SEPT. 20 - OCT. 3, 2011
Junior Orange Bowl Parade now accepting applications BY ALEX MARKEL
T
he Junior Orange Bowl Committee (JOBC) is gearing up for its 201112 festival season and applications are now being accepted to participate in the 63rd annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade. The parade, which will take place on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, offers unit applicants the opportunity to continue in the tradition of marching through the streets of beautiful Downtown Coral Gables. This year’s theme for the Junior Orange Bowl Parade is, “Soaring to New Heights!” Applicants can choose to design their own floats, decorate a vehicle, or enter a group to march the parade route. Dance, cheer, cultural, and musical groups are welcomed to show off their spirit as they march the parade route in front of thousands of spectators. Corporations and small businesses also are welcomed to submit a parade application. The JOBC is making sponsorship packages available to organizations that are looking for creative promotional opportunities as well. “The Junior Orange Bowl Parade is truly a festive and unforgettable experience for all involved, and I am very proud of the special relationships that are
––––––––––––––– See
PARADE, page 6
ALL TYPES OF COVERAGE FROM OVER 100 TRUSTED, COMPETITIVE, INSURERS
305.238.1000
Savings & Service Since 1950
City’s new palm trees in full display on Alhambra Circle
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
EDUARDO ALSINA
MARIA HERNANDEZ Mayor Jim Cason releases the fronds of a recently planted Medjool palm. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY MARIA ROSA HIGGINS FALLON
T
he grace and beauty of the new towering Medjool palms on Alhambra Circle are now in full display as several members of the Coral Gables City Commission helped untie the fronds of the recently planted trees. In July, the city commission unanimously approved the streetscape project. Sixty seven towering Medjool date palms and 61 Bismarck palm trees now adorn the median on Alhambra Circle from LeJeune Road to Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The beautiful transformation is in part due to the continued generosity of Manuel C. Diaz, resident of Coral Gables
and president of Manuel Diaz Farms. Diaz donated all 61 Bismarck palms worth $80,000 for Alhambra Circle and made it possible for the city to purchase 45- to 50-foot-tall Medjools. Diaz and his son, Nick, personally supervised the planting of all the trees on Alhambra. Back in April, Diaz made another significant donation of large trees to the city worth more than $95,000 for Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Another landscaping project that is beautifying the city is the transformation of Segovia Street with the addition of approximately 300 stunning oak trees currently being planted in the median and swales. This project is expected to be completed within the next three months.
JORGE GALAVIS This is another in a series of profiles of outstanding students attending schools in Coral Gables. These students excel both inside and outside the classroom. See profiles beginning on page 7.