Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Saturday, January 15, 1977, page 2 (of 24)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Coffee Residents brew and boil over prices
By KAY SEVERINSEN DOROTHY STEIN MARJIE KINEN Staff Writers If Danny Thomas and Joe Dimaggio lived in South Dade, they might be the only ones content over the price of coffee. That's if the results of an informal Times/Guide poll are any indication. Most of the shoppers queried said they thought the price of java was high. Some said they would participate in a coffee boycott, such as the one advocated by Anne Ackerman of Miami, and others said they were stirred up, but they hadn't reached the boiling point yet. Consumers queried in front of the Pantry Pride at 13005 SW 89th Pl., seemed no more irate about the price of coffee than the price of food in general. "I agree it's high," said one Kendall area resident. "But coffee is just one little thing, everything is going up. I can get along without coffee, but I can't get along without this other stuff," she added, gesturing at her full cart. "I can't leave the store without paying triple what I used to pay." "I think prices are high," agreed Jill Spitz of South Miami, queried at the University Shopping Center. "But I drink a lot of coffee and I'd rather give up something else. "I do think I would cut down if there were a boycott. They say if everyone cut down one cup a day, it would make a difference." Mrs. Charles Presbrey is also ready to boycott, if someone ever asks her. "I usually buy at least a pound a week, but since the start of the price-war, I've been buying only on sale. If the high prices continue, we'll switch to tea. I certainly would participate in a boycott." Richard Witt of Coral Gables doesn't buy coffee in the grocery store anymore. A heavy traveler, he makes frequent trips to Columbia and buys coffee there for 35 cents a pound. Mrs. M. Edwards of South Dade isn't so lucky. "I'm boycotting, but it's killing me," she moans. Still other South Daders, like Joan Wilson, said they are using up the coffee they have and don't plan to buy any more. And then there's always Mrs. Gerry Holland of West Miami. After explaining her support of the boycott to a reporter, she disappeared back into the supermarket, saying, "I forgot to get coffee." "I think prices are high. But I drink a lot of coffee, and I'd rather give up something else." Jill Spitz South Miami "... I've been buying only on sale. If high prices continue we'll switch to tea." Mrs. Charles Presbrey Coral Gables Photos by DOROTHY STEIN
He's gotten a lot of sympathy, but it won't buy what he needs
By KAY SEVERINSEN Staff Writer In a dingy South Dade warehouse, all that's left of his former print shop, Archie Roberts sits and thinks about the busses he's been trying to buy for seven years. The four buses would provide transportation for Dade's handicapped, but Roberts is still $6,000 short of his mark. "I've got support from everybody in the county, but no one gives money," he said. The buses, equipped with wheelchair lifts, would cost about $30,000. Roberts received a federal grant for $24,000, but must get the remainder locally. And that money will not even buy the labor, or other operating expenses. For that, he needs another $40,000. Last spring, Roberts stood up before the county commission and, with his croaking voice and rambling speech, tried to explain why he needed the money. "I ain't no speaker," he recalls. He got the commission's sympathy, but no cash. United Handicaps of Dade, an organization with 215 members. "I promised them in 1968 I would get them buses, and I'm still trying. "I want this so bad I can taste it. I'm so involved I couldn't quit now, even if I wanted to." Earlier this week, Roberts asked State Rep. Elaine Gordon to look for grant money. He's also asked Health and Rehabilitative Services if they have any money. At this point, neither office has come up with an answer. "Sixteen per cent of MTA's riders are elderly or handicapped," Roberts says, which makes it very difficult for them to use regular buses. He wants to make his service both independent of governmental agencies and cheap for those who can't afford other transportation services, such as the county's $1 per ride taxi's. "Then there'd never be any excuse to be a shut-in," he says. "The handicapped could go anywhere in the county. Hell, I need it myself." Roberts has been paralyzed on the left side since 1964, when he accidentally struck his head on the side of a swimming pool. It was just a freak occurrence, he says. Roberts has more time to plan his bus service these days, ever since his printing machine was repossessed in October. He used to print invitations and brochures and taught handicapped high school students how to do it, too. "There was one fella, kinda messed up in the head, he wanted to print flyers to get other kids to go on strike against their teachers. I wouldn't let him print 'em, but I didn't keep him from planning," Roberts remembers. But the printing equipment is gone, and in its place are old lamps to sell at flea markets for a few dollars. "I've gotten support from everybody in the county, but no one gives cash." Archie Roberts
news briefly Kids will be boss for day at firms
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual "Boss for a Day" program on Friday, Feb. 11. The Chamber is asking local businesses to volunteer to sponsor students in their firms for the day. "The program offers students a vocation probe which allows them to enter the business world for one day to learn what makes it tick," said Terry Jaramillo, Chamber Business Education committee chairman. The deadline for businesses to respond is Monday, Jan. 17. Further information can be obtained by calling the Chamber at 446-1657.
Women's Seminars
The Women's Medical Center will hold a series of educational seminars, consisting of informal discussions devoted to health care concerns of women. The meeting will be held at 7821 Coral Way from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 17, Feb. 7, Feb. 28 and Mar. 14. For further information, call 264-2633.
Arbor Day celebration
The Coral Gables Beautification Committee will hold a tree planting at the Coral Gabies House, 907 Coral Way, to commemorate Arbor Day(Jan. 21). The planting will be Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 11:30 a.m. Melrose Nursery will donate the tree, and many city officials will be present at the ceremony. For more information, call Betsy Adams at 661-2416.
Composers honored
Four University of Miami composers have been selected for awards by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. The 1976-77 honors went to Dr. William F. Lee III, dean of the UM School of Music; Dr. Alfred Reed, professor of music theory and composition; John Kinyon, assistant professor of music education; and the late Dr. James Clifton Williams, chairman of the department of music theory and composition, who died Feb. 12, 1976. The awards are based upon their unique prestige of their published standard works for orchestra, band and chamber music and on the number of performances given their composition.
Times/Guide
Florida's Best Suburban Newspaper Serving Coral Gables and South Dade Since 1926 Published Wednesday and Saturday Gables Publishing Co. 4627 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, Fla. 33146 (305) 666-7981 Price: 10 cents per issue, home delivered; $12.50 per year by mail anywhere in the United States. Controlled Circulation Postage Paid at Miami, Florida. Jim Storey General Manager Bea Moss Managing Editor