The City of Coral Gables is proud to be a world-class city with a hometown feel. It is that sense of community that makes Coral Gables so special. We are all dealing with an unprecedented pandemic which is changing how we lead our lives. Your City Beautiful is adjusting to these changes and working through the challenges of this situation so we can continue to provide you, our residents, businesses and visitors, the quality of life and services you are accustomed to. The City is steadfast in its most important responsibility – keeping you safe. In this special e-News, you’ll find information on the City’s efforts and ways to engage with our local businesses.
We are in this together.
NEW! Shop Our Virtual Farmers Market
Are you missing the City’s popular Farmers Market? We do too! Now you can shop at your favorite market vendors virtually. These small businesses are ready to take your orders. For an updated list on vendors with take-out and delivery options, visit
www.coralgables.com/farmersmarket
.
Let’s Help Our Elderly Neighbors
Throughout the course of this week, our Community Recreation staff has been busy making phone calls to more than 300 participants of the Adult Activity Center to ensure they are safe and informed. Coral Gables Firefighters visited the homes of any resident that did not respond to the phone call to ensure their safety and wellbeing. We will continue to check on these residents to ensure their comfort and security through these challenging times.
Although the Center is closed, registered participants can finish their Line Dancing and Total Body Conditioning classes virtually. The Adult Activity Center is working on making additional online programming available soon.
If you are 65 or older and have underlying or chronic health conditions such as a compromised immunity, diabetes or heart/lung disease, please remember to limit your interaction with others. If you do not have health issues, be a good neighbor by offering to go to the grocery store or run errands for an elderly neighbor
(make sure you wash your hands before you drop off the groceries and practice social distance at all times)
. Isolation and loneliness can greatly affect the health and psyche of our elders, so be kind and caring to those who live near you.
Senior-Only Shopping Time
Many local retailers are introducing new ‘seniors-only’ shopping times to help the most vulnerable population get their supplies. Please check with each store to make sure these hours are available in stores in or near Coral Gables.
- Publix: Starting March 24, shoppers 65+ can shop exclusively on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7-8 a.m. Pharmacies open at 7 a.m.
- Walmart: Starting March 24, shoppers 60+ can shop exclusively every Tuesday, 6-7 a.m. Pharmacies open at 6 a.m.
- Target: First hour of shopping each Wednesday is open to vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concern.
- Whole Foods: Serving seniors 60+ exclusively one hour before opening stores to the public.
Keeping Our City Clean & Moving
Our dedicated City team continues disinfecting and sanitizing, high-contact areas in our Central Business District to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, the City continues to provide the community’s essential services without interruption. This includes Trolley and Freebee services.
Support Your Local Restaurants
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants have closed their dining rooms to prevent spreading the illness. However, their kitchens can remain open for takeout, curbside pickup and delivery. Some have special offers or free delivery through apps like Postmates, Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash. Please support our small businesses and restaurants during this time.
For Your Convenience: New Take-Out & Pickup Zones for Restaurants
Look out for the “10 Minute Take-Out Parking Only” signs throughout Downtown Coral Gables. You’ll get 10 minutes of free parking at these locations while you pick up food from your favorite restaurant. The City of Coral Gables has converted all centralized valet locations in Downtown Coral Gables into these Take-out and Pickup Zones. In addition, the City has added several more locations:
· Parking lot 25 adjacent to Giralda Plaza;
· 200 block of Andalusia Avenue near Chocolate Fashion;
· 2400 block of Ponce de Leon Boulevard near Cheesecake Factory;
· 300 block of Aragon Avenue in front of Caffe Abbracci;
· 300 block of Giralda Avenue in front of Tap 42;
· 200 block of Giralda Avenue near Terre del Sapore;
· 2600 block of Ponce de Leon Boulevard near Canton.
There are now 45 spaces in the downtown dedicated to takeout and pickup parking created for your convenience, so look for the signs when you’re taking out.
Art on The Go
Thanks to the Lowe Art Museum, there is a way to get a little culture and education from the comfort of your home. #LoweOnTheGo is a new digital resource that will “deliver” a single work of art from their collections directly to your inbox each day. They’re kicking off this amazing initiative with their wonderful Campus Sculpture Park, which features over 30 works by leading artists from around the world. The first work, Chryssa Vardea-Mavromichali’s Large Metal B can be found at the Miami Herbert Business School when normal operations resume at the University of Miami. Visit
www.lowe.miami.edu/
and sign up to receive your daily email with a dose of art.
Movies at Home
Tired of your Netflix shows already? Staff at the Coral Gables Art Cinema is providing recommendations of great films to stream at home. The first movie recommendation comes from the Cinema’s Co-Executive Director, Brenda Moe; Brenda promises the movie “Coming to America” will keep you laughing all night long! Follow the Cinema on Instagram for their daily movie suggestions,
@gablescinema
.
Time to Respond to the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is happening now. Many Coral Gables households have received an invitation in the mail to respond to the 2020 Census. For the first time ever, you can respond online. If you’re spending more time at home, please take this opportunity to respond.
Click here
for information on the multiple ways to respond.
Restrictions Updated: The County’s Amendments to the Emergency Order
The City of Coral Gables will enforce the County’s amendment to yesterday’s Emergency Order No. 07-20, which adds the following establishments to the list of “essential commercial establishments” that may remain operational:
· Automobile dealerships;
· Residence halls/dorms as needed to accommodate students who cannot return home;
· Marinas and boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supply, and other marina services;
· Hotel, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments
(previous restrictions placed on restaurants, bars, and fitness centers housed inside these establishments continue to apply)
;
· Veterinarians and pet boarding facilities; and
· Mortuaries, funeral homes, and cemeteries.
In addition, Governor DeSantis has issued an order suspending on-premise dining at all Florida restaurants regardless of their seating capacity.
