A little spray here, a little spray there . . .

Erica Kutner read about the face and body painting in the Grapevine and ran over to the Windisch-Hunt gallery for a little face design.

The streets are getting crazy already. The Seminole Boat Ramp is full of police paddy wagons and the cops there are quite rude too, so I would suggest not getting too crazy tonight, they are on edge already.

Photo by AnnaMaria
Windisch-Hunt

Halloween fun has already started in the Grove

Marina, Rafaela, Carmela and Oscar started celebrating Halloween today at Bice Bistro at CocoWalk.


Joaquin and Irina stopped traffic on Main Highway this afternoon.


The port-o-potties are all lined up on Virginia Street, along CocoWalk's side wall, ready for the large crowds tonight.

Will you be out and about tonight? If so, maybe you'll be part of our Coconut Grove Halloween slide show tomorrow. Come out tonight, look for yourself in the Grapevine tomorrow! See ya!

"Rocky Horror Picture Show" this weekend

It's Time Warp time with the showing
of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
at the Arts and Minds Center
including dinner.

Info here.

Quick restaurant change on Main Highway

Grab & Go on Main Highway is now New York Roma Pizza. Tomas, who owns New York Roma Pizza on McFarlane Road now has changed the little fast food place on Main Highway to an annex of the pizza place.

The funny thing is that we had passed by at one point last night and it was Grab & Go, we ate somewhere else, walked by again and new counters were in and the new pizza place was raring to go! All within an hour.

They will also serve sandwiches and fast food, but the main thing is pizza now.

Rumor has it . . .

That they want to move the King Mango Strut from the center grove to Peacock Park. Hope this is just a rumor because moving the best Grove event of the year from the main streets to a park is a bit stupid. A parade belongs in the center of town, on the streets, not a park.

Dr. Zoe Lewis discusses her new book

Dr. Zoe Lewis had a book signing and held a short discussion last night at The Bookstore.

Her new book "I hope they know . . . The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer's Disease and Care" was the subject. Say that three times fast.

The doctor's website is here: http://zoealewis.com/

Coconut Grove is ready for Halloween

The CocoWalk annual Halloween Bash is tonight, from 8 pm to 1 am. Kids trick or treating is from 3 to 8 pm and the adult costume contest is at 9 pm.

Of course, the whole Grove will be full of revelers all dressed up for this year's wild Friday Halloween. Stop in at Scarefest House of Horror first for some Halloween fun, also at CocoWalk.

Also, don't forget Grove Isle is having their Fright Fest Party, Anokha is having the Condom USA Fetish Party, and Basil's in the Grove is having a party. The band Danger Flow will be filming their video tonight and there's a Sexy Women's Halloween costume contest. The winner will appear in the video.

Also added to the list is Halloween at Sammy C's. There will be a band called Rock and Roll Circus, beginning at 9:00 pm. Valet parking is $5.00.

Come to the Grove, park in one of the garages, and just walk around and pick and choose your event. There's a lot going on this year and the streets will be wild!

Boo!

Here are a couple of great Halloween decorations in North Grove.


Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

The Great Grove Picnic is back

After celebrating the Great Pumpkin this weekend, plan on coming to The Great Grove Picnic on November 9. This is the 5th year for the Great Grove Picnic.

From 3 to 6 pm at Peacock Park, the village will be celebrating, well, just celebrating being Grove residents.

Bobby Ingram and Friends will be performing. The picnic is free and open to everyone. Bring a blanket, a basket of food and drink and come out and meet your neighbors.

For more information contact Dave Villano at dvillano@yahoo.com or Glenn Terry at bettermiami@yahoo.com

Buy an ad, receive two free Tina Turner tickets

We have two remaining Tina Turner tickets for tonight. They are great floor seats. They are yours if you buy an ad in the Grapevine today before 3 pm. The ad must be a 250 x 250 pixel ad, run for 8 weeks. The ad is the size of the Coconut Grove Real Estate blog ad at right below.

For those of you who keep telling us that you want to run ads and support the Grapevine, now is the time to put your ad where your mouth is. You'll be supporting us and seeing a legend perform at the same time.

Ad rates are here. Email us asap.

Another Coconut Grove Halloween event

Basil's in the Grove (3301 Grand Avenue) is having a Halloween party on Friday. The band Danger Flow will be filming their video that night and there's a Sexy Women's Halloween costume contest. The winner will appear in the video.

The band is playing from 10 pm to 2 am. There will be drinks and appetizers. They will not be serving dinner.

Also, don't forget Grove Isle is having their Fright Fest Party, Anokha is having the Condom USA Fetish Party, there's the Scare Fest Haunted House at CocoWalk and downtown Grove will be full of people in costumes. So it looks like the Grove is the place to be this Halloween.

There's plenty of parking in the surrounding garages.

Will remembered

It's nice to see the county has remembered
Will Johnson by naming part of Bird Avenue
after him.

This sign is at 33 Avenue on Bird Road.

Have your face or your whole body done if you dare

AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt and Linda Blissberger will be doing face and airbrush body painting for the Halloween madness in the heart of the Grove near all the action this Friday at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue).

Walk in or to avoid long waits, make an appointment by calling 772-480-3131 or emailing: grovite1@mac.com.

Prices vary and could be anywhere from $10 to $200. Bring your costume makeup, glue on warts, whiskers, hats, etc. or just yourself and they'll get you done up right and, yes, they also do hair.

Dead in the water and on the water

According to recent reports, the new president and CEO of Mercy Hospital, John C. Johnson, says that they have no intentions at Mercy on putting their land on the market any time in the foreseeable future. The land, once the subject of massive protests is now going to remain vacant land.

Mr. Johnson said that there will be no condos or assisted living facility or office buildings built on the 6.7 acres where The Related Group once had hopes of building.

The Related Group's project was so out of scale for the neighborhood and it seemed that every court that looked at it agreed with the protesting neighbors. The City of Miami Commission, ignored their own growth rules and agreed to rezone the property for the massive project, called 300 Grove Bay Residences, which happily for most neighbors concerned is a dead deal and never to return. We hope.

For stories on the on-going saga, you can do a search up in the blog search box for "Mercy project" or "300 Grove Bay Residents" or "Related Group" and the stories will all pop up.

Fusion Folk Americana at The Barnacle Under Moonlight

The Barnacle Society is presenting Jennings and Keller for an evening of music filled with Fusion Folk Americana at the Barnacle under Moonlight concert on Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 7-9pm at The Barnacle Historic State Park (3485 Main Highway)

The acoustic duo of Jennings and Keller are drawing recognition throughout the country for their unique blend of music which they call “Fusion Folk Americana”. It draws elements from their diverse musical backgrounds which range from New York’s Broadway musicals to the honky-tonks of West Texas.

Laurie Jennings Oudin has been a singer, songwriter and guitarist for many years but in 2006 abandon other pursuits to embark on a full-time music career. “Dana Keller is a veteran pedal steel, dobro, and guitar player who has spent years performing on stage and in the studio.” When these two diverse talents perform together, they entertain with unique music that is difficult to define but easy to enjoy.

Admission:
$7.00 for adults and kids age 10 and over
$3.00 for children ages 6-9
children under 6 are free

Gates open at 6:00 pm; music plays from 7-9 pm rain or shine.
For additional information call 305-442-6866.

Multi-tasking Mom

AnnaMaria and I have been trying to catch this elusive multi-tasking Mom on her roller blades for the longest time. We always see her out on South Bayshore Drive, but never are in the right position to get the photo. Harry Emilio Gottlieb managed to get the shot.

Waiting for the perfect photo is sort of like hunting elk, only it's more eco-friendly and the subjects are a lot prettier.

I told AnnaMaria that I never seem to get the right biker photos. The bicyclists going 40 mph, refuse to slow down for me to get the right shot.

I voted at City Hall today

So I went to City Hall this morning, about 9 am, and I walked right in and voted. No lines!

It actually took me longer to vote (the ballot is very long) than to wait.

The extended hours seem to be working. Either that or people still think the polls open at 11 am.

First impressions

This was the scene this weekend as tourists wandered around from the tour buses. It's very urban and New York-ish. I feel bad for the guy on the floor, but I guess he really doesn't belong there in the center of town making a first impression for tourists getting off the buses.


And if you're lucky, you don't get this guy, you get the 80 cents guy, below. He sits there and asks tourists, actually he asks anybody walking by for 80 cents. Always 80 cents. But he gets many tourists as they exit the Miami Nice bus. A trapped audience.

Need last minute Halloween stuff?

The Party Wholesaler at 2638 SW 28 Lane has all those last minute Halloween items you may need. I had forgotten about them, I usually stop in every year. I was at Shell Lumber getting cleaning supplies with Sylvia and we happened to drive by. I got some costume accessories there for the big Grove Halloween night.

Oh yea, that's Sylvia behind the mask.

BID update

According to David Collins, BID (Business Improvement District) forms have all gone out. 107 entities (landlords) will be voting on behalf of 264 portfolios (businesses). David is in charge of the BID.

Many people have questioned why the The Grand Bay office building is included in the BID. They feel that it is overpowering the voting in favor and that it's an office building and not a store or restaurant or that sort of business that would be part of the Center Grove. Rumors are going around that 90 votes came in from that one building, but if there are a total of 107 votes, that doesn't make much sense.

David said that the BID extends down to Darwin Street, which includes the Double Tree Hotel and The Grand Bay is part of that, too.

Meet Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera tonight

Reminder: Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera will be at the Bookstore in the Grove tonight from 7 to 8:30 pm. More on Rep. Lopez-Cantera here: www.lopezcantera.com

Making it difficult to vote

I went bright and early in the cold to vote today at City Hall. To my chagrin, they were closed. The hours have changed this week. Last week they opened at 7 am, this week it's 11 am.

Why?

Our state is making it difficult when it should be so easy.

Park and enjoy

The newly renovated post office parking lot is now open. Have at it.

Village Council does not like Commission's cavalier attitude

At the last City Commission meeting, in September, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones upset many people by saying that the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan should be considered an "Inspirational Plan," and is not written in stone. Those who spent four long years on the project took offense to this. Spence-Jones said she had "a million" master plans in her district and none were adhered to and so why should the Grove's Waterfront Master Plan be adhered to?

This was in reaction to the proposed Grove Harbour Marina office building project, which came out of left field long after the Waterfront Master Plan was finally completed and approved. Most Grove residents are against the Grove Harbour project saying that an office building does not belong on the water's edge and that the plan should have been brought up during the waterfront planning stages and not brought up after final approval was signed.

Last night at the Cocoanut Grove Village Council meeting, Joyce Nelson, who has worked on the Grove waterfront issues since 1990, stood before the Village Council members and said she was very offended by Michelle's comments. Joyce said, "I think every person in Coconut Grove should be personally insulted by her comments."

Council member David Collins (left) explained that the waterfront issue absorbed thousands of working hours by the community as well as the Sasaki Group who drew up the plans. It was a long process that hundreds of people were involved in. David felt that not only Michelle Spence-Jones, but other Commissioners felt that this project was almost a whim of some large planning company.

He said, "This was not a good moment for democracy in the Grove," meaning that hundreds of concerned citizens were literally in on the planning since day one and the City Commission's jaunty attitude is disrespectful to taxpayers.

The point of the plans was to get community input said Michelle Niemeyer, Village Council head. And yet, some City Commissioners are not taking it seriously.

Council member Felice Dubin (right) suggested writing a letter to Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, letting her know how the community feels about her comments, since hers were the most memorable and offensive.

Felice also made a motion to prepare a resolution about the Grove Harbour Marina project, saying that the Village Council wants to make their views clear that they are against the project and they are totally in favor of keeping the Waterfront Master Plan as-is, in spite of Michelle Spence-Jones.

Lottie Person, (left) council member, got quite upset and defended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones' comments. She said the Village Council was "crucifying her."

To that end, the Village Council changed the resolution to affect all City Commissioners. Basically, they want to say they are against the attitude that the Commission shows to public master plans. The resolution will also be turned into a letter signed by all Village Council members and published in the newspaper.

"Push to the Presidency" at RED gym

RED, the gym at 3206 Grand Avenue, will be promoting a “Push to the Presidency” event
on November 1.

They will have a push-up contest to support the presidential candidates in the upcoming election. Each contestant will do as many push-ups as they can in one minute and the total will be added to their candidate. The Grove mostly consists of Obama supporters, I think, so this will be an easy win for him in push-ups, anyway (and condoms).

Prizes will be given for the most push-ups by a man and woman during the event. The event will start at 10 am. Winners will receive gift certificates to Solaire Spa as well as for RED Personal Training and its several Boot Camp programs. More info: 786-218-1077 / www.redelitept.com

Filming on Commodore Plaza today

Lots of filming went on at Christabelle's Quarter on Commodore Plaza today. Telemundo’s “El Rostro de Analia," took over the place from early today and will be there until 11 pm.

We all like when there is filming in the Grove. It's a clean, fun industry. They didn't even block traffic. It all took place on the sidewalk and inside the restaurant.

Chamber's After Hours Club is tomorrow

The Chamber of Commerce is having their After Hours Club at Le P'tit Paris (3105 Main Highway) on tomorrow, October 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

A complimentary glass of wine and hors d'ouvres are included in the door price and additional wine by the glass or bottle at special prices is available. Plus there are raffle prizes.

Admission is $5.00 for chamber members and $10.00 for non-members.

RSVP 305-444-7270 or email info@coconutgrove.com

Figure drawing classes start this week

Hilary Branch will be holding figure drawing classes at Blu Moon Studio of Art (3444 Main Highway) every Tuesday evening. Various mediums will be covered.

Hilary studied art at Wimbledon School of Art and Design in London and studied figure drawing with Ian Woodrow, the English artist and painting with Charles Breaker, one of hte last of the Newlyn School in Cornwall, England.

She taught arts and crafts in Norfolk, England and moved to the US in 1994. She had three watercolor paintings accepted for the Biennale in Florence in 2000.

Hilary is convinced that within every person is a creative spirit that sometimes needs a little help to express itself and claims that anyone can learn to draw because drawing is not really about drawing -- it's more about looking. Techniques can be learned and the results are often surprising.

The cost of four classes is $120.00 and includes the model fee. Classes are Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm.

To sign up for classes, or to get more information, please call 305-529-5006

Fright Fest, Fetish and more in the Grove this Halloween

Fireside Fridays at Grove Isle is having a "Fright Fest" party on Halloween night. This is open to the public. There is no cover fee.

Along with popular DJ's they will have their usual waterfront dancing and bayside dining and a super costume contest. There is also a Betty Bangs swimsuit fashion show with accessories from Rock Band, plus a special appearance by the Red Bull Girls.

There's an open bar from 7:30 to 8:30 pm and cash bar from 8:30 to 11:30 pm. Parking is available by valet on premises and there will also be a shuttle from Mercy Hospital. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. Please RSVP to dining@groveisle.com

Also, don't forget the Fetish Party at Anokha! Details here.

And of course, you know the whole Coconut Grove central business district will be one huge street party on Halloween.

Somebody buy her a clue

Tonight at the Village Council meeting, one thing deliberately placed on the agenda is a Discussion of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones comments on the Waterfront Master Plan.

If I remember right, at the last Commission meeting, she felt the whole Waterfront Master Plan was a joke and it was meant to be changed whenever anyone has a whim. She called it an "Inspirational Plan." Forget the past four years of planning, meetings, gobs of money spent and laborious work. She feels that in her district they change them practically on a daily basis, so we should, too.

Guess that's why her district is like it is. They do whatever they feel like without any planning or regard for the public input there. We don't want that here Michelle. We believe in quality of life.

Her email address is mspence@miamigov.com, if you would like to give her your thoughts.

The Village Council meets tonight at 7 pm at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

Other items on the agenda:
Crime update
Explanation of Amendments on voting ballot
Peacock issue update

This week at The Bookstore in the Grove

October 28, 2008
Meet your State Representative . . .
Meet & Greet with Carlos Lopez-Cantera, 7 pm
More information: www.lopezcantera.com

October 30, 2008
The Bookstore in the Grove and The International Institute for Human Understanding present Dr. Zoë A. Lewis, 7-8 pm. Spotlight on Local Authors Series, Book Signing and Short Discussion Dr. Lewis will discuss her book, "I hope they know....The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer's Disease and Care."
For more information: http://zoealewis.com and www.iihu.org

The Bookstore in the Grove is located at 3399 Virginia Street / 305.443.2855

Men in tights

The "Shadow People" were out and around the Grove again yesterday. You could see them on every street, almost on every corner. They were scaring the bejesus out of people. I don't know why, with Halloween coming up and all, it isn't that strange to see people in costume is it?

Anyway, they are promoting some sort of website for Yahoo or something.

Kids 4 Obama, bounce houses, slides and everything else

Today was the Kids 4 Obama event in Peacock Park. I'm not quite sure how kids can be for Obama, but I guess they can be, they just can't vote.

Anyway, there was lots of fun in the park, bounce houses, games, food and even a stage where children performed. Nestor Torres was also scheduled to perform and children's book author Judy Blume was also there, giving her support.


The "Fired Up" voting march passed by at one point, which added more excitement to the park event. And best of all, prices were quite decent. I got a very large hotdog and a coke for four bucks. I didn't even finish the hot dog, it was so big.

Drop in for some great real estate advice

Grove realtor Riley Smith is having one of his quarterly Real Estate Talks at Green Street Café (3468 Main Highway) tomorrow, October 27, from 7 to 8:30 pm.

It's an informal get together where Riley gives some great advice on buying and selling in today's crazy real estate market. Drop by for a few drinks and some expert ideas.

Fired up and marching to vote

Today a group of Obama supporters had a march called "Fired Up and Ready to Vote." They started at the Farmer's Market location on Grand Avenue and marched up Grand, down to McFarlane Road, turned on McFarlane, up to South Bayshore Drive and from there, marched all the way to City Hall to vote.

Leading the group was City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, above right and Annette Taddeo, left, who is running against Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Florida's 18th Congressional District (our district).


An antique City of Miami fire truck added some color to the march and so did some police on horseback (not shown). Traffic was stopped on Main Highway as the marchers did their thing.

Run an ad, receive Tina Turner Tickets

Run a 250 x 250 pixel ad for 12 weeks (3 months) in the Grapevine and receive two Tina Turner tickets for this Thursday's show at the American Airlines Arena.

These are floor seats, in section 4.

Ad rates are here: www.coconutgrovegrapevine.com/ads.htm

The ad is the size of the Coconut Grove Real Estate Blog and the Carlos Lopez-Cantera ads.

The ad must be a new ad and must be in and paid for in full by Wednesday morning. Email us for info. The address is at the upper right.

Fired up and ready to vote?

A group is meeting near CVS today (3300 Grand Avenue) at 1 pm and they plan on marching to the polls at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) to cast their votes en mass. It's called "Fired Up and Ready to Vote." If you would like to join them, please be at the CVS before 1 pm.

Also, don't forget the Kids 4 Obama Festival at Peacock Park today, from noon to 6 pm.

"Voices" proudly premiers in Coconut Grove

"Voices," the documentary by film maker Jeffrey Poitier, which chronicles the Grove's beginnings in Village West, settled by Bahamians in the 19th Century, premiered last night at the AMC movie theater at CocoWalk. The four year project, which features stories and interviews of Grove pioneers was enjoyed by a full house at the matinee and also the later evening showing.

Focaccia Rustica, Greenstreets, Anokha, Bice Bistro and Jaguar catered the affair and CocoWalk AMC donated the theater.

Above are Louise Caro, Reggie McKethan with film maker Jeffrey Poitier and Rene Woohead.


Michele Turner and Al Johnson; Aisha and J.S. Rashid; Marylin Haynes Smith with Don Parchment and Lisa Remeny.


Grovites Bonna Cooper, Dennis James Breedlove, activist Lottie Person, Rock Stephens.


Film poster artist Rodney Royal, artist Alen Laird, with Lasonya Starling whose father appeared in the film "Billy."


Grovites Alonzo Johnson whose sister Ellen Malett was featured in the film, with Denise Cruz and James R. Bethel.

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

This was the way the Grove looked for most of the afternoon. At one point, all the lights went out and all the emergency alarms came on, up and down Grand Avenue and Main Highway, but things got back to normal fast.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Show stopper

Last night, Fred Hunt drew a lot of attention as he painted in the window at the Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue). He'll be there tonight, as well.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Mangoheads off to Key West Fantasy Fest to party it up

The Mangoheads, the group from the King Mango Strut, headed to Key West for Fantasty Fest this morning.

I found a bunch of them near the Playhouse and an even larger group was having breakfast at Greenstreet Café.

Above are Ron, Keith, Susan, Bobby, Amy and Esther. At left is Atena, from Celestial Treasures.

Below is Duane as Joe the Plumber, Kristi as Michelle Obama, Antoinette as Tina Fey Sarah Palin and Deborah as Josephine the Plumber.


Below, Theresa Calluori, center, is ready to party on the bus for the long Key West trip, she has a pirate/wench costume which she plans to put on enroute. That's also Earl Wesson in white tee, Janet Gonzales next to Theresa, Charlie Smidrod with the eye glasses and Kevin Figgmaurite in orange.

The lovely Grove waterfront today

This is what the Grove waterfront, near City Hall, looks like today with all the election signs. The place is mobbed with annoying people with placards and things, thinking they are going to sway you to vote their way.

Does that work? Do these people who run in front of your car and shout holding signs work to change votes? Maybe, but I think probably the opposite way. I think they may offend undecided voters into voting for the oppostion.

Journalism the easy way, just "borrow" the story

Mark Potter from MSNBC and NBC is set up at City Hall today doing stories on early voting. Wonder where he got the idea of City Hall and the beautiful Grove backdrop, maybe here?

He is saying on tv that it is a warm, humid day in Miami, but I found it to be cool and with very low humidity today. Interesting how things have their own spin. It's all relative.

I chased the local daily newspaper off. Notice they no longer steal my stories and reprint them in their newspaper a few days later? This was going on for a long time and some stories were practically word-for-word, taken from here. My plagiarism lawyer is on top of that.

The next stolen story that appears may have me and the blog in the spotlight, since we will take it to court and the offending writer will probably not have a career in journalism ever again. Since I read them the riot act, the local daily has had no Grove human interest stories since they don't have the brains to go out and get their own and they are forbidden from stealing mine any more.

I would get stories, post them and the reporter would literally call people in the stories and say, "I read this in Tom's blog, can you give me a quote?" That's what they called journalism. I can show you stories taken word-for-word from me, but I won't unless I see one more story published. Then the whole world will see it. I will expose this big time if it happens again.

The lively little plaza

Akashi Grove has really livened up the little plaza off of Fuller Street. So many of my favorite places are there -- Blu Moon Studio, Danny's Revolution Bicycle Shop, Atena's Celestial Treasures and Brenda's Boutique. It's really a lively little place now.

Kids 4 Obama Festival is tomorrow