WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

Mayor Cason & Commissioner Quesada
Volunteer To Paint Coral Gables High

Last Saturday, Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason and Commissioner Frank C. Quesada rolled up their sleeves and joined Miami-Dade School Board Member Raquel Regalado and approximately 100 school volunteers to give a much needed coat of paint to Coral Gables High School. The City leaders showed their support to this important academic institution by participating in the Paint-a-thon made possible by the generous donations of paint and materials from alumni, parents, volunteers and the School Board’s District 6. The Coral Gables Cavaliers took pride in painting the surrounding walls of the gym and other areas, getting their school in tip top shape for the start of the new school year this upcoming Monday. 


(L-R) Commissioner Frank C. Quesada, School Board Member Raquel Regalado, Assistant Principal Joseph Evans, Coral Gables Community Foundation Executive Director Andria Hanley, Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason, Foundation Members John Allen & Michael Harris.

Schools are back in session on Monday, August 22 and it’s time to remember to drive safely around our local schools. When driving around our busy schools, please obey all the school zone speed limits and follow these safety procedures:

• Stay alert. Don't rush into and out of driveways. Remember that pedestrians will be on sidewalks, around schools and in your neighborhoods.
• Stop at stop signs. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and residential neighborhoods.
• Watch for bikes. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable; expect the unexpected.
• Brake for buses. Don’t drive around a stopped school bus, it's against the law.
• Plan ahead. Leave early for your destination and build in extra time.
• Re-route yourself. Avoid driving by or near schools. You'll save time and reduce the risk to kids.

Visit Your Favorite Coral Gables
Restaurant during Miami Spice Promotion

Miami Spice 2011 is back with its mouth-watering promotion: From now until the end of September you can take advantage of specially priced three-course meals (Lunch $22, Dinner $35). Downtown Coral Gables is a Miami Spice hot spot with 14 restaurants participating including Anacapri on Ponce, Angelique Euro Café, Caffe Abbracci, Caffe Vialetto, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Graziano’s Restaurant, La Cofradia Restaurant, Le Provencal Restaurant, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ortanique on the Mile, Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge, Randazzo’s Little Italy, Red Koi Lounge and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. For more information, click here.

Granada Golf Course Walker/Runner Safety

Taking a brisk walk in the morning or late afternoon is good for your health, but only if you keep an eye on the road. The Granada Golf Course is enjoyed not only by local golfers, but by many walkers and joggers who exercise regularly around the serene greens. Technology can sometimes hamper the safety of health-conscious individuals. If you like to walk or jog around the Granada Golf Course on either side of North and South Greenway Drives - which are only steps away for the busy road commute - do not text or talk on your cellphone especially if you’re walking with your backs to traffic. If you are distracted you can get too close to the roadways and in harm’s way. Remember that chance takers are accident makers.

New Firefighters Join Coral Gables Fire Department

Congratulations to Fire Recruits Kyle Durham, Rebeca Muñoz and David Perez who were recently sworn in as Coral Gables Firefighters. Joining the Coral Gables family is not an easy task, as all three recruits were required to successfully complete the two-year Paramedic Training Program and their Firefighter I and II certifications as prerequisites to apply for the job. In addition, they recently completed an intense four-week training program with our Fire Department and are now ready to serve the community. They join the Coral Gables Fire Department, one of only seven departments in the nation to hold both an ISO Class 1 Rating and international accreditation.


Firefighter David Perez gets his Fire Department badge pinned on him by his wife Teresa and son Vincent.

Entries For Senior Art Contest Due September 1

Are you a professional or amateur artist, 55 years or older, living in Coral Gables? If so, the City of Coral Gables invites you to enter the 2011 Celebration of Talent Senior Art Contest, the premier display of talent organized for the last five years by the City’s Senior Services Division. The event is presented by the City of Coral Gables Parks and Recreation Department, the Senior Citizens Advisory Board and The Palace. Entries are due September 1, 2011 for the professional and non-professional divisions in the categories of photography; sculpture, ceramics, woodworking or hard crafts; paintings and drawings; needlework, quilting, weaving or soft crafts. Up to four entries will be accepted per artist. An awards ceremony and exhibit will take place on Friday, October 21, at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, from 6-9 p.m. Last year, the contest drew approximately 100 entries from 36 seniors living in Coral Gables. For more information, contact Anastasia Smith at 305-460-5609.

Call Pollution Hotline To Report Environmental Crimes

If you have a complaint regarding illegal dumping on City’s streets or waterways, call the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) at 305-372-6955. DERM responds to environmental emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is important to report liquid waste discharges or spills into drains, waterways or onto the open ground. You can also report tanker trucks dumping waste or any spills of dangerous chemicals into manholes, drainage, waterways or on the ground. Be an active citizen and protect the environment by reporting spills of pesticides, sewage overflows from any source, smoke or dust emissions from any facility, any severe odor or vapor that affects the eyes and breathing, and any turbid water in the waterways, canal or Biscayne Bay.