WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2012

Jazz In The Gables Returns With Lunchtime Concerts

The second annual Jazz in the Gables returns with its lunchtime concerts every Wednesday beginning January 11 through March 28, 2012. The concerts begin at 12:15 p.m. on the Plaza of the Coral Gables Museum located on Salzedo Street, two blocks north of Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables. “Gables residents have long been supporters of quality music, so we are very pleased to be able to present the second annual Jazz in the Gables series that highlights some of the very best talent we have in this region,”  said Mayor Jim Cason. Trumpet player extraordinaire Troy "Satchmo" Anderson kicks off the concert series performing with his band in a tribute to his idol Louis Armstrong. Box lunches from Tropico Restaurant will be available for sale. There will be prize drawings every week. Scheduled to perform on Wednesday, January 18 is Nicole Henry, one of the jazz world's most acclaimed and respected young vocalists. The concerts are free and open to the public. The event is presented by the City of Coral Gables in partnership with the BID/Downtown Coral Gables, Coral Gables Museum and Miami Jazz Cooperative, with a portion of the funding being provided by the Knight Foundation. For more information, contact the Economic Sustainability Department at 305-460-5313 or click here.
photo above: Troy “Satchmo” Anderson

Enjoy Gallery Night, Giralda Under The Stars
& Art In The Park This Friday

It’s the first Friday of the month on January 6, which means it’s time to appreciate fine art at Gallery Night, fine dining on Giralda Under The Stars, or fun entertainment at Art in the Park concert series at Fred B. Harnett/Ponce Circle Park. No matter what you choose to do, Downtown Coral Gables is the place to be the first Friday of the month. If you’re an art lover, Gallery Night now offers a special Gallery Night Trolley route which takes you to the doorsteps of many galleries showcasing the work of artists from around the world beginning at 6 p.m. Don’t forget to stop by the Alhambra Water Tower Gallery at 231 Aragon Avenue to purchase artwork benefitting the Save The Alhambra Water Tower rehabilitation project. If you’re more of a culinary connoisseur, try al fresco dining and live entertainment from 7 p.m. until midnight as part of Giralda Under the Stars at one of the 13 restaurants on the streets of Giralda Avenue. A chance to socialize in a park environment with live music, art and food all combined makes the Art in the Park concert series starting at 7 p.m. at Fred B. Harnett/Ponce Circle Park the perfect setting to let all the fun begin this first Friday of the month and first Friday of 2012!

Coral Gables Farmers Market Is Back On January 21

The Coral Gables Farmers Market, now in its 21st season, is back every Saturday beginning January 21 through March 31, 2012. The Farmers Market takes place from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. in front of City Hall, at the intersection of LeJeune Road and Biltmore Way. Just-picked produce, along with baked goods, gourmet specialty foods and plants, will be available for sale. Other activities include live music, a free Tai Chi class at 8 a.m., a free gardening workshop conducted by local experts at 9 a.m., a master chef demonstration from one of Coral Gables’ finest restaurants at 10 a.m., followed by children’s activities for the younger market shoppers at 11 a.m. Enjoy the great outdoor weather by visiting our Farmers Market every Saturday morning for your choice of fresh fruits and vegetables and then walk to Miracle Mile to spend the rest of the day at any of Downtown’s various shops and restaurants. For a schedule of the Farmers Market activities, click here or contact the Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5600.

Hundreds Of Artists To Exhibit
At Beaux Arts Festival This Weekend

The 61st annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art will bring more than 200 fine artists to the grounds of the Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami campus this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, January 7 & 8, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Widely recognized as one of the region’s most popular outdoors art exhibitions, the festival attracts more than 25,000 visitors annually and offers works in 11 mediums for a variety of budgets. This year, artists hail from 30 states and abroad. The festival will feature live music, children’s entertainment and food from Miami’s gourmet food trucks.  Admission and parking are free. Proceeds benefit the Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Standford Drive, which will be open to the public all weekend. Funding supports bringing children from low-income schools on cultural field trips to the museum. For more information, click here.

Tours Of Most Spectacular Private-Home
Kitchens Set For January 28

Get in touch with your Rachael Ray or Bobby Flay inner self: The Coral Gables Community Foundation is presenting its third annual Tour of Kitchens showcasing some of Coral Gables’ most spectacular private-home designer kitchens and popular restaurant chefs. The self-guided tours will include a cooking demonstration and/or tasting, stunning table settings, and the sale of special foodie merchandise and home goods. The fundraising event takes place on Saturday, January 28, with tours open between 9 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. It also includes a champagne and dessert soiree from 1-4 p.m. at the Coral Gables Museum with regional celebrity chefs, food consultants, demonstrations, and cookbook authors signing their books and offering tips for success in the kitchen. For ticket information, call 305-446-9670 or click here.

Have You Seen These Snails In Your Backyard?

Take a good luck at these slimy critters and report them if you’ve have them on your backyard. They’re Giant African Land Snails and have been detected around our City boundaries. These invasive pests can cause great damage to our vegetation as they consume at least 500 different types of plants, and can destroy stucco and plaster. They also pose a health risk by carrying a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans. The Florida Department of Agriculture is working with local municipalities to encourage homeowners to help control the snail population. So far they have discovered 33,000 plus snails in Miami-Dade County and the count continues to build daily. Anyone who believes they may have seen a Giant African Land Snail or signs of its presence should call the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services toll-free at 888-397-1517 to make arrangements to have the snail collected.