WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

Santa & His Special Helper To Make
Personal Visits Through Streets Of Coral Gables

Get a glimpse of the most popular man of the season, as Santa Claus will be riding on a fire truck through the streets of Coral Gables between December 19 and December 22, before heading back to the North Pole. This marks the second year of a new holiday tradition of Santa visits through various Coral Gables neighborhoods.  Santa and his special helper, Mayor Jim Cason, will ride on a Coral Gables fire truck around the City, on his schedule as listed below, giving out candy canes to all the boys and girls along the route who have been extra good this year.  Listen carefully for the holiday sound of the fire truck. Please remember Santa has many streets to cover and all times are estimated.  Santa will not be able to safely make his way down dead-end streets.  However, if you live on a dead-end street and would like to see Santa, please wait for him on the open-ended corner of your street. Santa’s schedule is as follows:

Monday, December 19, 2011

9 a.m — 10:30 a.m.: The Deering Bay and Kings Bay communities

10:30 a.m. — 12 p.m.: The area bordered by Bella Vista Avenue north to Snapper Creek, from SW 60 Ave east to the bay

1 p.m. — 2 p.m.: The area bordered by Snapper Creek north to Kendall Drive/ Arvida Parkway, from Red Road east to the bay

2 p.m. — 3 p.m.: The area bordered by Casuarina Concourse north to Sunset Drive, from Erwin Road east to the bay

3 p.m. — 4 p.m.: The Cocoplum community

Tuesday: December 20, 2011

9 a.m. — 10 a.m.: The area bordered by Sunset Drive north to South Alhambra Circle, from Red Road east to Granada Blvd.

10 a.m. — 11 a.m.: The area bordered by Edgewater Drive north to Prospect Drive, from LeJeune Road east to the bay

11 a.m. — 12 p.m.: The area bordered by Ingraham Highway north to US 1, from LeJeune Road west to Rivera Drive

12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.: The area bordered by Broker Street, US 1 and Grant Avenue

1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.: The area bordered by Alfonso Avenue north to US 1, from Granada Blvd west to Caballero Blvd.

2:30 p.m. — 4 p.m.: The area bordered by Ponce de Leon Blvd, north to Bird Road, from LeJeune Road west to Granada Blvd.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

9 a.m. — 11 p.m.: The area bordered by Ponce de Leon, north to Bird Road, from Red Road east to Granada Blvd.

11 a.m. — 12 p.m.: The area bordered by Bird Road north to Miracle Mile, from Douglas Road west to LeJeune Road

1 p.m. — 3 p.m.: The area bordered by Bird Road north to Coral Way, from LeJeune Road west to Granada Blvd.

3 p.m. — 4 p.m: The area bordered by Bird Road, north to Coral Way, from Granada west to Red Road

Thursday, December 22, 2011

9 a.m. — 10 a.m.: The area bordered by Miracle Mile north to Flagler Street, from Douglas west to LeJeune Road

10 a.m. — 12 p.m.: The area bordered by Coral Way north to SW 8 Street, from LeJeune Road west to Granada Blvd.

1 p.m. — 3 p.m.: The area bordered by Coral Way north to SW 8 Street, from Granada Blvd west to Red Road

The City Of Coral Gables & University of Miami:
First Meeting Of The Minds

For the first time, top officials from the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami convened to exchange information regarding future plans and programs of mutual benefit. The Inaugural Annual Meeting between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami took place November 29th at the Newman Alumni Center on the Coral Gables campus. Members of the Commission, key City staff, the University’s Board of Trustees, and top University officers attended the meeting. President Donna E. Shalala and Mayor Jim Cason briefed attendees on several items and projects the University and the City are working on respectively. President Shalala updated attendees on projects at the University. Mayor Cason updated the University on the various investments the City is making in neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Renaissance Program to enhance property values and our quality of life. President Shalala expressed her support of the planned improvements and commented on the positive impact improvements have on the entire community including the University.

The meeting is part of the 20-year Development Agreement with the University of Miami. The Agreement addresses an array of issues including a comprehensive re-write of the City’s zoning regulations governing future development and redevelopment on the UM campus. The re-write includes new protections for residential neighborhoods that abut the University. The Agreement also makes a number of free tickets to baseball and basketball games and 2-for-1 tickets to football games available for residents, among other University events.

UM’s CFO Joe Natoli and City Manager Pat Salerno also spoke about upcoming projects. The collegial relationship between the City and the University is laying the groundwork for a better future. Despite challenging economic times, both parties are working together to build a better City and University. The City and University will alternate hosting the yearly meeting.

Top University and City officials at inaugural meeting. At center left, University of Miami President Donna Shalala sitting across from Mayor Jim Cason.

Holiday Courtesy Notices Offer One-Hour
Extension On Expired Parking Meters

Beginning today until December 26th, if you lose track of time while shopping or dining in Downtown Coral Gables and forget to put more money in the parking meter, don’t worry about getting a parking ticket. Parking attendants will only place on your windshield a Holiday Courtesy Notice, compliments of the Mayor and City Commissioners, and giving you a one-hour extension from the expiration time on the meter. These courtesy notices apply to the Downtown district from Andalusia Avenue to Giralda Avenue and from Douglas Road to LeJeune Road. For more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Parking Department at 305-460-5541.

Iconic Alhambra Water Tower Gets A Restored Look

The historic restoration of one of Coral Gables’ most iconic landmarks is almost complete. The Alhambra Water Tower, built in 1924 and used for many years as part of the City’s water supply system, has been undergoing a series of renovations including the painting of the exterior walls, doors, windows and railings as well as the restoration of its sundial and murals. Workers have also replaced the lower and upper level railings, ground floor double doors, keyhole windows, and the broken glass in windows. The rehabilitation work also includes the installation of new interior stairs replacing the old deteriorated wooden stairs as well as the replacement of the interior wood decks. Improvements to the Tower’s electrical system and the installation of a climate controlled ventilation system are also part of the restoration project. The entire site will subsequently be landscaped. The total cost of the project is approximately $280,000.

‘Tis The Season For A Holiday Open House

The historic Coral Gables Merrick House, home of city founder George Merrick, will open its doors to the community to celebrate the holidays. A Holiday Open House is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 10 beginning at 2 p.m. featuring jazz guitarist Zach Larmer, Santa’s arrival at 3:15 p.m., and caroling from 3:30-4:30 p.m. by the Royal Palm Singers.  There will be ongoing face painting, refreshments, visits with Santa and self-guided tours of the home.  The event, organized by the Coral Gables Merrick House Governing Board, is free and open to the public. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Coral Gables Merrick House exists today much as it did in the 1920s and is filled with the Merrick family’s artwork, photographs, furniture, and personal treasures. The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information contact the Historical Resources Department at 305-460-5093.

City Kicks Off Holiday Toy Drive

The City of Coral Gables is having a Holiday Toy Drive organized by the Police and Fire Departments, the Police and Fire Explorers, as well as the Coral Gables Police Athletic League. Every year, hundreds of new, unwrapped toys are donated and distributed to local needy families. From now until December 20th, toys can be dropped off at the Coral Gables Police Station, 2801 Salzedo Street, or at any of the Coral Gables fire stations. In addition, a car wash will be held on Saturday, December 10th, 9 a.m.-12 noon, at Fire Station 2 to raise money for toys to benefit children in need. For more information, contact the Police Department Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5401.