Wednesday, December 29, 2004
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CONTENTS:
Botero on the Boulevard.
Restoration of the City Hall Cupola
More Zoning Code Meetings to Follow
Communicating in 2005
Coral Gables and Miami-Dade Police Departments
sign mutual aid agreement
Coral Gables adopts new financial policies
Farmer's Market returns to the Gables
Make that trip to Fairchild Tropical Garden
Book review at the Coral Gables Youth Center
Employee of the Month: Maggie Hill
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Botero on the Boulevard
>>>
As South Florida residents and visitors welcomed in the New Year, another
special welcoming was also underway in the City Beautiful. Coral Gables greeted
the arrival of a spectacular bronze Botero sculpture to Ponce Circle Park,
located just blocks away from Miracle Mile and in the heart of the city's
bustling downtown. The sculpture, entitled "Male Torso," is one of the most
significant — and largest — monumental sculptures completed by the
famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero. The sculpture is on loan from Gary
Nader fine art, and is expected to remain through May 2005 at the park, located
in the 2800 block of Ponce de Leon Blvd.
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Restoration of the City
Hall Cupola
>>>
Next time you're at City Hall, take a moment to look up and admire the
completed restoration of the cupola mural. This beautiful work of art,
originally executed by Denman Fink, uncle of Coral Gables founder George
Merrick, is entitled "The Four Seasons." The mural, which portrays graphic
designs and illustrations of fruit and birds native to Florida, had suffered a
great deal of damage, but has now been restored to its original 1927 splendor.
For more information, call 305-460-5093.
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More
Zoning Code Meetings to Follow
>>>
The rewrite of the Coral Gables Zoning Code is well underway, but it's not too
late for citizens and other interested parties to provide input. City leaders
have asked for more public meetings to be held through June. The Zoning Code is
the set of laws that governs future development in Coral Gables, and is the
principal way city leaders make sure the City Beautiful stays beautiful. Copies
of these laws are on the city's website at
www.coralgables.com. The meetings will probably be held at 6 p.m. on
the third or fourth Wednesday of each month at City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. The
new meeting dates will be announced soon.
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Communicating in 2005
>>>
With the New Year upon us, the City of Coral Gables plans to continue enhancing
communications to its residents and visitors. The newly formed Communications
Division, under the direction of City Manager David Brown, will publish
information about City programs and events through its award-winning printed
newsletter, City Beautiful and electronic e-News, in addition to update the
public with a 2005 City Services Guide and other publications. Additional
programming is also planned for Coral Gables TV, which now can be viewed in
Channel 77. Residents wishing to submit input about communication plans for
2005, can send their information to
e-news@coralgables.com.
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Coral Gables and
Miami-Dade Police Departments sign mutual aid agreement
>>>
The Coral Gables Police Department has renewed its mutual aid agreement with
the Miami-Dade Police Department for another five years, through 2010. Most law
enforcement agencies have these types of contracts in place. They allow the
departments to help each other in times of crisis, as well as during routine
police work where one may need assistance or resources from the another agency.
The new agreement replaces the existing one, which ends on January 1.
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Coral Gables adopts new financial
policies
>>>
Always striving for excellence, the City has adopted new financial policies
that continue to follow state, City and professional standards for superior
fiscal management, but now provide a more detailed, comprehensive approach to
financial planning. The policies cover everything from tax collection to
record-keeping, to planning for the current and future needs of Coral Gables'
citizens. One major goal is to build and maintain cash reserves equal to 10
percent of the operating budget — a safeguard against emergencies and
part of sound city fiscal management.
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Farmer's Market returns to the Gables
>>>
Grab a basket and bring the family to the City Beautiful's 14th Annual Farmer's
Market, running every Saturday from January 15 through March 26 on the steps of
City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. Tai Chi in the Park makes a comeback, too, at 8
a.m. every Saturday while the market is running, followed by gardening
workshops at 9 a.m., cooking demonstrations at 10 a.m., and kids' activities at
11 a.m. For more information, call 305-460-5311.
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Make That Trip to
Fairchild Tropical Garden
>>>
Get to know the Victoria Amazonica, also known as the giant Amazon water lily,
at its new exhibit at Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. This
charming water lily is native to South America and was first discovered in the
United States in 1801. These beautiful specimens grow 4 to 6 feet in diameter
and their striking leaves can hold up to 300 pounds in weight — and quite
a few frogs! For hours or directions, call 305-667-1651.
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Book
review at the Coral Gables Youth Center
>>>
Pack an imaginary bag or two and come travel with Susan Orlean on her unique
journeys to unexplored destinations. Orlean's book, "My Kind of Place," will be
reviewed by Rosann Whitten from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, January 10, at
the Coral Gables Youth Center, 405 University Drive. The entrance fee is $5 and
light refreshments will be served. Following the review, all are invited to
stay and play cards. For more information, call 305-460-5600.
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Employee of the Month: Maggie Hill
>>>
Congratulations to Maggie Hill, January's employee of the month in the City of
Coral Gables. Maggie is the Supervisor at the Venetian Pool and is being
honored for her outstanding customer service skills as well as her
contributions to the community. She is a great asset to the Parks and
Recreation Department and an invaluable employee. Way to go, Maggie.
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