It's us against Sunset Harbour

Our friends over at Curbed Miami have had a little contest going on putting Miami neighborhoods up against each other and putting them to a vote.

Coconut Grove has made the finals. It's now Coconut Grove vs. Sunset Harbour.

No shade, but I really didn't even consider Sunset Harbour as being a neighborhood, I usually just picture it as having a big Publix with other things around it, but apparently it is all that, as it won it all as best neighborhood in Curbed's 2013 contest.

Coconut Grove beat Coral Gables, Brickell and South Beach, now it's just down to Sunset Harbour in the finals.

Anyway, here is the contest for your voting pleasure, I am sure the Chamber and the BID would love for your vote for Coconut Grove. 

Historic Bike tour of the North Grove on Saturday

This Saturday, January 2, there is a Historic Grove Bicycle Tour from 9:30 am to noon. Meetin front of City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive)

During the month of January, there will be a three-part Grove Bike Tour Series ushering in the New Year. 

This first segment, "Old Silver Bluff," covers the verdant lanes of the North Grove. Get up close and personal with the actual 'Silver Bluff', a pastel-hued limestone cliff paralleling Bayshore Drive and prominently rising along the water at Alice Wainwright Park. While at the park, explore a piece of 'Brickell Hammock,' a tropical hardwood forest with rare flora and fauna. Cruise the shady streets, and see charming vernacular cottages, Arquitectonica-inspired bayside homes, and palatial estates. Throughout the ride, meet the varied cast of locals - rugged homesteaders, mariners, early 20th century industrialists, even today's fiercely independent Grovites, all living in the Great Green North Grove neighborhood.

The free historic bicycle tours are sponsored by the Coconut Grove BID. Please register before attending and bring sunblock, water, and a bike.

Miami Open; They operate by being bullies

I remember in the early 1980s, that the Lipton Tennis Tournament (now called the Miami Open), was planned for desolate land on Key Biscayne. I think the land was part garbage dump at the time. I practically lived in Key Biscayne back then - I was at the beach and shops and restaurants on The Key almost daily, so this was not welcome news to me and many of the residents. I wasn't a tennis fan and didn't feel that thousands of people on the fragile island was a good thing. Couldn't people watch tennis at a stadium on the mainland? According to bully at the time, Butch Buchholz, a top tennis player from decades earlier and the founder of the tournament, this was the only site for him and the tournament.

Over the years it has drawn locals and visitors in the thousands, for the two week tournament every March. But now the Miami Open tennis tournament is threatening to leave because they are not getting permission to expand the site. The center should never have been built there to begin with and now they want more land and more construction, albeit 30 years after they first built the complex.

Now their bully of an attorney, Eugene Stearns, says, “At some point, it’s going to be gone. The only question is when." Is that a promise? He's threatening to leave  the county for Orlando or even Dubai and Beijing, who are interested according to him. It's all about the money with Eugene and his clients. Just like with Butch so many years ago. If he is getting such great offers, perhaps he should take it to Dubai or Beijing.  

Bruce Matheson, decendant of the family that gave Key Biscayne park land to the County was always against the stadium being built on the island and he is one of the gatekeepers, who has protected the parkland on The Key all these years. If it wasn't for Bruce, who knows what the parkland would be now, Crandon Park would not be the pristine beautiful place it is now. The land is still governed by restrictions in a 1940 agreement from when the family donated the park to the County. The park is to remain a park. That did not happen in 1980 when the tennis stadium was built.

This is more than just about the stadium, it's about developers and con-men taking over the city and county and doing with what they want - breaking zoning rules, getting spot zoning changes and simply over-developing our home. A recent article in USA Today states, "In our rush to grow, I worry that we're losing what made this place so special to begin with: its fragile environment. Miami rests on one of the most complicated ecosystems in the country: an ocean to the east, the Everglades to the west, our drinking water in an aquifer a few feet below us. Far too often, in our hurry to become bigger and better, we've watched as those precious gifts have been plowed over in the name of progress."

Plowed over in the name of progress. 

Many residents were against the Tennis Center at the time, just like they are against the Miami International Boat Show now. It is of course because of traffic and too many people on The Key. It would not bother them to see the Tennis Tournament and the Boat Show both disappear. It sort of reminds me of David Beckham who wanted prime land downtown, remember, he wanted the waterfront filled in for his Soccer Stadium, which luckily did not happen. Our new Commissioner Ken Russell has been approached by residents asking him to do something about the destruction at Miami Marine stadium for the boat show, where a "Flex Park" is being built on site. 

“The economic destiny of Miami-Dade County and Crandon Park does not depend on a two-week tennis tournament,” said Bruce Matheson, quoted in the Herald.

Or a week-long boat show, I might add.

Story here in the Herald.

And Herald Editorial here.

New Year's Eve in Coconut Grove

I got this great list from the BID. It's a list of what's going on in Coconut Grove for New Year's Eve.

33 Kitchen
Ariete
Calamari
Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar
Mayfair Hotel & Spa
Peacock Garden Cafe
Sandbar Sports Grill
Sonesta Coconut Grove
Strada in the Grove
Taurus in the Grove

If you're not listed here and would like to be, please email me the link to your events or menu page.

Two people asked me about fireworks. I don't think we ever had fireworks in Coconut Grove for New Year's Eve. There are none this year anyway.

Grove Woman's Club celebrating 125 years

The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove, one of our true historic treasures, is celebrating their 125th anniversary with a luncheon on Thursday, January 7. The luncheon starts at noon, speakers, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Monty Trainer, President of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival will speak from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

The topic is "Celebrating Miami's Past, Present and Future." Cost is $20 for Woman's Club members, $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by Monday, January 4 to womansclubcoconutgrove@gmail.com. Seating is limited.

The Woman's Club is at 2985 South Bayshore Drive. 

Free weekend of Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga House Miami will host a weekend of free yoga classes Jan 2-3 at its Coconut Grove and Doral locations to celebrate the studio name changing (from Bikram Hot Yoga Miami) and the expansion of its class offerings.  In addition to the classic 90-minute, 26-posture Bikram yoga class, Hot Yoga House will offer a 1-hour version of that class as well as Power Flow, Power Hour, Yin and meditation classes.  Full schedule of class times available at www.miamibikram.com/schedules.

“Our students have expressed a need to be able to fit the wonderful physical and mental benefits of yoga into their daily schedules,” said Will Thomas, Hot Yoga House studio director.  “We are responding with 1-hour class options and a variety of temperatures and styles to help open the body and mind in additional ways.  And since we no longer offer only Bikram yoga we thought it appropriate to update our name to reflect the welcoming community we and our students have built at the studios.”

Named Best Yoga Studio in Miami-Dade by the New Times Readers Choice in 2015, Bikram Hot Yoga Miami opened its first location in Coconut Grove in 2009 and its second in Doral in 2013.  It is owned and operated by Will and Mary Margaret Thomas, yoga practitioners since 2001 and certified teachers since 2007.  Their passion is offering the benefits of yoga through excellence in teaching.  For more information, visit www.hotyogahousemiami.com or call 305-856-9922.

The Coconut Grove location is at 2500 SW 28 Lane; Doral is at 7902 NW 36 Street.

The King Mango Strut video is out

Richard Fendelman did an excellent job of putting a video together of this past Sunday's King Mango Strut parade, as he does every year. You can watch it here at his site: artsandculturetv.com/king-mango-strut-2015-live-video-streaming-coconut-grove/

And here are all of our stills at Facebook.

Shakespeare in the Park is back this January

Shakespeare Miami has been providing free Shakespeare in the Park shows in Miami for 10 years. The 2016 production will be Shakespeare's sparkling comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing." You may remember this was the production put on by Shakespeare Miami in Peacock Park in 2008.

Shakespeare Miami is working with a new sound and lighting company that specializes in outdoor theater, in order to avoid the many problems they had with the sound last year. The shows in Coconut Grove are costly for them to produce, as they must bring in specialized sound and lighting equipment. If anyone wants to donate to the sound and lights for the Barnacle shows, they can email Colleen Stovall the artistic director, at miamishakes@gmail.com. 

This year's production (January 2016) is set in the year directly after the Civil War in Michigan. Soldiers returned from the war with a sense of hope and a desire to put the horrors of war behind them - looking to return to their families and resume the lives they left behind four years earlier.

Shakespeare's plot dovetails nicely with events in the American Civil War, where brother fought against brother and old grudges die hard.  Don John, the villain in Much Ado, is cast as a defeated Southern General,  who is brother to Don Pedro, the victorious Union General. 

The production features period costumes as well as authentic music and dance of the late 1870's.  Music was taught to the cast by Master Sergeant Greg Lowery of the US Army Choir, an elite group that sings at the White House and across the US. Master Sergeant Lowery flew in from Washington DC and spent two days working with the cast on Civil war music.

Starring Alex Weiss as Benedick and Kayla Bussell as Beatrice, Shakespeare's famous battle of the sexes is in good hands.  

As always, the shows are open and free to the public. Pack a picnic and come enjoy Shakespeare under the stars.

Visit www.shakespearemiami.com for more information.

Week 1

Pinecrest Gardens

11100 Red Road

Shows are at 8:00 pm

Friday January 15

Saturday  January 16

Sunday  January 17

Week 2

The Barnacle State Historic Park

3485 Main Highway

Coconut Grove

Shows are at 8:00 pm

Friday January 22

Saturday  January 23

Week 3

The ArtsPark in Young Circle

Hollywood

Shows are at 7:30 pm

Friday January 29

Saturday  January 30

We tried out Masa Taqueria the other day

We tried out Masa Taqueria over the weekend. On Saturday for a couple of hours, they opened their doors to serve samples. It was more than samples, it was whole orders. Free!

Masa is not open yet, but they will be in a week or so. But those who tried the tacos, guacamole and other items loved them. Masa is dough made from corn flour and used to make tortillas, tamales, etc., hence the name. And as you can see, they make everything from scratch, fresh, on the spot daily.

The former Johnny Rockets location (3036 Grand Avenue) has been transformed, there's a lot of wood and some corrugated metal.  The space has been opened up and seems much larger, there are tables inside and lots of room; eventually tables will be added outside. Robert is the owner, James is the manager.

It's nice to see life on that corner again. Looking out the window to Harry's Pizzeria across the street, brimming with people, is a great thing to see.

We'll keep you informed about Masa Taqueria's opening as soon as we know it.

From the inside out

AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt took this photo of me during Sunday's King Mango Strut. She was part of a marching group, as she has been for the past 20 years. She used to always tell me to be part of her group and I would tell her that I preferred to watch and take photos. She would tell me that I could "embed" myself into the parade and get the photos from the inside out, which is what she did on Sunday. You can see her take on the Strut from the inside out here on her blog, Lakeworth Every Minute.

Below is the photo I took of her at the same time she is shown taking this photo of me.

King Mango Strut brings out parodies of whole year

Sunday's 34th Annual King Mango Strut didn't disappoint, but then again, it never does. The parade went on at 2 pm sharp and everyone was there - Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and then some - they were all parodied in the parade this year. Above are two Coconut Grove icons, Monty Trainer (left) with Bobby Ingram, at the start of the parade.

A lot of new-comers came to this year's event. At the beginning, people were asked to raise their hands if they were there for the first time, and quite a lot were there for the first time. The Orange Bowl Regatta is taking place this week on the Grove's waterfront, so perhaps many of these sailors and their families were part of the spectators.

A large crowd came out to enjoy the fun this year; it was sunny and hot and a perfect day for a parade. Deborah and Dwayne Crisp did an amazing job of coordinating the whole thing.

Miami's District 2 Commissioner Ken Russell rode in the parade, he did a bunch of yoyo tricks, which was a parody of his own background - his family is in the yo yo business. His Father, Jack Russell (yes, like the terrier), patented the yoyo!

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado dropped the banana at the beginning of the parade. That's the yearly custom.  I was standing next to the mayor right before he dropped the banana and he joked that not too long ago, there were a lot of bananas dropped in front of City Hall - someone left them there in reference to Miami being a Banana Republic. To this day, I'm still not quite sure why a mango is not dropped at the Mango Strut, rather than a banana.

AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, a well-known Govite, now living in Lake Worth, came down with a Lake Worth contingent to take part in the Strut, she has not missed a strut in years.

I don't know who these two that were playing the Clintons, but at one point, she took out her phone and set up the camera, I thought she wanted a selfie with me, but she wanted me to take a photo of them, Bill and Hillary. 

The Castros were present, they are a fixture every year, actually Fidel is usually in the Strut, this may be the first year for Raul, who is a dead ringer!

Every year the Governor, Rick Scott shows up. When is his term up already?

The lovely Victoria Btesh and Louis Del Borrello. Victoria is playing Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the termed-out Argentine President, who refused to give up her seat.

For lots more photos, please visit our Facebook page here, there are about 60 more.

The Orange Bowl Int'l Youth Regatta is in town

You may have noticed larger crowds in the Grove this weekend. That's because the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta is in town, this is their 70th year. From December 26 through 30, expect to see lots of sailors around the village. They are of course mostly along the waterfront, based at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, but their presence can be seen all along the waterfront. Starbucks, Monty's and most of the businesses in the area are overflowing with sailors and their families. It would be great though if they didn't all show up at Starbucks at the same time.

Most, if not all, of the hotels in Coconut Grove are sold out. I do wonder how many of the sailors make it into the Center Grove. We have tried over the years to get them to leave the waterfront area with all sorts of events put on by the Sail the Grove group. Breakfast is served at the event daily, so that's out as an option for restaurants in the Grove and the sailors are out all day sailing, so lunch is out, they usually brown bag it. Dinner is an option, but that is in between the parties and other events including their own dinners. They even have an ice cream social.

But it's nice to see so many people in the village. Even if they take one day or night to come into town and visit and eat and dine and unwind, that's great for business. The sailors are out from 8 am to 4 pm daily.

This is the largest youth regatta in the U.S. attracting more than 675 competitors from 27 states and 23 countries. One of the largest dinghy regattas for sailors ages eight to 18 in the world, the OBIYR will be held at the Coral Reef Yacht Club with support from their neighbors, the U.S. Sailing Center Miami, Lauderdale Yacht Club, and Shake-A-Leg Miami. 

The Regatta people and the Yacht Club people are good about spreading the news to the visitors about keeping the bay and surrounding areas clean. They are striving to be a Clean Regatta at the Bronze Level. Recycling is a big part of the event and there is filtered water filling stations so as to avoid water bottles thrown into the bay. Motorboats are not allowed in the sea grass areas or in the coral beds and Manatees and sea turtles are off limits, of course.

Monday, December 28 is College Night at Shake-A-Leg, down the road. And on Tuesday, December 29, there is a dinner for competitors. It's a party and free dinner on the pool deck at the Yacht Club.

It's King Mango Strut day!

Today is Strut day! The 24th annual King Mango Strut takes place in Center Grove, starting at 2 pm! It's free and a fun event for the whole family. Come out, grab a curbside seat and prepare to enjoy a Coconut Grove signature event. One of the events that makes the Grove the Grove.

All the characters you've read about here over the past year will be out and part of the event. Hope you can make it!

Follow us on Instagram for live photo updates at @coconutgrovegrapevine
or check us out at Facebook here or Twitter here.

You can also watch the live streaming, beginning at 1:00 pm here.

Bikers' Paradise

This was the scene at about 7:30 am, Saturday morning, in front of CocoWalk. You see lots of great things around the Grove early in the morning. Down at GreenStreet and that area, you can see lots of bikers and now with Regatta season starting, there are plenty of people on bikes, running and of course sailing, down near Monty's and the waterfront area. Starbucks at Monty's is packed on weekend mornings this time of year.

Louis has been giving advice for over five years

Louis Del Borrello's five year anniversary got away from us - he has been Grove Ambassador since July 2010! You all know Louis, you see him daily, right in the center of the village in the colorful information booth.

Whether he is answering questions, offering directions or providing suggestions on where to shop or dine, Louis has yet to disappoint. I joke with him about having such great patience. My solution to the non-stop questions would be "Google it!" but Louis takes his time and answers the same questions over and over again daily, as if he just heard them for the first time.

He promotes Coconut Grove, and has helped with many events by either donating his time or being part of the committee; things like Snow Days, Coconut Scavenger Hunts, Mad Hatter Art Festival and outdoor movies and especially anything Barnacle-related, as he is on The Barnacle Board of Directors. He is always a part of the King Mango Strut, this year his car (with him driving), will be used by one of the groups. The Strut is Sunday, December 27.

Visitors are thankful for the free information he provides during their visits. It encourages them to stay and explore, if they are aware of what we offer.

Louis is up for a Golden Coconut Award this year from the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce for "Community Service."  

“He is the Grove’s go to guy,” said David Collins, former executive director of the Coconut Grove BID. “Louis truly loves Coconut Grove and it shows when he greets visitors and welcomes the tour buses. The goodwill he generates daily for our community is amazing.”  

He also does little things that make a big difference like having graffiti removed or street lights replaced. A funny story is that during the Christmas tree lighting recently at CocoWalk, I mentioned to him that there is one street light that is so bright, that it's ruining the photos, it was washing them out. I just said it off the cuff, not really thinking that he is the guy responsible for the lights. He replied, "I just had the light fixed, it was dead for so long and now it's working. People complain if the light is not working, then they complain if the light is working! You can't win around here!"

Many of you may know Louis from his days at Borders Books and he also managed Hibiscus Hill and Sparkle Plenty, all Grove stores. He was elected to the board of the Village of Center Grove, and is a member of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce.  

Louis proudly proclaims, “I have the best position as Ambassador.  People really love the help and advice I am able to offer.”

Merry Christmas!

When the spoons are up, you know it's Christmas

As has been the tradition since they opened, Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar has decorated their Christmas tree with decorated ceviche spoons.

What's nice is that I recognize so many of the spoons from year-to-year, that is has turned into a true tradition.

Stop by Jaguar at 3067 Grand Avenue and check out the tree and the spoons and enjoy lunch or dinner while there. The tree will be up until the end of the holidays.

Jaguar is winding down their December Fried Chicken & Champagne - it's Louis Dumont Champagne paired with the chicken. Glass is $12; Bottle $49 and Chicken & Champagne is $19. Try it now until the end of the month.

Jaguar is offering a special four course dinner on New Year's Eve. Here is the pre fixe menu along with Talavera and Peacock Garden Cafe: jaguarhg.com/jaguarspot/new-years-eve/

And check out their new happy hour - Monday-Friday, 4 to 7 pm with $3 appetizers and two for one drinks.

I took a tour of Ariete, a new Grove restaurant

I met Jason Odio (left) and Chef Michael Beltran, at their new Coconut Grove restaurant, Ariete.

Ariete is located at the former La Bottega space at 3540 Main Highway but that is where the similarity ends. Ariete is a brand new concept, created by Jason and Michael, who have been friends since high school. They put a fence and a hedge up, to separate themselves from Calamari, next door. The restaurant is not open yet and I did not try the food, but I like the location and concept. Ariete, means "lord of the manor" or "battering ram."

"We feel they both fit our concept," says Jason.

Jason took me on a tour of the space, as the construction workers did their thing around us, Jason says it should all be done by the end of the week. And while they will have a soft opening some time in January, the grand opening is January 15, 2016. They will however have a special seating on New Year's Eve. More on that later.

Ariete, is clean, open and totally renovated, including the wine cellar below, which has a huge industrial kitchen behind it. The restaurant is food driven; it will all be fresh, local and what's in season is the theme. The menu will change depending on what is available during different times of the year.

Chef Michael is known from the Cyprus Room and working with Chef Norman Van Aken at other places. Jason is a local guy, a Grovite, who goes back to the days of Oak Feed; his father once owned a fish place on McFarlane Road, where NY Pizza is now, and Jason lived next door once. Jason owned and ran restaurants and clubs in South Beach and Brickell including Sidebar, and now he is thrilled to be home. He feels the renaissance of Coconut Grove and wants to be part of it.

House specialties include a 32 oz Porter House steak with Bernaise and red pepper beef jus, which is meant for two people. There is also Whole Fish, local fish, ravioli, Smoked Pork Chop, Duck l'orange, a house burger and so much more.

Appetizers include Burrata, Oxtail & bone marrow pie and Foie Gras, just to name a few. There are appetizers called "Snacks" and sides like veggies, fries and potato aligot. Plans call for an outdoor patio area in back and Ariete will feature a Sunday supper-style, family-friendly feel, with shareable entrees. Lunch and brunch hours will follow.

While the restaurant is opening January 15, they are having a special seating on December 31, for New Year's Eve. There will be one seating. First come, first accommodated by reservation only.

That menu for that night includes Champagne, bitter greens, Mackerel Tarter, Homemade Ravioli, local fish, bone in Rib Eye and a lot more. Ask them about the menu.  

Cost is $95 per person / $145 per person with wine pairings.

For reservations for New Year's Eve, please email: reservations@arietemiami.com

Now you can try their tacos and guacamole

I've stopped in Masa Taqueria a few times whenever I see the crew there. And I've tried some of their food - tacos and guacamole. They've been very welcoming to me and always have something great for me to try. It's fresh and delicious. And now you can try it, too!

While they are not open yet, they are still waiting for the city to sign off on that, Masa Taqueria will be offering free samples to everyone on Saturday, December 26, from 1 to 3 pm. It's a "thank you" to all the people who seem to stop by daily looking for lunch, only to find out they can't get their taco fix just yet. Now at least you can get a sample.

They are happy to be in the neighborhood and will be great neighbors.  They are hoping to meet you on Saturday.

Masa Taqueria is located at the form Johnny Rockets space, right in the middle of town.

A Coconut Grove gift card; is there one?

A reader emailed me inquiring whether I knew of a gift card he could purchase as a holiday gift that could be used at various Coconut Grove stores and restaurants. I don't think there is one, is there?

I suggested he get something like an American Express gift card that could be used everywhere. But it would be a clever thing to have a card that can only be used at businesses in 33133. This way local businesses are guaranteed to reap the rewards a few times over due to the one gift card. With the American Express gift card, the user can go anywhere in the world, it is not just confined to Coconut Grove.

34th annual King Mango Strut is Sunday

The King Mango Strut is Sunday, December 27 in Center Grove. Starting at 2 pm, the 34th annual event will march from Commodore Plaza, up Main Highway, around to Grand Avenue and end at the post office. It's free and everyone is welcome! Above are AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt and Rafael Gutierrez in the 2009 parade, as part of the Coconut Grove Gripevine, a parody of us! Photos here.

Come by Sunday, see spoofs of the news from the previous year. The notorious “Kim Davis” is the Grand Marshal, and our new Commissioner, Ken Russell, is the Guest Celebrity, displaying his Yo-Yo expertise!

There are also the FPL Bloodsuckers, an ark to save us from rising sea levels, Trump’s Trolls, and Selfies for the self-absorbed.  And that’s the tame stuff.

Bring your kids to Commodore Plaza, to ride the Little Miss and Little King Mango float in the parade.

Revel to the four great bands in the parade, and at the After Party, on Commodore Plaza, until 6:00 pm.


If you can’t make it to the parade, watch the live streaming, beginning at 1:00 pm here.

It's a colorful, fun day, that brings out everyone! The whole town is out, all the Grove characters and then some.Here's last year's Strut.

Inaugural First Xmas on Grand

City of Miami District 2 Commissioner Ken Russell and the Coconut Grove NET Office  present the Inaugural Xmas on Grand Community Holiday Party with a toy give-away for the West Grove schoolchildren sponsored by Primo Cash on Wednesday, December 23 from 2 to 6 pm.

There will be performances by talented community youth, a dance competition, sugary treats and - a unique twist on a holiday tradition - a Christmas dunk tank.

Also involved are the Grand Empire Barbershop and the Lola B. Walker Homeowners Association

The event is at 280 South Dixie Highway.

Golden Coconut nominees announced

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 46th Golden Coconut Awards, the premier awards event for the Coconut Grove community. The winners of these awards will be named at the January 14, 2016 event taking place at The Kampong.

The Golden Coconut Awards is a celebration recognizing businesses and individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.

“There are so many wonderful businesses and individuals among our community who deserve to be recognized for the positive impact they’ve had locally and in their industry,” said Kathy Kesler, Committee Chair of the Golden Coconut Awards. “We are honored to shine the spotlight on these deserving businesses and individuals, and we look forward to continuing to help them succeed thanks to the many resources the Chamber provides that support local businesses.”

The list of the finalists is below.


Small Business of the Year
Lesley Clothing, Lesley Tobin
Roca Gonzalez, P.A., Antonio Roca & Eric Gonzalez
FrameWorks- Coconut Grove, Cris Sweeny & Claire Lardner


Business of the Year
MARCA, Tony Nieves, President
Sonesta Coconut Grove Miami, Curtis Crider, General Manager
Jaguar Hospitality Group (Jaguar, Peacock Café & Talavera), Lalo Durazo


Business Leader of the Year
Tony Nieves, President, MARCA
David Martin, President and Co-Founder, Terra
Brigitte Kishlar-Founder/President, Miami Conservatory of Music


Non-Profit Organization of the Year
The Woody Foundation
The Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Inc.
Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association, Inc., (Coconut Grove Arts Festival)


Up & Comer of the Year
Karl Fong Yee, Assistant Vice President, Regions Bank, Coconut Grove
Justin Rundle, Partner, Rundle Law
Jane Muir, Partner, Gersten & Muir P.A.


Community Service
Louis Del Borrello, “Grove Ambassador”, Business Improvement District (BID)
Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove, Marlene Erven, President
Commander Manuel Morales, City of Miami Police Department


Outstanding Service By An Individual
Joyce E. Nelson, Grove Resident, Owner, Cosmopolitan Jewels
Manny Gonzalez, Executive Director, Coconut Grove BID
Commander Manuel Morales, City of Miami Police Department


The Golden Coconut Award is selected among all applications and will be announced at the event on January 14, 2016. (This award is presented to a Community Member who demonstrates a commitment to not only the coconut Grove Chamber, but also to the entire business community and who consistently promotes our business community and the Chamber in their business dealings.)

For tickets, and more information about the event in general, please visit www.CoconutGroveChamber.com or email info@CoconutGroveChamber.com.

Free youth soccer tournament at Ransom Everglades

Meet soccer's future stars at the 20th annual LaLiga Promises International Tournament at Ransom Everglades on December 27-29.

Entrance is free. The tournament is from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm each day, it's a great family event.

There are 19 youth teams from around the world including USA; seven players per team for 20 minute games. The field is shortened to about 60 yards.

Special guest is Raul Gonzalez, LaLiga Global Ambassador.

Ransom is located at 3575 Main Highway.

Should we stop using Peacock Park for events?

I was reading Glenn Terry's Grove Guy blog and noticed that he is upset over the mess that Peacock Park is in because of the torn up grass, which was caused this fall during rainy events - namely Grovetoberfest. Trucks tore up the grass the night before during torrential rains. Now Glenn is asking that the city stop permitting events to take place in the park. I'm wondering if this is wise and perhaps it is. Perhaps not.

I got this photo from Glenn's blog, there are many more you can see if you click over.

While it might be true that most of the events that take place in the park do not trickle down to the rest of the Grove, they do bring people to the village. But do we need the people here? Keep in mind that most events are not sanctioned or run by the Grove, they are just people with an event who need a place to hold the event and it ends up being Peacock Park. The City makes out like bandits with all their service fees and the BID makes some money on it too. It's nice having events here, or is it? The park is not usually torn up and the grass is usually in good shape after most events.

I've always like events in the park; I've not always been a fan of the gates that go up to keep people out, but it seems like Peacock Park is our Central Park and events seem to just end up there. With the new Regatta Park, I suspect some events will shift to that location.

But should we or should we not have the events in the park? Should we or should we not have the events in the Grove? If there is not much of a trickle down effect, do we need that many people in the village? Are they spending time and money elsewhere? Should we not have Grovetoberfest, the Bed Race, the Seafood Festival, Pumpkin Patch and the rest? I think we should, many locals feel we shouldn't.

I like having events in the Grove, but maybe it's just out of laziness; as I don't really have to travel to enjoy them. I suspect if the Bed Race or Grovetoberfest move to Wynwood or some other area, I probably won't attend. It's sort of like City Hall, many people feel it belongs in downtown Miami and the old Pan Am Terminal here in the Grove should become an airline museum or restaurant or something like that; I always feel that I like having City Hall under my nose, for convenience sake. That's probably why I like events in Peacock Park.

Something new from Bobby Ingram

Very nice article on Bobby Ingram in the Miami Herald. His new album is out and he's promoting it. The article starts out:

"Bobby Ingram has been in the Grove since the salad days of the ’60s, when the village was a bright satellite at the tail end of the folk-music revival that briefly swept the nation. Bewitched by the sun and water, the lush greenery, the cheap digs and the Grove’s freewheeling ways, everyone who would someday be someone hung out, played the coffeehouses, smoked dope, wrote songs or made it a point to come through. Bob Ingram was a foundational lodestone of that scene. Bobby knew everyone, and everyone knew Bobby."

Bobby is the old Grove. I did a 10 question thing with him recently, you can see that here and you can read the whole Herald article and see some great photos here.

The location is just perfect for a pop-up store

I noticed how large the old Sephora space is recently. I passed it a couple of times going to the gym. It was the Rainbow clothing store and then the Halloween shop for awhile, but I never realized how far back the store goes. It's a great space. As is the former Guess location. Both straddle the gym.

The rents are quite high for both locations and I'm guess only a chain store could afford those, but they would make great pop-up locations for boutiques and even the antique market, which was always such a great addition to Coconut Grove.

I was at the Antique Market on Lincoln Road on Sunday. It's bigger and better than ever. It was the weekend before Christmas so everyone was out and about shopping and hanging out. I know it's too late for this holiday season for it to prosper in the Grove, but perhaps it still can as a pop-up store. It prospered at Mayfair for years, why not across the street on Grand Avenue?

Related stories:
Our own version of "Are You Being Served?"
Antique Market is open all summer
Objet d'art and Kitsch mingle at Antique Market
Antique and Collectibles Market had a great first day

Double Macchiato

So this morning I did the gym and then went to Starbucks at CocoWalk for my thing, which I proceeded to describe - and lo and behold, before I could finish, one of the guys there asked, "Are you the Grapevine guy?" He had read yesterday's story and I didn't have to describe my drink as if it was something I made up, like the other guy had assumed yesterday.

We all had a laugh about it and he said that he knew what I wanted - there was a name for it - Espresso Macchiato. So I got that.

He was a young guy, and into politics, he mentioned Commissioner Ken Russell and the changes going on around here and that he lived in the Grove, and it was nice to see that he kept up with the Grove news by reading the Grapevine and also knowing about local politics. With all the youth moving and working in the Grove these days, it's nice to see that they are interested in the community.

Snow Days

This post ran December 5, 2010. Remember the few years we had Snow Days here in Coconut Grove?

Yesterday's Snow Days in Coconut Grove was a lot of fun -- for everyone. Virginia Street was transformed into a little holiday village.


The kids lined up and took turns playing in the snow in front of The Bookstore. It looked like a Christmas card. People lined up from The Bookstore all the way down to Starbucks at CocoWalk for a chance to play in the snow.


Santa arrived as he always does, on an only-in-the-Grove way -- via Rickshaw. The kids (and parents) went wild and everyone got a chance to sit on Santa's lap and have their 
photos taken.
This old red firetruck was another very popular feature at Snow Days, everyone was allowed to climb aboard and play around and beep the horn on the truck. The firemen and women were out collecting toys for the needy, there is another Snow Day next Saturday, and all are asked to drop off an unwrapped toy.


Frosty the Snowman was out again this year. Everyone was happy to take pictures with Frosty, just like with Santa.


Tourists saw all the activity from the tour buses and they hopped off to join in the fun. Free snow cones were also part of the mix. The line for the snow cones was also quite long. People didn't mind waiting in line for all the fun activities.


Lots of snow balls were thrown, which is against the rules, so we called it "pitching snow," to get around the "no snowball throwing" stipulation.


So many of the kids, born in South Florida, have never seen snow before, so it was a thrill for them. Most came all decked out in snow boots, mittens, and hats, but a few didn't get the concept and they had on flip flops.


Snow Day moves to Fuller Street next Saturday, December 11 from 11 am to 2 pm. If you missed yesterday's fun, stop by on Saturday, or even if you came by yesterday, come by again on Saturday for more of the same.


Oh yes, we forgot to mention the bubble machines. There were six of them and they gave the effect of snow coming down. The kids really enjoyed the bubbles all day, too. Lots of pets came out with families and it really was a big day for family fun. Those neon rubber sunglasses look like the ones that Paul sells at his sunglasses kiosk at the Mayfair Promenade-- they say "Coconut Grove" on the side.