Wednesday, November 1, 2006
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CONTENTS:Zoning Code Rewrite Process Coming To An End
Changes Made In Building & Zoning Department
City Launches Publication For Seniors
Preventing Drowning With Safe Start
City Receives Excellence Award For Publicity Campaign
Fire Department's Special Response Team Competes Internationally
Principal Of Merrick Educational Center Is Honored
Dance Argentina Tango For Fitness, Fun
Coral Gables Helps Business Owners Succeed
Listen To GABLES Radio 1620 AM
Traffic Watch
Events Roundup
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Zoning Code Rewrite Process Coming To An End >>> On a Special Commission Meeting held on October 17, the Zoning Code rewrite was approved unanimously on first reading, coming one step closer to finalization. The second and final approval is scheduled for January 9, 2007. The rewrite was designed to make the Zoning Code more useful and understandable, eliminating obsolete zoning concepts and streamlining the development review process. The rewrite also includes modified or new provisions dealing with emerging problems such as the size of single-family homes and provisions that protect the character of residential neighborhoods in concert with commercial uses. The first complete draft of the Zoning Code rewrite was done in October 2005. Many subsequent meetings with members of the City Commission, the Planning and Zoning Board, other Boards, along with numerous meetings with staff and other individuals resulted in the draft dated in June 2006 which was recently approved. To obtain detailed information about the Zoning Code rewrite process, click here.
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Changes Made In Building & Zoning Department >>> To better serve the public, a number of administrative changes have been implemented in the Building and Zoning Department. To expedite plan reviews, the City is allowing plan review drop-offs in lieu of walk-throughs which provide initial reviews within a 72-hour period. Meetings can also be scheduled with plan reviewers to address any comments. To further assist in the plan review for single-family and other work, personnel duties have been adjusted and additional structural engineer consultants have been hired to expedite the structural review of building plans. Code enforcement will be increased on weekends to properly provide coverage throughout the City. Assistant City Managers Maria Alberro Jimenez and Dona Lubin are meeting with staff on a weekly basis to address ongoing issues related to Building and Zoning. For more information, contact the City Manager's Office at 305-460-5202.
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City Launches Publication For Seniors >>> A publication focusing on the golden years of life is now available to seniors in Coral Gables. The first November 2006-January 2007 issue of Golden Gables, a City newsletter that contains health, finance and culture information, will be mailed quarterly to around 700 seniors who actively participate in parks and recreation activities. "Golden Gables was created to bring information on issues that matter to seniors in Coral Gables," says City Manager David L. Brown. Input for the creation of this new project was requested from the Communications Committee and the Senior Advisory Board of Coral Gables. To send your suggestions for future issues, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Preventing Drowning With Safe Start >>> Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under five in Florida. To prevent this sobering statistic, the City of Coral Gables has started a partnership with a drowning prevention program called Safe Start. This six-week course, endorsed by the Coral Gables Professional Firefighters Association, teaches survival swimming skills to children as young as six months to six years of age. This program works on the principle that if a baby or toddler has the physical strength and motor skills to escape adult supervision, defeat a pool barrier, and enter the water, the toddler can also be trained to survive. Children are first taught a survival back float. The baby can then move to a swim-float-swim sequence, a way of swimming through the water by rolling over into a back float to rest, and then flipping over to swim to safety. Kids learn these skills in swimsuits and street clothes as most drownings occur when a child is taking part of normal activities. Parents are also educated about all aspects of aquatic lessons. Fall classes are currently being held at the YMCA of Greater Miami, 4300 S.W. 58th Avenue, with individual appointments open from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. To introduce the program, there are 15 slots now open and free to Coral Gables residents. Additional Spring classes are planned beginning the first week of April 2007 at a cost of $85 per week with $105 registration. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Fire Department at 305-460-5576.
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City Receives Excellence Award For Publicity Campaign >>> The City of Coral Gables has won yet another communication award, this time for Most Creative Idea With Least Dollars Spent. The City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) at its 2006 Savvy Awards Competition held recently in Dallas/Fort Worth presented the City of Coral Gables with an Award of Excellence for best creative and economical publicity campaign. The recognition was given to this year's City of Coral Gables Greatest Love Story, a contest issuing a call for the most romantic tales of love that have taken place in the Gables. The campaign held during Valentine's Day involved residents e-mailing personal love stories in hopes of winning a free night stay at the Biltmore Hotel, or certificates for romantic dinning at the 1200 Courtyard Grill, City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill or the Coral Gables Country Club. The campaign was done at no cost to the City, generating a lot of publicity and creating a sense of place for many people who have found true love in the City of Coral Gables. The mission of 3CMA is to connect local government innovators to achieve the highest ideals of public service through the power of communications and marketing.
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Fire Department's Special Response Team Competes Internationally >>> Although no one wishes to have an emergency health problem or traumatic crash, it is still comforting to know the Coral Gables Fire Department's Special Response Team is constantly training for the curve balls life sometimes throws. The Special Response Team knows training is successful thanks to the awards they recently won at the 2006 TERC International Competition or Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee. Held in Canada in September, the team from the City of Coral Gables was tested on the use of air powered and manual tools, the speed in which the team extricated victims from mangled cars, if team members were able to properly stabilize the patient and the efficiency in communication between the rescuers and the incident commander. The team from Coral Gables took Third Place in the category of Limited Tools and in the category of Best Incident Commander and Fifth Place overall after competing with other teams from the U.S., Canada and Sweden. Events like this one are important in preparing emergency crews for the real thing. Research shows a victim's chances of surviving a traumatic accident are more likely if the patient arrives at a trauma center within one hour of the crash. Minutes can mean the difference between life or death.
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Principal Of Merrick Educational Center Is Honored >>> Judith M. Slovin, who has spent almost a decade in Coral Gables as principal of Merrick Educational Center, was honored by the Coral Gables City Commission for her work in being a voice for children with disabilities. Tuesday, October 24 was proclaimed as "Judy Slovin Day" in Coral Gables in honor of her dedication to expanding the opportunities for this special group. Members of the City of Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs chose her to be honored in conjunction with Americans With Disabilities Month. Throughout her 37 years in the education field, Slovin has always been a strong believer that education can help children with disabilities participate fully in life. On this, her last year of service before retiring, Slovin has successfully enhanced the lives of her students and families, established fundamental concepts for teachers and staff that empowers students to be creative with teaching techniques, and has grown the culture that anything is possible if you love what you do. Merrick Educational Center located in Coral Gables serves more than 1,000 students in Miami-Dade County, ranging from pre-kinder to 12th grade.
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Dance Argentina Tango For Fitness, Fun >>> No other dance connects two people more closely than the Argentine tango, emotionally as well as physically. The tango is great for cardiovascular fitness, balance and flexibility and is good for your social soul. The Parks and Recreation Department is calling all good sports to participate in the new Argentine Tango classes, open now on Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. Come alone, grab a friend or significant other to learn this new dance and have some fun. No partner is needed for this class and no prior dance experience is necessary. Fees for four-week sessions are $38 for resident members, $50 for residents and $66 for non-residents. For more information, call Sean Erwin or Yanira Collado at 786-521-4529.
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Coral Gables Helps Business Owners Succeed >>> The City of Coral Gables in conjunction with Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center and SCORE- Counselors to America's Small Business have been offering the community Small Business Seminars. There are only a few seminars left. On Wednesday, November 15th, SCORE counselors will focus on Funding Your Business Plan. The seminar will show business owners how to prepare themselves for requesting a small business loan. The seminar costs $35. On Thursday, November 16th, the Small Business Development Center presents a lesson on Marketing Your Service Business. This free seminar will teach how to target and define your market with greater focus and how to identify and understand your customers' to provide better service. Both seminars will be held at the Coral Gables Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 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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Listen To GABLES Radio 1620 AM >>> Don't forget to set your car radio to 1620 AM to listen to GABLES Radio, the new voice of Coral Gables.
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Traffic Watch >>> Le Jeune Road from S.W. 8th Street to Alhambra Circle: Expect delays on Le Jeune Road between S.W. 8th Street and Alhambra Circle as southbound lanes of Le Jeune Road shut down. A barrier wall will be placed on the west side of the median for a lane shift of the southbound lanes to the northbound side with one lane in each direction. Single lane closures will occur on the southbound outside lane on Le Jeune Road between Andalusia and Viscaya Avenues from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Workers will be performing concrete, lighting, drainage and resurfacing operations. All access to side streets, residences and businesses will be open and maintained to local traffic only.
> Altara Avenue: The westbound lane of Altara Avenue continues to be closed between Le Jeune Road and Laguna Street. Construction workers are trying to complete water main and lateral connections. The eastbound lane on Altara Avenue is open to traffic. These operations are part of the drainage improvement works of the on-going Le Jeune Road Roadway Project. Motorists will only be allowed to enter Altara Avenue eastbound via Le Jeune Road. Motorists will be allowed to continue through Altara Avenue and will also be able to make turns at Laguna Street to connect to Bird Road or San Lorenzo Avenues. Access to area businesses shall be maintained at all times.
> Le Jeune Road from Palermo to Sevilla Avenues: Be advised that the outside lane of northbound Le Jeune Road will be closed between Palermo and Sevilla Avenues during the hours of 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Private contractors will be working on sidewalk and curb reconstruction as it relates to a new building construction project. These closures are expected to last one month. For more information on any of these projects, call Public Information Specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation 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 family 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 305-460-5095.
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.
November 1-30: Celebrate Architecture is an annual month-long series of lectures, tours, exhibits, competitions and activities in November, coordinated by the Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, holding events in Coral Gables. On Wednesday, November 1, 7 p.m. at the University of Miami, editor in chief of Metropolis magazine Susan Szensay presents a lecture on "Ethics and Sustainability." On Thursday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. at the University of Miami Storer Auditorium, international architect Daniel Libeskind talks about "Breaking Ground: Adventures in Life and Architecture." On Friday, November 3, beginning at 7 p.m., an exhibit of the AIA Miami International Architecture Photo Exhibition Winners will be on display at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile. On Tuesday, November 14, a tour of the Merrick House will take place from 7-9 p.m. For more information, click here.
November 5: The Chopin Festival presents the 2006 Winner of the acclaimed ARD Munich International Piano Competition, 23 year-old pianist Ben Kim, on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Granada Presbyterian Church, 950 University Dr. Kim, who has played throughout the United States including at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, will perform music by Chopin, Debussy and Schumann. The event is free to the public. For more information, contact 305-868-0624 or click here.
November 7 - 25: The University of Miami Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies will host a moving exhibit for most of the month of November titled "The Auschwitz Album Exhibition: The Story of a Transport." This rare collection of photographs documents the arrival and processing of 3,500 Hungarian Jews at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland in May 1944. The exhibit will be on display at UM's College of Arts and Sciences Gallery located at 1210 Stanford Drive, Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on the exhibit call 305-284-5500.
November 8: Doctor J. David Pitcher, an Orthopaedic Oncologist and Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Miami has written the book Making the Assist - Caring for Those with Cancer which gives the reader a faith based approach for the caregiver of a loved one with cancer. Doctor Pitcher will be discussing his new book and answering questions on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue. A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to Orthopaedic Cancer Research in our community. For more information call Books & Books at 305-442-4408.
November 9: Chef Michel Richard will talk about his new book Happy in the Kitchen. You'll find more than 100 pictures and recipes of his creative plates in the book. Chef Richard will celebrate his new book at Palme d'Or Restaurant at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue at 7 p.m. with a special dinner party and book signing. Tickets for the event vary. For more information or to make your reservations call 305-913-3203 or click here.
November 9: Celebrate Veterans' Day with a USO Canteen Party at the Coral Gables Country Club on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a night of dinning and dancing. The cost for residents is $50, non-residents $70. Please make your reservation no later than November 2nd by calling Helen Barnfather at 305-460-5609.
November 11, 12: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden presents its Ramble-A Garden Festival this weekend from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in celebration of tropical living. You can purchase plants, art, antiques, old and rare books, taste the communities finest foods and enjoy activities for children. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for children ages 6-17 and free to children 5 and under and for Fairchild members. For more information call 305-667-1651 ext. 3344 or click here.
November 15 - December 31: The Actors' Playhouse presents the Florida premier of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, where the classic film is transformed into a theatrical wonderland on stage. Performances will be held Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $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. The Actors' Playhouse is located at 280 Miracle Mile. Tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293, or on line by clicking here.
November 16 - December 10: Actors performing in plays can sometimes get too involved in their character and the lines of fantasy and reality blur. In the new original play Just A Kiss, playwright Catherine Bush shows how people working on stage can develop off-stage friendships and romantic relationships. Catch this never before seen play at New Theatre, 4120 Laguna Street. Show times and dates are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. with tickets on Thursdays costing $35 and $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday matinees. Full-time students under the age of 25 with proper identification pay $15. For more information, call New Theatre at 305-443-5909.
November 17: Crime is always a concern when we approach the holidays. On Friday at noon, seniors are invited to attend a special Tea & Talk at the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater that focuses on crime prevention. Guest speaker Kattia A. Castellanos from the Victim Advocacy Unit of the Coral Gables Police Department will have some crime prevention tips and information on a Crime Victims Compensation Program that helps eligible crime victims receive reimbursement and assistance. A complimentary lunch will be served while you learn how to stay safe. The War Memorial Youth Center is located at 405 University Drive. Call 305-460-5609 to reserve your seat.BACK TO TOP
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