From City Hall
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Countdown to the New Year!
Only one more day until the arrival of 2016... So here's to a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Keep it joyful, keep it safe. In observance of the New Year, City Hall, Passport Office, and Parks will be closed on Friday, January 1. There will be no Trolley Service on New Year's Day.
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Commissioner Vince Lago Invites You to a Town Hall Meeting
Mark your calendars: Coral Gables Commissioner Vince Lago is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Youth Center Theater, 405 University Drive. Be part of this informative and interactive update on important City initiatives. Join in the conversation and discuss important topics such as the Miracle Mile and Giralda Streetscape project, the new comprehensive Multimodal Transportation Plan, the upcoming Sustainability Master Plan, among other topics. Read more...
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Recycle Your Electronics
Start the New Year with a resolution to be greener. A citywide electronics recycling event will take place on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Look for the big truck on the parking lot beside City Hall at 405 Biltmore Way. Anything that has a plug or uses batteries will be accepted. Drop off your used or unwanted electronics for free, such as monitors, computer, printers, telephones, answering machines, video devices and more. This event is brought to you by the Coral Gables Sustainability Advisory Board. Read more... |
View, Climb & Explore!
This is your chance to bring out the inner-child in you at the Big Toy Extravaganza: Super-sized trucks, specialized vehicles and other big toys will be on display on Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in front of City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way. Bring the entire family to enjoy food trucks, face painting, bump cars and inflatable games. Read more...
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| | (L-R) City Manager Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark, Commissioner Vince Lago, Mayor Jim Cason, Commissioners Pat Keon and Jeannette Slesnick and City Attorney Craig Leen pose in front of oak tree protected now by the lot purchase. |
City Purchases Lots To Protect Majestic Oak Trees
Last week, the City of Coral Gables hosted a signing ceremony to close the purchase of two lots of approximately 10,000 square feet on Lisbon Street to protect beautiful specimen oak trees. Members of the City Commission directed staff to negotiate the purchase of these lots as part of an agreement with property owner PalmCorp Development Group. The lots in this North Gables neighborhood contain three oak trees with heights of approximately 50 feet and a spread of 50 to 60 feet. This area will now be transformed into a desirable green space for the benefit of the public. More than 100 neighbors supported the effort to save the oak trees from removal.
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New Magazine Issue is Here
Extra, extra: Read all about it! The January-April 2016 issue of the Living in The City Beautiful magazine is arriving in your mailbox. The magazine is produced by the City of Coral Gables containing important news from your Mayor, the City Commission and appointed Officials. Learn about upcoming programs and events from community recreation, cultural arts, public safety and other departments. Copies are also available at the War Memorial Youth Center and City Hall. Read more...
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Crime Prevention Tips for Construction Projects
Did you know that burglars target homes under construction or renovation, as they are normally unoccupied overnight and on weekends, making it easy to sneak in and around the site? Burglars steal tools, equipment and appliances. However, many of these crimes are completely preventable. With some preparation, you can discourage would-be burglars and protect your home. Read more...
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Holiday Items to Recycle
Now that the holidays are almost over, the City of Coral Gables would like to remind all of our residents which common holiday items can and cannot be recycled. Residents are encouraged to remove all tinsel, lights, and ornaments prior to putting trees out for pick up. If you have any questions, please call Public Works 305-460-5000 or visit www.coralgables.com/sustainability. Read more... |
 Read to Learn Book Drive The City of Coral Gables is collecting new and gently used children books for a good cause at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, until the end of January 2016. Drop off your book donations at the Read to Learn Books bin to help fill 40 bookshelves located throughout the community. The books collected will be donated to kids who may not be able to afford them. |
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Vintage Coral Gables
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Here's a tidbit about our Vintage Coral Gables.
The MacFarlane-Homestead Subdivision was originally the 160-acre homestead of Miss Flora MacFarlane. Miss Flora was one of the earliest Dade County pioneers. Not only did she greatly impact the early social development of Coconut Grove, she was also the first woman in the area to undertake the enormous challenge of homesteading public land.
Originally from New Jersey, Miss Flora came to Dade County in 1886 as a companion to Commodore Ralph Munroe's mother. At the time, Coconut Grove was a small settlement of about a half-dozen homes surrounded by wilderness. Activity revolved around the Bay View House, a hotel owned by Charles John Peacock and his wife Isabella. Commodore Munroe, a renowned sailboat designer and important Florida pioneer, used to winter there every year. Ms. Flora was influential in directing the life of the Grove. In 1889 she became one of the first official school teachers for the district. In her free time she established and presided over the area's first Woman's Club, named the Housekeepers' Club, created in February 1891. Among the members was Mrs. Isabella Peacock, known affectionately as "Aunt Bella," with whom Miss Florida always maintained a close relationship.
But it was the following month that she made her most important decision: to homestead a tract of public land. At that time, homesteaders had to reside upon and cultivate a portion of the land for a period of five years. Another option was to settle on the land for six months, and then purchase it for cash. Though Miss Florida worked diligently to clear and improve her land, she took the option of buying it, at $1.25 an acre, due to health reasons. The certificate for the Homestead to Miss Florida MacFarlane was signed by President Grover Cleveland on May 11, 1893.
Little did Miss Flora dream at that time that her homestead would later be linked with the creation of a brand new city. But in 1925, when George Merrick was still settling the original boundaries of Coral Gables, he acquired 19.6 acres of land from Miss Flora's original homestead and annexed them to his development. Some say that Miss Flora's relationship to Merrick's wife, Mrs. Eunice Peacock Merrick, was instrumental in the acquisition, as Eunice was the granddaughter of Flora's long-time friends Charles and Isabella, and one of Miss Flora's own pupils. Miss Flora MacFarlane was one of the first of many great women to have left a lasting impact on Coral Gables.
(Excerpts taken from "Merrick Moments.The Making of the City Beautiful.")
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Giralda Under the Stars
Friday, January 8, 2016
7 p.m.
Restaurant Row on Giralda Avenue
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Adult 50+ Programs
Check out the Winter & Spring activities
Adult Activity Center
405 University Drive
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CITY OF
CORAL GABLES COMMISSION
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U-verse: Channel 99
Comcast: Channel 77
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