WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Halloween Invasion At City Hall Brings Lots Of Smiles

Approximately 300 children from The Growing Place daycare of First United Methodist Church paraded through Coral Gables City Hall for their annual trick-or-treat on Halloween. Dressed as their favorite superheroes and princess outfits, the little tikes were delighted to fill their bags with candy and toys given out by City staff. Mayor Jim Cason and his wife Carmen (aka Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Franklin) also made a special appearance to give out treats and happy Halloween wishes to all.

Mayor Jim Cason and his wife Carmen give out Halloween treats to young tots at City Hall.

Free UM Men’s Basketball Game Tickets
Available For Coral Gables Residents Only

Thanks to a 20-year Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami, Coral Gables residents can receive up to four free tickets per household for upcoming Canes Men’s Basketball games. “This is another example of how the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami are working together for the benefit of residents,” said City Manager Pat Salerno. Last year, all tickets were distributed. Tickets for the following games are available:

• Game 1: Sunday, January 22 at 12 noon. University of Miami vs. North Carolina State. Only 250 tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning Monday, January 9 at 8 a.m.
• Game 2: Wednesday, February 1 at 8 p.m. University of Miami vs. Maryland. Only 250 tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning Monday, January 23 at 8 a.m.
• Game 3: Saturday, February 18 at 1 p.m. University of Miami vs. Wake Forest. Only 250 tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning Thursday, February 2  at 8 a.m.
• Game 4: Sunday, February 26 at 6 p.m. University of Miami vs. Florida State University. Only 250 tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning Wednesday, February 15  at 8 a.m.

The games will be played at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami campus. Tickets will be distributed in person at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, no earlier than the designated distribution date. Residents must show proof of residential address. Tickets are limited to four per household. For additional information, contact the Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5600.

UM player Garrius Adams

Entranceway Landscaping Restored

Green foliage is once again abundant at the entrance into Coral Gables from Coral Way and Red Road. In an effort to improve the entranceway, the City planted several large oak trees on the north side of Coral Way. The trees are 28 to 30 feet tall with a canopy stretching 16 to 18 feet across. The new oaks replaced trees that died from disease and hurricanes several years ago. A continuous row of oaks now lines either side of Coral Way. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), approximately 22,000 vehicles travel through the Coral Way entrance daily. The City is making a concerted effort to enhance the appearance and prominence of its gateways.

City Receives USTA Florida Member
Organization Of The Year Award

The City of Coral Gables has been selected by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida Executive Committee to receive the prestigious Member Organization of the Year Award. The award will be presented on December 4, 2011 at the organization’s annual meeting to be held in Orlando. The recognition is given to organizations which provide exceptional services to the tennis community. The Parks and Recreation Division offers year-round professional tennis programs for children and adults at its two key facilities: the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center at 1150 Anastasia Avenue and Salvadore Park Tennis Center at 1120 Andalusia Avenue. A dedicated staff provides players top-ranked instructions to improve their game and promote greater enjoyment of tennis. Tennis clinics are offered for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. In addition to offering tennis programs, the City of Coral Gables also hosts various tennis tournaments and competitions as well as special events. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5620.

Saluting All Veterans In Coral Gables

The City of Coral Gables salutes all the distin­guished veterans living and working in The City Beautiful and joins the national observ­ance of Veterans Day on November 11th. Let’s thank the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces and who have risked their lives to preserve the liberty of our nation. If you know someone who is a veteran of war, take the time to express your gratitude for their heroism and sacrifice to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today. The University of Miami is inviting residents to attend a Veterans Day Tribute, on Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m. at the Rock, in front of the UM Bookstore, 1306 Stanford Drive on the Coral Gables campus. For more information, click here.

Parade of American Music At Merrick House

The Coral Gables Junior Music Club is hosting a Parade of American Music at the historic Merrick House in Coral Gables on Sunday, November 20, from 1-4 p.m. The event features a procession of talented musicians performing in voice, piano, string, woodwind, brass and percussion. These performances will be solos, duos or ensembles. Admission is by donation; the contributions will be equally divided to support the restoration of the Merrick House and its ongoing needs, and the expansion of the scholarship program of the Coral Gables Music Club. The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way.

New iPhone App Puts Safety In Your Hands

The Coral Gables Police Department is encouraging all residents who own an iPhone to use a new app that stores vital information about your children. The FBI’s new Child ID app can be downloaded for free from the App Store on iTunes. This mobile application provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it is easily accessible in case you need it. The app allows users to show the pictures along with physical identifiers such as height and weight to security or police officers. This information can also be emailed to authorities with just a few clicks. The app also includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidelines on what to do in those first crucial hours after a child goes missing. For more information, click here.