarte, and more. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

September 23 - November 12:The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami holds its first major exhibition of its extensive Guatemalan textile collection. With over 150 handmade textiles and hundreds more that have never been on public display, the exhibition "Flowers from the Earth Lord" will be a tribute to the weaving technology the Mayan civilization possessed. The Lowe Art Museum is located on the grounds of the University of Miami at 1301 Stanford Drive. You can view the collection from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from noon to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $7 and free to members, University of Miami students, faculty and staff, and children under 12. For more information call 305-284-3535 or click here.

September 23: The Dance Now! Ensemble sets forth to both educate and entertain the community of Coral Gables with a day of master classes at Coral Gables Elementary followed by a special presentation offered free of charge to the public at the Coral Gables Branch Library, 3443 Segovia Street, beginning at 11 a.m. Dancers perform AMERICA/America, a contemporary ballet set just before the start of the Civil War. The Coral Gables Elementary Strings will also serenade the crowd with America inspired musical selections. For more information, call 954-401-4878.

September 25: Books & Books will celebrate the launch of a new book that chronicles the history of Coral Gables suitably titled "Coral Gables." Author and Coral Gables resident Seth Bramson will introduce the soft cover "Images of America" series which offers a complete history of the City Beautiful. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Books & Books located at 265 Aragon Avenue. For more information call 305-442-4408.

September 29: Hollywood actress and children's book writer Jamie Lee Curtis will be at Temple Judea, 5500 Granada Boulevard at 10 a.m. to read and discuss her new book for children ages 4-8, Is there really a human race? This funny and touching fantasy is about the moment a child recognizes that there is a great big world to understand. For more information on bringing school groups, call 305-444-9044.

For e-News en español, click here.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You are subscribed to City Beautiful e-News. Forward this information to a friend or ask them
to subscribe at e-news@coralgables.com. To unsubscribe, e-mail us at e-news@coralgables.com.
Please visit the City of Coral Gables website at www.coralgables.com or call the Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.