What we need . . .

A good Chinese food place -- take-out and eat-in.

How do we not have one?

Cutler Bay has this small place on Old Cutler Road called Takee Outee. It's only take-out and the place has lines around the block. We need this.

The Virginia Street Festival is coming in August

Coming August 2 -- The Virginia Street Festival.

Virginia Street will be closed from Grand Avenue to the Mayfair Hotel from 11 am to 5 pm. There will be food, drinks, music, lots of books (mini book fair), ice cream, face painting and art.

Some of the Florida Marlins are expected to be on hand, too. Anyone who would like to rent a booth, can speak with Felice or Sandy at the Bookstore.

Stay tuned.

Green Week spotlights restoration of Dinner Key’s islands

Model and ecologist Hunter Reno taught Shake-A-Leg campers (and Mayor Manny Diaz, front left, and others) about dragon flies and native butterflies during their trip to Eco-Island, as part of the Eco Island Adventure Camp, a summer program that teaches children ages 7 thorugh 17 about South Florida unique acquatic ecosystems and how to protect them.

Eco-Island, a successful environmental restoration project of the once trash-strewn Dinner Key Spoil Islands, is a partnership between Shake-A-Leg Miami, Royal Caribbean’s Ocean Fund, the Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Shake-A-Leg Miami is a community-based aquatic activities center serving able bodied individuals as well as those with physical, developmental, and economic challenges.

For info on Eco Island and other Summer programs at Shake-A-Leg, please go here.

The Bookstore is holding Poetry Night on Friday

Michael Malone will be hosting another poetry night at the Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street) on Friday, July 3 at 7:30 pm. The theme is "Let Freedom Ring," being the day before 4th of July and all.

The last poetry night was standing room only, a great event, which introduced our own Grove poet in residence Jerry Wade. Bring an original poem or bring one of your favorites from the past. There is coffee, wine and pastries at the cafe and lots of new friends to be made.

For more info, please call 305-443-2855

Go Green, Buy American cars are at City Hall tonight

The Go Green, Buy American car event is at City Hall tonight, 6:30 pm.

Cars on hand will include: the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, and the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid.

More info here.

Why don't our neighbors know what is going on?

A couple of us walked around the Grove collecting for the Grove Bucks and Coconut Scavenger Hunt last week and while the usual players were well aware of what is going on, a vast majority of the businesses did not have a clue. Are people that apathetic or is it our fault for not keeping them informed?

By them, I mean the Grapevine, the BID and the Merchants Association. And where are the block captains who were supposed to tell their neighbors about this?

We are all so concerned about getting people to come to the Grove and shop, dine and unwind and our own neighbors don't know what is going on. Why?

And for those who said they would like to give the $20.00 donation, but their manager or the owner or their wife wasn't there, we are expecting you to step up and participate. By not participating, you are being part of the problem, not the solution. So you can't complain about lack of business and other things when you don't step up when asked.

I picked up a bunch more participants yesterday, thank you to those who signed up. Those were easy because they knew me, not necessarily the concept of the Hunt. In the end it will be lots of fun and there will be plenty of people taking part, but it would have been nicer if people had a clue what I was talking about as I walked around collecting the donations. There is a real lack of communication somewhere.

Chicago's Steak House prepared to open

Manny Martinez at Chicago's Bakery and Deli is opening Chicago's Steak House right next door in the larger space. Expected opening date is July 13.

There are different levels and rooms and in the back of the main space is a big black grand piano, surrounded by a bar, where first class performers will play. Think top notch lounge acts. This is the opposite of the rude, frenetic Crazy Pianos.

In fact, if you want to see the essence of class and friendliness and the way to run a business, stop in Chicago's Deli. If everyone in Chicago is like this, I think I might want to visit real soon.

Chicago skyline murals are filling the walls and various rooms will allow for private parties and a first class bar.

Blu Moon Studio knows how to throw a party

Blu Moon Studio (3444 Main Highway) had their Swarovski crystal bracelet project on Friday night. As usual, there was a lot going on. Sheri Friedman knows how to put on a party. The last Friday of every month is their Art Happy Hour where some sort of arts and crafts project is taught.

Atena Komar, standing in back, in red, conducted the class while Sheri ran around entertaining the rest of the guest. There is something going on in every corner of Blu Moon.


There is always one room where live music is performed.


There is the little seating area, where people visit and chat and there was even a massage chair set up last night. There is always great food and drinks.

I regret that I didn't get Sheri's photo, but she was so busy in the kitchen making apple and blueberry pies! If you haven't been to Blu Moon, you really are missing a great experience. You don't have to be into art or crafts, you can just hang out with friends.

We claimed our name on Facebook

We claimed our name on Facebook. It's easy to find us now: www.facebook.com/coconutgrovegrapevine

Join us for photos and blurbs that aren't posted here on the Grapevine. We have a great photo of Shaun, the rickshaw guy as Spider-man, saluting the flag as his rickshaw customers lie flat on their backs. It's funny. I actually had that photo printed to give Shaun the next time I see him.

And now you can join the BRING BACK TU TU TANGO Fan Page! Share your photos, stories and memories. That is here.

Crazy Pianos is the snobbiest place in town

I try to write upbeat and not put down businesses just for the sake of putting them down, but Crazy Pianos does not fit into the Grove and they probably never will. I had my own rude experience with them before they even opened and I never went back. Since the day they opened, (and even before), they have been quite rude to more people than not.

I have gotten many complaints about them during the Alfest bar crawl this past Saturday night and this was the last straw.

They actually made the bar crawlers wait outside because it was "dinner hour" and then only let in a few at a time. After 9 pm, if you had shorts or tank tops on, you were not allowed in. They basically just went through the motions. What type of bar crawl allows a person or two in, lets them have a beer and then shoves them out? What fun is that?

They were given the liquor to serve by the Alfest organizers, but refused to serve it all. They supposedly kept most of it for their own profit. Apparently the door staff was rude and so were the bartenders. The Alfest organizers received numerous phone calls with complaints.

Why sign up for the bar crawl if you don't want to participate? What's the point? To make yourself look good? Didn't work, you made yourself look bad. Screwing the charity and Grove patrons is not the way to gain friends and fit in with the village.

They were jerks the day I met them (the owner and staff), so I just turned the other cheek and walked away. I never stepped foot inside again and when people asked me my opinion of the place, I told them how I felt.

They got rid of Café Tu Tu Tango for this? The ironic part is that I don't think any of the artists or customers from the old Tu Tu Tango would be permitted in Crazy Pianos. They don't fit their demographic -- people with their noses up in the air and sticks up their asses, oh wait, that describes the owners and staff.

Color coded cars

Love when the cars match their background. Red on red and yellow on yellow on Commodore Plaza.

Gold Coast Mac Meet Up was at Science Museum

Once a month, the Gold Coast Macintosh User's Group meets at the Science Museum. The group met Wednesday night. The next meeting will be July 29, where they will be screening the film, "The Macintosh Way - TheDocumentary for the Rest of Us." They'll be giving away a DVD that the producers graciously donated as a door prize. There is also a beginner's class at 6:30 pm at the July meeting.

It's very informative, as they always share information regarding the latest applications for Macs. Last week they discussed Apple updates including the new iPhone 3. There are always presenters who have tried an app and then demo it to the rest of the group and the one part that is always looked forward to is a raffle with products that are given away.

From left, working to right and then back: André Perwin (President); Esver Camacho (Vice-President); Charlie Carlon (Vice-President); TJ Carlon (Treasurer); Dale LeCornu (Board Member); Yusty Saltzman (Board Member); Regular Members: Dennis Daley, Marian Wertalka, Carlisle Talbot, Bob Lasky, Mark Dresnic and John Burkowski

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Alfest is the best!

We are just hoping that we can do half as well with the Bed Race Pajama Pub Crawl in September as the Alfest Bar Crawl did last night. About 1000 people signed up to drink their way through the Grove! All in the name of charity.


Proceeds went to Camp Boggy Creek near Orlando. A great place for kids with cancer.


It all started at the Sandbar Grill and then extended to most of the other bars around the Grove.


A few new places that popped up in the Grove this year replaced some bars that dropped out and the participants had plenty of places to party.


Their favorites included Sandbar, the home of Alfest, and Cabana One. Of course the participants enjoyed Barracuda, Crazy Pianos, Mr. Moe's and the rest, too.


The totals are not all in yet, but if 1000 people signed up at $25.00 a head, you do the math. Not a bad haul for one night of drinking!

Perpetuating the myth

A couple just came up to me on Matilda Street, by the school. He asked if I knew the area well, I told him yes, he then asked if I knew where the cemetery was where the Michael Jackson video was filmed.

I didn't know how to respond. I didn't want to ruin their fun, so I gave them directions and told them that many believe it was a myth. They didn't care, they went off to the Grove's newest tourist attraction.

Old fashioned 4th of July is planned for Barnacle picnic

We are thrilled that the Rev. Wilifred Allen-Faiella has nothing to do with the Barnacle 3485 Main Highway), or that would probably not be standing now, she would have an outlet mall constructed on the spot of the old 1891 structure.

But luckily we still have this incredible piece of history. The Barnacle will be having its popular 4th of July picnic this year. The celebration is from 11 am to 4 pm and then of course the rest of the day will be all things Coconut Grove from the hot dog eating contest to the coconut scavenger hunt and ending with vendors and fireworks later in Peacock Park.

The Barnacle picnic is an old-fashioned picnic with lawn games, board games, knot tying, kite making and crafts. They will also have a scavenger hunt. Live music is on hand and the park will be decked out in red, white and blue.Bring a picnic basket or enjoy the hot dogs, veggie dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and other items which are available for purchase.

Admission to the park on the day of this event is $5.00; $2.00 for ages 6-12; children under 6 are free. The park opens at 9:00 am with activities from 11 am to 4 pm. The park closes at 5:00 pm Blankets or lawn chairs and picnics are welcome, but alcohol and fireworks are not permitted. For additional information call 305-442-6866 or visit http://www.thebarnacle.org/.

Lying and corruption in the name of the almighty buck

Two interesting stories in today's Miami Herald. Stories that we first talked about here.

One, the Mercy 300 Bay Residence project and how favors were sought. From the Herald:

"In March 2007, [Barbara] Hardemon [a confidant and former campaign worker] landed a $45,000 job as a community-outreach consultant with another developer, The Related Group, weeks before a crucial commission vote on the company's plan for condos near Mercy Hospital.

"Related executives said they hired Hardemon and another Spence-Jones ally, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Carey Shuler, to muster support in the black community -- in an effort to gain Spence-Jones' vote. They said Hardemon was recommended by Arriola.

"Related also bought ads on Spanish-language radio in an effort to sway Commissioner Joe Sanchez, who, like Spence-Jones, was considered a swing vote."

It goes on to say: "Related officials say they were not trying to conceal the payments. But the hospital's public-relations consultant, Israel Kreps, told investigators the arrangement made him 'very uncomfortable.' "

The whole story is here.


On May 4, 2009, demolition crews took a sledge hammer to the original 1912 cross and bell at St. Stephen's Episcopal.

CLUELESS WILIFRED ALLEN-FAIELLA

And in another story, regarding the old 1912 church demolition at St. Stephen's, the clueless rector, the Rev. Wilifred Allen-Faiella, goes on to explain how they hid the fact about the demolition, because they weren't required by law to tell people. I call this LYING BY OMISSION. This is a a woman of God?

She says in the Herald: "Had there been different rules in place at the time, I'm sure we would have complied."

Guess she feels that morals don't matter if the law doesn't require it. We are just glad that it's not legal to kill small children and dogs.

From the Herald: "She blamed the city: 'They didn't do their homework. So the city has learned something from this.' City officials concede the old church fell through bureaucratic cracks."

The story goes on to say that new laws are in place and hopefully this desecration will not happen again. Whole Herald story here.

All of our coverage and photos are here.

Ice cream, sliders, wine and oh yea, books . . .

When I was a kid, I think it was Woolworths that sold ice cream between two waffles, sort of an ice cream sandwich made from waffles.

Well, today is Waffle Sunday at the Bookstore and they have their new ice cream machine in, so I'm thinkin' just maybe . . .

Here is Jonathan, who served me one of the first ice creams yesterday, they have lots of flavors and lots of toppings, too.

And they also now sell sliders, you know, those little hamburgers and cheeseburgers? Between that, the wine, the pastries and sandwiches, the tv and the books, you don't need to leave the place!

Standing room only

The Alfest Bar Crawl started early tonight. The Sandbar Grill (the starting point) is full of participants. They are expecting 1000 or more for the charity event. It will be an all-nighter! You can see the partiers all over the Grove as the night goes on. More pictures tomorrow.

Alfest, the Bar Crawl to Fight Cancer is tonight

Tonight, Saturday, June 27, starting at 5 pm, you can pick up your tickets for Alfest, the infamous bar crawl to raise money for Camp Boggy Creek. If you didn't buy tickets previously, you may still purchase tickets until 8 pm tonight at the Sandbar Grill (3064 Grand Avenue), where the event kicks off.

This year, the goal is to raise $20,000, so get in there and start drinking for a cause!

The Mayfair Hotel and Spa, as usual is offering discounted rooms for all Alfest bar crawlers. Contact the in-house reservations department at 305-441-0000 and identify yourself as a participant of Alfest to obtain the discounted room rates, which are based on availability.

Discounted rooms at The Mayfair are available for June 27 only at $119 + 13% tax for the Mayfair Suites (1 King Bed) or $149 + 13% tax for the Executive Suites (2 Queen Beds).

Children's Trust Miami Heart Gallery back in Grove

The Miami Heart Gallery is back in the Grove this year.

From July 5 through September 7, the exhibit will run at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery again this summer. Hours are 6 to 10 pm, Tuesday through Friday and noon to 9 on Saturday and Sunday.There will be a wine and cheese reception on Saturday, August 9, at 7:30 pm.

The Children’s Trust Miami Heart Gallery is a traveling, museum-quality exhibit featuring portraits of children in Miami-Dade’s foster care system who are available for adoption.

Photo courtesy of Miami Heart Gallery website

Great night of poker, music and friends

Despite the on and off rain, a nice crowd showed up for the Maverick Poker Charity Tournament at Cabana One last night, hosted by Camille DePhillips and Ben Arndt. Lou Stadler of the Miami Poker Society had tables set up in the actual cabanas.


Even if you didn't play poker, there was a slilent auction, jazz band, drinks, food and the incredible views. This photo was taken at sunset.


People had a good time. The cabanas were perfect for the poker tables.


Waitresses brought drinks to the tables, so the players could keep on going. It was all for a great cause -- the Coconut Grove Elementary School.


Beside the jazz band, a cigar maker rolled cigars and the bar was full of people all night. But the main attraction was Texas Hold 'em at the card tables.


Photo at left: Heather Bettner, Camille DePhillips, Doreen LoCicero, Dr. JL. Richardson. Center: Camille and Ben Arndt; Right: Camille sells raffle tickets.

Georgia Peaches visiting the Big Orange

We ran into these real housewives from Columbus, Georgia, who are visiting Coconut Grove this weekend. They are staying at a Grove hotel and spending all weekend shopping, dining and unwinding.

They were at lunch yesterday at Greenstreets, and enjoyed the best Bloody Mary in town. From left are Katie, Maggie, Meika and Lela.

They love the Grove and are partaking in village life before they go back to their husbands and children. They planned on checking out the Art Happy Hour at Blu Moon and also the Poker/Casino night at Cabana One.

They promised to come by and paint coconuts tonight. Hope they do.

Winners in the Grapevine contest

The winners of yesterday's Grapevine contest are Sandra Roche and Donna Sek.

They both received two entry tickets to the Kampong.

The question: The Bookstore in the Grove just won a "Best of" award from the Miami New Times. For what? The answer: For having the best Free Wifi in Miami.

The Bookstore will have ice cream and small burgers (sliders) starting today. And they have Kooky pens, Bakugan Deka items and the Twilight game.

Someone actually spilled coffee over a bunch of new books the other day and ran out, without saying a word. Now food and drinks are confined to the cafe area, which makes sense.

Thriller on Grand Avenue

Michael Jackson (Michael J. Greene) was walking all around the Grove today putting smiles on people's faces. I was tempted to drive him to the cemetery and take a picture with him there, but he had to beat it and so did I.

We need more coconuts painted!

Please bear with us -- one more coconut painting party is needed to get enough coconuts done by July 4th, for the Coconut Scavenger Hunt. It actually has turned into a new weekly tradition, but this will be the last one, although classes are being considered as a future thing.

And this one is now tomorrow, Saturday, June 27 at 7 pm, (not Friday like it usually is), at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery, 2911 Grand Avenue.

This one was done by talented Joe Harrison, who is making them much too nice to be put in the contest. Most of his actually end up in the front gallery window, under the spotlight.

Women's Int'l Film Festival presents "Rain" at Mutiny

If you missed "Rain" on June 6, there is one more showing this weekend.

"Rain," is a critically acclaimed award winning movie, about a teenager named Rain who has lived her entire life with her grandmother on a tiny rural island in the Bahamas. When here grandmother dies, Rain goes to Nassau to find her mother, Glory whom she has never met. It stars Ranel Brown, Niki Micheaux (Soul Food, Lincoln Heights) and Irma P. Hall (A Lesson Before Dying, Soul Food, Backdraft).

The movie will be shown tomorrow, Saturday, June 27, out by the pool at the Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive), under the stars. If it "rains," no pun intended, it will be shown inside.

Admission is $20 and includes food and drink, A 7 pm reception will precede the movie, which starts at 8 pm.For more info: www.womensfilmfest.com

Bracelet making featured at Blu Moon Art Happy Hour

Blu Moon Studio is having a pre-July 4th Happy Hour party tonight, June 26. They are teaching how to make a red, white and blue Swarovski crystal bracelet just in time to wear on Independence day.

$20.00 includes all materials and refreshments.

Join in for homemade apple pie, refreshments and listen to great live music among friends. Atena Komar will teach the skill of bracelet making.

Blue Moon is all the way on the top floor at 3444 Main Highway. Happy Hour is from 6 to 10 pm.

Registration is not required, however, to ensure enough bracelet beading kits, registered guests will have first pick of materials. Call 305-529-5006 or email sheri@blumoonstudio.com

Thriller filmed here or not?

Thelma Gibson, Grove historian, claimed on tv today that she witnessed the filming of Thriller at the Grove cemetery so many years ago. So make what you will about that. More here on that.

Did you see that deluge this morning?

It felt like a mini tropical storm around here this morning. Luckily it passed through fast. I almost got a great shot of lightning over the bay, but this is much nicer.

This is Jenny Nieto, who is working for her mom at Image Factory. She got lunch for the company.

Looks like it's clearing up now, just in time for lunch, but Johnny Rockets, Jenny? When there are fish tacos and Italian Beef sandwiches down the block?

The Miami New Times got tired of me raving about Chicago's Deli on Facebook and Twitter (and here) so they went out and tried it themselves. They loved it. Here is their review.

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

What's up with the leaf blower mess?

My friend Riley Smith picked up on one of my pet peeves in his Real Estate Coconut Blog. It's the messy lawn cuttings and crap all over the swales.

His pet peeve is the stuff laying there on the side of the road, mine is the lawn guys who actually take a leaf blower and blow the stuff away from their client's yard and into the street and everywhere else.

Ever see this? It's all over the Grove; they blow the leaves and grass into the street or across the street into the neighbor's yard. I have a photo here of a guy blowing the stuff all over McDonald Street. Who does he think is going to pick this up?

Breakfast with the Artist is this Saturday

Grove artist Valentina Ramos is the featured artist for Breakfast with the Artist at Focaccia Rustica (3111 Grand Avenue) tomorrow, Saturday, June 27.

The Breakfast is at 10:00 am. Please feel free to join the group of friends and learn about Valentina and her art -- paintings picturing famous cities around the world.

Is it just an urban legend?

The Thriller video may not have been shot here in the Grove, but every news outlet wrote that it was the fact, so I guess we all grew up thinking that. I remember hearing it when I was a boy, right after Thriller came out. I know Michael Jackson stayed at the Grand Bay Hotel around that time and maybe that is how people got the Grove mixed into it.

Either way, the New Times disputes the rumor here. (That's my screen shot, so I guess they got the info here first and then checked out the facts, which maybe I should have done, but I just grew up with that fact, so I guess you hear something long enough and it becomes fact. I always pictured them filming on Charles Avenue. Now I guess I have to think a whole new way, with Michael gone, I guess we all have to think a whole new way.

But Thelma Gibson, probably the Grove historian, claimed on tv today that she witnessed the filming of Thriller at the Grove cemetery so many years ago. I tend to side with Ms. Gibson.

People are actually showing up at the cemetery this morning. I should go out and take pictures. Even if it's not in the video, it is a great part of Grove history. I wrote about The Weathered Edge, the old house next door, too, not long ago.

Michael Jackson and Coconut Grove

The Coconut Grove Cemetery (3650 Charles Avenue) is rumored to be where the cemetery scene in Michael Jackson's Thriller video was filmed in 1982.

Hot Dog eating contest is part of Grove festivities

There will be an old fashioned hot dog eating contest at CocoWalk on July 4th. The Hooters girls and maybe some others from Crazy Pianos, will be the counting -- doing the judging.

Naomi Evans from CocoWalk is running the contest and Olav Smit from Pomme and Pane is supplying the hot dogs.

Only 15 contestants will be allowed in the contest and it's first come, first served.

Participants will be allotted 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible. Prizes will be announced, but they will be nice prizes. The sign-up form is here. Again, it is the first 15 people who sign up, so do it now if you are serious.

Grapevine contest

The Bookstore in the Grove just won a "Best of" award from the Miami New Times. For what?

They said they were a great bookstore and probably the only decent bookstore in Miami, but they were given the award for a specific thing.

We will have two winners. Each winner will receive free admittance for two to the Kampong.

The contest ends tomorrow at 2 pm and winners will be announced sometime after that.

We will take all correct answers and choose two winners randomly from them.

Contest is now closed.

Grove Harbour Marina goes back to the drawing board

Press release from Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's office - just in, word-for-word:

City of Miami District 2 Commissioner Marc D. Sarnoff initiated the withdrawal of a controversial plan by a developer to build a 21,000-square-foot office building just 22 feet from the water in Coconut Grove.

The proposed three-story Grove Harbor Marina office building would have been located a block North of Miami City Hall at the Grove Harbor Marina site. The building was not included in the City’s Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan as adopted by the City Commission and approved by City residents during public workshops.

“This plan has been unacceptable and inappropriate since it was first introduced. There is no reason to have an office building 22 feet from the water, especially when our City allows nothing closer than 50 feet,” says Commissioner Sarnoff.

After nearly a year of debate and negotiations, the Marina has agreed to withdraw the building as designed, solicit input from the community, and bring back a modified design in one year.

“I am very gratified that the developers are listening to the members of the public who’ve voiced their concerns. Protecting our waterfront must remain a priority,” says Commissioner Sarnoff.

Grove Bucks are coming to the Grove on the 4th of July

Like it? It's the new currency for Coconut Grove called Grove Bucks.

It actually will be part of the prizes during the Coconut Scavenger Hunt on July 4th. Many of the winners (most in fact) will win these bucks which can be used as currency in participating stores and restaurants. At the end of the week, merchants who accept the bucks will turn them in to a central location for reimbursement.

Participating merchants are the ones who participate in the Scavenger Hunt. So it would behoove them to say "yes" when their block captain or someone from the Merchants Group approaches them.

If a person wins 300 Grove Bucks, that will be like $300.00 Simple. These will have special codings on the back to prevent duplication.

The Merchants Group is hoping to use these at other events, too, like during the Great Grove Bed Race and maybe even during the holidays. I think it could work for bar crawls and just about anything. In the future we could actually have people use them instead of money in Coconut Grove by giving them more for their Grove Buck, like every 100 Grove Bucks would cost $90.00 in cash to buy, so the person with the Grove Bucks would automatically have an extra $10.00 to spend.

Liliana Dones designed the Grove Bucks. This incredible artwork is all her doing. A peacock was suggested for the center image and that's all she had to go on.

Mayoral candidates are out meeting the voters

City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, above center, held a fundraising cocktail reception for mayoral candidate Commissioner Tomás Regalado, above, center left, last night at Calamari, in Coconut Grove.

Commissioner Joe Sanchez, who is running against Regalado in November's election, has a fundraising dinner tonight at Angelo and Maxie's, in Coconut Grove.


Here are a few fans of Regalado's including Janice Tarber, chairman of planning advisory board, Bernard Zyscovich and Suria Yaffar.

Photos by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Ladies enjoy a great night of shopping for charity

Last night was Girls Night Out at the Museum of Science. The shopping event was a charity event to raise money for Kids Hope United.

Above, from left, are Alexandra Alvarez of "Coconut LifeStyle," Monica Grandos, Cheryl Herger and Raquel Batista.


The Shoes To You booth was manned by Jonell Zarich, Anette Gabriella and owner Kim Stone.

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

So what else is new?

The Grove Harbour items that showed up on tomorrow’s Commission agenda are deferred for the umpteenth time. Grove Harbour wants to build a four story office building right on the waterfront, as you know. This is totally against zoning laws and not part of the Waterfront Master Plan, which was years in the making.

Grove Harbour has been invited to attend the next Waterfront Implementation Committee meeting (on July 8 at 5:30 pm) along with the management of Scotty’s Landing, Grove Key Marina, and Chart House, to discuss the implementation of the Waterfront Master Plan as it affects all of those properties.

Grove Harbour will also be on the next Waterfront Advisory Board agenda.

Mutiny Hotel is offering a July 4th special

The Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) has a 4th of July Special.

It is a "Fireworks Suite" for only $149.00 per night and includes:
- A one bedroom suite, with private balcony and unobstructed view of the park, bay and fireworks
- Two complimentary signature robes
- 15% discount at Atchana's East/West Kitchen
and easy access to all the Grove events including a trolley back and forth.

For reservations, please call 305-441-2100 or email info@mutinyhotel.com

The "Go Green, Buy American" cars event back at City Hall

The popular Going Green car promotion is back at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

The event last month with Chevy and GM was a big success. Part Two in the "Go Green, Buy American" series will be Tuesday, June 30 at 6:30 pm.

In an effort to shed light on the latest and possibly greatest "Green" cars to ever come out of Detroit, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff has invited American companies to showcase their newest Eco-friendly and hybrid vehicles right here in the Grove. Ford is the only American Car company to not take federal bailout money. Their company executives will present.

Cars on hand will include: the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid which recently was declared the "most patented" car in American history, it has 119 patents on file for technology and innovations; the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid -- rated the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet at 34 mpg; and the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (shown here) -- 41 mpg.

You can check under the hood, kick the tires and sit behind the wheel. Ford execs will even let you take the cars out for a quick spin. It's a great opportunity to see what American car makers have to offer. This is your chance to see these hybrids up close and personal and ask all the questions you want to the people who are touting their success.

"Miami Goin' Green" will be on hand to offer tips and advice on how to make your own cars run more efficiently. Learn great common sense ideas on how to save cash and help preserve the environment.

RefreshMiami tonight at Arts and Minds Center

RefreshMiami is meeting at the Arts and Mind Center (3138 Commodore Plaza) tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. There is no charge, everyone is welcome.

RefreshMiami is a community for all web professionals, enthusiasts and students to connect. They host monthly meetups where members present their work, share their research or ideas and engage in lively conversations.

For info, please contact Brian Breslin at brianbreslin@gmail.com