Wednesday, November 2, 2005
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CONTENTS:Post-Hurricane Recovery Continues
Mayor Receives Rotary Club Award
Fire Department Promotion Marks Several "Firsts"
Have Holiday Fun at the Youth Center
Merrick House Needs Docents
Join the Herald Hunt on Nov. 6
Join the Jr. Orange Bowl Queen's Contest and 5k Run
Traffic Watch
Cultural Events Roundup
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Post-Hurricane Recovery Continues >>> South Florida was hit by yet another powerful hurricane last week. The City of Coral Gables suffered significant damage from Hurricane Wilma and has been working non-stop ever since to recover and to assist all residents in need. The following is a recap of what this local government has been doing to return to normalcy since Hurricane Wilma's winds subsided on Oct. 24:
Nine Rescue-Reconnaissance Teams began working after the storm passed on Monday afternoon to clear debris from primary arteries and secondary roads. All roads are now clear. Residents still clearing debris from homes are asked not to place additional debris on the roadways as this creates further blockage of traffic.
Power has been restored to some areas of the City, but many homes are still without power. Florida Power and Light has reported extensive damage to its electrical system. Essential transmission lines and substations have been damaged and it is expected that the recovery time will take longer than after previous storms. Residents need to prepare for extended outages, which could be up to three weeks in some instances. If power has been restored to your block, but your home is still without power, then call 1-800-4-OUTAGE to report it.
Please remember that the City of Coral Gables is under a Miami-Dade County-mandated curfew and police officers will enforce this curfew. The curfew is in effect from midnight to 6 a.m. every day until further notice.
The City of Coral Gables is collecting household garbage where possible and will continue doing so where road access is available. All garbage routes, however, are off schedule, and recycling is suspended until further notice. Debris removal began last week and continues. Contractors assisting the City will only pick up tree debris that is placed on swale areas. Residents should not place household trash out for pickup until further notice.
If a City tree has fallen on your private property, the City of Coral Gables will assist you with removal of the public tree. A Right-of-Entry Agreement must be signed before City contractors will enter private property. For more information on this, please contact 305-460-5401. Please be careful in your efforts to clear your yard of debris as many accidents occur during this phase of recovery.
Many traffic lights in the City of Coral Gables and throughout the County are still not working. If you need to be on the road, please treat any inoperative traffic lights as a four-way stop. Do not attempt to speed through inoperative traffic lights, as this may cause accidents. Inoperative intersections will be enforced by police.
Parking enforcement has been suspended and all City parking garages remain open to the public for more protected parking, with the exception of the parking garage located immediately behind the Police/Fire Station, where all spaces are needed for emergency vehicles.
The Trolley service along Ponce de Leon Boulevard and the Biltmore Way/Miracle Mile routes is working with modified stops.
All Coral Gables municipal facilities reopened on Friday, Oct. 28. The tennis centers at Salvadore Park and the Biltmore Hotel are open during daylight hours, but the Venetian Pool remains closed until further notice.
Members of the City Neighborhood Information Center Teams visited homes and businesses to offer information about our hurricane recovery efforts. The City also visited the elderly and residents with special needs to ensure their well-being after the storm.
The City of Coral Gables will hold a Town Meeting on Emergency Response on Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coral Gables Country Club, 997 North Greenway Drive. Representatives from the City, Florida Power and Light, Comcast, and Bell South will attend. Topics for discussion will include planning and preparation, response and recovery, rescue-recon, debris removal, and damage assessment. For further information, please contact the City Manager's Office at 305-460-5201.
Stay tuned for further updates on e-News and on the City's website at www.coralgables.com. Please stay safe and be patient as the City recovers, once again, from a major hurricane.
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Mayor Receives Rotary Club Award >>> The Rotary Club of Miami has honored Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick as the first recipient of its "Four-Way Test Award" for outstanding leadership in the community. Mayor Slesnick was chosen, among other reasons, for his contributions to a number of charities and non-profit organizations throughout the year. The award is in line with the guiding principles of the Rotarians, who practice a "Four-Way Test" that governs ethical standards in personal and business relationships. The Rotary Club of Miami, founded in 1917, is Miami-Dade County's oldest and most prominent service organization and has touched thousands of people through its many programs.
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Fire Department Promotion Marks Several "Firsts" >>> Citing nearly 20 years of exemplary service to the Coral Gables Fire Department, Fire Chief Richard Cook has promoted Lt. Hope Simmons Gibbs to Division Chief, making her the first woman and first African-American to attain Chief Fire Officer rank within the Department. Division Chief Gibbs set another "first" when she was hired 18 years ago, becoming the first female and the first African-American firefighter in Coral Gables. The City congratulates Division Chief Gibbs for this well-deserved recognition.
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Have Holiday Fun at the Youth Center >>> The holidays are fast approaching and the Youth Center has lined up fun activities for children and adults alike. During their holiday break from school Dec. 19-30, kids can attend one of three camps at the Youth Center: the Holiday Art Camp for children ages 7-14 runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers kids the chance to create lasting works of art through clay, paints and other media. The Gymnastics Holiday Camp for children ages 3-15 runs in half-day and full-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 1,4 or 6 p.m. Participants learn progressive gymnastics skills that improve strength, flexibility and coordination, and take time out for arts and crafts and games as well. The Club P.L.A.Y. Holiday Camp for children ages 5-12 offers sports activities, field trips, special events and a cookout. Hours are the same as the Gymnastics Camp. Prices and registration dates vary, so call 305-460-5600 or visit the Youth Center at 405 University Drive for more details.
A healthy cooking class for adults ages 55 and older will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Youth Center, courtesy of the Coral Gables Senior Citizen's Advisory Board and the City of Coral Gables. Join special guests Melissa Coel and Nikki Guess from the Center on Nutrition and Aging at Florida International University for a complimentary lunch and a cooking demonstration based on a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but adapted to current dietary guidelines. Space is limited to 50 people, so RSVP by calling 305-460-5609 by Nov. 11 to reserve a spot.
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Merrick House Needs Docents >>> If you've got a penchant for history and a little free time on your hands, consider being a docent at the Merrick House - the boyhood home of Coral Gables founder George Merrick. The beautiful, coral rock home surrounded by lush gardens has been preserved by the City of Coral Gables and is open to the public as a museum. The Merrick House needs extra volunteers during the Holiday Open House from 12 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10, as well as year-round. Docents receive individual training and are asked to devote one or two afternoons a month to the museum, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays. Schedules can be accommodated to work around vacation or family time. The program has attracted some noteworthy members - one is a City Commissioner, another was named Teacher of the Year at her school, and the one who has served the longest had a long career that included producing the first television shows for children to be broadcast nationwide. The group forms a strong camaraderie and meets quarterly for training lectures. For more information, call Mary Agnes Beach with the Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5095.
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Join the Herald Hunt on Nov. 6 >>> The popular brain-teasing scavenger hunt known as The Herald Hunt heads to downtown Coral Gables this year, and the theme is Miami Vice, the popular TV series that brought South Florida into the limelight. So dust off your linen suits and roll up your sleeves before heading to downtown Gables on Nov. 6, and be ready to solve cryptic puzzles cooked up by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Dave Barry and his co-mastermind Tom Shroder, senior editor at The Washington Post Magazine. The event promises a fun-filled chase through the City Beautiful against a backdrop of pastel images of South Florida. The first player or team to solve the puzzle wins. For more information, visit www.heraldhunt.com on the Web.
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Join the Jr. Orange Bowl Queen's Contest and 5k Run >>> The Junior Orange Bowl Committee is calling on all girls ages 11-13 to participate in this year's Queen's Contest at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Venetian Pool, 2701 De Soto Boulevard. During the contest, one queen and two princesses will be selected based on personality, poise, charm and dedication to their communities. The Queen and her Princesses will reign over all events of the Jr. Orange Bowl International Youth Festival and ride on the Royal Court Float during the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade on Dec. 30. Contestants must pre-register. For more information and an application, call 305-460-5306. The Venetian Pool is located at 2701 De Soto Boulevard.
On Nov. 12, young runners-in-training cut loose in a non-competitive race known as the "One Mile Fun Run," followed by a challenging, 5-kilometer race that allows student athletes from elementary, middle and high schools around Miami-Dade County to shine. The events start at 8:30 a.m. at George Merrick Park, across from City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way.
The Queen's Contest and races are just three of the more than 20 events slated for this year's Jr. Orange Bowl International Youth Festival, the world's largest youth sports and arts festival. The world-renowned festival and Jr. Orange Bowl Parade celebrate the youth of South Florida and the world. For more information on any of the events in the Jr. Orange Bowl International Youth Festival, visit www.jrorangebowl.com on the Web.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project continues, so stay tuned for regular updates on possible traffic disruptions in every edition of e-News. The project is expected to be completed in May, 2006. In the meantime, the following measures continue to be implemented along Ponce:
> Sidewalk construction continues on the intersections along the west side of Ponce, from Alcazar Avenue heading south.
> The four traffic lanes on Ponce de Leon Boulevard continue to be shifted to the east.
> Police are ticketing people who illegally park inside the construction areas.
> Left turns are allowed only at the Miracle Mile and Alhambra Circle intersections of Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
> Left turns at the remaining intersections continue to be restricted, and police continue to enforce the "No Left Turn" signs.
> The Trolley stops along Ponce de Leon Boulevard at Valencia Avenue, Miracle Mile, Alhambra Circle and Minorca Avenue have been temporarily suspended.
> The valet service adjacent to Houston's, at the corner of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Miracle Mile, has been moved to Miracle Mile.
> Alleys perpendicular to Ponce de Leon Boulevard and within the boundaries of the construction area will be monitored to make sure vehicles are not blocking the alleyways.
Here are Florida Department of Transportation projects and events that
may impact traffic in or near Coral Gables:
>Valve box and manhole adjustments require
intermittent lane closures during the day and night on both northbound and
southbound Le Jeune Road, between Southwest 8th Street and Northwest 7th
Street.
> Milling and resurfacing require
nighttime lane closures, both northbound and southbound, from 9 p.m. to
5:30 a.m. at the Le Jeune Road and West Flagler Street
intersection.
For more information on
any of the projects listed above, call Carlos Sarmiento of the FDOT at
305-499-2410.
> One northbound lane at 2695 Le Jeune
Road continues to be closed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Nov.
21 due to construction.
> On Saturday,
Nov. 12, a section of Biltmore Way in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore
Way, will be closed in the morning in connection with the Junior Orange
Bowl 5k Race.
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Cultural Events Roundup >>> The following cultural events
were announced recently. Dates and times may change, so please call ahead
of time. For a complete list of current and upcoming events in Coral
Gables, click here.
> Nov. 4: Leila Josefowicz:
Portrait of a Woman with Violin. Award-winning violinist Leila Josefowicz
performs works by Beethoven, Salonen, and Ravel, which she will perform in
Carnegie Hall in November and has recently recorded for Warner Classics.
Presented in collaboration with Friends of Chamber Music of Miami.
Performance is at 8 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller
Dr., at the University of Miami. Tickets are $20 Adults; $15 Seniors; $10
Students. For more information, call 305-284-4940 or visit http://www.music.miami.edu/festivalmiami/ on the
Web.
> Nov. 6: Marvin Hamlisch,
composer of more than 40 motion picture scores and winner of three Oscars,
four Grammys, four Emmys, one Tony, three Golden Globe awards, and a
Pulitzer Prize for his groundbreaking Broadway hit, A Chorus
Line, is joined by singer Mark McVey for an unforgettable evening.
Performance is at 8 p.m. at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller
Dr., at the University of Miami. Tickets are $50 Section A; $40 Section B;
$30 Section C; $20 Section D. For more information, call 305-284-4940 or
visit http://www.music.miami.edu/festivalmiami/ on
the Web.
> Nov. 6 - Nov. 27: As part
of the re-dedication of the Bill Cosford Cinema, the University of Miami
will offer free screenings of the favorite films of Bill Cosford, a
popular adjunct professor in the motion pictures program of the School of
Communication, and film critic and arts writer for The Miami Herald from
1973 until his death in 1994. The Cinema was named Best Movie Theater by
the New Times and was first dedicated to Cosford 10 years ago.
The free movie screenings are at 3 p.m. on Sundays as follows: Nov. 6,
Jurassic Park; Nov. 13, Schindler's List; Nov. 20,
Blade Runner, and Nov. 27, Howard's End. For more
information, call 305-284-4861.
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