Strutters today
Here are a few photos of the strutters at today's King Mango Strut. It was warm out, but bright and sunny and the crowds were large. It was a lot of fun. As you looked around, all you would see were smiles. The floats and themes were so clever. Jim DeFede was Grand Marshall, you can see him in the center photo, wearing red. He would rip up copies of The Miami Herald every few feet and throw it like confetti onto the crowd. Perfect for New Year's Eve.
I'll post more photos on Monday.
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King Mango Strut today
Today at 2 pm, the place to be is downtown Coconut Grove. The King Mango Strut kicks off then. Winding its way down Main Highway, around the bend onto Grand, will be the wackiest parade you will ever see. The annual event gets larger and larger every year, get there early to get a good spot.
This year's theme is "One Disaster After Another." Jim DeFede (left) is the Grand Marshall. We'll get pictures and post them soon.
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Start strutting tonight
The Strut is on. The King Mango Strut is at 2 pm tomorrow in downtown Grove but tonight there is a little pre-strut party called the "Mango Music Festival."
At St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (2750 McFarlane Rd.) a bunch of bands will be performing from 7 pm to midnight. There will be refreshments. The cost is $10.00.
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Sailing weather
The Grove has been full of sailboats this week. The weather has been incredible -- cool, crisp, clear and perfect for a day out in the bay.
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Merry Christmas
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Wilma Wonderland
The King Mango Strut is Saturday, Dec. 21 2005 at 2 pm, downtown Grove.
Here is this year's song:
Wilma Wonderland
(sung to Winter Wonderland)
Lyric by Steven Weisberg
Storm debris, garbage stinkin'
In the Keys, stars a-twinklin'
An incredible sight
It's pitch black at night,
Walking in a Wilma wonderland.
Blown away are the snowbirds,
Here to stay are adjusters
My house has black Mold,
The water's still cold,
Walking in a Wilma wonderland.
In the meadow crews are piling landfill,
On a site where trailer homes once stood
People ask "are you gonna rebuild"?
I like to but my home is firewood.
We'll rebuild
And we'll recover,
Just in time
For next summer
Till then, we'll frolic and play,
the King Mango way,
Walking'.. no I mean Struttin'.
Struttin' in a Wilma wonderland.
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Romantic Coconut Grove
A romantic couple on a Grove side street.
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The power of the blog
It's a shame that blogging can cost people their jobs or future jobs. Here is an interesting story pertaining to that in Critical Miami. I am just glad I work for myself and can express my opinions without retribution. It is truly amazing how blogs can change the world. Wonder what the Miami Performing Arts Center is scared of?
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Sculpture in the Grove
This pretty thing is located outside Grove Towers on the corner of S. Bayshore Drive and Mary Street.
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Going postal
Here is a letter from a reader. Does anyone know the answer?
"Yesterday I went to mail a painting at Postal Plus. I was quoted a price of $99 and change. When I showed surprise, the owner recalculated and quoted me $62 and change. Still not satisfied, I went over to The UPS store on Grand. For the same painting, packed the same way, I shipped it for $38 and change. Why is Postal Plus still in business? People should be warned of this. That's too much of a difference for the same service. "
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Delicious Fresh Market
Once you get past the sticker shock, you'll love the new Fresh Market. It is amazing. This week they are giving out free samples of practically everything, expect to put some weight on before you leave the store.
The Godiva chocolates with coffee are to die for. The pastries are out of this world (along with the prices), the produce is very fresh and there is a huge wine selection. It's really nice to have a gourmet market in the Grove. You may not shop there daily, but it is a nice place to pick up special items for special events.
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Sunrise in the Grove
Grove Isle at sunrise.
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The Fresh Market grand opening
I'm looking forward to The Fresh Market grand opening on Wednesday, December 7. It's next to the Grove Harbour Marina at 2640 S. Bayshore Drive.
It is supposed to be really nice, very good quality food and an old world ambiance with dark wood finishings and large bright windows. It's in an old Pan Am hanger, which is really nice. It's nice to see that area of the Grove still staying sort of historical.
There is a preview on Tuesday, December 6.
The Fresh Market specializes in top quality seafood, baked goods and meat. The produce is supposed to be the freshest around.
Look out Milam's! Not many people are thrilled with your kissing up to Home Depot. Maybe you had no choice.
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Let's clean up the Grove
We received the following letter from reader,
Tony Scornavacca, Jr. :
"The Art Festival is coming in February, and I welcome the visitors who will come and admire our quaint little village by the bay. It would be a service to our community if we all could contribute to beautifying our neighborhoods.
Please paint over grafitti when you see it on, or near your property. It's everywhere from Main Highway to 27 Avenue.
It seems that club promoters think that a good way to advertise is to print 100s of flyers and to THROW THEM ON THE SIDEWALKS. This has been going on for years. Doesn't littering draw a fine? Could you imagine if the City of Miami actually did something? The name, phone number, and address of the offenders are printed RIGHT ON THE LITTER.
After the hurricane debris is removed, let's not put out our bulky trash until Thursday, so that our swales look nice at least for most of the week until Friday.
Take pride in the good fortune of living in the most picturesque location in South Florida!"
Tony is right. The Grove is filthy.
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Flintstone strutters
The first King Mango Strut meeting of the year held a Flintstone look-alike party in honor of Hurricane Wilma and I guess Wilma Flintstone. Here are some pics.
Strut Meetings are on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at the Firkin & Friar Pub, 3148 Commodore Plaza. If you have a group and a funny plan - great! If you want to participate but don't know what to do, don't worry, the wacky Mangoheads will give you something nutty to do. They also need behind the scenes strutters. For more information, please call the Mango Hotline at 305-401-1171 or email to abaldwin@insomnic.net 
Wilma Contestants
Regina Mcfall wins best Wilma
Keith Root winner of best Fred holler - Wilma!!!
Fred Flinstone Hollering Contestants
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Big Box stores are nixed
Finally, Big Box stores are now banned from residential areas of the Grove. The Miami City Commission is a bit too late for the Home Depot though, but at least they stepped up. Guess they know Johnny Winton's days are numbered and they are now trying to save their own asses.
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The Fit
Coconut Grove attorney Brant Hadaway's rock, R&B, and country cover band, "The Fit", will be playing at Tuscany tomorrow, December 2, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
"The Fit" will also be playing at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club's New Year's Eve party.
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