City of Coral Gables News!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Celebrate July 4th With The City Beautiful:
Join Us For A Spectacular Evening Of Music,
Food & Fireworks @ Biltmore Hotel

This July 4th, residents and visitors are invited to come out to enjoy another colorful fireworks celebration that will light-up the skies over the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The City, the Biltmore Hotel, University of Miami, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, and corporate citizens: 396 Alhambra, HBO Latin America plus several others have come together to help sponsor this historic and patriotic event. “We had an extraordinary event last July 4th and we’re thrilled to be able to collaborate with the Biltmore Hotel and businesses to make this wonderful event happen again this year,” said Mayor Jim Cason.

This year’s celebration, free to the general public, will begin at 5 p.m. and will include a special concert by the Greater Miami Symphonic Band at 7 p.m., concessions, patriotic mascots, and the fireworks show will begin promptly at 9 p.m. Additionally, Rhiannon Ally the current co-anchor of “CBS4 This Morning” and “CBS4 News at Noon” will act as Master of Ceremonies at this year's Independence Day celebration.
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.) Click on each location below for more information:
University of Miami: Ponce garage & BankUnited Center surface lot

Coral Gables Youth Center: 405 University Drive

City Garage 4: 345 Andalusia Avenue
For more information about the event, click here.

• • •

Italian Trade Commission Set
to Open & Expand in Coral Gables

Coral Gables welcomes a newcomer to its consular community this September. The Italian Trade Commission is relocating its Southeastern headquarters from Atlanta to Coral Gables, expanding its formerly smaller South Florida presence that has been serving the area since 2005. The expanded operation will facilitate economic development, trade delegations, and support services for Italian and foreign companies in South Florida. Their office will join the Consulate General of Italy’s office at 4000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 590.
“We are very pleased to be opening a completely autonomous office in Coral Gables,” said Fabrizio Giustarini, Italian Trade Commission, Trade Promotion Section of the Consulate General of Italy. “This regional office will be strengthened through the addition of more personnel as well as the presence of a new Director, who will be joining us from our headquarters in Rome, Italy.”
Coral Gables has long been recognized as a hub for corporations, multinationals and consulate offices. In fact, the City is home to 21 foreign consulates and government offices that serve the needs of a diverse and international population, representing a variety of countries located in Central and South America, Europe and countries as far away as Asia. “We’re proud to be host City to a great number of consulates and foreign offices,” said Mayor Jim Cason. “With a large multinational base and diverse population, having the consulate offices provides convenient support for our community and adds to the City’s international appeal. We welcome the Italian Trade Commission as a vital part of the cultural and economic fabric of the City.” To learn more about the Italian Trade Commission, click here.

• • •

Free Admission For Seniors & Youth
For Play "Rated P For Parenthood"

Beginning this Saturday, June 22, seniors and youth living in Coral Gables can reserve free tickets, on a first-come, first-served basis, for the musical “Rated P For Parenthood” chronicling the 21st century joys and frustrations of raising children, from bleary-eyed late night feedings and private school kindergarten interviews, to nail-biting driving lessons and prom night. The free admission is for the July 10 and July 11, 8 p.m. performances at the Miracle Theatre, located at 280 Miracle Mile. The free ticket offer is part of the lease agreement between the City of Coral Gables and its tenant, Actors' Playhouse, an idea proposed by City Manager Pat Salerno. Residents (ages 60 and over and under 18 years of age accompanied by one parent) must come in person to the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, to be placed on a reservation list after showing proof of residency and age. Tickets will then be available at the Playhouse's will-call window prior to each performance. There is a limit of 50 free admissions for each performance, based on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are limited to two per household. Free admission for additional upcoming plays will be announced at later dates. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5600.

• • •

Coral Gables Residents Invited
To Free Lecture On Sleep Disorders
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 on Tuesday, June 25, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Newman Alumni Center on the Coral Gables campus. “Get a Good Night’s Sleep: A Brown Bag Lunch and Learn” session is presented by Ashwin Mehta, assistant professor of clinical medicine and medical director of integrative medicine at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Mehta will discuss sleep and sleep disorders and provide tips on how to get a good night’s sleep. Seating is limited. To register for this event, click here.

• • •

Venetian Pool Receives Gold
International Aquatic Safety Award

Congratulations to the staff at our own Venetian Pool for being awarded the Gold International Aquatic Safety Award by international aquatic safety consultants Ellis & Associates. Each year, the Venetian Pool receives four randomly conducted audits to evaluate their aquatic safety and risk management operations. The audit observes individual lifeguard attentiveness in a simulated emergency situation and an evaluation of facility supervisors and rescue equipment. The Venetian Pool lifeguard staff has so far exceeded all standards demonstrating a real commitment to professional excellence and scoring in the top 30 percent of the audit criteria. If you’re planning on cooling down this summer and take a swim, you can be assured that our lifeguards will offer you the highest degree of swimmer protection at the Venetian Pool.

• • •

Coral Gables Chamber Hosts Annual Goals Conference

Every year, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual planning conference at the historic Biltmore Hotel. This two-day event, held on June 27-28, brings together leaders of the business community to plan for the upcoming year and help businesses succeed. The conference opens with the sixth annual George E. Merrick Award of Excellence reception and dinner the evening of Thursday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. The Friday, June 28 program schedule of workshops and presentations revolves around this year’s theme to “Think Big!” challenging participants to apply the 5 “I”s: Impact, Innovation, Information, Involvement and Inspiration. For more information, call 305-446-1657 or click here.

• • •

Disco Night To Benefit Coral Gables Elementary

This year marks the 90th anniversary of Coral Gables Elementary School and a series of events will celebrate this important milestone. Alumni, school supporters and residents are invited to shake their groove thing at the Donna Summertime Disco Dance Party scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 8 p.m. at the Coral Gables Museum Fewell Gallery, 285 Aragon Avenue. Disco balls, lighted dance floors, disco personalities and a totally 80s deejay will make for one cool, hot summer night at the Museum. Tickets are $25 and proceeds benefit the upcoming Coral Gables Elementary School’s 90th Anniversary Exhibit at the Museum this fall. For more information, call 305-603-8067.

• • •

Remember The “Five Ds” For Mosquito Control

With the recent downpours in the area and the expected rainy season, mosquitoes will become a part of the summer nuisance for all of us. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as the West Nile virus and dengue fever, so it’s important to protect yourself and your family from these pesky insects. Remember that any standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. To guard against the harm that mosquitoes can cause, remember the following “Five Ds”:

• Dusk and Dawn: avoid the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active;
• Dress: cover most of your skin with long pants and sleeves, shoes and socks;
• Drain: Get rid of any standing water in flower pots, pet dishes, bottles, garbage cans, gutters or other water collectors;
• DEET: use repellents containing up to 30 percent of DEET.

Residents experiencing a mosquito nuisance can contact Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control at 311 to report a problem. Complaints are serviced by the county either by truck spraying, aerial spraying or by site inspections.