Friday, November 8, 2013

City of Coral Gables News!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

City Introduces New 100-ft. Ladder Fire Truck

Superheroes can leap over tall buildings, but when you’re stuck in a fire emergency high above the ground, you need the assistance of the right equipment. With safety and service in mind, the City of Coral Gables has purchased a new state-of-the-art fire ladder truck with an aerial platform that can extend up to 100 feet in almost any direction. This vehicle replaces a 1985 model which has been in service for 28 years. Recently, members of the City Commission received a tour of the new fire truck which will be in service soon, ready to assist in any emergencies happening on single family structures or tall buildings in Downtown Coral Gables. Aside from its water-pumping capabilities, the platform features a control panel to monitor critical information and a video camera. Real time data and video can be sent wirelessly to a command center on the ground. The cost of the new truck was $1.1 million.

L-R: Interim Fire Chief Marc Stolzenberg and members of the City Commission including Commissioner Frank Quesada, Commissioner Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk Jr., and Commissioner Pat Keon look over the new fire truck while receiving a $1,000 donation from the  Coral Gables Firefighters Benevolent Association to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fund.
• • •

Coral Gables Is Caring For Our Community This Saturday

The City of Coral Gables is joining Baptist Health South Florida in their annual day of service “Caring for Our Community.” On Saturday, November 9, members of the Coral Gables City Commission will join Baptist Health employees and other volunteers to make a difference in our community. On this day from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., this group of volunteers will be doing some hands-on beautification by gardening, painting and putting mulch at the historic St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church located at 136 Frow Avenue in Coral Gables.  Headquartered in Coral Gables, Baptist Health South Florida is one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare providers in the United States, giving more than $279 million annually in charity care and community service. Last year, Baptist Health employees and their families also helped beautify eight elementary schools, a community center, a park, a day care center for ventilator-dependent children and a rehabilitation center for disabled people. To participate this year as a volunteer, contact Baptist Health at 786-527-9161.
• • •

Great Deal On Football Game Tickets
For Miami Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech

This Saturday, November 9, at 7 p.m. the Miami Hurricanes will face off against longtime nemesis Virginia Tech and there’s a great deal being offered only to Coral Gables residents — buy one ticket (per resident) and receive two free tickets. It’s one of the perks of living in the Gables. The game will take place at Sun Life Stadium, 2269 N.W. 199 Street, in Miami Gardens. This offer is made possible thanks to the Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami. Coral Gables residents must show proof of residency at the time of purchase. This promotion is good for all available seating excluding suites and club seating. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Hurricane Ticket Office located at the BankUnited Center, 1245 Dauer Drive. The Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. This promotion is not available for online or phone ticket purchases. For more information, call 305-284-2263.

Canes wide receiver Allen Hurns scoring a touchdown against Georgia Tech. Courtesy Caneshooter/JC Ridley.
• • •

Public Invited To Community Meeting
Regarding Bike Master Plan


The City of Coral Gables will be holding a community meeting to discuss the development of a Bike Master Plan.  The meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 19, from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center Theater located at 405 University Drive. The public is invited to attend. At the meeting, City staff will make a presentation and gather input from residents. For more information, call Public Works Department at 305-460-5000. 
• • •

Bring Your Hearty Appetite To Burgerliscious Chowdown

You have one more day to go on a diet and be real hungry for the third annual Burgerliscious, happening tomorrow Thursday, November 7, from 6-10 p.m. at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park, 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd. “We’re absolutely thrilled that the savory scent of Burgerliscious is in the air, celebrating the amazing restaurant community that is Coral Gables!  We encourage everyone to get their tickets online at www.burgerliscious.com for the ultimate burger experience right here in the City Beautiful,” said Mark A. Trowbridge, President and CEO of The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Featuring more than 20 of Coral Gables' finest restaurants and their hottest burgers, the festival also kicks-off Miami Live! Month, a premier program of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. You will find the best burgers from The Bar, The Café @ Coral Gables Books & Books, Christy’s Restaurant, Cibo Wine Bar, CRAVE Coral Gables Restaurant, The Eating House, Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, JohnMartin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, La Santina Wine & Tapas, Morton's the Steakhouse, Pincho Factory, Prieto’s Restaurant | Regency Hotel Miami, Roc Kat Ice Cream Co. LLC, Seasons 52, Shake Shack, Shula’s 347 Grill, Sushi Maki, Swine Southern Table & Bar, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill and The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables. For ticket information, click here.
• • •

Cine! Chilean Film Festival Makes Its Debut In Coral Gables

Cine! A celebration of Chilean Cinema takes place right here in Coral Gables, November 7-10 at the Cosford Cinema at the University of Miami Campus. Brought to you with the generous support of the Consulate General of Chile in Miami, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, and the Chile-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the festival will present a wide array of recent full-length Chilean made films, including the U.S. southeast premiere of the acclaimed film “Gloria” by Sebastian Lelio, winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival. For a listing of upcoming films and to get tickets, click here.
• • •

Free Lecture For Coral Gables Residents At UM

As part of the Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami, Coral Gables residents are invited to attend a free lecture by Alan M. Dershowitz, one of the most famous and celebrated lawyers in America. The lecture takes place on Friday, November 15 at 6 p.m. at the BankUnited Center Fieldhouse, 1245 Dauer Drive in Coral Gables. A professor at Harvard Law School since the age of 28, Dershowitz has led or been part of the defense team for various storied celebrities, athletes, and political leaders. The author lecture will center on his recently released autobiography, Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law. University of Miami School of Law Dean Patricia D. White will be moderating the lecture. The lecture is part of Books & Books author events. Tickets are required for this event. Only 40 tickets are available and will be distributed at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning Saturday, November 9 at 8 a.m. For more information on this event, click here.
• • •

Sundays On Porch With George
Presents Althea’s Garden Party


It’s time to dig into an interactive afternoon designed for budding backyard gardeners of every age. The second installment of Sundays on the Porch with George, a series of engaging events showcasing the Merrick House and Gardens, presents Althea’s Garden Party on Sunday, November 17, from 1-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the City of Coral Gables and the Merrick House Governing Board. Coral Gables Garden Club members will offer a historic perspective on Althea Merrick’s passion for gardening. You’ll learn how to grow your own food and prepare your harvest from South Florida's culinary and agricultural icons.
Chef Norman Van Aken of Tuyo will lead farm-fresh cooking demos and will be on hand to sign his newly published cookbook, "No Experience Necessary." Homestead farmer/ambassador Teena Borek of Teena’s Pride will purvey a bounty of freshly harvested produce, herbs and vegetable "starts." Master gardeners will offer sage advice about preparing beds and about what, where and when to plant it. Container, tower and edible garden vendors will showcase their wares and help you choose the right planting venue. Ornamental horticulture enthusiasts will delight in the orchids and bromeliads available from My Family Garden and Nursery.   Local honey will be purveyed by the Tattooed Beekeeper and locally produced jams will be available from Freakin Flamingo Jams.  Featured food trucks will be Health Nut on Wheels and Hip Pops, plus live banjo music, and more. Docent guided tours of the Merrick House will be available for a nominal fee. A special thanks goes to community partners Whole Foods, Coral Gables and Edible South Florida.   The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information, call the Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5093.
• • •

Go Back In Time For “A Night In Havana” of Art & Fashion

A warm tropical breeze is coming to the Coral Gables Museum for “A Night In Havana” contemporary art and fashion exhibition on Thursday, November 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by TV personality Mariana Rodriguez, the event features a unique collaboration between renowned artist Humberto Benitez and fashion powerhouse Ella Bella RoZio. Guests will be transported back in time to Cuba in the 1950s to experience the island ̉s sounds, drinks and food, plus cigar rolling, silent auction, dancing and entertainment. Curated by Denise Gerson, former Associate Director of the Lowe Art Museum, the exhibition will consist of seven of Benitez ̉s most famous paintings. RoZio ̉s couture collection of artistic designs will feature intricately tailored silks and imported embellishments. Net proceeds from the event will benefit Fashion for Charity ̉s Scholarship Fund for children who would like to pursue a career in the fashion and art industry. To purchase tickets for the event, click here.

——

Pinecrest Gardens - Nov. Events!

PINECREST GARDENS

South Florida's Cultural Arts Park Invites You to a Family Weekend Filled with Music, Monkeys, Movies and our Fabulous Farmers Market! Family Friday Feature...
DESPICABLE ME
Friday, November 8, 8:00 p.m.
"A consistent stream of chuckles and a lot of convincing heart." Michael Dequina-TheMovieReport.com
Our wonderful line-up of Family Fridays continues with the celebrated animated feature film, Despicable Me. This wonderful animated film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Julie Andrews and Kristen Wig. Flashlight Tours begin at 7:00 p.m. and the movie begins about 8:00 p.m. and don't forget to bring your appetite for the best hotdogs and popcorn in town. Oh, BTW, we just got a brand new hot dog machine, and it cooks up more hot dogs even better than before. Yum! Genera
l admission, $5 and children under 2 enter free. 
GARDENS GALLERY OPENING
Center for the Great Apes
Saturday, November 9, 6:00 p.m.
The Center for Great Apes will celebrate with friends, donors, members, sponsors, special guests and more to commemorate the 20 years that the sanctuary has provided an enriching, cruel-free life for chimpanzees and orangutans. The celebration will take place at the location where founder and director Patti Ragan first came to care for these primates - right here at the Gardens. This special Gallery opening will include a presentation in the Banyan Bowl that will include special guest speakers, live entertainment, the art exhibit and more. Tickets are a donation of $50 per person.

Orchestra Miami presents
VIVA VERDI
Sunday, November 10, 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate Giuseppe Verdi’s 200th birthday with Orchestra Miami when they present an evening of opera rarities and popular favorites. Their special guests include the Delray String Quartet, performing Verdi’s only string quartet and young artists from the Florida Grand Opera performing a variety of songs and arias accompanied by Orchestra Miami Artistic Director Elaine Rinaldi. Reserved Seating. Delicious divas, magnificent musicians and one of the best concerts in South Florida this season. Tickets $20 & $30; $20 for seniors, $5 for students, to purchase click here.
Pinecrest Gardens Green Market
Sundays 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

If you haven't been to our weekly Green Market lately, stop by and meet a bushel of new vendors and have a barrel of fun. Extraordinary growers, top notch produce vendors featuring Tomatoes, Potatoes, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Brussels, Cucumbers, Peppers, Zucchini, Squash, Green beans, Eggplant, Beets, Carrots, Corn, Mushrooms, Kale, Parsley, Pineapples, Apples, Blackberries, Strawberries, Bananas, Oranges, Cantaloupes, Melons, Grapes, Plums, Avocados, Artisan Bakers, Fresh Fruits and Nuts, Fresh Flowers and Plants, Spices and Exotic Teas, Homemade Granolas, Organic Foods (are we wetting your whistle yet). Come on down, there’s something for every appetite including fresh prepared food!