Wall groundbreaking

If you're up for celebrating the new wall, this groundbreaking ceremony is for you. To see the image clearer, please click on it.

Kids Casting Call

Roam the spooky streets of CocoWalk and experience Halloween like never before! Audition for casting directors who work with the kids from shows like Disney's "High School Musical", "Suite Life of Zack & Cody", "Hanna Montana" and "Cory in the House".

Visit their booth next to Yogurbella during CocoWalk's Halloween Trick or Treat event.

Call for an audition: (305) 755-9901

The Grove is place to be on Halloween

Everyone is invited to Halloween Live, the official Coconut Grove Halloween festival on Grand Avenue between Mary and Virginia Streets, right where CocoWalk begins and the Streets of Mayfair ends.

Costumed performers, stilt walkers, dancers, fire eaters and a live concert are planned. Performer include El Chino Lion Dread, Spam All Stars and Jean.
7:45 PM – DJ Starts
8:00 PM – SHOW BEGINS Hosts: Yoyi and Frizko
8:15-8:45 PM – Spam All Stars
8:55PM- 9:45 PM – El Chino
9:55 PM- 10:25 PM – Jean Performs
10:35PM- 11PM – Headliner: STEVIE B

This is free and open to the public. Wilma screwed up Halloween one year, let's hope Noel is kinder.

More Grove events:

CocoWalk invites all Coconut Grove elementary school children to wear their Halloween costume and Trick or Treat at participating stores and be part of our Kidz Pumpkin Party. Enjoy pumpkin carving and decorating. Kids Only.

For information, call: (305) 444-0777, Ext. 14

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Christabelle's Quarter (3157 Commodore Plaza) is having a Haunted Mansion and Costume Ball tomorrow night.

Prizes will be given for best costumes. There will be two DJs and three different levels including the open-air Penthouse Terrace. HipHop, House and Rock will mix and mingle. Doors open at 9 pm and close around 5 am. Print out this flyer and bring it with you (one per person) to receive reduced admission.

Guys $15 before 11 pm and $20 before 1 am. Ladies receive $10 reduced admission all night with the flyer. For more info call (305) 790-0030.

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Cefalo's Wine Cellar (3540 Main Highway) is having a Halloween event, too. Wear your costumes and become eligible for great prizes. A Dinner for Two in their extraordinary Caves goes to the top prize winners for costume. Other prizes include Enomatic cards, a Gift Basket from Cefalo’s and free Wine Education Classes. Visit the Taurus and receive two for one cocktails, beers and selected wines.

For more info call (305) 971 2400 or email: Brenda@Cefaloswine.com

Halloween in the Grove

Halloween night should be just as wacky and wild in the Grove as previous years. By midnight the streets are usually closed near CocoWalk where thousands of people congregate to have a good time and show off their costumes. I'll post photos the next day, look for yourself here if you plan on attending.

CocoWalk is having some sort of Halloween costume contest.

For the kids, earlier in the day, the Virrick Park Halloween Annual Halloween Party, sponsored by the Miami Parks and Recreation Department, the Police Athletic League, the Barnyard and the YMCA, will begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Elizabeth Virrick Park, 3255 Plaza St.

Food and drinks and a costume contest will be featured. For information, call 305-445-0123.

Okto-Beer-Fest

Last night the Sandbar Sports Grill had "Okto-Beer-Fest". The place was packed inside and out. It was nice to see such a large crowd in the Center Grove which spilled out to everywhere. The Halloween shop was full of happy shoppers, so was CocoWalk and Commodore Plaza.

The weather was nice, less humid and a bit cooler and I guess that brought people out. Fall and winter are the best here. :)

New wall project to start tomorrow

Work on the pink wall is starting tomorrow. One lane of US1 heading north, will be shut down from 11 am to 6 pm daily for about four months. Just what we need, another traffic nightmare for someone's whim.

Early voting

City Hall in the Grove will again be a location for early voting for the Nov. 6 elections. From Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 they will be open from 7 am to 7 pm and Nov. 3 and 4, the polls will be open from 9 am to 1pm.

You enter in the back. You'll see signs once you get there.

For info on early voting, call 305-499-8444, e-mail ABunit@miamidade.gov or visit http://elections.miamidade.gov/voting--absentee.asp.

Chair Affair at Heart of the Grove Gallery

The Heart of the Grove Art Gallery & Gift Shop (3439 Main Hwy.) will celebrate its one year anniversary November 9-11 with a slate of activities including the first-ever “Chair Affair,” a design contest of local artists and non-artists, who will paint and decorate chairs. All are welcome to enter.

Festivities begin Friday November 9, 6-9 pm with a Gallery Opening of new works and a silent auction of the chairs. A share of all proceeds will benefit the non-profit GroveHouse Artists’ Cooperative and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

The chairs will be judged by a panel of Grove Art Patrons (to be announced later). Cash prizes will be awarded to all winners on Sunday November 11at a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party sponsored by the Grand Bay Hotel.

All events are free and open to the public.

Friday November 9, 6-9 pm * Gallery Opening of new works
Sunday November 11, 2-5 pm * Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

For information call 305-445-1743 or 305-979-9534

Gallery Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: Noon - 6 pm
Friday & Saturday: Noon - 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
Monday: Closed
This exhibit will continue through January 5, 2008

What's with the rude drivers?

I received this email from a neighbor and friend, and the same thing has happened to me trying to cross the street from Marciano's. Drivers speed up at that area coming in and out of the Grove:


Does anyone know of an attempt by the police to enforce pedestrian right of way on the crosswalk? Working and living in the Grove it has long struck me as contradictory to let a freeway of commuters run through the middle of our "village." No wonder people appear to prefer Coral Gables and South Miami to shop. Parking is atrocious there too, but you don't have to take your life in your hands every time you cross the street (or maybe this is just because there are more streets).

After eating lunch at Cefalo's with some colleagues we actually were verbally abused by a man in an SUV while crossing Main Highway, at the crosswalk. "You don't have the right of way!" he yelled, along with some other beauties. It sure feels like that. I always try to stop for pedestrians in the Grove but am often passed by the impatient traffic behind me, which is terrifying, like watching a disaster unfold before your eyes.

It is always so pleasant to visit my sister in New England where on every street corner in every town it's posted the fines for not yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk. I'm told the fine is $300 in California, even if the person crossing the street is jay walking! Just think how much money we could raise in the Grove alone. A Playhouse debt relief fund, perhaps?

Coconut Grove hosts French Cinema Miami

"France Cinema Miami" is your chance to see the latest new 2007 French films in Miami. On November 9, 10 and 11, AMC CocoWalk (3015 Grand Ave.) will be host.

This is a weekend of 10 new French films unreleased in the U.S. All films are presented in French with English subtitles but the French animation movie for children will be an English version

With US Premieres and One East Coast Premiere, France Cinema Miami showcases an incredible blend of exclusive comedies, romances, thrillers, drama, and animation films. Most of the films were released in France in the past ten months, and they reached over one million in box office admissions.

You can buy tickets online here: www.francecinemamiami/ticketing

And get the entire program and more here: www.francecinemamiami.com

Space is limited. So purchase tickets early.

Sonesta garage to change their rates

The City has come down on the Sonesta garage and they must now adhere to the original agreement of $1.25 per hour rates and quit charging flat rates from $3.00 to $10.00. We wrote about this last week. Many people were disturbed by the exorbitant rates.

Winston Curtis, director of operations for the Munity Grove Garage (who are the new rightful owners, not the Sonesta) says that this will hurt those folks who park there daily at flat rates -- you know, all day parkers who work in the Grove.

Maybe a special arrangement can be made -- they do this all over the world, including other locations in Miami, I am sure you can work something out Winston.

Round Table in the Garden

For a taste of the "old Grove" -- Bob & Maggie's "Round Table in the Garden" at 3664 Loquat Ave. is this Friday, October 26th, starting at about 7 pm. The theme for the evening is "Celebrating Life" with an amazing group of health professionals presenting new ideas for your consideration.

6:30 pm. The Bjonga Kem Bay Drummers, under director Mark Richards, will get your heart started.

7:30 pm. Reiki Master Silvia Casabianca knows that staying healthy is an art and explains how art can help you stay healthy.

8:15 pm. Chiropractor Dr. Joe Accurso Jr. & Cathy Parbst, P.T. will teach the principles of "Body by God" from the NY Times Best Seller by Ben Lerner.

9 pm. Dr. Ileana Guelbenzu-Davis will discuss the science of geomancy, the study of the balance of elements within us, and in the environment. Guelbenzu-Davis will focus on the influence of the planets in our galaxy and our interconnectedness as human beings.

9:30 pm A special celebration of the life of Round Tabler Roger Bogda (shown here) by his friends, followed by the music of Bobby "Straight Legs" Ingram.

Special guests will include: Ayurveda doctors from India, Dr. Sumita & Dr. Dube will be here to do consultations. The Kangen water folks will be here with their water machine, and if you need to detox and cleanse then you need to drink this wonder water.

In The House: Jazz pianist Floyd Cox, the return of classical pianist Freddy Perez and hopefully, with your favorites, Alan Hurwitz.

This is a potluck and your generous contributions of food and wine are depended on to keep everyone well fed.

Fresh Market finds

I've been getting delicious chicken cutlets at The Fresh Market (2530 S. Bayshore Drive). They call them Chicken Schnitzel. Not sure why. They are already cooked and I just take them home and heat them up for dinner. Delicious.

They didn't seem to have them the other day and one of the deli ladies went out of her way to go all the way in the back looking for them. It was really nice of her. She found them and I bought a bunch.

While she was in the back of the store looking, the others working there had me try some things, it was slow for once, so they had time to push some of their new items. Good idea, too, because I bought what I tried. My new favorite is the Tropical Chicken Salad. There are all sorts of fruits in it like mangos, pineapples, almonds and so much more. Ask for a sample.

I have a lot of favorite items at the deli there, but they will remain secret since they seem to be out of my favorites every other day. Wish they would work on keeping the popular items stocked.

But I got what I needed yesterday including my favorite candy Bridge Mix, and I was happily on my way. That's a little sandwich I made of the chicken salad on The Fresh Market's delicous French bread with some of the Bridge Mix on the side.

Hands on Miami

Hands of Miami is back again this year on Saturday, November 3rd.

Hands on Miami puts people in the Miami-Dade Community who have some time (but not a whole lot ... mostly in the evenings or weekends) that they want to share with someone with agencies who need extra helpers.

Hands on Miami buys or receives, paint, tools, cookies, books and other items so that the volunteers can do the work that needs to be done.

If you live and/or work in Miami-Dade County and are interested in volunteering opportunities, go to www.handsonmiami.org and see what's available -- there are all kinds of opportunities -- some are family friendly so that you can introduce the younger members of your family to the joys of volunteering.

If you are not in the Miami area and would like to explore opportunities closer to home try going to the Hands on Network website at http://handsonnetwork.org/ .

Last year, Hands On Miami volunteers worked over 53,000 hours to make our Miami-Dade County community a better place to live and work.

You may donate here: http://www.handsonmiami.org/donations/viewDonation.php

Impeach crew

First the sign, now the group: From left: Diane Lawrence, Lenora Shlackman, John Geraghty, Lynn Wheeler, Carlos Alvarez, Xayleen Alvarez, Fatima Mevs, Michael Fishman, Ty Shlackman.
Behind: Alan Kobrin, Simon Rose.

I saw them this past weekend marching around the Grove. Ironically, one of our readers sent me the following:

I had an annoying intrusion to my brunch on Saturday, so I figured I'd ask if you've ever experienced this, or that you could post to see if others had...

I was sitting at Green Streets enjoying my eggs and toast when a large line of people assembled on the other side of the street, each carrying a letter on a sign that when formed together spelled IMPEACH. They were calling for people to make a motion to impeach Bush.

At first I didn't mind it, as everyone has their own opinion. It was then that the annoyance began. One woman began pestering people during their meals by approaching their tables and asking for them to sign some paper. A lot of people were really annoyed, including me who told the woman that she was completely disrespectful to interrupt my meal and push her opinions on me. The couple at the table next to me got very angry when approached and for a second I thought things might escalate, which would have been unfortunate but probably kinda funny too.

There are a lot of people in the Grove with strong opinions on various different issues. It's one thing to inform and invite others who share the same views. Its another to push your views upon people by rudely interrupting their meal.

Comments are closed. No more on this issue. Thank you.

Next we'll be rolling up the sidewalks at 8 pm

So the Village Council has voted (6 to 1) that no new 5 am liquor licenses should be granted in the Grove, but bars and clubs that already hold the license will not be affected. Existing 5 am licenses would revert back to 3 am if the bar or club is sold.

Might as well send all the business to downtown and Sobe and be done with it.

There was a double stabbing at Club Vision at CocoWalk right after they were granted a 5 am license and the police are blaming the 5 am license on this. Guess if the stabbing was done at 3 am, it would have been ok.

Simple solution folks: Have the club owners who want to serve liquor at 5 am pay for extra police and security. Case solved. Why kill the only businesses that are bring revenue into the Grove?

I remember not too long ago when there seemed to be enough police around to stop people who were driving around the block more than once (they called it cruising). They had enough cops on hand then for that nonsense, but now apparently there aren't enough to prevent crimes. Interesting.

BTW, Michelle Niemeyer was the lone dissenting council member who felt the issue was enforcement, not changing the drinking hours.

Greedy Sonesta

This from Glenn Terry's Neighbor's column:

Ten years ago the developers of the Grove's Sonesta Hotel made a deal with the city of Miami. They were allowed to build their high rise four stories taller than the zoning code allowed. In exchange, they promised to provide 200 much needed public parking spaces within their garage. The deal specified the parking fees would be the same as the street parking meters.

The Sonesta broke the deal from the start, charging a $5 flat fee when the meter rates were $1 per hour. When a bunch of us staged a sidewalk protest, the Sonesta relented. Two months later it bumped the price back up. Now a sign says it costs $6 to park when the meters are $1.25 per hour.

The city has asked Sonesta to stick to the original agreement, and it has refused. What the Grove hotel is doing is wrong; it is spitting in the public's face. We need reasonable short-term parking for shopping, Peacock Park and our library at the hotel site.

There will be a hearing on the matter in City Hall 9 a.m. Monday. I'm tired of fighting greedy developers. I say we let the Sonesta charge whatever it wants. In exchange, we get to demolish the top four stories of its too tall building.

The email addresses for the Grove Sonesta may be found here for those of you who would like to email the managers for answers. They readily publish them on their website, so I don't think there is a problem with me sharing that webpage with you.

We encourage people to come to City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) at 9 am tomorrow, Oct. 22 on the parking rates for Sonesta Hotel. This garage should have metered rates at $1 per hour.

This will be before the Special Master in the Staff Room behind the Chambers.

Speaking of greedy developers. Please don't forget to download and mail in the petition here.

Edith Temchin art exhibit

The Heart of the Grove Art Gallery & Gift Shop (3439 Main Hwy.) is presenting a special 2-day event. On Oct 27 and 28, the work of Edith Temchin will be shown.

Edith Temchin (1918 – 2007) a member of the original Grove House Artists, was active in the Miami art community for over 25 years. Her paintings have been exhibited widely in galleries and shows in the Coconut Grove area. She studied art at Miami Dade Junior College. Her free flowing and soulful expressions, along with her creative use of color, provide a unique quality to her compositions.

Exhibit time: Sat: Noon - 9pm — Sun: 11am - 5pm

For information call 305-445-1743 or 305-979-9534

Florida Hometown Democracy movement

Only 10 weeks to go. The Florida Hometown Democracy movement, which will allow homeowners to control growth and overdevelopment petition numbers are at about 525,000 towards the goal of 611,000. The Tampa Tribune explains it here.

If this interests you, please continue to gather and send in petitions (and donations). If you haven't done so already, email the petition to everyone on your email list, home owner's association, favorite organization, etc. and ask them to sign and pass on to everyone they know.

The developers know if this makes it to the ballot, homeowners will win. Please do more than your share to make it happen. The petition maybe downloaded here: http://www.floridahometowndemocracy.com/

Print it out, mail it in today if possible. I just did.

Grove scenes

Early morning calm

Peacock Park (they are going to find the gate
is locked on the other end)

Grove Isle's cool, calm waters

Skater boyz waiting out the rain last weekend at the old Borders Books location.

If you click on the photos, they will open larger.

Tree trimmers?

I've been thinking of starting a new feature here about trades and workers in the Grove.

For instance, our condo is looking for a new tree trimmer, we need our tall palm trees trimmed and the coconuts removed and we need a dead tree trunk removed. So I am going to ask here for some recommendations.

Who do you use for this sort of project? Who do you recommend?

Please only respond with tree trimmers, I'll post again asking for your favorite plumbers or electricians, etc. But this pertains to tree trimmers only.

Tacos and Crepes gone

Looks like another biz bit the dust: Tacos and Crepes Land is closed.

Not sure how a business on Main Highway fails, maybe the rents again. Maybe those crepes weren't that good. I did like the tacos and burritos.

Changes at Grove Gate Shopping Center

Looks like The Home Depot bust in the Grove is good for neighbors. Since The Home Depot doesn't get much business (thanks to everyone boycotting them and using Shell Lumber), they have no plans to expand. It appears that most of the cars in The Home Depot lot are those of the employees and not shoppers.

Guess their nasty threats to overtake the whole shopping center and throw Milam's out was a lie. Typical of Home Depot -- big bully, worse neighbor.

Anyway, so now Milam's has plans to expand into the Walgreen's spot next door. Walgreen's is moving to the closed oil change place on US1 and Bird Ave, you know, across from the car wash. So now Milam's is free to expand and make a decent store on that spot. Good deal!

Let's put this into the Universe, a la, "The Secret" -- Home Depot folds in the Grove and a Khol's moves in. Originally I thought a Barnes and Noble would be good, but since we have a new bookstore coming, no need for Barnes and Noble.

Ghoul

This ghoul is out in front of the Halloween shop on Grand Ave.
Say hello as you pass by.

Reminders

Reminder: New phone number for NET Officer Haydee Wheeler 305-960-4670 - Call 311 for Code violations such as illegal tree cutting, abandoned shopping carts, graffiti, illegal dumping, etc.

Police non-emergency No. 579-6111. Grove Resource Officers Tom Braga 786-486-1488, David Carpenter 786-556-7646. Plug these numbers into your cell phone; if you are a victim of crime, we have been assured that an officer will come out and take a report and have now been told that you will soon be able to file police reports at the NET offices.

Please keep exterior lights on after dark; if you leave town, put lights on timers inside & outside of your home & have your mail & newspaper picked up. You can also have a Watch put on your home by calling Off. Braga. Security checks can be done by arranging with Off. Braga.

Mojito Mixer this Thursday

Please click on the image to see it larger.

Village of Center Grove meeting

The Village of Center Grove is having it's meeting this Wed., Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 pm at the Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive). Guest speaker is State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera who will speak about property taxes.

All those who attend will receive a City of Miami canvas tote bag from Comm. Marc Sarnoff. (Perfect for those Publix issues).

On the agenda for the Village meeting will be a Crimewatch report, arts and events report, a Code 33 report -- Sue McConnell will announce the new merchants involved in this great program.

For more info: http://www.vocg.org

Publix is having problems going green

Today is Blog Action Day. This year it pertains to the environment, this is my contribution. I actually went to the water in Peacock Park yesterday to do a story on the trash and pollution, but it wasn't that bad, I was very impressed!

I'm not impressed with Publix.

Publix likes to think they are going green because they have their Greenwise products. Only they aren't.

The problem is their bag people, I would say bag boys, but they are old ladies and old men, and what they do is the put one item in each bag, tie the bag up like a gift and that's that. If you say anything, they get insulted and look at you as if you have three heads.

I ask them over and over to please fill up the plastic bags, don't just put one item in each sack, but for some reason, they feel it is too heavy and they insist on sticking one item in each bag -- they don't get that this is a total waste of resources and really goes against everything they are trying to push with their Greenwise line.

I don't think they train these people. They should.

Blogger Buzz: Blogging for the Environment

At the picnic

As I arrived at the Great Grove Picnic yesterday, the rain started coming down. But that didn't stop the hearty souls who showed up. In fact, the rain wasn't very hard but it freed up a lot of parking spaces near the park.

Everyone hung out under the overhang at the glass house until the rain stopped and it was a nice little gathering. As soon as the rain let up people started playing volleyball and spreading out onto the lawn.

The music played, thanks to Bobby Ingram and Friends and it turned out to be a nice gathering. I spoke with Glenn Terry and saw Dave Collins among the usual Grove participants. By 6 pm, the place was jumping.

Sue McConnell had her Code 33 table set up and was signing up residents. If you haven't signed up, it's free, this is a great program -- if you live in the Grove and I think work in the Grove, you can get a Code 33 card which offers discounts at local establishments from restaurants to all types of stores.

The merchants are always changing so it's a great way to try new places and get a discount in the process. The discounts are always on-going, so you can use the card over and over again.

Village Council meets Tuesday

There's a Village Council meeting Tuesday night, Oct. 16, from 8 to 9 pm at the Glass House on McFarlane Road.

On the agenda: Discussion of Election of Officers, possible by-law amendments and Miami-Dade public works meeting regarding underground utilities.

Free speech

Seen on a light pole on Grand Avenue.

Great Grove Picnic today

The Great Grove Picnic is today from 4 to 7 pm at Peacock Park.

It's free and open to everyone. Bring a blanket, a basket of food and drink and come meet your friends (and make new ones) underneath the Grove's stately oaks and swaying palms.

Music is provided by Bobby Ingram & Friends.

Bocce, kickball, badminton and other games and activities will be available for both kids and adults.

Parking is available curbside and at metered rates in the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel parking garage.

A Code 33 table will be set up for those residents and people working in Coconut Grove to get a Code 33 card. This card gives you discounts at participating businesses and restaurants in the Grove.

The picnic is co-sponsored by the Friends of Peacock Park and the City of Miami NET Office and special thanks to Comm. Marc Sarnoff and staff for their support.

Pumpkin patch

The pumpkin patch is up and running at the Boys and Girls Club at US1 and 32nd Ave. Nice juicy pumpkins are there for the taking and the money goes to charity. Good deal.

Mike Suarez campaign is using scare tactics

If Mike Suarez wants to defeat Angel Gonzalez, I suggest Mike's campaign stop throwing flyers all over the neighborhood. I just threw out about 25 of them that were flying all over our property because some overzealous moron threw them AT our mailboxes not IN. No one is seeing them now.

Not only is this litter. It is unwanted crap. Mike is not running in District 2 and while it behooves the Grove residents to support him monetarily since he is running against that creep Angel Gonzalez, I don't think littering the streets is the way to do it.

Also, Mike's scare tactics that say "Give me money or new zoning at Mercy will allow over 10,000 condo units" is very stupid and wrong and wreaks of yellow journalism.

Littering my property with propaganda is not gonna get you money, Mike. Acting like a mensch might. Try holding fundraisers and call your litter pigs off.

Also, don't exaggerate the truth to get money let alone votes. You are a better candidate -- anyone is better than that Gonzalez, but it scares me when you need to stretch the truth and throw flyers all over the street to get your point across.

All you have to do is speak the truth and you'll get votes and money. The other way is just going to turn people off. It turned me off big time -- especially the way you made it look like a vote for you will stop the Mercy project. That's not true and you know it. If anything, this lousy real estate market may do what so many could not.

Cafe Tu Tu Tango celebrates 16!

Cafe Tu Tu Tango (3015 Grand Ave.) has been celebrating their 16th birthday all this week. From now through Sunday specials include 16% off menu items and drinks.

Plus there are 16-cent specials all weekend long.

For more info: 305-529-2222 or http://www.cafetututango.com/

Christabelle's chef is out

According to the Herald, the chef is out at Christabelle's Quarter on Commodore Plaza. Chef Alex Patout (right) didn't see eye to eye with owners. Apparently his food was too heavy for the Miami crowd which desired lighter fare.

Three sous chefs are running things currently until a new chef moves in.

Interesting. Apparently that poor Herald review in August was
right on.

Pet sitting in the Grove

With the holiday season coming up, you may need a pet sitter. Here is Jorge Fernandez at CocoWalk with Snoopy. Jorge is the Grove's main pet sitter. You can reach him at 305-528-0874 or email: jorgepetsitter@aol.com

"Sports Zone"

This Saturday at 7 pm, "Sports Zone" on Channel 4 will be broadcasting live from Cafe Tu Tu Tango at CocoWalk.

You can get a little sports and Jim Berry with your art and tapas now.

How about them traffic circles?

If we could move the traffic circle from Shipping and Virginia, to some place where it would be needed? Where would we put one? Which intersection needs a traffic circle -- besides the new location set for 27th Ave.

BIC to BID -- not yet

The effort to turn the Grove Business Improvement Committee (BIC) into a BID -- Business Improvement District is hitting some bumpy roads. Basically money issues.

BIC members are concerned about where the money would go. Would their current reserves and the money regularly collected for cafe fees, parking surcharges and other items go directly to the BID or will the city step in and use some of the money for other projects not related to the Grove?

Also, assessments will be required, but first the city needs to let the group know what they will be responsible for and what the BID will be resonsible for (like sanitation, security, etc.)

The November vote for or against the BID may be postponed to a later date.

Fitness Park in the Grove

There is a new physical training program available at Kennedy Park call Fitness Park. The program is led by Lucas Irwin, a personal trainer and ex-NCAA Football player. There are times available as early as 5am to accommodate virtually any schedule.

Fitness Park is a great way to lose weight, build strength, increase flexibility and get in the best general shape of your life! For more information, contact Lucas Irwin at 786.226.7196, or visit: irwin.lucas@gmail.com or www.myspace.com/fitnesspark.

All-Grove Crime Watch meeting this Wednesday

The All-Grove Crime Watch will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, October 10 at 7 PM in the Great Room of the St. Stephen's Church (2750 McFarlane Road).

Parking is free in the lot next to the church. Bring your parking ticket for validation.

In attendance will be City of Miami police, Assistant State Attorney Johni Hardiman, Grove residents and business leaders to discuss recent incidents of crime and how best to prevent future incidents from occurring.

There have been several incidents of car break-ins and a house break-ins in the Center Grove, one break-in of a garden shed in the North Grove and numerous car break-ins at Kennedy Park.

Several of the reported incidents involved vehicles which contained valuable items left inside the car so it would be a good idea not to leave valuable items in view when parking your car.

The home break-in that was reported involved homeowners who inadvertently left a back door open and who did not turn the alarm on because they felt they would only be gone an hour or so and nothing would happen before they returned

Unfortunately, this was not the case. We also had a stranger wandering the stairwell of our condo building in North Grove and when a resident screamed after he opened her door, he fled.

Please take the time and make the effort to be sure that all doors are locked before you leave and turn the alarm system on -- even if you will only be gone a few minutes.

We all would like more police here in the Grove. But it looks like, at this time, we just don't have the money to pay for more police.

In the meantime, we must be proactive in our efforts to prevent crime.

Call the non-emergency number -- 305-579-6111-- whenever you see suspicious persons in your neighborhood. Volunteer as a Block Captain or C.O.P. (Citizens On Patrol).

Visit www.grovecrimewatch.org for info about the organization.

Alcohol will not be served past 3 am

Legislation is being passed that would ban all bars and clubs in the Grove from selling alcohol past 3 am.

Hopefully this will curb crime and noise that has been plaguing the Grove for quite awhile now. The Village Council will meet again and discuss the issue, but it seems like a done deal.

''5 a.m. clubs in Coconut Grove should be phased out as soon as possible,'' said Councilman David Collins.

Going in circles

A traffic circle is going in on Virginia and Shipping. Not sure why, I think three cars a day go by there. I am really concerned about this waste of tax dollars. Is this circle necessary? Is the replacement of the Pink Wall necessary?

Can't the money go to something useful?

I went over yesterday to get some photos, but Harry Emilio Gottlieb got this great photo. Thanks Harry.

Qdoba still working its way into the Grove

Qdoba authorities tell me they are opening soon. Let's hope so. We can visit the Halloween shop a couple of doors down, have lunch at Qdoba and then hop on over to Starbucks, then shop across the street at CocoWalk.

The weather is drying out and hopefully will be getting less humid and more cooler and the Grove is a great place to spend a fall afternoon.

Village Council talks about post office tree cutting

Regarding the tree massacre at the post office -- last week the Village Council agreed to write a letter to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, asking her to step in as a liaison with the federal government in getting some sort of restitution for the lost trees.

They post office was fined $1000.00 per tree ($10,000). Some are concerned about the oak trees in the back of the post office. Are they next?

It was agreed upon that the tree cutting was probably just done out of stupidity on the post office's part and they weren't trying to be malicious. But if the post office officials would actually join the community and get their heads out of the sand, that would be a good first step.

They are this federal entity in the center of our village and they choose to be unfriendly and uncaring regarding all concerns.

One person brought up the fact that they should try to find the actual culprit -- the person who came up with the lame idea of destroying decades old trees and have him or her punished.

Others feel that more than just trees need to be replaced -- they want the whole post office cleaned up, inside and out.

One idea was to put a multi-level parking garage on the current parking location to make up for the loss and to help with parking issues in the Grove. I don't know if I am crazy about that idea, we don't need more development and once that starts, what is there to stop anyone from elaborating on that and making it larger and higher.

Great Grove Picnic next weekend

Next Sunday (Oct. 14) is the Third Annual Great Grove Picnic in Peacock Park.

It's free and everyone is welcome.

Bobby Ingram & Friends will be performing. There will be fun games and sports activities offered for kids and adults.

Parking is available at meters around the park or at the Sonesta parking garage at metered rates. Please bring your favorite food, drinks and blankets. It's from 4 to 7 pm.

The picnic is co-sponsored by Friends of Peacock Park and the City of Miami NET office, with help from Commissioner Sarnoff.

Chamber meeting Tuesday

Monday is a holiday. Please RSVP today.

Please click on the image for larger view.

Noisy neighbors

I now have a new respect for the neighbors who are concerned about the music blasting at all hours from the clubs and restaurants.

Last night Grove Isle had an event and the music came across the water to our neighborhood and drove us nuts. All night the pounding music blasted and no one cared. I called Grove Isle and I emailed them but they ignored me.

I was tempted to call the police, but I didn't feel right doing that. I guess the whole point of this is that when I said people who moved next to the central business district should expect to be bombarded by music all night, I was wrong. They deserve peace at night. We all do.

Grove Isle. You suck.

Visual Pollution

I received a mailing from Marc Sarnoff's campaign called "Visual Pollution in Miami" and I found it ironic because I went to Boston and Cambridge for the first time this past summer and what impressed me the most was the lack of this type of "advertising pollution".

I have mentioned this to friends about 100 times since then -- the fact that I couldn't believe how clean the cities looked because there was no large advertising signs in your face. Their buildings are clean.

Miami does look like a total mess with ads on top of ads. For some reason, the powers that be feel that Miami needs to compete with New York on a building scale and Times Square on an ugly scale.

If Miami wants to be ugly, fine, let's keep the Grove clean. So far so good, we don't seem to have many ugly billboards or signs around. There is that one ugly billboard over Grand and McDonald, but that has been there since day one it seems and it's almost an institution.

I hate the huge one on US1 near Douglas Road, luckily the hedges in the median block it from the south bound lanes.

Halloween shop

The Halloween costume store is getting ready to open. Looks like it is next to the place they were last year, closer to the Shaq Gym.

The store fronts sit vacant there but at least once a year there is some activity with the Halloween shop, it brings people into the Grove, who in turn visit other businesses while here.

The Pink Wall issue

There have been many comments on the easement issue for the pink wall on US1 along the Bay Heights and Natoma neighborhoods.

The new wall, which will begin to be constructed next week, has to be built a few feet back from where the current wall is to allow for a guardrail. It turns out the city is not paying for the land, which I don't understand. It should be a case of eminent domain where the owners are paid for the land.

Originally, I thought the new wall was replacing the old one and that it would be contained in the same space as the old wall. And I had assumed there was a city easement there, which might allow for a foot or two -- which there is not.

I can now see residents' concerns about giving up property to the city for a project that is not really needed. What next? Take down the pink wall along Mercy Hospital or the pink wall on the S. Miami Ave. side of Bay Heights? Those are landmarks and part of the aesthetics.

Leave the freakin' things alone. The wall on US1 is ugly, but it's always been there and always been ugly. Perhaps clinging vines or ferns or some sort of plant coverage would make it appear nicer to those who seem to be bothered by the wall after so many years.

Street closed

Traffic from the Grove across US1 on 32nd Ave. is blocked today for no apparent reason, although I am sure there is one.

Be prepared to turn on to US1 and sit for up to 5 red lights if trying to use 27th Ave. as an alternate.

Gorbachev visits the Grove

Mikhail Gorbechev was speaker at Ransom Everglades High School (3575 Main Hwy.) in the Grove today. He chose Ransom to give his speech because he is a close personal friend of the parents of a student at the school.

Village Council meets tonight

The Coconut Grove Village Council meets tonight at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) from 7 to 9 pm.

OLD BUSINESS
Police Report
County Metrorail Expansion
Coconut Grove Playhouse

NEW BUSINESS
Post Office Tree Cutting and Reforesting the Grove
5:00 AM Club Closings

Nikki is coming

So it looks like Nikki Beach Club is opening Nikki Coconut Grove in December at the Sonesta Hotel (2889 McFarlane Rd).

The Grove is finally turning around. With Qdoba opening and Starbucks opening a second location, and Chili's coming. And of the course, the great news of the new book store. Things are looking up.

The club plans to be an upscale place, hoping to be popular for weeknight happy hour. And the after hours and weekends will have the music contained inside, so as not to disturb the neighbors.

What's not to like? More here.

Columbus Day Regatta this weekend

Grovites AnnaMaria Windisch Hunt artist, left, with Susan Walcutt, Regatta Treasurer

AnnaMaria and Fred Hunt have been busy this summer. AnnaMaria Windisch Hunt's painting was selected to be the poster art for this year's Columbus Day Regatta.

The 53rd annual regatta is this coming Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7, 2007, at the Coral Reef Yacht Club (2482 South Bayshore Drive).

Susan Walcutt, Regatta treasurer will be on the finish boat during the race, timing the boats as they come across the finish line.

First held in 1954, the Columbus Day Regatta was run with 24 boats, and was originally conceived as a commemoration of a small boat cruise made in 1492, as the explorer Christopher Columbus embarked on the first of his four sea journeys.

AnnaMaria, also known as “Mermaid,” is a contributing artist at Cafe TuTu Tango at CocoWalk and also at the Orlando Cafe TuTu Tango and is founder of the One Ear Society in Coconut Grove.

For up to date Regatta events visit: http://columbusdayregatta.net/2007/