Bring on the art, food and fun

Along with this weekend's big Coconut Grove Arts Festival is the St. Stephen's Arts and Craft Show. This year the St. Stephen's show is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. It began humbly as a hot dog stand during the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and over the years it has grown and become a great event in it's own right.

According to Sunshine Artist magazine, it's one of the top 50 shows in the country.

I caught them setting up today -- all the vendors were scurrying around getting ready for the big weekend -- from art to food, it's all there.

This year for the first time, there is a charge -- only $1.00 to enter thet St. Stephen's Show, for those over 12 years of age. The money goes to their charities which include assistance to the homeless and AIDS charities.

The admission charge will go to Lotus House this year -- the only local shelter dedicated exclusively to assisting homeless and distressed women.


A popular favorite of the St. Stephen's Show is the Tea Room -- the elegant oasis of tea and scones, served in a proper English fashion amidst the frenetic festival atmosphere. Very "arTEAstic" as the sign says.

To offset the tea room, on the other side of the festival, on the McFarlane Road side is the Grolsh Beer Garten -- with lots of beer, knockwurst, sauerkraut, strudel, etc. A veritable German Oktoberfest in the middle of the arts festival! The Beer Garten will be manned by the local Rotary Club.

Freudian Slippers

Felice Dubin enjoying yesterday's beautiful weather outside The Bookstore In The Grove.

Photos by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Photo Hunt contest

The photo hunt that was have happened some time back, is not scheduled for March 1.

Contestants will be assigned four words at sign up and their assignment will be to take four photos representing that word on March 1 (16 photos in all).

Winners will receive $250 and adult winners will receive a cruise for two.You can register at the Grove Arts Festival this weekend at the McFarlane Road entrance or you may order on line here: www.coconutgroveartsfestival.org. Those who enter at the festival will receive a free poster.

Registration fee is $25 for students in grades kindergarten through 12 and $50.00 for adults.

Dharma Studio introduces new director

Dharma Studio (3170 Commodore Plaza) presents "Regeneration" introducing new director Bernie Peabody with her new vision and new roster of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists tomorrow, February 16 from 7 to 10 pm.

For more info: 305-461-1777 or www.dharmastudio.com

Closing time is 3 am

So it's official, the City Commission voted today to have all Coconut Grove bars, clubs and restaurants, in the Central Business District, end liquor sales at 3 am, rolling back the time from 5 am. This does not include the area on Bird Avenue where the Loggerhead (Flanigan's) is located.

The new law starts June 20, 2008. So until then, drink up.

Graphic by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Crawl for Cancer -- Grove Bar Crawl

It may be a bit late for this and it is a bit expensive, but the Crawl For Cancer sign up deadline is tomorrow, February 15. The actual bar crawl is March 1st.

Teams of 10 will go from bar to bar (five Coconut Grove bars in all), where each team will finish four pitchers of beer moving on the the next bar. Taxi vouchers will be given out, so not to worry if you see a bunch of drunks stumbling around the streets. It's for a cause.

This is only for groups of 10, individuals may not enter.

Details are here.

The art is arriving

Some of the art is being set up for the Grove Arts Festival this weekend. The food tents are going up, too. I'll go out tomorrow afternoon and snap some pics and post them.

Keep the drinks flowing

Today is the official City Commission Hearing to change the Grove bar closings to 3 am, rather than 5 am.

Again, I don't see a difference in two hours and again, I think it is going to hurt business.

While the Grove is starting to turn around and new businesses are arriving, we are not there yet and I don't see how being smug and bullying the current businesses is a good thing. Look what happened to Josiah on American Idol when he tried to be smug.

Commissioners -- think before you act.

How about putting a few more cops on the streets instead and having the bars pay for that? Someone else suggested vandal-proofing the Grove -- like having unbreakable glass installed on all storefronts, which would help with hurricanes, too. (I don't mean the UM Hurricane's, I know they do get rowdy in the Grove at times). Proactive is the way to go.

You can see the meeting on City Hall TV -- Channel 77 - or here: http://videos.miamigov.com or if you are so inclined, the meeting starts at 9 am at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

And speaking of liquor flowing . . .

Cefalo's next "Tequila Confessions" is tomorrow, February 15 from 9 to 11 pm in Cefalo's Taurus Bar (3540 Main Highway). For info: 305-460-0067.

Gallery opening Friday

This is related to the story below -- the official opening invitation. If you click on it, it will open larger and you can get all the details.

New gallery on Grand Avenue

Looks like a bunch of local artists took over the empty location that The Limited vacated recently. I ran into Fred Hunt who is shown here in front of one of his works, he is showing his art at the new gallery along with his wife Anna Maria Windish-Hunt and a few more artists.

They are in this location for a couple of months. It's very peaceful and roomy and you really can enjoy the art because of the size of the gallery. It's not crowded at all, yet there is a lot to see. There are mostly paintings, but a few sculptures, too.

I think this is a super idea -- why not fill those empty storefronts with local art until a new business moves in? It's better than an ugly boarded up store front and it helps the local artists and local economy.

This one location is perfect for this weekend's Arts Festival. They are sure to do well. Good luck to them all.

Blue Man Grove's Arts Festival Fiesta

Blue Man Grove is hosting an Arts Festival Fiesta is celebration of this artful weekend in the Grove. Join them for live music, live art, and good food and drink.

Sunday, February 17, 3:30-7:00 pm
Pommes & Pané Café at Cocowalk

Izzy Buholzer—dobro & vocals
Eric Wagner—dreadnaught & vocals

Semi-pro nuts

These two nuts were grabbing people to take photos yesterday, trying to promote the new Will Ferrell movie, "Semi-Pro", which opens at CocoWalk's theater on February 29.

"Bodies Exposed" at CocoWalk

CocoWalk is presenting "Bodies Exposed" -- CocoWalk's Green Light District. They were supposed to be "exposed" over the weekend, but I noticed a couple are already out by the fountain -- you know, where Freddie the Flamingo was during the holidays.

Fifteen mannequins will be featured throughout the courtyard and be auctioned off for charity. For more info: 305-444-0777, ext. 14.

New Mural/Billboard ordinance being pushed

This Thursday Mayor Manny Diaz is pushing an advertising industry friendly mural/billboard ordinance in place of Commissioner Sarnoff's much more resident friendly ordinance. The Commission meeting is at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) starting at 9 am.

Watch City Manager Pete Hernandez, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Steve Hagen on CBS 4 at 11 pm tonight or Tuesday night at 11.

According to Steve Hagen: "I basically said that murals and billboards are litter on a stick and that the public, including our tourists, have the right to a litter free environment or at least an environment which is highly regulated, not the advertising friendly ordinance drafted by Mayor Diaz."

You can email or call Commissioners and tell them to either approve "no ordinance on murals" or "approve Commissioner Sarnoff's version" as it is the most regulated and it provides dollars for purchasing public parkland.

Commissioner emails and phone numbers are here: http://www.miamigov.com/City_Officials/

Also please tell your Commissioner to schedule these important items after 5 pm so residents can attend meetings and be heard. They need to realize that most people work during daytime hours. Remember we just passed the Citizens Bill of Rights!

Coconut Grove Bed Races

The Coconut Grove Bed Races may be coming back. I heard from a reliable source today that a local company wants to sponsor the event and talks are happening now. I'll post the info as I receive it.

Meetings this week

Tomorrow, February 12, 11:30 am - The Grove Chamber of Commerce luncheonat Cefalo's Italian Village (3540 Main Highway). Guest speaker is Robert Parente, the director of the Mayor's Office of Film, Arts and Entertainment. Cost is $25 for members/$35 for non-members. Please RSVP at305-444-7270 or email info@coconutgrove.com

Tomorrow, February 12, 6:30 pm - The Waterfront Advisory Board meets at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive). It may also be seen on City Hall TV -- Channel 77 or here: http://videos.miamigov.com

Wednesday, February 13, 7-9 pm - All Grove Crimewatch meeting at St. Stephen's Church Great Room (2750 McFarlane Road) Parking validated. For info, please email: rloupo@aol.com or ymcdonald@bellsouth.net or call: 310-8769. Website: www.grovecrimewatch.org

Thursday, February 14, 9 am - City Commission Hearing at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive). See it on City Hall TV -- Channel 77 - or here: http://videos.miamigov.com

"Public safety kiosks" are a waste of money

I was laughing as I read the Herald story on the "public safety kiosks" as they call them. They claim that they are there just in time for the Arts Festival next weekend -- available to give advice to the many lost tourists.

Guess the "lost tourists" are too damn stupid to ask the 150,000 people milling around the streets enjoying the Arts Festival for advice and directions. The Herald thinks they need to go to some lacky in a $67,213 kiosk for advice.

Talk about a waste and pissing away of tax-payers' money. I am willing to do a test. Once the lacky is in place, I am going to play tourist and ask questions and see what I come up with. I am betting anything that they don't have a clue and the first thing they do is pull out a map and try to decipher it.

When are taxpayers going to have a say in what goes and what doesn't go in our neighborhoods?

I am tempted to ask for a list, by readers, of wasteful things that have been happening around here lately, but I don't think I have enough room to post them all.

Wacky lights

I received the following email from a reader:

I have emailed [the City] but have had no reply whatsoever, and I would love to have this issue addressed.

I live in South Grove (area Douglas, Avocado, Palmetto, Plaza) and walk my dogs daily in my neighborhood. In the evenings, when one walks by the recently installed street lights, they go out, rather than becomming brighter - sort of a reverse motion detector. When you approach the street lights, they are lit, but as soon as you get close, they go dark.

You can imagine how much more difficult it is to walk in total darkness. As soon as you pass the lights they go back on. I asked [the City] if this was a malfunction, or intentional because it makes absolutely no sense to me. Is this another brilliant City of Miami light installation, or something stranger?

Chamber luncheon at Cefalo's on Tuesday

The Grove Chamber of Commerce luncheon is Tuesday, February 12 at 11:30 am at Cefalo's Italian Village (3540 Main Highway).

Guest speaker is Robert Parente, the director of the Mayor's Office of Film, Arts and Entertainment.

Valet parking is available or there is parking available at the lot next to the Playhouse.

Cost is $25 for members/$35 for non-members. Please RSVP at
305-444-7270 or email info@coconutgrove.com

Why I continue to hate the Farmer's Market

I have that feeling where you are so overheated and you can't cool down, you know what I mean?

And it is all because of the incompetence of Stan Glaser and his moronic farmer's market -- the place for total disregard for customer service.

I left my car next door to be washed and I walked over to the Shaq 24 Hour Fitness Gym (is it going to keep the name now that Shaq is gone?). Anyway, I worked out and then had lunch at Qdoba. After that I popped into Starbucks, where I ran into local author Philip Dickenson Peters, we chatted for a bit, and mind you, after the gym work out, I was not exhausted or overheated at all.

From there I headed back to my car and decided to pop into Stan's farmer's market since the paper just did a story on them this week, and I like the coconut water, so I decided to give them another try, even with their pathetically overpriced items.

But therein lies the rub. After filling a basket up with all sorts of goodies, I proceeded to wait in line. And I waited, and waited under the hot, airless tent. And Stan stood there with his arms folded and just watched as the line grew longer and longer and we waited and we waited in the sweltering heat and humidity on this uncomfortable winter's day.

And a man behind me said, "Stan, why don't you do something?" And Stan said, "There are seven cashiers, what else do you want me to do?" And a lady said, "Add a few more!" And another man said, "Hire a few that aren't stoned on weed all the time and who don't move at a snail's pace."

Keep in mind that about four of the cashiers actually serve ice cream and pie and don't really charge you for the veggies and other items unless you insist. So there are three cashiers.

And with all that being said, Stan ignored it all and sauntered away in the opposite direction to kibitz with someone else, rather than fix the problem by perhaps bagging the items himself to get people checked out fast or ringing up cash only sales or something like that. And three of us, me and two people behind me, dropped our full baskets of food and left. Stan's apathy is sickening.

I ended up at Gardner's Market where I got everything I needed except the coconut water and I can live without that. And I can live without Stan's hopeless attitude.

Painting classes now forming

There's a four week art class starting February 21 at the Arts and Minds Center (3138 Commodre Plaza).

Each Thursday, explore the colorful world that exists within you. Use your imagination and a paintbrush to discover your soul's unique poetry in this creative and playful class. By learning the basics of acrylic painting you will be able to create works of art that deepen your understanding of yourself and others. No prior art experience is necessary and all materials are provided.

Facilitator Sheri Friedman is a professional artist who has been teaching art for over 10 years. She believes that art is the language of the collective unconscious and is a vital necessity in today's world.

Classes are from 6 to 8 pm. You may register at www.iihu.org or email Sherifr@bellsouth.net for more information.

Alhambra Orchestra performs at Ransom

Alhambra Orchestra Violist Michael Klotz of FIU's Amernet Quartet and pianist Alan Ngim of MDC are performing with the Alhambra Orchestra at Ransom Everglades School (3575 Main Highway) tomorrow, February 10 at 7:30 pm. Admission and parking is free. For info: 305-668-9260 or you may email: info@alhambramusic.org

Major accident on US 1

There was a major pile up on US1 and 27th Ave., in front of the Shell gas station, a short while ago. It's a mess out there. US1 and 27th Ave. are back up for miles. Some of the side streets are affected like 22nd Ave. and 17th Ave. into and out of the Grove.

Avoid these streets if possible for the next few hours, which may be hard.

I witnessed the pile up and it isn't pretty. I had my camera, but decided against taking pictures of others' misfortunes.

Qdoba opens today

Qdoba Mexican Grill finally opens today at 11 am at 2982 Grand Avenue. Here are Victor, George and Eddy, who were working hard this morning to get the place open in time.

There will be indoor and outdoor seating. Stop by today, I know I'll be back for lunch.

"Double Indemnity" at The Barnacle

The Barnacle (3485 Main Highway) is presenting, a Starlight Movie Classic night on Sunday, February 10 for members only. Admission is free. You may join at the gate that night if you are not a member.

The classic film noir, "Double Indemnity" with Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson will be shown. Gates open at 6:00 pm. No admittance after 7:15 pm. This is a love story with lots of drama, betrayal, love and murder at first sight.

Bring a picnic, bring your flashlight! No pets. Please call for more info: 305-442-6866

Meet Severino Barzan at Cefalo's

Cefalos's Italian Village (3540 Main Highway) has another wine tasting planned for Saturday, February 9.

Severino Barzan, the man behind Bottega Del Vino, will host a special wine pairing dinner in "the Cave" at Cefalo's.

Severino's famous Risotto de Amarone and Osso Bucco will be served at 8 pm. The meal will be served with is wines in his own hand-blown stemware.

Cost is $150.00 per person. Please RSVP to anastasia@cefaloswine.com

For info on the "Cave Club" please call 305-971-2400 ext 4008 or email denyse@cefaloswine.com

Grapevine contest winner

The winner of the Grapevine Contest is Karlisa, from the Central Grove. Freddie is the name I gave the Flamingo back in December. Karlisa will receive the two Arts Festival posters.

Nikki Beach club has white party opening

Nikki Beach Club recently opened in the Grove at 2889 McFarlane Road. The beautiful people were out for the opening night party -- all dressed in white -- well most anyway.

Photos by Wade Caldwell

Blue Man Grove performs Friday

Grapevine contest

Regular readers of The Grapevine should know this one. What is the name I gave the Christmas flamingo that was in front of CocoWalk on and off during the holiday season? Remember, first his hat was stolen, then he disappeared and then he returned?

You have until noon tomorrow to answer. The winner will get two Coconut Grove Arts Festival posters. One is from last year -- the 2007 Romero Brito poster (22" x 30"). The other is from 2005, by Lisa Remeny (20" x 31").

We will randomly choose a winner from the correct entries and announce it here tomorrow. Again, you have until noon tomorrow. One answer per email please.

WE HAVE A WINNER. WE WILL POST THEIR NAME SHORTLY.

Old fashioned wine tasting at Cefalo's

Cefalo's Italian Village (3540 Main Highway) is having an "Old Fashioned Classical Wine Tasting" tomorrow, February 7. Starting at 4:30 pm, they will be showcasing over 30 wines at the tasting store and in the outside garden.

Price is $30 per person and includes a Cefalo's tasting glass to take home with you.

Every Sunday, Cefalo's has their Live Brazilian Jazz and brunch from 11 am to 3 pm. It's $19.95 per person, and includes one Mimosa. Complimentary valet parking is available at the Playhouse lot with validation.

For more info, please call 305-460-0067 or visit: www.cefaloswines.com

More ugly

This is a picture of the tree that was at the center of a "heated debate" recently. The City Commission gave the owner approval to cut the tree down at 2840 Shipping Avenue. I say cut the ugly townhouses down or plant more trees in front to mask them. Matilca Street architecture is proliferating through the Grove. It must be stopped.

Photo by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

The Workout Spot now open

The Workout Spot is now open in the Grove at 3315 Rice Street.Whether you are looking to train with a trainer or on your own, The Workout Spot offers a high energy environment. They have the latest in free weights, cardio and machine-based training technology including Precore, Cybex, Lifefitness and Free Motion.

They are open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 9 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm. Training outside these hours is available upon request. Their grand opening party is planned for Friday, February 22, starting at 5 pm.

For more info: 305-447-8589 or www.theworkoutspot.com

Open U begins Spring semester

The Open U, the educational component of International Institute for Human Understanding (IIHU), begins its Spring Semester on Monday, February 11. Courses and workshops are offered at the Center for Arts & Minds (3138 Commodore Plaza).

Visit www.iihu.org for detailed listing of stimulating courses taught by leading faculty members from all over the world. There are still a few days to sign up. For info, please call 305-481-2459.

NET meeting at Rolle Center tomorrow

The City of Miami's Planning and Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) will be conducting a series of public meetings to present and seek public comment on the recent Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) --Based Amendments of the City's goals, objectives and policies. The next meeing is tomorrow, February 6 at the Rolle Center (3750 S. Dixie Highway).

The purpose of the meeting is to seek public comments on the EAR document approved by the State in 2006 and on the State-required Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan as part of the amendment process. The State requires the process be completed for the City by August.

Women's Club luncheon this Thursday

The Coconut Grove Woman's Club luncheon is Thursday, February 7 at the Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive). If you would like to attend, please call 305-323-3070 and plan to bring a covered dish that does not have to be heated; meeting is at 11:30 am; lunch at noon. Join the Woman's Club, or you can help raise money for the reconstruction, volunteer to help during Arts Festival.

The Village Council wants to hear from you

There is a "Resident's Forum" on Thursday, February 21, 7pm at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

Everyone is encouraged to come out. It's a great opportunity for an open discussion on those issues that are of importance to the community, and specifically to you and your neighborhoods.

The Village Council wants to hear from everyone who lives or works in the Grove: Tell them about your home, your street, your neighborhood, your condo, your neighbors, your parks, sidewalks, bus benches, traffic, crime, trees, empty lots, neighborhood needs.

Give them your point of view as a home owner, as a renter, as a long time resident or a new arrival, as a bicyclist, jogger, pedestrian or driver; as shopper or bar hopper, business owner or employee; sailor, boater or landlubber; teen or old timer.

Anything you can think of to improve quality of life and our community is appreciated.

Bring your concerns, your solutions, and your ideas.

Cleanin' up the Grove

Sylvia Rodriquez is cleaning up the Grove. Her specialty is floors and windows. She's great with houses, apartments and all types of businesses. We highly recommend Sylvia. She can be reached at
305-979-3060.

Maybe some of the clubs can hire her to sweep up their filth in the mornings. She'll leave the streets so clean you can eat off of them.

Yoga by the Sea

Each Wednesday from 6:00-7:15 pm, The Barnacle (3485 Main Highway) offers Yoga by the Sea.

These classes are for all levels – including beginners. Classes are held on the lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay (in case of rain, class meets in the Micco pavilion).

Instructor Jennifer Dugan (shown here), experienced yoga instructor, was first introduced to yoga in high school. After graduating from Harvard and then acquiring a master’s from Yale, she decided to further develop her practice beginning with a series of yoga classes in 1992.

Along the way she attended Gourmet Cookery School in New York, learning of the physical, mental and spiritual effects of diet on the body. She continued to develop her yoga practice and in 2004 moved to Miami to take Mysore classes. She has studied with renowned instructors and traveled to India to study the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the modern founder of the Ashtanga yoga system. Jennifer is interested in helping people – through asana – explore habits and personal feelings stored in the body that interfere with a person’s growth, personal vision and spiritual path.

Bring a mat and any accessories you may want to use (strap, blocks, etc.). Classes are $13 each, which includes park entrance fee. There is minimal parking inside the park, so car pool if possible and arrive prior to 6 pm to ensure that class begins promptly. Call 305-442-6866 for more information.

Also, keep in mind the free yoga in Kennedy Park on weekends. More on that here.

Super Bowl at CocoWalk

Today you can watch the game on a giant big screen tv, play interactive football games and win prizes. Also featured are Budweiser specials and giveaways by the Bud Girls; noon-midnight. Free for the whole family.

Matilda Street has no curb appeal

I apologize to all residents on Matilda Street, but Matilda Street wins the award for the ugliest street in the Grove, except for maybe these two houses, which are in a cul de sac off of Madilda. This is what Matilda used to look like.

And there are one or two more nice places on Matilda, but basically it's all row after row of prefabricated looking townhomes. You know the type -- the one that is all garage exposed to the street -- no character, no beauty. UGLY. I took a walk from Bird Avenue to Grand Avenue and this is what I saw. I don't even know what this ugly thing is below.

This is what the Grove is going to become if we don't start fighting the demolition of the quaint older places or at least start regulating the architecture of what is built. Greedy developers build this crap and I guess people with no taste buy them. I just can't imagine house hunting in the Grove and choosing this junk over other beautiful houses available -- some new, some old, but with character. Gifford Lane may end up like this if we let it.

While I feel that Coral Gables is way over built now, I don't think this would happen there, they have some sort of review board there. I don't think this would happen in the Art Deco District of South Beach either. Here anything goes.

The houses in the neighborhoods should fit in. Can you see this crap in New Orleans or Boston's Back Bay? They would not allow it.

I felt like approaching the homeowners who I saw out in front of their houses and ask them "why?" But I didn't wanna cause a fight, so I just kept moving. The terrace and awning above is a nice touch, and they actually went out of their way here to block the ugly garage and add some character. The green on the house and the foliage really
enhance it.

Look at this. No curb appeal and nothing nice about it. That "for sale" sign is gonna be there for quite awhile I am guessing, unless some fool with a seeing eye dog is in the market.

The builders of these places have no imagination. I bet they were at the bottom of their classes in design and architecture. I can do it myself: Slap in a two car garage and build around it. Put the bedrooms above the garage and squeeze in the living room on the bottom floor, and usually squeeze in a kitchen/dining area on the second floor.

Use inferior materials -- formica and such, unless the buyer wants an upgrade. Use all white for the interiors, even the kitchens. Just slap it together fast and put a for sale sign up. That's the technique.

But the funny thing is that people actually buy this ugliness. "Build it and they will come," never rang so true. I don't even wanna know what this thing is above. Did they run out of room? Why is the second floor hanging out like that on the side?

I could walk around and take some pictures of classier townhouses, but you have seen them and know the difference. They have bricks, they have larger windows, they have couryards and the garages are not the main feature.

Some of the good ones look like French villages, some have deep darker paint colors and are embellished with classier framework. Some are designed so well that you actually miss them as you walk by, they blend in. Many can be seen on Virginia Street near Shipping and near Bird; and of course on and around Ruth and Jackson.

But poor Matilda Street is the ugliest street in the Grove. Looks like they just slapped it together with no thought.

Let the comments begin . . .

Home Depot is hopeless

This is a Saturday morning at the Home Depot. I love seeing the empty parking lot. Keep up the boycott people. We don't need these minipulating, greedy, spiteful bastards here.

Home Depot has bad karma written all over it. Avoid that black cloud.

Clubs need to contain their filth

This is the scene on and around Fuller Street (and lots of streets) many mornings. What's with the club flyers and beer bottles and boxes? When are the clubs going to be fined for this crap? If this keeps up, maybe the 3 am closing should be turned into "closed for good" and we should get rid of these slobs.

Maybe the clubs should just be responsible for the flyers only and the police should step in and stop the on-street drinking and littering.

Above photos by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Volunteers needed for Grove Arts Festival

Volunteers are needed for the Grove Arts Festival Saturday February 16 thru Monday February 18 -- key assignments include staffing of merchandise and vintage poster booths, assisting and helping artists and help with the Coconut Gove Bank Kids Creative Corner.

Shifts are 9- 2pm and 1-6pm or a full day.

Adult volunteers will receive an arts Festival t-shirt and souvenir poster. Student volunteers (minimum age 16) will receive a t-shirt and community service hours. Those who volunteer both shifts all three days will be presented with a complimentary framed Arts Festival poster.



Please fill out the application online www.coconutgroveartsfestival.org. If you have any questions, please call 305-447-0401, ext. 28.

Another old house is gone

That old brown house that was at the end of Bird Avenue, on Aviation is gone -- like a thief in the night.

When do these people come in and knock these houses down? I never see a hint of their intention.

I know the house was old and maybe was termite ridden, but still, it was a piece of Grove history. When I was a kid, many old Grove houses were used for businesses, like antique shops and such. It's a shame those old houses on Aviation can't be saved for reasons like that. They are sort of in a commercial district.

These developers knocked down a beautiful mid-century house in our neighborhood a few years ago so that they could build huge multi story town homes on the area, with zero lot lines. They are still sitting empty -- unsold and unwanted and all they did was bring property values down to all of us.

When will people get a clue that fixing up the old and restoring it might be more desirable to buyers?

Rumor has it

A Kinko's may be coming to the Grove. Check back here for details.

Qdoba supposedly has closed all permits and will be opening next week. Let's see if that happens.

Grove Woman's Club needs your help

The Historic clubhouse built in 1924 needs community donations and help with fundraising efforts.

There is a court order to make the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and this means new plumbing, restrooms, ramps, doors and fixtures. Let's all help save this piece of history in Coconut Grove!

Started in 1891, the Woman's Club has community outreach programs that provide scholarships and special assistance for those in need. There is a long list of awards that the Woman's Club has received for these services.

Stop by the Woman's Club during the Arts Festival on Feb. 16, 17 and 18. There will be 20 artists' booths, beer, wine, baked goods, books, antiques, and donated "Art for Sale." All will benefit the fundraising efforts for the construction.

You may donate to their sale; they are looking for collectibles as well as architectural books, art books, children's books, novels, and cookbooks in good condition.

Someone is at the Club from 10 am to 2pm on Wednesdays or you can make arrangements by calling 305-804-1005 to drop off your donations. You can also leave them at the Library with a note to hold for Judy at the Woman's Club.

You can become "A Friend of the Woman's Club for $50 per year. or actually join the Woman's Club - the next luncheon is Thursday, February 7. Call for more information on how to help: 305-323-3070. Or you can mail your tax deductible donation to the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133.