Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year's Eve

I'll be with family and friends tonight and hopefully see some of you around the Grove, too. One of my friends is coming in from Gainesville and wants me to celebrate the new year in South Beach, but I prefer the good old funky Grove.

I'd like to thank you for coming back day after day to read the Grapevine. I know many of you come back to see what crazy thing I am going to say next. Others come for Coconut Grove news and events and others come for the photos of themselves and friends at past events.

For whatever reason, thanks for coming back. I am trying to make the Grapevine into a full time business, that's why I work so hard on it, but also, when I start something, I just dive in and want to do it all they way and not half-assed. I'm neurotic that way. A friend sends me corrections all the time, typos and things. I actually appreciate that. I want to get it right.

I know many of you think I sit at a sidewalk café and just blog stories all day. I actually do work for a living, but maybe in the new year, I can make the Grapevine my full time job. I like writing and photography and can combine them both here. Actually, I'll will that and put it into the Universe: I am going to make the Grapevine my full time job in 2009.

Most stories are timed to post at various times throughout the day, I am not sitting at the keyboard all day writing. You may see me out and about while a story is being posted at that very moment.

I remember one time when a story was posted about how great it is to end Sundays at the Sandbar Grill as the sun goes down, while at that actual moment, on a late Sunday afternoon, I was at Greenstreet with a bunch of friends.

I'm taking tonight off, but feel free to send me any of your photos. I'd love to see what you are all up to in the Grove tonight as you celebrate the arrival of 2009. Email them to me tomorrow and I'll post them.

I'd like to thank AnnaMaria and Harry for their help. They take many of the photos you see here and they cover events that I cannot attend. I hang out with AnnaMaria and Harry, too, they are great people and fun to be with.

Also many others send me items, story ideas and photos, too. I give them published credit on the photos, as for the news items and stories, most like to remain anonymous on news tips and gossip. You know who you are, and I thank you, I couldn't do this alone, but I know you don't want to be revealed so I am not mentioning any names.

He lives and breathes Coconut Grove

Whenever I mention the BIC or the BID here, I get all kinds of comments -- mostly about David Collins, the head of the BIC/BID. Most comments are good, a few are not.

Whether you like the new BID or not, you have to admit that Dave worked hard for the BID and he has always worked hard for the benefit of the Grove. Someone said it best in a comment in one of the other posts: "David Collins lives and breathes Coconut Grove and the BIC."

You can find Dave in his office, or around the Grove, early in the morning and late at night. Whenever I show up, he always has a smile on his face and welcomes me with open arms.

Although I have lived in and around the Grove for most of my life, I never paid much attention to what went on politically or behind the scenes. When I first started the Grapevine, I met Dave for the first time inside his own house. It was at the Gifford Lane Art Stroll and he was ladling out his famous cucumber punch. I asked him his name for a photo I took, shown here, with my friend Victor (for this post), and he told me and spelled it for me. I think when he said the name, I realized he was the Village Council guy.

Many others would have said, "I'm Dave Collins for God's sake! I run the BIC, I am on the Village Council, you don't know who I am?" But he humbly spelled his name as he handed out the cucumber punch. That told me a lot about him.

Many times, most times, in fact, when the Village Council has been going back and forth on an issue, Dave waits until the end of the argument, and in that quiet way he has, he says one thing and calms the situation down.

I don't need to be kissing up to Dave, and you all know I haven't on many issues like the black Info Booths, which I still hate. But you'll have to agree, he does live and breathe Coconut Grove and he is always available for anyone who wants to stop in and talk with him.

He personally invited me to the BID launch party the other night, he didn't need to do that, I am not a merchant or landlord, in fact, I could have gone and ripped the whole thing apart the next day here in the Grapevine, but he was kind enough to include me anyway. So that's why I am writing this great story on him. No, just joking, I am writing it because it was a long time coming.

Where is the rest of my Fire Fee Refund?

I got my check for the settlement on the Miami Fire Fee case.
It was 25% of what it should be.

Who got the rest? The "settlement administrator?"

I would really like someone to take responsibility for this.

This image was sent in by Harry Emilio Gottlieb, he got it right on.

Many people want to work at Crazy Pianos it seems

I don't know why, but I have received dozens of job applications today for the new Crazy Pianos, which is opening at CocoWalk in February, according to one staff member. (Felice, I guess the scaffolding will be there for awhile).

The emails have photos of the applicants and they say they saw the ad on Craigslist. Talk about Crazy, the name fits.

I called up Crazy Pianos and got the chef, Peter. He says he'll look into it.

The weird part is that all the applicants are from far away like Argentina and Mexico and places like that. Let's hire local people Crazy Pianos! And what's up with the photos? Is it legal to ask for photos of the men and women applying?

I should post some of them here and we can vote on them, but I won't.

New exotic dance class forming for ladies

A new weekly Exotic Dance Workout Class is starting next week.

It's a class on Thursdays, for ladies, who can actually work out in their high heels if they wish. Renee O'Connor is inviting ladies to try out the first class for free.

Renee says her class is about "building self confidence and self expression in women. Showing women that their true confidence and beauty come from inside."

The first class is Thursday, January 8 from 7 to 8 pm and will continue every Thursday after that. It will be held at Renee's Studio @ The Grove 2964 Aviation Avenue (4th floor). Please wear workout attire and bring a pair of your heels and a friend!

For more info, please call 305-321-9506 or visit: www.artofexoticdancing.com

BID launch party held last night at Greenstreet Café

The BID (Business Improvement District) held a launch party last night. Dave Collins, leader of the BID sent out invitations earlier in the day to the holiday week event. Above, Dave addresses the crowd.

It was a meeting of minds to discuss how the Grove will now "chart its own course." Business owners, village leaders and property owners enjoyed the food, drink and conversation at Greenstreet Café on Commodore Plaza.


In attendance were Kim Koch, H (from H&H Jewels) and girlfriend Maria Prats, and Sylvano Bignon, owner of Greenstreet.


From left: Sandy Pukel, Steve Licata, Mark Shats, Sweet-Pea Ellman


Fred Hunt and JoAnne Davidson.

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Shakespeare in the Park coming back in January

Shakespeare in the Park will be presenting "Macbeth" in Peacock Park this January. If you attended last year's performances of Much Ado About Nothing, you'll know what a great experience this is.

The performances are all free, there is no ticket needed. It's outdoors, under the open sky.

The shows are Friday, January 16 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 17 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, January 18 at 7:30 pm. There is also a schools show on Thursday, January 15 at 10:30 am.

Bring a blanket or beach chairs and a picnic basket. The shows are perfect for ages 8 and up. No pets please.

Angelo and Maxie's has a New Year's Eve deal

Angelo and Maxie's New York Steakhouse (3000 Florida Avenue) will be holding their first New Year's Eve Party in the Grove this year.

From 5 to 7:30 pm, there will be open seating and their regular a la carte menu. Then starting at 9:30 pm, their New Year's Eve Dinner Event starts. The menu includes Portobello Mushrooms stuffed with vegetables, Grilled Double Cut Rack of Lamb with mint jelly, Beef Carpaccio with arugula, parmiggano and lemon oil, their 26 oz. Ribeye Steak, 15 oz. Charbroilled New York Sirloin steak and more.

The dinner includes an Open Bar with house champagne, beers, house wine and call brand cocktails. At midnight there will be a champagne toast. The cost for all this is only $95.00 per person.

Angelo and Maxie's is a new Code 33 member, too.

For reservations, please call 305-445-8177.

The King Mango Strut IS Coconut Grove

Let's talk about the Strut. Is that the best thing ever or what? Where else can you have Trina Collins and her fake chicken come up against a real chicken, "Mr. Clucky," who was the Grand Marshall?

It brings everyone together and with all the gossip and problems and confusion, it always comes together in the end. It has it's own special positive energy. I have seen so many other stories and photos posted on other blogs about the Strut it's so great to see them all come to the Grove for this. It has been in all the local papers and on all the local tv news shows.

It reminds me of those old movies where someone says, "Let's put on a play," and they do.

So much work and effort and planning goes into this hour-long parade, that basically is put on by the nuts in Coconut Grove (they're the ones who put the NUT in CoconNut Grove). Thanks to them, everyone gets crazy and literally marches around the block. And then it's all over for another year!

Months and months of planning and fundraising go on all for this one moment. And it is worth all the effort and work.

This is what the Grove is about. If you ever wanted to explain our village to anyone, this is how to do it. We're one big dysfunctional family and we love it that way.

Some participate, others like to watch from the sidelines with the thousands of visitors who come to our community to share in the circus.

I helped plan one unit in the Strut but ended up taking photos instead and on the second go round, I hopped onto Sue McConnell's electric cart with the Peacocks (not the family, the birds played by Peer Everett and a friend) and we drove around the block again waving to the thousands of people.

All the restaurants and shops were full, the streets were full and everyone had a ball. Let's have another Strut next weekend.

Top photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, bottom photo by Tom Falco

Jacob's in the Grove is now open; well, sort of

Jacob and Diana Leibundgut flank head chef Martin Taylor at the new Jacob's in the Grove at 3195 Commodore Plaza.

They have been open a few days now, but their main schedule starts next week. After the New Year, they will be open for lunch daily from 11:30 am to 3 pm and dinner from 5 to 11 pm.

They have a large menu including various fondus, soups, salmon, steak, chicken, the works.

For more info, please call 305-735-2578.

Yesterday's 2008 King Mango Strut -- a Grove tradition

Click on the song "Wish I had a Mango Tree" for better experience.

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Photos by Tom Falco and Harry Emilio Gottlieb

King Mango Strut was one of the best ever

Today's King Mango Strut was one of the best ever. Maybe it was all the crazy things that happened in the news this year -- there was plenty to parody. Antoinette Baldwin appeared as Sarah Palin and the crowd loved it.

Our group (I came up with it, but wasn't actually in it) of Code Enforcement officers brought a lot of smiles, too, people loved receiving fines for smiling, laughing and just scratching their heads. Anna Maria got the group to look very menacing and they marched in line and handed out the citations.

As you can see, I got the new blog masthead for the New Year. Like last month, where I got four bickering restaurant owners to pose (left), I managed to get bickering Glenn Terry and Antoinette Baldwin to pose. It took me six hours. I tried earlier in the day and finally, by the end of the parade, I guess they were both in a good mood and I got them together for the picture.

I had it planned in my head for weeks and when the time was right it just happened. I think Barbara Lange was involved but I'm not sure, she kept telling me she would help me get them together every time she saw me today. But I did a lot of begging all day and I think I just wore them down. I guess it helped that I was right in Glenn's face for most of the parade at Commdore Plaza and Main Highway and I did follow Antoinette around like a little puppy dog whenever I saw her.

But after all those hours of planning, just as they started posing for me, a Herald reporter and a few other photographers grabbed their cameras and they snapped away, too! I set up the shot and everyone got it, as well! I was going to save the new masthead until the New Year, but I have it here now, so that I can have it published first.

King Mango Strut has begun

The King Mango Strut just started (at 2 pm). I'll have a slide show posted here tomorrow.

The Grove is full of people and will be for the rest of the day -- before, during and after the Strut. So come out and enjoy!

Putting on a show at the Skateboard Park

Yesterday at the skateboard park in Peacock Park.


This is behind the Glass House, on McFarlane Road.


Photos by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

King Mango Strut is today - 2 pm - Center Grove!

Celebrate 2009 with a Coconut Grove Calendar or two

The 2009 Coconut Grove Calendar is still available.

I have cultivated photos over the year and put 13 of them in this glossy new calendar. They are only $19.99 each. You may see all 13 images and purchase them here. This is the inaugural run and will be a collector's item.

If you read us daily, this is a great way to support the Coconut Grove Grapevine and get a nice calendar in the bargain.

We have also added some nice note cards with Grove scenes and t-shirts and will be adding other items. They are all in our 33133 Store.

Things seem to be calming down

Speaking of The New Times calling for an interview. So did Plum TV. They want me on their talk show.

I think it was about the Code Enforcement stuff and I didn't want to get into that since it looks like things are calming down. I don't see any police on the streets these days giving parking tickets and I hear that the restaurants are being left in peace.

I think all the negative publicity finally got them to back off. Plus I don't think the Parking Authority wants us delving into their shift of money from the Grove to other areas of the City for various cultural events. Bunch of B.S.

The Parking Authority should not be ticketing cars and then promoting and paying for festivals elsewhere. Makes no sense and it is a total waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. This is fiduciary irresponsibility in a big way. Let Budweiser sponsor the events, what is this crap with the Parking Authority using money they get from citations to sponsor events? If the Parking Authority wants to be altruistic, how about giving free parking? That's what people want.

Cita's Italian Chophouse has plans for New Year's Eve

Cita's Italian Chophouse (3176 Commodore Plaza) is pleased to be holding their first New Year's Eve.

They are offering two seatings, the first is from 6 to 9 pm. They have a set menu at $100.00 or you may order a la carte. This includes a champagne toast.

The second seating is $150.00 for a set menu five course meal. This includes a bottle of champagne per couple. Live entertainment is planned.

Some of the items being served on New Year's Eve include Lobster Bisque, Gamberi VerCita (a pan seared jumbo shrimp appetizer), Lobster Termidore alla Donato, Grilliata Mista (a carved mixed grill of Cowboy Rib Eye, Rack of Lamb with Port wine reduction, Cervrolate sausage served with broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes.

Also on the menu: Tonno alla Vespa (Sushi grade Tuna lightly grilled, wrapped around baby arugula with lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil and sesame seed emulsion.

For more info and reservations, please call 305-446-2207.

Getting ready . . .

The barricades are being placed around the Grove today in anticipation for tomorrow's King Mango Strut.

I don't want to be part of the parade unit this year because I want to take photos and do a slide show of the Strut for the Grapevine. Our group is Code Enforcement, where we'll be dressed up as enforcers and give out citations for smiling, scratching your head, laughing, etc.

AnnaMaria feels I should take the photos from "the inside" but I don't see how I would get every group that way and then she was planning on how I could get shots from overhead at the end of the parade when the Mangobama dance happens -- like from Chili's or from Le Bouchon's roof or The Knife's terrace over Main Highway.

How can I be in the parade, get pictures of all the groups and then get the Mangobama dance from overhead all at the same time? Harry where are you?

Bird buds

The birds seem to like Bird Avenue.


The flock there in droves.


These birds think they are Christmas lights.

Photos by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Doing the "Mangobama" all afternoon

Today Francesca Terry taught the Mangobama dance to about 20 hearty souls and to others who popped in and out of the art gallery.

It was one of those small town moments that I love. As the music blasted (sung with its own words to the tune of the Locomotion), Bob Brennan, certified arborist (and Santa), filmed the group. And as that went on, customers wandered in and out of the gallery, enjoying the art and enjoying the dancing even more. It was a pleasant surprise for them, mostly tourists who came about the charming scene right out of the movies.

The Mangobama dance will be performed at this Sunday's King Mango Strut around the band Road Kill's Mangobama float. I love the part that says, "Rolling over Hillary and John McCain now." And "Say hello to Camelot and Bye Bye Bush." You can hear it at the King Mango Strut website here. It will just start to play when the site opens.

Be forewarned, once you hear the song, it will play non-stop in your head forever. I still cannot shake it. So click the link at your own peril.

The Mayfair Antique Market starts in January

So it's official, the Mayfair Antique Market is coming to the Grove in January.

This is put on by Sud, the same people who do the Lincoln Road antique market. The Grove market will be inside and outside, in and around Mayfair. The old Cielo club is being used for the indoor air conditioned area, but I know that the organizers also had their eye on the old Wet Willy's spot and what about the old Borders spot?

Old this, old that, the Grove does need this event to bring some of the old back to life.

The winter/spring schedule looks like this:
January - 16, 17 and 18
February - 13, 14, 15
March - 13, 14, 15
April - 13, 14, 15
May 8, 9, 10.

The February show is the same weekend as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, so I don't know how that will work. I can never understand why the Grove always lumps events together, rather than spread them out throughout the month.

This may be good though, because with all those thousands of people in for the Arts Festival, it may actually encourage them to return for future antique shows the following months. So it's sort of a captive audience that weekend who will hopefully return again and again.

It's a good weekend to promote other Grove events, hopefully that will be done, too.

The music waifs down Virginia Street

Blue Man Grove will be performing tonight at Pommes and Pané Café (at CocoWalk on the Virginia Street side) from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

There's a real neighborhood feel at Pommes and Pané. Olav always makes you feel welcome and most of the Grove locals stop by at one time or another. They mix and mingle with Mayfair Hotel guests who are attracted to the music coming from across the street and people also wander over from the Bookstore when they hear the music. It's a very comfortable, informal thing and a nice way to spend a Friday night.

Grab a beer and a sandwich and enjoy the ambiance.

Tonight joining Izzy and Eric is special guest Bill "Wailin" Willy less-harmonicas.

Cabana One has some big New Year's Eve plans

Cabana One's New Year's Eve party is called "Eyes Wide Shut."

Tickets are $125.00 and tables start at $500.00, which includes Grey Goose Vodka and champagne. Food will be served until midnight. Dinner and hotel reservations are available. There is an open bar from 9 pm to 2 am. DJ Artime, Miami's own, will be featured.

The party of course is New Year's Eve at the Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue), from 9 pm to 5 am. For info and reservations: 305-448-5088

Another Christmas is over . . .

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas and Hanukkah.

I noticed a lot of businesses were open in the Grove yesterday early in the day and later into the evening, which was a good thing, since it seemed that tourists were out early and then locals seemed to get out later to get to the movies or get something to eat or just hang out.

As you drive down Main Highway at night, the blue lit trees form a little light tunnel, welcoming you into the Grove.

I was looking for Christmas cactus to give to some neighbors and some businesses that I frequent, but I could not find anything decent, so on Tuesday I ended up at Coconut Grove Florist on Commodore Plaza and I got some really nice poinsettias. They were so nice that I went back on Christmas Eve and got a few more as gifts.

Today is the "Mangobama" dance lesson for Sunday's King Mango Strut at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery -- 3 pm. Bring your dancing shoes, Francesca Terry will be the instructor.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



Santa listens intensely as Pandora tells him her Christmas list.

Good times . . .

Here is the old Publix Christmas commercial that reminds us all of younger days . . .

King Mango Strutters are ready for the big day

The Good Blend Quartet showed up at the King Mango Strut meeting last night at Sammy C's. The Strut is Sunday, December 28 at 2 pm on the streets of the Grove.

It will be interactive as always and since the theme is the "Mangobama," there is a Mangobama dance. On Friday Francesca Glenn (the choreographer) will be teaching the dance at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue) at 3 pm.

We are trying to get a very large group for our unit -- Code Enforcement, so anyone intersted can also show up on Friday and speak with AnnaMaria. The more the merrier. T-shirts and caps and the poster are still available, too, you can purchase them at the gallery.

I see that the New Times article came out and they are asking if this is the last year for the Strut. I highly doubt it. It is rough dealing with the City these days, and I know the Mangoheads had a tough time this year. Maybe we can all ask Santa for freedom -- the Grove's freedom and we can get away from the City once and for all one day soon. If only.

The Christmas gifts are hanging on the wall

I'll have to wait for my Christmas gift from AnnaMaria this year. It's hanging on the wall in Focaccia Rustica (3111 Grand Avenue).

She's been painting in the gallery secretly for weeks, now I see what it was all about.

She made paintings of all her friends and she hung them up as part of the "Breakfast With the Artists" series at Focaccia. So I guess they will be there until this series of paintings is switched out. I'll let you know when the next artist's breakfast is. Maybe people can also have breakfast with the subjects of the paintings, not just the artist this time.

This is me. It's called, "A Little Birdie Told Me," because every time she asks me how I knew something or got a story, that is my reply.

If you have a minute, stop by, you may recognize many Grove characters in the paintings. AnnaMaria knows a lot of characters. That guy in the old fashioned bathing suit is Jerry, her next door neighbor. Next to my own image, I love that one the best.

Usually the art is for sale at Focaccia, but in this case since they are all gifts to the people depicted in them, they are there only to enjoy, but AnnaMaria will easily create a portrait for you -- of yourself or a loved one. While they make great Christmas gifts, they are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries or any occasion really.

You can see AnnaMaria in the mirror and that's Martin pouring the Coke, and all the way in the back is Dominque.

Still looking for last minute gifts?

I got a couple of gift certificates for a couple of nice Grove restaurants as Christmas gifts. That's a great idea for last minute gifts.

If you are still not finished shopping today, that may be your best bet. You can name your price and send a loved one to one of our fine restaurants here in the Grove. For someone that lives outside the Grove, it's a great gift, you are not only giving the meal, you are giving them a day or night in the Grove -- the whole ambiance thing from the restaurants to the streets and shops.

I ran into my neighbor Bobbie at The Bookstore. I was actually there searching for gifts for a few of my neighbors. That's another great place to find one-of-a-kind last minute things. Bobbie was actually looking for Hanukkah candles and they had them! And she bought a few dradles and other Hanukkah items.

If you search around, The Bookstore has everything in the way of gift giving. Someone told me yesterday they have about 25 or 28 greeting card racks, too.

Post office issues discussed

The new Miami Post Master, Ed J. Coppola, met with residents yesterday along with Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and other local officials to discuss the post office.

Many are not happy with the way the job turned out in the parking lot. The goal is more trees, less signs.

Graffiti was an issue, too. But the post office feels it is cleaned up as soon as possible.

Some wanted the drive thru to be open after hours, but they were told that it was never part of the plan and the drive thru will be locked at night along with the rest of the parking lot.

Mr. Coppola said he is new to the district but has lots of post offices that are in worse shape, he understands the concerns and plans to remove some of the signs and will try to make the Grove post office as good as possible considering the tight budgets.

Photo by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Many merchants feel that the Grove is ugly

The scaffolding issue came up again at the merchants meeting last week. Many merchants are upset with the timing. They feel it is ugly and that the Grove is ugly.

I had thought that myself. When I tried to get a decent holiday display, there was none around. That's why I had those four mugs pose for me at the top there. But at night, the Grove does come alive. Is it ugly in the day though?

Sandy, from The Bookstore, was adamant about the ugliness of the Grove this holiday season. Felice, from The Bookstore was quite upset over the scaffolding being used to renovate Crazy Pianos. Remember they did have to deal with scaffolding, which seemed like a year, during the pool renovation at the Mayfair House.

Crazy Pianos did ask for a street closure for a few days, but that was denied. The scaffolding will be up until after the holidays unfortunately.

Someone at the meeting said that it is ironic that code enforcement is so concerned with tables being on the sidewalks blocking pedestrians, but they say nothing about the scaffolding which blocks that sidewalk in bad and ugly way.

Comm. Marc Sarnoff says that new lighting is in the works and also new planters which will go throughout the Grove. (Ironically planters were a major issue at the restaurants). Elliot from Red Kiwi wanted to know when it will be done. No one could give him a date. That bothered him, but he's quite new in town, he doesn't know how slow things move around here.

Little mystical dolls for the new year

You can now get a one-of-a-kind angel, created just for you, to help bring prosperity for the coming year. Or how about your own personal genie to grant wishes? Each one is made to meet your needs and comes in their own unique bottles.

For more info, please call Atena at 305-297-5516 or email: atena@MysticalFlorida.com, you can also stop by Celestial Treasures at (3444 Main Highway). I actually ran into Atena this morning at the UPS Store when I went in to get the Strut job printed.

We have decided on a group for the King Mango Strut

The One Ear Society will be portraying Code Enforcement in the King Mango Strut this year. What we are going to do is play "I heard it through the Grapevine" on a boom box and parade around in uniforms with signs and citations, many citations.

The citations will have a city seal and say "Code Enforcement Citation" and then list a bunch of things with check boxes like:
$500 fine for breathing
$200 fine for scratching your head
$100 fine for looking me right in the eye, and things like that.

If you would like to be part of our group, please email me.

I brought the job over to the UPS store this morning to get the citations printed up. I saw Glenn Terry, Mr. Strut, on his bike as I left, he was in Center Grove surveying his Strut domain I guess. Speaking of which, The New Times called me yesterday to talk about the Strut. Why me? I don't know. I told them Glenn was the man to speak with.

But she interviewed me anyway and I guess the Strut story will be out this Thursday.

Does Code Enforcment know what they are doing?

At last week's Village Council meeting, Pierre Sands, Village West resident and certified arborist, says he is cynical about the motives of Code Enforcement. He says that Code Enforcement does not have any formal training with it comes to tree cutting and arborist issues.

Mariano De Mola, Director of Code Enforcement, who was at the meeting, said that his crew follows City Codes written by the City Commission and his crew members do not need to be arborists to do their job.

Pierre says they come out just looking for trouble. They don't have a clue what they are looking for, but they want to cause trouble and write fines.

Pierre said, "The code is good. Enforcement is inept." He went on to say Code Enforcement is veracious in fining everyone.

Bob Brennan, one of our Grove Santas was at the meeting, he said, "Our inspectors don't have a clue and they don't know the code. Our Code Enforcement department is broken."

A neighbor from Oak Avenue stood up and told of her horror stories and harassment, too.The bottom line is that the Village Council sent them off to debate the issue and solve it on their own and eventually have the City change code rules through the proper procedures.

Just another day in Paradise

First Code Enforcement, then the parking authority, now Homeland Security is getting in the act.

Today at the Sonesta on McFarlane Road, a suspicious package, the size of a laptop, was found next to a column in the underground parking garage.

A bomb alert was issued and the City bomb squad quarantined the garage and sent in a bomb sniffing robot, which then destroyed the package with its own explosive charge to neutralize it.

According to a village cop on site, it was not a bomb, but a package someone probably left by mistake while unloading their car.

About an hour later, around 2:30 pm, the all clear was given. Guess someone isn't getting their Christmas gift this year.

The Grove is very enchanting at night

The Grove comes alive at night around the holidays. If you haven't been out this season, this week is a good time to check things out.


The Angel is out, the Hare Krishnas are going from store to store, blessing them. The musicians and barber shop quartet and carolers hit the streets before dusk. The restaurants are full.


Everything is lit up and cheerful.

This is the necklace I won in the King Mango Strut raffle

I saw H. from HH Jewels (3434 Main Highway) the other day so I showed him the necklace I won in the Strut raffle. He told me that the necklace is one of his originals made way back in the day.

An original, from when he was selling on the street.

I appreciate it much more now. I wonder if it is in the photo here, on the table.

City of Miami is giving the Grove some autonomy

I ran into Dave Collins the other day, head of the BIC, soon to be BID.

Anway, Dave is excited about some changes that he and Haydee Wheeler from the NET office are working on.

I had brought up something in the past about signage promoting certain businesses or events at locations around the Grove. Until now it was not legal, now it is. So that may happen soon. For instance, a temporary sign may be posted announcing a new restaurant or a new art gallery, etc.

Also, benches may be offered with merchant names on them. I am not sure how this will work, I am assuming it is a small card or sticker or something and not a big bus bench sign. It's a new way to advertise and also raise money at the same time.

The reason this is interesting is because it is not permitted in other areas of Miami and Miami is finally giving the Grove our own autonomy in a small way. With the BID, I think it will happen more and more.

The Bridgeport Avenue street issue continues

The Bridgeport Avenue traffic issue was brought up at the Village Council meeting last Thursday.

Jim McMaster, resident of Bridgeport Avenue, says ballots were sent out, they are not all in yet. But it looks like the vote will fail -- meaning that votes are coming in mostly against the barricades on Bridgeport Avenue. The folks on 30th Court and Virginia Street are voting mostly against it because they don't want the traffic diverted to their streets. And since they can't get traffic closures or traffic calming devices, they don't want Bridgeport to have it.

Residents say that isn't so. They just want it all uniform. They say it makes no sense to send traffic from a street that has some commercial property (Bridgeport) to streets that are all residential.

Joe Benton (right) from Bridgeport Avenue also explained to the Council about all the tractor trailers that drive up and down Bridgeport -- speeding, hitting things, knocking down gates and so on. They want the street closed, blocked or something done. "Bridgeport is dangerous. Someone is going to get hurt," he said. He felt that one planter in one spot would solve the issue.

Chelsea Wilkerson from Bridgeport said it's a nightmare trying to navigate the street by foot. Truck speed is the main issue. All they want is a partial street closure which would buffer the residential part of the street, the rest of the street is commercial. The majority of the trucks are not servicing the Home Depot or any businesses in that area, they are just cutting through to avoid traffic and traffic lights on 32nd Avenue and 27th Avenue.

Michelle Niemeyer, Village Council chair, feels that something needs to be done, but all the Bridgeport buffer will do is shift traffic somewhere else, probably sending it to 30th Court and Virginia Street, which is just moving the problem a street or two over. It isn't solving the problem, except for Bridgeport.

One Virginia Street resident said that "creative stop signs" may solve the issue, they did that on Virginia and Tigertail. The round abouts don't work. Stop signs will work. It's a simple thing that the county will do if you ask them, but you need to persist.

Martin Zilber, Village Council member and the new Council chair starting in January, said they should get the neighbors together, talk and come up with a solution. Felice Dubin, Council member, says she will step in to help and an ad hoc committee will be formed which will include Felice, police and neighbors. Felice, police, say that three times fast.

Returning to the scene of the crime

On Tuesday, December 23, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is hosting a meeting with Comm. Marc Sarnoff and Miami Postmaster Ed Coppola to discuss various concerns over the Coconut Grove Post Office. This meeting is closed to the public.

The renovated parking lot will be discussed and a few issues regarding the foliage in the lot, or lack of it.

They all have another vision after hearing his vision

An anonymous reader sent this in.

You're never too old

This is your last weekend to see Santa before Christmas.

Grovites Christine and Jeff Hartsook took Pixie to see Santa at the Bookstore bright and early today. Pixie seemed to have her eye on something else.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Stop by, sit a spell, take your shoes off, ya hear?

There are a lot of little cliques in town. There is one where anyone can join. It's at Paul's sunglasses kiosk at Mayfair, in the plaza area.

First off, Paul is always upbeat. He is always telling me that business is good, even when it isn't, but I like the way he thinks positive.

He's always got a group of friends around, they just sit and shoot the bull, it reminds me of the gas station on "The Andy Griffith Show." Yesterday I found Dave, who usually rides in for a visit on his bike and Brian was there and even the Balloon Clown was hanging out at Paul's. Paul has drinks and even sandwiches in a cooler under the kiosk.

Here is Paul serving some Coke to Jorge, the Grove's top pet sitter.

It's a good spot to unwind, shoot the breeze and just relax. You can find Paul there most days and you can reach Jorge for pet sitting at 305-528-0874. He has some openings for the holidays, book now.

Slow down this holiday season for a story

The Old Story Teller is out this weekend doing his thing.

Just mosey on up to him, have a seat and he'll work his magic taking you to a foreign place and time with his imaginative stories.

Kids love him. After Santa, he is one of the most popular people in the Grove.

"Miracle on 34th Street" played in Peacock Park last night

A nice crowd came out for last night's showing of "Miracle on 34th Street" in Peacock Park. People brought their blankets and picnic baskets and there was plenty of free stuff, too.


They had a chocolate fountain and bananas and marshmallows were dipped in the chocolate, also free popcorn was served and Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand for free photos.


The crowd took in the ambiance of the old-fashioned community feel. A few of us walked over from the Center Grove and it's quite nice seeing the movie playing in the distance. And then you hear it as you get closer and you see so many people sitting in the dark, on the ground, enjoying the movie.

Stocking up on holiday goodies and zoning arguments

Here is realtor John Seidel of Coldwell Banker, at Focaccia Rustica, getting ready for an Open House.

Don't forget the wine, John, get them in the mood to buy in this crazy housing market.

Speaking of wine and real estate, the guy at the wine store that's in that multi-story building across from CVS wanted to argue over why they should have put a skyscraper on that spot.

He actually wants to chat with me about it. I told him there is nothing to talk about.

Roman from Basil delivers to the guy all the time so he happened to be there and was cracking up at our argument.

The guy seriously could not understand why people don't want a 40 story skyscraper on Virginia Street. He says that the same guy owns the car wash property (not the car wash) on the corner and wants to put a big building up there, too. He's trying to sell the property to a developer.

Evil lurks in the hearts of the Miami Parking Authority

This morning a guy from the Miami Parking Authority was ticketing cars. I asked if he knew about the grace period -- an hour as of yesterday. He said no. He said that there was no grace period.

I asked if he knew of the 15 minute all year long grace period. He said that was 10 minutes.

I asked him if he was going to ticket the car that just pulled up across the street, or was he going to be a mensch and tell the guy that he is parked in a loading zone (where a few signs were actually ripped out by someone angry, so there actually is no sign there that says loading zone now). He said, no, that the guy knows better and that he would wait for the guy to pay for parking, wait for the guy to leave and then ticket the guy.

Real class that Parking Authority is.

Guess the Miami Parking Authority needs the money from Coconut Grove so they can continue giving it all to Calle Ocho for their Viernes Culturales events. Yup, they are a proud sponsor. So all the parking money they get from Grove ticket citations seems to go to the other side of town.

More on this to come . . .

Skateboard contest and toy drive, all in one

There's a Skateboard Contest at the Grove Skate Park (2820 McFarlane Road) tomorrow. The Family Resource Center is making the event a toy drive for needy children who skate at the park.

There's an entry fee of $20.00 or just $10.00 with an unwrapped gift. The goal is to bring the unwrapped gift. There will be live music and lots of food. It all starts at 11 am.

For more info: 305-786-277-6757.

King Mango "Mangobama" t-shirts are available

The long-awaited Mangobama King Mango Strut t-shirts are in. The Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue) has them for sale and also Strut posters are available, signed by the artist Dylan Terry (the Eco-Hunk). Here is Glenn, Dylan's dad, creator of the King Mango Strut which will be taking over the Grove streets on December 28.

There are also t-shirts from last year's Strut available for those who are missing that from their collection. Look for the clothes line in the window. That isn't really laundry hanging, those are the shirts. Only $15.00. See the birdies saying, "Cheap, cheap, cheap?"

There's an Amazing Race concept, too -- you rush in, purchase two shirts, ask for the Grapevine cube and you'll receive the lyrics to the Mangobama song and the cube. Then you run out. To where, I don't know, I guess to wait for the Strut to begin on December 28.

Movie in the park tonight!

Fresh Air Flicks is presenting "Miracle on 34th Street" tonight at 7 pm in Peacock Park.
It's free for everyone.

If you went to "It's a Wonderful Life" last year, you know what a perfect holiday event this is. It will make you feel like Donna Reed and Beaver Cleaver are about to pop up. It's a very nostalgic, quaint small town feel thing.


Come out, meet your neighbors. Bring your picnic baskets and blankets. The weather should be about 67 degrees and perfect. Popcorn is free, too!