TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Warning Period For Red Light Safety Program Begins

The City of Coral Gables announced the start of a new traffic safety program to prevent dangerous red-light running. On October 22, the City’s red-light safety cameras began taking photos of red-light runners at Alhambra Circle and South LeJeune Road /S.W. 42nd Avenue. Photo-enforcement cameras will capture still images and video of red-light running violations. During a 30-day warning period, a warning notice will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fines during the warning period. At the completion of the warning period, citations will be issued. The program aims to protect drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians from injuries or crashes caused by red-light runners. Cameras will operate 24-hours a day and capture images of every vehicle running a red-light at the intersection. The program is administered by American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) with each violation reviewed and approved by the Coral Gables Police Department prior to being issued. Red-light camera technology is just one way the City of Coral Gables will make local streets safer for everyone. For more information about Coral Gables’ red-light safety program, contact the Police Department Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5402. 

Coral Gables Television (CGTV)
Nominated For Emmy Award

For the first time in its television history, Coral Gables Television, the city’s municipal television station, has been nominated for an Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.  CGTV made the list of nominees for the 2009 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards in the category of Public/Current/Community Affairs for its special report on “Drink, Drive and Kill,” a 20-minute program that analyzes drunk driving in the City of Coral Gables. The report documents the Police Department’s efforts to stop drunk driving in Coral Gables and features families that have been touched by tragedy. The Emmy award ceremony will be held December 5 in Orlando. Also making television history for Coral Gables is the selection of CGTV as second place winner in National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Excellence in Government Programming. Coral Gables won in the Operating Budget $500,000 – $1,000,000 category. The award was judged on the station’s variety of programming quality throughout the year. Coral Gables Television produces a series of original selective programming such as “What’s Happening Coral Gables,” “Historic Homes of Coral Gables,” “Golden Gables,” “On The Scene,” “Newsdesk,” “Coral Gables Now,” among others.  CGTV also received a NATOA Government Programming Award’s Honorable Mention in the category of Magazine Format for its monthly public affairs program “Coral Gables Now.” The NATOA annual awards recognize excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. Coral Gables Television can be viewed on Channel 77 for Comcast subscribers. Currently, more than 3,000 view requests per month are being made for CGTV’s live streaming on www.coralgables.com and on demand on YouTube. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Office of Public Affairs at 305-460-5205. 

Kerdyk Tennis Center, Salvadore
& Sunrise Harbor Parks Undergo Renovations

Tentatively scheduled to begin this month, you’ll see a lot of construction going on at various city facilities. New storage and metal bleachers will be installed in front of the tennis courts at the William H. Kerdyk Tennis Center. Additional renovations at the center’s building will include concrete restoration, railings and a fresh coat of paint. Funding for this $148,775 project comes from Miami-Dade County’s General Obligation Bond.  Several repairs will be done also at Salvadore Park including the replacement of the existing wood trellis, new concrete walks and the replacement of the two existing playground equipment. The park and the tennis center bathrooms will also be completely restored with new plumbing, lighting, tile and paint. The racquetball courts and the perimeter fence will also undergo renovations. The cost of this project is approximately $170,000. Improvements at Sunrise Harbor Park will include two new playground areas, a new basketball court and additional new site furnishings. Funding for this $156,000 projects is provided by Miami-Dade County’s General Obligation Bond. 

Venetian Pool Is Closed For Renovations

The Venetian Pool is currently closed for renovations. Contractors are scheduled to repair cracks in the pool, replace expansion joints, paint its floor and walls, make improvements to the chemical treatment system and circulation network, repair the pool deck, add an ADA wheelchair lift and restore the pool's iconic Venetian poles, among other items. All work is scheduled for completion by the end of March with the pool opening to the public before the summer months, just in time for peak swimming season. A re-opening date will be announced as the project nears completion. 

Trolley Receives Marketing Recognition From FPTA

The Coral Gables Trolley program received two marketing awards from the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) at its annual conference held in October 27, in Jacksonville. The city’s unique transportation system was the judges’ favorite in the Bus Interior Graphics Commercial Design category, receiving an Award of Excellence.  In 2007, the City of Coral Gables came up with the concept of installing video monitors inside a Trolley to provide marketing opportunities that would attract a captive audience of approximately 4,500 riders daily. The City also installed exterior post signs which identify the trolley stops along Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The Coral Gables Trolley received an Award of Merit in the category of Signage for this initiative. A panel of judges selected both programs based on innovation/creativity, production quality and overall effectiveness.  The FPTA marketing awards competition is held annually to recognize the creative campaigns of the state's public transportation systems.  For more information on the Coral Gables Trolley, call 305-460-5070. 

Golden Talent Artwork
Is Being Showcased This Weekend

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend, you must stop by the War Memorial Youth Center to view the Third Annual Coral Gables Celebration of Talent Senior Art Contest. Winners of this competition of original photographs, paintings, sculptures and needlework will be awarded prizes on Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. you’ll have a chance to admire all the artwork produced by the City of Coral Gables talented senior residents. The event is again a smashing success: 43 artists have entered a total of 117 pieces of artwork in this year’s competition. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600. 

Holiday Tree Lights Up Village Of Merrick Park

A giant 50-foot tree will light up the gardens of the Village of Merrick Park for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for Thursday, November 19. The night festivities include a musical performance by the Coral Gables High School Choir, your first glimpse of Santa Claus, children’s activities and live entertainment. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.; the tree will be lit at 7:30 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Voices of Children Foundation. To kick off the holiday season, the Village is hosting a live music series on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-6 p.m. The Village of Merrick Park is located at 358 San Lorenzo Avenue. For more information, call 305-529-0200 or click here.

It’s Play Day In Coral Gables, November 21

The City of Coral Gables was recently named a Playful City USA community and in true fashion is asking all children to come out and play on Saturday, November 21. Organized by the Parks and Recreation Department and the City’s Youth Advisory Board, Play Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive. The event is free and open to the public. Among the activities planned are exciting games for children of all ages, a bounce house, refreshments and a group water balloon toss with prizes awarded to the winning teams. As a Playful City USA community, the City of Coral Gables is encouraging the active participation of all children in outdoor activities and is committed to bringing play back into youngsters’ lives. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.