Upcoming

Here are a couple of upcoming events in the Grove:

Tonight:

Quanta, Gravitation and String Theory: Orlando Alvarez, a professor of physics at the University of Miami, discusses the latest views about the universe as part of the Culture in the City lecture series; 7 p.m. wine-and-cheese reception, 7:30 p.m. presentation, Teatro Abanico, 3138 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove; $10, $5 students with ID. 305-648-0899 or www.cultureinthecity.org .

Friday:

The Barnacle will be having another Moonlight Concert. Elaine Silver performs. Starts at 7 pm. Entrance fee is just $5.00.

Set the Grove Free! Let's be our own city

I would love to send a message to all the selfish commissioners who use the Grove as a cash cow and then spit all over us.

How would the City of Miami run without the majority of taxes coming from the Grove? Let's look into annexation. Let's be our own City. As Tony points out in one of the comments on a previous post:

"If Key Biscayne, Aventura, Cutler Bay, Miami Lakes, and Pinecrest can successfully incorporate, Coconut Grove should be able to accomplish the same thing."

Let's send that selfish Michelle Spence-Jones a message that her district will be in deep crap without the Grove's money supporting them. How about a little support back, Michelle, in the way of a vote alongside the district Commissioner Marc Sarnoff?

I am hoping that Marc is doing something to lobby these idiots who voted in favor of the zoning change at Mercy so that at the second reading, wiser heads prevail.

The City of Coconut Grove sounds so nice. So does Mayor Marc Sarnoff. :)

Letters to the editor regarding the Mercy land

Here are two letters to the Herald that may or may not make the paper:

Commissioners Sanchez, Gonzalez and Spence-Jones:

I believe your votes to approve the zoning change at Mercy Hospital on behalf of the developer showed a distinct lack of courage to do the right thing and stand by your advisory boards, and the very recent GI Ordinance protecting the communities against rapacious developers.

Ms. Spence-Jones showed herself to be clueless, Mr. Gonzalez hid behind Staff, and Mr. Sanchez, who often gets the big picture, felt the courts were probably going to decide no matter which way he voted. You COMPLETELY IGNORED the fact that your two most important advisory boards, the PAB and the Zoning Board, voted to DENY!

You insulted them with this vote, indicating that their input has no value to you.

This zoning change was needed primarily by the developer, to succeed with another of his power plays, not by Mercy Hospital which had other courses of action. The hospital has MANY ways it can raise that money, as it has done in the past. Just check their website. As their brochure stated - they had a plan B, and were prepared to go another route. You three were not.

This vote was more than shameless, it was bad government, and showed a disturbing inconsistency in your own actions relating to zoning issues. You did not voice a single good reason for voting to approve, and went with the developer for expediency only, as if denying the Related Group was too hard a test.

At least you did remain consistent in your support of developers. The residents of Natoma Manors, Bay Heights, Vizcaya, The Roads and Coconut Grove can now look forward to gazing at another monstrously over-sized group of buildings hemming us in, buildings that could easily have been built elsewhere.

This vote looked like a capitulation to big money. It looked very much like you were afraid to disappoint the developer. Now he gets to make more millions at the expense of the surrounding neighborhoods, and all you have done is undermine the effectiveness of your advisory boards, as well as minimizing the value of your own ordinances! BRAVO.

The message to developers is: "Don't worry about a thing, we'll help you build whatever, wherever you want, no matter what the other Boards think, no matter what we ruled in the past." The saddest thing is, you had many good reasons to deny - not the least of which was following the lead of your own Advisory Boards.

Thank God there is a term limit for our Commissioners, because Miami desperately needs public servants with the courage to always serve its citizens, not special interests.

A very disheartened Miami resident, Paul Mann

=====

Dear Editor,

What a relief to see that our City Commissioners are finally taking concrete steps to address the severe shortage of luxury high rise condos in Miami by approving the rezoning of the land behind Mercy Hospital.

They did this by simultaneously reducing the terrible glut of land zoned for public health purposes -- because everybody knows that in the future, Miami's residents will be so wealthy they will never need procedure more invasive than a pedicure. This decision marks a welcome departure from past actions benefiting well-connected business interests and instead focuses on the long-term needs of current and future residents. My confidence in my City government is restored. I will now remove my tongue from my cheek.

Wendy Stephan, MPH

Rude, obnixous comments

To the person who sends me anonymous comments and then mocks me and threatens me in the comments: Your comments will never see the light of day.

I don't mind any type of polite comments whether they agree with me or not, but I will not post anonymous comments by rude, obnoxious jerks. Sorry.

Try being polite and act like a human being and maybe your comments will be posted.

Meet AnnaMaria

I think there is an artist exchange program going on. It seems Grove artists AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt's art is on the Miami Beach Festival of the Arts poster this year and Romero Britto's art is this year's Coconut Grove Arts Festival poster.

At least AnnaMaria got it right and actually used a Beach scene for their poster, where I don't know where Romero's head was when designing this year's Grove poster. It has nothing to do with the Grove.

Anyway, tonight, Jan. 29 at 6pm, there will be an artists reception at Cafe TuTu Tango (2nd level Coco Walk) honoring AnnaMaria.

The original work and the poster will be there. The entire series consists of 12 paintings -- a two year endeavor.

Please RSVP by emailing fredhuntart@mac.com or calling Cafe TuTu Tango at 305-529-2222 -- ask for Andrew Lord.

You may see AnnaMaria and her husband Fred Hunt's work here: http://web.mac.com/fredhuntart

Grove is going to the dogs

The City Commission allowed dogs back at Grove restaurants at last week's meeting. They listened to Grove residents there, but totally ignored Marc Sarnoff and other locals when it came to the Mercy project.

I am hoping that this project is delayed for years in the courts.

I still cannot understand how Marc Sarnoff, the district commissioner, is totally ignored and railroaded. Is this the rest getting even now that Linda Haskins is gone? What gives Joe Sanchez and the others on the Commission the right to even make a decision about this property? They don't have a clue. Has Michelle Spence-Jones ever been to the Grove? Are she and Commissioner Angel Gonzalez getting even because they were stuck with Camilus House, which he made a big issue out of?

I did find it interesting that Comm. Gonzalez was speaking directly to Jorge Perez saying he would like to be very rich one day, too. Was this something we need to question? Was he asking for his payback?

I just hate the way these fools ramble on. Marc Sarnoff and Tomas Regalado are the only eloquent members of the Commission with brains and a hearts and they actually make sense when they speak. The others go on and on about nothing -- making no sense. They talk in circles. Their mind seems to be made up before they even vote or even hear people speak. It's almost like their non-stop rambling is an attempt to cover up their total contempt for people and quality of life.

This zoning issue is something that should be voted on by the whole Coconut Grove population -- not the whole City, but the whole Grove. I think it is time again to push for annexation from the pathetic City of Miami. Any takers?

The Commissioners' contact info is here. Please keep bombarding them with complaints.

Il Furioso performs Sunday

The Italian Renaissance and Baroque sounds of Il Furioso will be performed at 4 pm tomorrow at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (2750 McFarland Road).

The Miami Bach Society sponsors this group featuring lutenist Victor Coelho, soprano Janet Youngdahl and guest Robert Heath, who plays the harpsichord.

Tickets are $40, $5 for students 21 and older, free for students 20 and younger. Call 305-669-1376 or visit www.miamibachsociety.org for more info.

Stargazing

Astronomer Jack Horkheimer, author of Stargazing with Jack Horkheimer -- Cosmic Comics for the Sky Watcher, will be signing his book tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Museum of Science and Planetarium (3280 S. Miami Avenue). You know Jack from his "Stargazer" series on Channel 2 - PBS.

The book features a history and tour of the stars, and a lesson on Jupiter. It's a graphic novel-style.

Call 305-646-4200 for details. Or you may check this out: http://www.miamisci.org/

Commission votes in favor of Mercy project

A few minutes ago, the Miami City Commission voted 3 to 2 in favor of changing the zoning on the Mercy Hospital-Related Group project., as smug Jorge Perez sat in the audience.

Commissioners Marc Sarnoff and Tomas Regalado were the only ones against changing the zoning to allow the monstrous project.

The other three Commissioners, Joe Sanchez, Michelle Spence-Jones and Angel Gonzalez voted in favor. Spence-Jones didn't have a clue what was going on, yet she voted as if she did.

Ex-Commissioner Johnny Winton showed up and talked in favor of the project, even though earlier in the evening, one speaker had a video of Winton speaking in favor of keeping G1 zoning in the wake of the Grovenor project, which would actually be against the zoning of the land.

It's business as usual in the City of Miami and Coconut Grove, folks.

Contact the City Commission today

Here is the info for the City Commission. If you can, please contact today and let them know that we need to stop this nonsense in the Grove. SAY NO TO THE MERCY-RELATED GROUP PROJECT.

Call them, email them, fax them. Today. Thank you. :)

Commissioner Angel Gonzalez
District 1E- mail: agonzalez@ci.miami.fl.us
Telephone: (305)250-5430 Fax: (305)250-5456

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
District 2E- mail: msarnoff@miamigov.com
Telephone: (305)250-5333
Fax: (305)579-3334

Commissioner Joe M. Sanchez
District 3E- mail: jsanchez@ci.miami.fl.us
Telephone: (305)250-5380 Fax: (305)250-5386

Commissioner Tomas P. Regalado
District 4E- mail: tregalado@ci.miami.fl.us
Telephone: (305)250-5420 Fax: (305)856-5230

Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones
District 5E- mail: MSpence@ci.miami.fl.us
Telephone: (305)250-5390 Fax: (305)250-5399

Stop the Mercy Hospital greedy project

The hearing for the Mercy project is tonight, Jan. 25 at 5 pm at Miami City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

Grove residents (the ones who are not in The Related Group's pocket), want this stopped. Jorge Perez, the developer says the huge project will not affect anyone. He says no one can see it from South Bayshore Drive. Know what? I live next door and will see it every single day. Except I will be moving from the Grove for good if this is allowed.

I don't want to live in a place that would allow this. Especially since the only reasoning is money. There is no other rational reason. And I assume that every Miami Commissioner that allows this is on the take. I am just assuming this because I can't understand any other reason for saying "yes" on this piece of shit that is being thrust on our quiet neighborhood.

People -- take note of who approves the project tonight. Their fate will be the same as Linda Haskins. If that didn't prove to the City and County that people are fed up, then nothing else will.

If this project is approved, it is just the beginning of the end. We will all have to deal with non-stop traffic, especially during the long construction period. Picture dozens of dump trucks and workers entering the small area daily. Picture trying to maneuver through South Bayshore Drive or trying to get to Mercy Hospital. Picture US1 trying to accept the traffic overflow, which will be impossible.

PICTURE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND YOUR PROPERTY VALUES GOING DOWN, DOWN, DOWN

Picture non-stop work crews after the project is built -- coming and going to work on the units, one-by-one. Picture traffic on South Bayshore Drive now and especially at rush hour in the morning and evening. Now picture hundreds of cars added to the mix -- all because Mercy Hospital is greedy and all because The Related Group is greedy and does not care about quality of life.

What is to stop The Related Group from taking over the whole area piece by piece and having the whole area turn into it's own little city -- with no special water or sewer system, with no regard to traffic, or quality of life and huge shadows blocking out sun from the neighbors who have been living under legal zoning rules for years.

Is Jorge Perez going to pay everyone for the loss of their property value because of this horrible project?

If this project is approved, I may sue the City and the Commissioners who approved it. When the Grovenor house was allowed, they said this would never happen again. Let's hope they didn't lie. Let's hope we don't have to sue, which may be good since it may tie up the project forever. Let's see.

Grove chat rooms or bulletin boards

I received this email today. Dan gave me permission to post his name and email address for anyone who may want to contact him:

I used to live in Coconut Grove back in 1972-1975. I lived at Gifford and Shipping, on Ruth St and at 2167 S Bayshore Dr.

I was wondering if there is any kind of Chat room or bulletin Board where I could look up some old friends?

Thanks Dan Broderick
diverdan69@sbcglobal.net

Mercy Condo Hearing

The hearing for the Mercy project is tomorrow, Jan. 25 at 5 pm at Miami City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

We hope the board will vote in favor of quality of life for the Grove and not for the almighty buck. There is no place for this monstrosity in Coconut Grove.

The Mercy project doesn't belong in the Grove

Once again, a comment on one of the previous posts expresses my thoughts exactly. This is how I feel on the Mercy project. I honestly feel that unless you are making money on the deal, there is no rational reason for acceping this horrible monstrosity. Here is the comment that I liked:

"I wonder what Tucker Gibbs really thinks? Take away his huge fee ($300,000) and the huge payoff to his "clients" ($2+ Mil) he probably truly believes the 1.2 Mil sq ft Related scam is obscene.

What citizen with any intelligence would think otherwise?

Take away all the out of town Related and Cervera employees, all the lobbyists and all the bribed "residents" then who is left to endorse the scam? Right. No one.

Let's listen to the residents who actually live in Dist 2 and who have not sold their opinions."

Another fight

The "Rua Metrorail Project" has another hearing this Wednesday -- where a zoning committee will decide the size and scope of the project proposed for 2780 SW 27th Ave. (across from Shell Lumber in the old Latin American Restaurant location).

The developer keeps changing plans, but seems to be set on his last plan, from November, which consists of a 250-foot (about 15 stories) condo, but would be very dense and cover the entire parcel.

The neighbors would like to see two smaller buildings and a supermarket, which really doesn't make much sense since there would be less traffic with a condo than with a supermarket. That area is congested night and day and a supermarket in that very spot would just add to the mess.

I am guessing the neighbors would want streets blocked off, so there would be no overflow back into the neighborhoods and all traffic would enter and leave on 27th Ave., mere feet from the US1 intersection.

The hearing is at 5 pm,, this Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW First St., on the 18th floor in the conference rooms 18-2 and 18-3.

Murray Marcus and Yery Marrero sicken me

I was sick to my stomach today when I saw a full page ad in Neighbors paid for by the sell-outs Murray Marcus, President of Bay Heights Improvements Assoc. and Yery Marerro, President of Natoma Manors Homeowners Assoc.

Everyone knows they accepted payouts from the developer the Related Group. How these scumbags can actually plead that the "Grove Bay" project is a good thing for the neighborhood is sickening.

They plead for the City of Miami Mayor and Commissioners to vote in favor of the project. I wish I had Marcus' and Marrero's email address and phone numbers. I would post them here.

Talk about sell-out scumbags. These are your neighbors folks. These are the people who contribute to the quality of life decline in Coconut Grove. How any person living in the area, with a right mind, could be for this monstrosity is unheard of.

Miami Regatta this week

The Miami Regatta is this week and it appears that more than 850 sailors from all over the world have descended on the area.

Established in 1990 by U.S. Sailing, the Rolex Miami OCR annually draws elite sailors Olympic and Paralympic medalists and hopefuls from around the world. The regatta is especially important as a ranking regatta for sailors hoping to qualify for the U.S. Sailing Team and the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team, which annually distinguish the top three sailors in each Olympic or Paralympic class.

The sailing crews will set up base at many marinas across the county, generally in the Grove area, including the U.S. Sailing Center, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Shake-a-Leg and the Crandon Park Marina.

NBC will stream the reports as daily web casts on www.NBCSports.com

More info on the event here: http://www.rolexmiamiocr.org/

Restaurants

Looks like Chick 'n Grill and Pizza Rustica went out of business at Mayfair, but Johnny Rockets just keeps going strong.

Arts festival poster unveiled

This is Coconut Grove Arts Festival poster for this year. It was unveiled last night at the Sonesta Hotel. Romero Britto is the artist. What do you think? I like the image a lot, I just don't see Coconut Grove here.

Shakespeare in the park is back

Shakespeare in the Park is back in the Grove!

"Twelfth Night" will be performed at Peacock Park (2820 McFarlane Road) tonight, Friday and Saturday (Jan. 18, 19 and 20).

The event is free for all. The play starts at 8 pm each night. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

More info here: http://www.shakespearemiami.com/

Don't look at the filthy shoreline while you are there, or even better, pick up a piece of trash or two if you venture over to the shore. That could be a way to pay for the event since it's free. Everyone who attends should pick up a bottle or piece of trash and dump it in the trash can.

At the water's edge

The little boardwalk is now open at the end of Peacock Park, enabling some of the most beautiful views of the water, but a lady from Chicago stopped me and asked me what was up with the filthy shoreline.

She says in Chicago, they take pride in their shoreline and they don't let pollution destroy it. In fact, she said this is the first view of the water she has seen since she arrived in Miami and this is the scene she was privy to. Not a very nice first impression. Disgusting, in fact.

That's her in the picture below, talking to my friend Mike, who lives in Miami Beach. I am always telling him how great the Grove is and he sort of was put off by this filth, too.

What's up with the road?

For weeks now, there have been huge chunks of road dug up in various areas in the Grove, which doesn't look bad here, but try driving over them. Has anyone else noticed this?

The City or County just dug up the streets and left them there like that.

I would love to know who to bill for the damage my car goes through every time I drive down the road. I have seen this in two spots: Tigertail, a bit north of Aviation and 32nd Ave. at Oak Ave.

The Great Taste of the Grove

The Great Taste of the Grove took place in Peacock Park today, and it drew a nice crowd in between the rain drops.

There seemed to be less restaurants participating this year, but of course the food that was there was great.

It wouldn't be a Grove event without face painting for the kids. There was also a climbing wall and a blow up jump house.

Jazz was performed on a stage in the corner of the park.

As you can see here, many restaurants went all out. The food was presented well and was served in decent amounts.

The Chart House didn't get it. For $4.00, they offered three tiny crab cakes. Even the food tickets were larger than the crab cakes. Can we say rip-off, Charthouse? Even the lemon wedge was larger!

Luckily the rest of the restaurants got the concept that being fair with the patrons will bring business to your restaurant. Cheating them won't.

Taste of the Grove is back

The Grove's signature outdoor food and jazz festival, The Great Taste of the Grove, is tomorrow, January 14, in Peacock Park. More than 20 Grove restaurants will offer samplings from fine dining to casual eating from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Included will be a wine tent with wines from around the world, children's activities and live jazz entertainment throughout the day.

The Sonesta Hotel & Suites will feature a culinary showcase with five top Florida Chefs all from our local Coconut Grove Community doing demonstrations during various scheduled times

A waiters race will kick off the event at 11:30 in Peacock Park, you can watch and cheer on your favorite servers and bartenders as they dash through a treacherous obstacle course with trays filed with lots of food & drink.

Live Jazz will be featured throughout the afternoon and early evening. Joe Donato will be the opening act and many other well known local musicians will featured as well. Performers include George Tandy, Singer and Bernson, Alma y Niurka, Marianna, and Nicole.

A Children's area will be set up with rock climbing and other fun activities.

A Farmers Market and Gourmet Place will be featured by Milam's Grocery where you can purchase items and taste samplings. A wine tasting tent will be featured where a series of tasting's will be held. Wine educators will be on hand to answer questions so you can taste and explore diverse wines from all over the world.

There will be an art exhibit named "Food is Art" where artists of all medias will exhibit art as it relates to food. All entrants will be judged and exhibited during the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in the Coconut Grove Chamber offices.

Entrance is free to the public with ticket sales for food and beverages ($1.00 to $5.00).

Wake up, Stan

The Herald has a story on farmers markets in the South Dade area, including the Glaser Farmer's Market, saying that the land was sold and Stan Glaser and his hippies will have to leave soon. Stan complains that his rent is now $800.00 per week.

Stan needs to get real and see what tenants in downtown Grove actually pay for rent. Ask the stores at Cocowalk. Stan also needs to realize that one freakin' bag of groceries at his market is probably most of his weekly rent.

Stan needs to wake up and get his head out of the rhubarb.

"Key West" designed Home Depot

There are questions about the "Key West design" of the Home Depot. You can see that here: www.grovedepot.com . You can see both the "Key West design" and the old K-mart location by clicking Conceptual Images and Photo Gallery.

The "Key West design" is what the new building would look like when built from the ground up. I don't want to post the pics here because I don't know if I have permission, so please use the links above.

The K-mart design is just basically gutting the smaller K-mart store and using that as the shell for Home Depot, which is the desired method by most Grove residents.

Don't be fooled by the beauty of the new "Key West design," you can't judge a book by it's cover. Having a huge box store in the Grove is not the way to go, no matter how pretty the exterior is.

Home Depot update

People have been emailing me, asking for updates on the Home Depot issue. I received the following from Sue McConnell:

There are two plans pending - the retrofit of the K-mart shell and the big "Key West-style" design.

Retrofit K-mart location:

A lawsuit was filed in November 2006 by three neighbors against the City of Miami for their issuance of a building permit on June 12, 2006 alleging that the City of Miami improperly issued a permit for the project.

The lawsuit is based on whether the City followed the law in granting this permit and challenges the validity of the permit that the project meets all applicable zoning requirements and further states it violates the zoning code.

That language requires any large-scale retail establishment in this location to obtain a special exception and meet certain requirements.

The appropriate city officials failed to review and approve this proposed large-scale retail establishment pursuant to the zoning requirements.

The plaintiffs feel that the City and the Home Depot should follow the laws that were passed in April 2005 and December 2005, which would limit the size of the facility.

A response is due mid January.

Home Depot's Code Violations so far have been:

1) Illegal signage that has since been removed.

2 ) Illegal fencing and an illegal trailer. Code cited them on both - the fencing has just come into compliance after a hearing was set for February 14th. The trailer had to be downsized and moved to another location on the site.

Key West design:

A hearing is expect to be set soon before the Miami City Commission on the appeal of the Zoning Board's decision where they voted 8 to 1 against the Class II Special Permit filed by Home Depot.

Added Notation:
So there is no confusion, Home Depot pulled their plans for the original BIG ORANGE BOX - those plans are no longer an option.

For any questions, call Sue McConnell 305-442-9235

Discovery series lectures

The Coconut Grove Sailing Club will be hosting the Biscayne National Park's Discovery Series Lectures (say that three times fast) starting this Wednesday.

Wednesdays lecture is "The Days of Biscayne Bay" is about everyday interactions between nature and people.

Upcoming lectures include info on the park's coral reef nursery and rare reptiles living in the region.From now until April, there will be a lecture every month -- basically three lectures (Jan., Feb. and March). They are again at the Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive) at 7:30 pm, the second Wednesday of each month.

More info may be obtained at www.nps.gov/bisc/

NFAA Arts Week

NFAA Arts Week is this week (Jan. 8-14) and two of the performances take place at Ransom Everglades upper school (3575 Main Highway).

There is a Theater and Voice performance Wed., Jan 10 and Dance performance and Video and Film Showcase on Thurs., Jan 11.

You may get info here: http://www.nfaa.artsawards.org/news_pr/showcase.html
or call 305-377-1140

This is the upper school, the one not skirting law enforcement -- that's the lower school. :)

Around the Grove

I took a walk around the Grove today and saw
these things.

There were tryouts today at the Improv at Mayfair for the South Beach Comedy Festival. Not sure why it isn't on South Beach. According to their website, they have more tryouts on January 10th, also at the Improv.

Tobacco Road in the Grove.

Every time I see one of these monster busses coming down Grove streets, the Jaws theme plays in my head.

New York Pizza on McFarlane Road is now glassed in. It is actually hotter inside with the pizza oven going full blast. It was less hot when it was open air and breeze was able to blow through.

Looks like I spoke too fast about the street being unblocked at Bird Ave. and 27h Ave, heading onto Aviation. Apparenty they will open and close it as need to to complete the construction project on the corner. It was partially closed to traffic again today.

Arts Festival is coming

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival will be here next month -- what are your feelings about the festival? My only gripe is that they charge now, I feel it is unfair to large families and I feel that as a tax payer, I should not have to pay for the right to attend the show on the very streets that my taxes support.

I do enjoy the whole thing though, don't get me wrong. I attend all three days and enjoy the people watching, the art and especially the food.

I did complain once, via email, to the show head and her response to me was, "Good, our plan is working, we are keeping out the riff raff." I wish I had saved that email. I would post it here.

Blocked street is finally opened

Bird Avenue is finally open at 27th Avenue, where it was blocked by the construction crew for months. That's going west on Bird from 27th to Aviation. A few hundred feet, but it makes all the difference in helping traffic flow.

Hysterical board drops historical appeal

The Coconut Grove Playhouse's Board has dropped their appeal of historic designation of the theater building, allowing the theater to "live."

I never did understand why supposed theater lovers were trying to kill something so beautiful. Hypocritical bastards.

Story here.

Is Ransom Everglades skirting code enforcement?

I received this email from Tony Scornvacca, Jr.:

"Ransom Everglades School built a parking lot in a residential district and and is storing boats and trailers there, at 1946 Tigertail Ave. It looks terrible.

Code Enforcement told me that they have a Special Use permit to do so.

If anybody else objects to this, please file a complaint with the commissioner's office, as I did."

Comments?

Busy streets today

There has been a lot of hustle bustle in the Grove today. The downtown area is crawling with what I assume to be tourists. Johnny Rockets must be profiling them and padding their checks like crazy.

Milams' was a madhouse, long lines were jutting out from the registers.

I thought the first day after a long holiday season would be quiet, guess not. It was nice to see everyone out and about.

Happy New Year -- Strut Style

Here are a few more photos from yesterday's King Mango Strut. The weather was beautiful and the crowds enjoyed the parade. To see the pictures larger, just click on them.

They waste no time with the King Mango Strut, even recent news makes the parade.

Banana Republic and proud of it

Britney, Lindsay and Paris, I don't know who is who

Santa and friends

The marching Marjories were mad. They want Marjorie Stoneman Douglas' house to remain where it is.

The Freds were in full force this year. I think there was only one Fred last year, but there were plenty this year.

You know the parade is over when the stilt walkers come out. The are always the last thing.