New mural unveiled at neighborhood ceremony

There was a nice little ceremony today for the unveiling of the new Children's Mural on the Post Office wall. Part of McDonald Street was closed and the public, and quite a few politicians came out to christen the wall. Now as you enter the Grove from that side of town, you'll be greeted with the beautiful nautical art. School children along with local artists worked two years on the project. (Story on the mural here).


From left, Mayor Tomas Regalado, Comm. Marc Sarnoff and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen were on hand for the event.


At left, the Mayor shakes hands with Grovite Harry Emilio Gottlieb, who was the squeeky wheel that got this job oiled. What I mean is that years ago, Harry observed the graffiti covering the post office walls and mentioned it to the Commissioner's office. Through some brain storming, the mural was thought up. At right, head artists on the project Eileen Seitz and Cyndy Hill. Sarnoff's Chief of Staff, Ron Nelson, did most of the grunt work and pushed all the proper buttons to get the job done these past couple of years. He's to be thanked for being the man behind the scenes doing all the unfun work.


It really is an incredible piece of work. So bright and colorful and perfect for our village. That's Ron Nelson, in center, unveiling the work.


While there was sparkling cider (not champagne), no one thought of breaking a bottle over the mural to christen it. But the ceremony ended just in time, because the heavens opened up right toward the end and the rains poured down for quite awhile. They say that rain is good luck, so maybe that was the good luck christening that the mural was blessed with.