From City Hall
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| | The Brian Lynch Afro-Caribbean Jazz Artist Ensemble |
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Jazz in the Gables Returns Today at Lunchtime
Don't miss the return of Jazz in the Gables, a lunchtime concert series at the Coral Gables Museum Plaza. The season kicks off today Wednesday, January 13 at 12:15 p.m. with the performance of the Brian Lynch Afro-Caribbean Jazz Artist Ensemble, conducted by Grammy award-winning trumpeter and Frost School of Music professor Brian Lynch. The concert will take place at the Coral Gables Museum Plaza, on Salzedo Street, just two blocks north of Miracle Mile. Read more...
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Coral Gables Farmers Market is Back!
You can find the best fresh, local and organic food at the Coral Gables Farmers Market, back for another season starting this Saturday, January 16. Held in front of City Hall at 405 Biltmore Way, the Farmers Market returns every Saturday until March 26, 2016, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. In addition to the fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, flowers and plants for sale, there are free Tai Chi classes at 8 a.m., gardening workshops at 9 a.m., cooking demonstrations at 10 a.m., and children's activities starting at 11 a.m. Read more... |
Commissioner Vince Lago Invites You to a Town Hall Meeting
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: - Improving resident quality of life
- Designing a dynamic downtown
- Reducing citywide traffic
- Establishing greener practices
- Making the permitting process easier
- Creating more neighborhood parks
- Enhancing public safety
- Installing neighborhood streetlights
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A Successful Recycling of Electronics
Almost 10,000 pounds of electronics were collected as part of the City's electronic recycling event held on January 2, making this effort a huge success. Residents and businesses dropped off their unused electronics such as old box TVs, computers, printers, and cell phones. Participants spoke about the importance of having events such as this to make people aware of proper electronic disposal and highlighting the importance of recycling. This event was coordinated by the Coral Gables Sustainability Advisory Board with assistance from City staff. The next electronic recycling event is being planned for April. Read more... |
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Economic Development Department Has Moved To New Location
The City of Coral Gables Economic Development Department, which focuses on economic development, property administration, and the creation of public/private partnerships, has moved to a new location. The new offices are located at 2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 720. Economic Development Director Javier Betancourt and staff can be reached at 305-460-5311 or via email at ed@coralgables.com.
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 Historian Arva Moore Parks To Speak About Book on George Merrick Noted Historian Arva Moore Parks will present her latest book on Coral Gables founder and University of Miami visionary George Merrick titled "George Merrick, Son of the South Wind, Visionary Creator of Coral Gables." The presentation takes place on Thursday, January 14, 6 p.m. at the Otto G. Richter Library, first floor, 1300 Memorial Drive, in the UM Coral Gables campus. The event is co-sponsored by Books & Books and celebrates the official opening of the "Pan American University: The Original Spirit of the U Lives On," an exhibition of historical materials from the Libraries collections. This event kicks off the University of Miami's 90th Anniversary celebration. The lecture is free and open to the public. |
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Fairchild's Chocolate Festival
Satisfy your taste buds and delight in a weekend of sweet treats at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's 10th Annual International Chocolate Festival. Discover a world of chocolate throughout 83 acres of tropical paradise with artisan chocolatiers, interactive chocolate making displays, sweet samples, and cooking demos. The three-day festival runs from Friday, January 22 through Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Read more... |
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| | Art design by Jimmy Socash |
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Vintage Coral Gables
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In February 1924, Coral Gables City Founder George Merrick announced his plans to build a magnificent hotel inspired by Spain's Giralda Tower. Merrick partnered with John McEntee Bowman and within two years the Biltmore Hotel became a reality. It was designed by famed New York architects Leonard Schultze and S. Fullerton Weaver and stands today as the city's most distinctive and beloved landmark.
The hotel was built at a cost of nearly ten million dollars. Thousands of guests came to Miami for the grand opening of the Miami-Biltmore hotel on January 15, 1926. The hotel flourished until a powerful hurricane in September of 1926. Although not damaged by the winds, the collapse of South Florida's real estate market led to the Coral Gables Corporation and the Miami-Biltmore Hotel declaring bankruptcy in 1929. In November of that year John McEntee Bowman purchased the hotel. In 1931 multi-millionaire Henry L. Doherty purchased the Biltmore and remained in ownership until his death in December, 1936. After Doherty's death George MacDonald, Director of the Waldorf Astoria Corporation owned the hotel. In 1942 the United States government took over the hotel by eminent domain for use as a hospital during the war. Over the next 26 years the building functioned as a regional station hospital, a convalescent hospital, and finally a Veterans Administration hospital and teaching/research institute. In 1968 the Biltmore was abandoned by the VA and the property became the custody of the General Services Administration.
On April 21, 1973 the Historic Monuments Act allowed the transfer of the property to the City of Coral Gables under the Legacy of Parks Program. In 1984 the General Services Administration authorized the use of the property for historic monument purposes. The quit claim deed stipulates that all plans and specifications for renovation and restoration will be completed in accordance with the recommended treatments of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. In 1996 the National Parks Service/General Services Administration authorized a change in programmatic responsibility from park and recreation to historic use with the stipulation that if there is a breach of any of the conditions by the City of Coral Gables, all right, title and interest in the property shall revert to and become the property of the United States of America.
In September 1972 the property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places based on its architectural significance. It was listed in the Coral Gables Register of Historic Places in 1976 and is a Local Historic Landmark. The hotel represents the culmination of the dreams and efforts of George Merrick, Founder of Coral Gables. It is significant for its relationship to historic persons important in the development of Coral Gables; its impact socially and economically on the City of Coral Gables; and the magnificence of its architectural integrity. On June 19, 1999 the Secretary of the Interior designated the Biltmore Hotel as a National Historic Landmark because it possesses national significance in the history of the United States. In all aspects the Biltmore Hotel is considered the pre-eminent landmark in the City of Coral Gables.
(Written by Dona M. Spain, City of Coral Gables Historical Resources and Cultural Arts Director)
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Beaux Festival of Art
Saturday & Sunday, January 16-17, 2016
1301 Stanford Drive
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Trek to the Trail Bike Tour
Sunday, January 17, 10 a.m.
Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue
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CITY OF
CORAL GABLES COMMISSION
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U-verse: Channel 99
Comcast: Channel 77
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