Two University of Miami parking locations—the Walsh lot in front of the BankUnited Center and the Ponce Garage—will serve as free parking locations for the City of Coral Gables’ July 4th Fireworks Celebration at the Biltmore Hotel.

Guests attending the celebration will park initially at the Walsh Lot. Should the Walsh Lot reach its capacity, the Ponce Garage will then accommodate guests. The City of Coral Gables will provide free, continuous shuttle service throughout the evening to and from the Biltmore Hotel. Dauer Circle in front of the BankUnited Center will be the pick-up and drop-off location. Shuttle service begins at 5 p.m.

The July 4th Fireworks Celebration will take place on the Biltmore Hotel’s golf course, 1200 Anastasia Avenue. The grounds will open at 5 p.m. The Greater Miami Symphonic Band will hold a special concert at 7 p.m. and Coral Gables’ signature fireworks spectacular will begin at 9 p.m.

The popular event is back after a five-year hiatus, with the help of Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., the Biltmore Hotel, University of Miami, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, and several other corporate citizens.

For parking and event details visit: www.coralgables.com/july4.

At six feet, six inches tall and 310 pounds, Hurricanes offensive lineman Brandon Linder is an immense obstacle for opposing defensive players trying to sack the quarterback. But the youngsters who turned out at Betty T. Ferguson Park in Miami Gardens last week were certainly up to the challenge, demonstrating a perfect football stance under Linder’s watchful eye. Linder was one of several UM football players who instructed the youth at parks in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, leading them in a series of exercises and teaching them how to play the game safely. It was all part of head coach Al Golden’s “Deserve Victory!” events. For a photo gallery of the events, please click here. Photos taken by JC Ridley.

Beaux Arts, the volunteer group dedicated to promoting interest in and financial support for the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum, held its annual end-of-year meeting and luncheon at the Newman Alumni Center on May 23. Outgoing Beaux Arts President Jennifer Pfleger presented the Lowe with a $182,000 check in honor of Beaux Arts’ $1.7 million pledge to UM’s Momentum2 campaign. Sergio M. Gonzalez, UM senior vice president for University Advancement and External Affairs; Leonidas Bachas, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Adriana Verdeja, director of development in University Advancement; and Kara Schneiderman, assistant director for collections and exhibition services at the Lowe, were in attendance to accept the donation and thank the membership for their hard work and dedication to the Lowe and the University of Miami.

The meeting, a longstanding tradition with the membership, also included a vote on a piece of art to donate to the Lowe and recognition of members who have achieved associate status after many years of service. In addition, incoming Beaux Arts President Abby Zanarini welcomed the 2012-13 board of directors and announced the 2012 ball date and theme. The annual Beaux Arts costume ball, titled “Welcome to the Emerald City,” will be held October 27 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Above, from left, are Abby Zanarini, Kara Schneiderman, Adriana Verdeja, Jennifer Pfleger, Leonidas Bachas, Sergio M. Gonzalez, and Sebastian the Ibis.

A rendering of the new University Center patio.

Construction on the University Center patio and stage area began on Friday, June 15. The area will be closed to the public for demolition, construction vehicle access, and safety reasons. The area nearest to the University Center and the temporary Rathskeller patio will reopen by mid-August. The rest of the patio will be out of service until late January 2013. During fall semester 2012, the stage area will be terraced to provide a better view of the lake, improve the facility for concerts and performances, and offer a better outdoor seating and gathering area for the UM community. The construction is part of the Student Center Complex project that will include the new Student Activities Center, which is scheduled to open in fall 2013.

Amanda Richards, a physician and specialist in well-women care, pre-menopause, and the transition to menopause, will discuss hormone replacement therapies at a Lunch n’ Learn session on Saturday, June 30, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the Herbert Wellness Center conference room. The event is free (lunch included) and is open to all women in the University of Miami community (faculty, staff, students, and alumni). Space is limited to 30 participants. Please RSVP before June 27 to Jennifer Schneider at [email protected].