Wednesday, July 26, 2006
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CONTENTS:Sister Cities Initiative Receives Overall Best Program Award
Coral Gables Super Lawyers Shine in Law & Politics
Utility Service Task Force Presents Recommendations
The SunPost Selects 2006 Best of City Life
Senior Housing Project Moves Forward
What is Merrick Looking At?
Drive Now, Talk Later
Coral Gables Television Airs McFarlane Documentary
View Coral Gables Historic Homes On-Line
Self-Defense Classes For Kids Are Offered
Traffic Watch
Cultural Roundup
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Sister Cities Initiative Receives Overall Best Program Award >>> Coral Gables has been establishing relationships with international cities for almost half a century through its Sister Cities Program. The goal of the program is to create educational and cultural exchanges between Sister Cities with a similar Mediterranean character. On July 15th at the Annual Award Ceremony held at the historic Warsaw Theater during the 50th Annual Sister Cities International Conference in Washington D.C., Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick received the Best Overall Program Award for the City's continued success in building international relationships. Coral Gables took home this prestigious award in recognition of the City's efforts, experience and continued success in promoting citizen diplomacy, networking and partnerships between the U.S. and international communities. The City of Coral Gables has Sister City relationships with Cartagena, Colombia; Aix-en-Provence, France; Granada, Spain; La Antigua, Guatemala; Province of Pisa, Italy; and Quito, Ecuador. The Coral Gables Sister City Program is administered by the Development Department and the City's International Affairs Coordinating Council, a group of volunteer residents for the purpose of enhancing international relations. For additional information on the Sister Cities Program, contact Olga M. Garcia, Assistant to the Mayor, at omgarcia@coralgables.com or 305-460-5220.
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Coral Gables Super Lawyers Shine in Law & Politics >>> In a special edition published by Law & Politics, a number of Coral Gables lawyers share the spotlight for being selected among Florida top 100 "super lawyers." Among the coveted list are City of Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick and City Attorney Elizabeth M. Hernandez. Each year, Law & Politics mails 44,000 ballots to every lawyer in Florida who has been in practice at least five years. Lawyers are asked to nominate the best lawyers that they have personally observed in action, candidates are then divided into practice areas and evaluated by a blue ribbon panel or preeminent peers in their practice area. Among the top 100 Super Lawyers in Coral Gables are: Lewis S. Mike Edison, Ervin A. Gonzalez, William A. Haggard, Joseph M. Matthews and Bruce M. Stone. Attorney Leslie J. Lott made the list among the Top 50 Female Super Lawyers. By primary area of practice, Coral Gables super lawyers include Marc Cooper and Dorothy E. Easley (appellate); Carl H. Hoffman, Roberto Martinez, Joseph M. Matthews, Steven R. Reininger and Gerard B. Wald (business litigation); Martin J. Genauer and Ramon E. Rasco (business/corporate); M. Cristina Moreno (closely held business); Joseph W. Downs, Michael F. Kashtan, Steven M. Siegfried and Stuart H. Sobel (construction litigation); Brian H. Bieber (criminal defense); Joel Hirschhorn and Steven Hunter Kassner (criminal defense: white collar); Don Slesnick and Robert A. Sugarman (labor); Neil Chonin (employment litigation); Neil R. Chrystal, Jack A. Falk Jr., Brian J. Felcoski, John J. Grundhauser, and Bruce M. Stone (estate planning); Ana Martin-Lavielle, Robert J. Merlin, Javier Perez-Abreu and Marcia Soto (family law); Leon N. Patricios (general litigation); Elizabeth M. Hernandez (government); Jeffrey N. Brauwerman (immigration); Leslie J. Lott and Mark E. Stein (intellectual property); Robert G. Breier (mergers and acquisitions); Glenn P. Falk and Miles A. McGrane (medical malpractice); Susan J. Cole (personal injury/products); Dean C. Colson, Thomas A. Culmo, David L. Deehl, Gary Alan Friedman, Marvin Ross Friedman, Ervin A. Gonzalez, Michael A. Haggard, William A. Haggard, Joseph Kalbac and Michael Palahach (personal injury plaintiff); Spencer Marc Aronfeld, Theodore Fournaris, Tomas F. Gamba and Hector J. Lombana (personal injury/medical malpractice); Lewis S. Mike Eidson and Robert L. Parks (personal injury plaintiff/products); Gerald J. Biondo (real estate/eminent domain); Joel J. Karp, Michael Rosenberg and Sydney S. Traum (tax); John W. Keller and George O. Mitchell (transportation/maritime); and Robert J. Rodriguez (workers' compensation). Congratulations to all of Coral Gables outstanding "super" lawyers.
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Utility Service Task Force Presents Recommendations >>> At the July 11th City Commission Meeting, the City of Coral Gables Utility Service Reliability Task Force presented the findings and recommendations after analyzing the current utilities infrastructure following an aggressive storm season. The Task Force was formed late last year and is made up of resident volunteers charged with providing input to the City Commission to enhance the utility services reliability. After meeting for the past six months, conducting a public hearing and talking to residents and the Florida Public Service Commission, the Task Force developed several recommendations: to centralize the management and establish relationship with utilities on behalf of residents and business owners under the direction of a qualified professional; to establish a Technical Committee of utility services; to study the economics and benefits of putting utilities underground; to establish a comprehensive vegetation plan in cooperation with the utilities, among others. Members of the City Commission accepted the report acknowledging and commending the work of the Task Force members J. Peter Martin, Richard DeWitt, Enrique Lopez, Jorge Otero, Thor Bruce, John E. Anderson and Juan Galan for their dedication in examining this complex issue. City staff will now prioritize these recommendations and will come back to City Commission with a timetable and management plan within 60 days. For a list of the Task Force recommendations, contact the City Manager's Office at 305-460-5202.
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The SunPost Selects 2006 Best of City Life >>> According to the weekly publication The Sun-Post, Coral Gables is the Best Neighborhood To Live In. And in case you missed it, the June 29th edition of The SunPost, names the Office of Public Affairs as Best City Department In Coral Gables. In their own words, "the hard working kids at the Office of Public Affairs continuously send us such happy news about city departments, city events and even private city businesses via their e-mailed City Beautiful newsletter." Also as runner up for Best Managed City was Coral Gables tying with Aventura. Other top picks include:
> Best Way To Heal A Struggling Relationship: Carroll's Jewelers, 365 Miracle Mile
> Best Clothing Restoration: Rey's Cleaners, 2619 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
> Best Local Babysitter For Your Growing Business: Uvium, Inc., 4000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 470
> Best Literary Sanctuary: Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue
> Best New Shopping Mall: Village of Merrick Park, 4425 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
> Best Italian Fashion Designer: Roberto Cavalli, Village of Merrick Park, 342 San Lorenzo Avenue, Suite 1090
> Best Place To Buy A Wedding Gown: Miracle Mile
> Best Shoe Fashion Statement: Jimmy Choo, 360 San Lorenzo Avenue
> Best Children's Furniture Store: Bellini, 50 Miracle Mile
> Best Store For Final Home Touches: Casa Chameleon, 358 San Lorenzo Avenue, Ste 3140
> Best All-Around Collection: Gucci, Village of Merrick Park, 342 San Lorenzo Avenue, Ste 1015
> Best Scent Shop: The Boys, 295 Miracle Mile
> Best Fusion Restaurant: Tambo, 275 Giralda Avenue
> Best Boxer Turned Chef: Mark Randazzo, Randazzo's Little Italy, 150 Giralda Avenue
> Best Hand-Made Confections: Schakolad Chocolate Factory, 323 Aragon Avenue
> Best Mainland Deco Dining: Restaurant St. Michel, 162 Alcazar Avenue
> Best Intimate Italian Spot In The Gables: Anacapri on the Mile, 264 Miracle Mile
> Best Indian Restaurant: House of India, 22 Merrick Way
> Best Seafood Restaurant In Coral Gables: Catch of the Day, 1050 N.W. LeJeune Road
> Best Power Lunch/Dinner in Coral Gables: Le Provencal, 382 Miracle Mile
> Best Karaoke Night: Sundays at Titanic Brewery, 5813 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
> Best Mainland Beer Selection: The Bar, 172 Giralda Avenue
> Best Supporting Actress: Beth McIntosh, Brooklyn Boy, GableStage
> Best Director: Joseph Adler, GableStage
> Best Musical: Johnny Guitar, Actor's Playhouse
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Senior Housing Project Moves Forward >>> The City Commission authorized the City Manager to enter into negotiations with The Palace Group to develop a high quality, market rate congregate senior housing facility on the current property of Municipal Lot No. 9 and Parking Garage No. 5 at 45-50 Andalusia Avenue. This will begin the process of providing elderly housing in the City of Coral Gables, with an estimated completion date in 2010. After a rigorous selection process to find a senior housing developer, City Commission agreed with the Senior Housing Request For Proposal Evaluation Committee in selecting The Palace Group to develop a luxury rental independent living and assisted living facility in Coral Gables. This corporation operates seven similar communities in Kendall, Homestead, Weston and Tel-Aviv. The proposed project will include 156 units of independent living and 40 units of assisted living, offering one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, and 540 parking spaces. When completed, The Palace at Coral Gables will offer activities such as adult education, entertainment, housekeeping, transportation, concierge and wellness services where Coral Gables senior citizens and families will have priority placement. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5312.
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What is Merrick Looking At? >>> Miracle Mile? Or was he mounted wrong? The answer: none of the above. The recently installed George Merrick statue, a memorial to the founder of the City Beautiful was placed as he should be, gazing out toward the northeast to the Douglas Entrance, not Miracle Mile. "One reason he's not looking at Miracle Mile is because he had nothing to do with Miracle Mile. It was a post World War II thing," explains historian Arva Moore Parks McCabe. In fact, in Merrick's master plan for the City of Coral Gables, he envisioned the main streets to be Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Alhambra Circle. An aerial view of Coral Gables reveals City Hall facing directly at Douglas Entrance, the true focus of Merrick's eyes. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Drive Now, Talk Later >>> The use of cellular phones has skyrocketed in recent years, and this increase has been accompanied by an increase number of individuals concurrently driving and talking on the cell phone. Recent estimates suggest that cellular phone users spend 60 percent of talking time while driving. A year long study videotaped volunteers while in their vehicles to determine what driving behaviors causes crashes. It was found that the use of cellular phones was the number one distraction. Drivers who don't pay attention or are distracted are three times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers who pay attention to the road and don't eat breakfast, talk on a cell phone or put on make-up, a new study finds. For this reason, the City of Coral Gables joined other local governmental bodies in urging the State of Florida to enact laws that will preclude cellular telephone use while driving in a school zone. A recent tragic death of a local minor child while crossing the street in a school crossing zone occurred after being struck by a vehicle driven by a person that was using a cellular phone. Phone conversations have been shown to cause a cognitive distraction in drivers, causing what is termed "tunnel vision" in drivers. Please remember that safety is always your most important call. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205.
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Coral Gables Television Airs McFarlane Documentary >>> Now airing on Coral Gables Television is "Visions From The Past: Preserving the Heritage of the MacFarlane Housing District," an original 30-minute documentary about this historic Coral Gables neighborhood located on the corner of U.S. 1 and Grand Avenue, east of LeJeune Road. The program showcases Flora MacFarlane, a settler who claimed her 160-acre homestead in 1892 in what is today the City of Coral Gables, and contains interviews with current residents, historian Arva Moore Parks McCabe and preservation architect Mike Steffans. This interesting documentary will show how current City Beautiful residents are trying to hold on to Coral Gables history by making housing restoration a top priority. Comcast subscribers can watch Coral Gables Television at Channel 77 and Adelphia customers can view it on Channel 97. For more information, contact Coral Gables Television at 305-460-5521.
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View Coral Gables Historic Homes On-Line >>> Thanks to a partnership project between the Coral Gables City Clerk's Office, the Historical Resources Department and Florida International University Libraries Digital Collection Center, you can view original photos of homes from the 1920s and 1930s on-line. The album "Coral Gables Memory" is a digital collection of images which documents homes and business structures from the early years. The photographs depict the development of the City of Coral Gables as a planned community with architectural styles inspired by Mediterranean models. Currently, there are 4,206 images from 110 streets, from Aduana Avenue through LeJeune Road available on-line. If you own a historic home and want to view an original photo of your property, click here.
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Self-Defense Classes For Kids Are Offered >>> The Coral Gables Police Department is offering self-defense classes for children ages 5-7 that will teach them how to make the right decisions when confronted. The seven-session R.A.D. Kid classes will be offered on August 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 & 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Coral Gables Police Department, 2801 Salzedo Street. Parking will be available in the 200-300 blocks of Sevilla and Palermo Avenues as parking meters will not be enforced after 5 p.m. Cost is $50 per child with discounts for additional siblings. A parent or guardian must attend all classes with the children. For additional information, contact the Police Department's Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5401.
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Traffic Watch >>> Construction on the Ponce de Leon Median Improvement Project is currently in its final stages. Landscaping has been taking place for the past three weeks with dozens of trees and shrubs being planted on the median. The completion of the irrigation system at the median is now underway while other crews are working on milling existing concrete crosswalks and replacing them with new ones. This part of the project is scheduled to be completed no later than August 15. Areas around the construction zone have been barricaded, and "No Left Turn" signs are still in place. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution while driving around the construction zone.
> The southbound corridor of Le Jeune Road from just north of Bird Road to just past Altara Avenue in Coral Gables will be closed. Barrier walls will be placed on the west side of the median on Le Jeune Road for a lane shift of the southbound traffic to the northbound side with one lane in each direction. Watermain installation work will be performed along Le Jeune Road between Bird Road and Altara Avenue. The north entrance of the Coral Gables High School parking lot located on Le Jeune Road will be permanently closed while the work is being completed. The southernmost entrance to the high school parking lot will be open and accessible for all local school traffic.
> Be advised that there are traffic backups in this area so plan on adding a few extra minutes to your commute time or use an alternate route. The City of Coral Gables Police Department is fully aware of the situation being caused by the construction. Traffic officers in the area have been assigned to help relieve any traffic congestion that may occur. Officers are also on the look out for drivers speeding through neighborhoods trying to get around the construction and are helping to minimize all effects possible on neighboring streets.
> The northbound corridor on Le Jeune Road will be closed from S.W. 9th Street to S.W. 14th Street. Barrier walls will be placed on the east side of the median on Le Jeune Road for a lane shift of the northbound traffic to the southbound side with one lane in each direction. Watermain installation work will be performed along Le Jeune Road between SW 9th Street and SW 14th Street. Detour signs and access for local traffic from Le Jeune Road to the east side streets will be posted at various locations. Direct access to and from Le Jeune Road will be provided for S.W. 13th Terrace and S.W. 13th Street. Local traffic on side streets of SW 9th Street through SW 15th Street, except SW 11th Street will have access to area via S.W. 41st Avenue. Access for local traffic only for S.W. 11th Street will be provided through the work zone.
> Single lane closures will occur at the south side of Bird Road at the intersection of Palmarito Street from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. while workers perform drainage installations. Work on the project has been delayed because of the recent rain. For more information on any of the above listed projects, please contact Carlos Sarmiento at 305-499-2410.
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Cultural 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 boyhood 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 is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call 305-460-5361.
Through September 3: Experience suspense, fear and a hearty laugh all in one play. The Mystery of Irma Vep comes to The Actors' Playhouse at Miracle Theatre. See why newly wed Lady Enid is having such a tough time adapting to life in her new home especially when a portrait of her husband's previous wife starts watching her every move. Catch the show on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 per person. On preview days July 12 and 13 admission price is $30 per person. To purchase tickets call the Box Office at 305-444-9293, extension 1. Dates may change in August so call that number for more information.
July 26: Join the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce for an evening of fine music and dining. The Twilight Stroll will begin at 5:30 p.m. at La Estancia Argentina, 4425 Ponce de Leon Boulevard and make its way to Ola Steak and Tapas, 320 San Lorenzo Avenue. The night will end with a concert and desserts at Steinway Piano Gallery on 4104 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Tickets vary from $40 to $50. Call the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce for more information at 305-446-1657.
July 26 through August 25: The Consulate of Peru presents the art exhibit "The Colors of Peru" at Coral Gables City Hall, in celebration of the 185th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Peru. The exhibit is free and open to the public, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is made possible with the kind sponsorship of Coral Gables Mayor's Office, the International Affairs Coordinating Council, International Finance Bank, Bounty Group Holding and Pisco Montesierpe. For additional information, contact the Coral Gables Development Department at 305-460-5310.
July 27: The Coral Gables Congregational Church Summer Concert Series brings charismatic and versatile vocalist Marlena Shaw on Thursday at 8 p.m. Come hear the voice loved by so many. The performance will be held at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Boulevard. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets call 305-448-7421, extension 33 or click here.
August 3: Mountain Dew will host for its 7th year the nation's premier playground basketball event the 2006 And 1 Mix Tape Tour. The event is a full day streetball festival with open courts, booths, food, dunk contest and much more. The event will end with a streetball style game with the And 1 athletes and a local team made up of the day's winners. Local DJ's will spin music through the game. Pre-game events are from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the main event starts at 7:30 p.m. The And 1 Mix Tape Tour will take place at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami located at 1245 Dauer Drive you can purchase tickets for $23 to $53 from the BankUnited Center box office by calling 305-284-8686. Tickets are also available at any Ticketmaster location or by calling 305-358-5885 or on-line by clicking here. (link to www.ticketmaster.com).
August 6 - 27: New Theatre is hosting the South Florida Shakespeare Festival for the week of August that will include a couple of adaptations of William Shakespeare's masterpieces: The Winter's Tale and Much Ado About Nothing. Performance times and dates vary so call New Theatre for more information at 305-443-5909. The New Theatre is located at 4120 Laguna Street. Tickets are $40 per person but full-time students under the age of 25 pay $15 with proper identification.BACK TO TOP
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