FAM night; something new monthly

Blu Moon Studio is presenting Stvrcvs Incidit this Saturday, February 1 for the first FAM night -- Fashion, Art and Music. The eclectic and though provoking works by Don Mackenzie (Donzine) are featured at this opening reception.

This is Donzine's premier solo exhibit. Blue Moon is located at 3444 Main Highway in the back, on the main floor. Look for the tiki torches. No really.

All around the Grove you'll find different artsy things that you might like, this is the soft opening for the FAM night so it won't be as spectacular as March's event, but it's a nice night out and worth the visit to the local galleries and the fun and music in between.

The Coconut Grove Drum Circle will be on the corner of Commodore and Grand, you can listen, dance and join in. 

FAM night (formerly Gallery Walk) is from 7 to 10 pm.

Breakfast held for Arts Festival sponsors

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival held its yearly breakfast on Thursday morning for sponsors of the event. This is not to be confused with the Palette Breakfast which is coming up on Saturday, February 15, that's a breakfast for the artists and their fans. The breakfast was held at the Mayfair Hotel and spa. Above left is Monty Trainer, president of the Arts Festival, welcoming guests to the breakfast. At right are Wayne Koehler from the BID and Pat Oblak from the Regus office center here in the Grove. Sad news in that starting tomorrow, Pat will now be running the Regus center in Aventura, she'll be leaving us here.

Marshall Crane, Arts Festival board member, with Manny Gonzalez Grove BID director.

There is usually everything at these breakfasts, from healthy fruit to yogurt parfaits and eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc. The Mayfair does a great job.

Katrina Delgado, director of the Arts Festival and Melissa Nobles from Kiskinis, the ad firm.

Guests watch some of the commercials now running on tv and all introduced themselves while having a great breakfast and networker.

Regatta Park meeting

On Wednesday night, there was a meeting at City Hall regarding Regatta Park, which will take over the space where the former Expo Center was. It will be a large green lawn on the bayfront, making one large string of parks starting at Kennedy Park and going to Peacock Park.

They are still in the preliminary stages and not much was discussed at the meeting other than introducing the concept to the public. Some are concerned about the plans or lack of plans and I do find it interesting that after years of meetings and concepts, the plan is not concrete but there will be changes. As one person put it, "the plan is 6 years old."

Either way, it's a park, not really much to say about it, but my friend Harry said this:

"On Wednesday, January 29, I attended the Regatta Park meeting at Miami City Hall. The first bad omen was the announcement that the water was off in the building and that Port-A-Potty’s where soon to arrivel that a water main had been damaged due to the demolition of the Dinner Key Expo Center nearby. The second omen was about the parks financial situation. Cesar Garcia-Pons, Deputy Director of Department of Planning and Zoning said the estimates for constructing the Regatta Park would be in the area of $26 million for phase one and so far they only had about $2 million. And I doubt that the build-out estimate includes the possibility that toxic soil may be there and its costly clean-up. Let’s not forget that Dinner Key was used as a naval base since WWI and Pan Am Terminal hangers since the 1930s. I like parks as much as anyone and admire communities with waterfront vistas, but I don’t understand the logic in demolishing a perfectly useful film studio when we did not have the budget to build the projected park in the first place. 

For over seven years the Expo Center continued to generated revenues for the City of Miami, was an economic engine for the Grove and Miami, employed hundreds in the film industry and peripheral businesses. It also was the best spokesman for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau by creating massive positive good Will for our community with PR throughout the world. Will we once again seek much needed funds by negotiating an exclusive lease with a private school for the use of a portion of our public park? Will we be as desperate to finish the park as was MAM and sell the naming rights to a deep pocketed individual that wishes to purchase some respectability? Would it not have been wiser to postpone the demolition of that accidental yet most successful film studio until all the monies needed for a world-class waterfront Regatta Park had been raised?  At the very least let’s hope Regatta Park will not include a waterfront fenced in dog area or better yet, any dog area at all."

Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Coconut Grove, FL

Unlocking the mind's potential

 “Unlocking the Mind’s Potential” will be explored at a day of teachings and meditations on Sunday, February 16 at Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center Miami.

In this special course Gen Kelsang Jampa, eastern U.S. national spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition, will explain simple but effective techniques from Buddha’s teachings for unlocking the power and potential of the mind. The potential of a human mind to create peace and goodness is limitless. For most of us this potential remains underdeveloped, but if we gain a correct understanding of the mind we can access this innate ability that we all possess.

An American Buddhist monk, Gen Jampa also is the resident teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Texas. A longtime disciple of internationally renowned Buddhist teacher and meditation master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Gen Jampa has received ordination and lineage transmissions directly from him. He travels extensively giving the ancient wisdom of Buddha to people throughout the U.S. and abroad, helping them find happiness in their hearts.

The event will take place from 10 am to 3:30 pm at Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center Miami, 1273 Coral Way. The course fee is $50, which includes a vegetarian lunch.

For more information, go to www.meditationinmiami.org or call 786-529-7137. 

Seeking the best ideas for the arts

The Knight Foundation is looking for artistic ideas. Something the Grove is always good at. South Floridians can apply for the Knight Arts Challenge, which funds the best ideas for bringing South Florida together through the arts. The deadline for the contest, a project of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is Feb. 24, 2014.

As a way to recruit ideas from South Florida’s many neighborhoods, Knight Foundation will host a series of Community Q&A sessions from Marathon to Fort Lauderdale. The events, taking place Feb. 3-11, will offer tips on preparing applications, information on the challenge timelines, and a chance to talk to past winners on what gave their submissions an edge. The schedule is below.

“In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of great ideas from our many neighborhoods—ideas that are bringing the arts into people’s everyday lives,” said Dennis Scholl, Knight Foundation’s vice president for arts. “We want to help ensure that there is art wherever you go in South Florida.”

The challenge is open to everyone: artists and artist collectives of all types, businesses, established arts institutions, and any individual who has a great idea for the arts. The initial application, which will be available at KnightArts.org consists of just two questions and is deliberately designed to be simple to encourage nontraditional applicants.

There are only three rules for the challenge:
1) The idea must be about the arts.
2) The project must take place in or benefit South Florida
3) The grant recipients must find funds to match Knight’s commitment (within a year).
“This contest is about ideas—big ideas, innovative ideas, authentically Miami ideas,” Scholl said.

Knight has received more than 7,500 ideas from the South Florida community since launching the challenge in 2008. In total, 193 projects have received almost $22.1 million in funding.

Since 2006, Knight Foundation has invested $86 million in South Florida’s cultural community. Those funds have launched a new media program that includes the signature “Wallcasts” at the acclaimed New World Symphony campus, helped present Ibero-American films at the Miami International Film Festival, and will bring every Miami-Dade third grader to the new Pérez Art Museum Miami, among other projects.  The approach is two-pronged: Knight Foundation aims to help open up institutions to more South Floridians with large grants, while the Arts Challenge ensures that smaller, grassroots efforts fuel and refresh the arts scene.

Community Q&As:
• Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.:  YoungArts, Jewel Box
2100 Biscayne Blvd., free parking under the YoungArts building

• Tuesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.: South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, Black Box Theater, 10950 SW 211th St., Miami

• Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m.: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami

• Thursday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.: Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University
One East Las Olas Blvd.

• Monday, Feb. 10, 1 p.m.: Marathon Government Center
2798 Overseas Hwy. (Mile Marker 48), Marathon

• Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m., Frost Art Museum at Florida International University
10975 SW 17th St., Miami (free parking in the Blue Garage)

Gala in the Garden fundraiser

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s annual Gala in the Garden fundraiser will honor the garden's 75th anniversary of opening to the public. Co-chaired by Swanee DiMare and Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, the black tie fundraiser will begin with a cocktail reception where you can bid on luxury items offered in the Silent Auction. The event starts 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 1.

Then surrounded by the Lakeside Marquee's breathtaking decor, you will dine on an exquisite feast by Le Basque Catering and dance by the light of the moon. With all proceeds supporting programs in conservation science, education and horticulture, the fundraiser will keep Fairchild moving forward while staying true to the original vision of the founders –- to provide a beautiful tropical garden for all to enjoy. 

Individual tickets start at $600, and tables for ten can be reserved for $6,000. To purchase tickets, call or email Susannah Shubin.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables
305-667-1651, Ext. 3375. (Susannah Shubin)
SShubin@FairchildGarden.org

It was a heady time for the Chamber of Commerce

One night at the Gallery Walk, my friend Donna Sweeny and I were talking about Grove events and for some reason, health insurance and the Grove Chamber of Commerce came up and it appears that in the mid-90s the two went hand-in-hand; the Chamber was overflowing with people, getting as many as 88 new members a month and one reason was a group plan for John Alden health insurance.

According to an ad that ran in the Chamber newsletter in 1995: "As a Coconut Grove Chamber member, your business is eligible to participate in a special group insurance plan with low affordable premiums. $15 office visits, No claim forms, $250 deductible, company rated A+." By the way, the newsletter won a national award at the time.

It doesn't say what the premium per month was, but it must have been reasonable in 1995 and with it being a group and so many people joining, it must have been.

According to Donna, "The Chamber was run like a business with two full-time employees, Amy Simons and Jackie Balaban, and one part-time employee. To pay salaries and expenses, the Chamber held the yearly Taste of the Grove which one year netted $4,000 that was split with the Muscular Dystrophy Association."
Correction: 1996 the Chamber donated $63,000 to Muscular Dystrophy Assn. MDA was a partner in Taste of the Grove; overall $126,000 was made and the Chamber split it with MDA. 

The Chamber also held the Banyan Festival and several fund raising activities like Progressive Dinners, Luau at Scotty's Landing, the 1997 Chamber Golf Challenge at the Doral Park Silver Course and more.

The Chamber also held an annual town hall meeting with the mayor, commissioners, city manager and police chief, all there to answer questions and answer concerns. Refreshments were supplied by Grove restaurant members. The Chamber published a 32-page booklet edited by Peter Laird, current president, called "The IN Guide to going OUT in Coconut Grove." There were also active committees that met once a month: Membership, Think Tank, Grove Marketing and Public Relations, Police Liaison, Banyan Festival, Town Hall, Walk of Fame, and Progressive Dinner. They also sponsored a Coconut Grove Free Ride bus. The Installation Ball was black tie formal with mayor and all commissioners present. One year the Golden Coconut Awards had to be held at at the Sonesta in Key Biscayne because none of the Grove hotels had a ballroom big enough to hold all the people who attended.

Regatta Park public input meeting

The city is holding the first of three meetings this week regarding the new Regatta Park.Grovite Bill Brothers took these great photos of the Expo Center as it was being demolished. It was a long process, a little came down each day, it was amazing how large the center looked as it was dismantled, it didn't seem as large when it was up and in once piece, but as it came down, the size of the structure really made itself apparent.

You can click on the photos to make them open larger and you can get a better view that way.

The Regatta Park meeting is at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive at 6 pm on Wednesday, January 29.

Now that the Expo Center is finally coming down, the city would like to take this opportunity  to receive public input for the future of Regatta Park. 

On the agenda:
Introduction
Purpose
Background
Current Status
Public Input
Wrap-Up / Next Steps

This meeting is the first of three meetings that will be held.  The first meeting will serve to receive public input, the second meeting will serve to summarize all findings and the third meeting will serve to present the results of the public process.   

Monthly Open House at Zen Village

Zen Village holds an Open House every First Sunday of the Month. The next one is February 2 from 10 am to noon.

Discover Zen Village and what it's all about.

Learn more about their yoga classes, meditation classes, Asian culture and cooking classes.

There will be a complimentary temple lunch and complimentary chinese and Himalayan Tea.

Although they are not really complimentary, as they as for a $5 donation. 

Email: office@zenvillage.org

Sailing World Cup regatta in Grove this week

Peina Chan CHN Women's RS-X-5025, photo courtesy ISAF

Another regatta has descended on Coconut Grove for the week. The 25th International Sailing Federation World Cup Miami started Monday January 27 and runs through Saturday, February 1. Sailors arrived on Sunday, January 26 when they finalized registration, checked out the sailing venues and tuned up their equipment. This world class regatta is the only North American regatta to be included in the ISAF's 2013-2014 World Cup Series. Two events in this series were held last month in Melbourne, Australia, and a couple months ago in Qingdao, China.

This year's participation total is the sixth highest in event history. The six-day regatta marks the third stop on the 2013-14 ISAF Sailing World Cup series and the lone event held in North America. 

Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing, said, "ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami has all the key elements to be a strong international draw: warm winter climate, proven sailing conditions, an existing Olympic and Paralympic training scene, high quality race management, a major shipping port, a sailing community and city that fully supports the event and a 25-year tradition of Olympic class racing."
  
The elite sailors who will be in town, will compete in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 575 people will compete on Biscayne Bay from 48 countries.

ISAF medals will be awarded to the top three boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class on Saturday 1 February. Competitors in the Paralympic classes will have five days of fleet racing (Monday-Friday) and no medal race. 
  
The US Sailing Center in Coconut Grove is home base for the week. It's an official Olympic training center, the USSC is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to promote sailing in the Miami area. Other hosts for the event include the Miami Rowing Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Shake-a-Leg Miami, and Coral Reef Yacht Club.
  
The City of Miami became a sponsor of SWC Miami this year by dedicating a grant from the Miami Exhibition and Event Authority to the event.
  
All 13 classes of sailors will be conducting a series of windward/leeward races or trapezoid shaped courses on the bay each day. Distances will vary on class, wind, and weather conditions. For more info: sailing.org/worldcup/home.php

Open House at MCA

Now's the time to look at school's for next year, or consider a change for the remainder of this year. This week MCA academy is hosting and Open House for parents wishing to tour the campus and see the classrooms through this Friday, January 31. Those interested in finding out about MCA's intensive programs, no FCAT's and virtually no homework can meet the teachers and the principal Ms. Ingrid Acosta.  

MCA is open for enrollment for students in grades 1-12.  It's flexible scheduling is great for young people who have passions outside of school like acting, sports and dance and may need time to rehearse and go to competitions. MCA will be open for group tours every day from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.  From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm it's open to tours by appointment.  

If someone wants to come earlier or later they can call Ms. Acosta at 305-442-2283.  To find out more please visit www.mcaacademy.com.

Barnacle presents Hitchcock Film Festival

The Barnacle is holding a Hitchcock Film Festival on Thursday and Friday, January 30 and 31.  This is one of the events that makes Coconut Grove very special. The Barnacle itself is special, but watching Hitchcock movies under the moonlight on the big back lawn cannot be beat.

This is the lineup:

Vertigo
Thursday, January 30, 2014

Gate opens at 6 p.m. Movie starts at 7. No entry after 7:15 p.m.

Tickets - Members: $6/film or $15/all 3. Future Members: $8/film or $20/all 3.

An acrophobic detective’s investigation turns into a dangerous obsession with a friend’s wife. Lawn chairs and picnics welcome. No pets, please.

The 39 Steps
Friday, January 31, 2014

Gate opens at 6 p.m. Movie starts at 7. No entry after 7:15 p.m.

Tickets - Members: $6/film or $15/all 3. Future Members: $8/film or $20/all 3.

A man accused of murdering an espionage agent goes on the run to save himself and stop a spy ring. Lawn chairs and picnics welcome. No pets, please.

Psycho
Friday, January 31, 2014

Gate opens at 8:30 p.m. Movie starts at 9. No entry after 9:15 p.m.

Tickets - Members: $6/film or $15/all 3. Future Members: $8/film or $20/all 3.

An embezzling secretary checks into a remote motel run by a young man and his domineering mother. Lawn chairs and picnics welcome. No pets, please.

The Barnacle is located at 3485 Main Highway. For info: 305-442-6872.

It's a whole new Gallery Walk

The worlds of fashion, art, and music unite in Coconut Grove for it's soft launch of Fashion | Art | Music Night (FAM) on February 1, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  More than 20 boutiques, art galleries and musicians will host trunk shows, art exhibitions and live musical performances for visitors to discover innovative forms of artistic expression.   

Hosted by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District in partnership with A Black Tie Affair, this district–wide event connects fashion, art and music to stay true to its neighborhood’s historic artist community.  By positioning the musicians outside the boutiques, galleries and restaurants, the sounds of live music will spill onto the sidewalks to entertain visitors as they stroll throughout the district, hop from shop to shop and dine alfresco.

Participating boutiques such as Goldie will showcase local fashion designer, Rachel Weisberg, who creates unique, hand-made, and sustainable clothing that is easy to wear. The Loft will feature YR Couture’s handcrafted jewelry featuring natural gemstones and rafia materials from around the world.  Art Galleries are set to display various styles of art.  From contemporary to traditional, there is a sight to see for everyone!

Restaurants will support the event by offering specials from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Every first Saturday of the month, this signature event will afford locals and tourists new discoveries of original and unique art.  Fashionistas, art enthusiasts and music lovers are encouraged to join the district–wide Fashion Art and Music Night celebration! 

Admission is free and don't forget on the corner of Grand and Commodore Plaza is the Coconut Grove Drum Circle, always a part of the Gallery Walk and now a part of FAM.

Again, keep in mind this first event on February 1 is a soft opening of the event, it will not be the super-charged fashion forward event that will start on March 1 and continue each first Saturday after that.

Saving the Lincoln Road Antique Market

The Lincoln Road Antique Market is under attack by the City of Miami Beach. They are considering not renewing their lease because of greedy businesses and landowners on Lincoln Road. The Van Dyke Cafe is closed in order to make way for more chain stores and the whole feel of Lincoln Road is decidedly like Dadeland Mall now. There's almost nothing unique anymore, except the Antique Market.

The same group ran the Coconut Grove Antique Market at Mayfair and once it left, it really left a big hole in the community. It was a special place and the Lincoln Road outdoor version is a special place. Frankly, it's the only reason I go to South Beach these days and once I'm there I spend money, I go with friends, we shop, eat at local restaurants, spend money on parking, etc. I bought some Christmas presents at the Lincoln Road Antique Market this year. It's an institution and it should stay.

I was recently contacted by Vogue Magazine about the Grove Antique Market, they must have seen a story here in the Grapevine and they liked the quirkiness of the place, unfortunately, I had to tell the editors that there is no more Grove Antique Market and I directed them to the Lincoln Road version.

Anyway, there's a petition at Change.org here, which maybe will save the Lincoln Road Antique Market. It's the only thing that's left on South Beach that's unique these days, hopefully it can stay for years to come. 

8th Annual International Chocolate Festival

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is holding the 8th annual International Chocolate Festival this weekend. It's a perfect weekend, too, to try some chocolate and other things. While it's chocolate themed, there is plenty of other stuff, which may or may not fit in, like gyros, arepas, pretzels, conch fritters, hot dogs and more. And there are plenty of food trucks with other types of food. But of course chocolate is the thing and there's plenty of that.

Keep in mind there are many chocolate vendors, but the samples are few and far between, so after you pay the $25 entrance fee, you still need to pay for chocolate. Some of the vendors are very stingy, you literally get shavings of chocolate, I was tempted to take a photo of that but I didn't. Others are quite generous and the hot chocolate vendors are really nice about it.

Chocolate cakes, cupcakes, ice cream, pastries, it's all there.

There are lots more flavors of pastries than chocolate, but of course it's all good. I didn't see the flourless brownies that a friend likes, but they may have been there, too.

She's stuffing her face with a chocolate covered banana, along with the chocolate covered strawberries, and other fruits and things. At right is our friend Ronnie Brooks who was drumming for the Ramblers band.

This is chocolate beer. There were three or four vendors, off by themselves, serving chocolate beer! That's a perfect combination, all you need is a little bacon added and I think that's a perfect drink. That's me trying some above.

It was a perfect day. Families and friends enjoyed the scenery, chocolate and food on the great lawn.

Hat and clothing vendors, flowers, it's all there among the chocolate vendors, too. There are cooking demonstrations and chocolate history lessons and a kids' section, too.

Here are some nice chocolate chunk samples, no shavings here. And at right is chocolate honey! 

As the day warmed up, the frozen hot chocolate just hit the spot.

The Chocolate Festival is on again Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. Admission to the International Chocolate Festival is free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. For non-members, admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, and $12 for children 6-17. Those who walk, bike, or take public transportation receive $5 off adult admission and $2 off child admission. Those with a Military ID have free admission, with $20 for their spouses and $10 for their children. There is plenty of onsite parking which goes into the back area and winds its way around the main building.

Where are the bicyclists?

It's either feast or famine I've noticed with the bicyclists coming through the Grove. I go to the gym early on weekend mornings, about 7:30 or so and each Saturday, it's very hard to leave my street to turn onto S. Bayshore Drive due to the people on bikes, running, walking, pushing bay strollers, etc. There aren't many cars but there are tons of other things and most are bicyclists in groups of 25, 50, 75.

But come Sunday morning at the same time, the streets are empty. Sometimes not one person is out. I wonder why. Are people at church? Are they sleeping Saturday night off? Is Sunday a day of rest for bicyclists and runners?

Things that make you go hmmm. .... 

High school students to showcase artwork

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, along with the Miami Seaquarium, Coconut Grove Arts Festival and the Academy of Arts and Minds magnet high school, welcome guests and locals to view works of art created by aspiring art students, mentored by nationally acclaimed artists. Through this unique and exclusive opportunity, on Wednesday, February 5, 10 hand-selected students will showcase a myriad of art inspired by marine life and the natural world at the Miami Seaquarium, all under the tutelage of six artists participating in the Visiting Artists Week program.

The two-part mentoring series begins on Thursday, January 28 at the Miami Seaquarium with a private workshop led by Kristin Holeman (jewelry/photography), Ed King (painting), Paul Marcellini (photography), Jackie Roch (printmaking and drawing), Alexander Mijares (painting), and Beau Tudzarov (digital), all professional artists presenting at the 2014 Coconut Grove Arts Festival. The workshop provides the students a one-on-one opportunity to discuss future careers, drawing additional inspiration from established and leading professionals in the industry.

One week following the interactive workshop, students, along with the visiting artist mentors will showcase a piece at an exclusive, gallery exhibition at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami on Wednesday, February 5 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. All sales from the exhibition directly benefit the students. Event includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, champagne and valet parking. RSVP required to Clayton McRory at 305365-4528 or via email at Clayton.McRory@ritzcarlton.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami is located at 3300 SW 27th Avenue.

For additional information, please contact 305-644-6480 or visit ritzcarlton.com/coconutgrove.

Viewing Vizcaya: Silent Movie Night

Vizcaya is presenting another one of it's Silent Film Nights for it's "Viewing Vizcaya" series. "Miss Lulu Bett," from 1921 will be presented on Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00 pm in the courtyard.

Desperate to escape her life of servitude, Lulu marries in what starts out as a joke. When she learns that her new husband is already married, Lulu must choose between what's right and what's right for her, all the while hoping for real love's rescue.  

Follow in the footsteps of Vizcaya's original owner, James Deering, and his guests by enjoying a historic silent film in the Courtyard of the Main House, complete with live musical accompaniment on Vizcaya's custom-made pipe organ.

Tickets $18; available onsite only from 6:00-7:30 pm on the evening of the program.

Food and drink available for purchase. Seating is limited. Event takes place indoors.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is located at 3251 South Miami Avenue. For more information, go to vizcaya.org or call 305-250-9133.

Alex Mijares' "La Brisa" is the poster for Arts Festival

President of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Monty Trainer, introduces this year's poster by Wynwood artist Alex Mijares, at right, Mayor Tomas Regalado and David Martin, President and COO of the Terra Group, unveil the poster at a party Thursday night at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel. Alex only started painting three years ago. He needed something for his apartment, so he just pulled out the paints and canvas and did a piece of art himself, the rest is history. The piece is called "La Brisa."

Alex is the youngest artist to ever be chosen for the poster honor. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is February 15, 16 and 17 this year.

Jackie Segedin of the BID; Tom Falco, editor the Grapevine; Allison McCreary, Coconut Grove Bank and David Martin, Terra Group.

 An open bar and lots of delicious food were part of the art event.

 M. Peggy Quatro with Allison McCreary, Victor Magluilo.

 Julie Bru, Susie Izaguirre, Yvonne Rosemeier.

 The FastSigns crew, Greg Frye, Susan and Roger Chai-onn.

 The Sonesta did an excellent job of creating a nice cozy setting for the party. It felt like a South Beach club.

The outside patio area is always so great at the Sonesta and the weather was perfect for a night out.

Lots of old friends were there which always makes the poster unveiling party a fun party.

2014 Arts Festival Poster unveiled

This year's Coconut Grove Arts Festival poster was unveiled at the Sonesta Bayfont Hotel on Thursday night. Arist Alex Mijares is the featured artist. Above, Alex, far right, proudly waits as the poster is unveiled by  David Martin, President and COO of the Terra Group, at right, next to Alex; Mayor Tomas Regalado second from left and Pedro Martin, CEO and owner of Terra Group. The painting is called "La Brisa."

Here's the complete poster with Pedro Martin, Mayor Tomas Regalado, David Martin, Florida Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera (behind Alex Mijares) and Arts Festival president Monty Trainer.Party pictures tomorrow.

Power out in Center Grove

A little excitement in the center of town today, two transformers blew, right near CocoWalk and the whole Center Grove is/was in the dark. Some got electricity back fast, others may have to wait a few more hours, others are sporadic. FPL has been working on the issue for hours.

We managed to find one restaurant (Greenstreet) with constant electricity so we had brunch there. Other businesses are totally dark.

A friend was standing right near the transformers when they exploded and he almost exploded with them, he says it was the scariest thing being right near the explosion.

That's our Grove excitement for the day.

See you at the Grove Green Market starting at 2 pm today.

Detoxification for Healthy Weight and Happiness

PATH presents: Detoxification for Healthy Weight & Happiness with Ellen Kamhi, The Natural Nurse on Monday, January 27, at 7:15 pm at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science (3280 South Miami Avenue). 

Age, stress and unhealthy lifestyle choices can cause toxins to accumulate and interfere with the body’s ability to function at its peak potential. Learn about Herbs, such as Yellow Dock and Dandelion, Foods and Recipes, including Natural Nurse Detoxification Soup, Cold and Flu Juice.  

Bring questions, hear natural solutions.  $5 cash donation; Members free. PATH lectures are held every fourth Monday of the month.  For more information contact Yvette@yrpublicrelations.com. RSVP here.

PATH stands for Positive Alternative Therapies in Healthcare

Phone (305) 275-3958

Enjoy fellow environmentalist at TREEmendous Miami

The Board of Directors of TREEmendous Miami invite you to their annual meeting on Sunday, January 26, from 2 to 4 pm at the Garden Center of Simpson Park located at 5 SW 17 Road. It’s entered from the historic portion of South Miami Avenue, which is south of Coral Way (SW 13 St. in this area) and a block west of Brickell Avenue. It's easy to find, just take South Bayshore straight through from the Grove and it's a couple of minutes away.

They've added three notable Advisory Board Members; Harvey Ruvin, Katy Sorenson and Dr. Jack Parker. Additionally, famous photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher have given TREEmendous Miami permission to use some of their content on our website. 

There will be refreshments; a short meeting to proudly report on what TREEmendous Miami accomplished during 2013 and to elect Directors for the coming year; and a brief  tour of the Simpson Park Hammock led by Buck Reilly. Buck is a member of our Board  and the President of the Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.

TREEmendous Miami has planted more than 24,000 trees in the past 15 years.

This event is free and open to the public. If you would like to join the group, you may do so at their website here: treemendousmiami.org

The costs vary starting at $10 a year for students and $30 per year for adults.

King Mango Strut wrap up party is Sunday

The King Mango Strut wrap party is Sunday, January 26 at Calamari from 4 to 8 pm.

Joe Donato and Mr. Ree will be performing live. There are limited complimentary hors d'oeuvres and happy hour drinks and bar menu.

The parade video will be playing on the tv, 2013 Strut t-shirts are for sale.

Calamari is located at 3540 Main Highway.

Foodie pool party at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa

Miami bloggers Caviar Chronicles and Adventures of The Foodaholic are holding a party at The Mayfair Hotel & Spa. Happy Hour special prices will be in effect from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, January 26. Ladies will receive a complimentary welcome drink in addition to some free appetizers prepared by Executive Chef Dario Correa.

Relax at The Mayfair Hotel & Spa tropical poolside with a free petit-massage from 3-5 pm. While enjoying discounted drinks and cooling off by the pool, attendees can stay entertained with resident DJs JP Rigaud and Bryan Peroni. At sunset guests will be able to listen to drummer, Papa Locko, and overlook the irresistible Coconut Grove view from the Gaudi-inspired rooftop.

Attendees should arrive hungry to try some of the new dishes from the new Sunset over Miami bar menu. Valet parking will be offered at a discounted rate of $5.00. If you’re looking to keep things intimate, ask about their cabana specials. For more information call 305-441-0000.

It's arts festival season

Congratulations to Bobbi Headder, the Gifford Lane Art Stroll Committee has selected her pastel "Kampong Gate" (left) as the winner of their 4th annual poster artist contest. This was the most popular year of the contest with submissions from 10 artists.

The Gifford Lane Art Stroll is Sunday, March 2, 2014.

Speaking of art, coming up fast is the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and the St. Stephan's Art Fair. Those posters will be unveiled soon.

Also speaking of art, went to the Art Deco Festival in South Beach this weekend as well as the Beaux Arts Festival in Coral Gables at UM. I still find the Art Deco Festival to be a mere shadow of itself from former years. It's just really not art deco. The only thing deco there are the buildings, which are there 365 days a year anyway. They are all mostly blocked by big tents that bring the restaurants out to the street. It's all about flea market items being sold and food being sold, from the restaurants. Gone is most of the fair food like gyros and ears of corn. They sell only what the restaurants across the street don't sell, which are things like ice cream and arepas. Not very deco at all.The Beaux Arts Festival is really an incredible event. It's free to enter, there's plenty of free parking and it's just a magnificent setting. One friend said that he didn't like the circuitous, wavy lanes where the art is exhibited, but that's the charm; you wind around the area under shade trees and you don't know what's at the next turn. I ran into so many Grovites there. The weather was perfect, about 65 and sunny and it really is a great event each year.

Hopefully our own Coconut Grove Arts Festival will enjoy 65 degree weather, too this year. The Grove Arts Festival is February 15, 16 and 17.

Navigating your career; lunch and learn session

Here's something new for Zen Village, they're offering a series of lunch and learn sessions for career empowerment. Each track is carefully designed and planned to take your career to the next level.

Navigating Your Career is first up on Saturday January 25 from 10 am to 3 pm, there's a one hour lunch break.


In this track you will learn:

- The art of writing resume
- Making the right impression at an interview
- Learn about hiring trends in industries like retail, healthcare, hospitality and banking. 
- Review the essentials skills and opportunities for these industries
- Spiritual aspects of your career with other students and exchange ideas during lunch.

Cost for class $ 100.00
Vegetarian Lunch $ 15.00

Vijo Menon is the teacher. She is involved in Information Technology in the healthcare industry and leads business and process engineering initiatives using industry frameworks and the best practices for project management.

Vijo is PMP certified, ITIL v3 certified and has a Black Belt in Lean SigmaSpiritual.

Director Master Chufei TsaiMaster Chufei Tsai founded the charitable non-profit organizations Zab Sang Institute, Heart for Humanity and Zen Village in 2000. With over 28 years of experience teaching and counseling around the world, she has gathered all of her knowledge and experience to develop a training program that can benefit people from all walks of life. In her educational practice and experiential training programs, Master Tsai integrates proven historical methods based on ancient wisdom, philosophy as well as other healing systems and adapts them for today's world with a proven record of beneficial results that allows individuals to heal, restore, and maintain optimum psychological, spiritual, physical and environmental health and wellness.

Zen Village is at 3570 Main Highway; for info: 305-567-0165 or office@zenvillage.org

City Theatre presents City Reads for CityWrights

City Theatre will present a free City Reads for CityWrights event on Wednesday, January 22 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at Books & Books in Coral Gables (265 Aragon Avenue).

City Reads for CityWrights are fun and informal evenings of new play readings, presented by City Theatre and its acting company, that give audiences a first-hand role in the process that scripts go from page to stage. Audiences serve as critic and supporter, or even as an actor, while having a peek at what makes City Theatre a center for fresh, new works. 

These evenings are an entertaining way for audiences to help City Theatre find great plays among the hundreds of submissions that the company receives for its annual Summer Shorts Festival. Summer Shorts is America’s Short Play Festival that will take place from June 12 – July 6, 2014 at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, with an incredible line-up of scripts penned by the country’s best writers including City Theatre National Short Play Competition winners.

City Theatre is a professional theatre company founded in February 1996 and dedicated to the development and production of new work, specifically the short play format, featured in its award-winning annual Summer Shorts Festivals. Since its inception, the company has received over 15,000 national script submissions (with over 900 submitted for this season alone); produced over 375 original short plays by established playwrights and important new voices in the theatre; and brought together the largest ensemble annually of artists, actors, directors, designers, and production staff for programming that includes the annual Summer Shorts  - America’s Short Play Festival, The Festival Family Musical, Shorts 4 Kids Educational Tour, Shorts Gone Wild  and the CityWrights Conference.

For more information on City Theatre or the Summer Shorts Festival, contact City Theatre at 305-755-9401 or visit www.citytheatre.com.

8th annual Chocolate Festival back at Fairchild

One event that I look forward to every year is the International Chocolate Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. It's back this month.

Called the "most delectable event of the year," the three-day event, now in it's eighth year, is being held Friday, January 24 through Sunday, January 26 from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm each day. Come out and celebrate the history and taste of the beloved cacao plant. Enjoy an assortment of chocolate treats from international vendors, cooking demos by prominent chefs, lectures from chocolatiers and restaurateurs, learning opportunities for kids, and much more. 

Journey through the world of cacao and get your Choco-Passport stamped at the Choco-Walk stops throughout Fairchild. Don’t miss a stroll through the Tropical Fruit Pavilion’s collection of cacao trees to learn the process that turns their seeds into chocolate consumed worldwide. For an even closer look, the USDA is showcasing a cacao collection featuring the different varieties of cacao beans. And, American Heritage Chocolate – from Mars Chocolate North America, makers of brands like M&Ms and Snickers – will be dishing out samples of their authentic hot chocolate drink with an interactive chocolate history demonstration. I love the hot chocolate booth, one of my favs. 


Visitors wanting to grow their own chocolate can browse the plant sale area for a cacao tree or chocolate-scented orchid. For those in search of relaxation in a beautiful tropical setting, outdoor yoga classes are offered on Sunday by Rina Yoga. Bring the whole family to the KidWay area, which offers hands-on learning opportunities for children and their families and, on Saturday, will feature a reading of poems inspired by chocolate written by W.R. Thomas Middle School students. There’s something at Fairchild for every chocolate enthusiast. 

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. Admission to the International Chocolate Festival is free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under. For nonmembers, admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, and $12 for children 6-17. Those who walk, bike, or take public transportation receive $5 off adult admission and $2 off child admission. Those with a Military ID have free admission, with $20 for their spouses and $10 for their children.

For more information and a complete schedule, please call 305-667-1651 or visit the International Chocolate Festival Web page.