Wednesday, November 17, 2004
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CONTENTS:
Why the Coral Gables Zoning Code is being rewritten
'Tis the Season for Holiday shopping
New programming debuts on Channel 77
Still accepting nominations for Landscape
Beautification Awards
Chamber of Commerce President returns from Iraq
Coral Gables celebrates Pioneer Day
Coral Gables Citizen's Crime Watch recognizes
outstanding member
The Art of Cartagena comes to the Gables
International Holiday Illumination Ceremony at Village of Merrick Park
Ramble-A Garden Festival at Tropical Fairchild Garden
A salute to Coral Gables Employee of the Month
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Why the
Coral Gables Zoning Code is being rewritten
>>>
Over time, various sections of the Zoning Code of the City of Coral Gables have
been revised to address specific topics. Although each Code revision has
accomplished specific objectives, this approach has not resulted in a
comprehensive review. A total of 156 text revisions have occurred within the
last 10 years. The impetus for the rewrite is to implement many of the City
Commission programs and policies that have been completed to date. This
includes the Charrette 2002 Recommendations; Mediterranean Ordinance Review
Committee Recommendations; North Ponce Design Study; and other studies
completed to date. In addition to the City Commissions policy direction, the
Planning and Zoning Board, Historic Preservation Board, Board of Architects and
other City Boards and Committees have provided valuable direction and input to
current issues that are being addressed in the rewrite. The next public
hearings are scheduled for December 1 and December 8, 4 p.m., City Hall
Commission Chambers, with informal study sessions beginning an hour earlier at
3 p.m. The revised Code is available at
www.coralgables.com. Comments can be submitted via e-mail to
rewritecomments@coralgables.com, regular mail, or fax at 305-460-5327.
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'Tis the Season for
Holiday shopping
>>>
With Thanksgiving weekend marking the beginning of the holiday season, City
officials want to remind residents and visitors about convenient parking and
transportation alternatives to shop around Downtown Coral Gables. Shoppers
looking for bargains at Miracle Mile don't have to worry about looking for
parking or for spare change. There is a new Public Valet Station on the 200
block of Miracle Mile, in front of John Martin's, available Tuesday through
Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Also, the Coral Gables Trolley is a fast and
convenient way to access the many shops, businesses and restaurants located
along Miracle Mile and the surrounding neighborhoods, now offering an expanded
route to the Biltmore Hotel, Monday through Friday, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
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New programming debuts
on Channel 77
>>>
Starting this month, Coral Gables TV, now accessible on Channel 77, will
feature a new 15-minute television show entitled, All About Your Garden,
produced by City staff in coordination with Fairchild Tropical Garden. The
show, shot at the scenic premises of Fairchild on Cutler Road, will highlight
important botanical tips as well as interesting history related to gardening in
South Florida. For a glimpse of this new show,
click here. (video link)
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Still accepting
nominations for Landscape Beautification Awards
>>>
There is plenty of time to nominate the best landscaped homes and commercial
properties in Coral Gables for the annual Landscape Beautification Awards. For
the first time this year, nominations will be accepted from anyone -homeowners,
professional landscapers, neighbors or the general public- to award deserving
property owners within Coral Gables. Nomination forms can be obtained at the
Public Service Department or www.coralgables.com
and must be submitted with photos or digital images by December 31, 5 p.m. to
2800 S.W. 72 Avenue, Miami, FL 33155.
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Chamber of Commerce
President returns from Iraq
>>>
The City of Coral Gables would like to extend a warm welcome to Army Reserve
Colonel and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President Letti J. Bien who is
returning to the City Beautiful after being deployed to Iraq for the past 12
months. City officials recently congratulated Interim President Ana M. Gonzalez
for a job well done during Bien's absence. Bien will be officially welcomed at
the First Annual Coconut Ball, a fundraising event, on Saturday, January 22, 7
p.m. at the Country Club of Coral Gables. For information, call 305-446-1657.
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Coral Gables celebrates Pioneer
Day
>>>
History buffs can learn all about the oldest cemetery south of the Miami River
and about one of the oldest historical sites in Coral Gables during Pioneer
Day, Saturday, November 20, 10 a.m.-12 noon at the Pinewood Cemetery, located
at Erwin Road just south of Sunset Drive. This final resting place for veterans
of the Seminole Indian War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I as
well as for early pioneer families, and victims of the 1926 Hurricane, will be
the site of Pioneer Day, a celebration that will include a tour of the
cemetery, presenters in pioneer costumes, and guest speaker Harriet Liles. For
information call 305-460-5093.
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Coral
Gables Citizen's Crime Watch recognizes outstanding members
>>>
The Citizen's Crime Watch recently recognized several Coral Gables residents
for their efforts in reducing crime in our neighborhoods. At the Annual
Installation Luncheon, held at the Biltmore Hotel, long-time resident Marge
Hartnett received the Donald D. Slesnick Sr. Award; Dennis Doucette received
the Special Appreciation Award; and Robin Wells was the recipient of the
Mildred McDonald Award. Congratulations to the winners for their dedication to
make this a safer community.
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The Art of Cartagena comes to the
Gables
>>>
The City of Coral Gables, in cooperation with the Consul General of Colombia,
is hosting The Art of Cartagena: A Sister City Exhibit, a display of 11 local
artists from the Colombian City. The event takes place on Thursday, November
18, 8 p.m., 280 Aragon Avenue. A special delegation will include a visit from
the Mayor of Cartagena and other dignitaries to Coral Gables City Hall. For
more information call 305-460-5385.
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International Holiday
Illumination Ceremony at Village of Merrick Park
>>>
Join TV personality Belkys Nerey and Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick for the
official kick-off of the holiday season at the Village of Merrick Park, on
Friday, November 19, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the musical performance by the Miami
Children's Chorus at the Village's Garden, located between Ponce de Leon
Boulevard and LeJeune Road. And don't miss a special visit of Parrot Jungle and
their birds on Saturday, November 20, 2-4 p.m. Both events are free and open to
the public. For information call 305-461-2311.
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Ramble-A Garden Festival at Tropical Fairchild
Garden
>>>
Celebrate outdoor living in Coral Gables at the popular Ramble-A Garden
Festival, at Tropical Fairchild Garden, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday,
November 20 and 21, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The event, now on its 64th year, offers
residents and visitors a blend of old traditions and new introductions of
plants, garden accessories, exhibits, shopping, food, music and activities for
children and adults alike. For information call 305-667-1651.
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A
salute to Coral Gables Employee of the Month
>>>
Congratulations to Fred Grainger, a dedicated employee of the City of Coral
Gables since 1980 who has been selected as the November 2004 Employee of the
Month. He is an Equipment Operator for the Public Works Department and is best
characterized for his friendly and helpful demeanor, and for being a proud
example of a local public employee.
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