New Walgreen's almost ready to open

The new Walgreens on US1 and Bird is almost ready to open.

Guess that means the one at the Grove Gate Shopping Center will soon be freed up for Milam's to start their expansion.

I changed the Facebook page; it's not personal now

I changed the Facebook page, so we now have a Facebook page dedicated to the Coconut Grove Grapevine, it's not my personal page, although I still have that. So for those of you who felt awkward befriending me, because you felt that I didn't know you, this is for you.

By the way, just the fact that you come back here day after day, makes you a friend of mine. I meet you all out and about and enjoy it, I feel like we know each other, so just so you know, we are friends.

But anyway, if you are so inclined to join us at Facebook for the Coconut Grove Grapevine only, you may do it here. Just click on the logo.

Join us today!

Is this Seattle or Coconut Grove?

What's with all the rain? It's non-stop. Yesterday I got caught in it three times -- coming from Gardner's Market, coming from the Farmer's Market and coming from the Sandbar Grill.


People don't seem to mind though, they are out, going about their business.


I noticed in this photo above you can get an idea of the what the lights will look like and what they have looked like. One of the quaint gas lights that say, "Coconut Grove," can be seen here to the left and in the background to the right you can see the replacment acorn lights, which will be taking the gas lights' place. Not good.

Fancy meeting you here

I ran to the farmer's market yesterday, in the rain, to the get the coconut water that I like, and I ran into three buds hanging out: from left, Michael Gardner, Fred Hunt and Vincent Etagweyo.

Every Saturday I run into someone
I know there.

The empty police car seems to be doing the trick

This empty police car has been on the corner of Mary and Grand for over a week now. I guess it's doing the job because people come to a complete stop now. Not out of fear of getting a ticket, but out of total confusion. They can't see if there is an officer inside, so they don't know it the car is trying to turn right left or what.

The street lights are changing, like it or not

These work crews have been out for weeks. They are rewiring the streets in anticipation for the installation of the new acorn lights.

Soon the old gas lights will be history.

It's a night to head to the pub

With all the rain out there, people are starting to flock to the bars and restaurants. We almost went to Calamari to meet up with the Facebook crowd, who ended up there for happy hour after the seminar today, but we ended up at Sandbar Grill instead for beer, fajitas and fish tacos.

Barracuda, Mr. Moe's and Greenstreets are all starting to fill up with people trying to keep out of the rain who are popping in for a drink or two and something to eat.

Making modern day fossils

Today Michelle and Jill Gerlach made fossils with with the help of museum volunteers Kristen and Nohemi Colocho at the Miami Science Museum (3280 S. Miami Avenue). The fossil making is an on going project that takes place every Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Michelle and Jill happened onto this as they were bringing a baby opossum to the rescue shelter located at the Science Museum.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Hundreds show up for Facebook Developer Garage

Lots of Facebook fans showed up this morning for the Miami Facebook Developer Garage at the Museum of Science. Dunkin' Donuts learned of it on Twitter and they sent over doughnuts. Intel sponsored the event and Brian Breslin, below, was the main man.

I'm still trying to figure out the premise of these events, you know, BarCamp and RefreshMiami and this Garage thing -- how do people make a living out of social media? How do you exist on Twittering or Facebooking?

Guess I need to go to more seminars to figure it out.

A few of us are trying to make Coconut Grove a techie neighborhood - we would love to have RefreshMiami meet her monthly and would love to have other seminars and events here. Plus, it would be very cool to have techies move in and live and work here.


Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Arva's book signing

A nice crowd showed up Thursday night for Arva Moore Parks' book signing, her new book is called "Miami, the Magic City."

They sold out almost all the books, but I'm sure Felice and Sandy can find a copy or two for you if you drop by.

Photo by
AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Vigil and March planned for missing Lucely Aramburo

There will be a candlelight vigil and silent march tomorrow, to commemorate missing mother, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo (left) on the two year anniversary of her disappearance.

On June 1, 2007, Lilly Aramburo, 23, left her ex boyfriend's house in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. The Miami Dade Police Department’s detectives failed to interview Christen Pacheco, Kelly Starling, and “EJ” who were present when Lily disappeared.

The march will start at 6 pm at CocoWalk, tomorrow, May 31. The march will go to 3440 Percival Avenue.

Francisco Alvarado, of the New Times, was the first to report on the disappearance last September. More info on the vigil and march at the Justice Miami Blog.

Hooters supports breast cancer; how fitting

Stop by Hooters at CocoWalk this weekend to support breast cancer research. $12.95 hats, men's t-shirts and women's tanks are for sale.

$4.00 from each purchase benefits the Kelly Jo Dowd Foundation.

Mind Freeing Friday poetry night at Mayfair Hotel

Last week's poets were amazing. They competed against a top comedian at the Improv, and competed against South Beach during Memorial Weekend, and they competed against the fatigue of a stressful work week and still had a full house.

They call it, "some straight up relating poetry," this is also a place where you can Free Your Mind. Let that work week that drove you close to quitting go. Come out to "Mind Freeing Friday."

Bring your business cards and get a free promotion at the show.

Mind Freeing Fridays @ The Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue, 2nd floor banquet hall).

Admission is: $10; performers are $5 -- Doors open: 8 pm Showtime: 9 pm

The Motions are performing at Mr. Moe's tonight

The Motions, a "classic rock" band will be playing at Mr. Moe's (3131 Commodore Plaza) tonight, May 29, from 10:30 pm to 2:30 am.

Aside from their great rock music, they are known as the "lawyer band," consisting of three lawyers and a computer specialist. They claim to change the world's view of lawyers one song at a time. They are succeeding.

They played great music back in the day, took a break to pursue their careers, and now are back, better than ever. By day they are rocking the corporate world, by night they are putting their musical talents out there for charitable events, fundraisers and corporate functions, and of course they play local venues.

The Motions are Tom Mannos, Steve Silverman, Jeffrey Lapin and William Huber. Their website is here: www.themotionsband.com

Photo courtesy of The Motions website

CocoWalk's weekend performers and specials

Brian Gonzalez, Latin pop singer will be performing at CocoWalk tonight Friday, from 7 to 11 pm. And tomorrow, Mariana Martin will be performing her Bosa Nova style of music from 7 to 11 pm. All free.

Edward Beiner has been named one of the world's "Hottest Retailers" by the International Council of Shopping Centers during last week's RECon 2009 Conference in Las Vegas. 40,000 attended the conference. Beiner and his biz partner Guido Balocco received the award from fashion celeb Carson Kressley. Check out the Edward Beiner store at CocoWalk.

At Chili's: Get your lunch card now! Pay for 5 lunches and the 6th is free! Also enjoy Happy Hour, all day every day. 2 for 1 draft beer, house wine, & premium calls.

At Coco Cigar: Buy 3 cigars get the 4th free! (of equal of lesser value)

At F.Y.E.: Select CD's are 2 for $15. 'Bout time.

At Hooters: Summer on Ice! $6.99 crab legs, $2.99 - 23 oz Miller Light & Coors Light drafts and $2.99 Margaritas Monday through Friday, 3-7 pm.

At Los Ranchos: 2 for 1 well drinks and 2 for 1 on select dinner entrees Monday through Thursday 5-7 pm and on Friday 4-6 pm.

Naomi Evans is the new marketing manager at CocoWalk. If you have any questions or comments, you may reach her at naomi@cocowalk.net

A big smile for Burn Notice

Burn Notice star Sharon Gless at yesterday's City Commission meeting, is all smiles after the commissioners voted unanimously to keep Burn Notice around for awhile.

Below, State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, producer, Terry Miller and Sharon Gless, await the commission's decision. While a few sour pusses in the Grove are still complaining that the Expo Center is falling apart and they say they are afraid to walk by, these people work inside daily. I doubt the production company and many others would allow Sharon Gless and all of the people working there to be there if that was the case.



So to those who want to complain on and on about the structure, if you don't like the Expo Center, look the other way when driving by. It's going to be there for awhile and it is going to be bringing in millions of dollars a year. Millions! When you can do the same and bring the city millions of dollars a year and hundreds of jobs, I am sure they will hear your side of the story, actually those who did have another side of the story, wimped out yesterday and refused to speak up.

In the meantime enjoy the acres and acres of parkland surrounding the area at Kennedy, Myers and Peacock Parks (and the Barnacle and the many other pocket parks). You complainers make us sound like we are land locked and in the Bronx or something. Do any of you complainers actually partake of the parks we have now? I highly doubt it.

Photos by Dan Littlejohn

Counting down to the 4th of July, Grove-style

The 4th of July plans are moving right along. The committee met Wednesday afternoon.

The activities will take place from the Barnacle all the way around to Peacock Park. The Barnacle has their usual day picnic, which ends at 3:30 pm. Then the rest of the Grove's activities take over.

There will be a stage in Peacock Park with a band and performers and there will be vendors and lots of other activities in the park, including a kiddie area, where all the games and rides will be accessed by one price. Each child will get a wrist band and will be able to participate all day long by just showing the wrist band to the ride operators.

A bunch of Grove merchants will have booths in the park where food and drinks will be sold.

Fireworks should start around 9 pm but before then, in other areas of the Grove, there will be a coconut scavenger hunt, a hot dog eating contest, maybe in front of CocoWalk and quite a few other things to keep people busy.

At one point, probably later in the evening, maybe right during or before fireworks, Commodore Plaza will shut down. The party will come out to the street and that will go on until 3 am.

It should be a fun filled red, white and blue day with something for everyone starting in the morning and ending in the wee hours.

It's Art Happy Hour time at Blu Moon Studio of Art

The monthly Art Happy Hour is tonight, Friday, May 29, at Blu Moon Studio of Art (3444 Main Highway, top floor).

From 6 until 7:30 pm or beyond if you feel, join Sheri Friedman in here funky creative relaxed space. It's a great place to be creative, hang out, eat, drink and enjoy friends. Each month there is a different artistic workshop, you can join in or just hang around and visit.

The cost of the workshop is a mere $5.00, if you do wish to partake. This month's workshop is a demo of basic metal clay techniques with a raffle for a free intro to metal clay private lessons. Another raffle is for the piece of art that is being used in the demo. Bernadette Denoux is the certified metal clay instructor.

Barbara Rozel will be offering chair massages during the Happy Hour, too.

Stop by, unwind, have some food and drink. Every time I am there, I don't want to leave. It's a taste of the old Grove, you'll probably feel as warm and welcome as everyone else does who enters the Blu Moon Studio.

For more info: 305-529-5006.

Burn Notice receives city permission to stay in Grove

Burn Notice will continue to be based at the Expo Center in Coconut Grove through the 2010 televison season and maybe get a one year extension after that. The City Commission passed a resolution at 3:30 pm today after a long drawn out love fest in the commission chambers by fans and people involved with the show. The production company was literally filming a few blocks away at the time. Pics here from yesterday's shoot.

Commission Chairman, Joe Sanchez feels that in light of the hard economic times, we need to keep money pouring into the city without asking for government bailouts. He made this clear at today's City Commission meeting regarding Burn Notice.

He and many others want the show to remain in the Expo Center in Coconut Grove and he made a resolution to keep it. He explained how Burn Notice not only provides jobs and money to our city, but also major publicity.

$60 million dollars has been poured into the local economy, so far, by Burn Notice according to Comm. Sanchez.

Comm. Michelle Spence-Jones then took over as chair of this hearing and she did an excellent job of moving things along.

Burn Notice producer Terry Miller spoke before the commission today, he said that 95% of the crew and cast were local people, including Terry. Actress Sharon Gless was also present, she plays the mother on the show, Madeline, and she lives in Miami, too. Terry made it clear that Burn Notice is the number one show on cable tv today.

Sharon Gless stood before the commission. She has been a Miami resident for 13 years. She also spoke about all the local jobs created by the show and she reiterated the $60 million that has been brought into the community after all actors and producers have been paid. She explained how Toronto was not able to accommodate Cagney and Lacey, her first tv show, in the 1980s, and so production picked up from Toronto, where the pilot was shot, and the moved back to Los Angeles and in that time, $125 million was pumped into Los Angles by the show, rather than Toronto.

She went on to explain that she and everyone knows that a park would be great in the spot where the Expo Center stands now, but currently they are throwing millions at us, why turn that down now? She also went on to say that the show glorifies Miami and does not tear it down.

Terry made it clear that this is a thriving business in a terrible economic time. Each episode that airs, is an incentive for other producers to come to Miami to film, according to Terry.

Two people in the audience were against keeping Burn Notice at the Expo Center, the rest of the chamber was full of supporters.

Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera was present, he was instrumental in getting more incentive money from Tallahassee for tv and movie production in our area.

Bill Talbert of the convention bureau, also spoke in favor of the show. He said, "Burn Notice is an infomercial for the City of Miami." A free infomercial. Local producer, David Frankel, also spoke in favor of the show. He once had a tv show called "Grapevine." Gotta love that. He recently directed "Marley and Me," which used the Expo Center to film many scenes.

Sam Todesco, location manager, spoke in favor, too. He goes back to the Miami Vice days and claims, rightly so, that Miami Vice was the main reason South Beach had such a major turn around in the 1980s.

Village Council member and chamber member Michelle Niemeyer also spoke in favor. The Chamber of Commerce provided a resolution in favor of keeping the show in Coconut Grove, Liliana Dones, Chamber prez, drew up the last minute letter. Michelle suggested that the rent being paid for the Expo Center by Burn Notice should go to the park's Waterfront Master Plan fund.

The two people in the audience who were against the plan seemed to disappear when it was their time to speak. So no one spoke up against keeping Burn Notice here. They wouldn't dare in front of the actors and producers and politicians who spoke in favor.

At the end of all of this, our own district Commissioner Marc Sarnoff spoke in favor of park space. He agreed that Burn Notice should stay in Miami, but not in the Grove's Expo Center. He says the city has lost too much money by having Burn Notice in the Expo Center, that they don't pay their way, costs are higher to run the Expo Center than what they pay and the city kicks in the rest.

Comm. Sarnoff says that the city does have the money to take down the convention center and clean up the place for a park, City Manager Pete Hernandez verified this. He also said there are two sites available in the city for Burn Notice to move to. But the producer of the show, Terry Miller feels that the Grove has all he needs. He feels the best place for Burn Notice is to be here, Coconut Grove. It's either here or out of Florida according to Miller.

So Comm. Sarnoff's idea now is to keep Burn Notice here for another year or two and to have all rents paid go right into a trust fund for the Waterfront Master Plan, agreeing with Michelle Niemeyer on this. He would like them to pay for the whole year, not just for the five months or so that they pay now -- that is $20,000 per month for a total of $240,000.

Comm. Tomás Reglado was very much for this plan. He felt we needed to go further to make Miami the film capital of the east, second to New York. Comm. Michelle Spence-Jones also was in favor. She looked at the big picture of the money coming in.

Comm. Angel Gonzalez, then out of nowhere, asked for the site to be a major convention center. Guess he didn't know there is a Parks Master Plan for the site, which does not include that. He was right about Miami losing convention business to South Beach and other areas, but that is a discussion for another time. The convention center should be downtown, not in the Grove.

In the end, Comm. Joe Sanchez presented a resolution to keep Burn Notice at the Expo Center for one more year, paying all rents, 12 months' worth, into the trust fund for the new park. The resolution passed unanimously. Burn Notice is here for another year!

Sign of things to come?

Why is Salvatore Catania of Calamari holding up this sign?

Arva Moore Parks book signing tonight

Just a reminder that Arva Moore Parks, will be signing her new book, "Miami, the Magic City," at The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street) tonight, May 28, at 7 pm.

The book is quite large and quite heavy, it's coffee table size and has over 500 pages full of colorful and thoughtful Miami history. There will be two versions. Right now it is about three pounds, but future printings will offer sponsorship pages, called Corporate Profiles, which tell a story of local businesses and their history in Miami.

The book will be printed one to two times per year for five years at approximately 5000 per printing.

The Corporate Profiles are part of this, where organizations like local banks and industry can be included as part of the actual printing and be part of the book's history.

Many local corporations and organizations have ordered many books from 300 for one group to 2000 for another, in order to hand out to employees and clients as a corporate gift. This will feature their own Corporate Profile and of course all the others, which are included. This is a book that will be saved for posterity.

For info on adding your Corporate Profile, please call 305-445-0300 or email hgplace@bellsouth.net

Out with the leprechauns, in with the steakhouse

Eleven Leprechauns, on Commodore Plaza, is transforming itself into Chicago's, a steakhouse.

They are scheduled to open next month some time.

The bakery next door is still under construction.

They like to waste our time

The Grove Harbour Office building discussion has been deferred again and will not be heard at today's City Commission meeting.

Burn Notice took over Ohio Street yesterday

Burn Notice was out filming on Ohio Street in Coconut Grove yesterday, above are the two stars, Gabrielle Anwar and Jeffrey Donovan. Most scenes in the show are filmed in the Grove. Many are made to look as if they are elsewhere. Carlitos, the hang out in the show, for instance, looks like it is in the middle of South Beach, bit it's an abandoned area that is literally part of the Expo Center in the Grove.


Olivia Meyer-Massey, who lives in the house where filming took place and Serena Tovar-Otis, flank Debbie Mazar, who was a guest star in the episode being filmed. Debbie was quite friendly and hung out with the girls, she was very into the whole family and she was a lot of fun. The other actors kept to themselves, but Debbie was very upbeat and made herself part of the family.


The crew got caught in the deluge yesterday, but in spite of it all, they were heard taking about today's City Commission hearing, hoping that the City Commission extends their contract for their home at the Expo Center. They really like it here.

One of the family members, from the house where the show was filmed yesterday, was offered some work, doing background sets and things. The production crew does spread the wealth and they are very good for the Grove and Miami economy. They use locals for everything except the main acting jobs, and even then, the actors do spend money here, so it's a good deal having them around. It's a lot of fun, too.

How many Barracuda's does it take to clean Fuller Street?

As I walked down Fuller Street yesterday, I saw the gang from Barracuda cleaning up the place.

That mad storm that passed through sure did a number. Where were you when mother nature got angry? It was like a mini hurricane.

Above are Brian Davis and his crew, Matt and Melissa, bartenders.

At left are Brooke Lyn and Mellisa, who quickly grabbed the mop when they saw the camera, nice try girls.

Gemini party planned for June 6

AnnaMaria is throwing a Gemini party on Saturday, June 6 for all Gemini's and their friends. It will be the night of the First Saturday Art Stroll, right after the fashion show that will be held at the Windish-Hunt Gallery.

AnnaMaria and I are both Geminis (that explains a lot).

Stay tuned for details on the fashion show and the party!

Fight against FPL is gaining momentum

The fight against FPL's proposed 100 foot high power lines along the US1 corridor is gaining steam. The Grove and many municipalities along the route have drawn up resolutions against it. Details are on Stephen Murray's Blog here.

We need more of a variety of restaurants

We need a good fish place in the Grove. I know we have some places, but a "real" good fish place that tourists would be drawn to. Tourists ask me for Joe's Stone Crab often, I send them to Monty's. But I wouldn't call Monty's a great fish place, even though they do have great stone crabs.

We also need Indian food, many tourists were disappointed to hear that Anokha was closed. Hopefully they will return in another location.

We need in and out places and we need things like Chicken Kitchen and Baja Fresh. We need more of a variety. We need better pricing. We need lots of variety. That is what I am told by people on the street.

I am told that Qdoba didn't make it because of poor location. And I am told that Chicken Grill didn't make it because of poor location. Hopefully that will change soon. I will go out of my way to get something I like, so I find the poor location thing doesn't hold water. Promotion is needed.

I see the guys from Sony walk from their Mayfair offices daily to CocoWalk and Commodore Plaza for lunch, there is no reason why people from Commodore or South Grove won't go to Mayfair or that area for lunch or dinner. The Grove is small, I don't believe in poor locations in a small five block area.

All this being said, I love all the restaurants we do have. I eat at all of them, I just think we need more variety -- for things we don't have. But places like Olav's Pommes and Pane and Focaccia will actually make you anything you want that's not on the menu. I had a great breakfast at Pommes and Pane today that Olva made just for me and the Coconut Grove Grapevine sandwich at Focaccia was morphed from other sandwiches they had on the menu. And most Grove places will do that for you.

Burn Notice -- the goose that is laying the golden eggs

Here's hoping that there is a resolution at tomorrow's City Commission Meeting to keep Burn Notice in Coconut Grove.

I am receiving emails from people, mostly from politicians, who want Burn Notice gone, claiming that it is not very high in USA network's ratings and that it does not have a large audience.

First off, Burn Notice is not on the air presently. The new season starts June 4. That is why they are not in the ratings. I suggest that people who are responsible for killing the show in Coconut Grove, look up the facts before they act, because they don't seem to have a clue presently.

Secondly, the ratings are high, despite what many think. I'll get to that, but the subject here is jobs and money -- why would we send jobs to Louisiana if we don't have to? Why would we take $6 million a year and throw it away, I am told it is $18 million, so even if it is $10 millions, don't we want to keep it here? Don't we care about jobs in this terrible economy and the trickle down effect? And even if the ratings were bad, which they aren't, if the show wants to pump millions into our area, why tell them to go away?

Many of you may not follow the show, but it has a cult following and they know every detail about every scene and they know that the show is filmed mostly in Coconut Grove and they know all the locations seen on tv and what streets were used and what stores are in the background and they seek out Burn Notice as part of their vacation and travel plans. Above is the exterior of Michael Westen's loft (he's the title character) -- blown up in one episode, still part of the scene at the Expo Center filming location.

Now for ratings, Burn Notice actually draws more viewers on the USA network than many mainstream network tv shows do, it actually is one of the most popular shows on tv. This came from By the Numbers, published March 6:

The season two finale of Burn Notice burned very brightly last night.

The March 5 installment drew a series best 6.1 million viewers, with a 4.5 national rating, according to Nielsen Media Research data. The episode also scored a series best 2.74 million adults 18 to 49 and 3.07 million adults 25 to 54. Compared to the mid-season finale this summer, last night’s telecast was grew 33% among 18-to-49 viewers, 37% with the 25-to-54 set and 31% in total viewers.

Relative to the season finale, it was not only the biggest telecast on cable on March 5, but beat a number of broadcasters in the process. USA said the show ranked first on TV among men 18 to 34 in its 10 p.m. timeslot; topped an encore of ABC’s Private Practice in that hour among adults 18 to 49 by 55%, persons 25 to 54 by 44% and total viewers by 36%; and outperformed ABC’s entire primetime lineup, including a fresh Ugly Betty episode and a repeat of Grey’s Anatomy, with the aforementioned demos.

So for those of you who are concerned about the ratings. Don't worry about Burn Notice, it is doing quite well. It is showcasing Coconut Grove and Miami and bringing jobs and money into our area in the process.

And on that note, I have to go, Burn Notice is blowing up a car in my friend's backyard today and I wanna go watch . . .

Trying to make the Grove techie

This Saturday, March 30, there is a Facebook seminar at the Museum of Science. It's called the Facebook Developer Garage.

It's all day from 10 am to 3 pm, a few of the subjects being discussed are: "Intro to Facebook," "Gaming for Bucks," "Linked Store Demo," and "Building Your Public Profile."

Brian Breslin has put together the event and was also instrumental in the Miami BarCamp tech event held in the Grove this past February.

Brian and others would love to get a tech community living and/or working in Coconut Grove. Right now, discussions are underway about getting the monthly RefreshMiami meetings to take place at Grove venues. Brian is the founder of RefreshMiami, the largest tech meetup group in South Florida.

Many Grove residents and businesses would welcome this techie crowd with open arms.

You must sign up for this Saturday's event. You can do that here: http://facebookmiami.com/

P.S. I decided to join Facebook myself last night. I couldn't figure out how to do a business profile for the Grapevine, so it's a personal profile. If you know me and would like to be my friend or whatever it's called (I need Brian's seminar), you can find me here.

New Thursday nights summer party at Cabana One

Cabana One is introducing a new Thursday night Party. The Summer Kick off party starts tomorrow, Thursday, May 28.

Every Thursday, draft beers are $4.00, pitchers are $12.00. Cocktails are $6.00 and get this: for $20.00 it's all you can drink from 10 pm to midnight!

Mention the Coconut Grove Grapevine and receive a free shot between 9 pm and midnight.

Cabana One is on the rooftop of the Mayfair Hotel at 3000 Florida Avenue. For info, please contact promoters: Adam Goldman at AGoldman02@gmail.com or Jared Kalmanson at JKalmanson@gmail.com

Late night block party on Commodore Plaza?

A block party is being planned for Commodore Plaza, probably for June 20.

It will be an all night thing with food, music and lots of partying. It's an experiment to see how things go. Could the 5 am bar closings come back if this goes well?

Just asking . . .

Getting ready for 4th of July

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, I guess we can say that summer is here. Time for watermelon, ice cream, picnics and 4th of July.

There's another July 4th meeting this week. At the last meeting, I brought up the things that some of you asked me to suggest for 4th of July like the egg toss and sack races and hot dog eating contest. We are also planning a scavenger hunt, I don't know how that will work, but that is in the works.

There will also be a lot of music -- bands and such and of course the whole day will start with the Barnacle's usual old fashioned 4th of July picnic. It of course will end with the amazing fireworks show in Peacock Park.

We are thinking that many people won't spend the whole date here, there probably will be "shifts," you know, people here in the morning and people here midday and people here later in the afternoon for fireworks. Some hearty souls may spend the whole day and hopefully no matter what time people arrive, there will be some sort of activity to keep them entertained.

Grove library being considered for historic designation

Thanks to the instance of historian Arva Moore Parks, historic designation of the Coconut Grove Library (2875 McFarlane Road) and grave site of Mrs. Eva Monroe are being considered.
On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board will consider the issue.

A preliminary designation provides the board with information about the property so they can determine whether or not the property meets the criteria for significance as detailed in Chapter 23 of the City Code.

Many people many not realize that the Coconut Grove Library is 114 years old. It includes the wing built as a replica of the original 1901 structure. And is on the original site adjacent to the Coconut Grove Woman's Club, built in 1921, which actually started in 1891. Both can be seen above, the library on the left and the Woman's Club on the right.

The grave site of Grove pioneer Eva Monroe is right next to the library.

The public is asked to attend the hearing to show their support. It is at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive), right here in Coconut Grove. It's on the agenda for about 3:00 pm.

Resolution to keep Burn Notice filming here?

At this Thursday's City Commission meeting, Commission Chair, Joe Sanchez (who is running for mayor) will be sponsoring a resolution to keep the popular tv show Burn Notice based in the Grove, at the Expo Center. He would like to keep them filming through the 2010 season.

Our district commissioner, Marc Sarnoff would like the tv show out asap, so the city can knock down the old Expo Center and make it a park.

Many feel that the show, staring Jeffrey Donovan, right, should remain until they are off the air, which could be well beyond the 2010 season, according to the tv ratings. It is the most popular show on the USA tv network.

The random people I have asked, believe that it makes no sense to throw out the successful production company. They are said to spend upwards of $6 million per season on expenses from local crew salaries to food, lodging, car and truck rentals, lighting, construction materials and all the money that trickles down from that. With tax rolls down and money tight, why not keep Burn Notice's money coming in as well as keeping the good publicity the show gives Coconut Grove throughout the world?

I am constantly receiving emails from tourists asking about the show -- they want to know where they can see the filming, how they can be extras, etc. The tourists are well aware that the show is based in Coconut Grove, I find that to be pretty astute on their part. Fans actually come to Coconut Grove because of Burn Notice.

I was on one of the tour buses coming in during Pow Wow and when we pointed out the Expo Center as the Burn Notice studios, practically everyone on the bus ran to the right side of the bus to gaze out at the building. They were quite excited. Many of the tourists were from foreign countries.

Why throw out a top tv show that is bringing lots of money and publicity to the area? TV shows don't last forever, their days are numbered, why not let it happen naturally? The park can happen in due time. This is one instance where I am behind Comm. Joe Sanchez 100%.

So many non-Grove events are held in the Grove

Someone was complaining about all the events we have in the Grove and said it all ties up traffic. Only he was not talking about actual Grove events, he was talking about Bike Day and the various marathons and races and charity walks, etc.

I always thought that it was a cool thing to have all those events here. I felt honored that the different charities and groups chose the Grove over other areas of the county.

One thing that I find interesting is that just as I was saying about the schlocky Mother's Day concert, people assume the Grove is in charge of these things, but it is the City. People have to go through the City of Miami to hold and arrange these events. The Grove is just the location of the events.

Good or bad, one of our city leaders feels that any buzz is good buzz. So even if people complain, as long as you spell Coconut Grove correctly, that is the important thing. And I guess I have to agree because you aren't going to please everyone, so maybe we should just take it as a compliment that our village is a favorite of event organizers and leave it at that.

Grove Harbour project back on Commission agenda

The Grove Harbour office building project is back on the Commission agenda for this Thursday, May 28, 2009. It's Items 5 and 6. Hopefully it will be heard after 5 pm, so that more people can attend.

As you know, Grove Harbour wants to build a large 21,000 square foot office building on a dock out on the bay -- it's an office building on the waterfront. It is meant to replace a 150 square foot dock master's office. It goes against zoning rules. Will the City Commissioners abide by the rules? That will be interesting to see.

Hopefully it will be deferred as has been the case for a year or so now, but the clueless people at Grove Harbour just will not give up.

Comm. Joe Sanchez, who is running for Mayor under the promise of "Neighborhoods First," can actually prove if he means that. The vast majority of the neighborhood is against the building of a four story office building on the waterfront. Hopefully Joe will be, too, if he is putting neighborhoods first.

I asked him about it not long ago and his exact words to me were, "It's dead." Well apparently it is alive. But he can have a big hand in making it dead. Is Joe Sanchez for the neighborhoods first or for big business? Let's see.

Comm. Tomás Regalado, also running for mayor, can prove the same thing and hopefully our own district Commissioner, Marc Sarnoff will vote how the majority of his neighbors wish -- against the project, which is so out of place for the requested area.

That will be the three votes needed to kill the project. The other two commissioners seem to be in favor of the project, it's not in their neighborhood, so of course they don't care or wish to care. I am speaking of Commissioners Michelle Spence-Jones and Angel Gonzalez.

I do think this vote will be very telling in how the Grove will vote in the mayor's race in November. On that note, there is a debate planned between Sanchez and Regalado for September. Details to come.

This is why the taxis need to be dealt with

Here are a couple of photos of the accident we talked about between Michelle Niemeyer's car on and the backward speeding taxi on Virginia Street. The taxi was going so fast, backwards, that it broke the lock plate out of the frame of her car.

The taxis treat Virginia Street from Oak to Grand as their own little parking lot, where they feel they can do what they want -- park anywhere, park anyway, speed and call people names when they ask them to move out of metered parking spots so that paying customers can use them. I think it's about time to get rid of the taxi's on Virginia and I think the Mayfair needs to get involved, since they are the reason the taxis are there.

Barnacle Old Time Dance is coming up

The Barnacle is holding it's Old Time Dance on Sunday, May 31, 2009.

The outdoor Micco pavillion is the place for square dancing, contras, waltzes and circles. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. There are instructions for beginners.

Gates open at 6, dance is from 6:30 to 10 pm. Admission is $10.00 per person; children under 10 - free.

The Barnacle, built in 1891, is one of the oldest homes in Miami in its original location. The home of Coconut Grove pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe is now a Florida State Park and is located at 3485 Main Highway in downtown Coconut Grove across from Commodore Plaza. Please park on the street or in one of the parking lots around town, then stroll down the lane into the park for an evening of Old Time fun, Bluegrass music, and a live dance caller on hand. So come out and party like it’s 1899!

For additional information contact 305-442-6866 or visit www.TheBarnacle.org

Happy Memorial Day

"Overheard" on Twitter

This would make a good billboard for US1 and 27th Avenue, all "overheard" on Twitter:

Oh deep-fried coconut shrimp under a tiki hut by the water in Coconut Grove is not very refined, but I likes it anyway.

Just got acknowledged by the waitress at Coconut Grove. Do I go there that much?

'Coconut Grove is a walker's paradise' I walk Coral Gables just fine. But then again. I walk everywhere in Miami

Eating at The Last Carrot in Coconut Grove. Yummy good!

r u going to perform or fun or both? DO see south beach, ya gotta. and coconut grove and take a drive down old cutler 4 foliage

when i was a very young girl, before miami was trendy, coconut grove was my pad-you could say i am a trendsetter

Of course the weather in coconut grove is beautiful...it would be.

Sleeping Beauty and School for Princesses to be performed

The Theater Institute of South Florida is presenting "Disney's Sleeping Beauty Kids" and "The School for Princesses" at the Museum of Science on May 29 and 30. Show time is 7 pm both days.The May 30 show will be a special benefit performance with a post show reception and awards.

The Museum of Science is located at 3280 S Miami Avenue. General admission tickets can only be purchased in advance at www.thetheatreinstitute.com for $12, or at the door for $15.00.

The Theatre Institute of South Florida, Inc. is a not-for-profit theatre arts academy that serves as repertory theatre of children and adult performers. Their mission is to create a developmental exchange of talent by bridging the artistic divide between children and adult performers. They accomplish this through programs that combine students and professionals and offers them collaborative opportunities in a repertory setting.

For info, please call 305-332-5817.

Should there be a dress code for the Pajama Pub Crawl?

At first it had been thought that a red light district might be interesting as a concept to promote the Great Grove Bed Race. The black booths are just standing there and it came up that maybe thy could be decked out in red lace and light and a scantily clad man or woman could hand out info and Bed Race info for a week leading up to the Pajama Pub Crawl and then Bed Race, but now that idea has been scrapped.

Now the Pajama Pub Crawl has been curtailed in a way because of a dress code.

It didn't seem so bad to have a dress code when I was sitting there at the committee meeting, mostly it was a concern of the Alonzo Mourning Charities, who thought this is not the image they want to portray for their charities,

But then again, the Pub Crawl is on a Saturday night, involves liquor, bars and the whole scene that that conjures up. Is a flimsy nighty or two going to make the event any less child-proof or less dignified? It's a wild Pub Crawl. It's the Grove. Children should be home and in bed, not hanging out in the Grove on a Saturday night.

The next day, the day of the actual Bed Race, there are many events for children incorporated into the day. So maybe the rules on the Pajama Pub Crawl dress should be to have no rules. This could be a great thing for the Grove.

In the Grove, we take two steps forward and three steps back.

Street issues discussed at Village Council meeting

The following issues were discussed at Thursday's Cocoanut Grove Village Council meeting:

The BID has added two police beat walks an hour Thursday through Sunday nights on Matilda Street, the site of dozens of car break ins.

How many city planners does it take to get a simple project going? People have been asking about the 27th Avenue street scape project. The plan is a long drawn out process according to planners. They don't feel that they will have any updates until the end of the year. Business as usual in Miami.

The median on US1 at Bridgeport will be closed. This should calm the traffic that has been using Bridgeport as a shortcut from US1 to Bird Avenue. This has been a major concern to residents.

As for the 32nd Avenue (McDonald Street) sidewalk issue, it is now in Comm. Sarnoff's office and the plan will go ahead. More to come.

Tar & Feather perform tonight at the Sailing Club

The Coconut Grove Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive), the city's only public sailing club, is proud to present: Dockside Entertainment.

Tonight, Saturday, May 23, from 5 to 8 pm, the Tar & Feather Band will be performing. This is the bluesier, rootsier spin-off from club favorite Blue Man Grove, They will be making their debut on the Sailing Club balcony. These guys always draw a crowd, so come early. No cover charge, as usual.

Tar & Feather is: Eric Garcia (left), mouth organs, slide guitar, cajon and vocals and Eric Wagner, dreadnaughts and vocals.

For information, please call 305-444-4571.

Travel around the world with the new art exhibit

Travel is the theme of the new exhibition at Focaccia (3111 Grand Avenue) by Grove artist Valentina Ramos who hails from Peru.

This exhibition is courtesy of the Windisch-Hunt Gallery and all works are for sale. This is part of the showcase where the artists meet for breakfast.

The breakfast with Valentina will be announced when the date is set.

I got lost in the Age of Aquarius

I went back in time to the vintage Coconut Grove, with a little Woodstock, New York, thrown in.

It's right across US1 at the little shopping center off of 27th Avenue, I wrote about the grand opening here.

It's a nice 1960s hippy vibe when you visit the backyard entrances of the stores. This red scene above is behind one store and the tropical scenes below link to the other side. It's interesting little feng shui patio gardens -- another world, full of incense, candles, pillows and peace.

At left is Jackie working on Sammy's hair at the Lakshami Salon, my friend Jerry gets his hair cut there.

Below are Jennie (left) and Rosa, from The Grove store at 2759 SW 27 Avenue. One of the little funky shops at the little funky timewarp center. Along with The Grove and Lakshimi is the Mosaic Academy, a photography studio and Invasion sneaker store. And ironically, next to Rosa's Grove store, full of peace symbols and signs (including Rosa below giving the peace sign), there is a gun shop.

Glenn on wheels

Grove Guy, Glenn Terry, will be leading another Grove Guy Tour tomorrow, Saturday morning, May 29.

This will be a bicycle tour of the Grove's shoreline starting at his house, up to City Hall, and back. It's three miles and according to Glenn, "With all my blabbing it'll take about two hours."

If its raining he'll do it some other time. The free tour will be limited to 15 people. Let him know if you'd like to join via email and he'll give you all the info, like the time and his address if you don't already have it: bettermiami@yahoo.com

A quick snack while you watch the world go by

Felice and Dylan from the Bookstore, check out the new counter tables added to the window area. Now you can enjoy a quick coffee, glass of wine or a snack, while watching the world go by outside on Virginia Street. Looks like it was a quiet morning, not much of the world going by. The new feature was added yesterday morning.

Annoying taxis discussed at Village Council meeting

Last night Village Council member Michelle Niemeyer brought up the many taxis that hover on Virginia Street. A couple of weeks ago, Michelle was driving on the street and she was in an auto accident caused by a taxi cab driver driving backwards at a fast rate of speed. Apparently he was in a rush (backwards) to get to the Mayfair Hotel for a fare.

In his rush, he slammed into Michelle's car, causing injuries, which caused her to be taken to Mercy Hospital. She is doing fine now, but now her quest is to have the taxi cabs removed from Virginia Street all together. They race around as if they own that street and they double park, take up metered spots and are a nuisance according to neighbors.

Another concern is that they take up parking spaces on Virginia and don't pay for parking. The spaces are earmarked for the public and taxis are prohibited from using them but they do use them. I have seen them eating there, waiting there, sleeping there, and never paying for parking. When the police ask them to move, they do move, but that is hardly ever.

There are two dedicated taxi stands near the Mayfair Hotel, in front of Angelo and Maxie's.

Ron Nelson, Comm. Marc Sarnoff's Chief of Staff, spoke with the County about moving the taxis from the dedicated parking stands and having them banned from parking anywhere on Virginia Street. According to him, it an easy process to have them moved.

Of course we need taxis in the Grove. But just not there. Florida Avenue was suggested as an alternative for two taxi spots. And when hotel guests need a cab, they can easily be summoned by the valets or doormen at the Mayfair.

Angelo and Maxie's would love those two taxi stand spots on Virginia Street for outdoor tables if the taxis are assigned to spaces around the corner.

Of course the old Parking Authority was then dragged in, because if you take some spots elsewhere, they would have to be rented or purchased from the Parking Authority, and of course, ironically, Angelo and Maxie's would have to pay the Parking Authority for the right to have tables out on the street.

Virginia's Barboursville Vineyards' wine tasting

Barry Alberts is featuring the Wines of Barboursville Vineyards at the Angelo and Maxie's wine tasting tonight, May 22.

The Virginia winery sampling will include wine and appetizers for $15 per person. A post-tasting dinner menu is also available for $30 per person.Time is 7 to 9:30 pm.

Angelo and Maxie's Steakhouse is at the Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue). Please
call 305-445-8177.

Bed Race is now tweeting!

The Great Grove Bed Race has a Twitter account now. You can follow that at http://twitter.com/grovebedrace

It's a great way for updates and meeting schedules for those signing up a team or volunteering. You can also ask questions there.

We need a signature food

A tourist asked me where to eat. She wanted to know what the Grove is known for. I guess certain cities have certain foods they are known for. We don't.

I wonder what the Grove could or would be known for if we pushed it as a thing to have when visiting. What could that be?

Alonzo Mourning Charities are beneficiary of Bed Race

The Great Grove Bed Bed Race, Bed, Dash and Beyond in Coconut Grove is the official name of September's Bed Race. That's a mouthful.

You can just call it the Great Grove Bed Race.

As you know by now, the charity event will be on Sunday, September 6, all day, with the Pajama Pub Crawl around the Grove, the night before, Saturday, September 5. There will also be a Waiter Race the day of the Bed Race. The Alonzo Mourning Charities will be the beneficiary of monies raised. Nile Patrick, from the Mourning organization was kind enough to sit in on yesterday's Bed Race committee meeting.

Above are Nile, Felice Dubin and AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, committee members.

There will be other special things going on like restaurant specials all day and beer and drink sponsorships and specials at various locations throughout the day. A family pajama party will take place in the day with story time, puppets and sing-a-longs. The Honey Shine Girls mentoring program will read "The Princess and the Pea." A baby buggy/stroller race is being considered and it probably won't happen, but an actual baby race was discussed -- sticking babies in a circle and seeing which one crawls out first.

After the day's races are over, there will be four stages set up for mini-concerts.

All of the money raised through registration and all of the money from the Pajama Bar Crawl, the night before will go to the charity. All other money raised during the day will be split with the charity the other half will be used to cover costs.

The actual Bed Race is now on Grand Avenue, starting at Commodore Plaza and ending at the three corners area of McFarlane, Grand and Main Highway. Commodore Plaza will be used as a staging area and pit area for the beds. There will be a stage set up at the end of Commodore Plaza and Grand Avenue. Main Highway will be completely open and Grand Avenue and McFarlane will be completely open from the intersection going north and east respectively.

On June 1, registration begins and we will start taking applications. Early registration is before July 15, 2009 and the cost will be $50.00 per bed, late registration is $75.00 up until August 21, 2009. We will announce how to get the registration forms soon. All rules will be attached the registration forms.

The Red Light District was scrapped. Nile from the charity and most of the committee felt it was not a good idea, also they want to have a pajama dress code for the Pajama Pub Crawl. Having a Red Light District might send the wrong message.

Proper attire (in pajama wear) will be required in order to get access to the ticket book for the bar crawl.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a good Pow Wow

This calling out the BID for doing something wrong is getting out of hand now. I didn't mean to cause problems by mentioning that many gift cards were not used. That was not my intent. I am not in the habit of standing up for the BID, but in this case, I know all the work they put into this event.

The gift cards were a gift to the agents and travel industry people. They are a spoiled lot and probably would not have come to the Grove at all, or considered it, without some sort of compensation. It was part of the whole big Pow Wow scheme of things.

The Grove got off easy, the Miami Visitors and Convention Bureau and Miami Beach paid thousands upon thousands of dollars for this event.

The gift card was just that, a gift, and all of the 2000 people did not receive a gift card, maybe half did. Most did use the cards.

Many people spent the money in the Grove, they ate, drank and had a good time. There were those who took the cards back because of the poor weather. But the card is a gift from the Grove and the visitors left with the knowledge that the Grove gave them a little gift. So what? It will be returned 100 fold.

Do all the gifts that you give out have stipulations and stings attached? The BID was going to give goodie bags, instead they gave the gift card. Same difference.

In return, the travel industry will send thousands of clients to Miami, through their travel agencies and travel articles, which will trickle down to the Grove. So of all the people who do come here in the next few years, thanks to the Pow Wow, we now know that a few got away with a $35.00 gift card. The cost of doing business, which again, could easily have been a gift basket, where none of the money would have trickled back on Monday night.

Could it have been done another way? Perhaps. But it is what it is. The BID people worked their asses off for this event. Let's look at the hundred positive things they did even with the rain out.

What's old is new again . . .

Remember the Cher song, "If I could turn back time?"

Well, a bit of a Grove renaissance is happening. Stay tuned for a sign of things to come.

Go Green, Buy American Cars event

The Go Green, Buy American Green Car event is tonight at 6:30 at City Hall. Details here.

Grove Skatepark is having a fundraiser on Sunday

Grove Skatepark (behind the glass house in Peacock Park) is having a fundraiser Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Peacock Park in conjunction with Family Resource Center. There’ll be live music, DJs, raffles, contests and an art auction. We wrote about the skatepark and all the good it does here recently.

For info: 786-290-5150

Many are questioning the Red Light District idea

I'm off to the Bed Race committee meeting. We should be firming up the rules and can finally start accepting applications.

I heard from many of you and you aren't crazy about the Red Light District idea. I'll let them know. Would it work only the night of the Pajama Pub Crawl the night before, as a theme? Or should it be scrapped all together?

Grove Bucks; will they work?

I saw this report on NBC News awhile back. I thought of the Grove, but then dismissed it. A reader brought it to my attention again. It's about making your own currency. In this report, you'll see a small town, Great Barrington, Mass. has created Berkshares, their own currency.

It's our Code 33, but gone a step further. What do you think? Could it work here? It would be more of a gimmic than anything I think.

A note from an Angel

I wrote about our Grove Angel Daniela Viotti fainting on Pow Wow night. I'm glad to hear everything is fine with her. I got this email yesterday, with this photo of Daniela and some Pow Wow guests:

"Thanks for the Love and Concern. I went to Jackson Memorial for a Cat Scan and X-Rays. Verdict: Everything's OK!!! I've never fainted or fallen in 18 years, but I guess there's always a first (and hopefully, the last time). It is true that God always protects me in his hands. I'm hoping for a quick recovery (right now, everything hurts) and return to Coconut Grove this weekend."

-- Blessings, Angel, Daniela Viotti, the Living Statue Performer

The Grove is the alternative for Memorial Day Weekend

I was asked this on Twitter:

"Do you think the Grove will be a destination this weekend for the beach folk escaping hip hop weekend?"

I didn't know how to answer since I am sure that no one in the Grove even thought of this and even tried to promote the Grove to the stay-at-homes on Miami Beach, who actually would love to leave South Beach during the madness that comes with Memorial Day weekend in Sobe.

This is where we need Coconut Grove promotion. How about skateboarders with brochures or maps or coupon books or hot girls on skates promoting the Grove in South Beach? Is that an option? Are there any extra coupon books left over from Pow Wow? Hand them out!

Is that a way to get the South Beach locals who don't want to spend the crazy weekend in South Beach to come here for a quiet day or two to shop, dine and unwind? I know a hotel or two in the Grove has a special running. Do South Beach residents know this? Do they realize that they can escape to the Grove for the weekend?

This is also a good weekend to grab those who avoid South Beach, who normally would be in South Beach, people from Kendall and Pinecrest and Coral Gables, etc.

While many enjoy the madness on South Beach during Memorial Day weekend, many don't, and I am sure they would love to be reminded of the alternative -- Coconut Grove! We need to get the ambassadors out starting today.

Craft beer tasting and buffalo wings

This week's Craft Beer Tastings with Chris Montelius is themed "The Audacity of Hops!"

Sample Stone IPA, Stone Levitation, Stoudt's Smooth Hoperator, Clipper City (Heavy Seas) Loose Cannon IPA, Sea Dog Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale, Penn Weizen and many more at Angelo and Maxie's (3000 Florida Avenue, at the Mayfair Hotel).


The $20 fee includes unlimited beer tasting and buffalo wings.

The fun is tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, from 7 to 9 pm. For info, please call 305.445.8177.

They like us, they really like us

Two tv shows are being filmed in the Grove at this very moment. I can't reveal where or what, well, actually one is Burn Notice at Berries on 27th Avenue, but it's just a nice feeling to know that this is happening in our village.

The other show will be revealed when I am allowed to reveal it.

Some final thoughts on the Pow Wow last night

So we are all talking today about the Pow Wow last night. No one is sure how it turned out. Many people used their $35.00 Visa gift cards to eat and shop, many just took the cards back to their hotels and are probably spending the money elsewhere, which is not what the BID intended. It was hoped that all cards would be used in the Grove and then some -- visitors had their own money and expense accounts, but it seems many did not spend anything.


The Grove did its best. The BID did an outstanding job planning the whole event. Richard Issa (above left) is to be commended on his non-stop work. Going out to Miami Beach on the bus, he gave us all a little orientation on what was what and he seemed to know it all. He had an answer for everything, he looked exhausted and is probably sleeping in all day today, which is well deserved.

All volunteers, including Allison McCreary (above right), of Coconut Grove Bank, were eager to help and did help in rain or shine.

But from the planning standpoint, everyone was in their places and on the mark. The bus tour guides were there, the ambassadors were doing their job and everything seemed to start and work like clockwork. Everyone involved was happy and willing to work and do their part.

It's a shame that the Barnacle's free bar was a washout and that there was no swimming at Cabana One or the Sonesta. I don't think anyone even made it down to the Sonesta to eat at Panorama and enjoy the incredible view.


I doubt many made the Ghost Tours, since that was all walking and I don't think many made it to Commodore Plaza either since the buses let everyone off at Mayfair. This group, from one of the last buses to arrive in the pouring rain, took an underground tour of the Grove, through the garage from Mayfair, out to CocoWalk, to keep out of the rain. They took it in good stride and we joked about Paris having their underground sewer tours and we had our underground garage tour, in one area of the garage it did smell like a sewer, so we got the whole effect.

One sad note: our CocoWalk Angel fainted! She's ok and I guess the heat, rain and all the excitement and people got to her.

I know that all the South Beach festivities all week charmed the Pow Wow guests and hopefully they will send tourists to Miami and in turn, those tourists will want to visit the Grove, too. That is where our map and brochure committee needs to step in. If the tour operators and travel writers send people to South Beach, and I know they will, we need to have a presence there to invite those visitors to the Grove for a day trip or two.

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt and Tom Falco

Remind me not to eat there

Why is one local landlord having problems trying to get rid of a non-paying tenant?

The eviction laws favor the tenant even though the tenant has not paid his rent, has destroyed the property and has an employee sleeping in the main dining area! I have photos of this, which I won't post, but the guy is sleeping on a pillow, sprawled out on the floor, right in the center of the entrance for all passersby to see at 11 am this morning.

Not a pretty picture.

And what about the bakery?

Eleven Leprechauns on Commodore Plaza is closed for a couple of weeks for retooling. And what about the Sweet Dreams Bakery guys?

Want to bring the crowds back? Quit being so cheap and bring the drag shows back. You had a full house when they where there.

Making the Grove a home to techies?

Momentum is growing about turning the Grove into a "tech neighborhood," but not for tech businesses, for tech residents. Interesting.

Maybe some realtors like Riley Smith can get on board and do something to that affect. What? I don't know, what does that entail? Getting a bunch of techies to commit to one street or building?

The BarCamp Miami was a success a few months ago, why not make it a regular thing, too?

New billboard "posted" on US1

The new Grove billboard is up at US1 and 27th Avenue. They are using the concept of post-it notes, which I thought was a good idea myself. A few Grove businesses will be using the post-it notes on menus and such to promote themselves. You'll see Coconut Grove Grapevine post-it notes, too. I have a bunch of them being circulated.

At left, on US1, there is new Grove sign that welcomes people to the Grove.

In the works is a large, more official entrance sign, made out of stone or something like that, to be placed on 27th Avenue, which will welcome people as they enter the village.

It was a dark and stormy night

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray," is what my aunt always says, and she was right last night. All the Pow Wow plans had to be changed because of the deluge of rain. We haven't had rain for months and for those few hours we had the Pow Wow people here, all the heavens opened up. By the time they were to leave the Grove, it stopped. Terrible timing.

It started out so nice, too. We all went out to the Miami Beach Convention Center (left) and got our instructions for the buses. We were tour guides picking up the visitors from the various hotels, which brought them to the Grove. I ended up on the bus with AnnaMaria (right) because all the other buses were taken, but we had planned that anyway, so our one plan for the night worked out.


The buses let everyone off on Grand Avenue, where they were welcomed with all sorts of delicious drinks -- mimosas, rum drinks, etc. The rain held out for that first round. We tour guides stayed on the buses and went to get our second batch of people, knowing that the first batch of buses had let off their precious cargo in good hands with the local ambassadors squiring them around.

The tours were fun, we pointed things out along the way like the Burn Notice studio (the Expo Center) and Vizcaya and such.


But by the time the next round of buses arrived, it started pouring. A lot.

Most were good sports, many were not, one lady yelled at me about the rain and she got right back on the bus and asked to be taken back to her hotel.

Others followed us under the garage through a sort of tunnel, which took them from Mayfair to CocoWalk. It was an adventure. I joked with them that they are following us, total strangers, through a dark, wet garage tunnel. They laughed and said they were sheep and did as they were told. They were good sports.


The rain literally put a damper on many things and I did hear many complaints, but most people did seem to enjoy dinner all over town, I asked them where they ate and they actually made it all over the village and ate at all the restaurants.

People came from as far away as China. Most were from the U.S., many from out west, where it doesn't rain much, which I was reminded of many times.

Many came to the art gallery and painted coconuts, to keep out of the rain, others enjoyed the art and wine. Many browsed the bookstore and spent time there and sampled free coffee.

There was a poker night at Mr. Moe's and Sandbar and other places, but I don't know if people stayed. I know they enjoyed the steak at Mr. Moe's and Los Ranchos. I heard complaints about Angelo and Maxie's but I think they were complaining about the wait time. Since that was where the garage exit was, most went to Angelo and Maxie's rather than run around in the rain. Jaguar and Focaccia were other dinner favorites mentioned, when asked.


Here is Dave Collins, BID director, being interviewed by Amara Sohn from Channel 6. I told Dave he looked like a drowned rat. He was drenched. We all were. A bit later, Amara was telling me that someone made off with her Channel 6 umbrella and she was not leaving without it. But many umbrellas were given out and the visitors took them back with them.

The buses all lined up on Grand Avenue and they filled up fast after people ate. It was a shame they could not enjoy the Grove the way it was planned with the Ghost Tours and free bar at The Barnacle and things like that. Many Grove ambassadors would ask for the umbrellas back as people loaded onto the buses. But Amara could still not find hers. Finally she tracked it down, AnnaMaria had it, of all people, she was using it to escort people to various restaurants around town.

That was the common thing last night -- umbrella valets -- people walking people to various places around the village.

The odd thing was that while the visitors were not too crazy about the turn of events, the Grovites took it in stride and actually enjoyed it. While we felt bad and tried to make the best of it for the Pow Wow folks, we seemed to enjoy the whole craziness of the evening and we enjoyed each others' company. It seemed like every Grovite was out. It was just another funky Grove event to us.

That small town feel was there and going strong, only I don't think the Pow Wow people noticed it. They were too busy running from place to place in the rain, trying to get to a dry space. There was no moonlight swim at Cabana One last night. Shame, because people's eyes lit up on the bus coming over, when I explained the concept to them.

I wonder how this will affect tourism in the Grove now. This was to bring a large boost to toursits for the next few years. But what can these travel writers write about or these tour operators talk about --- their one soggy, wet night in Coconut Grove? Rain is supposed to bring good luck, so we'll see.

Village of Center Grove meeting is this Wednesday

The Village of Center Grove meets tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20 at the Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive) from 7 to 9 pm.

On the agenda:

Police will give a crime report
Trina Collins will report on the success of the Gifford Lane Art Stroll.
Sue McConnell will report on upcoming events.

There will be a chance to buy a raffle ticket to help Coconut Grove Elementary School's summer program. The prize is a lady's Locman watch donated by H&H Jewels, valued at $1400. The drawing is June 3, 2009.

Guest speaker will be State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera who will speak about the repeal of the half penny sales tax surcharge imposed in 2002.

Comm. Marc Sarnoff will speak on the Center Grove improvement project which includes more lighting by installing the new acorn-style lamps and sidewalks in the Center Grove neighborhoods. This is your time to speak up if you have issues. This is your engraved invitation to attend! Also discussed will be the traffic issue on Bridgeport and 30th Court. The Capital Improvement Department will also be on hand.

Anyone attending this meeting receives a card from Angelo & Maxies Steak House in the Mayfair -- if you buy one entrée the second entrée is half price with dinner and a card from Atchana's East/West Kitchen in the Mutiny that entitles you to a free beer, free glass of wine, or dessert with dinner.

Both of these restaurants are new Code 33 members.

Heading out to Pow Wow night

I am headed out now to the Pow Wow fiesta all night in Coconut Grove. Everyone should come out and partake of the fun. Even if you are not a volunteer, it will be a great night.

The Grove had 1500 2000 tickets available for the Pow Wow people to take the buses in tonight to the Grove but 2200 to 2500 are planning to arrive. They will have $35.00 gift cards each, they will use their expense accounts and their own money tonight. Do the math. It's a very good night for the Grove.

Lots of live tweets with pictures tonight on Twitter. You can follow us here.

Tweeted on Twitter about Coconut Grove

A kid in his 20s, from Palm Beach, tweeted this out today:
I think I'd be the happiest kid in the world if I could show my closest friends Coconut Grove one weekend. I miss going there often.

Another tweet from someone else:
Loving the ocean air in Coconut Grove

And this: Enjoying breeze dining Italian outdoors w huby. 75 [degrees] in Coconut Grove. Watching new Xmen movie in a few! Wonderful nite.

And: Great Grove deal: 4 about same price as expensive steakhouse dinner, dine at Angelo & Maxie's & spend night at Mayfair Hotel & Spa: $169.

And a few more:
Jo Ann just launched the website for the Coconut Grove Sailing Club: http://cgsc.org

Barracuda or Sandbar some night this week? Pool, darts, beers?

Miami needs a Tech Neighborhood - I propose the Grove :) Whaddya think

hey do you know a good place for sweet tea in the Grove?

Just a few tweets this weekend about the Grove. There were many more. Follow us at http://twitter.com/grovegrapevine

Pow Wow prix fixe menus for your dining pleasure

Tonight, for Pow Wow, restaurants were asked to prepare a Prix Fixe menu so that the Pow Wowers can easily order and eat.

The clever thing is that the Prixe Fixe menus are all capped at $35.00, which includes tax and tip.

You see, each person visiting with the Pow Wow will be getting a $35.00 Visa gift card from the BID, to spend in the Grove. They can spend it anywhere, but if they choose to use it for dining, this makes it all so easy. One meal = one card. No fuss, no muss.

Here the menus for the restaurants who are participating. there should be 20 participants, but only these 14 were submitted to us.

Schmoozing up the travel industry

Three stages greeted the Pow Wow delegates in South Beach with something to please everyone: Tropical Music, seen here, Club and Disco, and a Jazz stage. Sixty large tour buses bring the delegates in rotation.

Grovite Rafael Gutierez was a volunteer at one of the parties given for 2000 Pow Wow guests in South Beach yesterday.


Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

I fear the charm is going to be lost among the hoopla

Now that Pow Wow night is here, I am questioning the whole thing. There is so much going on tonight that the real Coconut Grove may be lost. I am guessing the savvy travelers know that we don't usually have dancing girls on every street corner and the only people that moonlight swim at Cabana One are the ones thrown in the pool during rowdy parties.

George's doesn't usually have acrobats hanging over the awnings and we don't have ambassadors at every turn, in fact, we usually don't even have anyone in the actual information booths.

Our charm is our old town atmosphere -- tree lined streets, the bay, the funky Grove characters. One thing the visitors should look for tonight is how all the ambassadors interact with each other. To see how the characters all fall into place. They need to see that we are real, we interact with each other daily. We all like each other and all love the Grove.

If a visitor would stand on a street corner and just observe or sneak in on a Merchants Meeting or 4th of July meeting, they would see the real Grove and the real characters. That is what they need to take away from tonight, a sense of community and characters. They need to feel that when they visit the Grove, they are being a part of that, they are entering another world, a sitcom world maybe(?), only real.

I see this reaction when people enter the Windisch-Hunt Gallery, they feel like they entered something special, they almost get giddy -- Fred Hunt is painting in one corner, some of us are eating at a table, some others are painting one thing or another at another table, like maybe coconuts, someone else is working on the computer, someone else may be hanging art; one time there was a rehearsal for the Mango Bama dance and visitors just wandered around and enjoyed this as if they stumbled upon something secret, real and fun.

Another time, people entered the Bookstore to see the whole town holding a village meeting. They enjoyed this, it was organic, real and hometown-like. They felt as if they stumbled upon something special.

We live here because we don't have something going on 24/7, but we actually do have a lot going on. I like to think of us as being the anti-South Beach. I hope the visitors tonight see that. I hope they see that village business owners visit with each other during the day, they pop in next door for coffee or to visit for a bit. They share food and gossip, they hang out at Paul's sunglasses kiosk, and shoot the breeze. This is how it really is.

So many people don't have any idea what goes on here in Coconut Grove. Aside from us being a cozy little village, we are a busy place. We are hardly a sleepy little village. There is something going on all the time. But not all at once as will be tonight.

I would tell visitors that aside from the shopping, dining and unwinding, this list below is what we have going on on a regular basis throughout the year, and this is only the half of it, also keep in mind, the lead up to every one of these events is a show in itself. All the planning committees, rehearsals, dinners and pre-events are just as fun and maybe more fun and enjoyable than the actual final event.

Just in the last few months, we have experienced these events:

The Gifford Lane Art Stroll (Story here and Slide show here)
Bike Day was incredible. Story and pictures here.
The King Mango Strut here
Movies in the Park here
Shakespeare in the Park here
The Taste of the Grove here
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival here
The Monthly Antique Market here
Poetry Night at the Bookstore here and even Waffle Sunday here
We have Burn Notice filming all around us like we reported here
We have artists on the streets here and artists dressed as clowns here
We have Breakfast with the Artists every month here
We also have a master artist who anyone can meet any day of the week here
We even have a Lobster Crane Game here
And there is always sailing and water sports available like here
Our old fashioned 4th of July is coming up (think Mayberry or Stars Hollow)

These are just a few of the past events, and just a few of the upcoming events. If you go into our archives and snoop around, you would be amazed at all that goes on here. This is what the tour operators and travel writers need to know about the Grove. Not that we have fire eaters on Commodore Plaza tonight.

"Buddhaverse" add to tonight's Pow Wow fun

"Buddhaverse" will be at George's in the Grove (3144 Commodore Plaza) tonight, a perfect fit for Pow Wow.

The benefit for the Tibetan Children's Village will have all sorts of bohemian acts -- acrobats, fire dancing, contortionists, flying performers and more.

Check them out on Commodore Plaza from 7 to 11 pm. If you are a Pow Wow ambassador, this would be a good thing to send visitors to.

Pushing the Grove at Pow Wow

David Guzikowski from the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, left, and David Collins from the BID, flank Lissette Cuevas from the Doubletree Hotel, all working the Grove booth at Pow Wow at the Miami Beach Convention Center. They are giving the conventioneers all the Grove info the day before our big party night here in the Grove.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Historian Arva Moore Parks having Grove book signing

Miami's favorite historian, Arva Moore Parks, will be signing her new book, "Miami, the Magic City," at The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street) on Thursday, May 28 at 7 pm.

Arva, a lifelong Miami resident, graduated from the University of Florida and earned a master's degree from the University of Miami. She is the author of more than half a dozen books on South Florida. She has produced films on Miami and Coconut Grove and has received several honors, including an Emmy Award from the Florida Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In addition, she has volunteered her services on many civic boards and committees. She chaired the Florida Endowment for the Humanities in 1982.

She is best known for her dedication to preserving Miami's history and fighting for it's survival. She recently lost the struggle with the St. Stephen's little church massacre last week. That probably will come up during the bookstore discussion.

Alhambra Orchestra's season finale is tonight

The Alhambra Orchestra is holdiding its Season Finale performance today, May 17th at 7:30 pm.

Miami's own community orchestra will be performing with Carlos Riazuelo, Conductor, and Daniel Andai, Violinist, in works by Schubert (Rosamunde Overture), Mendelssohn (Violin Concerto in E Minor) and Dvorak (Symphony No. 8).

Admission and parking are free at Ransom-Everglades School, 3575 Main Highway. For info: (305) 668-9260.

Coconut Grove will be a living postcard tomorrow night

Tomorrow is the big Pow Wow night in Coconut Grove. If you haven't heard about it, this is the night when hundreds, maybe thousands, of travel industry people visit the Grove. Travel agents, tour operators, travel writers and such are in town this week for a convention. Tomorrow night is the Grove's turn to show them a good time.

They are mostly based in downtown Miami and in Miami Beach, so large tour buses will be bringing our guests in tomorrow night. Many locals, including myself, will be tour guides on the buses and then "ambassadors" once we arrive in the Grove -- we will show the guests around, answer questions and help them have a fantastic time.

Tomorrow night the Grove will have it all. All of our usual events will be featured in one night! Artists, dancers and musicians will be on the streets, restaurants are offering special meals, the art galleries have special showings. These coconuts here have been prepared and painted all month in anticipation at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (artist Jane Harris is shown here preparing the window). The Antique Market will be open, Cabana One and the Sonesta pools will offer moonlight swims.

We want to make the Grove into a living postcard. This will be a night to remember. For us and for the travel contingent.

Goombay Festival coming up in June

The 33rd Annual Goombay Festival is coming to the Grove on Saturday, June 6 from noon to 8 pm.

Grand Avenue, from Douglas to 32nd Avenue will be full of food, music and culture. All the details are here.

They have of one-of-a-kind hand crafted African pieces

You can get lost in Out of Africa (in the Mayfair Promenade). There are so many things in one space.

I love the masks the best. There are all types, but the animal masks are really great.

There is jewelry, incense, festive clothing from Ghana -- beautiful crafts and collectibles -- all actually from Africa.

If you are looking for one-of-a-kind items this is the place. Everything would make a great gift. And many of the things you'll probably want to keep for yourself.

Grand plans going bust?

Why is all this land on Grand Avenue from Margaret to Douglas for sale?

What happened the big Grand Avenue Development? Is it a bust?

What happened to the people that were displaced?

Why not put in a Publix on the site since it's already been zoned for this sort of development? Even better a Sweet Bay or Trader Joe's!

Graphic on right by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Neighbors are not happy with the patchwork wall

Neighbors in the South Grove have been complaining about the patchwork wall near Main Highway and Douglas. This is how the graffiti is handled. Rather than match the paint or even paint the whole wall, random colors are painted on as swatches.The guard rail is broken, too.

Maybe we need some guerrilla tactics. I have been reading about guerrilla gardening, where people show up in the middle of the night, plant or clean a garden and leave. The next morning, people wake up to a brand new flower garden, like magic.

Maybe some neighbors can do this since the city won't fix it. I know of a guerrilla project coming up next week, regarding another issue. It's a secret, but I'll reveal it after the fact.

Movies around town

We mentioned in a previous post about Disney showing movies in Peacock Park this summer, but they have changed their minds about that.

The other movies around town are still in the works -- arts movies, old movies, outdoor movies, etc. all to take the place of the movie theater at CocoWalk while it is under renovation. The drive-in probably won't be part of that, but it was a nice idea while that lasted.

But under discussion is trying to tie in artists on the streets with art house movies in one area and maybe even close one street down on weekends for this, you know, to make it a little arts village.

Who says the Grove is not cool?

This was the scene the other day in the center of the village. There is so much that is cool about this photo and the hot pepper on top of Chili's makes it a little kitschy.

Red Light District to usher in the Great Grove Bed Race?

One cool thing brought up at the Bed Race meeting was to have the Grove decked out as a red light district, in a tasteful way (is that possible?) Guess so, they do it on old tv shows like Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

The black info booths would be decked out with lace and things like that and a woman in a negligee and a man in boxers would be in the booths, posing and probably giving out info on the Great Coconut Grove Bed Race.

The gas lights around the village (hopefully they are still standing) will be covered with red sheeting or mylar and that will give the effect, too. It will be a wild theme to welcome the Great Coconut Grove Bed Race.

It was brought up at the meeting that this could be a monthly event -- not the Bed Race -- but the red light district -- where we can have pub crawls and food crawls for hors d'oeuvres and things.

That is a bike rack people! Feel free to use it!

I got this letter the other day:

"I'm a frequent reader and Grove resident, and I had a question that I hoped you could answer: I noticed some time ago that a red guitar sculpture was put up next to The Cloisters, across from Le P'tit Paris, and exactly next to the little info kiosk. Do you have any information about this? Is this part of an art project going on around the city?"

I had to laugh and I told him it was a bike rack. Here are Marshall and Douglas showing it off on Bike Day.

I think we need to put a dummy bike there to give people a hint as to what it is. I guess it's sort of nice to know that if it was a piece of art that people are respecting it.

My friend Daisy Lewis told me today at the Merchants Meeting that she occasionally puts here bike there for just that reason, to show people that it's a bike rack.

Grapevine special . . .

Tiano Salon Spa (2840 Oak Avenue), a full service salon for men and women are offering a Grapevine special -- 20% off all services by simply mentioning the Coconut Grove Grapevine.

Tiano and his staff are known for "magically transforming lifeless, drab hair into radiant and colorful art. Tiano and his staff have received training in Paris, Berlin and New York."

This special is good throughout the summer, it expires September 1, 2009.

For a list of all their services, please go to http://www.tianosecretcolor.com/. For more info by phone or to make an appointment, please call 305-448-6661

We want a trolley, when do we want it? Now!

The City is using over $4 million in government stimulus money to start a trolley system for Brickell, Coral Way, Overtown and Allapattah. And it may even link to the Coral Gables trolley.

When I suggested this, I was told I was out of line by many. But now that the City is building a trolley system, I see the City's cash cow/step child, Coconut Grove, is being left out. Shame. Story here.

Sundry Cilo at Temple Ultra Lounge tonight

The Sundry Cilo CD release party is at Temple tonight, May 15. Specials guests are Dear Dad, Yours Truly and Valdez. Doors open at 9 pm.

Temple is at 2895 McFarlane Road. For more info, please call 305.445.6511

Eco Island Adventure Camp at Shake-A-Leg

Eco Island Adventure Camp is starting in June at Shake-A-Leg. Age groups from 7 to 13 and 14 to 17 have programs just for them. It's a place to commune with nature, collect shells, build a teepee or make a raft.

Sessions are offered in four week blocks starting June 15. Activities also include sailing, art, music, snorkeling,, photography, science, nature walks, swimming and kayaking -- all based on an ecological curriculum.

This all takes place on an island, right off the Coconut Grove shore!

For more info, please go here: http://www.shakealegmiami.org or call 305-858-5550, ext. 121.

More teams needed for the ACS Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society is having trouble signing up people for the May 29 Relay For Life. It's true, you have to be up all night in the park, but think of the cause.

Hopefully next year, they will do it during daylight hours when people will be more willing to party in the park. But for now, perhaps you can get a fast team together and spend the night in Peacock Park with the rest of the teams, making a difference in the fight against Cancer.

There is a meeting going on tonight and then there are a couple more before the actual event.
Details here.

Coral Gables police win the Donut Decorating Challenge

The Donut Decorating Challenge was held today at the Coconut Grove Dunkin' Donuts.

Coral Gables PD defeated the Miami Beach PD, and while Coral Gables took home a winning trophy, both agencies received a $1,000 donation to their respective Police Athletic Leagues as a thank you.

Above are two of the Coral Gables police, Lt. Bart Barta, center, and Lt. Cordell Atherley with their trophy (and channel 6 reporter, Joe Carter). At left is a CSD: Crime Scene Doughnut, created by the Coral Gables police.

Grads eat free at Angelo and Maxie's Steakhouse

Angelo and Maxie's Steakhouse, (A&M) , at the Mayfair Hotel, is giving this year's graduates a free meal starting today and going to June 14. The "Grade A" special offer is available to middle, high school and college students who have graduated from April to June, 2009.

South Florida grads who dine at A&M with family and/or friends will receive a complimentary lunch or dinner. To redeem the “Grade A” offer, students must present the restaurant with their identification and proof of graduation, which may include an official graduation invitation with school seal; official graduation ceremony program; an official school letter stating the student has graduated; or a diploma/diploma card. There is a limit of one graduate per family/group per visit. Advance reservations are recommended. “Grade A” should be mentioned when placing a reservation.

For reservations, call 305.445.8177 or visit www.opentable.com. To learn more about Angelo and Maxie’s visit www.angelo-maxies.com.

The "Welcome" sign is not welcome

Yesterday, on my way to the 4th of July meeting, I ran into my BID buds -- Dave, Ingrid and Manny.

They were passing out "Welcome" signs to Grove businesses to put in their store windows for Monday's Pow Wow night.

The businesses that have these signs are sure to draw business on Pow Wow night from the travel industry coming to town. In fact, I told Dave that it looks so nice as you walk around town and see these signs yelling out, "Welcome." It actually makes a difference.

Well, the usual suspects refused to participate. The same ones who refused to participate in the Toy Drive at Christmas time. I told Ingrid she was wasting her time and sure enough, the whole block of corporate companies refused to carry the sign in the window -- FedEx/Kinkos, Shaq 24 Hour Fitness, Johnny Rocket's and so on. I think the only corporate company on that block that ever participates is Smoothie King. This is a part of what is wrong with the Grove.

The Kinkos never seems to be open during regular hours anyway, and I suppose they don't want to welcome the Pow Wow people. Jeff's UPS store down the block is always on board with Grove issues. They carry the sign.

I guess the travel agents and writers care more about drinking and eating anyway, but it seemed like a nice gesture to be one of the gang and say "Welcome" with the rest of the village. Even the Pablo and Alex and the guys at the Allure hair salon put the sign in the window and I doubt the Pow Wow people will stop in for a haircut, but it's a case of having spirit.

The whole block from the salon on down have placed the signs -- Siam Oishi, Color Me Mine, Aladdin's, Boardwalk Pizza and so on. As you walk through the Grove, you'll see the signs in windows.

Community reaches out to Coconut Grove Elementary

There was a call out last month to raise funds ($16,000) for teachers for the summer school program at Coconut Grove Elementary School and also to overhaul the school's ball field and thanks to the community, the goal has almost been met.

"We are very happy that you've taken an interest in our school and that so many people in our community have come forward to help us out," said reading teacher Maria Orjeda.

Does it cost a lot to be simple and small town?

The 4th of July Committee met yesterday afternoon at the Chamber's office. It was a full house.

People there represented the City, the County, the NET office, the Chamber, the BID and the merchants. There are lots of people involved in this.

The gist of the meeting was the budget. The city is donating a lot, Commissioner Sarnoff's office is giving $5,000, the BID is giving in excess of $7500 and County Commissioner Carlos Giminez's office is giving about $1500, but that is not definite.

Homer Whittaker, from Commissioner Giminez's office, brought up the fact that we seem to be going overboard on the celebration in a poor economy, and that we should have less of a 4th of July. Commissioner Giminez has a fund that he would prefer to spend by helping people who are losing their homes in the real estate mess. I have to commend him on that, it does sort of make the 4th of July celebration seem frivolous when compared.

But there will be sponsors also covering costs and small fireworks display is necessary and most of the games and things involved are low cost like a sack race and egg throwing contest and even a hot dog eating contest.

I brought up Mayberry and the fact that we want to keep it simple and small town and that image put a smile on everybody's face, including Homer's.

It's the 4th of July. Let's celebrate and not count pennies. Besides, the whole purpose of the celebration is to bring people and money into the Grove. So you have to spend money to make money. The merchants are all for it.

Take home a little piece of art

Saturday, May 16, is Breakfast with the Artist at Focaccia (3411 Grand Ave.), at 10 am. But unlike previous breakfasts, there is not just one artist featured, but many.

You may have seen the art in Focaccia this past month, all 10" x 10" and all created by different local people.

These great little pieces are priced from $35.00 to $100.00.

They're great for the first time art buyer and they also make great gifts that will fit anywhere. It is all original art created by well-known artists.

Police to be armed with sprinkles and frosting tomorrow

Dunkin’ Donuts will be bringing together officers from Miami Beach and Coral Gables Police Departments for a special donut decorating challenge tomorrow morning, May 14, as part of National Police Week (May 10 to 16).

I don't know why our City's police department is not involved, but it will be at our Dunkin' Donuts at 2720 S. Dixie Highway (in the Subway Plaza just west of SW 27 Avenue).

It happens at 11:00 am. Four officers from each department will have 30 minutes to decorate three donuts each complete with all of the restaurant’s decorating icings and tools in an attempt to impress the event’s judging panel. Following the judges decision, each department will be presented with a $1,000 donation on behalf of the Miami-Dade/Broward County Dunkin’ Donuts Franchisees.

Come out and try a new green car next week

The Go Green, Buy American Green Car event will be Thursday, May 21 at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive). Starting at 6:30 pm, American car companies will be showcasing their newest eco-friendly hybrid vehicles, at the invitation of City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff.

Chevy will show off the 2009 Tahoe Hybrid and 2009 Malibu Hybrid, Cadillac will have the 2009 Escalade Hybrid (shown left). You'll be free to check under the hood, kick the tires and sit behind the wheel. They will even let you take a test drive.

Let's promote the Grove on pizza boxes!

I was telling a few people around town that a good idea to maybe draw people to the Grove is post-it notes.

What say the Merchants Group or BID contact a few pizza places in Coral Gables or Pinecrest of Key Biscayne and give them post it notes so place on the outgoing pizza boxes, promoting Grove events?

Like say, the First Saturday Art Stroll -- the ad would be for that and go out on a Thursday and Friday on all pizza boxes. A local merchant could also offer a coupon as part of the post-it note, something people can use when they come to the Grove for the Art Stroll.

It can be used for the Antique Market, poetry night at the Bookstore, even the Bed Race -- post-it note coupons based in different towns around our surrounding area.

In return the pizza maker is paid or given some sort of other consideration for sending out the post-it notes on the boxes.

Susan G. Komen fundraiser at Cita's Italian Chophouse

Tonight there is a fundraiser cocktail hour at Cita's Italian Chophouse (3176 Commodore Plaza) to raise money for the Susan G. Komen cancer charity.

From 6 to 8 pm, enjoy a sampling of Italian wines for a donation of $20.00. Included with your donation is free access to see Franky Arriola at the Improv at Mayfair, at 8 pm.

Cita's is a gourmet Italian restaurant focusing on prime cuts of meat, fresh from the market seafood, and homemade pasta. Get a taste of Cita's cuisine through a selection of hors d'oeuvres including Calamari Fritti, Polpetta della nonna, & Vongole Oreganata

For info: 305-282-1668 or ediblemarketing@gmail.com

Lots going on at Mr. Moe's; even Playboy mag likes it

Playboy magazine's "Miss May" (in blue, Crystal McCahill) stopped by Mr. Moe's last week for the Playboy party with the UM Playboy girls, part of Playboy's "Girls of the Big 10 issue. All smiles is John El-Masry, owner of Mr. Moe's and Gus Posada (wearing hat) the GM.

Mr. Moe's always has something going on. Every Thursday is College Night with Miami's best guest DJ's spinning. There are Drink Specials from 9 pm to midnight: $7 - 34 oz Cabin Fever • $8 - Eight Ball.

Monday night is Beer Olympics night featuring beer, a Pong Tournament and Poker Tournament. Drink Specials: $5 Jager Bombs • $4 - 34 oz Miller and Coors Light Draft • $7 - Moose Juices.

Tuesday is Ladies Night and Karaoke Night. Drink Specials: $1 well drinks, $1 - 10 oz Domestic Draft, • $1 - 10 oz Mini Moose Juices (Ladies Only)

Sunday is The Biz Night Drink Specials: $4 Shot Specials • Late night Happy Hour including $2.25 domestic beer draft and $4 call drinks.

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday they have hot bands playing and lots of locals hanging out.

Check out their Riding Bull, the only mechanical riding bull in the county.

Mr. Moe's is at 3131 Commodore Plaza.

We need to bring the fun back to the Grove

According to Village Council member Lottie Person, who represented Village West at the business-residents liaison meeting, we are getting an influx of the wrong type of visitors in the way of people coming into Village West to buy drugs. While it's bad enough that the drugs are being sold, it is worse that the police are not keeping people from outside the area from cruising around to buy the drugs.

Lottie felt that if the buyers were chased off by police, then there would not be much of a drug trade.
She did go on to talk about many positive things going on in Village West like youth programs and church groups. Many of us didn't know there was a nice swimming pool at Verrick Park, which goes along with their great basketball courts. Gordon Fales, also at the meeting, talked about that. A swim team is being formed and he talked about Black Top Basketball, there are also YMCA programs and there is a beautiful library -- he called all of this "unknown incredible resources." I plan to go and check some of this out and report back.

One thing everyone agreed on is that free parking is needed, whether it is weeknights or weekends or one day or whatever. But something needs to be done about that.

The major police presence was also touched on like at the Seminole Boat ramps and on 27th Avenue, where they have frequent check points which only serve to intimidate visitors to the Grove. The police cars that are randomly parked around the village with lit up signs on the back are a major buzz kill, too, according to most at the meeting. No one sees the point in them.

Sylvano Bignon from Greenstreets and John El-Masry from Mr. Moe's both agreed that the Grove is no longer fun. Many agreed. We need to bring the fun back.

The plant took her place at the meeting

At the Merchants Meeting last week, there was a plant right in the middle of the dais table. So Steve Licata moved it to a chair.

Felice Dubin, who usually sits next to Steve at the meetings, was out of town, so we joked that the potted plant would take Felice's place for the day.


That's Daisy Lewis in the background, taking the minutes.

The plant was too quiet, we missed Felice.

We need a band shell in the park

Someone mentioned the idea of regular concerts in Peacock Park. That sounds like a great idea. I travel around the state and many places like St. Pete have this in the center of the city every Friday night.

Each week there is a different genre of music. The park gets very crowded and all of the surrounding businesses benefit and feed off of it, like bars, restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops and so on.

Peacock Park should have a small stage or band shell (I know the band shell is part of the Waterfront Master Plan but we need something now). It could be set up like the movies in the park or even Shakespeare in the Park. I know that the park is not right on top of the merchants, but just getting people to the Grove is the first step. I think many will hang around to eat, drink, etc. before or after or during the concerts.

It should be nothing like the Mother's Day concert, where it was all about the vendors making money, it should be a free people pleasing event, where people are free to bring food and drinks and picnic baskets to the events.

Maybe the Improv could even send over a couple of comedians to tell a few jokes once in awhile.

Speaking of movies in the park, Disney contacted me a short time ago about showing a couple of movies in the park, I think the Chamber is handling that now, so look for a couple of Disney movies possibly this summer.

First business-residents liaison meeting a success

The business-residents liaison meeting went well last night, about 30 people attended.

There were people there from the Village Council, merchants and restaurants and of course residents. Ron Nelson was present, representing Commissioner Sarnoff's office and Dave Collins was there from the BID. Everyone got to talk; Adam Weirich, Village Council member, who headed the meeting, with Sue McConnell, gave everyone a chance and he balanced the complaints by asking what people liked about the Grove. It was a nice, intelligent conversation.

The main concern was noise. And Cabana One was the main culprit. People don't want them to go out of business, they just want them to follow the noise ordinance laws. It seems that not only residents complain, but many hotel guests do, too. The Sonesta has had to comp many guests because they can't sleep and don't enjoy their stay. They in turn, don't return.

The parking lot near Yacht Harbor, on Grand Avenue, is a concern. Many loud partiers hang out there late at night, they continue to drink, they fight, they play loud music and they are just plain loud. One suggestion was to have off duty police guard the lots.

It came down to the fact that everyone at the meeting loves the Grove and they want everyone to succeed. Marketing is needed to draw more people away from other areas like South Miami, Mary Brickell Village and Coral Gables. We are competing with them for the same visitors.

I can hear the bulldozers now

How's this for irony: Lauren Dowlen, Director of Development for St. Stephens, is Chair of the Tropees, the young professional group of the Historical Museum.

If anyone would like to register a complaint letter about the destruction of the St Stephens chapel, they may email the Episcopal Diocese at: http://www.diosef.org/directory/contact-us.shtml

Siam Oishi offers fresh, healthy Asian cuisine

I think I found the best Tom Yum Kai soup in Florida. Actually anywhere. It's right on Main Highway at Siam Oishi.

Until now, there was this place in Ft. Lauderdale that had the honor, but Siam Oishi has them beat. They put tomatoes in the soup, which is unusual and not done often and that just adds a perfect taste to the usual lemon grass, chicken and mushrooms. It isn't too spicy, but just right.

I also love their curries -- red, green and Panang, all $12.50 for dinner. At lunch, you can get the curry with the Tom Yum soup for $15.95.

They have quite a large menu. For lunch they have specials like Sushi and Roll for $11.75, this comes with salad or miso soup. Pui, above, is showing that (minus the soup and salad). It is quite large, two of us could not finish it all. There is also Sushi, Sashimi, Tuna Salad for $12.95 which also comes with the soup or salad. And there are quite a few other things on the lunch menu.

The dinner menu is very large. Hot appetizers include Goyza (steamed pork dumplings) for $5.95, which are very tender and delicious. Also Lightly salted steamed soy beans for $4.95.

The usual Sushi and Shasimi Boats are served in their own special way along with Sashimi, rolls and combinations. Prices go from $4.95 for a roll to $19.95 or $21.95 for large Sushi or Sashimi Boats.

Items include soft shell crabs, spicy tuna, salmon, tekka, etc.

Siam Oishi is at 3409 Main Highway. They are open Monday-Wednesday from noon to 3:30 pm for lunch and 5:00 to 10:30 pm for dinner; Thursday-Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm. They may be reached at 305-446-8800.

I sort of get neurotic when I like something. I had three meals there within 24 hours. I can actually have the Tom Yum Kai soup daily and not just because it's named after me. :)


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

Chamber Election Day Lunchon at Los Ranchos

The Chamber's Annual Election Day Luncheon is Friday, May 15 at Los Ranchos at CocoWalk
(3rd floor).

From noon to 1:30 pm, enjoy networking and mingling.

Choice of one of five entrees, listed here.

$25 Chamber Members $28 Non-Members

Take advantage of the Chamber Stimulus Special: Join as a new Chamber Member at Silver level or above or upgrade your membership to Gold level or above and lunch is on them!

RSVP by calling 305-444-7270 or emailing support@coconutgrove.com

The brick sidewalks look so much nicer now

I thought they were redoing the brick sidewalks for Pow Wow, but these guys told me that they were redoing the wiring for the new street lights.

Either way, the sidewalks look so much better when the bricks are reset. They said it was quite a puzzle getting this perfect, but it's worth the effort.

Bring out the M*A*S*H signs; the tourists need 'em

There always seems to be someone looking at the signs up on the big poles at Mayfair, looking for places in the whole Grove, not just Mayfair. I think those signs may be outdated anyway, there is actually a pay phone behind one of the poles.

The signs never take anyone to where they want to go and Paul, the sunglasses guy, or I usually step in and ask people if they need help. They usually do and we hand them one of the Grove maps and then show them where things are.

One visitor asked for Commodore Plaza. Since it's not part of Mayfair, it is not on the sign at Mayfair. And I'm sure that someone on Commdore Plaza looking for Mayfair can't find that either.

This is a reason to have the M*A*S*H signs. We need these at all major intersections. They add color, are fun and will actually serve a purpose. Maybe the Grove map could be attached to the pole in some way, and people can pick up a map as they figure out where things are in the village.

The BID's new PR firm introduced last week

Republica, the PR firm, is now handling the BID's public relations on a trial basis for five months.

They are being paid a nominal fee, which they are actually donating to Grove charities, including St. Alban's. Not sure why they feel the need to do that since they are working for their fee, but that is a great gesture.

Carina and Rosa will be handling the BID's press releases and such. They spoke briefly at the last Merchants Meeting.

A side note: Republica's owner, Jorge Plasencia is spokesman for Father Alberto Cutié. So that's an interesting thing.

Austin weds Megan

Austin Sirkin, long time Grovite (his parents Alan and Alicia Sirkin are still residents, I run into Alan, almost daily) married Megan McHugh recently. Austin goes way back to his days as a student at Coconut Grove Elementary.

Austin graduated from University of Miami and now is a graduate Student at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Megan is a GSU graduate and is a designer/seamstress of Megan Maude Store.

Getting into the spirit of mail art

Miami Post Master David Boardman loved the mail art so much that he did his own! He actually took his photo, the one posted here and printed it on an envelope and then mailed the envelope in as part of the mail art project.

Business-Resident Liaison Committee meets tonight

The Business-Resident Liaison Committee meeting is tonight.

Village Council member Adam Weirich is the committee chairman. He personally asked me to ask you, the Grapevine readers, to come out. The intent of the committee is to bring merchants and residents together to discuss noise issues, code violations, parking, etc., basically finding out how to co-exist as neighbors.

It should be fun. I'll be there. Hope you can make it, too.

The meeting is at the Chamber office (2820 McFarlane Road) from 6 to 7 pm.

Pastor and architect are too willy-nilly with history

We would like to dedicate an outhouse in the name of Pastor Wilifred Allen (it's all about the money) Faiella at the location of the historic church that she had destroyed with architect Jenifer (no clue what going green is) Briley who needs to go back to architect school to learn a few things.

Pastor Willie and "Architect" Briley will go down in history as being greedy, spiteful, stupid, selfish people with no brains or hearts. Let's hope they are both soon out of jobs. Anyone who keeps them on the payroll is a party to the desecration of history and condones their actions. Just because you have a degree, does that make you an architect?

They have no respect for St. Stephen's or for the people who have come before them or after them, or for the Grove community, the donors, the congregation or for history. They need to both be history and fast, if St. Stephen's is to ever hold its head high again and be taken seriously.

Beth Dunlop has an excellent article on the subject in today's Herald here.

The New Times exposes Pastor Willie as being not what she seems here.

Our past coverage is here from newest to oldest.

Graphic by Harry Emilio Gottlieb for the Grapevine

Schlock Fest

I forgot how each year the Mother's Day Concert comes to Peacock Park and each year it is the biggest schlock fest in Miami.

Hundreds, maybe thousands show up for the free concert, but it costs them a lot in the end.


It's basically designed to put money into the pockets of vendors, and making everyone who attends a captive audience for the vendors. You see, people are turned away at the entrance if they have any sort of food or drink. They are required to purchase from the overpriced vendors in the park or go without.

Ironically, outside the park, shady characters show up and set up illegal stands and sell peanuts, water, soda, whatever, and even Nestea was handing out iced tea. And when the people get to the park after purchasing the items or getting the free tea, they are told to throw out the food and drink if they want to enter. Some people have pizza and other items purchased at Grove businesses.


As you can see above, their bags are literally searched in an undignified manner. These guys to the left were told to dump their water bottles. This group to the right were turned away.


This family left dejected. It's either buy from the park vendors, or go without. Not very friendly or welcoming is it? This is the impression of Coconut Grove they all leave with.


In the park, all sorts of crap is sold -- fake jewelry, crummy art and even the Miami Herald is there hawking subscriptions.

It's a tacky un-Grove-like event put on by the City of Miami and some promoter. People leave frustrated, with the feeling of being cheated and ripped off, thinking it is Coconut Grove trying to scam them. Then we wonder why people don't want to return to the Grove.

Roberta Flack was wise to cancel her appearance. She would be associated with this cheap carnival just like the Grove is. I know in my head Jon Secada will always be D-List in my mind, just for associating himself with these promoters.

This event should be like the free movies, and free Shakespeare and other events that we hold in the park, where people can bring their own picnic baskets and coolers and enjoy our small town atmosphere. Even the Great Taste of the Grove doesn't turn people away who walk into the park with food or drinks not purchased at the event, and they are a food festival!

The BID, the Chamber, the NET office or someone needs to start controlling what goes on in Coconut Grove. This schlock fest is not how we want to portray ourselves. It sends mixed messages about the Grove. The people that were turned away yesterday, probably won't return to the real free events like the movies and Shakespeare because they probably don't realize that at those events, they can bring their own picnic lunches.

Take Mom to the Antiques Market for Mother's Day

The Mayfair Antiques and Collectible Market is going on again today until 6 pm.

It's really like rummaging through an old attic and coming up with the best quality items. There's something for everyone.

It's indoors and you can wander around in air conditioned comfort. A few funky things can be found outside on the plaza, too.

If you're taking Mom out to one of the Grove restaurants, and everyone of them seems to be having some sort of Mother's Day special, why not wander around the Antiques Market, too. Right now, until the fall, it's the only antique's market in South Florida. Many of the best dealers are here showing their special finds.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Akashi burgled last night

Akashi at 3444 Main Highway, was broken into last night and burgled. Computers and other things were taken. The front door was smashed in and the thieves got in that way.

Ironically, they are directly across from the 1912 historic church that was destroyed at St. Stephen's last week. Coincidence? Maybe the angry gods were let loose. Maybe not.

Angelo and Maxie's hosting Mother's Day Brunch

Angelo and Maxie's (3000 Florida Avenue) also has a special day planned for Mother's Day this Sunday.

There is a full brunch for $50 per person and $25 for children 6 to 12. No charge for children 5 and under.

On hand:
Sparkling Mimosas
Continental Breakfast
Action Stations
Hot Selections
Kids' Corner
Decadent Desserts
and a Mother’s Day Surprise Just for Her

Price includes valet parking.

For reservations, call 305.445.8177

TV talk . . .

A couple of us checked out Burn Notice late in the day yesterday, the crew, above, seemed to be wrapping up by the time we arrived.

They filmed in a quaint little area off of Jackson Street. I commented to a friend that one building looked very European. I doubt they were having the scene take place in Europe, but it was a nice location. My friend's house was scouted for a location shoot, so you know I'll be there if they end up there. They actually went out, looked around her place and may use it on a Burn Notice episode.

The crew was buzzing today, there was lots going on. We were commenting on how all these jobs will be lost if Burn Notice vacates Miami. So far, no one is talking on the subject.

Speaking of not talking on the subject, I popped into the Allure Salon on Main Highway and they still will not reveal anything about the reality show that was filmed there last month, Split Ends. But I think Alex, one of the hair dressers, was sent to another city and of course another hair dresser from that city came here. That's how the show works, sort of like that mommy swap show.

Which also reminds me, Super Nanny has been scouting the Grove and Miami for people to appear on that show. Are your kids brats that need Jo, the Super Nanny's touch? Reach them at: supernanny@shedmediaus.com or 323-904-4680, they are in town until May 20.

Photo by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Get behind the lens tonight with photographer Barry Seidman

Barry Seidman, world renowned photographer, will be giving a lecture tonight, May 9, at the Dharma Studio (3170 Commodore Plaza) called "Behind the Lens".

Barry will be speaking on mastering techniques and explaing the materials used.

The event is from 6 to 7 pm. For info:
305-461-1777 / info@dharmastudio.com

Face to face at the Mayfair Antique Market

There's something for everyone at the Mayfair Antique and Collectible Market. It's running all weekend. Come out and find your favorite thing like Fido did.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt for the Grapevine

Interesting turn of events . . .

Last week I wrote a story about a certain restaurant going out of business. The same day, the owner contacted me and read me the riot act.

I honestly check all of my facts and sources and don't publish things here unless I know them to be true. Well, I felt foolish thinking I let this one slip by me and I published a letter sent in by the owner, word for word. I also offered him free advertising to make up for it. He declined.

In the interim, many local landlords and restaurant owners contacted me with some interesting facts, telling me I was right.

Well, it appears I was right. This ad is running in Craigslist right now. I am not happy about any place going out of business, but I do like the fact that my credibility is restored. I saved the ad and if it is removed from Craigslist for any reason, I will post it on the Grapevine for posterity since it restores credibility to the Grapevine.

To make matters worse, the day I was sent the letter by the business owner, telling me that I was totally wrong about their going out of business, they were having their open house to sell everything in their self proclaimed "going out of business sale."

Oh, and to all the people who feel that I have the story regarding St. Stephen's wrong, stay tuned. You'll find that I don't say things or write things just for the sake of hearing myself talk.

Free Concert in Coconut Grove today!

Jon Secada, Maxi Priest concert in Coconut Grove today!

Restaurant rumors . . .

Today large trucks were emptying out Anokha on Virginia Street, with a police presence, as an escort.

Basil, on Grand Avenue, had a U-Haul in front and seemed to have kitchen items being removed.

Maybe they are both changing out equipment.

Make your own assumptions. I am just reporting what was seen today.

And the winner is . . .

Yesterday, we asked, Who was the artist that painted this bike rack in Peacock Park. We had more entries for this contest than any other contest in the past and every single entry had the correct answer!

The artist who painted the bike rack is David "Lebo" LeBatard, or just Lebo.

We drew a winner and that person is Sue McConnell of Coconut Grove.

We will have a contest again soon with another Grove restaurant's certificates as the prize. Sue won two certificates to Sekai Asian Bistro. Congratulations, Sue!

It was a fun AmJam Thursday night

Lots of AmJammin' went on last night at the Arts and Minds School on Commdore Plaza. Each month, the AmJam happens (first Thursday) and everyone and anyone with talent is welcome to come out and show off their stuff.

A nice home-town quaint tradition started by the Arts and Minds School. Love it!

Photo by AnnaMaria Windsch-Hunt

Pipe Organ recital at Plymouth Congregational Church

Plymouth Congregational Church (3400 Devon Road) is having a Pipe Organ Concert tomorrow, May 9, at 8 pm.

Robert Heath is the organist that will be performing as well as the Plymouth Church Chancel Choir and Soloists. Music by Bach, Rawsthorne, Martinson and Pinkham.

The organ was renovated recently and is back where it belongs at the recently renovated 92 year old church. The show Saturday is a "coming out" party for both, the organ and the church.

Tickets are $20 and it's free for 18 and under.

For info: 305-444-6521

Luxurious Mother's Day Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove (3300 SW 27 Avenue) is having one of it's Ritzy Mother's Day brunches.

The $82.00 (per person) brunch includes a never-ending display of traditional breakfast favorites, all made-to-order, including waffles, eggs benedict and goes into an Italian fare with succulent grilled meats, risotto and a chef's carving station, plus sushi, seafood and antipasto.

There is a huge array of desserts, too, against the Italian villa-style setting.Beautiful, relaxing music will be played throughout, enhancing your dining experience.

The Kid's Room, will keep the children entertained with drawing stations, games, movies and animal balloon making.The kids menu is $34.00. Complimentary valet parking is available.

This beautiful buffet is Sunday, May 10 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. For info and reservations, please call 305-644-4675.

We're 4 today!