Talk of the Town in September
Mangrove Mama
Rhonda Anderson picked up a single mangrove seedling in 2020, and – 2,300 mangrove trees later – has never looked back. A Coral Gables Garden Club member and now City Commissioner, Anderson’s efforts caught the eye of National Geographic. On July 21, their photographers were sent to capture The Coral Gables Garden Club’s Red Mangrove Project, featuring Anderson as a champion for coastline restoration – or as she’s playfully called, our city’s “Mangrove Mama.” On August 25, this year’s batch of 1,500 mangroves was picked up by MANG, which is presently acclimat- ing them to saltwater. The nonprofit has been a key partner, helping get these mangroves to their destination – where they belong and where we need them most: our coastlines. The National Geographic article entitled “Can restoring mangroves protect Miami from rising seas?” by Laura Parker was published July 26, 2022, and can be found online in the Environment section. Visit nationalgeographic.com, or to learn more, coralgablesgardenclub.org.
Eye in the Sky
Police Chief Ed Hudak calls it a game changer, “like having a heli- copter without having a helicopter.” The CGPD now has a two-man drone team, operating 24/7 from atop the Public Safety Building. Their job: launching drones to help deal with live crimes or emergencies. Like a robbery. Or a school invasion. And it can put eyes on the scene within two minutes, anywhere in the city. The drone also has a thermal camera to see inside buildings. Don’t worry though – Hudak points out that the drones are used only in response and won’t be patrolling over your backyard.
Prescott’s Passion
Gene Prescott, president of the iconic Biltmore Hotel and a global hospitality industry icon himself, has been awarded this year’s George E. Merrick Award of Excellence by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. The award, given at their annual conference, is the most prestigious the Chamber bestows on an individual. “Since his arrival in South Florida, Gene has been committed to our community in every sense. His love of our beloved Biltmore Hotel – and its preservation – speak volumes of his passion for our city’s history,” said Mark Trowbridge, President & CEO of the Chamber.
Other People in the News
THE FLORIDA TRUST FOR Historic Preservation has given former Gables mayor Don Slesnick a lifetime Legacy Award for his support of historic preservation efforts. As mayor from 2001 to 2011, Slesnick fought to save historic buildings and initiate stronger preservation policies. He is currently vice chair of Friends of Florida History, Inc.
THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES has named Candy Kakouris as the new director of the historic Coral Gables Golf and Country Club, which the city has taken over to upgrade and restore to its former grandeur. Kakouris comes with extensive experience in hospitality, having run The Club at the Biltmore Hotel for the past eight years. She previously led staff training at the Biltmore, the Miami Herald, and at the Conrad-Hilton Miami.