A very elegant crowd recently joined the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) at the historic Coral Gables City Hall in support of the organization’s fall fundraiser. The event was enchanting– enhanced by a bright moonshine and a starry night. The landmark, built in the Mediterranean Revival architectural style, completed in 1928 and added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974 was at its festive best—its interior glowed under the soft light of its historical wall sconces and chandeliers.

VIP patrons were treated to a private tour of the interior of the City Hall by Coral Gables Mayor James Cason, Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, and Acting Assistant City Manager Cynthia Birdsill. The internationally-recognized Miami based artist, Erika King, gave a lively presentation about the historically significant art collage hanging inside the building which she created. The taste of the evening was grand. Guests enjoyed tastings of the Facundo Rum collection of grand reserve rums donated by Bacardi USA, Coral Gables as well as Champagne de Margerie Grand Cru, Cuvee Special donated by Ann Goodman.

After the special VIP reception, all enjoyed live music with cello and guitar, dinner al fresco, a colorful silent auction and dessert donated by Janette & Co. Macaron and French Pastries. Sponsors included: Myrna Mayor/Zamora Group who generously donated Prosecco, Massa limoncello and wines; the City of Coral Gables, Kerdyk Real Estate, Karelia Martinez Carbonell, Jane Maranos and Sallye Jude. Among the guests were Mayor James Cason and his wife, Carmen Cason, Judge Gerald Cope and Carol Cope, Esq., Suzanne Kayyali, Mr. and Mrs. Lieberman, the Maranos family, Dolly MacIntyre (founder of Dade Heritage Trust), Robert and Judy Mangasarian, Beverly Stover, Veronika and Antonio Guerra, and local artists Claudia Bardasano and husband Carlos, Jorge Fornes and Alice Goldhagen. The event committee included Karelia Martinez Carbonell, Ann Goodman, Jane Maranos, and Joan Thompson. Coral Gables TV covered the event.

[To view clip, click link: City Hall: After Dark]

The fundraiser highlighted the restoration needs of the historically-designated landmark: the White Way Lights. The “White Way Lights”, designed in the early 1920s by Denman Fink (who was City Hall’s artistic advisor)—are located along University Drive from Granada Boulevard past Ponce de Leon Boulevard and along Riviera Drive from Granada to University Drive. The “White Way Lights” were designated as a City Historic Landmark Site in 1981 and included on the City Historic Landmark Inventory.

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Coral Gables News December 9-22, 2014

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