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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Coral Gables, FL, United States, 2009/10/19 - Gables Home Page, a hyper-local information exchange for those who live and work in Coral Gables, Florida goes live. Unique features include news, extensive community calendar and a virtual town square for community commentary.
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Gables Home Page, a non-profit online news and information exchange for the Coral Gables community, goes live. The hyper-local community website is being unveiled to more than 300 people on October 23, 2009 at the Masquerade Ball annual fundraising event of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the non-profit creator of the website.
“The free flow of information -- especially in this rapidly unfolding digital age -- is essential to maintaining and enhancing our quality of life,” said Jerry Santeiro, Chairman of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. “Gables Home Page is community property for all of us who either live or work in Coral Gables to share, enjoy and have our voices be heard.”
The site is funded in part by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Community Information Challenge, which helps community and place-based foundations fund news and information projects to keep residents informed about the topics that matter most to them.
“Hyper-local sites like GablesHomePage.com have the power to engage communities around pressing issues and spark the conversations and actions that move communities forward,” said Trabian Shorters, Knight Foundation’s vice president for communities.
Residents, young and old, and those who work or go to school in Coral Gables are invited to be a part of the dialogue. Content is written and compiled by Gables Home Page staff and the University of Miami School of Communication in a unique collaboration involving students and faculty. Bloggers, guest contributors and citizen journalists are welcome to contribute. Content includes everything from local news to arts & entertainment, business, sports, education and dining/restaurants.
Unique features of the website include a ‘virtual town square,’ which invokes memories of an open town square where the community would gather to discuss issues of the day and set an agenda. In this setting online, users will be asked to comment on local issues of importance and through a respectful dialogue, identify solutions to these issues. A code of conduct and civility policy for all users is posted on the site.
Gables Home Page has created an Editorial Advisory Board consisting of community leaders and seasoned journalists who have developed policies and procedures for users to follow as well. All users must register to be able to comment and anonymous postings will not be accepted online. “Gables Home Page is leading the way in Coral Gables with our own distinct culture of civility and politeness online.” added Santeiro.
The one-of-a-kind information exchange will sustain itself long term by selling online advertising and sponsorships. Gables Home Page is free of charge with no subscription fee to members.
Gables Home Page (gableshomepage.com) is a non-profit online news and information exchange for the Coral Gables community. The hyper-local community website provides a free flow of information to the community at large in a respectful and dignified setting online. Residents, young and old, or those who work in Coral Gables are invited to comment online.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote community engagement and lead to transformational change.
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