WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2011

Lecture Series Presents UM President
Donna Shalala On Health Care Reform

Coral Gables residents are invited to attend a special lecture on “Health Care Reform: An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” featuring University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala. The lecture will be held on Thursday, February 3, starting with refreshments at 6 p.m., lecture at 6:30 p.m., and followed by question-and-answer session.  It takes place at the Storer Auditorum, School of Business Administration, at the Coral Gables Campus. This is the first of six lectures to be held annually featuring members of the University of Miami faculty and distinguished speakers, courtesy of a 20-year Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami. The Collegetown Faculty Lecture Series is designed to enrich the community with intellectual discourse and stimulating presentations by faculty experts in various disciplines. At the inaugural event, President Shalala shares insights gained from her former role as secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services to shed light on the Affordable Care Act and progress toward equitable health and social policy. Seating is limited. Coral Gables residents must R.S.V.P. in advance by calling 305-284-3356 or via email at provost@miami.edu. For additional information, click here. 

Pink Snails Make A Colorful Entrance In Coral Gables

In a rich hue of fuchsia, 21 oversized snails are making a big entrance in the City of Coral Gables. The Pink Snails, made of recyclable materials and seen lately at Art Basel in Miami Beach, come courtesy of the international artistic collective Cracking Art Group and the Galleria Ca d’Oro from Italy which opened in December a new gallery space in Coral Gables. They are part of the global sensation known as the Regeneration Art Project, a public art series designed to inspire community-wide conversation. “We’re thrilled to welcome this internationally significant exhibition of fun and colorful works of art to the City, and we encourage people to enjoy discovering them in many of the City’s most popular places.  We are very grateful to the Galleria Ca d’Oro for making this exhibition possible,” says the City’s Economic Sustainability Department Director Cindy Birdsill. The pink snails bring a green message about the importance of recycling and its environmental impact. For approximately two months, the colorful snails can be admired at Merrick Park, Fred B. Harnett/Ponce Circle Park, Cartagena Plaza, War Memorial Youth Center, Coral Gables Museum Plaza, Segovia/Biltmore Way Traffic Circle, Segovia/Coral Way Traffic Circle, Alhambra Median and on Ponce de Leon Boulevard near the Village of Merrick Park. This is the first temporary exhibition under the City’s Public Art Master Plan.

Portrait Of Reverend Solomon Merrick To Be Unveiled

A recently restored portrait of Reverend Solomon Merrick, father of City founder George Merrick, will be unveiled at a dedication ceremony scheduled for this Friday, January 21, 5 p.m. at the Coral Gables Merrick House. The portrait has been donated to the historic Merrick House by Mildred Merrick, widow of Richard Merrick who was the youngest child of Solomon and Althea Merrick and the only child born in Coral Gables. The portrait of the Congregational Minister, who moved his entire family from Massachusetts to Miami in 1899, was painted by his wife Althea, herself an accomplished artist, educator, and poet. Local historian Arva Moore Parks will begin the event with a lecture about the Merrick family. The event is free and open to the public. The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way. Please R.S.V.P. by January 20th by calling the City of Coral Gables Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5093.

Eat Your Veggies, But First
Buy Them At The Farmers Market

There's a reason why your parents forced you to eat your veggies every day: They’re good for your health. Follow this nutritious advice by going to the Coral Gables Farmers Market every Saturday until March 26 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. to check out all kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits and produce for sale, plus baked goods, house plants and flowers, all outdoors in front of City Hall, at the corner of LeJeune Road and Miracle Mile. Start your weekend at 8 a.m. with a Tai Chi class, which helps you find peace and calm through its slow, rhythmic and meditative movements. Learn how to treat your garden in order to reduce weeds (Jan 22) or how to plant an organic garden in your backyard (Jan 29) beginning at 9 a.m. See a cooking demonstration at 10 a.m. by one of Seasons 52 Restaurant chefs (Jan 29) and bring your children to participate in a fun activity starting at 11 a.m. All activities are free and open the public. For a complete event schedule, please click here.

Flags On Ponce Recognize City’s International Character

The international nature of the City of Coral Gables is represented through the boulevard of flags from 50 nations waving along Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce created the Flags On Ponce Program in partnership with the City of Coral Gables to recognize the significant number of consulates and multinational businesses located in Coral Gables. Each year, flags are flown along Ponce de Leon Boulevard during the months of December through June as a tribute to Coral Gables businesses engaged in international trade, travel and commerce. The program is supported by the City’s International Affairs Coordinating Council as well as by the Chamber’s International Affairs Committee. The sponsors of the 2010-2011 Flags on Ponce Program include Barakat Law, Eliptek Technology Group, Consulate of the Bahamas, International Finance Bank, M2E Consulting Engineers, Nero Immigration Law, Steven Edelstein Attorneys At Law, Right Space Management along with residential sponsors Perry Adair, Laura Russo, John and Marichi O’Rourke and Marti Mang.

Don’t Disturb The Manatees In The Gables Waterways

When water temperature dips below 68 degrees during the winter months, Florida manatees undergo a seasonal migration traveling in large numbers in search of warmer waters. Manatees may become ill or die if they are unable to find refuge in warmer waters over a prolonged period. According to Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management, an impressive 74 percent of all Miami-Dade County manatees come to our Coral Gables Waterway during times of colder temperatures. Our City’s waterways are an important refuge for these cold-stressed mammals with densities becoming five times more abundant in Miami-Dade in winter months than in summer. It is very important to understand that manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the best way to help them survive the cold weather is to avoid disturbing them. As tempting as it may be to come near a manatee, Coral Gables residents and visitors are asked to follow these rules:

• Do not attempt to feed the manatees
• Do not give them water from a hose, canoe or kayak
• Do not swim with them
• Dispose of all trash and fishing lines that may entangled them
• Do not disturb a mother manatee with a nursing calf

Your best intentions to help the manatees may end up hurting them. If you encounter manatees in our Coral Gables Waterway, please practice passive observation and watch them from a distance. Feeding manatees, giving them water, or encouraging them to swim up to people or boats can result in behavior modification, acts of animal cruelty or collisions with watercrafts. “Look, but don’t touch” is the best policy. For additional information on manatees, their habitat and protection, click here.

Children Can Learn Awareness, Safety & Self Defense

The Coral Gables Police Department is offering a self defense program specifically designed for children ages 5 through 12. The radKids Personal Empowerment Safety Education Program is offering six group classes where participants have the opportunity to experience physical simulations in a controlled environment while wearing protective gear. The program offers 12 hours of instruction on awareness, risk reduction, practical physical techniques and simulation training drills. The series of classes are held from 6-8 p.m. on January 25, 26, 27 and February 1, 2 and 3 at the Coral Gables Police Department Community Room, 2801 Salzedo Street. Class size is limited to 20 participants and the cost is $75 per children. There is a free return and practice policy until the child’s 13th birthday. For more information, call the Police Department Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5401 or by email at lzemon@coralgables.com.