WEDNESDAY, November 24, 2010

Jolly Season Starts December 3
With Holiday Spectacular

Santa Claus is coming to town on Friday, December 3 for the City of Coral Gables 2010 Holiday Spectacular, to be held in front of City Hall. From 5-10 p.m., Merrick Park across from 405 Biltmore Way will be the epicenter of fun and exciting activies for the entire family. "We are thrilled to welcome Santa back to our community," said Mayor Don Slesnick, "This was one aspect of our civic life that rose to high importance in planning our annual holiday observance for our young citizens." Activities include carnival games and rides, face painting, arts and crafts, the stage presentation of Miami Childrens’ Theater, Maria Verdeja School of the Arts, Actors’ Playhouse, Center Stage Dance Center and much more. At 7 p.m. Santa Claus will arrive in style to accompany the Coral Gables City Commission in the Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will be food, games and prizes and the opportunity to take pictures with Santa that night from 7:30-10 p.m. After the kick-off event, Merrick Park — which is transformed into a winter wonderland — will open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. until December 24. Photos with Santa will be available as follows: December 4–5 (5-10 p.m.), December 9–10 (5-10 p.m.), December 11–12 (12 noon-10 p.m.), December 16–17 (5-10 p.m.), December 18–19 (12 noon-10 p.m.), December 20–23 (5-10 p.m.) For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department at 305- 460-5600.

City To Issue Warning Notices
For Overnight Parking Of Trucks

Code Enforcement Officers will begin issuing warning notices for the overnight parking of trucks in Coral Gables residential areas. On October 28, 2010, the Third District Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of the City of Coral Gables Zoning Code pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. The law prohibits the parking of trucks in residential areas unless parked in an enclosed garage. It also prohibits the parking of trucks, trailers, commercial or recreational vehicles upon the streets or other public places in the City between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of the following day. Violators will first receive a warning notice with 72 hours to comply and then a citation if still not in compliance. This ordinance seeks to preserve the integrity of the residential areas and the unique aesthetic qualities of the City Beautiful. For additional information, contact the City of Coral Gables Code Enforcement at 305-460-5226.

Register Now For Holiday Camps At Youth Center

The holidays are just around the corner and schools will be closed for two weeks from December 20 through December 31. Now is the time to reserve your child’s spot on the Holiday Camps offered at the War Memorial Youth Center. The following Holiday Camps are available: Club Play Camp for Pre-K to 6th Grade students. If you need to get some last minute holiday shopping out of the way, the Youth Center has the program for you. Club Play gives you the flexibility to sign your children up for individual days of the week. Gymnastics Camp for 3-15 years of age. Gymnastics camp offers a variety of enjoyable group activities designed for campers to learn progressive gymnastics skills in all competitive events. Participants will improve technique, physical strength, flexibility and coordination. Fun activities like arts crafts, games, movie time and much more are scheduled daily. Half-days and full-days are available. Winter Break Tennis Camp at the Biltmore Tennis Center for 6-14 years of age. Defrost your tennis racquet and join us for an exciting winter camp. Camp is available from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. High Performance Tennis Camp at Salvadore Tennis Center for ages 10-18 years old. Heat up in the cold with this tennis camp. Camp is available from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. All camps are closed on December 24, December 27, and January 1. A copy of the most recent report card must be presented at the time of registration for Club Play. A copy of a birth certificate is required for all other camp registrations. For a list of prices and more information, call 305-460-5600 or visit the War Memorial Youth Center at 405 University Drive.

Caroling Competition
To Fill The Air With Holiday Sounds

Get into the spirit of the holiday season with the Junior Orange Bowl Caroling Competition taking place on the steps of the 550 Biltmore Way building. From December 1 to December 4, from 7-10 p.m. and on Sunday, December 5, from 3-6 p.m., the voices of more than 1,500 children from regional middle schools, high schools and parochial schools will fill the air with holiday sounds. The winners of the competition get to showcase their sounds on the Awards Show scheduled for Tuesday, December 7, from 7-10 p.m. The winners of the five-day competition receive part of the $20,000 prize money awarded in several categories. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Junior Orange Bowl at 305-662-1210.

Exhibit Celebrates Art Basel
At Coral Gables Country Club

The Coral Gables Country Club is hosting a four-day exhibit to celebrate Art Basel Week in Miami, from December 2 through December 5, 2010. Curated by Reed V. Horth from Robin Rile Fine Art, the exhibit will consist of selected original sculpture, photography, drawings and print works from Spanish Master Salvador Dalí, American Masters Frederick E. Hart and Richard MacDonald and Hungarian Master Martón Váró, as well as other emergent artists. This event will open the doors of the Country Club to the public with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum. Throughout the event, speakers from the University of Miami will highlight aspects of Dalí’s impact in the arts. The Coral Gables Country Club is located at 997 North Greenway Drive. For more information, call 305-392-0819 or click here.

Enjoy Dinner & Music At Giralda Under The Stars

After watching the Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall on Friday, December 3, complete your outing by making reservations to have dinner outside as part of Giralda Under The Stars. The first Friday of the month, until March, some of downtown Coral Gables’ finest restaurants will place their tables and chairs outside on the 100 block of Giralda Street in front of their restaurants. Pedestrians and diners can enjoy a delightful meal al fresco and under the beautiful South Florida skies. Participating restaurants include Talavera Mexican Restaurant, Bangkok Bangkok II, Castelluccio Ristorante, La Dorada, Las Vegas Restaurant, Miss Saigon Bistro, The Bar and Il Grissino. There will be live entertainment from 7 p.m. to midnight to complete the ambience. For reservations, please call the restaurant of your choice. For more information regarding Giralda Under The Stars, please call 305-569–0311.

Decorate Your Vessel For Gables
Annual Holiday Boat Parade Of Lights

The Gables Estates Yacht Club invites you and your family to come and celebrate the Third Annual Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 11, beginning at 6 p.m. The parade will start from the main Coral Gables canal and travel through the Gables Estates canals. Boat owners are invited to participate in the contest for best decorated boat. Each participating boat will receive a yacht club participating award. If you’re interested in being part of the boat parade, contact the Gables Estates Yatch Club at 305-248-7746.