WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009

City Approves Agreement
For Operating Coral Gables Country Club

After a process that began more than a year ago to find an operator for the Country Club of Coral Gables, the City approved entering into a lease agreement with Coral Grand, LLC, for the long-term management of this facility. At a meeting of the City Commission held on June 4, City officials agreed to the terms of the agreement to transform the Country Club into a spectacular and elegant hospitality venue. Plans are for the facility to have impressive entrances, lavish ballrooms with crystal chandeliers and a European style courtyard with fountains. The Country Club will offer an elegant Mediterranean style restaurant called Nove 7, a fitness center, tennis courts and a pool area. Also in the plans are a European café offering gelato, paninis, and capuccinos. Prior to reopening, the new tenant will make a substantial investment in excess of $1.1 million for improvements to the city-owned facility. The City will also contribute to the restoration and upgrade of the Country Club. Located at 997 North Greenway Drive, the Country Club of Coral Gables is expected to open the upscale restaurant by early next year and the banquet facilities by Fall 2010.  

Guatemalan Delegation Visits Coral Gables

A diplomatic delegation from La Antigua, Guatemala visited Coral Gables last week to strengthen the sister city relationship between these two cities that began in 1993. Six representatives from the government of La Antigua, including three commissioners, traveled to meet their counterparts in Coral Gables. During their three-day stay, the delegation visited the Coral Gables Museum, the University of Miami, Doctors Hospital, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Coral Gables City Hall. Through the years, as a result of the associations created by the Sister City relationship, the people of Antigua and the people of Coral Gables have jointly formed important academic and cultural exchange programs and developed successful business opportunities. More importantly, it has opened the doors of understanding and bonds of friendship have flourished between these two cities.  

Check Street Drains Before A Storm

With severe thunderstorms come the potential for flooding in your neighborhood. Before a storm arrives in your area, check for drains in your street and watch out for the accumulation of leaves, debris and trash. There are 15,000 drains in the City of Coral Gables and not all of them can be checked by city workers at once. Before the arrival of torrential rains, clear the drains in your street to prevent debris from clogging the drainage system which can eventually lead to flooding. By cooperating and being good neighbors you can assist City crews in identifying potential flooding problems and also protect your valuable property.  

Get Your Passport At City Hall

If you’re planning your summer vacation, remember that as of June 1, the U.S. government is requiring U.S. citizens entering the United Sates at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other approved travel document. If you don’t have a passport or need to renew it, remember that the City of Coral Gables has a Passport Acceptance Facility at City Hall. Since its opening in November of 2003, this office located on the first floor at 405 Biltmore Way at the City Clerk’s Office has successfully processed thousands of passport applicants. This office also provides photo services. The Passport Acceptance Facility is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. For a list of requirements to obtain or renew a passport, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 305-460-5210. 

Local Leaders To Be Recognized
At Chamber’s Conference

The Allen Morris Company in partnership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the accomplishments of five local leaders who are finalists for the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence. The event kicks off the Chamber’s annual Goals Conference which focuses on great expectations for the community. The Merrick Award recognizes involved citizens who have made a significant impact on the culture, promotion, beautification, preservation and economic growth of Coral Gables. The finalists and distinguished honorees are Betsy Adams, James T. Barker, Marian Krutulis, Virginia Miller and Jeannett Slesnick. The winner will be announced at a dinner tomorrow night held at the Biltmore Hotel.  

Learn All About Pedestrian & Bicycling Safety

Love to go for walks or ride a bike? The Florida Department of Transportation has created a Pedestrian/Bicycling Safety Resource Center website with valuable information about walking and biking for all ages and levels of expertise. Topics include safety issues, important laws and policies, how to incorporate walking and biking into your commute to work or school, places to walk and bike, special events, plus trail and tour maps. The Pedestrian/Bicycling Safety Resource Center is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office and has been housed at the University of Florida Technology Transfer (T2) Center since 2009. To check out this website, click here.  

Biltmore Hotel Is Top Reader’s Choice

Celebrated Living, the luxury magazine for American Airlines has picked the Biltmore Hotel among the top 20 great hotels in the country. The historic Biltmore Hotel ranked 12 in the Reader’s Choice Platinum List for best mainland U.S. hotels. Written and designed exclusively for American Airlines first and business class passengers, Celebrated Living offers readers the ultimate guide for travel planning and the good life. The Biltmore Hotel, with its 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, 10 tennis courts and the world-famous pool, has been a favorite of world leaders, celebrities, and sports stars since its opening in the 1920s. To view a listing of the top 20 hotels picked by the publication, click here.  

Upcoming Writers Honored By Junior Orange Bowl

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008-2009 Junior Orange Bowl Creative Writing Contest. This year’s essay, open to middle school students, was about “Celebrating Friendship Among Youth In the Past and Now.” The winners were Wendy Serra (first place) from Miami Lakes Middle School; Alexis Landa (second place) from St. Timothy Parish School, and Emily Raitan (third place) from Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy. The event is co-sponsored by the South Florida Writers Association. The young writers were honored at an awards ceremony at Books & Books held recently. To read the winning essays, click here.  

Preventing Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater runoff has the potential of carrying pollutants such as oil, dirt, chemicals and lawn fertilizers directly into the streams and rivers, where they can seriously harm water quality. There are simple things that homeowners can do to prevent stormwater runoff pollution. Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks and gutters. Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams. Vegetate bare spots in your yard and compost the yard waste. Use least toxic pesticides and learn how to prevent pest problems. Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces and consider a rain garden to capture runoff. Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway. Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil. And remember to always pickup after your pet.