Get ready to say goodbye to 2008 on Tuesday, December 30, by watching the Junior Orange Bowl Parade live on Coral Gables Television, Channel 77 on Comcast Cable. For the first time this year, a pre-parade show will air starting at 6:30 p.m. This year’s parade host Belkys Perez will warm up audiences with co-host Liane Morejon as they present a preview of what goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the big parade. Then at 7 p.m. watch Belkys as she emcees this year’s “Moon Over Miami” Junior Orange Bowl Parade through Downtown Coral Gables, a crowd favorite because of its colorful floats, talented marching bands and other surprises that families will love. Grandstand seating is available for purchase. Bring your own chair since there is also free viewing available through the parade route. For more information, call 305-662-1210.  

City To Sign Letter Of Intent
With New Country Club Operator

Coral Gables Commissioners gave the green light to City administrators to sign a non-binding letter of intent with Liberty Events. The Canadian company is looking to sign a long-term lease agreement for the management of the Country Club building and its tennis courts, subject to certain terms and conditions. The proposed lease will now be reviewed by the Budget Advisory Board, the Economic Development Board, the Property Advisory Board and the Historic Preservation Board before coming back to the City Commission for first reading in January 2009. If everything goes according to schedule, the new tenant should take possession of the Country Club in September. The City of Coral Gables still needs to fulfill its obligation by performing certain repairs before the building is turned over. In turn, Liberty Events has committed to invest heavily in the refurnishing and upgrade of the Country Club and its amenities. 

Due to the Christmas holidays, there will be no garbage, trash or recycling collection service on Thursday, December 25.  Instead, these services will be carried out on Saturday, December 27. Collections for the New Year’s week will be made on schedule. For more information, please contact the Public Service Department at 305-460-5346. 

Free Parking Until Clock Strikes Three

On Tuesday, December 30th, Coral Gables will be offering free on-street parking on the Junior Orange Bowl Parade route -but only until 3 p.m. Enjoy free parking at any bagged meter located on the south side of Biltmore Way in front of City Hall, the 100 to 300 block of Alhambra Circle and the 200 and 300 blocks of Miracle Mile. At 3 p.m., all metered parking in the mentioned areas must be cleared to prepare for the Junior Orange Bowl Parade which is scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening. If your vehicle remains at a bagged meter after 3 p.m., it will be towed from the street. For more information, call the Parking Department at 305-460-5542. 

Portion Of 37th Avenue
To Be Named After Late Commissioner

A resolution was approved last week honoring a late Coral Gables Commissioner who served the City for 28 years. The Commission approved the co-designation of S.W. 37th Avenue, from Eighth Street to 22nd Street, as “William H. Kerdyk Sr. Avenue.” Last month, the Miami-Dade County Commission passed a similar resolution, beginning the process required to make the official street name change. The City of Miami was also asked to join in such co-designation. Kerdyk Sr., who passed away last April, was the longest serving commissioner of Coral Gables and the father of current Vice-Mayor William H. Kerdyk Jr. The patriarch was a key promoter of Coral Gables’ historic preservation ordinance and was committed to the wellbeing of the community for close to three decades.  

Accreditation Agency To Assess Police Department

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will be visiting the Coral Gables Police Department on January 3rd through the 7th  to review the department for compliance with accreditation standards. This review is a normal part of the ongoing accreditation process for police departments. Citizens of Coral Gables will have an opportunity to provide comments on the performance of the Police Department at a public hearing scheduled for Monday, January 5, beginning at 7 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center Theater. Comments from the public will also be accepted by phone on Monday, January 5 between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. by calling 305-722-8622. Persons wishing to submit written comments about the Coral Gables Police Department and its ability to comply with reaccreditation standards can send them to CALEA, 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 320, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2201. 

Mayor Slesnick Ties In For Best Of South Florida

The latest issue of In Focus magazine has featured Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick as an example of the best of South Florida in government and leadership. Mayor Slesnick tied with Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson as Best Mayor. The publication describes Slesnick a “crafty leader of one of America’s most beautiful cities.” In Focus magazine, celebrating its 15th anniversary, serves the business, career and lifestyle concerns of active multi-cultural professionals. 

Trolleys Now Offer Dynamic Signage Network

You can be green, be seen, and be effective on the Coral Gables Trolleys, thanks to a new public/private partnership that allows dynamic signage advertising inside these popular vehicles. The City of Coral Gables has entered into an agreement with Trolinet, a private enterprise that will sell advertising inside the fleet in order to subsidize the free trolleys. The Coral Gables Trolleys, which transport 5,000 passengers every day to and from Downtown Coral Gables, will soon be equipped with LCD screens where the high impact graphic ads will be displayed. Participating advertisers will have opportunities to promote information on these ads, on vehicle floor logos, street stops signage or a Trolley guide. For more information, contact Trolinet at 305-447-2262 or click here.  

Student Art To Be Displayed
At Museum’s Construction Fence

The not-so-pretty construction fence around the Coral Gables Museum on Aragon Avenue will soon have a much more pleasant look. Expect to see large colorful canvases painted with images of the Water Tower, City Hall, Biltmore Hotel, Miracle Theater, courtesy of students from Coral Gables Elementary who created these artworks and also contributed to a rendering of the school. The landmark murals were part of an educational project where children not only got to tap into their artistic talent, but also learned interesting facts about each of these historic buildings.

EVENTS ROUNDUP
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City of Coral Gables,
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TRAFFIC

On December 26, in preparation for the Junior Orange Bowl Parade, Biltmore Way from Le Jeune Road to Hernando Street will shut down so contractors can set up the grandstands, bleachers and the mainstage. This closure will be in place until January 1st when the bleachers will be removed. On the day of the parade, December 30, Biltmore Way in front of City Hall from Le Jeune Road to Merrick Way will close to vehicular traffic at noon. At 3 p.m. the following streets will close: Biltmore Way from Anderson Road to Segovia Street, Segovia Street from Coral Way to Valencia Avenue and Alhambra Circle on the 100, 200, 300 and 400 blocks. At 5:15 p.m., the parade route will be closed off: Miracle Mile from Ponce de Leon Boulevard to Le Jeune Road, Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Miracle Mile to Alhambra Circle, Biltmore Way from Hernando Street to Segovia Street, Alhambra Circle/Plaza from Le Jeune Road to Merrick Way and all perimeter streets surrounding the parade route. At 6 p.m. Le Jeune Road will shut down in both the south and northbound lanes. The mentioned streets will remain closed until the parade has concluded and crews are able to complete the cleanup. Please avoid the area as intense traffic congestion is expected along these streets. 

CITY OF
CORAL GABLES

MISSION
Dedicated people providing exceptional services to residents, businesses and visitors while preserving our heritage.

VALUES
Accessibility
Accountability
Competency
Dedication
Innovation
Integrity
Loyalty
Responsiveness

Visit the
City of Coral Gables
web site:
www.coralgables.com
 

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