March Talk of the Town: The Mayor Gets Reelected, A New Dog Park, and More
The Once and Future Mayor
What does it take to get elected in Coral Gables? Just ask Mayor Vince Lago, who just got reelected for a second term without opposition. “There is a way to get into elected office in this city,” he says, “and it’s very simple. You have to work hard. You have to have a plan. You have to address the needs of the residents, the employees, and the business community. And you have to listen to people. You have to meet with people.”
One of the hallmarks of Lago’s career as city commissioner, vice mayor, and now mayor has been his Friday open door policy, where any resident can come and bend his ear. He has also established a long record of supporting environmental stewardship, city cleanliness, public safety, fiscal responsibility, public art, and the expansion of the parks system.
“In the end, all I want is to be known as a mayor who made Coral Gables a better place to live and work,” Lago says. The fact that no one ran against him is, at least on some level, a testament to his success as the city’s CEO. Lago will now serve another two years in the office of mayor.
A New Dog Park in Town
One of the great mysteries – and one of the great disappointments for canine owners – is the absence of dedicated dog parks in the city. While several are in the works, including one under the Metrorail near UM and another at Salvador Park, the first to arrive came last year at Catalonia Park, a small area for small pooches.
Now comes a temporary park for bigger dogs at 1505 Ponce, the site of the latest luxury condo project by Location Ventures. Because the project is a year away from construction, Location Ventures CEO Rishi Kapoor decided to offer the space for a pop-up dog park.
“As an owner of an Australian Shepherd and Belgian Tervuren, I personally know the importance of appreciating a nearby area for them to run free,” says Kapoor.
The new dog park, at the corner of Menores Avenue and Ponce de Leon Boulevard, has more than 3,000-square-feet for dogs and includes a standard, double door enter/exit system, a dog run, benches, waste disposal, and a pet water station.
The park was dedicated last month in a ceremony where Commissioner Rhonda Anderson — a tireless advocate for dog parks, and the owner of two rescue Greyhounds — was joined by Mayor Lago and Commissioner Kirk Menendez for the ribbon cutting. Once construction begins, a permanent (albeit smaller park) will be installed as part of the development.
Oh, That Magic Number 39
It’s been 50 years since Larry Csonka literally led the charge that propelled the Dolphins into their coveted position as the only undefeated team in NFL history. Now the famed fullback is back. Csonka will be in town on March 31 to talk about his brutally frank, critically acclaimed memoir, “Head On,” at Coral Gables Congregational Church across from The Biltmore Hotel.
Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan invited the two-time Super Bowl Champion and Hall-of-Famer to the Gables for a lively evening of unfiltered storytelling. From his volatile relationship with Coach Shula, to brazen exploits with his NFL pals, to thrilling Alaska adventures, #39 will have plenty of ground to cover.
Csonka’s fellow Fins alum and WQAM personality Joe Rose will provide additional color as moderator. Csonka says that Kaplan played a key role in the publication of “Head On.” “Mitchell was my sounding board from the get-go, always generous with his time, and he’s been a tremendous supporter of my book.”
As for this month’s homecoming, “Miami will always be part of me,” Csonka says, “it still feels like home. It’s in my blood. I was in my prime and we were winning.”
The purchase of one ticket will admit two guests and will include a copy of “Head On: A Memoir,” which the author will personalize for you. He’ll also sign one additional copy if previously purchased at Books & Books. He will not, however, sign memorabilia. So, leave that jersey home.
RSVP required at booksandbooks.com or call 305.442.4408.
Moon Over Ponce
Not since the Umbrella Sky project — which draped Giralda Plaza with hundreds of brightly colored umbrellas — has there been such hoopla over a public art exhibit. But this month’s “Moon Over the Gables” promises not only hype but a stunning visual display of — you guessed it — the moon.
For three weekends (Thursdays to Saturdays), Ponce Circle Park will be illuminated by a brightly lit, 23-foot moon with detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Each inch will represent eight miles of the moon’s surface. The celestial globe is the creation of UK artist Luke Jerram, who calls it “Museum of the Moon,” and is being brought to the Gables by the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the organization behind Umbrella Sky. The project, with support from the city, is expected to attract 40,000 visitors, with an economic impact of $12.4 million.
“It is an inflatable moon, and it appears, when you are under it or near it, to be an actual moon surface,” Foundation CEO Mary Snow told City Commissioners last month. “It’s really, really cool.” Commissioner Kirk Menendez quipped that there should be signs on Ponce warning “Full Moon Ahead” to prevent automobile accidents.
The moon will rise at 5 pm and set at 11 pm on the evenings of March 9-11, 16-18, and 23-25.
The Wheel Deal
Speaking of art in public places and Ponce de Leon Boulevard, you may have noticed a large white carved wheel outside the Jaguar Land Rover Coral Gables dealership at the intersection of Ponce and US-1. This is no ordinary wheel, but a six-ton Carrara marble sculpture commissioned in 2020 by Ugo Colombo, owner of The Collection, of which the Jaguar Land Rover is a part. The 17-foot piece, entitled “Rotas” — the Latin word for “wheels” — was sculpted by Italian artist Fabio Viale.
“‘Rotas’ perfectly combines the old world and new, while showcasing Italian design,” says Colombo. “We wish to not only share the beauty of Viale’s work, but to also usher in a new era of art in the City Beautiful.”
It’s also not a bad way to bring attention to the new 534,000-square-foot dealership, with enough room to showcase two dozen cars, park another 1,000 cars, and serve customers with a lounge and Bistro by Bachour.
Amerant’s Run
At the end of January, the largest bank headquartered in Coral Gables — Amerant — announced its assets and income for the full year of 2022. Among the highlights, the bank’s total assets reached $9.1 billion, up 19.5 percent from 2021’s total of $7.6 billion. Net income for the year was a handsome $63.3 million.
Highlighting that financial run, the bank sponsored its second annual Amerant Bank 5K in Coral Gables on the second-to-last Sunday of January, with more than 1,000 runners, walkers, family well-wishers, and fitness enthusiasts participating. The five-kilometer run started outside City Hall and ran through adjacent residential streets.
The winner was Nacho Trujillo, who came in at 18 minutes and 21 seconds. Of course, the real winners were the families that benefited from the $100,000 that the event raised for United Way Miami. “We believe it’s important to connect with our community in meaningful ways that support healthy habits,” said Amerant Chairman and CEO Jerry Plush. See you at next year’s race.