Wednesday, October 4, 2006
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CONTENTS:GABLES Radio 1620 AM Is Here!
City Commission Gets Raises
Ponce De Leon Median Completed
Viva Hispanic Heritage Month
Ching Tang Fraternity Is 74 Years Old
Citizen's Crime Watch Holds Annual Awards
Enjoy Free Movies For Seniors
Free Broadway Dance Classes
Self Defense Classes Only For Women
Traffic Watch
Events Roundup
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GABLES Radio 1620 AM Is Here! >>> Tune your car radio to 1620 AM to listen to GABLES Radio, the new voice of Coral Gables. This new community radio station can be heard throughout Coral Gables, 24 hours a day, seven days a week with messages in English and Spanish. GABLES Radio 1620 AM will broadcast information during times of emergencies as well as important weather alerts to the community such as hurricane watches or warnings. During non-emergency times, the station will disseminate information such as e-News, special events and attractions, history of Coral Gables, and other important announcements. This AM station is designed to be received in an automobile radio, but if you're trying to receive the signal at home ensure that the radio is placed close to a window to achieve the best possible reception. The Communications Division operates GABLES Radio 1620 AM. For additional information, contact Maria Rosa Higgins Fallon at 305-460-5205.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
City Commission Gets Raises >>> The Coral Gables City Commission approved on September 26 an ordinance that raised the salaries for all of the elected officials. The Mayor's salary was raised from $30,132 to $32,000. Also, the Vice Mayor's salary was increased from $21,525 to $28,000 and the compensation for the three Commissioners was increased from $19,372 each to $26,000. Since 1986, all increases in compensation for these elected officials were tied to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from the preceding July, which are then approved as part of the regular budget process.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ponce De Leon Median Completed >>> Driving through Ponce de Leon Boulevard is now a breeze thanks to the new landscaped median that has been completed. The City of Coral Gables would like to thank all the commuters and merchants that were affected by this construction inconvenience and appreciates their patience. For more than a year, workers have been improving the sidewalks, curving and drainage along this main artery in the City and completed a brand new landscaped median. Similar to what was done on Miracle Mile, the previous three narrow lanes of Ponce de Leon Boulevard have been transformed into two wider lanes in each direction, separated by a raised and lighted landscaped median with separate turn lanes.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Viva Hispanic Heritage Month >>> Close to half of the population of Coral Gables, 47 percent to be exact, are of Hispanic origin which is why it is so important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15. Hispanic Americans have made great contributions to this community adding to Coral Gables international flavor and helping a diverse community where Hispanics can fulfill the American Dream. As such, three University of Miami graduate schools have been ranked in the top-ten list of US schools by Hispanic Business Magazine in its 2006 Diversity Report published in the September issue. University of Miami's School of Law, School of Business Administration and the Miller School of Medicine were all cited by the magazine as places that promote and encourage a diverse community where Hispanic students can thrive. Other criteria used for the rankings involved percentage of Hispanic faculty in each school, the number of special programs that recruit Hispanic students, retention rates and reputation. Hispanic Business Magazine has been ranking its diversity report for the past 18 years.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ching Tang Fraternity Is 74 Years Old >>> Coral Gables first, last and most enduring high school fraternity is 74 years old. Founded at Ponce de Leon High School in 1932, Ching Tang was active through 1972 at Coral Gables High School. The scrapbooks, filled with news clippings and photographs of athletes and war heroes, are permanently housed at the Dade County Historical Museum. Approximately 500 members joined Ching Tang over the years, including many of the City's most notable businessmen and professionals. To recognize the value of this organization, the City of Coral Gables proclaimed September 15, 2006 as the official Ching Tang Fraternity Day. The organization recently celebrated its third reunion with more than 200 fraternity brothers attending from all across the nation.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Citizen's Crime Watch Holds Annual Awards >>> The Coral Gables Citizen's Crime Watch will hold its Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, October 13 with seating beginning at 11:30 a.m., at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Master of Ceremonies is CBS 4/UPN 33's reporter Brian Andrews with guest speaker Judge Marilyn Milian from The People's Court. Lunch and program will begin promptly at noon. Seats are $20 per person or $200 for a table of 10 guests. Please make your reservations now by calling the Coral Gables Citizen's Crime Watch at 305-441-5760.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Enjoy Free Movies For Seniors >>> Coral Gables seniors who love to be entertained can now enjoy a free movie each month, courtesy of the Parks and Recreation Department Senior Programs. All movies begin at 1 pm. at the War Memorial Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. On Monday, October 23 watch the classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, followed by Auntie Mame on Monday, November 20. Don't miss the last flick of the year on Monday, December 11 of The Misfits. Come share an enjoyable afternoon in the company of friends. For more information, call Helen Barnfather at 305-460-5609.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Free Broadway Dance Classes >>> If dancing is more your beat and you're 45 years or older, try "Almost Broadway," a new way to dance your way to fitness. Classes are being offered for free for the month of October on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Bring your dancing shoes to practice low impact routines from famous Broadway shows and dance to the rhythm of jazz, blues, Charleston, rock, tango and more. For information, call Tony Cantanzaro at 305-444-3331.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Self Defense Classes Only For Women >>> The Coral Gables Police Department is sponsoring a nationally recognized self-defense program specifically for women called R.A.D. The program will teach awareness, how to reduce risks and basic personal defense all taught by a certified police instructor. The fee for the program is $65 and the class days are as follows: Mondays and Wednesdays October 23rd to November 1st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a Saturday class on November 4th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You must attend all Monday and Wednesday classes. The Coral Gables Police Department is located at 2801 Salzedo Street. Parking is available on the 200-300 blocks of Sevilla and Palermo Avenues where parking meters will not be enforced. For more information or to register, call the Coral Gables Police Department's Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5401.
BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Traffic Watch >>> All lanes of Le Jeune Road at Alhambra Circle will be closed through Wednesday, October 4th between the overnight hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for a water main 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. Local businesses and residents will have access to the area at all times. For a complete list of detours click here: Map of Detours.
> 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.
> The eastbound lane on Altara Avenue at Le Jeune Road will be closed while crews work on the water main. 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 on any of the above mentioned projects, please contact Carlos Sarmiento of the Florida Department of Transportation at 305-499-2410.
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, a remarkable example of South Florida architecture, is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5361 or 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 will feature musicians for your entertainment. For a list of art galleries in Cora Gables, click here.
October 6: Experience a night of passionate and traditional Argentinian Tango on Friday at 8 p.m. Artango Dance Company, featuring Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo, presents Tango like you've never seen it before. Tickets range from $10 to $30. Performances will be held at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, on the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-284-4940 or click here.
October 6, 7, 13 & 14: The Miami Children's Theater at the War Memorial Youth Center begins its 2006-2007 Season with Anne of Green Gables. Relive the classic story of Anne Shirley from her beginnings as an orphaned girl to her triumphant school graduation. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. at the Theater located at War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Pre-sold tickets range from $10 to $12, tickets at the door range from $15 to $20. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 305-274-3595 or click here.
October 11 - November 12: The Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre will showcase Moonlight and Magnolias in its South Florida premier. The comedic play written by Ron Hutchinson offers an imaginative retelling of how the screenplay of Gone with the Wind was written and what went on behind closed doors in the Hollywood of 1939 to complete the project. Performances for "Moonlight and Magnolias" will be held Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be two additional Wednesday matinee performances on October 25th and November 1st at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 for previews, $38.50 for weeknights and matinees, and $46 for Friday and Saturday evenings. The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain, with identification. To purchase through the box office call 305-444-9293, or to purchase on-line click here.
October 14: Gear up for Halloween with a Halloween Art Contest Saturday at 10 a.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Children ages 5 through 12 are invited to decorate a ceramics coffin with haunting images to scare guests. Win treats while challenging your imagination. The Youth Center will provide materials; kids just need to bring their creative and creepy imagination. The Youth Center staff will judge the entries. The deadline to register for the contest is Saturday, October 7th. Youth Center members pay $19, residents $25, non-resident members $19 and non-residents $30. For more information call the Coral Gables Youth Center at 305-460-5600.BACK TO TOP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For e-News en espaņol, click here.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -