HAPPY GROVE NEW YEAR
Photo by Dave Weiss

One last parody for the new year

The group who mocked St. Stephen's (for knocking down the little historic 1912 church) in this year's King Mango Strut, put together a web page with photos of their parade unit. It's here.

Where's the Green Market?

The Green Market at the Mayfair Atrium that should be here on Wednesdays was missing in action yesterday.

I had two tourists ask where it was. I asked them how they knew about it. One said she read the signs at Mayfair storefronts advertising the weekly market and one said she read about it on the internet.

I have found, that to be successful, you need to be consistent. That doesn't seem to be the case with many places in the Grove. The Green Market should have been here this week -- one of the busiest weeks of the year for the Grove.

Restaurants also seem to open at will, some are open for breakfast one day and closed the next, they are open for lunch and not the next and then open the next. Consistency is needed.

One artist told me he is at a particular spot every Sunday. I brought a friend last Sunday to buy one of the pieces, the artist was not there and lost a sale. My friend went back to NY without the piece she was interested in. Last Sunday was King Mango Strut day, a stupid day for the artist not to be out selling his work with thousands of visitors to the Grove that day.

First Saturday Art Stroll is ready for a new year

A new year of First Saturday Art Strolls starts up again this Saturday, January 2, from 7 to 11 pm, with a new array of artists, entertainers, food and drinks at the Mayfair Promenade. Throw in the Antiques Market and the GroveHouse, and there is plenty to do for the whole family.

New sponsors will be offering samples of their products including Milam's Market, Pollo Tropical, Don Eduardo Tequila, Aalchemia Vodka Products, Kilo Kia Rum and Miller Lite Beer.

There's children's arts and crafts area where the kids can learn fun new creative things from Captain Art.

“This event has brought many new faces and visitors to Coconut Grove! The goal is to deliver an excellent show and also offer a free event for the whole family to enjoy. Also many of the local businesses have benefited from the economic impact this event brings every month to the area," says Johnny Valdez, founder of the event.

The Ivy in the Grove gets a nice Herald write-up

The Miami Herald has a nice story in today's edition on The Ivy in the Grove. I don't know what has gotten into the Herald lately, but they have had some nice restaurant reviews, in the past, the lady who wrote the reviews was not so kind to the Grove.

Here's today's story on the Ivy.

Are you ready to Taste the Grove?

It's almost time for the Great Taste of the Grove, Saturday and Sunday, January 9 and 10 this year.

Along with the great food are the great performances. Saturday's line up is Joe Donato, Mike Singer, Pocket Change and Carmen Kelz. On Sunday: Campo Deluxe, Christine Alexander and Liset Alea (shown at left).

The hours are extended this year and there is an additional tent where everyone can eat and be out of the sun, while enjoying the delicious food and live musical performances.

Admission to the festival is complimentary and food tickets are available ranging from $1.00 to $8.00.

This year's extended hours are: Saturday, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

They like us, they really like us

The Grove got a very nice write-up recently in the "Hole in the Donut Travels" blog. The story is about the Peacock Tour coming this spring and there are quite a few beautiful photos of Main Highway and Commodore Plaza.

It's interesting the way people see us from the outside. Even the comments left about the story are nice. If only we could do the same from the inside. The story is here.

Breakfast with the Artist features Juan Kurtzman

Juan Gonzalez Kurtzman will start the year as the featured artist on Saturday, January 2, for Breakfast with the Artist at Focaccia Rustica (3111 Grand Avenue). The breakfast is at 10 am.

Juan has worked as a studio assistant for local artist Hans Feyearbend where he was discovered. He received his BFA at The School of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The Herald likes Focaccia, so do we

The Miami Herald gave Focaccia Rustica a very nice write-up on Christmas day.

So unlike the Herald, guess they have a new reviewer who actually likes food.

The review is here.

City seeking applicants for CRB

The City of Miami Community Relations Board (CRB) is accepting applications from City of Miami residents who are interested in serving on this voluntary board. Deadline to submit application has been extended to January 31, 2010.

Each member must be a resident of the City of Miami. Each member is expected to serve a minimum of 10 hours a month. Board terms are for three years.

Individuals interested in applying may send their application and resume to:
Office of City Manager
3500 Pan American Drive, 2nd Floor
Miami, FL 33133
Or call at (305)250-5305
Attn.: Ada Rojas or e-mail:arojas@miamigov.com

Help a lost tourist today

Do a good deed, help a lost tourist. The maps around the Grove are a bit confusing, maybe if you see people floundering around, you can step in and help. Lots of tourists are in town this week, many are here for the Orange Bowl Regatta, but others are here for holiday week.

CocoWalk in foreclosure

CocoWalk has been hit with a $97.6 million lawsuit. Bank of America has foreclosed. Hopefully Muvico can salvage the shopping center, plans are for Muvico to open in April. Story here.

Revisiting Chicago's Steakhouse and Deli

I ran into Phyllis Muscatello, the new manager at Chicago's Steakhouse and Deli, she was pleased to show me around.

They have made a few changes (unfortunately, no more egg creams), but they do have their incredible sandwich menu still intact, so my favorite, the Italian Beef, called the Al Capone, is still available, with the spicy hot peppers, just like I love.

On New Year's Eve, Chicago's is having a special night with live music and a champagne toast at midnight. For $25.00 per person, there is an open bar, too.

Their drop down screens will show the band inside and out and you can watch the countdown at midnight, too.

Chicago's has added deep dish pizza to their menu, all made from scratch, including the dough. All cakes and pastries are made right on the premises. That's Phyllis in the kitchen with bread ready for baking.

I also tried some home made French Onion Soup, my favorite soup. Delicious.

The Deep Dish Pizzas are 10" and serve two people. They include:
The Chicago Classic with sausage, chunky tomato sauce, mozzarella and grated romano for $14.95. The Chicago Supreme has sausage, pepperoni, onions, peppers, mushrooms, chunky tomato sauce and mozzarella and grated cheese for $17.95. The Farmer's Market is a vegetarian deep dish pizza with caramelized onions, mushrooms, peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, tomato, chunky tomato sauce, mozzarella and grated romano cheese for $16.95.

They also offer burgers and have a very large Mexican menu with fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, carne asada and more.

They cater all occasions in their restaurant or at your location. For more info: 305-443-0422.

"Small Wonders" exhibit at GroveHouse Gallery

The GroveHouse Artists are holding a "Small Wonders" exhibition. It is is a juried competition for works of art no larger than 144 square inches in size. Merchandise prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention.

At left is one of the small wonders in the gallery by artist Daphne Baruch.

Works are being exhibited in the GroveHouse Gallery from January 2 to March 5, 2010. Many of the entrants are already on display. The opening reception is January 2 at 7 pm, during the First Saturday Art Stroll on the Mayfair Promenade.

Also on the same night is the opening reception for Artist of the Month, Mari Visser.

For info, please email Barbara Tejada at ba.tejada@gmail.com or call 305-979-9534.

Holiday party at Boardwalk Tavern

Boardwalk Tavern (3421 Main Highway) is having The Winter Bungalow pre-New Year's / Post Christmas Party tomorrow, December 30.

There will be live performances by Our Last Days as Children, TA & the Southern Plymouth Riders featuring Mr. Payne and special guests include The Mad Skeleton, Montgomery Drive, Mike Barnhill and Tinfoil Apparatus.

Free entry. Party starts at 8 pm.

Cleaning up the streets

Village Council member Renita Ross Samuels-Dixon says that the new Police Commander Jorge Colina, says there is a zero tolerance for criminal activity in the Grove and that people need to report crime when they see it.

Recently over 60 criminals were apprehended in Village West and about a third of them were sent off to federal penitentiaries. So the police are cracking down and again, with the help of neighbors who see things and report them, the streets can be cleaned up and stay clean.

Dealtificate/Sandbar promo hits streets

Will Furry, right, was signing up Jerry Wade for Dealtificate.com, Miami's new deal website, starting in January.

On Sunday, during the King Mango Strut they sponsored an event at Sandbar Sports Grill. Dealtificate was on the street giving out free raffle tickets for a $100 gift certificate to Sandbar as the prize.

The winner, Jaime Gomez, was announced after the Miami Dolphins game at Sandbar, later in the day.

Dealtificate is a website that offers an amazing local daily deal featuring local businesses at 50-90% off the regular retail price. Features include restaurants and spas to services and activities. Check them out here: www.dealtificate.com.

Regatta crews had lots of fun with clues

You may have seen little huddles all around the Grove last night, like the one above. That's because it was Amazing Race Night in Coconut Grove.

As one of the Sail the Grove events put on by Daisy Lewis for the Merchants Group, BID and Chamber, The Amazing Race spoof was played by the Orange Bowl Youth Regatta crews who are in town this week.

After a hard week of sailing, they had a hard night of solving clues to get to the final finish line. The kids from the regatta and their families enjoyed a nice cool night running around solving the puzzles.

Here, Seth Rosenthal and Uma Paloma, from Crystal Beach, Florida, try to figure out one of the clues.


Above left, Meredith Bass explains the premise of the whole evening to some of the sailors. At right are Wills Johnson, Christophe Killian and Porter Killian, all in town from Newport Beach, California.


Above, Seth Rosenthal ties a knot, the first one, at the first clue stop of the evening -- The Bookstore. That's Gianfranco Trifoglietti, one of the Sail the Grove volunteers with Seth.

Clues were handed out on small cards and when solved, they told the teams where to go for the next clues and so on. Various history questions about Florida and the Grove also had to be answered.

The clue for the bookstore was:
I am a house of knowledge, loaded with facts
Fiction, historicals, hard covers, paper backs.
If you're searching for info, or a comfy place to sit
Stop by for some latte and get your brain fit!

The clue for Sparkle Plenty was:
I have a huge collection of funny stuff in this place.
It's a great spot to buy things that bring a smile to your face
From crazy magnets to funny cards, my gifts are a hoot.
Head over to my "shiny" store and check out the loot!

The clue for the Windisch-Hunt Gallery was:
One the hunt for some fine art?
Here's a place you can go.
And if you are a sailor, part of my name you should know.
One of our products is a flip and a flop
Head to this gallery for your next stop.

The crews had a list of Grove locations, so it made it a bit easier to figure out the clues by knowing who the businesses actually where who were participating. Other locations involved included the Sonesta Hotel, Calamari and Greenstreets. Greenstreets also offered complimentary rum drinks to the parents involved. The rum was donated by Flanagan's Liquore store on Bird Avenue.

On one side of CocoWalk, slides of the Regatta were shown and everyone enjoyed seeing themselves out on the water up close, in photos.

One very exciting event for the kids was the arrival of Shaun, the ricksaw guy, in the form of Spider-man. They couldn't wait to go for a ride.

It was a nice, full, happy and busy night in the Grove. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the kids enjoyed all the prizes they received, including Grove Bucks.

The winners were Bill and Mark, from New Orleans, who were smart enough to bring their skate boards and completed the course in 29 minutes with one wrong trivia question adding a five minute penalty for a final time of 34 minutes.

Special Blue Moon Concert at The Barnacle

Tomorrow, December 30, Jennings and Keller will take the stage for a special blue moon concert in the Barnacle under Moonlight monthly concert series. A blue moon is the second full moon in the same month. This December we have two full moons (Dec. 2 and 31).

The acoustic duo of Jennings and Keller are drawing recognition throughout the country for their unique blend of music which they call "Fusion Folk Americana." Laurie Jennings Oudin has been a singer, songwriter and guitarist for many years but in 2006 abandoned other pursuits to embark on a full-time music career.

"Dana Keller is a veteran pedal steel, dobro, and guitar player who has spent years performing on stage and in the studio." When these two diverse talents perform together, they entertain with unique music that is difficult to define but easy to enjoy.

The Barnacle Historic State Park is located 3485 Main Highway. Blankets or lawn chairs and picnics are welcome, but alcohol and pets are not permitted at the concerts. Proceeds from the concert series support special projects at the park sponsored by The Barnacle Society, Inc., which is a volunteer non-profit, citizen-supported organization created to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of this historic home.

The concert is from 7 to 9 pm. $7.00 for adults; ages 6-9 $3.00; children under 6 are free. For additional information call 305-442-6866.

A last look at the King Mango Strut

Phil Brown put this together. Thanks, Phil!

Spider-man is back on Coconut Grove's streets

Shaun, Spider-man, is back for the season. Guess Spidey can't pull people around in his rickshaw in the snow in New York, where he had relocated.

Ask him about the tripod holder, where you can hook your camera up to the rickshaw and actually film yourself taking a ride!

Sunday, after the Strut, was a great day for Spidey. So many people were out; the streets were closed, live music was playing all over the village and people were having a great time. Let's hope we have more days like that, not just Shaun, but everyone in the Grove.

Zen Village offers year-end dinner and services

You are invited to a celebration dinner at Zen Village (3570 Main Highway) from 7 to 11 pm, tomorrow, December 29.

Homemade barbecue and healthy table wine is planned as the menu.

Please feel free to bring a holiday covered dish, but not sweets, as they will have plenty. Music and entertainment will be part of the evening's festivities.

A special Cross Year Prayer and Breakfast will take place December 31, from 11 pm to 2 am.

Midnight snacks and sweets will be provided at midnight as well as a healthy wine toast. A breakfast buffet will be served at 7 am.

The special cross year prayer will consist of purification from the past and bringing forth the energy to connect with the future through the pure essence of Primordial Buddha.

For this special event, you are welcome to sleep overnight. Please bring your sleeping bag and toiletries.

A donation of $25 is asked for this event.

Zen Village's weekend services will begin on January 3 at 11 am. Please come and enjoy a cup of tea prior to the service.

For more info, please call 305-567-0165.

A sea of purple was the theme of the day

So yesterday's best unit in the King Mango Strut had to be the Coconut Grove Gripe Vine, even if I do say so myself. I actually had nothing to do it, it was all a pleasant surprise.

I like to call it "AnnaMaria Knows Best" or "Leave it to AnnaMaria," since AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt came up with the whole concept and so many clever ideas, like the "Anonymous" people with bags over their heads and signs that said, "Center Grove Mafia member, please raise your hands . . ." That's Rafael Gutierrez above, one of the great grape bunch, with AnnaMaria.


Issa, left, and Alexis, right, carried the Gripe Vine banner.


So many people I know and love were part of the group. Here is Garland on the Grape Escape bike, Louis Del Borrello as a bunch of grapes and Ellen, our town clairvoyant, as the Queen of the Grapes.


Jessica came all the way down from Fort Lauderdale to strut.


Twins Kianosh (3 am) and Arman (5 am) Kremer, were so funny as the battling bar closing times. They would hit each other over the head with purple balloons yelling, "3 am, or "5 am," respectively. Michelle Niemeyer, looked pretty in purple.


Here are the twins battling it out on Main Highway as they made their way down the parade route. Rosie Brown was another bunch of grapes and her husband (not shown) went around with one of the "Anonymous" signs.


Two of my favorite girls, Karen Deilke and Trina Collins had the best ride in the house, in the back of Sandy Pukel's orange Beatle Bug convertible, which led the purple paraders. Liz Gibson, right, is always part of the fun, she even died her hair purple for the occasion.


Louis Del Borrello and Jerry Wade carried a couple of dubious signs. I think Jerry's is supposed to be turned around to read some Grape Vine-related message. Theresa Calluori, carried an anti-Parking Authority-related sign.

I'm really pleased and happy to say I was wrong in my apprehension. It made me smile the whole time. It was all so cleverly done. I was honored to have the Grapevine be the subject of this great purple brigade. Everyone who was a part of it did a tremendous job.

Le Café Pop offering New Year's Eve menu

This is the New Year's Eve menu for Le Café Pop (3425 Main Highway). They will have a New Year's Eve party after dinner with a dj and lots of music and dancing. The menu below can be changed to accommodate you.

Carpaccio de noix de St Jacques aux agrumes
(Sea scallops carpaccio with citrus)

Tournedos Rossini, Gratin dauphinois et poêlée de champignons
(Beef Tenderloin with Pan Seared Foie gras pate served with potatoes gratin and sauteed mushrooms)

Opéra
(Chocolate cake)

One complementary glass of Champagne

Cost is $75.00 per person. To make reservations, please call 786-362-5901.

Strut nuts hit the streets in style

The King Mango Strut went on today -- it's 28th -- without a hitch. And despite my apprehension over the Gripe Vine unit, that ended up being the best of the day! The Gripe Vine strutters were funny, clever and I was amazed at all the people who ended up being in that one group. Tomorrow I'll feature lots of photos of just the Coconut Grove Gripe Vine group.


Jimbo, in red, was the Grand Marshall, he did a little dance to the theme song based on Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and then he road the rest of the way with his pretty entourage. Irena Patterson, performance artist, marched along with the juggler group.


Nathan Kurland (left) and Buzz Fleischman did a great job emceeing at the starting point. They worked well off each other. Balloon Boy (right) was one of the first featured marchers.


Barbara Lange was one of Tiger's girls and Antoinette Baldwin showed up as Sarah Palin, again this year, her nemesis son-in-law Levi Johnston, followed along. That's my buddy Ken behind the mask with the funny t-shirt.


One of the best bits was the recreation of the destruction of St. Stephen's Little 1912 Church, which happened earlier in the year. They did this right in front of the actual site.

As usual, the weather was sunny and nice, it never seems to rain on the Strut. Thousands lined the streets of Coconut Grove, filling restaurants and bars along the way. It was nice to see so many friends out and about enjoying the yearly tradition. I enjoyed my favorites along the way -- a Bloody Mary at Greenstreets, a beer and bathroom stop at Mr. Moe's, another beer at The Ivy and Mango Salsa Burgers and Coke at Focaccia.

Village West Homeowners meeting is Monday

The Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association is having it's final meeting of the year on Monday, December 28.

The meeting is from 6 to 9 pm at the Frankie Shannon Rolle Center (3750 S. Dixie Highway).

Food, fun and festivity is on the agenda.

Regatta sailors keeping busy

The Orange Bowl Youth Regatta is in town all week, here is one racing team, from left: Ryan Guth, Ben Althouse, Sam Baher, Lawson Levine and Zane Rogers, their coach, Herman Peralta is standing behind them.

The sailors are excited about tomorrow's Amazing Race and today's Strut. They'll be attending both.

Paul offering new line of Polarized sunglasses

This is a Coconut Grove Grapevine special: Purchase one pair of Polarized Sunglasses and receive the second pair for half price. Must use coupon. Please click on the coupon to make
it larger than then it can easily be printed out.

Today's King Mango Strut line-up

Here are just a few of the things to expect in today's King Mango Strut:

- See Miami politicians.... finally 'get' the perp walk right!
- Get your no-show job at Angel Gonzalez's Employment Agency
- Spin the Wheel of Healthcare
- The Gripe Vine, parody of the Coconut Grove Grapevine
- Get chosen to die by the Strut's Death Panel
- Go Rogue with Sarah Palin and the Palinistas
- Check out the new Teabaggers (not what you are thinking)
- Run for cover! US National Parks have the right to arm bears
- Barbie gets her AARP Membership Card and Ken's accessory kit includes Viagra
- Not-so-sunny days at Sesame Street dealing with life at 40
- Michelle Obama defends her right to bare arms
- Expect more of Tiger's women to come out of the Woods-work
- Check out the mudfight in Coconut Grove's new reality show "Whose Strut is it Anyway?"
(I thought we were to be called "Desperate Grovites?")

And if that wasn't enough to want to put this decade behind us: Balloon Boy, Levi Johnston, OctoMom, Jon & Kate, Lady Gaga, Priests Gone Wild and the Cash for Clunkers.

Expect to see the usual Strut suspects: The Hare Krishnas, the Marching Freds, Coconut Grove Juggling Exchange, the Progressive New Orleans Funeral Band, the Mocko Jumbi, the Little Miss Mangoes, former Miss Mangoes and dethroned Miss Mangoes.

The Strut starts at 2 pm! Center Grove!

Found village house; lost the Strut announcer job

The Grapevine village house has been found, it was in the old Borders Books location, under the new Bookstore in the Grove's village house. There's something psychological about that, not them having their house covering mine, the fact that the new bookstore's village house is inside the old bookstore.

I was not sure if I was one of the announcers of tomorrow's King Mango Strut, I was told I could be the one at the start of the parade, but it appears as if I am not. I ran into Antoinette Baldwin today and was told that three others are doing it. Shame, I would have done a great job, but that's ok, I did want to be free to roam around during the Strut and not be confined to one spot.

Speaking of the Strut, I am not amused with the group doing the parody of the Grapevine as the Gripe Vine. They are opening up old wounds by bringing up subjects from the past year that I thought I had made peace with. Things that people forgave me for or forgot about will now be out in the open again, marching up and down the village. I think we need to move ahead, not look back and mock. It's not me or the Grapevine being mocked, it's the people, organizations and subjects that I wrote about this past year -- all coming back to haunt me and them.

The Ivy is ready for the New Year

The Ivy at the Grove (3159 Commodore Plaza) is offering a New Year's Eve dinner for two, including a bottle of champagne, for $95. There will be live entertainment throughout the evening. The restaurant will be open for dinner from 5.00 pm

Please call 305-600-5453 to make your New Year's Eve bookings.

The Ivy is also gearing up the King Mango Strut. All three outdoor dining areas and terraces will be open for the event. They will also be offering a take-out menu for guests including hot dogs and hamburgers.

Ready for the King Mango Strut tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Sunday, December 27, is the day -- King Mango Strut day!

The Strut begins at 2 pm and will circle the center Grove. At 1 pm, at the corner of Commodore Plaza and Main Highway, Grand Master C, Buzz Fleischman, from WLRN's "South Florida Arts Beat" will host the Little Miss Mango Pageant (for kids 4 to 10).

At 2 pm sharp, or whenever they get around to it, the infamous King Mango Strut will begin at Commodore and Main, and make its way around town, turning around the corner where Main meets McFarlane and Grand and then it will strut up Grand Avenue and fall apart somewhere near Focaccia or the post office. After the Parade, the streets will remain closed and the King Mango Music Massacre begins. All the bands in the parade will continue playing until the festivities end at 6 pm.

All this entertainment is free (cheaper than a therapist) and open to the public. There is plenty of parking along or near the parade route at CocoWalk, Mayfair, Coconut Grove Playhouse on Main Highway and Charles Avenue, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Coconut Grove Elementary School, the City garage at Oak Avenue and Mary Street, and the City garage next to the Sonesta Hotel. Click here for map of area.

If you don't want to drive (who can blame you,) take the Metrorail to the Coconut Grove Station. There will be shuttle buses (the Coconut Grove Circulator) picking up eager parade-goers every 15 minutes at the station and dropping them 1 block from the parade route.

For more information, check the website: www.kingmangostrut.org or call the Mango Hotline at 305-401-1171.

Holy toast

A few fortunate people received Glenn Terry's Christmas card toast.

It's the Virgin Mary image on a piece of toast and it says "Happy Holidays in the name of the Father, son and the Holy toast."

I didn't receive one, a friend sent me this photo of the toast.

Spend New Year's Eve at Calamari

Calamari Restaurant invites you to spend New Year’s Eve in their beautiful court garden setting, with party favors and music by Johnny G., original DJ of Mezzanote, Miami Beach.

there is a Special 9:00 seating for the duration of the evening. Reserve your table now at 305-781-4865.

Enjoy live piano jazz at La Cava in La Bottega, part of The Grove Garden Trilogy: Calamari, La Bottega, Taurus at 3540 Main Highway. For info: 305 441 0219

Merry Christmas!

Sparkly decorations light up the night

One of the best holiday scenes each year are the lighted trees at Yacht Harbor Condominium. They make such a statement as you come up to the corner of Mary and Grand.

And the best tree in the Grove is probably the tree at the Mayfair atrium. It's real and the scent is delicious as you walk by. This year, there are many wreaths around the atrium and the shop and office windows are surrounded with white lights.

Groovy Grove Sundays salutes King Mango

The Groovy Grove Sundays Live King Mango Strut Show is this Sunday, Dec 27.

They are Rockin' the Grove with A special musical tribute to King Mango Strut's 28th year of putting the Nut Back in Coconut Grove, featuring on stage: Mechanical Massacre, GWIP, NRB & Friends (special Jam Session inviting all "Grove" musicians) and special guest Little Alix & The Rockers.

Selector: DJ Fyshe

All @ Chicago's Steakhouse & Tavern (3120 Commodore Plaza). Showtime is 8 pm; Admission $5.00. No cover for 33133 residents. Food and Drink Specials.

Sailors to compete in Great Grove Amazing Race

The Great Grove Amazing Race is coming to Coconut Grove as one of the Sail The Grove events, put on by the Merchants Group.

On Monday, December 28, 500 participants, in town for the Orange Bowl Youth Regatta, will be competing with their families (2000 or more people in all).

This fun, interactive evening will be converting CBS's hit TV show “The Amazing Race” to a Sailor and Merchant live event. Sailors from regatta start the race at the Sail the Grove kiosk in CocoWalk, are stamped a start time and given their first clue towards finding eight different spots in the Grove hidden inside those stores. Included at each store is a trivia question for bonus points.

Along the way three “pits stops” will challenge the participants to a unique test of brain, sailing skills and goofiness! At the finish line pictures from the Great Grove Amazing Race and their on-the-water activities will be shown courtesy of Tim Wilks Photography and the Orange Bowl Regatta. Awards and prizes based on fastest time and most accurate trivia answers will be given out to the top ten winners.

The fun starts at 6 pm.

Alter your hair, shoes and clothing in one spot

People are always asking where they can get their shoes or clothing altered. We have a place on Grand Avenue, at 3671 to be exact. It's Walter Alter's Barber Shop. Walter Daniels (left) has been at it since 1966.

Bring your UM ticket stub or wristband for $2.00 off any haircut the week after the game! It's only $12 for a style cut for men and that's before the UM discount!

This is one of those neighborhood places that will remind you of Mayberry, like you're in the Andy Griffith Show.

Walter's new website is here: http://coconutgrove.biz/walteralters/

Mayfair Hotel and Spa has holiday specials

The Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue) has special holiday menus and a special New Year's Eve Party at the Rooftop Pool and Lounge.

Call 305-779-5100 to book your table and cabana. And ask about their special Holiday Hotel Packages.

Click Here to View the Menu and Specials

"The U" doumentary showing at City Hall

Filmmakers Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman along with stars of the documentary "The U" will be present during the free public screening of "The U," an ESPN film about the University of Miami Football program. This viewing is a special extended cut version which features footage that did not air on ESPN.

Wednesday, January 6 is film night at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive). The show starts at 6:30 pm.

"The U" recently received the highest ratings in history for ESPN's acclaimed documentary series "30 at 30." There will be a Q & A session at the end of the screening with the honored guests.

Our own guests are avoiding us

An interesting fact came up at a recent Village Council meeting. Felice Dubin, Council Member, and co-chair of the Merchant's Group, who is organizing "Sail the Grove," a concept to promote the Grove's merchants to the thousands of sailors who pass through during a six month sailing season.

Felice claims that the sailors, who stay in Grove hotels and who compete in the water off our shores daily, actually leave the Grove to head to South Beach, Mary Brickell Village and other places to hang out and have fun. So they are here all day sailing and then when it comes time to have fun, they don't even think of the Grove, they head to other areas.

The Great Grove Amazing Race is coming, which is one event on December 28, that will entail a large group from the Orange Bowl Youth Regatta scattered all over the Center Grove, playing a version of The Amazing Race (like the tv show). We'll give more details about this over the weekend.

One lady who spoke at the Village Council, said that her group, called "And the Women Gather" meets monthly at the Ritz Carlton. After their meeting, they actually avoid the Center Grove and head north to Brickell or South Beach. She says that their perception is that the Grove is over, it's no fun anymore, it's not like the old days, so they bypass it and go to other areas to eat, drink and have fun.

This is the problem. This is the perception that needs to be changed.

Orange Bowl Int'l Youth Regatta coming to town

From December 26 to 30, the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta will be in town.

700 kids (8-18) from 24 countries and 31 states will be in Coconut Grove to compete in the US's largest youth sailing regatta. A US Sailing/Jr. Olympic event hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscyane Bay Yacht Club and the US Sailing Center will see 1000 boats in Biscayne Bay.

Come out and watch all the action. The best landside vantage point is the Rickenbacker/Key Biscayne bridge. The racing runs 10 am-4 pm each day.

Crazy Pianos open Christmas and New Years Eve

Crazy Pianos will be open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve for those looking for some Grove action on those days.

Christmas Eve and Christmas day, they are open from 8 pm until 3 am. Everyone (over 21 of course) receives a complimentary glass of champagne on both days.

New Years Eve tickets on sale here or by calling the restaurant at 305-567-2462. General Admission is $5.00

There is an open premium bar from 9 pm to midnight for $50.00. Dinner, including the premium open bar is $100.00, this is until midnight.

The menu looks delicious with Seared Scallops as appetizers with bell peppers and bok choy and Crusted Salmon or Lobster tails, chicken or Mushroom Rigatoni in a brandy cream sauce, just to name a few things. For more info on the menu, check the ticket page here.

$25 Cheesecake gift card for spending $200

Spend $200.00 shopping at CocoWalk and receive a $25.00 gift card for The Cheesecake Factory. This offer is good until the end of the year. So if you already shopped for Christmas, think of all the deals the day after on Boxing Day!

Turn the receipts into the main office for the gift card.

Sonesta Hotel offering holiday menus

Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel (2889 McFarlane Road) is offering special menus for the holiday season.

Please click here for the menus.

Christmas Eve Menu
Thursday, Dec. 24th, 2009
Served from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Christmas Day Menu
Friday, Dec. 25th, 2009
Served from noon to 11:00 pm

New Year’s Eve Menu
Thursday, Dec. 31st, 2009
Served from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet
Friday, Jan. 1st, 2010
Served from 11 am to 3:00 pm

Complimentary Valet Parking. For more info: 305-447.8256

Be on the look out for our Snow Days house

Our little Grapevine village house is missing. It was last seen on Sunday, during Snow Days, leaning on the wall at the salon on Fuller Street. This was one of the village houses created specifically for Snow Days.

The little plexiglas box broke off at the Mayfair Atrium, and I see that someone (I think Steve Licata from Palm Produce) placed it on a table there, with our Grapevine flier cards still in tact and people are just grabbing cards from the table display.

But the whole house is missing. We would possibly like to have it out with the other houses during King Mango Strut day and maybe even have it in the strut, seeing how AnnaMaria, who created the house, feels the need to mock the Grapevine, calling it the GripeVine.

I decided that I no longer wish to be the announcer for this year's Strut, as I cannot be confined to one spot for two hours, i.e. I need to move around, so I suppose the GripeVine group will have their Graiping Grapes prancing around town, since I won't be there to stop the group, which I could have (as a joke) if I was announcing the procession. (I would conveniently forget to announce them).

Anyway, we want the house back, if you have seen it, please let us know where it is. It is a nice piece of artwork and we need it until the end of the holiday season. Gracias.

One last look at our Coconut Grove Snow

It's so cool (literally) and surreal to see the snow at the end of Snow Days. It just lingers in the street as if it is a natural thing here in Coconut Grove. It turns the one section of the town into a little northern-looking village. Here are two sides of Fuller Street at the end of Sunday's Snow Day.

I wonder if any of the patrons at Barracuda may have had a bit too much and stumbled out into the snow, thinking they were in a Jimmy Stewart movie or something.

Keeping up their tradition

Jaguar Restaurant (3067 Grand Avenue) has kept up it's yearly ritual of having their customers decorate ceviche spoons.

They then hang the spoons on their large Christmas tree, as ornaments.

Stop in for lunch or dinner or just pop your head in and check out the tree, it's right at the entrance.

Still time to ship for Christmas at UPS Store

The UPS Store (3109 Grand Avenue) would like to remind you that for shipping holiday gifts and returns, their Certified Packing Experts will be happy to pack items for you. They also offer shorter lines, timely options and convenient package tracking.

There is still time for December 24 delivery. Also enjoy the two coupons, just click on them to make them larger and you can then print them out.

Gift Certificates to promote the Grove

A great way to help struggling businesses in the Grove might be to purchase gift certificates as gifts for Christmas.

All the Grove restaurants and most businesses offer gift cards or certificates. I bought some myself yesterday. You can give them to friends or family members who live outside the Grove, it's a great way to have them come into the Grove, to spend them.

It's a good idea for last minute gifts, if you're still trying to figure out what to get people and it will help the local economy in the Grove.

Those new light poles are good for something

From high atop Coconut Grove, Victor Ruiz, one of the rickshaw drivers, wishes everyone "Happy Holidays!" Victor is part of the Miami Free Running group, who actually climb up and run atop anything and everything, including light poles!

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Clearing up the Le P'tit Paris story

Regarding the photo I placed of Le P'tit Paris yesterday. It was not placed there to start trouble with Le P'tit or to start rumors. It was placed there because I was sick to my stomach at seeing them closed. I was sick of seeing restaurants and other businesses close. I was sick of seeing friends gone.

I like Regis and Shriley a lot. I have liked them from the day I met them, they have always been incredible people. I like Eduardo and Rosa from Cita's and Havana Grove, a lot. I liked and loved the staff at these places. I was shocked when Azul, the clothing store at CocoWalk, was gone overnight, I would see Craig, the owner, daily, walking here and there in the Grove.

The purpose of the photo yesterday was to say, "What is going on around here?"

I don't usually allow nasty restaurant comments by anonymous people because everyone has their own taste. I happened to love the mussles at Le P'tit Paris, for instance and would go there for them, while others didn't like them. I feel that the staff goes out of their way, sure you can have a rude person here and there, I have been accused of that daily by people! Restaurants are very stressful places to work and run, keep that in mind.

Anyway, in case you missed it, Regis, the owner of Le P'tit Paris left this comment, I can hear him speaking in his thick accent:

Dear all,

First of all, to stop all rumors, we'll go out of business by January 4th. Up to that date, we'll be open almost each night and all day long on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Even if the business slow down a little bit, the only reason we go out, is for very, very serious health trouble for one of us (Regis or Shirley) confirmed last Friday by doctors. By consequence, we do not have any other choice. We need quite time, not compatible (at all...) with business restaurant.

For 18 months, it has been a pleasure to serve you all. Thanks to our partners (Louis and HL), all our team, managers (Fab & Jean Charles), our Chef, Keith (which is serving food in Coconut Grove for about 20years), Magali (2nd Chef), our main waiters (Laurent, Pablo, Murat, Sergio, Aida, John, the list should be too long...), and all our dishwashers. You all can't imagine how theses guys has been devoted to please you !

Thanks to all our competitors such as John and Kim, Sylvanno, George Eric, Bruno & Christian for their support and advice.

Thanks to "real" local customers such as Barbara and Karl, Carlos and his family, John, David, David & Patricia, Frankie Lopez and his family, commissioner Sarnoff and his lovely wife, Richard, David Pujas, Nanny, Claudia, Laurie from Biscayne Bank, to name a few...and of course all the French crew (Bernard, Nico, Rodolphe, Francois, Sophie, Momo, Fred et Nathalie from Nikita Sunset, Laure and her Kids, Sylvie, etc, etc,... we love you all. Thanks for the good time we shared.

I read a comment about our landlord: there's no reason to blame him. Hakki is a real straight nice guy, a "word" gentleman, helped us a lot during this period. I can't see any link between him, and the fact that the traffic has been divided by 4 or 5 in the last year in Coconut Grove!! If we are not able to keep alive a Banana Republic, or Barnes & Nobles, Multi millions Chains Restaurants, movie theaters, convention center, night clubs, bars, etc, etc... how do you want to attract huge brands such as Apple, or tourists, or regional people ???

I'm not surprised about getting bad comments about our restaurant, or food, or service, or the fact that the bathroom are by the end of the corridor...With an average of 2500 covers a week, by math, some customers, got at one moment bad service, or a missed plate, or something, whatever you don't like... By the way, at least, we brought some life in the Grove, jobs, taxes, investment, heart, love, which is, to us, the most important thing we need all right now!

For me, the problem is not about to know if mussels are better at Le bouchon, or George's or at Le P'tit Paris?? just a question of taste, mood, or ambiance. For sure, as every business owners knows, if Coconut Grove continue to decline that fast, we'll have 3 places to eat..not that much..no confusion about where will be the best mussels!! What about the credibility when an anonymous or Bryan talking about our product and says basically "but I've never been there - I heard "! ii could be French humor man…

By reading all theses comments, for some of you (most are anonymous...), I'd love to see you at work or running your businesses, to enjoy the perfect way you are, and passionate about perfection you are...

Thanks Tom for your passion and devotion for the Grove. You don't need to apologize the way you did by email about your articles today. It's done anyway!

Again, most, most important things we have to worry about now.

All my best - Happy holidays :)
Regis Ducatillon

Come out and for dinner

All rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.

We are glad to inform you that Le P'tit Paris is alive and well and serving dinner.

Now aren't you all embarrassed about all the comments you left earlier about their service and food? I was just testing you. Get out there and have a wonderful dinner!

Interesting facts about the Block Parties

The Mad Hatter Festival worked and so did Snow Days. It's not quite sure why the Saturday Night Block Parties did not. The BID put a lot of effort into them, they really worked hard each week to bring the best they could to the block.

They studied the block parties and realized that they drew families early in the evening, from about 6 to 8 pm and after that, the party crowd showed up to eat, hang out and especially hear live music. Those were hopefully the big spenders for the evening.

When the bands stopped at 10:30 pm, the crowds left immediately, so they tried keeping the bands until 11:00 and that worked, the crowds stayed. And then they tried 11:30 and the crowds stayed.

There is a limit to how long outdoor music can be played (I think 11 pm is the actual cut off time), so it's an interesting dilemma that the BID and Commodore Plaza has, trying to juggle the families earlier and keeping the party crowd out later.

Perhaps if a bit of the Mad Hatter can mix in with the Snow Days and jumble in the best of the block parties, something new can emerge.

Where are all the red umbrellas?

This is Le P'tit Paris at lunchtime today. Closed? Gone? Another one bites the dust?