Wednesday, December 13, 2006
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CONTENTS:Coral Gables Museum Gets $1.6 Million Pledge
Nominate The Best Landscaped Property
Why Do We Need Traffic Calming In Coral Gables?
Waste Pick Up Schedule Runs One Day Late For The Holidays
Enjoy Complimentary Garage Parking On Saturdays
Send Your Holiday Greetings To Loved Ones Overseas
New Book Unveils Miracle On The Mile
Children Can Keep Busy At Holiday Camps
Watch "On The Scene" On Coral Gables Television
Delivering Smiles And Toys To Children This Holiday
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Named A Horticultural Landmark
Traffic
Events Roundup
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Coral Gables Museum Gets $1.6 Million Pledge >>> Friends of the Coral Gables Museum received some very happy news just in time for the holidays: a pledge for $1.6 million from Robert "Jud" and Jennifer Shelley. This donation, the largest one-time sum pledged so far, will be used for the construction of the entire wing of the museum, which is slated to open in the summer of 2008. The Shelly family, long-time residents of Miami moving to the City of Coral Gables, was impressed when Museum Board Chairman George Kakouris approached the pair to participate in the City's first cultural and historical museum. Fundraising in the past year and a half has raised close to $5 million and more activities are planned for 2007 to seek funding for the museum's construction at the historic Police and Fire Station located at 285 Aragon Avenue. For more information on the future Coral Gables Museum, contact Mary Agnes Beach from the Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5095.
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Nominate The Best Landscaped Property >>> Calling all property owners with a green thumb and an eye for well designed and maintained yards! The City of Coral Gables is now accepting applications for its annual Landscape Beautification Awards which recognizes the tradition of creating beautiful, well maintained front yard landscaping that everyone can enjoy. Homeowners, professional landscapers, neighbors and the general public are welcomed to submit nominations for the Landscape Beautification Awards. The awards are not restricted to single family homes. Commercial properties are also encouraged to participate. A total of five plaques will be awarded along with bragging rights for a full year. Nomination forms are available at the Public Service Department by clicking here and must be submitted with photos or digital images by December 31, 2006 to the Public Service Department located at 2800 S.W. 72 Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 or emailed to jcarrasquillo@coralgables.com. For more information, call the Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.
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Why Do We Need Traffic Calming In Coral Gables? >>> The City of Coral Gables is located in the heart of Miami-Dade County, a blessing for most residents looking for easy access to the beach, the airport, and main interstate roads. Being in the center of attention also brings uninvited cut-through traffic and speeding drivers to neighborhood streets. This is why the City of Coral Gables has an aggressive and successful traffic calming program that protects City streets from becoming dangerous race tracks and makes roads safe for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. There are many ways to implement traffic calming measures: from stop signs, to speed limits, to traffic circles and roundabouts, and landscaped medians. All of these devices make City streets safer for all. Do you know what are the "dos and don'ts" of driving in a traffic circle? Do you have a topic you would like to see explained? In the upcoming e-News, the City of Coral Gables will begin an awareness campaign to educate the public about traffic calming in Coral Gables and how residents can do to make the streets of Coral Gables safer to navigate. To offer your ideas or suggestions, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205 or send an e-mail to e-news@coralgables.com.
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Waste Pick Up Schedule Runs One Day Late For The Holidays >>> For those residents who are too busy running errands and shopping during the holidays, here's a friendly reminder that the waste pick up schedule will run one day late during Christmas and the New Year's holidays. There will be no pick up service on Monday, December 25 and on Monday, January 1, 2007. Monday's schedule will be serviced on Tuesday, December 26 and on January 2; Tuesday's schedule will be serviced on Wednesday, December 27 and on January 3. Waste pick up services will be back on schedule by Thursday, December 28 and by January 4. For more information, call the Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.
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Enjoy Complimentary Garage Parking On Saturdays >>> To ensure that your last weeks of holiday shopping are truly enjoyable, the City of Coral Gables is offering two hours of complimentary garage self-parking every remaining Saturday in December. The following City-owned garages in Downtown Coral Gables are participating in this holiday promotion: Garage 1 (245 Andalusia Avenue), Garage 2 (220 Aragon Avenue), Garage 4 (385 Andalusia Avenue), and Garage 6 (51 Aragon Avenue). This offer is in addition to the Holiday Courtesy Ticket that City personnel may leave on your windshield if the time on your parking meter has expired. Smile if you get this holiday greeting because it is not a parking ticket but an extension for another 60 minutes in your meter overtime. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parking Department at 305-460-5542.
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Send Your Holiday Greetings To Loved Ones Overseas >>> Do you have a member of your family serving in the military overseas that you won't see for the holidays? Would you like to send them a holiday greeting? If so, the City of Coral Gables with the help of Coral Gables "Santa" Television will make it possible to send a very merry message that can be viewed by service men and women worldwide. Gables residents only with close relatives serving in the armed forces overseas will have a chance to tape a personalized message that will be filmed by Coral Gables Television. All you have to do is get all your family and friends together in one place and the City will bring the television cameras. Holiday messages will be posted on the City of Coral Gables web site, www.coralgables.com, so that friends and family can be viewed online, worldwide, anytime. This is a small gesture from the City of Coral Gables to thank residents for the support provided throughout the year, especially to the families that have loved ones in the military overseas. If you are a Coral Gables resident and would like to schedule a taping of holiday greetings, please send an e-mail to e-news@coralgables.com.
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New Book Unveils Miracle On The Mile >>> Just like the classic film "Miracle on 34th Street," another story will bring holiday cheers and warmth to families in Coral Gables. The story of Actor's Playhouse on Miracle Mile and how a community came together to save an old main street cinema and create a renowned cultural arts center is chronicled in "Miracle on the Mile: The First Ten Years of Actor's Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre." The new book was unveiled yesterday at the City Commission meeting by theatre founder Barbara Stein and highlights the public/private partnership of this organization with the City of Coral Gables. Filled with photographs and an historic timeline, the book contains personal narratives and anecdotes contributed by those who helped restore the Miracle Theatre, including architects, suppliers, City and government officials, corporate sponsors, patrons of the arts, producers, directors and actors who have graced the stage. For information regarding "Miracle on the Mile," contact the Actor's Playhouse at 305-444-9293.
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Children Can Keep Busy At Holiday Camps >>> If you're looking to keep children active during the holiday school break, the City of Coral Gables has two fun camps to consider. Beginning on December 26 through January 5, 2007, a Tennis Holiday Camp is open at the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center for all level players. Children can practice tennis from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or just for half days from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or from 12 noon to 4 p.m. There is also a Holiday Art Camp open at the War Memorial Youth Center from December 26 through January 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids can spend the holiday break creating fun works of art using clay, paints, and other media. You can now register on-line for any of these camps at www.playgables.com. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.
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Watch "On The Scene" On Coral Gables Television >>> Click here to watch a preview of the latest episode of Coral Gables Television's "On The Scene," the City's original programming that informs and entertains viewers on the beautiful Coral Gables lifestyle. In this latest 30-minute show, hosts Belkys Perez, Santiago Sierra and Jackie Diaz will demonstrate viewers how to organize and prepare for a Mediterranean picnic, Coral Gables style. Watch great ideas on how to cook for your guests, decorate your home, be the perfect host, and even on how to make entertaining party drinks such as the Gables spritzer, the Mile long drink and Merrick Mediterranean punch. Don't miss this show on how to give the perfect party for the holidays. For more information, contact Coral Gables Television at 305-460-5205.
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Delivering Smiles And Toys To Children This Holiday >>> No child in Coral Gables or anywhere else should go without receiving a gift this holiday: that's a pledge the Coral Gables Fire Explorers have made. But in order to deliver that promise, people in the City Beautiful are being called to action. Fire Explorers, a group of volunteers at the Coral Gables Fire Department ages 14 to 21, have specially wrapped big boxes and placed them throughout the City for their annual Holiday Toy Drive. Take an unwrapped gift to any Publix Supermarket in Coral Gables: 2551 S. Le Jeune Road and 1401 Monza Avenue; any of the City's Fire Stations: 2815 Salzedo Street, 525 South Dixie Highway and 11911 Old Cutler Road; the University of Miami: 1320 S. Dixie Highway; or to Coral Gables Senior High School: 450 Bird Road, and drop off the gift into one of the wrapped and specifically marked boxes. Fire Explorers will then separate the toys by age and sex, wrap them and deliver them to over 300 children at the Barnyard, an aftercare program for underprivileged kids ages 5 through 13. If it were not for the generosity of people in Coral Gables or the hard work of the Fire Explorers, there would be no holiday cheer for these children. Charitable organizations, Miami Children's Hospital and immigrant camps in Homestead have all benefited from the generosity of previous toy drives. Make a difference in the life of a child this year by donating a toy at any of the participating locations. For more information on donating gifts call the Coral Gables Fire Department at 305-460-5751.
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Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Named A Horticultural Landmark >>> Fairchild is not only the best place in the Gables to get in touch with nature, it is also a Horticultural Landmark according to the American Society of Horticultural Science. The award commemorates Fairchild's horticultural accomplishments because of its historical, scientific, environmental and aesthetic value. Other sites worthy of this recognition include the Royal Botanic Gardens in Ontario and the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington D.C. Don't forget that the spectacular season of Chihuly at Fairchild continues from now until May of 2007. An outstanding success last year, Chihuly returns to Fairchild for an expanded exhibition of colorful glass pieces. For more information, contact Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden at 305-667-1615.
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Traffic >>> Le Jeune Road from S.W. Eighth Street to Alhambra Circle: The Florida Department of Transportation has shifted all traffic to the southbound side of Le Jeune Road between S.W. Eighth Street and Alhambra Circle. Work is now taking place along the northbound side of Le Jeune Road. Traffic flow will remain in this configuration for approximately the next four months while construction work is completed in this area. During this phase of construction, one lane will remain open in each direction and access to residences and businesses will continue. Contractors have made great progress with this project and will now focus on completing drainage, lighting, sidewalk, curb and gutter work, and resurfacing the road during this phase of construction. The side streets of Madeira and Alcazar Avenues have been affected by watermain and lateral pipe installations associated with this project. Drivers can expect temporary lane closures between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., however access to local traffic will be maintained at all times. Expect delays if traveling through the area.
> Le Jeune Road from Alhambra Circle to South Dixie Highway: Construction on Le Jeune Road has been expanded south to South Dixie Highway. A single lane closure will continue on the outer southbound lane on Le Jeune Road between Andalusia Avenue to the north and Ponce de Leon Boulevard to the south near Dixie Highway. The lane closure will be in effect between 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A single lane closure will also affect northbound traffic on Le Jeune Road as the outer northbound lane closes from Zamora Avenue south to Ponce de Leon Boulevard before reaching Dixie Highway also between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. You may encounter traffic delays in the area as crews pour concrete, update sidewalks, lighting and draining systems and resurface the road. All access to side streets for residents and businesses will remain open.
> Construction of a building will affect traffic on the outer northbound lane of Le Jeune Road between Palermo and Sevilla Avenues. The outer lane will experience intermittent closures from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as private contractors work on sidewalk and curb reconstruction. For more information on any of these projects, call Public Information Specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410.
Traffic during special events:> December 17th: The Globe Café's Open Air Antiques Market will close off Alhambra Circle between Le Jeune Road and Salzedo Street on alternating Sundays. Please use Alcazar or Giralda Avenues travel the area.
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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 Coral Gables, click here.
December 13: Join Coral Gables City Clerk Walter J. Foeman for a special workshop on strategies and techniques to find creative sources of funding when dealing with a limited budget. The workshop will be held online at 1 p.m. from the convenience of your own computer. Just join Tower Software, an enterprise software solutions company, and the City Clerk on line by clicking here. Administrative professionals, business and technical decision makers are welcomed to log on and join the workshop. For more information call 1-800-255-9914.
December 14: The City of Coral Gables and the Florida Atlantic University's Small Business Development Center will hold its last small business seminar tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. The seminar will deal with How to Obtain an SBA Loan and will include a detailed step by step look at the process of obtaining a Small Business Administration loan. The seminar is free. For more information or to register please call Jessica Wotherspoon at the Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5314 or email her at jwotherspoon@coralgables.com.
December 16: The Phillip & Patricia Frost School of Music presents the classic Ferdinand the Bull at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at the University of Miami as part of the childrens' series, Sunday Afternoon with Music. This special Saturday performance includes a sampling of Spanish music with all its exciting rhythms and melodies. The musical starts at 3p.m. and ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for children. For more information, call 305-271-7150.
Through December 17: Experience the culinary delights of Andalusia, Spain right here in Coral Gables during the Chef's Fest. Sample selected menus from Coral Gables restaurants: 1200 Courtyard Grill, 1200 Anastasia Avenue; Cacao, 141 Giralda Avenue; Caffe Abbracci, 318 Aragon Avenue; Chispa, 225 Altara Avenue; La Cofradia, 2525 Ponce de Leon Boulevard; Palm d'Or, 1200 Anastasia Avenue; and Ortanique, 278 Miracle Mile. There will be fixed prices and special dishes created for this event. For more information, click here.
December 19: The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has organized a Women's Business Network Luncheon that will be open to men as well. Tuesday's luncheon at the Country Club of Coral Gables, 997 N. Greenway Drive, will focus on Executive Charisma: How to Think Like a CEO by guest speaker Mark Trowbridge President and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. The cost for non-Chambers is $40. Reservations are accepted until tomorrow. For more information, call 305-446-1657.
Through December 20: Thanks to a partnership between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the City of Coral Gables, the exhibit "Art of Our Youth; Art of Our Future" will be on display at City Hall through 20 during the hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please join the City of Coral Gables to celebrate the artistic vision in an exhibit of inspired art by the students of Miami-Dade County Public Schools including Coral Gables Elementary, Coral Gables Senior High School, David Fairchild Elementary, George Washington Carver Elementary, George Washington Carver Middle, Ponce de Leon Middle School, South Miami Elementary School, South Miami Middle School, South Miami Senior High, Sunset Elementary and Henry S. West Laboratory School. City Hall is located at 405 Biltmore Way. For more information, call 305-460-5314.
December 26 - 29: Children ages 3 to 15 who love gymnastics can also take advantage of the holiday school break to brush up on their skills at the Parks and Recreation Gymnastics Holiday Camp. Children can improve technique, physical strength, flexibility and coordination. Besides gymnastics the children will enjoy other fun daily activities such as arts and crafts, movie time and games. Full day sessions are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but there is a half-day session and extended full-day session available with prices varying accordingly. For more information, call 305-460-5600 or click here.
December 27: Bruce Springsteen's longtime biographer Dave Marsh has released a full color tribute to the musician. Many of the photos that were used are from Springsteen's personal collection. Marsh will be on hand at Books and Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, on Wednesday at 8 p.m. to talk about the book "Bruce Springsteen on Tour 1968 - 2005" and answer questions. For more information, call 305-442-4408.BACK TO TOP
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For e-News en español, click here.
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