I had a little chat with Officer Carrillo, the cop on the beat

I ran into Officer Leonardo Carrillo today, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and I asked him about the roach coach issue.

Just as I suspected, it is not legal for them to pull up in the Central Grove and start selling from their trucks. They are only permitted in construction zones. He says that even parking near the post office is pushing it, but since that is a construction zone these days, that could be permitted.

But other areas, like Mayfair and Commodore Plaza and basically any street is not allowed.

Officer Carrillo was also mentioned that he would love to see more people at the many meetings held each month in the Grove -- the Crime Watch meeting, the merchants meetings, the Central Grove residents meeting, etc. I post the meeting notices in the Grapevine, so if you're interested, you can get the info here as they come up.

The next Crime Watch meeting is Wednesday, October 8 from 7 to 9 pm at St. Stephen's (2750 McFarlane Road). Come out and meet your neighbors, your police officers and your block captains. A representative from the State Attorney's office will be present. Parking is validated.

Ironically, while we were speaking, he got a call about a tree-cutting issue. So it's nice to know that people are using the special phone lines for that.

"A Crude Awakening" at City Hall

This Friday is "Film Night" at Miami City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

"A Crude Awakening -- The Oil Crash" is being shown from 7 to 9 pm. Admission is free. So is the popcorn. Seating is limited so please
arrive early.

Free film night is courtesy of Comm. Marc Sarnoff.

Are they just filling a void?

This always bothers me, I don't know why. But every time I see these lunch trucks, better known as "roach coaches," right in the center of town selling their wares, I wonder about all the Grove businesses who actually are part of the Grove and don't just drive through selling and then packing up and leaving.

What about all the Grove businesses that pay high rents and pay high taxes and pay for permits and inspections and may start paying into the BID fund and things like that. They have such high overhead and then this roach coach passes through town from who knows where, steals their customers and takes off for the next neighborhood.

Before I took this photo, there was a line of maybe 12 to 15 people waiting to order. That is 12 to 15 people not using Grove businesses who are licensed and legally here. And before those 12 to 15 people, there were another 12 to 15 people and so on.

But then you can look at it like this -- maybe they are just filling a void. They are actually doing what I always talk about -- having a breakfast cart in the center of town. So maybe it's a good thing. I'm not sure if Focaccia would agree in light of their new breakfast cart. But the customers were going for convenience and price and maybe that's the American way.

It might be easier to just put in a waste basket

I received the following email from a reader:

"I take the train a lot for work, and can't help noticing the rats that live in the bushes along the Southeast intersection of 27th avenue and US1 on the property of the Shell Gas Station. There's a bus stop nearby and some commuters like to throw their trash on the sidewalk and lawn since there isn't a waste basket around. I guess the rats can't resist because you can literally see several of them darting in and out of the bushes. This afternoon, while walking past the gas station toward Berrie's one good size rat missed my foot by about an inch! Maybe he was on his way for a snack!

"Since you like taking pictures around the Grove, maybe you could swing by in the morning or afternoon (when they are most easily seen) and take a couple shots of them, then you can post them on your blog and maybe the owner will put some rat traps in the bushes before they get REALLY brave and start biting young children."

I declined to take the pictures. It's not worth getting bitten by a rat; his email makes the point so well.

Urban Daddy likes Le P'tit Paris

Urban Daddy has a nice write up on Le P'tit Paris today. Right here.

Movie premier to benefit Shake-A-Leg

There's a special screening of "Morning Light" to benefit the Grove's Shake-A-Leg, this Thursday, October 2.

Honored guests will be Executive Producers Roy E. Disney and Leslie DeMeuse-Disney. The movie is hosted by Harry R. Horgan, CEO Shake-A-Leg Miami and Jeff E. Rubin, Vice Chairman US Sailing Center.

The event is $35.00. Seats are limited. A reception is at 6:00 pm and showtime is 7:00 pm.

Questions and Answers will follow.

Location: Regal Cinemas, 1100 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

Get tickets on line here or call 305-858-5550, EXT 102

For the birds

Harry Emilio Gottlieb (who I saw at breakfast this morning), sent me this Non Sequitur cartoon and I found the Herman cartoon. Oddly enough, they both fit in with our peacock issue in the Grove. In fact, today, the CBS Sunday Morning Show will be filming around the Grove, doing a story on the peacocks.

Grab and go breakfast a success

My buds at Focaccia set up the grab and go breakfast cart outside this morning. They are there until about 10 am and will be there every morning.

Here is Gigi serving some delicious hot coffee to Yamila, who also enjoyed a croissant. If you're in the area, stop by, just pull up to the curb and order right from your car.

I had an egg and ham croissant, chocolate muffin and coffee. Yum.

"What a novel idea -- the ability to see the waterfront!"

For those of you who didn't catch the Commission hearing on the Grove Harbor project, it was heard Thursday when the request for a deferment was denied.

The proposed plan calls for a three-story office building literally on the waterfront, with no solid parking plan, (are they going to use The Fresh Market's parking?), there was no compliance with the Charter Amendment -- 50-foot setback rule (voted on by the public), and it was never included in the Waterfront Masterplan, which bothers many.

While the zoning board previously approved this project, it is clear to everyone that the zoning board is living in another world and has no clue what is going on with the Waterfront Masterplan or Coconut Grove. Another reason we need to reclaim the Grove and "take back the Grove."

Why did we spend $1.5 million on the Masterplan, which took years in the making, if they are going to ignore it? If this is allowed to pass, what next? Can anyone just come in and make changes to the plan as they see fit? Stuart Sorg, head of the Waterfront Advisory Board, stood up before the Commission and said, "yes." Guess he feels all the years of meetings, charrettes, public input and such were just suggestions and not to be taken seriously.

Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones called the Masterplan an "Inspirational Plan" and says Masterplans change. Commissioner Joe Sanchez feels the water view is blocked already by the hangers and that he respects the Waterfront Advisory Board on these type of decisions (I think they are biased). Commissioner Tomás Reglado wants to hear more from the public but feels that the offices should be scrapped and only the dockmaster facilities should stay (showers, bathroom and dockmaster office).

The Sailing Club and U.S. Sailing Facility went through arduous negotiations to have their ideas heard as part of the Masterplan. Grove Harbour should have done the same at the time and not come up with their own selfish plan after the fact. They want to lease offices to yacht brokers at a new building on the public's right of way -- on the waterfront, in a public park.

After a two and a half hour hearing, the matter was continued until a Commission hearing on October 23. As you know, the Village Council was almost unanimous in their incredulence over the project and they weren't too crazy about the lack of respect they received from the project-pusher Santiago Echemendia. He is not a friend to the Grove. He was just as rude to the City Commission and has this attitude that he is right and everyone else is a fool. He has this way of double talking, too.

Enrique Núñez, City project manager of the Waterfront Masterplan, was grilled by Mr. Echemendia. While Mr. Núñez feels that the new project fits the footprint allowed for the area, he would like to leave the decision to the City Commission. But he says the Masterplan never involved more than a dockmaster facility with bathrooms and showers. It didn't include an office building.

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff was adamant about not allowing this project to be built. Mr. Echemendia tried to tie Marc and his chief of staff Ron Nelson as being biased against the project. Which they are. So what? Marc feels that the Masterplan is now a joke and a waste of taxpayers' money. What was the point of it?

Marc brought up an excellent point about the building -- he said that FEMA would not allow the building to be built at ground level, that is why Grove Harbour is being so "generous" to the public about having a "plaza" below the building. They have to do that. They are not giving out of generosity. They are snowing the public. Marc called it a "hair brained scheme." It is.

Speaking of the reason behind the Waterfront Masterplan Marc said, "What a novel idea in the City of Miami -- the ability to see the waterfront."

Mark your calendar for October 23, and let's all come out for this one and protect our waterfront. Do you want waterfront access or do you want private businesses to control it for their own benefit? How often do you plan on visiting that building to purchase a yacht?

"Grab and go" breakfast starts tomorrow

Just a reminder that tomorrow starts Focaccia's "grab and go" breakfast.

Dominique and Gigi will be offering quick breakfasts from a cart out front -- you know, coffee, pastries, egg sandwiches, muffins, bagels -- things like that.

They'll be there at 7 am. Will you?

How Starbucks triples their business on Sunday mornings

Starbucks triples their business on Sunday mornings by doing nothing. Actually they do one thing -- they open.

What I mean is that most places in Miami, actually, in the world, are closed on Sunday mornings.

Things don't start going until 11 am or noon. But for some reason, tour buses get the tourists out very early and just "dump them." Here in the Grove you can see them on Grand Avenue, across from FedEx/Kinko's.

The tourists start to wander and of course most things are closed, so they end up at the one obviously open place -- Starbucks.

I'm sure many wander into The Bookstore, which is open and others may wander all the way down to Commodore Plaza seeing that Greenstreet, Le P'tit Paris and George's are open for breakfast, passing Le Bouchon along the way, which is also open. But most end up at the only open spot in the area (other than The Bookstore and the Shaq gym) -- ubiquitous Starbucks.

You can see tourists mixing with locals and it's a very lively scene.

The tour buses that arrive later in the day have more to choose from, when the Grove is alive and jumping. But these few dumped tourists usually have nowhere to shop and just end up having coffee. Even Paul, the sunglasses guy at Mayfair is closed at that early hour, and he is usually open at all hours, so are most of the kiosk's at Mayfair. So you know it's early if they aren't there yet.


This is a good wake up call for many businesses in the area. If you can open on Sunday mornings, do it. And for those off the beaten track (away from CocoWalk), maybe have someone from your business guide the tourists over with flyers or something, as they exit the buses.

En Plein Air event will fill the Grove with artists

The En Plein Air competition in the Grove is next weekend -- October 4 and 5.

The two-day event features painters all over the streets, waterfront, parks, in the blooming neighborhoods with peacocks, and by the sidewalk cafés of Coconut Grove. So far 45 artists have signed up to capture the beauty of Coconut Grove on canvas.

"The Artists respond to the immediacy of the moment and reflect the excitement of the changing light and weather conditions," said AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, organizer of the event being called, "Coconut Grove though the Artist's Eye."

The en plein air or "paint out" has become a phenomena around the country especially in
areas that have lovely weather year round.

We explained what it is here, but for all the details, please stop by the Windish-Hunt Gallery at 2911 Grand Avenue or email fredhuntart@mac.com and put "attn: en plein air" in the subject line.

This cottage shown above, no longer stands; it was painted during a previous en plein air event. It used to be located at 3036 Allamanda Sreet, also known as the "Weatherd Edge" in the Center Grove.

"Not only do artists record beauty but also capture changing communities such as the Grove," said AnnaMaria who has made a study of some of the Hudson Valley en plein air painters like Asher Durand and Thomas Cole.

The crowds are filling up the Grove this Saturday night

The Grove is very crowded tonight. It's crawling with people. I love to see that.

The economy is supposed to be so bad, yet people like going out. Maybe many people are coming to the Grove now, rather than South Beach, where you can still get some bargains.

Not many places in the Grove sell $15.00 drinks, like in South Beach, so perhaps people are spending less and spending it in the Grove, where one can get reasonably priced dinners, drinks and fun. Parking is even cheaper here.

All I'm saying is that it's nice to see so many people out and about. There's a lot of electricity in the air.

Greening up the Grove

Francesca, Debbie and Tiffany are handing out free tote bags today in front of the Root for Miami American Express campaign. American Express donated $100,000 to the city which will go for the purchasing and planting of trees.

Below you can see one of the American Express crew finishing up the topiary at CocoWalk.

Custom printed tote bags are available here at wholesale pricing. You can add your logo, slogan, whatever . . . Some are even made from recycled materials. These are great for businesses, schools and organizations.

Surveying their domain

Danielle and Stefanus at Greenstreet Café.

Local boaters head out for Lime Cup

Local sailors headed out early today for an off-shore race called the Lime Cup.

The Lime Cup runs from here to Ft. Lauderdale and back.


It's windy and rough out today.


It will be a challenging day in the choppy water.


The new moon is bringing in very high tides this weekend, the water comes up to meet you in many places, you can see how it almost covers the seawall below.


Photos by Paige Brooks

Update on the Ransom Everglades sign

The new sign in question was approved by the zoning departement. Look for it to go up soon.

Register to vote tomorrow in the Center Grove

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, from 3 to 11 pm, the Obama campaign will be holding a voter registration drive near CocoWalk.

The deadline for voters to register in Florida is Monday, October 6. If you would like to volunteer to help register people you can sign up at http://www.barackobama.com.

Also anyone can check their registration status here: http://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php

Fierce at 40!

Vivian Jordan is getting ready for tonight's celebration. As you know, from 5 to 9 pm, she'll be celebrating Maya Hatcha's 40th Anniversary. They've been in the same location for all these years.

It's at 3058 Grand Avenue, you really can't miss the bright blue and yellow storefront, and it helps when there is a bright red Porche parked out front, as is the scene today.


Going into Maya Hatcha is like going back in time to the old Grove. There are so many things and incredible scents, you could spend hours in there exploring. If you've never been, or are a long time regular, tonight is the night to go and celebrate.

They accept Code 33, too. Their website is here: http://mayahatcha.com/

Should a "Skateboard Center" be added to Peacock Park?

Base Camp has put in a Class II permit application to create a "Skateboard Learning Center" in the south west corner of Peacock Park. I would assume this is a no brainer as long as on building structures are part of the plan. According to the building department, no plans have been submitted yet.

Base Camp is part of a Congressional District non-profit program which provides kids with an activity center for after school and weekends. Activities include homework and tutorial assistance, computers and gaming, skating/skate boarding, biking, water sports, fishing, eco-exploration and hobbies.

The City of Miami does not have any learning programs that combine adventure and sports. Partnering Base Camp with the city's parks department creates a platform for this.

The program sounds great, as long as no structures are built in the park.

Topiary going up at CocoWalk

Grayson and Heather from Topiary Joe are out today creating something in front of CocoWalk. It has something to do with an American Express promotion.


Freddie the Flamingo had to hop on over next to Starbucks for awhile, to make way for this imposter!

What are you lookin' at?

I love when they have the petting zoo at CocoWalk. Every once in awhile, usually on Family Days, they bring out all the little baby farm animals and plop them right down in the middle of the plaza. It's very surreal.


The animals are really cute and they like people.


There are chickens, goats, pigs and more, as you can see.


The kids love 'em. So do I.

The poor economy doesn't seem to be affecting the Grove

Hope I didn't jinx anything, but the economy seems to be up and running in the Grove in spite of the mess on Wall Street.

Restaurants are all humming with large crowds these days. Maybe it's the change of season, you can smell and feel it in the air. The humidity is lower, the temps are even a bit lower.

George's in the Grove had standing room only today and so did many other places like Greenstreet and Le Bouchon du Grove and Focaccia and Jaguar, and, actually most places.

The sad thing is that the poor tourists are all at Johnny Rockets because the tour buses leave them off in that area. Are we ever going to get those M*A*S*H signs that would show the tourists that there is more to eat than Johnny Rockets, Cheesecake Factory and Chilis? How about arrows pointing toward Commodore Plaza? Why are we sending them to chain restaurants when we have one-of-a-kind local places that they would probably enjoy more? The chains don't even take Code 33. Not that the tourists would use Code 33, but still. Let's promote local!

Virrik Park Library is open

The Virrik Park Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 6 pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 am to 8 pm

They are closed Sunday.

They have more than 15,000 books, DVDs, CDs and audio books. After hours book drop is available.

Stop in and make yourself at home. They are located at 3255 Plaza Street. For info: 305-441-7862.

Are people even buying luxury cars these days?

Code Enforcement agrees that the car dealership that set up shop on South Dixie is in violation of zoning rules.

Elite Luxury Rent-A-Car at 2500 South Dixie Hwy. will be fined daily until they stop selling the cars. It was determined that they are a commercial business conducting business in an office zoned property.

The owners of Elite denied it. Phantom Properties is the owner (out of the Dominican Republic).
They said they are an office that arranges luxury packages that include cars, boats, airplanes and such and that their cars are not being rented from that location but from another office elsewhere.

Phantom Properties sent someone to the hearing, that honestly had nothing to do with the case, he seems to have been handy and was not an attorney or owner of the dealership. Guess they felt the would gamble and apparently they lost.

I have mixed feelings about this because I don't understand why South Dixie which has all sorts of businesses, can't have a luxury car business. (I know this wasn't zoned for it). But I guess with the economy the way it is today, no one is probably buying the luxury cars anyway.

Maya Hatcha celebrates 40 years in Grove

Maya Hatcha is celebrating their 40th Anniversary tomorrow. The wine and and hors d'oeuvres party will be from 5 to 9 pm at their location of 40 years, 3058 Grand Avenue.

There will be a raffle for a Treska bead bracelet. Come out, buy some water buffalo sandals and antique Naga necklaces from India. This one-of-a-kind shop has been around so long for a reason. They accept Code 33, too. The Herald's business section just did a nice story on Vivian and her store here.

Their website is here: http://mayahatcha.com/

My, how the mighty have fallen

Home Depot planted some new trees in their parking lot and some new bushes around the side of the building. Looks nice. And they're a nice big size, too.

It's ironic that not too long ago they wanted to gut the whole lot of trees and a lawsuit was the only way to stop them. Now they are going green? Interesting.

I asked my bud Sue McConnell, who was part of the Home Depot lawsuit about this. I wanted to know if it was part of the settlement. Her response was, "No comment." They are keeping the settlement secret. But I like what I'm seeing.

I was telling Sue that there are so many trees in the lot now that it sort of blocks the whole Home Depot sign. I tried to get a good shot with the sign in the background, but it was not to be. Good.

Blu Moon Studio of Art opens on Main Highway

There's a new art studio and gallery in the Grove which reminds me very much of art studios in New York's Greenwich Village and SoHo. And it reminds me a lot of the old Grove. It's a working studio and gallery.

Blu Moon Studio of Art is located in the Florentine Plaza (3444 Main Highway) tucked high up on the top floor above the Knife Restaurant. It's a nice well lit workspace, quite large, but cozy, where artist Sheri Friedman does her thing. It feels like an old fashioned artist's loft -- very inviting.There is one seating area, that reminds me so much of the old I-Ching building. Many of you old Grovites may know what I'm referring to. It just has that look and feel of the old funky Grove.

Sheri is offering a full schedule of art classes for adults, teens and kids, as well as a "Mommy and Me" class for ages three to five. She has been a member of the Grove House Artists Gallery for years, and was one of the many artists you may have seen painting right in the center of Café TuTu Tango, that is where I first met Sheri.

Besides being an exhibiting and award-winning artist, Sheri has a BFA, has taught art in many locations for the past ten years, and will apply her experience and expertise to her classes at Blu Moon. Her painting studio will also be at this location and students will be inspired by an atmosphere of creativity. We need this in the Grove -- working artists in galleries.

Sheri hopes to host art events and exhibits as well as a variety of workshops. Classes being offered include Stained Glass, Figure Drawing, Portfolio Prep. for Art Magnet programs and Mixed Media for Kids, to name a few.

“This is a dream come true for me,” says Sheri. “I have a fantastic space in which to paint and teach, in the heart the Grove. I hope that Blu Moon Studio of Art will become a haven of creativity and inspiration, and that I can share my love of art with my students and the community.“

Classes begin on Monday, October 6, you may sign up now. To receive a schedule of classes and to register, please call Sheri at 305-529-5006.

You can see Sheri's studio from below. It has a nice inviting terrace and really is very welcoming and comfortable.

"Hey, are you the guy who writes The Grapevine?"

I was having lunch and the guy at the next table says, "Hey, are you the guy who writes the Grapevine?" I hear that a lot, and every time I hear that sentence, I shudder and I am prepared for a punch in the nose.

I said, "Yes, hi, I'm Tom," and he responded with, "Hi, I'm John, I live in the military barracks you just wrote about."

I think his name was John. I turned beet red. I had just posted some photos given to me by Harry and it was a put down on the development this nice guy lived in. I felt bad.

One thing I felt good about was that he was eating in a place I had written about and recommended. He said he was there three times already this week, because of my blog story. So that was nice.

Micanopy Peacocks on tv tonight

ABC News, World News Tonight had the Micanopy peacocks on tonight. They did a fluff piece and there was Commissioner Marc Sarnoff being interviewed. Ironically, my phone rang at the time the report was on and it was Commissioner Sarnoff, on the phone, a recording actually, inviting me to a Town Hall meeting.

Weird.

CBS News will be out this weekend to do a story for their Sunday Morning show. But it's being done on a street near the Moorings. Not sure why, when the peacocks are on Micanopy.

BID update

The Business Improvement District is moving right along. As you know, about 138 votes are needed for it to happen. So far the vote is 64 for, 0 against.

A PDF of the BIC business plan is here.

Put your garbage out, it will be picked up

This just in from City Manager Pedro Hernandez about the garbage pick up issue:

Per my discussion with the Mayor, I will be recommending at the September 25th budget hearing that the City of Miami continue its long standing practice of providing weekly curbside bulky waste pickup. The Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget has been adjusted to accommodate continuing the weekly trash pickup as part of the increased Solid Waste Fee revenues.

During the next couple of months, we will be conducting a through review of our solid waste services, including bulky waste and recycling, in order to provide the Commission with a comprehensive report describing various service alternatives. A recommendation will then be presented to the Commission taking into account the needs of the residents in the various neighborhoods of the City as well as the associated costs or savings.

Consequently, there will be no changes to our current collection schedule until the studies are completed and a plan is presented to the Commission for their consideration and approval.

Pedro G. Hernandez, P.E.
City Manager

A new breakfast place in the Grove; well, sort of

I've been bitching for awhile now about the Grove not having any grab and go breakfast places.

Well, I guess they got tired of my complaints and so they did something about it. I'm talking about my friends at Focaccia Rustica (3411 Grand Avenue).

Starting Monday, and every day after, from 7 to 10 am, Dominique and Gigi, who I like to call Laverne and Shirley (Lucy and Ethel?), will be having a grab and go breakfast cart right outside Focaccia.

For those of you who like Focaccia's regular breakfast served inside with table service, Daniel will still be serving up their full menu. But for something quick on the way to work, the new grab and go service is the way to go.

They will offer hot piping coffee, muffins, croissants, bagels, egg sandwiches, probably some of their delicious cupcakes and pastries and more, like water and orange juice (in bottles), for the fresh squeezed stuff, you'll still have to go inside.

But this is what we need and I'm excited about it. You can grab a large 16 oz. coffee for just two bucks or maybe have a quick egg sandwich for a couple of bucks or take a few cupcakes to work with you and all you have to do is drive up to the curb, order, grab and go! How about a bagel with a schmeer?

There is plenty of room now for a nice Fresh Market lunch

There's all this talk about allowing the new structure to be built at Grove Harbour Marina so that there will be open space to eat your sandwiches at The Fresh Market.

There is actually space there now not being used. Apparently The Fresh Market does not want people sitting and eating sandwiches on the property or they would have set up the area next door. It's a little dark presently, but it's in the shade, it has a very nice cool breeze blowing through from the water, I guess due to the tunnel effect and maybe they should experiment with a little eating spot there before Grove Harbour builds an office building on the water.

If Grove Harbour is doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, how about setting up some picnic tables now? Let people eat their Fresh Market lunch today since they have the space. The traffic may even help the angler shop that is there now. Or is it only a deal if they build the 21,600 square foot office building on the water? Then they will throw us a bone, I mean a picnic table or two?

Golden Coconut Awards/Casino was a big success

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 52nd Annual Golden Coconut Awards Gala on Saturday, night, by transforming the former Cielo space at Shoppes at Mayfair into a nightclub featuring jazz, exotic cocktails, casino gaming and cigar rolling, with a sumptuous repast catered exclusively by Hy Vong.

The annual event honors Grove Chamber members and civic leaders who have distinguished themselves in the promotion of commerce, quality of life and community service in Coconut Grove. This year’s winners were:

Volunteers of the Year Award: Lisa Shallenberger and Cely Pareda, who have, for many years, been dedicated volunteers at nearly all Chamber functions.

The Community Service Award: The Waterfront Working Committee of the Cocoanut Grove Village Council, Michelle Niemeyer, Chair - A committee that was formed 4 years ago to ensure and assist in public input from the community during the planning process of the City of Miami’s Waterfront Master Plan for Coconut Grove.

The President’s Award: Gary E.Ciuca , RPC, ETSC - Vice President, Investments, Wachovia Securities, for his “Excellence in Leadership” as Vice President of the Chamber and Co-chair of the Great Taste of the Grove (Fellow Taste Co-chair, Monty Trainer, was the Golden Coconut Recipient for 2006)

Chamber Member of the Year Award: Anthony Noboa, Vice President and Branch Manager of Coconut Grove Bank, for his “Outstanding Service to the Chamber.”

The Golden Coconut Award for Outstanding Service to the Community: The Bookstore in the Grove, for representing “True Spirit of Commerce and Independence.”

This year’s prizes were more plentiful than ever. Grand Prizes included all-inclusive Paradisus Sol Melia Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; a luxury vacation beach house in Destin, Florida; Fiesta Americana Condesa in Cancun, a Coconut Grove Bed & Breakfast in Fiji; beauty treatments from dermatologist Dr. Janice Lima Maribona, a sunset cruise on a private yacht, jewelry form designer Steven Anton Rehage, and H & H Jewels weekend getaways and more.

Next year's event is already being planned!


Tony Noboa, with Chamber Prez Liliana Dones, Felice Dubin, Gary Ciuca, Michelle Niemeyer, Monty Trainer.


Board Members Manny Alonso Poch and Michelle Niemeyer

Photos and report by Lilliana Dones

Shotokan Karate-Do Federation coming to Grove

The SKIF USA National & Open Tournament of the Shotokan Karate-Do Federation is coming to the Grove this week.

The federation, with over 2 million members in over 100 countries, under the leadership of Sensei Jimmy Wong will be holding a tournament, which is a qualifier to the World Championship, Greece 2009, on September 26 and 27 at Ransom Everglades, featuring special guest Sensei Manabu Murakami, a World Champion and current SKIF Head of International Affairs.

Competitors and their families, over 200 in all, are expected to come from karate academies throughout the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, Peru and West Africa.
SKIF was founded in 1977 and has become one of the world's largest and finest karate organizations. The "SKIF system" is a well organized and structured system of training that is both scientific and spiritual: 1. To strive for perfection of character; 2. To defend the paths of truth; 3. To foster the spirit of effort; 4. To honor the principles of etiquette; and 5. To guard against impetuous courage (maintain humility and self-control).

Admittance is $5.00, under 4 is free. More info, times and schedule is here: http://skifusa.com/Events.html

Obama rally in the Grove?

My friend Meredith wants to hold an Obama rally somewhere in the Grove, but she isn't sure if there is any interest. I was telling her I saw a huge rally this past weekend in Coral Gables on Miracle Mile, there must have been hundreds of people with signs, parading up and down.

If anyone is interested in organizing a rally with Meredith, please contact her here htiderem1977@yahoo.com

Trees to be removed from Kennedy Park?

There is a sign at Kennedy Park today stating that 945 "invasive trees" will be removed from the park soon. The trees in question are in the mangrove area. Are there even 945 trees in that area?

Hopefully the guys doing the cutting know that the mangroves are not part of the tree removal. I shudder to think what the finished product will look like. They are supposed to just remove Washington palms and Australian pines.

Barracuda Bar wins "People's Choice" at Chili Cookoff

Barracuda Bar and Grill ended up winning "People's Choice" award at the Chili Cookoff on Saturday. People kept going back to Barracuda for more and they would accommodate without taking more of the tickets, so they actually ran out. They were so good that they ran out of chili early!

Congrats to Barracuda. The other winners and categories are shown here.

Also, keep in mind that Frank said that anyone that mentions the "Coconut Grove Grapevine" will receive $1.00 off their drinks. So when if you go there, try doing that for a discount.

Community Bingo is starting at The Bookstore

The Bookstore's first Bingo Night is Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 pm and will continue every third Wednesday of the month.

Community Bingo is fun. If you've never gone, you should. Lots of laughs.

Children's Story Telling Hour is every Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday at 11:30 am . If you would like to tell a story or bring a special book to read, just let let them know and they'll arrange it for you.

The Bookstore is at 3399 Virginia Street. For info: 305-443-2855

There's a Strut meeting tomorrow night

The next King Mango Strut meeting is tomorrow night at the Sailing Club (2990 South Bayshore Drive).

The Mangoheads will hold their meeting around their drinking schedule. It's like this: from 6:30 to 7 pm, it's the Happy Half-Hour. Then the meeting from 7 to 8 pm and then from 8 to 9 pm the Full Happy Hour.

The Bird Bath Coin Laundry to close next month

For over 30 years, the Bird Bath Coin Laundry has been a fixture on Bird Avenue, in the very same spot. As of October 21, it will be history.

According to owners Cassandra and Marco Quave, after tough negotiations with the landlord for almost a year, the landlord has decided to go "upscale" and have the building remodeled and subdivided to allow more rental options.

"They have expressed to us on many occasions that they would like to see a change in the 'kind of customers' that do business at their building. Apparently, the 'kind of customer' that the Laundromat attracts is the wrong kind. It is pretty clear to us what that means and we'll let you draw your own conclusions," says Cassandra.

"We want to express our sincere thanks to the people of the Coconut Grove community for their business, support, and friendship. We have valued their business and will miss them all greatly!" said Cassandra.

The Laundry will be open and continue to offer self-service laundry and wash and fold service through midnight on Monday, October 20, 2008. Due to these circumstances, they are going to liquidate the business assets after closing. If anyone is interested in purchasing some of the coin laundry equipment or vending machines, information can be found here: http://www.birdbathcoinlaundry.com/ or you can just go to the laundry and speak to Marco.

One unique feature of the laundry is the art on the walls. AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt and her One Ear Society painted images all over the place years ago, which made it unique and tied it into the Grove arts community.

The laundry is one of the last remaining pieces of the old Grove. That whole shopping area looks like it has for 30 years, maybe it is time for an upgrade, but if you want to experience part of the old Grove before it is gone, stop by, enjoy the art, have a soda from the machine, play a video game and perhaps do your laundry one last time. Go back to the 1970s for awhile.

End of summer sail

As today comes to a close, another summer ends. Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn. Yay! I took this photo of the sailboat in Biscayne Bay, from the Coconut Grove shore.

"Can you hear me now?"

Skater Boy on cel phone this weekend at CocoWalk.