The calm before the storm

When I see the barricades lining the streets on King Mango Strut Day or Bed Race Day, I am excited. On Halloween, not so much. I see it as a police state. This is the scene on Halloween day, today.

I understand the reasoning; the Police Commander explained it.

I saw a Gunsmoke rerun the other day. The heads of the town, Dodge City, asked Marshal Matt Dillon to leave the crazy cowboys alone; there were hundreds coming in to spend money after a long cattle drive. Matt disagreed and felt that he should step in and stop every infraction and fight, but the city leaders didn't want to lose business because whenever Matt got involved, the cowboys would avoid Dodge City and they would spend their money elsewhere.

So Matt stayed away and there were fights, and broken windows and shooting, and lots of things going on. People broke into the stores and it was a mess. After a few nights of this, the city leaders begged Matt to come back and keep the peace. They realized that without laws, they town was unlivable.

Now I don't know if this applies to Coconut Grove because I see it the opposite way and I see these barricades and all the police scaring people away, but maybe not because CocoWalk is crawling with children and families today and they are closed in like a can of mixed nuts, surrounded by all these gates. So if they are out and about, and not intimidated, I suppose a bunch of drunk adults won't be intimidated either and they will enjoy themselves and not tear up the village; although, I don't remember them ever tearing up the village.

I know one issue is the drunk people who leave bottles and stuff all over Matilda Street and Virginia Street and so on, but these barricades will not stop that. So I don't see the point. The whole fun of Halloween has been to congregate right in the middle of town as one big group, now it's being broke up and people are supposed to stay on the sidewalks. I know the point is to keep people moving and not all congregated in one area.

I'm hoping the next Commissioner who comes into office allows the Grove to be the Grove. In 150 years, it's been the place to be and in the past eight it's been killed little by little. The next Commissioner needs to back off and let it be.

Art Box now offering adult art classes

Art Box, the art school for children at the Mayfair has announced a new program which will include art lessons for adults. They are offering drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and animation, a very cool lineup for anyone interested in learning these art subjects.

Usually the school services children 5 to 12 years old, but parents and locals have been asking for classes of their own.

"We are thrilled to be adding adult lessons to our curriculum and allow people who have never had the chance to delve into the arts an opportunity to explore various mediums, techniques and creative outlets," says co-owner and program designer of Art Box, Sofia del Rivero.

"Our business's philosophy and plan to expose children to hands-on, cretaive projects, stemmed from an evident lack of art education for children in modern society. Nowadays, you are more likely to see a child holding an ipad rather than a coloring book. But who is to say adults don't need the same consideration? Having the opportunity to express yourself through art is crucial at any age," she continued.

New staff member Johann Munoz will be leading the adult art lessons starting in November. Monthly events will also be open to the public. This in a way, reminds me of the Grove House Artists gallery, which was right across the way from Art Box at the Mayfair Promenade and Blu Moon Studio which is now at Cauley Square, both huge assets to Coconut Grove.

The schedule is this:

Drawing/Painting
Monday-Wednesday
10 am to noon
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Sculpture
Tuesdays
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Printmaking/Animation
Thursdays
10 am to noon

You can join in, by contacting Art Box at: info@arboxmiami.com / 305-778-1270

Halloween at Vizcaya's 29th annual Sundowner

After all these years, I finally made it to the Vizcaya Sundowner Halloween Ball. The 29th annual event, to raise money for the upkeep of Vizcaya was held Friday night.

“Vizcaya engages the community and its visitors in learning through the arts, history and the environment. The Halloween Sundowner is a great opportunity to express your creative side, while helping us preserve this extraordinary Miami treasure,” says Joel Hoffman, Executive Director at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Even Donald Trump made it!

There were five full open bars and food as part of the entry fee. Live music was played up on the patio where people danced.

I think this is the real Superman, I'm not sure, but I know that's the real Beetlejuice. Isn't it?

There was the usual Outrageous Costume Contest, which crowned Best Male, Best Female, Best Group and Best Historical Costumes. Each year, the event attracts 1,000 guests, making this event a favorite among professionals. Proceeds from the event benefit the protection and preservation of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which is a National Historic Landmark.

Saturday night is the Coconut Grove madness where many of these guests said they might stop by and show off their costumes again.

It was a happy, fun, crowd, but how can you not be happy and fun when you're a zombie, walking dead?

A huge, not quite full, moon, shown down and glowed on the water as people partied into the night. Same time next year.

'We are tired of being deceived'

Our commissioner, Marc Sarnoff, writes and talks like a robot with a few wires missing. In his Thursday letter printed in the Miami Herald,  he rambles on about the great things he's done for the city, complains about his critics and adds, "truth is the daughter of time."

In truth, Mr. Sarnoff has done some positive things for Miami but at the same time, many disagreeable ones as well.  The gap between his thoughts and the public has grown wide.  While I first supported him years ago I soon found him to be remote, self-righteous, and unwilling to share his intentions with the citizenry.

We need someone to replace Sarnoff that will be open, straight with the people he (or she) represents. We are tired of being deceived.

The Grove needs additional parking yet the Mary Street parking garage was recently sold to a developer. The voters had no idea Sarnoff was having a "garage sale." We still can't figure it out. [Al Crespo has video of the meeting, part one here, part two here].

Commissioner Sarnoff didn't like our much-loved symbol of "the old Grove," Scotty's Landing restaurant, so he handed it over to a developer friend. City parks and property are being given out to big-money interests like there's a garage sale going on at City Hall.

Mr. Sarnoff showed up at a public meeting last month to discuss commuters speeding dangerously through the South Grove. He chose to lecture us on how we, the people attending the meeting, were causing the problem because "we talk on cell phones while driving."  He added incongruously, "I'm guilty too. I texted while driving here tonight."  Sarnoff can be so out-of-touch with his constituents.

Mr. Sarnoff is term-limited, forced to give up his office soon.  His current project is to get his wife, Teresa Sarnoff, elected to replace him.  In campaigning for her he tells us she is most qualified candidate to lead District 2 but does he really believe this?  I would love to hear him say, "I love this job and hate to leave it. Your vote for  my wife will allow me to extend my term another four years." 

Sadly, he is unable to utter anything like that.  If truth is the daughter of time, deception is its son.

Glenn Terry,

Coconut Grove

They want them to disperse, not disappear

I wrote about the Halloween doings that are coming up but I find it so ironic that CocoWalk is promoting a big event for the day and night and the local police are trying to quash it all. But I spoke with Commander Manny Morales and he says the main concern is safety not killing off one of the Grove's signature events. In the past few years, gangs and trouble makers have come to the Center Grove. Many bring their own bottles, which causes them to drink too much and get crazy; you can see the remnants of it at the end of the night, broken bottles line the streets were people had parked, like on Matilda Street and Virginia Street, etc.

Police are out in full force on Halloween night, and I've heard complaints from people about the situation as being hostile. But the Commander tells me that their main objective is safety. They don't want the crowds to disappear, they want them to disperse. As of last year, I'm told that the large group that would hang out in the street in front of CocoWalk was spread out through the Grove. Many would congregate in large groups in different areas of the Center Grove now. But I can see how a bunch of police up high on horses can be intimidating.

The cops on horses have tried to clear the intersection of Main and Grand, trying to keep people on the sidewalks. The event is not sanctioned by anyone and no one is responsible for it, people just show up and people just clog the streets. No one intentionally shuts the streets down, it just sort of happens every year. The police want that to end, they want people be in the bars, in CocoWalk and on the sidewalks.

Years ago, I remember that McFarlane Road was closed down and a radio station, something like Y-100 or Power 96, would have a stage set up down toward the park and there would be beer vendors and food vendors up and down McFarlane and it was sanctioned and it drew people from the very Center of the Village, down toward Peacock Park.


"Our top priority is public safety and in previous years the gangs and drunken violence was creating an atmosphere that was  not conducive to a safe event. We took steps to prevent the illegal obstruction of the streets by the pedestrians, while maintaining their ability to enjoy the party. I fail to see the hostility you mention, but the results and lack of injured attendees speaks for itself," says Commander Morales, who started this Halloween brigade in 2013.

If we can still draw the large crowds and do it in a controllable way, that is the goal. Of course neighborhood streets are jammed packed with people entering and leaving the Grove, but for one night, I think everyone can overlook that and enjoy Halloween.

The Fall Thing; safe Halloween alternative for kids

First the pumpkin patch, now this: The Fall Thing is coming to the Boys and Girls Club on Halloween, October 31 from 6 to 9:30 pm.

Fall Thing is a safe alternative to Halloween.  It will be held with a collaboration of Miami-Dade Boys and Girls Club in Coconut Grove. Elevate Miami Church volunteers have been doing it as a community outreach event for past three years, and the event has been growing bigger every year. Last year 1,450 kids and parents came to the event and they expect 1,600 people this year.  

In previous years, the event was supported solely by church members' donations, but because of the growing size of the event, this year, they raised $2,500 from church members, $2,000 from corporate sponsors and $1,000 from District 2 Commissioner Sarnoff from his district budget.  

"We give away tons of candies to kids, reusable bag give away and many inflatable rides, games, DJ, face painting, food trucks and lots more," says Jeanne Chan, local salon owner and volunteer.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is located at 2805 SW 32 Avenue (right next to the pumpkin patch).
            

The latest Coconut Grove restaurant news

So there are a bunch of new restaurants under construction around Coconut Grove, but all seem to be moving quite slow in the renovation department.

Three are on the corner of Commodore Plaza and Grand Avenue - "33," the new Peruvian/Asian cuisine place at 3195 Commodore Plaza will be the first to open, they are almost there, if you take a peek inside the door you can see the tables and chairs, along with the bar in the back, are all in place. They tell me they hope to open by mid to late November. It's very orange. The decor, I mean.

Next door, Farinelli 1937, the pizzeria place owned by the Strada people, is still under construction. It is moving quite slowly there.

Goodies at Atchana's.

Across the street at the former FrameWorks location, construction has started on Atchana's. That's right, Atchana's East/West Kitchen will be moving to 3196 Commodore Plaza from their location at the Mutiny Hotel, where they have been since March 2009. They have some of the best food in the Grove, but I never seem to make it to the Mutiny. A few years back, there seemed to be a charity event there at least once a week and I got to enjoy the food then whenever I went to the events. While Atchana's caters various events around the Grove, there is nothing like sitting down to their Pad Thai, egg rolls and Curry Chicken, and those Thai doughnuts! I think I'll be at the new location often. But they have a ways to go, construction has just started.

Harry's Pizzeria, newly opened on McFarlane Road, seems to be the most successful opening in the Grove in a long time. They have added the outdoor tables and pass by any time of day or night and it's quite crowded.  

A new fence has gone up at The Glass House, in preparation for Glasshouse, the new restaurant planned by The Eating House Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli with Grove Hospitality Group.  The contemporary American eatery is on the horizon. But who knows when.

The Spillover, the new seafood place by LoKal, is still under construction at the Mayfair Promenade, every time I peek in the door, it's like nothing is going on, even though I know work is being done. They were planning on opening this past summer, but as usual, the city is holding things up. Speaking of LoKal, they are almost four years old, I remember when they first opened, I was there the night before to get the story, waiting for the perfect burger to come out so I could get the right photo.

Other restaurants are opening around the village, too; I'll give you that news when I have it.

Longtime Grovites celebrate Bobby's new CD

Coconut Grove's own Bobby Ingram played to a full house at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club on Tuesday night. It seemed like every longtime Grovite came out to celebrate his new CD.

"Post Cards From Coconut Grove," Bobby's new CD can be purchased on iTunes & Amazon.

Photos by Marc Buller

Halloween with thousands of your closest friends

Coconut Grove will be the place to be on Halloween again this year.

Daylight on Halloween Saturday will begin with trick or treating children who will gather sweets from the CocoWalk storefronts. A face painter, activities provided by Academy of Arts and Minds and much more will line the CocoWalk property to entertain families in a safe environment.

The Miami Marlins will be on hand doing fun activities with a special appearance by Billy the Marlin. The Kid’s Howl-O-Ween Festivities will take place from noon until 5:00 pm and don’t forget about the Kid’s Costume contests happening throughout the festivities.

While night begins to set on Coconut Grove, Center Grove draws as many as 40,000 party-goers prepared for an amusing night filled with entertainment including a live DJ at CocoWalk, costume parties, great food and people watching. With exciting events throughout the night, visitors will stay well past the stroke of midnight to party until morning.

The Grown Up Festivities will take place from 8:00 pm until 3:00 am.

It was a dark and stormy night ...

According to some viewers of this 1927 film, The Cat and Canary is one of the creepiest, spookiest mystery melodramas ever produced. That makes perfect sense for Vizcaya to feature the film as part of their Viewing Vizcaya film series for this week, as they help set the mood for Halloween. This dark comedy takes place in an eccentric millionaire's mansion not unlike Vizcaya on a dark and stormy night.

The event is Wednesday, October 28.The film stars Laura La Plante as Annabelle West, Forrest Stanley as Charles "Charlie" Wilder, and Creighton Hale as Paul Jones.

The silent film is accompanied by a live theater organist, who will play the score on Vizcaya's historic pipe organ while the film plays. Cocktails and light bites available for purchase; doors open at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are $18 for adults who are non-members; $12 for adult members; non-member child aged 6 to 12 is $6 and member child is $3.

Visit vmgcatandcanary.eventbrite.com for details and to purchase tickets.

Vizcaya is located at 3251 S. Miami Avenue in North Grove.

Ergon's Grand Opening is Thursday night

Ergon Greek Deli & Cuisine is having a grand opening celebration on Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 10 pm. If you haven't stopped by yet, it is a great chance to taste some of their menu items, check out their artisanal product lineup, and get to know them. 

If you have met them already, stop by to experience their perfected menu along with exciting latest product arrivals from Greece.

Ergon is located at 2982 Grand Avenue.

Join in on a week of Wheels

Wheels is coming to South Florida On Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15. It's a series of bike events from videos to train rides and such which is meant to inform the locals about going green regarding travel and using alternative transportation to cars.

On Sunday, November 15, Bike Coconut Grove will be organizing a fun ride from the Kirk Monroe Tennis Center in the Grove to the South Miami Metrorail station. Volunteers are needed. Leave your name and number at 305-814-3098 and they'll get back with you.

They're out of their skulls at Grove Ink

Check these heads out. They're part of an art project at Grove Ink. The people participating started with a blank,white skeleton head as shown here. These are hard plastic, not foam. The goal is to make something cool and then be judged by the public - something Mad Max-ish, I would assume.

Noel Garcia, owner of Grove Ink (3062 Grand Avenue) tells me that the winner will receive $200 or so and the public will have the deciding vote.

Here are the 5 completed heads, there may be more. During the next FAM Night (Fashion, Art and Music), on Saturday, November 7, the completed heads will be in the window at Grove Ink, pass by and cast your vote that night.

They are really special in person, so be sure to pop over and take a look close up and vote.

Meeting regarding the Oak Avenue Garage

The Village Council and Grove 2030 will be holding a community forum regarding the Oak Avenue Garage.

The Miami Parking Authority has contracted to sell the publicly-owned, four-story parking garage on the corner of Mary Street and Oak Avenue in Center Grove  Details of the proposed sale will be shared. Please attend to ask questions, and to let them know what you think.

The meeting is Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 pm at the Sailing Club, 2990 S. Bayshore Drive.

Mortifying the Millennials

I shared the Engage Miami letter about the District 2 Commission Race forum, it's a shame that things have to be so negative.

It reminds me of a few years ago when I tried to get a few of the local techie guys from the Grove involved in town politics. I invited a few to a Village Council meeting. What they saw there, mortified them and they never returned. Village Council members were arguing and one started yelling at someone in the audience and at one point a Village Council member called out one of the techie guys and asked him out of the blue, right from the dais, why he was making faces.

The guy was embarrassed and said that was just his normal expression, he wasn't making faces!

I had to laugh the next day when one of the guys who runs large meet ups and techie events, told me that I just sat there taking notes as if nothing was going on, while the Village Council members shouted and argued and made fools of themselves. He told me that that was not the way meetings should go. Needless to say, these guys never returned or got engaged.

Someone (I know who it is) left this comment under one of the District 2 stories: "So this will be an opportunity for Millennial's to have a non-virtual experience and actually see and learn about the candidates in person. I understand that some Millennials require a great deal of praise and positive reinforcement in order for them to be happy. Hope that the moderator and candidates will thank each one personally for being there and give them a certificate of appreciation for attending. They should also be provided with a free phone app to help them locate the voting booth or to request an absentee ballot. Will be amusing to see how many of them actually look up from their smart phones to see the candidates in person and not in virtual reality."

That's not very nice and while I've heard stories about Millennials being a self-absorbed generation, how can you put them down for wanting to get involved in city politics? Mocking the forum and their willingness to get involved is not helping.

Chamber networker is at Berries in the Grove

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce is having a networking cocktail event at Berries in the Grove on Wednesday, October 28 from 5:30 to 8 pm.

Cost is $10 for members, $15 for non members, which includes a complimentary wine or beer and a selection of delicious hors d'oeuvres.

There are lots of great raffle prizes; tickets are $5 each or three for $10 and may be purchased at the door.

Please RSVP to info@coconutgrovechamber.com or call 305-444-7270.

Berries is located at 2884 SW 27 Avenue.

Hey Pumpkin, Welcome to the patch

The Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival continues Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. I stopped by early this morning just as the sun was rising to snoop around.

It was eerily quiet; reminded me of the farms we would visit when we were kids in upstate New York or Pennsylvania. Quite nice, actually.

But the madness starts at 10 am when all the families arrive and take part in all the Halloween/pumpkin activities.

This hay maze looks fun and there are still lots of pumpkins, large and small, to pick from. Included in the entrance fee are unlimited kiddie carnival rides for children, the hay and cornstalk maze, a dress-your-own scarecrow village, a hay ride, and on-going shows and activities on the main stage.

The food court has lots of goodies, including lots of pumpkin-flavored and themed items.

Ticket pricing:

·       $15 for Kids 10 & Under (kids entrance includes wristband for unlimited kiddie carnival rides)

·       $10 General Admission for Everyone 11 Years & Up

·       Free for Babies Up to 2 years old (does not include any kiddie carnival rides).

Dirty campaigns lead to dirty government

Negative and misleading attacks are commonplace in the world of old school politics.  Unfortunately, desperate candidates spread lies, false accusations, and personal insults to damage the reputation of their opponents. Even worse, they often hide behind a PAC or anonymous source in order to keep their hands clean.  The only good part of being on the receiving end of these attacks is knowing that I must be doing something right to threaten the establishment players.

According to recent polls and the Miami Herald, the two-way race between the Commissioner’s wife, Teresa Sarnoff, and the activist, Grace Solares has been upset by my grassroots effort for ethical reform in city hall and quality of life for residents.  As an outsider to politics, I have run a strong campaign that came from behind, now earning the endorsement of the Miami Herald, the SAVE LGBT organization, and several former commissioners, senators, and mayors such as Maurice Ferré.

This has put the two establishment candidates on the offensive. It has been told to me by reporters and others in the community that Commissioner Sarnoff and his lobbyists are spreading false rumors about my family and my businesses. But the biggest surprise is the nasty turn that has come from the Grace Solares camp.

The Herald revealed that her PAC sent an unethical mailer that paints me as a criminal with a distorted image of my face and a red band across my mouth stating “Guilty”. This mailer was followed by two malicious mass e-mails signed under a nonexistent address, pretending to be a concerned neighbor. These e-mails were charged with untruthful declarations, mischaracterizations and and onslaught of insults.  Even a 20 page flyer spreading lies about me was dropped in the driveways of neighbors who have my campaign sign in their yard.

I believe that the way a candidate campaigns is the best example of the way they will govern.

Please take a look at this video from the last debate where Grace Solares denies any knowledge of or accountability for the nasty moves of her PAC.  https://youtu.be/jwVzL1jDOTY?t=32m15s

I’m very proud of my team for running a clean campaign where we have been strong on what’s wrong with local government, but never personal or misleading.  Most of all, I stand by all of my statements without hiding behind a PAC.  These dirty tricks are part of the City of Miami’s old establishment politics and politicians we know all too well. This is precisely why we need a new generation of leadership. Miami can do better.  
Early Voting started.  For early voting locations and times you can follow this link http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote-early.asp and scroll to Miami General Municipal Election.

Please cast your vote to bring positive leadership to our city.

Ken Russell

Candidate for City Commissioner

Miami • District 2

Your Art's Desire to raise money for Mad Hatter

Blu Moon Studio of Art's Sheri Friedman is featured Sunday, October 25, for an afternoon of fun to raise money for this year's Mad Hatter Arts Festival. 

Stop by the Boswell Mourot Gallery and paint your own work of art with an Alice in Wonderland theme, while sipping wine and eating chocolates. the event is from 2 to 4 pm at 3160 Commodore Plaza, in the atrium.

$35 fee includes everything. 

Blu Moon, a Grove fixture for so long is now at Cauley Square. But you can enjoy Sheri's work in the Grove Sunday.

Friends moving on

Two Grove friends are moving on with their lives. Katherine Phillips Chaplin, who ran the Coconut Grove Arts Festival for years has recently moved to northern Florida with her husband and baby boy. I can't imagine the Grove without her. I would see her daily in the Arts Festival office or getting coffee around town and I always looked for her the Friday before the Arts Festival when it was all hectic and chaotic as people set up for the show, she was always calm and had it under control, or at least she presented herself that way.

And Richard Issa is a big time attorney now; or at least on his way to being that. I remember when I first met Richard he was sort of the everyman of Coconut Grove, he knew the village inside and out, working for the Chamber and the Arts Festival and BID, basically doing all the grunt work for all the power offices in town. Now he is on his way to being a power player. As for now they both may be around during Arts Festival time, but they are on their new life paths.

And honorable mention goes to Naomi Evans, now Naomi Alonso. Naomi was in charge of CocoWalk's marketing department and head of the BID marketing committee. I worked a lot with Naomi on Grove projects and she was excellent as head of the marketing department, she didn't take any crap from anyone, and trust me, they tried. Naomi is still living in the area, she's just not involved with the Grove anymore.

And of course Jackie Segedin, marketing director at the BID. The Grove has not been the same since she left.

These four people have always treated me with friendship and respect, when there were times were many others around the village did not.

Short Film Fest coming back for another week

The Miami Short Film Festival (MsFF) will showcase 55 short films vetted from among over 800 submissions from around the world from November 2 through 7. The films are organized thematically, representing a full range of human experience as reflected by the filmmakers in the categories of Documentary, Experimental, Narrative (fiction), Animation, Music Video, Environmental, Webisode and Cell Shorts. Events include film screenings, Q&A’s with filmmakers and cast members, opening and closing celebrations and a red carpet premiere on Monday, November 2 at Cinépolis at CocoWalk.

MsFF, South Florida's only short film festival, was founded to showcase Miami as a leader in contemporary short film making, and aims to exhibit the most captivating and innovative short content. In the process, MsFF hopes engage and enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment to build an audience for short film.

This year, a few big names to note: Music Video, Ideas that are Grand - a collaboration between director/animator Quique Rivera and multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Award winner René Pérez Joglar (Calle 13); documentary,Reinventing the Reel, directed by: Michael Gorlick (Coming Out: A Revolutionary Act in the 21st Century, 2014), and documentary, Man Under, directed by Paul Stone and produced by Morgan Spurlock. Also noteworthy is a strong showing from 6 Miami filmmakers.

Along with Cinépolis in Coconut Grove, films will be shown at Miami Beach Cinemathéque

SCHEDULE:  November 2-7
·       7 pm Miami Beach Cinemathéque
·       8 pm Cinépolis, Coconut Grove

TICKETS: General Admission $15, 20% off for senior/student and MsFF members

Kick-Off Party scheduled for October 24 at the Rooftop Mayfair Pool Lounge; 9:00 pm. - midnight

For info on the films being shown and to purchase tix, visit miamishortfilmfestival.com

Sailing Club hosting annual Howler Regatta

The Coconut Grove Sailing Club is hosting their annual Halloween Howler Regatta October 24 and 25.  Approximately 125 youth ages 6 - 17 will enjoy two days of racing on Biscayne Bay all while raising money for the Coconut Grove Sailing Club Instructional Center, a 501c(3) organization. 

As the sun goes down Saturday, the CGSC mooring field will turn haunted as our launch boat takes the children trick-or-treating among the member boats. This unique event is a fun time for both children and adults alike.

Weekend Schedule

SATURDAY OCT. 24
0700-0900  Check-in
0700-0930  Breakfast
0915-0000  Racers' picture
0930-0000  Skippers' meeting
1100-0000  First warning
1730-0000  Costumed Taco Fiesta
1900-2100  Trick-or-treat in the  Haunted Mooring Field

SUNDAY OCT. 25
0730-0930  Breakfast
1000-0000  First warning
1400-0000  Last possible warning
1500-0000  Raffle
ASAP-0000 Awards Ceremony

Shenanigans in the District 2 race

For those of you not following the nonsense in the comments section on one of the election stories, below is an interesting letter from Engage Miami, who held the District 2 Forum Thursday night. 

And then people ask why the younger generation does not vote. This is one example of why they are so disillusioned.

Here is the letter from Engage Miami:

Hey, Engage Miami here. Forum is still on for tonight [meaning last night] and should be a lot of fun. We have a lot of surprises in store and an important discussion of the issues that are important to Miami's millennial voters. 

Here is a history for any who are interested. 

Engage Miami started from conversation between a number of Emerge Miami members thinking of ways to get young people interested in Miami politics. We were shocked that in 2011 only 4000 people (out of 41,000 eligible) voted in the District 2 election...less than 700 under the age of 40. We were initially going to just run this "get out the vote" project under the unincorporated Emerge Miami name, but realized that we would be more effective if we incorporated as a non profit so we could apply for grants and other funds. 

In June we sent out questionnaires to all of the candidates, including Rosy, informing the candidate that upon return we would invite them to a candidate forum we had planned for August. We gave each candidate a full month to respond to the relatively short survey. Candidates Sarnoff, Solares, Gonzalez, Woods, and Russell all responded promptly. After the deadline we reached out to Hector Roos asking him to assist in having Rosy fill out our questionnaire. He told us that he would, but never got back to us. Months and months have gone by and we never received the questionnaire. Accordingly, we planned the event without Rosy, assuming she didn't want to participate. 

Subsequent to our sending everyone the questionnaires the Emerge project incorporated as "Engage", and, working with all of the candidates that completed our questionnaire decided to move the forum from August to October. 

Two days ago we received an email from Hector asking if Rosy could participate. We informed him that we would have loved to have her participate, but we had already planned the questions and format and we had assumed Rosy had no interest because she had not got back to us. He then informed us that "someone" was going to complain that one of our board members works for the SEIU, an organization that endorsed Grace Solares. 

This morning we received word that Hector had been contacting a number of people, including the Sarnoff campaign and our moderator, Billy Corben, spinning a tale that we are a shell organization for the Solares campaign. A complete fabrication. Other fabrications are that our Chalktacular event was a Solares event. In fact, Sarnoff, Solares, Russell, Woods, Sklarley, and Gonzalez all came to that event -- along with around 800 people, to help turn the long languished park into a work of art. 

As for the claim that Emerge/Engage "burned" Rosy on the Chaltacular idea. Rosy came to an emerge meeting and said "It would be a great idea to turn Parcel B into a giant chalk drawing", and we agreed. She never helped, or even offered to help, with it. Now, she is claiming she is responsible for Chaltacular. To that, I say I am not concerned with credit, I am concerned with results. A trait I would hope my elected officials would ideally have. I would also add, if you created facebook, you would have created facebook. 
I think this whole controversy is really very sad. Engage Miami is only trying to get young people interested in local politics by creating interesting and fun events to connect people to their community and their leaders. I think what Hector did is sad, and I think that Sarnoff falling for it is unfortunate.

UPDATE: Al Crespo has the video of last night's forum here.

Early voting starts Saturday

Early Voting for the November 3, City of Miami General Municipal Election for City Commission Districts have been scheduled for the designated sites, dates, and times referenced below. Voters from Miami City Commission Districts 1 and 2 may choose to vote at any of the Early Voting sites below on the dates and times in which they are open. Please note that an election will not be held for City Commission District 4 as the incumbent City Commissioner is running unopposed. 

 DATES/HOURS

Saturday, October 24 - 8:00 am. to 4:00 pm
Sunday, October 25 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Monday, October, 26 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 27 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Wednesday, October 28 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 29 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday, October 30 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 31 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 1 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Vote early at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive.

Be sure to bring a current and valid identification that contains your name, photograph and signature. While it is not required that you bring your voter information card to the polling place, it will expedite your check-in process. 

For more information, please contact the City of Miami Office of the Clerk at clerks@miamigov.com or 305-250-5361.  

MusiMini Halloween Children's Interactive Concert

A concert in three acts where children can interact with the instruments and musicians is being produced at the Miami Conservatory of Music on Saturday, October 24. The kids can even bake their own treats for a nominal fee. This is a great way for youngsters to enjoy a classical music concert produced just for them. Children are invited to come dressed up in their Halloween costumes. The event starts at 3:30 pm.

Act 1: Instrumental Petting Zoo or Mini Baking Class with Chef Michele Fontaniere

Act 2: Educational Concert with the Woodwing Family

Act 3: Instrumental Petting Zoo or Mini Baking Class with Chef Michele Fontaniere

Fees (include drinks, snacks for kids, the educational concert and desserts): 

Free for children under 4

Children 4 - 10: $10

Above and adults: $15

Optional Mini Baking Class: $5

Tickets are available online or pay at the door. For details and to reserve: miamiconservatoryofmusic.com

The concert is at the Miami Conservatory of Music Hall at the Mayfair Promenade at Florida Avenue and Rice Street.

Engage Miami hosts District 2 Candidates Forum

Engage Miami is hosting a candidate forum for the City of Miami District 2 election tonight, Thursday, October 22, at 8:00 pm at The LAB Miami (400 NW 26th Street). Doors will open at 7:00 pm. Award winning filmmaker and political commentator Billy Corben will serve as moderator. 

All nine candidates were asked to complete a candidate questionnaire in early July. Only five candidates returned our questionnaire. Those candidates were invited and are confirmed to participate: Javier Gonzalez, Ken Russell, Teresa Sarnoff, Grace Solares, and Lorry Woods.

Engage Miami’s mission is to increase youth engagement within Miami-Dade by developing a culture of civic participation that is impactful, interesting, and fun. We're home-grown and led by young people from across Miami-Dade – students, activists, artists, organizers, young professionals, and workers.

Polling shows that millennials vote when they feel informed of the issues and the candidates. Nearly a third of the population in District 2 are considered millennials. Engage Miami has worked to increase their participation in this election by rallying young people in August and educating them about the long-promised Dan Paul Park, registering over 500 voters in September, and hosting this candidate forum focused on issues millennials care about.

For more information, contact Gabriel Pendas at 786-899-8329 or visit www.engage.miami.

Rosy Palomino meet and greet on Thursday

Meet Rosy Palomino on Thursday, October 22 at 7 pm at Groovy's Pizza & Grill at 2770 SW 27 Avenue (across from Shell Lumber). Rosy is running for District 2 Commission seat.

Parking is available onsite and next to Metrorail.

"As of today, only 1,052 Absentee Ballots have been turned into the Elections Department - that is less than half of the total Absentee Ballots that were turned in four years ago (2,289). Voters are looking for a candidate that offers a different vision and the credentials to prove their commitment to change," says Rosy.

For more info on Rosy: Palomino4Miami.com.

Halloween concert and Cello concert on Saturday

Miami Conservatory of Music is having a MusiMini Interactive Children's Halloween Concert on Saturday, October 24, at 3:30 pm. This is a real Halloween treat... bring the kids in costume for a afternoon of music and family fun.

Children will enjoy an Interactive Woodwind Concert event in three acts starting with Act 1 - an Instrument Petting Zoo and optional mini baking class with chef Michele Fontaniere, Act 2 is a Woodwind Concert and after the performance, Act 3 concludes with more of the Instrumental Petting Zoo and optional mini baking class with chef Michele Fontaniere.

Please purchase tickets in advance online via musimelange.com or call 305-814-8141.

Children under 4 are free

Children 4-10 are $10 in advance and $15 at the door

Children from 11 & adults are $15 in advance or $20 at the door

An optional baking class is $5 additional.

Later in the evening, there is a Cello Concert by Isaac Casal.

Enjoy a beautiful evening of music by Piazzola, Ginastera, Granados, Villalobos, Aquino, De Falla, Lecuona and D'Rivera performed by the Panamanian cellist Isaac Casal, and the pianist Victor Soto.

The event starts at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $20 per adult and $15 per student or senior. Reservation recommended. For information: miamiconservatoryofmusic.com

Miami Conservatory of Music is at 2911 Grand Avenue.