'Tis the season for crowds, music and fun

Music filled the Grove again yesterday, above is the Oscar Salas Quintet, who where at Jaguar, and the "Good Blend" Quartet below (Tom, Roberto, Chris and Mike) on Commodore Plaza -- heading for Greenstreets. The groups would move around the area singing and playing Christmas music while people shopped and ate. The Grove's BIC - Business Improvement Committee sponsored this.

I ran into Dave Collins again, head of BIC, he was really happy and proud of the results. I don't blame him, the Grove was filled with happy people from end to end. Even the old Borders Books location was being used by a guy selling Romero Britto lithographs, all of the colors really brightened up that area of Mayfair, so from Mary Street, up Grand Avenue, around to Main Highway, up to Cefalo's, the whole Central Business District was abuzz with a holiday feel.

I said a quick hello to Sweetpea who was rushing off to get ready for the "Barnacle Under the Moonlight" event. And I ran into a lot of friends who I hadn't seen in awhile, too. If this momentum can keep going, I really see good things for the Grove. The next big thing will be the King Mango Strut next Sunday, where thousands of people will fill the streets.

I would love to see more movies in the park, but we do have Shakespeare in the Park to look forward to in January, also the Great Taste of the Grove and of course The Coconut Grove Arts Festival and St. Stephen's Crafts Fair in February. It's that season -- from Halloween through Spring, the Grove is the place to be.