City of Coral Gables News!

Evening Repaving Work Begins

Drivers may experience some delays at night as work begins onPhase II of the City’s Street Resurfacing Initiative. For the next two weeks, crews will mill and repave Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Bird Road to Malaga Avenue, just south of Ponce Circle Park. Access to Ponce will be maintained at all times; however, drivers should avoid the area if possible. Once the street is completed, crews will move to University Drive from LeJeune Road to Ponce. In order to minimize the impact on businesses, all work will take place at night from Sunday through Thursday.

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Paraguayan Talent Festival Arrives To Coral Gables

Music and dance from Paraguay will be the center of attention at theParaguayan Talent USA Festival to be held this Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Miami’s Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive. Cost is $25 per person. The festival was designed to share and preserve Paraguayan culture in the United States through the performance of recitals, concerts and festivals in different cities across the country. In its third year, the program is filled with more renowned artists than ever. Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason, a former U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay, will make a special appearance to sing at the festival. While living in Paraguay, he recorded a music album in the Guarani language to raise funds for poor Paraguayan children. Other invited artists include the famed Generación group, singer Betty Figueredo, the  Acuña Brothers,  Marijo Obregon (winner of the "Rojo Fama”  TV contest), the folkloric ballet Rohayhu, siblings Nancy and Daniel Luzko on the piano, and singers Montserrat Franco and Abel Ullon. For more information, click here.

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Bike Racks Now Available On All Coral Gables Trolleys

The Coral Gables Trolley is now a bicycle friendly transportation system. In April, bicycle racks were installed in front of every Trolley offering a new added convenience for riders wanting to continue their commute on two wheels. Each rack installed in the 11-Trolley fleet can hold two bicycles, a free service provided by the City of Coral Gables. The Coral Gables Trolleys run along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from the Douglas Metrorail Station to Flagler Street. This service runs approximately every 10 to 12 minutes Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., except the first Friday of the month which runs until 10 p.m. Aside from the convenience it provides, the new bicycle friendly feature on the Trolleys helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the number of motor vehicle trips and also helps to increase the physical activity of bicyclists.

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Customers Can Now Print A Permit Card Online

The City of Coral Gables has implemented a new online Permit Card Printing function that will benefit contractors and residents looking to have quick access to a paid permit. A Permit Card is the official authorization from the City of Coral to start the proposed construction, repair or improvement work. This new function will allow customers to automatically receive the Permit Card requested via email after a permit is paid. Previously, the customer had to wait until the next business day to receive the Permit Card through a manual process. This process is available for any request of building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and zoning permits. The City requires that all Permit Cards be posted in job sites. The new function will eliminate the delays in receiving the Permit Card, allowing customers to print the Permit Card with the convenience of 24/7 availability and as fast as an email can travel. To view the step-by-step process of this new Permit Card printing service, click here.

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Venetian Aquatic Club Offers
Swim Lessons At Venetian Pool

Beginning in June, volunteers from the Venetian Aquatic Club will offer two-week sessions of the American Red Cross Learn-To-Swim Program at the Venetian Pool, 2701 DeSoto Boulevard. Swim lessons for children will be offered Monday through Friday in the morning at 8:30 a.m., 9:10 a.m. or 9:50 a.m. Sessions begin on June 10 through August 16 and children must be at least 5 years of age. Swim lessons for adults, 18 years and above, are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Adult swim lessons begin on June 11 through August 1. In addition, the Venetian Aquatic Club offers Water Safety Aide Course only on June 24 through July 5, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The cost for residents is $50 and $55 for non-residents. For more information, contact the Venetian Pool at 305-460-5306.

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Coral Gables Community Laces Up
For Baptist Health Tour Of The Gables 5K

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will host its 18th annual Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K during this Memorial Day weekend onSaturday, May 25 at 7:30 a.m. The much anticipated race will take runners on a scenic tour of beautiful Coral Gables, beginning at Merrick Park across from City Hall. To earn the coveted Chairman’s Cup, corporate teams will compete for a chance to be recognized as the corporate team with the most runners.  In addition to the Chairman’s Cup, the top male and female CEO to finish will receive an Executive Physical courtesy of Baptist Health South Florida, valued at $1,400. Participants can join in on the fun, boost their company’s morale, show team spirit and get in shape, all at the same time. Individual racers are welcome, too. Medals will be awarded to the top three racers in each age group. There will be complimentary parking available at the Andalusia Parking Garage, west of LeJeune Road. The cost for participating is $30 for pre-registration and $35 on the day of the event for adults; and $20 for pre-registration and $25 on the day of the event for runners under 18 years of age. For more information,click here.

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Coral Gables Museum Presents Auto Italia & Day of Italy

If you like to admire fast Italian cars, you’re in for a treat: More than 50 Italian designed exotic cars will be on display on the Coral Gables Museum Plaza and Salzedo Street on Saturday, June 1, from 6-8 p.m. as part of the Coral Gables Museum’s Auto Italia exhibition. The event is presented in collaboration with the Ferrari Club of America, The Collection, South Miami Fiat, Lamborghini Miami and Pininfarina US and the Italian Consul General. The Coral Gables Museum indoor exhibit, “Italy in Motion,” will also display Ferraris, Ducatis, Fiats, other micro-cars and bicycles. There will be great food and Italian music from the 1960s. General admission is $10 and $5 for Museum members. Earlier on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. aMercato Italiano will have an open-air European styled market with Italian goods for sale, all part of the Year of Italian Culture in the US celebration. The Coral Gables Museum is located at 285 Aragon Avenue. For more information, call 306-603-8067.

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Get Your Tickets For Taste Of The Gables

The 6th annual Taste of the Gables is back to kick off Coral Gables Restaurant Week onThursday, June 6th starting at6:30 p.m. at the Westin Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon Avenue.  Taste samples from 20 Restaurant Week partici­pants, vote for your “Best Taste of the Gables,” and try a cocktail or two.  Presented by Bacardi USA, there will be plenty of food and activities, so come with an empty stomach and be ready to eat. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP. For more information, click here.

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Coral Gables Residents Invited
To Free Lecture On Sun Safe Practices

As part of the 20-year Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami, Coral Gables residents are invited to attend the following “Meet The Docs” lecture presentation: Thursday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Dr. James M. Grichnik, professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery will give a lecture on “Sun Safe Practices.” Dr. Grichnik is Director of the Melanoma Program at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and is an expert in the early detection of melanoma. A Q/A session will follow the lecture. The event takes place at War Memorial Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. For more information, please call 305-243-3453.