Baynanza 2006
Baynanza Biscayne Bay Clean Up Day falls on Earth Day this year; April 22nd. Everyone is welcome. Sites range from East Greynolds Park to Biscayne National Park and of course Coconut Grove is right in the center.
Registration ends on April 3rd so today should be a good time to sign up if you have not done so already.
Clean up sites in the Grove are shown on the map below. You can click on the map for a larger image.
#1 Vizcaya (3251 S. Miami Ave.)
#2 Kennedy Park (S. Bayshore Dr. and 22nd Ave.)
#3 Shake-A-Leg (2600 S. Bayshore Dr.)
#4 Peacock Park (2820 McFarlane Road)
To sign up and for more info, please go to: the Baynanza home page.
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Thirsty Thursdays at Jaguar
If it's Thursday, I'm thirsty!
Every Thursday is "Thirsty Thursday" at Jaguar Ceviche Bar and Grill. Each week there is a wine tasting with different wines offered along with complimentary ceviche samplers. They serve these in little spoons. The cost is $15.00 and if you would like dinner afterwards, you can get a special 10% discount.
The event is from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Jaguar is at 3067 Grand Ave. Call 305-444-0216 to RSVP.
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Dog eat dog
A scene on Gifford Lane at the Art Stroll.
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Grove restaurant menus on line
A reader sent us this link to restaurant menus on line: http://miami.restaurantplace.com
You can click on the Coconut Grove section and see what our local eateries have to offer.
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Leave the freaking waterfront alone
Plans for the "improved" waterfront are basically complete. The planners are holding a meeting this Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30 pm at the Coconut Grove Women's Club (2985 S. Bayshore Drive, that coral building behind the library). There is a pre-meeting on Monday at the Village West Homeowners and Tenants Assoc. meeting. That is at 7 pm at the Frankie S. Rolle Center (3750 S. Dixie Hwy.)
At last month's meeting, "the communities' desires for the waterfront ranged from the incorporation of the Commodore Trail to water taxi service and from an amphitheater in Peacock Park to a boardwalk connecting to the Spoil Islands." These sort of seem anti-environment to me.
Not sure why things can't be left alone. It's a rustic watefront. Leave it that way. Does everything have to involve making money?
You can get a look at the master plan schedule and minutes of past meetings here: http://projects.sasaki.com/coconutgrove
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Update on Greener Miami challenge
Last week, Rebecca from the Greener Miami Blog went on a little mass transit experiment. I sent her to Green Street Cafe and she apparently made it and enjoyed it. You can read her comments here.
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Chick-n-Grill
Chick-n-Grill is now in the Grove. I had seen their ads but couldn't find them, but they had a booth at Taste of the Grove and I found out there that they are right across from the Improve at The Streets of Mayfair at 2911 Grand Ave. They deliver, so I may be calling them for that. Their number is 305-403-7300.
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Paying Atlanta
We received a nasty notice from the City claiming we are very behind in a payment for the elevator and boiler inspection at our Grove condo.
Number one, the idiots at that dept. seem to insist on sending the bill to a person who was the president of our board about 10 years ago, so it takes time to have the bill arrive at the right destination since that person is no longer around.
Secondly, I called and I had to listen to a non-stop recording giving out phone numbers to the various inspectors, who have nothing to do with the billing. Their job is to just make everyone's life impossible. They have no clue about billing. At the end of the recording the person on the tape says hit "0" for live assistance. I did that and was cut off. Typical City of Miami.
Of course when you do call the numbers they suggest, you get recordings and the inspectors never return your phone calls. They all have this Napolean complex where they actually think they are big shots when in reality they are big shits.
Then the coup de gras: Look at the billing address on this invoice above (you can click on it to see it larger). It appears that when we pay our bills to the City, some company in Atlanta, GA handles them. So we are paying someone outside the City to handle this -- taking jobs away from locals? Interesting. And sickening.
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Art stroll
The quaint Gifford Lane Art Stroll was held today. As usual, it was a pleasure. It's very down to earth and friendly. My only complaint is the construction going on all over Gifford Lane. The place is full of cookie cutter townhouses, eliminating a lot of the charm from the neighborhood. The older, smaller houses really make the area, hopefully they won't all disappear to greedy developers and their wrecking balls.
Victor Magluilo (left) doesn't seem too thrilled with the cucumber punch served by Dave Collins, member of the Cocoanut Grove Village Council
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Keeping the Green theme
Keeping with the green theme, first St. Patrick's Day, now this:
Rebecca of Greener Miami is challenging herself on Monday to move around the county using only public transportation. She thinks it will be easy, I wonder. I posted a location in the Grove for her to get to: Green Street Cafe on Main Highway and Commodore Plaza.
I think the Grove has easy access to anywhere by public transportation, so I don't know if that is much of a challenge in Coconut Grove like it would be in other remote areas. But that is where I am sending her anyway. Green Street, Greener Miami ... get it?
The county is actually giving out free passes for the day.
Click here to download one.
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Day of Green
Judy (left) and Terri celebrate St. Patrick's Day. You may recognize Terri from the Loggerhead. She was Bartender of the Year last year in The New Times reader poll.
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Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patricks Day! Try some of the great locations for some green beer and corned beef and cabbage. I know I'll be with Terri at the Loggerhead!
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Gifford Lane Art Stroll
This Sunday is the Gifford Lane Art Stroll. This annual quaint little two block event is very retro and is like going back in time. From noon to 5 pm, you can stroll the shady street enjoying local art. It's nothing like the huge Coconut Grove Arts Festival, this is very tame and unique.
It's free and part of the proceeds of sales of art and refreshments go to local Grove charities. Click on the map for a larger version.
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The Fresh Market specials
The Fresh Market is emailing weekly specials, recipes, wine suggestions and cooking tips to anyone interested. You can ask for one of the cards at the store to sign up or just go here: www.thefreshmarket.net
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American Apparel
American Apparel is in the old Miami Subs location, across from Cocowalk. It seems weird not seeing the open air Miami Subs there.
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Kirk Monroe Park to remain green
So the Miami Parks' Dept. has decided not to add more tennis courts to Kirk Monroe Park. Someone is finally listening to the residents. Green space was desired by almost everyone who lived in the area and the Parks people agreed that enough of the Grove is being paved over, why remove more nature. Townhouses are closing in fast enough.
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French fries and the Grove
Sitting at Johnny Rockets, watching the Grove go by is a great way to spend an afternoon.
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No to Hiawatha variance
On Tuesday night, the Cocoanut Grove Village Council actually took a stance on something.
They are against giving a variance to the developer who wants to build at 3535 Hiawatha, at the Chateau Elizabeth location. The current height limit is 50 feet, the developer is petitioning the City of Miami for 65 feet, 6 inches, which really would be 77 feet, 6 inches taking the flood plain into consideration.
The issue is going to the Zoning Board on Monday, March 13, 2006, but at least the Village Council has stated on the record that developers need to work within the limits and not try to skirt them. Let's hope the City agrees.
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No more tennis courts at Kirk Monroe Park
Last night, the Cocoanut Village Council met and they went on and on and accomplished nothing as usual. They beat a dead horse, meaning the Kirk Monroe Park (Oak and Florida Aves.) issue on adding a tennis court or two.
The neighbors who live near the park are against it, that should be the answer. No. But of course members on the Council, have decided to drag the issue on and on. There is now going to be a committee to discuss the issue.
Other areas that had tennis courts now do without, like Peacock Park and West Grove (where those tennis courts were turned into skateboard and hockey parks) and there is a small run down tennis court next to the fire station on Oak. Yet for some reason, the Council could not come to the conclusion that Coconut Grove prides itself on green space and with overdevelopment going on all over the Grove, it is their duty to preserve what they can. Yet they drag the issue out without making a decision, which according to most of the neighbors, should be "no".
Claim the tennis courts back at Peacock Park and West Grove. Leave the Kirk Monroe Park alone. Do what the neighbors want, that is the whole purpose of the Cocoanut Grove Village Council.
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Tony Scornavacca paintings
A reader posted this to the comments section of an old post, I thought I would post it here so everyone could see it and maybe know where she may find the art:
"I am looking for more information on the late Tony Scornavacca. Are there any of his paintings hanging anywhere? We have some of his original lithographs and love them. Thank you."
If anyone knows anything, please feel free to comment here or contact us via email.
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The Titanic is coming to the Grove
"Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit" is coming to the Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium March 25, 2006.
The exhibit will have many artifacts recovered from the ocean floor along with full-size recreations of some of Titanic's interior spaces, including a first class cabin.
For more info visit: http://www.miamisci.org/
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Star Jones Reynolds at Mayfair today
If anyone cares, girlfriend, Star Jones Reynolds will be signing her new book at a cocktail reception at the Mayfair Hotel from 5:30 to 6:30 pm today.
Proceeds from the book sale go to "Dress For Success", a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged women get back on their feet.
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Problems?
We received this email from a reader: "I have noticed that the potholes on Tigertail have been fixed around the SW 27th Ave intersection but the rest of the tail is in sad shape from north of Aviation to SW 17th Ave. Some are so bad that my car bottoms out if I forget to swerve to miss it. Who do you have to call to get the road fixed?"
I directed her to the NET office.For problems in the Grove, there are two NET offices who may be able to help you.
You can reach the North/East office at: 305-579-6018 or the South/West office at: 305-461-7063. They are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
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Strut wrap-up
Fritz & Franz owner Harald Neuweg and KMS video editor AJ Nichols
Antoinette Baldwin receives CG key to 3rd flr bathroom from Mayor Slesnick
The King Mango Strut Wrap Party at Fritz & Franz in Coral Gables was a hit. It was a packed house and the video was well received. But the best part of the night was when Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick gave the King Mango Strut a key to the city. Actually it the key to the 3rd floor bathroom at City Hall. When the Mayor suggested that the Strut should move to Coral Gables, the strutters went crazy and booed. It was the expected King Mango Strut response.
They still have 2005 DVDs, VHSs, posters, t-shirts (L & XL only) and sweatshirts available. T-shirts are $15 and the sweatsshirts & DVD & VHS are $20. To make a purchase, visit the Strut website here: http://www.kingmangostrut.org/
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Why is Comcast allowed to operate in the Grove?
I love the way my cable went out last night right in the middle of "American Idol" and "Lost" and when I called Comcast, I got a recording saying they had a high call volume and I should call back. Talk about balls.
Is the City ever going to allow competition? I am sick of the cable tv and FPL for that matter, constantly going out in the Grove and no one seems to take responsibility. Last Saturday, our electricity was out again for hours, this is a constant thing. They refuse to update transformers and cut trees away, which blow out the freaking things every time the wind blows.
There are hearings today in Broward about FPL's plans to raise rates to make up for hurricane problems. I hope they are told to go to hell.
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Celebrating Fat Tuesday Grove-style
Fat Tuesday at Cocowalk was the place to be last night for what else but Fat Tuesday! We ended up having some Cajun pasta at The Cheesecake Factory next door after a few chugs at FT.
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