Pinecrest Gardens July Events!

Summer Events are in Full Bloom!In the midst of the hot summer months we have all kinds of cool and refreshing activities for the family!

HORTICULTURE & EDUCATIONBOTANICAL Gardening with Craig Gardens Gallery, Hibiscus Room While exotic plants grow so easily in South Florida, local gardening presents its own set of challenges. At Pinecrest Gardens, we are dedicated to the preservation and conservation of native and exotic plant species in their natural environments. We are also committed to providing support to the community with gardening tips from the experts as well as lectures and workshops on how to keep landscapes healthy and vibrant all year long. Time: 10:00 a.m. Fee: $10/person includes hands-on workshop, supplies and take home project Reservations: 305-669-6990 July 9: Tree Pruning for Homeowners: Get hands-on experience with pruning small trees for shape and structure. Class will be held outdoors on-site so please dress accordingly. Bring gloves, water, and insect repellent, tools will be provided August 13: Landscape Orchid Care: Learn successful tactics on how to mount orchids on trees and take home an orchid to mount in your own garden courtesy of Pinecrest Gardens. There will be a field tour of Pinecrest Gardens along with a hands-on experience, please dress in comfortable shoes and clothing for garden tour. September 10: Basic Flower Arranging: Learn simple tactics used by professional floral designers to make your own flower arrangement. All supplies will be provided. Butterfly in the Sky All Inclusive Children's Art Classes Presented by VSAFL and Pinecrest Gardens Click image to register on-line Kids will discover new creative art techniques & outdoor fun. Art projects include creating a hummingbird collage, flying butterfly, watercolor painting and more. Children will be led on Discovery Walks through the Gardens using binoculars and magnifying glasses. They’ll learn through visual arts, the most wonderful way of learning! And best of all this is an inclusive educational arts program open to students of all abilities, including special needs. As a parent, you are invited to observe and enjoy the Gardens while your child is in class, and after words spend the rest of the day enjoying all the Gardens has to offer including Splash N Play, Petting Zoo and 14 acres of our beautiful botanical gardens When: Every Saturday from July 12th-August 2nd at Pinecrest Gardens Time: 9:30-11am Cost: $60 for 4 classes ($15 per class) all materials included. Limited spots available, please call Teaching Artist Yvette Cotera to register (305) 753-5341 OR register online by clicking here. Tour the Gardens Phone Tours Available Dial-up a Cellular Phone Garden Tour, where you can tour the Gardens at your own pace!For your enjoyment and convenience, Pinecrest Gardens now offers a cellular phone tour. At each stop (commencing at the admissions booth), you'll learn more about the Gardens, its living collection, its history and other special feature. There are 28 stops in total. Enjoy this wonderful tour available everyday all day. Farmers Market: Fresh Produce & More Sundays 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Click on image for information We're still the best Farmer's Market in town, and we are open all summer long. Enjoy the fresh air while selecting your fresh produce, spices, home-baked breads, hand-made pastas, organic products and much more at Pinecrest Gardens' Farmers Market, every Sunday. The market is open from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and admission is Free. Relax, take a stroll, savor the selections and while you are there, enjoy the purchases you have made at one of our many picnic areas in the Gardens, or overlooking the magnificent view on Lakeview Terrace. SUMMERTIME CAMPS Click the picture for information and registration My Little Star Presented by Miami Childrens TheaterMy Little Star is Miami Children’s Theater’s engaging summer camp that introduces 4-6 year olds to the world of performing arts. Located in our idyllic Gardens setting, My Little Star meets Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Historic Entrance. Campers are taught the basics in singing, dancing and acting in fun and educational ways. Miami Childrens Theater's award-winning faculty are theater professionals who have completed the highest level background and security checks and teach theater in a loving and nurturing way. Our campers will have full access to the park including water-park days, picnics and romps through our beautiful trails and paths. This year we are offering six, one-week sessions, now under way, and the final session begins Monday, August 4. A one week session is $200, siblings receive a 10% discount. Robotics Camp Presented by Game Tech Institute Click Here to Register On-Line GameTech Institute in conjunction with Miami's Own celebrated and renowned Funcamps, Inc, is now offering a robotics camp where children build robots, learn about robot engineering and programming, enter into robot competitions, partake in field activities and so much more to round out their days. The second session for our summer Robotics Camp is July 7 - July 18. This fun-filled camp is both challenging, stimulating and a whole lot of fun. Camp hours are 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. and the cost for a two week Robotics Camp session is $530. For further information phone 305-666-2992. SUMMERTIME FUN Gardens Games Chess, Checkers & Dominos Every day is a game day in the Gardens! You are in for some gigantic fun when you play chess or checkers with pieces two feet tall. These larger than life game pieces fascinate players and spectators alike, and you can sharpen your strategic skills right on our meadow or patio. Game rental is FREE (with a valid driver’s license held during the time of reservation). We also provide domino tables and sets for your morning or afternoon entertainment. Bring your friends and family and get a local tournament going! Our Wonderful Amenities Available All Day Every Day Splash-N-Play Enjoy everything this amazing family venue has to offer included in the low price of admissions. Our Splash-N-Play is a refreshing and extremely safe water amusment experience for any child 2-12. And while your kids play among the different water features, you can enjoy peace of mind as you watch knowing that they are in a completely clean and pristine environment. The Splash summer hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. weather permitting. Petting ZooYour child will delight when they come face to face with our goats and sheep and Peggy the Pot Bellied Pig. Zoo hours are daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for 1/2 hour each time.Playground Your child will romp and frolic and swing to their hearts content. Its exercise made fun smack-dab in the heart of South Florida's most beautiful, family friendly botanical garden. Feed the FishWhen you discover our many ponds, streams and waterways (even Turtle Island) you will also discover our extraordinary collection of koi, river mullet, tarpon, tilapia and more. It's a fish-feeding frenzy for our beautiful array of swimmers throughout the Gardens. Purchase your fish food (they are on a diet so only feed them our special food, please!) for $2.00 a cup at the admissions booth.

My Apology to stay at home moms....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-cavender/my-apology-to-stay-at-home-moms_b_5523450.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000037

Celebrate Independance Day at the Biltmore Hotel - It's Back!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Celebrate Independence Day
with July 4 Fireworks Spectacular!

Join thousands of your neighbors for Coral Gables’ biggest community celebration when the July 4 fireworks display lights up the skies above of the historic Biltmore Hotel.

Nearly 30,000 gathered last year to celebrate our nation’s independence, and this year’s fourth annual event — free to the general public — promises to be just as memorable.
“In Coral Gables, July 4 has become a celebration not only of our nation’s independence, but of our strong sense of community,” said Mayor Jim Cason. “It is a testament of our civic pride.”
The City of Coral Gables, the Biltmore Hotel, University of Miami, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables, and corporate citizens have come together to help sponsor this civic and patriotic event.
This year’s celebration will begin at 5 p.m. and will include a special concert by the Greater Miami Symphonic Band at 7 p.m. concessions and patriotic mascots.Local CBS news anchors Irika Sargent and Rick Folbaum will act as Masters of Ceremonies. The fireworks show will begin promptly at 9 p.m.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Event Parking: The City will offer free parking and continuous shuttle service throughout the evening to and from the Biltmore Hotel. Shuttle service begins at 5 p.m. from the following locations. (Please note: The last shuttle will depart for the fireworks at 8:30 p.m.)
Parking Availability:

• BankUnited Center Surface Lot: 1245 Dauer Drive
• University of Miami Ponce Garage: 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
• Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Parking Lot: 405 University Drive
• Coral Gables Parking Garage 4: City Hall Shuttle Stop: 385 Andalusia Avenue

Bike Valet (New!): Trade four wheels for two and ride your bike to the fireworks celebration. The easy, secure, and complimentary Bike Valet Parking service is provided by Green Mobility Network.
Location: 1150 Anastasia Ave., (William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center)
Hours: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
For more information about the event, click here.
BILTMORE HOTEL PROMOTION
Come see why The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables has been at the top of worldwide “Best of the Best” list since 1926. Immerse yourself in luxury with the Biltmore’s Stately Staycation Package, reserved exclusively for Florida residents. This promotion offers 20% off the best available rate with valet parking included. For more information, please call 1-877-489-3429 or click here.