WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

Mayor Cason & Commissioner Quesada
Tour City’s Facilities

During their recent election campaigns, both Jim Cason and Frank C. Quesada walked the streets of Coral Gables for months visiting thousands of homes to meet residents and learn more about their needs. City Manager Pat Salerno and other key staff members have begun briefing them on pressing needs and major policy issues. Mayor Jim Cason and Commissioner Frank Quesada are also getting to know more about the City's operations and services offered by visiting the various departments.

Little Kyla Sherry tries the balance beam with the help of Mayor Cason and instructor Heather O'Grady while visiting the Youth Center.

Commissioner Quesada is shown how to engage and operate a fire pump by Firefighter Joseph Fantigrassi at Fire Station #1.

City Receives Donation Of Trees Worth $95,000

A prominent business owner and proud resident of Coral Gables is helping make his home city a little more beautiful. Manuel C. Diaz, President of Manuel Diaz Farms, has generously offered to donate trees worth $95,000 to the Coral Gables Community Founda­tion’s Parknership to be used by the City as an enhancement to the landscaping along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, from Alcazar to Salamanca Avenues. The City Commission accepted the bighearted donation on April 26, 2011. “On behalf of the residents of this community, we extend a message of gratitude to Mr. Diaz for this generous donation,” said Mayor Jim Cason. Streetscape improvements are currently underway on Phase II of Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The donated trees, which are to be handpicked by Mr. Diaz, will significantly enhance the overall streetscape. “Manuel Diaz’s commitment to the beautification of his home community is commendable,” said Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk Jr., founder and advocate of the public/private Parknership program which seeks private donations to underwrite improvements and acquisitions to parks and green spaces throughout Coral Gables. On the list of donated trees headed to Coral Gables are mature Bismarck Palms, Spindle Palms, Yellow Tabebuias, Gumbo Limbo, and Chinese Palms.  The Bismarck Palms are to be planted on the landscaped areas at the intersections of Ponce de Leon and the cross streets of Minorca, Majorca, Madeira, Zamora, Mendoza, Menores, and Salamanca Avenues. The Bismarck Palms with their broad, silver-blue foliage will create an impressive entrance to each block along Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The Spindle Palms will be planted in the narrow median areas. A combination of Yellow Tabebuia and Gumbo Limbo trees will provide significant color in the areas of the two mid-block pedestrian crossings, one of which is adjacent to Coral Gables Elementary School. Additionally, two Chinese triple Palms will be planted in the large landscaped area near Salamanca Avenue. The trees are scheduled to be planted this month.

Parknership Donates $40,000
To Restore The Alhambra Water Tower

The Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Parknership has also donated $40,000 toward the total cost of the historic restoration of the Alhambra Water Tower which is approximately $278,000. The Alhambra Water Tower was built in 1924 and was designed to resemble a lighthouse in order to conceal a less attractive water tank inside. This iconic landmark has been the center of attention for many community activists who in the past year have organized to raise private funds toward its repair, creating for that purpose the “Save the Alhambra Water Tower” initiative.  This group is hoping to raise an additional $30,000 for landscaping improvements to the grounds surrounding the Water Tower. The upcoming restoration is scheduled to begin in June and will consist of the painting of exterior walls, doors, windows and railings, the decorative painting of murals, the replacement of lower and upper level railings, the replacement of keyhole windows and missing or broken glass in windows, and the replacement of interior stairs and associated deck. The project is scheduled to be completed in November.

Talking Book Narrates History Of Coral Gables

Look who’s talking about the City of Coral Gables: The Coral Gables Memory Talking Book, an online interactive learning tool that narrates the early years of the City’s history in front of your own computer. The Coral Gables Talking Book has been in the making for almost two years and is designed as an online book that turns its pages as it narrates stories about the people, places and events that shaped the City of Coral Gables in its early history. The project was the brainchild of City Clerk Walter Foeman in partnership with the Florida International University Libraries’ Digital Collections Center and the Publication of Archival, Library and Museum Materials (PALMM), plus the help and expertise of a large group of individuals. The Talking Book also has a database of photographs, texts, and memorabilia related to the City. Since it was unveiled on April 26th, the Talking Book has already received more than 4,000 hits from curious visitors looking to learn more about the history of Coral Gables. To visit the Coral Gables Talking Book, click here.

Coral Gables Team Wins First Place
In Miami Corporate Run

A team of 12 City of Coral Gables employees won first place in the City Division of the Miami Corporate Run held on April 28 at Bayfront Park.  The Miami Corporate Run is the largest 5K race in Florida and the third largest in the United States. The athletic co-workers demonstrated their need for speed and agility, winning bragging rights over competing teams from the cities of Miami, Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, South Miami and Sunny Isles Beach. Congratulations to the Coral Gables Team for their recent victory.

(From left to right): Dayron Garcia, Eduardo Rodriguez, Ernesto Bermudez, Carlos Pichardo, John Abbott, Guillermo Cuevas, Craig Leen, Jason Barger, Troy Easley & Carlos Correa. Front row: Gesell Guido & Maria Martinez. 

Nominate Coral Gables Candidates
For Neighborhood Excellence Initiative

June 1st is the deadline to nominate candidates for Bank of America’s philanthropic program, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. Designed by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, this initiative recognizes the many organizations and individuals making a positive impact in their local communities throughout the United States. You can nominate a local nonprofit organization for the Neighborhood Builders award for addressing pressing needs in the areas of Community Development, Education, Arts and Culture and Health and Human Services. Two Neighborhood Builders will be awarded $200,000 in core operating support over a two-year period. Every neighborhood also has its local heroes who advocate for important causes such as affordable housing, mentoring for at-risk students, volunteers assisting the homeless, or business leaders leading the charge for education advancements. Five Local Heroes in the United States will have an opportunity to direct a $5,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to the eligible nonprofit organization of their choice. Don’t miss this chance to nominate your deserving Coral Gables organization or individual for what they contribute to this community. For more information about this program or to apply online, click here.