Wear your ’20s clothes and bring your Gables knowledge to celebrate ‘Doc Dammers Day’
Do you know for what purpose the beach at Venetian Pool was originally intended? Or, prior to construction, what crops grew on the land that is now Granada Golf Course?
Knowing your Coral Gables history and trivia is just one bit of the fun set for the Coral Gables Merrick House “Doc Dammers Day,” 4-8:30 p.m., Oct. 24.
It all started 100 years ago in November when nearly 5,000 people showed up on George and Eunice Merrick’s front lawn for the first successful land auction in what would become The City Beautiful.
Dammers, who became the first mayor of the City of Coral Gables, was a charismatic showman who sold the “Castles in Spain” concept in a partnership with City Founder Merrick.
At the celebration, docents will tell many of the remarkable stories. Guests will enjoy 1920s-style fare, libations, exhibits and music, as well as a silent auction.
The festivities begin at the Coral Gables Museum where guests can hop on trolleys and tour the city with stops at Merrick House, Venetian Pool, and Biltmore Hotel. Masks are required on the trolleys and inside Merrick House.
Period attire is encouraged. This is an adults-only event. Tickets are $75 per person and are at https://merrickhousedocdammersday.Eventbrite.com Proceeds benefit the ongoing house preservation work.
Free Halloween concert for all
Spooky music lovers of all ages are invited to a free concert presented by the Emmy and Gold Medal-winning South Florida Youth Symphony Oct. 30 at the historic Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for the 5 p.m. “pre-dinner” performance. Social distance seating will be in place with a limit of 300 attendees. Masks are required.
David Arisco, award-winning Artistic Director of Actors’ Playhouse, and Victor Lopez, nationally recognized conductor and composer, will be guest performers. Arisco will narrate “Monster Mash” while Lopez will be the guest conductor on his arrangement of “Pink Panther.”
Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and will receive goodie bags following the concert. Contact MakeMusic@sfys.net or 305-238-2729.
Villagers host new webinars
Longtime historic preservation group The Villagers will offer a series of free “Preserving Our Community” webinars starting Oct. 20 with guest speaker Richard Heisenbottle. The noted architect and designer will discuss “Restoration Before Demolition.”
On Nov. 17, Hal Wanless, professor and chair of the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Miami, will talk about the “Impact of Sea Level Rise to Historic Places.” And on Dec. 15, John Medina, president of John Richard Medina Architects and Associates, will speak on “Historic Windows.”
“Whether you are interested in restoring an older property or concerned about the impact of sea level rise on historic buildings, you should plan to attend,” said Susan Medina, president-elect of The Villagers and webinar moderator.
Each hour-long talk starts at noon. Register at https://thevillagersinc.org/villagers-lunch-and-learn/
‘Everybody Needs a Rock’ exhibit
If you love stones and rocks, you don’t want to miss artist Lara Restelli’s first solo exhibition of 13 paintings dedicated to accurately depicting their diverse colors, textures, sizes, shapes, and meanings.
Hosted by Doral’s Miami International Fine Arts Gallery, 5900 NW 74th Ave., the artwork will be up until Oct. 30.
Restelli donated 50 percent of the proceeds from the exhibition’s Oct. 8th opening reception to the University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). Call 305-470-0009 or write info@mifamiami.com for more.
Learn about skin, X-ray vision in fish
Two fascinating new exhibits are now open at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.
The East Coast Premiere of “Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity” is presented by Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute, and “X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out” is part of the traveling exhibition program from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
In the multisensory, bilingual “Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity” guests can examine skin specimens from creatures all over the world, from parasitic whale barnacles to microscopic human face mites. (Spoiler: We all have them!)
“We are honored to be supporting this important exhibition at Frost Science and showcase the importance of taking care of your skin and keeping an eye out for any changes or abnormalities,” said Naiara Braghiroli, Chief of Skin Cancer and Pigmented Lesions Clinic at Miami Cancer Institute.
“X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out” features 40 black-and-white digital prints of different species of fish arranged in evolutionary sequence. Through X-rays, scientists can study skeletons without altering the specimen. For more visit www.frostscience.org
Pubbelly Sushi hosts ‘Drink Pink’
Pink sangria, made with sparkling rosé, a dash of Sprite, guava, a whole muddled strawberry, and a twist of lime, is highlighted this month for Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Pubbelly Sushi.
A portion of proceeds will go toward the wig program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
“The wig program is helping these amazing patients feel more like themselves while they’re going through treatment, and we are so grateful to be able to help,” said Chef Jose Mendin.
There are more than 17 million cancer survivors in the United States, and many cope with emotional and mental struggles long after their last chemo or radiation appointment.
The free wig program empowers patients by encouraging positive self-image. Founded in 2017, each year the program provides about 300 patients with wigs, turbans or headscarves.
Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.
