New Walgreen's almost ready to open

The new Walgreens on US1 and Bird is almost ready to open.

Guess that means the one at the Grove Gate Shopping Center will soon be freed up for Milam's to start their expansion.

I changed the Facebook page; it's not personal now

I changed the Facebook page, so we now have a Facebook page dedicated to the Coconut Grove Grapevine, it's not my personal page, although I still have that. So for those of you who felt awkward befriending me, because you felt that I didn't know you, this is for you.

By the way, just the fact that you come back here day after day, makes you a friend of mine. I meet you all out and about and enjoy it, I feel like we know each other, so just so you know, we are friends.

But anyway, if you are so inclined to join us at Facebook for the Coconut Grove Grapevine only, you may do it here. Just click on the logo.

Join us today!

Is this Seattle or Coconut Grove?

What's with all the rain? It's non-stop. Yesterday I got caught in it three times -- coming from Gardner's Market, coming from the Farmer's Market and coming from the Sandbar Grill.


People don't seem to mind though, they are out, going about their business.


I noticed in this photo above you can get an idea of the what the lights will look like and what they have looked like. One of the quaint gas lights that say, "Coconut Grove," can be seen here to the left and in the background to the right you can see the replacment acorn lights, which will be taking the gas lights' place. Not good.

Fancy meeting you here

I ran to the farmer's market yesterday, in the rain, to the get the coconut water that I like, and I ran into three buds hanging out: from left, Michael Gardner, Fred Hunt and Vincent Etagweyo.

Every Saturday I run into someone
I know there.

The empty police car seems to be doing the trick

This empty police car has been on the corner of Mary and Grand for over a week now. I guess it's doing the job because people come to a complete stop now. Not out of fear of getting a ticket, but out of total confusion. They can't see if there is an officer inside, so they don't know it the car is trying to turn right left or what.

The street lights are changing, like it or not

These work crews have been out for weeks. They are rewiring the streets in anticipation for the installation of the new acorn lights.

Soon the old gas lights will be history.

It's a night to head to the pub

With all the rain out there, people are starting to flock to the bars and restaurants. We almost went to Calamari to meet up with the Facebook crowd, who ended up there for happy hour after the seminar today, but we ended up at Sandbar Grill instead for beer, fajitas and fish tacos.

Barracuda, Mr. Moe's and Greenstreets are all starting to fill up with people trying to keep out of the rain who are popping in for a drink or two and something to eat.

Making modern day fossils

Today Michelle and Jill Gerlach made fossils with with the help of museum volunteers Kristen and Nohemi Colocho at the Miami Science Museum (3280 S. Miami Avenue). The fossil making is an on going project that takes place every Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Michelle and Jill happened onto this as they were bringing a baby opossum to the rescue shelter located at the Science Museum.

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Hundreds show up for Facebook Developer Garage

Lots of Facebook fans showed up this morning for the Miami Facebook Developer Garage at the Museum of Science. Dunkin' Donuts learned of it on Twitter and they sent over doughnuts. Intel sponsored the event and Brian Breslin, below, was the main man.

I'm still trying to figure out the premise of these events, you know, BarCamp and RefreshMiami and this Garage thing -- how do people make a living out of social media? How do you exist on Twittering or Facebooking?

Guess I need to go to more seminars to figure it out.

A few of us are trying to make Coconut Grove a techie neighborhood - we would love to have RefreshMiami meet her monthly and would love to have other seminars and events here. Plus, it would be very cool to have techies move in and live and work here.


Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Arva's book signing

A nice crowd showed up Thursday night for Arva Moore Parks' book signing, her new book is called "Miami, the Magic City."

They sold out almost all the books, but I'm sure Felice and Sandy can find a copy or two for you if you drop by.

Photo by
AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Vigil and March planned for missing Lucely Aramburo

There will be a candlelight vigil and silent march tomorrow, to commemorate missing mother, Lucely “Lily” Aramburo (left) on the two year anniversary of her disappearance.

On June 1, 2007, Lilly Aramburo, 23, left her ex boyfriend's house in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. The Miami Dade Police Department’s detectives failed to interview Christen Pacheco, Kelly Starling, and “EJ” who were present when Lily disappeared.

The march will start at 6 pm at CocoWalk, tomorrow, May 31. The march will go to 3440 Percival Avenue.

Francisco Alvarado, of the New Times, was the first to report on the disappearance last September. More info on the vigil and march at the Justice Miami Blog.

Hooters supports breast cancer; how fitting

Stop by Hooters at CocoWalk this weekend to support breast cancer research. $12.95 hats, men's t-shirts and women's tanks are for sale.

$4.00 from each purchase benefits the Kelly Jo Dowd Foundation.

Mind Freeing Friday poetry night at Mayfair Hotel

Last week's poets were amazing. They competed against a top comedian at the Improv, and competed against South Beach during Memorial Weekend, and they competed against the fatigue of a stressful work week and still had a full house.

They call it, "some straight up relating poetry," this is also a place where you can Free Your Mind. Let that work week that drove you close to quitting go. Come out to "Mind Freeing Friday."

Bring your business cards and get a free promotion at the show.

Mind Freeing Fridays @ The Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue, 2nd floor banquet hall).

Admission is: $10; performers are $5 -- Doors open: 8 pm Showtime: 9 pm

The Motions are performing at Mr. Moe's tonight

The Motions, a "classic rock" band will be playing at Mr. Moe's (3131 Commodore Plaza) tonight, May 29, from 10:30 pm to 2:30 am.

Aside from their great rock music, they are known as the "lawyer band," consisting of three lawyers and a computer specialist. They claim to change the world's view of lawyers one song at a time. They are succeeding.

They played great music back in the day, took a break to pursue their careers, and now are back, better than ever. By day they are rocking the corporate world, by night they are putting their musical talents out there for charitable events, fundraisers and corporate functions, and of course they play local venues.

The Motions are Tom Mannos, Steve Silverman, Jeffrey Lapin and William Huber. Their website is here: www.themotionsband.com

Photo courtesy of The Motions website

CocoWalk's weekend performers and specials

Brian Gonzalez, Latin pop singer will be performing at CocoWalk tonight Friday, from 7 to 11 pm. And tomorrow, Mariana Martin will be performing her Bosa Nova style of music from 7 to 11 pm. All free.

Edward Beiner has been named one of the world's "Hottest Retailers" by the International Council of Shopping Centers during last week's RECon 2009 Conference in Las Vegas. 40,000 attended the conference. Beiner and his biz partner Guido Balocco received the award from fashion celeb Carson Kressley. Check out the Edward Beiner store at CocoWalk.

At Chili's: Get your lunch card now! Pay for 5 lunches and the 6th is free! Also enjoy Happy Hour, all day every day. 2 for 1 draft beer, house wine, & premium calls.

At Coco Cigar: Buy 3 cigars get the 4th free! (of equal of lesser value)

At F.Y.E.: Select CD's are 2 for $15. 'Bout time.

At Hooters: Summer on Ice! $6.99 crab legs, $2.99 - 23 oz Miller Light & Coors Light drafts and $2.99 Margaritas Monday through Friday, 3-7 pm.

At Los Ranchos: 2 for 1 well drinks and 2 for 1 on select dinner entrees Monday through Thursday 5-7 pm and on Friday 4-6 pm.

Naomi Evans is the new marketing manager at CocoWalk. If you have any questions or comments, you may reach her at naomi@cocowalk.net

A big smile for Burn Notice

Burn Notice star Sharon Gless at yesterday's City Commission meeting, is all smiles after the commissioners voted unanimously to keep Burn Notice around for awhile.

Below, State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, producer, Terry Miller and Sharon Gless, await the commission's decision. While a few sour pusses in the Grove are still complaining that the Expo Center is falling apart and they say they are afraid to walk by, these people work inside daily. I doubt the production company and many others would allow Sharon Gless and all of the people working there to be there if that was the case.



So to those who want to complain on and on about the structure, if you don't like the Expo Center, look the other way when driving by. It's going to be there for awhile and it is going to be bringing in millions of dollars a year. Millions! When you can do the same and bring the city millions of dollars a year and hundreds of jobs, I am sure they will hear your side of the story, actually those who did have another side of the story, wimped out yesterday and refused to speak up.

In the meantime enjoy the acres and acres of parkland surrounding the area at Kennedy, Myers and Peacock Parks (and the Barnacle and the many other pocket parks). You complainers make us sound like we are land locked and in the Bronx or something. Do any of you complainers actually partake of the parks we have now? I highly doubt it.

Photos by Dan Littlejohn

Counting down to the 4th of July, Grove-style

The 4th of July plans are moving right along. The committee met Wednesday afternoon.

The activities will take place from the Barnacle all the way around to Peacock Park. The Barnacle has their usual day picnic, which ends at 3:30 pm. Then the rest of the Grove's activities take over.

There will be a stage in Peacock Park with a band and performers and there will be vendors and lots of other activities in the park, including a kiddie area, where all the games and rides will be accessed by one price. Each child will get a wrist band and will be able to participate all day long by just showing the wrist band to the ride operators.

A bunch of Grove merchants will have booths in the park where food and drinks will be sold.

Fireworks should start around 9 pm but before then, in other areas of the Grove, there will be a coconut scavenger hunt, a hot dog eating contest, maybe in front of CocoWalk and quite a few other things to keep people busy.

At one point, probably later in the evening, maybe right during or before fireworks, Commodore Plaza will shut down. The party will come out to the street and that will go on until 3 am.

It should be a fun filled red, white and blue day with something for everyone starting in the morning and ending in the wee hours.

It's Art Happy Hour time at Blu Moon Studio of Art

The monthly Art Happy Hour is tonight, Friday, May 29, at Blu Moon Studio of Art (3444 Main Highway, top floor).

From 6 until 7:30 pm or beyond if you feel, join Sheri Friedman in here funky creative relaxed space. It's a great place to be creative, hang out, eat, drink and enjoy friends. Each month there is a different artistic workshop, you can join in or just hang around and visit.

The cost of the workshop is a mere $5.00, if you do wish to partake. This month's workshop is a demo of basic metal clay techniques with a raffle for a free intro to metal clay private lessons. Another raffle is for the piece of art that is being used in the demo. Bernadette Denoux is the certified metal clay instructor.

Barbara Rozel will be offering chair massages during the Happy Hour, too.

Stop by, unwind, have some food and drink. Every time I am there, I don't want to leave. It's a taste of the old Grove, you'll probably feel as warm and welcome as everyone else does who enters the Blu Moon Studio.

For more info: 305-529-5006.

Burn Notice receives city permission to stay in Grove

Burn Notice will continue to be based at the Expo Center in Coconut Grove through the 2010 televison season and maybe get a one year extension after that. The City Commission passed a resolution at 3:30 pm today after a long drawn out love fest in the commission chambers by fans and people involved with the show. The production company was literally filming a few blocks away at the time. Pics here from yesterday's shoot.

Commission Chairman, Joe Sanchez feels that in light of the hard economic times, we need to keep money pouring into the city without asking for government bailouts. He made this clear at today's City Commission meeting regarding Burn Notice.

He and many others want the show to remain in the Expo Center in Coconut Grove and he made a resolution to keep it. He explained how Burn Notice not only provides jobs and money to our city, but also major publicity.

$60 million dollars has been poured into the local economy, so far, by Burn Notice according to Comm. Sanchez.

Comm. Michelle Spence-Jones then took over as chair of this hearing and she did an excellent job of moving things along.

Burn Notice producer Terry Miller spoke before the commission today, he said that 95% of the crew and cast were local people, including Terry. Actress Sharon Gless was also present, she plays the mother on the show, Madeline, and she lives in Miami, too. Terry made it clear that Burn Notice is the number one show on cable tv today.

Sharon Gless stood before the commission. She has been a Miami resident for 13 years. She also spoke about all the local jobs created by the show and she reiterated the $60 million that has been brought into the community after all actors and producers have been paid. She explained how Toronto was not able to accommodate Cagney and Lacey, her first tv show, in the 1980s, and so production picked up from Toronto, where the pilot was shot, and the moved back to Los Angeles and in that time, $125 million was pumped into Los Angles by the show, rather than Toronto.

She went on to explain that she and everyone knows that a park would be great in the spot where the Expo Center stands now, but currently they are throwing millions at us, why turn that down now? She also went on to say that the show glorifies Miami and does not tear it down.

Terry made it clear that this is a thriving business in a terrible economic time. Each episode that airs, is an incentive for other producers to come to Miami to film, according to Terry.

Two people in the audience were against keeping Burn Notice at the Expo Center, the rest of the chamber was full of supporters.

Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera was present, he was instrumental in getting more incentive money from Tallahassee for tv and movie production in our area.

Bill Talbert of the convention bureau, also spoke in favor of the show. He said, "Burn Notice is an infomercial for the City of Miami." A free infomercial. Local producer, David Frankel, also spoke in favor of the show. He once had a tv show called "Grapevine." Gotta love that. He recently directed "Marley and Me," which used the Expo Center to film many scenes.

Sam Todesco, location manager, spoke in favor, too. He goes back to the Miami Vice days and claims, rightly so, that Miami Vice was the main reason South Beach had such a major turn around in the 1980s.

Village Council member and chamber member Michelle Niemeyer also spoke in favor. The Chamber of Commerce provided a resolution in favor of keeping the show in Coconut Grove, Liliana Dones, Chamber prez, drew up the last minute letter. Michelle suggested that the rent being paid for the Expo Center by Burn Notice should go to the park's Waterfront Master Plan fund.

The two people in the audience who were against the plan seemed to disappear when it was their time to speak. So no one spoke up against keeping Burn Notice here. They wouldn't dare in front of the actors and producers and politicians who spoke in favor.

At the end of all of this, our own district Commissioner Marc Sarnoff spoke in favor of park space. He agreed that Burn Notice should stay in Miami, but not in the Grove's Expo Center. He says the city has lost too much money by having Burn Notice in the Expo Center, that they don't pay their way, costs are higher to run the Expo Center than what they pay and the city kicks in the rest.

Comm. Sarnoff says that the city does have the money to take down the convention center and clean up the place for a park, City Manager Pete Hernandez verified this. He also said there are two sites available in the city for Burn Notice to move to. But the producer of the show, Terry Miller feels that the Grove has all he needs. He feels the best place for Burn Notice is to be here, Coconut Grove. It's either here or out of Florida according to Miller.

So Comm. Sarnoff's idea now is to keep Burn Notice here for another year or two and to have all rents paid go right into a trust fund for the Waterfront Master Plan, agreeing with Michelle Niemeyer on this. He would like them to pay for the whole year, not just for the five months or so that they pay now -- that is $20,000 per month for a total of $240,000.

Comm. Tomás Reglado was very much for this plan. He felt we needed to go further to make Miami the film capital of the east, second to New York. Comm. Michelle Spence-Jones also was in favor. She looked at the big picture of the money coming in.

Comm. Angel Gonzalez, then out of nowhere, asked for the site to be a major convention center. Guess he didn't know there is a Parks Master Plan for the site, which does not include that. He was right about Miami losing convention business to South Beach and other areas, but that is a discussion for another time. The convention center should be downtown, not in the Grove.

In the end, Comm. Joe Sanchez presented a resolution to keep Burn Notice at the Expo Center for one more year, paying all rents, 12 months' worth, into the trust fund for the new park. The resolution passed unanimously. Burn Notice is here for another year!

Sign of things to come?

Why is Salvatore Catania of Calamari holding up this sign?

Arva Moore Parks book signing tonight

Just a reminder that Arva Moore Parks, will be signing her new book, "Miami, the Magic City," at The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street) tonight, May 28, at 7 pm.

The book is quite large and quite heavy, it's coffee table size and has over 500 pages full of colorful and thoughtful Miami history. There will be two versions. Right now it is about three pounds, but future printings will offer sponsorship pages, called Corporate Profiles, which tell a story of local businesses and their history in Miami.

The book will be printed one to two times per year for five years at approximately 5000 per printing.

The Corporate Profiles are part of this, where organizations like local banks and industry can be included as part of the actual printing and be part of the book's history.

Many local corporations and organizations have ordered many books from 300 for one group to 2000 for another, in order to hand out to employees and clients as a corporate gift. This will feature their own Corporate Profile and of course all the others, which are included. This is a book that will be saved for posterity.

For info on adding your Corporate Profile, please call 305-445-0300 or email hgplace@bellsouth.net

Out with the leprechauns, in with the steakhouse

Eleven Leprechauns, on Commodore Plaza, is transforming itself into Chicago's, a steakhouse.

They are scheduled to open next month some time.

The bakery next door is still under construction.

They like to waste our time

The Grove Harbour Office building discussion has been deferred again and will not be heard at today's City Commission meeting.

Burn Notice took over Ohio Street yesterday

Burn Notice was out filming on Ohio Street in Coconut Grove yesterday, above are the two stars, Gabrielle Anwar and Jeffrey Donovan. Most scenes in the show are filmed in the Grove. Many are made to look as if they are elsewhere. Carlitos, the hang out in the show, for instance, looks like it is in the middle of South Beach, bit it's an abandoned area that is literally part of the Expo Center in the Grove.


Olivia Meyer-Massey, who lives in the house where filming took place and Serena Tovar-Otis, flank Debbie Mazar, who was a guest star in the episode being filmed. Debbie was quite friendly and hung out with the girls, she was very into the whole family and she was a lot of fun. The other actors kept to themselves, but Debbie was very upbeat and made herself part of the family.


The crew got caught in the deluge yesterday, but in spite of it all, they were heard taking about today's City Commission hearing, hoping that the City Commission extends their contract for their home at the Expo Center. They really like it here.

One of the family members, from the house where the show was filmed yesterday, was offered some work, doing background sets and things. The production crew does spread the wealth and they are very good for the Grove and Miami economy. They use locals for everything except the main acting jobs, and even then, the actors do spend money here, so it's a good deal having them around. It's a lot of fun, too.

How many Barracuda's does it take to clean Fuller Street?

As I walked down Fuller Street yesterday, I saw the gang from Barracuda cleaning up the place.

That mad storm that passed through sure did a number. Where were you when mother nature got angry? It was like a mini hurricane.

Above are Brian Davis and his crew, Matt and Melissa, bartenders.

At left are Brooke Lyn and Mellisa, who quickly grabbed the mop when they saw the camera, nice try girls.

Gemini party planned for June 6

AnnaMaria is throwing a Gemini party on Saturday, June 6 for all Gemini's and their friends. It will be the night of the First Saturday Art Stroll, right after the fashion show that will be held at the Windish-Hunt Gallery.

AnnaMaria and I are both Geminis (that explains a lot).

Stay tuned for details on the fashion show and the party!

Fight against FPL is gaining momentum

The fight against FPL's proposed 100 foot high power lines along the US1 corridor is gaining steam. The Grove and many municipalities along the route have drawn up resolutions against it. Details are on Stephen Murray's Blog here.

We need more of a variety of restaurants

We need a good fish place in the Grove. I know we have some places, but a "real" good fish place that tourists would be drawn to. Tourists ask me for Joe's Stone Crab often, I send them to Monty's. But I wouldn't call Monty's a great fish place, even though they do have great stone crabs.

We also need Indian food, many tourists were disappointed to hear that Anokha was closed. Hopefully they will return in another location.

We need in and out places and we need things like Chicken Kitchen and Baja Fresh. We need more of a variety. We need better pricing. We need lots of variety. That is what I am told by people on the street.

I am told that Qdoba didn't make it because of poor location. And I am told that Chicken Grill didn't make it because of poor location. Hopefully that will change soon. I will go out of my way to get something I like, so I find the poor location thing doesn't hold water. Promotion is needed.

I see the guys from Sony walk from their Mayfair offices daily to CocoWalk and Commodore Plaza for lunch, there is no reason why people from Commodore or South Grove won't go to Mayfair or that area for lunch or dinner. The Grove is small, I don't believe in poor locations in a small five block area.

All this being said, I love all the restaurants we do have. I eat at all of them, I just think we need more variety -- for things we don't have. But places like Olav's Pommes and Pane and Focaccia will actually make you anything you want that's not on the menu. I had a great breakfast at Pommes and Pane today that Olva made just for me and the Coconut Grove Grapevine sandwich at Focaccia was morphed from other sandwiches they had on the menu. And most Grove places will do that for you.

Burn Notice -- the goose that is laying the golden eggs

Here's hoping that there is a resolution at tomorrow's City Commission Meeting to keep Burn Notice in Coconut Grove.

I am receiving emails from people, mostly from politicians, who want Burn Notice gone, claiming that it is not very high in USA network's ratings and that it does not have a large audience.

First off, Burn Notice is not on the air presently. The new season starts June 4. That is why they are not in the ratings. I suggest that people who are responsible for killing the show in Coconut Grove, look up the facts before they act, because they don't seem to have a clue presently.

Secondly, the ratings are high, despite what many think. I'll get to that, but the subject here is jobs and money -- why would we send jobs to Louisiana if we don't have to? Why would we take $6 million a year and throw it away, I am told it is $18 million, so even if it is $10 millions, don't we want to keep it here? Don't we care about jobs in this terrible economy and the trickle down effect? And even if the ratings were bad, which they aren't, if the show wants to pump millions into our area, why tell them to go away?

Many of you may not follow the show, but it has a cult following and they know every detail about every scene and they know that the show is filmed mostly in Coconut Grove and they know all the locations seen on tv and what streets were used and what stores are in the background and they seek out Burn Notice as part of their vacation and travel plans. Above is the exterior of Michael Westen's loft (he's the title character) -- blown up in one episode, still part of the scene at the Expo Center filming location.

Now for ratings, Burn Notice actually draws more viewers on the USA network than many mainstream network tv shows do, it actually is one of the most popular shows on tv. This came from By the Numbers, published March 6:

The season two finale of Burn Notice burned very brightly last night.

The March 5 installment drew a series best 6.1 million viewers, with a 4.5 national rating, according to Nielsen Media Research data. The episode also scored a series best 2.74 million adults 18 to 49 and 3.07 million adults 25 to 54. Compared to the mid-season finale this summer, last night’s telecast was grew 33% among 18-to-49 viewers, 37% with the 25-to-54 set and 31% in total viewers.

Relative to the season finale, it was not only the biggest telecast on cable on March 5, but beat a number of broadcasters in the process. USA said the show ranked first on TV among men 18 to 34 in its 10 p.m. timeslot; topped an encore of ABC’s Private Practice in that hour among adults 18 to 49 by 55%, persons 25 to 54 by 44% and total viewers by 36%; and outperformed ABC’s entire primetime lineup, including a fresh Ugly Betty episode and a repeat of Grey’s Anatomy, with the aforementioned demos.

So for those of you who are concerned about the ratings. Don't worry about Burn Notice, it is doing quite well. It is showcasing Coconut Grove and Miami and bringing jobs and money into our area in the process.

And on that note, I have to go, Burn Notice is blowing up a car in my friend's backyard today and I wanna go watch . . .

Trying to make the Grove techie

This Saturday, March 30, there is a Facebook seminar at the Museum of Science. It's called the Facebook Developer Garage.

It's all day from 10 am to 3 pm, a few of the subjects being discussed are: "Intro to Facebook," "Gaming for Bucks," "Linked Store Demo," and "Building Your Public Profile."

Brian Breslin has put together the event and was also instrumental in the Miami BarCamp tech event held in the Grove this past February.

Brian and others would love to get a tech community living and/or working in Coconut Grove. Right now, discussions are underway about getting the monthly RefreshMiami meetings to take place at Grove venues. Brian is the founder of RefreshMiami, the largest tech meetup group in South Florida.

Many Grove residents and businesses would welcome this techie crowd with open arms.

You must sign up for this Saturday's event. You can do that here: http://facebookmiami.com/

P.S. I decided to join Facebook myself last night. I couldn't figure out how to do a business profile for the Grapevine, so it's a personal profile. If you know me and would like to be my friend or whatever it's called (I need Brian's seminar), you can find me here.

New Thursday nights summer party at Cabana One

Cabana One is introducing a new Thursday night Party. The Summer Kick off party starts tomorrow, Thursday, May 28.

Every Thursday, draft beers are $4.00, pitchers are $12.00. Cocktails are $6.00 and get this: for $20.00 it's all you can drink from 10 pm to midnight!

Mention the Coconut Grove Grapevine and receive a free shot between 9 pm and midnight.

Cabana One is on the rooftop of the Mayfair Hotel at 3000 Florida Avenue. For info, please contact promoters: Adam Goldman at AGoldman02@gmail.com or Jared Kalmanson at JKalmanson@gmail.com

Late night block party on Commodore Plaza?

A block party is being planned for Commodore Plaza, probably for June 20.

It will be an all night thing with food, music and lots of partying. It's an experiment to see how things go. Could the 5 am bar closings come back if this goes well?

Just asking . . .

Getting ready for 4th of July

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, I guess we can say that summer is here. Time for watermelon, ice cream, picnics and 4th of July.

There's another July 4th meeting this week. At the last meeting, I brought up the things that some of you asked me to suggest for 4th of July like the egg toss and sack races and hot dog eating contest. We are also planning a scavenger hunt, I don't know how that will work, but that is in the works.

There will also be a lot of music -- bands and such and of course the whole day will start with the Barnacle's usual old fashioned 4th of July picnic. It of course will end with the amazing fireworks show in Peacock Park.

We are thinking that many people won't spend the whole date here, there probably will be "shifts," you know, people here in the morning and people here midday and people here later in the afternoon for fireworks. Some hearty souls may spend the whole day and hopefully no matter what time people arrive, there will be some sort of activity to keep them entertained.

Grove library being considered for historic designation

Thanks to the instance of historian Arva Moore Parks, historic designation of the Coconut Grove Library (2875 McFarlane Road) and grave site of Mrs. Eva Monroe are being considered.
On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board will consider the issue.

A preliminary designation provides the board with information about the property so they can determine whether or not the property meets the criteria for significance as detailed in Chapter 23 of the City Code.

Many people many not realize that the Coconut Grove Library is 114 years old. It includes the wing built as a replica of the original 1901 structure. And is on the original site adjacent to the Coconut Grove Woman's Club, built in 1921, which actually started in 1891. Both can be seen above, the library on the left and the Woman's Club on the right.

The grave site of Grove pioneer Eva Monroe is right next to the library.

The public is asked to attend the hearing to show their support. It is at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive), right here in Coconut Grove. It's on the agenda for about 3:00 pm.

Resolution to keep Burn Notice filming here?

At this Thursday's City Commission meeting, Commission Chair, Joe Sanchez (who is running for mayor) will be sponsoring a resolution to keep the popular tv show Burn Notice based in the Grove, at the Expo Center. He would like to keep them filming through the 2010 season.

Our district commissioner, Marc Sarnoff would like the tv show out asap, so the city can knock down the old Expo Center and make it a park.

Many feel that the show, staring Jeffrey Donovan, right, should remain until they are off the air, which could be well beyond the 2010 season, according to the tv ratings. It is the most popular show on the USA tv network.

The random people I have asked, believe that it makes no sense to throw out the successful production company. They are said to spend upwards of $6 million per season on expenses from local crew salaries to food, lodging, car and truck rentals, lighting, construction materials and all the money that trickles down from that. With tax rolls down and money tight, why not keep Burn Notice's money coming in as well as keeping the good publicity the show gives Coconut Grove throughout the world?

I am constantly receiving emails from tourists asking about the show -- they want to know where they can see the filming, how they can be extras, etc. The tourists are well aware that the show is based in Coconut Grove, I find that to be pretty astute on their part. Fans actually come to Coconut Grove because of Burn Notice.

I was on one of the tour buses coming in during Pow Wow and when we pointed out the Expo Center as the Burn Notice studios, practically everyone on the bus ran to the right side of the bus to gaze out at the building. They were quite excited. Many of the tourists were from foreign countries.

Why throw out a top tv show that is bringing lots of money and publicity to the area? TV shows don't last forever, their days are numbered, why not let it happen naturally? The park can happen in due time. This is one instance where I am behind Comm. Joe Sanchez 100%.

So many non-Grove events are held in the Grove

Someone was complaining about all the events we have in the Grove and said it all ties up traffic. Only he was not talking about actual Grove events, he was talking about Bike Day and the various marathons and races and charity walks, etc.

I always thought that it was a cool thing to have all those events here. I felt honored that the different charities and groups chose the Grove over other areas of the county.

One thing that I find interesting is that just as I was saying about the schlocky Mother's Day concert, people assume the Grove is in charge of these things, but it is the City. People have to go through the City of Miami to hold and arrange these events. The Grove is just the location of the events.

Good or bad, one of our city leaders feels that any buzz is good buzz. So even if people complain, as long as you spell Coconut Grove correctly, that is the important thing. And I guess I have to agree because you aren't going to please everyone, so maybe we should just take it as a compliment that our village is a favorite of event organizers and leave it at that.

Grove Harbour project back on Commission agenda

The Grove Harbour office building project is back on the Commission agenda for this Thursday, May 28, 2009. It's Items 5 and 6. Hopefully it will be heard after 5 pm, so that more people can attend.

As you know, Grove Harbour wants to build a large 21,000 square foot office building on a dock out on the bay -- it's an office building on the waterfront. It is meant to replace a 150 square foot dock master's office. It goes against zoning rules. Will the City Commissioners abide by the rules? That will be interesting to see.

Hopefully it will be deferred as has been the case for a year or so now, but the clueless people at Grove Harbour just will not give up.

Comm. Joe Sanchez, who is running for Mayor under the promise of "Neighborhoods First," can actually prove if he means that. The vast majority of the neighborhood is against the building of a four story office building on the waterfront. Hopefully Joe will be, too, if he is putting neighborhoods first.

I asked him about it not long ago and his exact words to me were, "It's dead." Well apparently it is alive. But he can have a big hand in making it dead. Is Joe Sanchez for the neighborhoods first or for big business? Let's see.

Comm. Tomás Regalado, also running for mayor, can prove the same thing and hopefully our own district Commissioner, Marc Sarnoff will vote how the majority of his neighbors wish -- against the project, which is so out of place for the requested area.

That will be the three votes needed to kill the project. The other two commissioners seem to be in favor of the project, it's not in their neighborhood, so of course they don't care or wish to care. I am speaking of Commissioners Michelle Spence-Jones and Angel Gonzalez.

I do think this vote will be very telling in how the Grove will vote in the mayor's race in November. On that note, there is a debate planned between Sanchez and Regalado for September. Details to come.

This is why the taxis need to be dealt with

Here are a couple of photos of the accident we talked about between Michelle Niemeyer's car on and the backward speeding taxi on Virginia Street. The taxi was going so fast, backwards, that it broke the lock plate out of the frame of her car.

The taxis treat Virginia Street from Oak to Grand as their own little parking lot, where they feel they can do what they want -- park anywhere, park anyway, speed and call people names when they ask them to move out of metered parking spots so that paying customers can use them. I think it's about time to get rid of the taxi's on Virginia and I think the Mayfair needs to get involved, since they are the reason the taxis are there.

Barnacle Old Time Dance is coming up

The Barnacle is holding it's Old Time Dance on Sunday, May 31, 2009.

The outdoor Micco pavillion is the place for square dancing, contras, waltzes and circles. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. There are instructions for beginners.

Gates open at 6, dance is from 6:30 to 10 pm. Admission is $10.00 per person; children under 10 - free.

The Barnacle, built in 1891, is one of the oldest homes in Miami in its original location. The home of Coconut Grove pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe is now a Florida State Park and is located at 3485 Main Highway in downtown Coconut Grove across from Commodore Plaza. Please park on the street or in one of the parking lots around town, then stroll down the lane into the park for an evening of Old Time fun, Bluegrass music, and a live dance caller on hand. So come out and party like it’s 1899!

For additional information contact 305-442-6866 or visit www.TheBarnacle.org

Happy Memorial Day

"Overheard" on Twitter

This would make a good billboard for US1 and 27th Avenue, all "overheard" on Twitter:

Oh deep-fried coconut shrimp under a tiki hut by the water in Coconut Grove is not very refined, but I likes it anyway.

Just got acknowledged by the waitress at Coconut Grove. Do I go there that much?

'Coconut Grove is a walker's paradise' I walk Coral Gables just fine. But then again. I walk everywhere in Miami

Eating at The Last Carrot in Coconut Grove. Yummy good!

r u going to perform or fun or both? DO see south beach, ya gotta. and coconut grove and take a drive down old cutler 4 foliage

when i was a very young girl, before miami was trendy, coconut grove was my pad-you could say i am a trendsetter

Of course the weather in coconut grove is beautiful...it would be.

Sleeping Beauty and School for Princesses to be performed

The Theater Institute of South Florida is presenting "Disney's Sleeping Beauty Kids" and "The School for Princesses" at the Museum of Science on May 29 and 30. Show time is 7 pm both days.The May 30 show will be a special benefit performance with a post show reception and awards.

The Museum of Science is located at 3280 S Miami Avenue. General admission tickets can only be purchased in advance at www.thetheatreinstitute.com for $12, or at the door for $15.00.

The Theatre Institute of South Florida, Inc. is a not-for-profit theatre arts academy that serves as repertory theatre of children and adult performers. Their mission is to create a developmental exchange of talent by bridging the artistic divide between children and adult performers. They accomplish this through programs that combine students and professionals and offers them collaborative opportunities in a repertory setting.

For info, please call 305-332-5817.

Should there be a dress code for the Pajama Pub Crawl?

At first it had been thought that a red light district might be interesting as a concept to promote the Great Grove Bed Race. The black booths are just standing there and it came up that maybe thy could be decked out in red lace and light and a scantily clad man or woman could hand out info and Bed Race info for a week leading up to the Pajama Pub Crawl and then Bed Race, but now that idea has been scrapped.

Now the Pajama Pub Crawl has been curtailed in a way because of a dress code.

It didn't seem so bad to have a dress code when I was sitting there at the committee meeting, mostly it was a concern of the Alonzo Mourning Charities, who thought this is not the image they want to portray for their charities,

But then again, the Pub Crawl is on a Saturday night, involves liquor, bars and the whole scene that that conjures up. Is a flimsy nighty or two going to make the event any less child-proof or less dignified? It's a wild Pub Crawl. It's the Grove. Children should be home and in bed, not hanging out in the Grove on a Saturday night.

The next day, the day of the actual Bed Race, there are many events for children incorporated into the day. So maybe the rules on the Pajama Pub Crawl dress should be to have no rules. This could be a great thing for the Grove.

In the Grove, we take two steps forward and three steps back.

Street issues discussed at Village Council meeting

The following issues were discussed at Thursday's Cocoanut Grove Village Council meeting:

The BID has added two police beat walks an hour Thursday through Sunday nights on Matilda Street, the site of dozens of car break ins.

How many city planners does it take to get a simple project going? People have been asking about the 27th Avenue street scape project. The plan is a long drawn out process according to planners. They don't feel that they will have any updates until the end of the year. Business as usual in Miami.

The median on US1 at Bridgeport will be closed. This should calm the traffic that has been using Bridgeport as a shortcut from US1 to Bird Avenue. This has been a major concern to residents.

As for the 32nd Avenue (McDonald Street) sidewalk issue, it is now in Comm. Sarnoff's office and the plan will go ahead. More to come.

Tar & Feather perform tonight at the Sailing Club

The Coconut Grove Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive), the city's only public sailing club, is proud to present: Dockside Entertainment.

Tonight, Saturday, May 23, from 5 to 8 pm, the Tar & Feather Band will be performing. This is the bluesier, rootsier spin-off from club favorite Blue Man Grove, They will be making their debut on the Sailing Club balcony. These guys always draw a crowd, so come early. No cover charge, as usual.

Tar & Feather is: Eric Garcia (left), mouth organs, slide guitar, cajon and vocals and Eric Wagner, dreadnaughts and vocals.

For information, please call 305-444-4571.

Travel around the world with the new art exhibit

Travel is the theme of the new exhibition at Focaccia (3111 Grand Avenue) by Grove artist Valentina Ramos who hails from Peru.

This exhibition is courtesy of the Windisch-Hunt Gallery and all works are for sale. This is part of the showcase where the artists meet for breakfast.

The breakfast with Valentina will be announced when the date is set.

I got lost in the Age of Aquarius

I went back in time to the vintage Coconut Grove, with a little Woodstock, New York, thrown in.

It's right across US1 at the little shopping center off of 27th Avenue, I wrote about the grand opening here.

It's a nice 1960s hippy vibe when you visit the backyard entrances of the stores. This red scene above is behind one store and the tropical scenes below link to the other side. It's interesting little feng shui patio gardens -- another world, full of incense, candles, pillows and peace.

At left is Jackie working on Sammy's hair at the Lakshami Salon, my friend Jerry gets his hair cut there.

Below are Jennie (left) and Rosa, from The Grove store at 2759 SW 27 Avenue. One of the little funky shops at the little funky timewarp center. Along with The Grove and Lakshimi is the Mosaic Academy, a photography studio and Invasion sneaker store. And ironically, next to Rosa's Grove store, full of peace symbols and signs (including Rosa below giving the peace sign), there is a gun shop.

Glenn on wheels

Grove Guy, Glenn Terry, will be leading another Grove Guy Tour tomorrow, Saturday morning, May 29.

This will be a bicycle tour of the Grove's shoreline starting at his house, up to City Hall, and back. It's three miles and according to Glenn, "With all my blabbing it'll take about two hours."

If its raining he'll do it some other time. The free tour will be limited to 15 people. Let him know if you'd like to join via email and he'll give you all the info, like the time and his address if you don't already have it: bettermiami@yahoo.com

A quick snack while you watch the world go by

Felice and Dylan from the Bookstore, check out the new counter tables added to the window area. Now you can enjoy a quick coffee, glass of wine or a snack, while watching the world go by outside on Virginia Street. Looks like it was a quiet morning, not much of the world going by. The new feature was added yesterday morning.

Annoying taxis discussed at Village Council meeting

Last night Village Council member Michelle Niemeyer brought up the many taxis that hover on Virginia Street. A couple of weeks ago, Michelle was driving on the street and she was in an auto accident caused by a taxi cab driver driving backwards at a fast rate of speed. Apparently he was in a rush (backwards) to get to the Mayfair Hotel for a fare.

In his rush, he slammed into Michelle's car, causing injuries, which caused her to be taken to Mercy Hospital. She is doing fine now, but now her quest is to have the taxi cabs removed from Virginia Street all together. They race around as if they own that street and they double park, take up metered spots and are a nuisance according to neighbors.

Another concern is that they take up parking spaces on Virginia and don't pay for parking. The spaces are earmarked for the public and taxis are prohibited from using them but they do use them. I have seen them eating there, waiting there, sleeping there, and never paying for parking. When the police ask them to move, they do move, but that is hardly ever.

There are two dedicated taxi stands near the Mayfair Hotel, in front of Angelo and Maxie's.

Ron Nelson, Comm. Marc Sarnoff's Chief of Staff, spoke with the County about moving the taxis from the dedicated parking stands and having them banned from parking anywhere on Virginia Street. According to him, it an easy process to have them moved.

Of course we need taxis in the Grove. But just not there. Florida Avenue was suggested as an alternative for two taxi spots. And when hotel guests need a cab, they can easily be summoned by the valets or doormen at the Mayfair.

Angelo and Maxie's would love those two taxi stand spots on Virginia Street for outdoor tables if the taxis are assigned to spaces around the corner.

Of course the old Parking Authority was then dragged in, because if you take some spots elsewhere, they would have to be rented or purchased from the Parking Authority, and of course, ironically, Angelo and Maxie's would have to pay the Parking Authority for the right to have tables out on the street.

Virginia's Barboursville Vineyards' wine tasting

Barry Alberts is featuring the Wines of Barboursville Vineyards at the Angelo and Maxie's wine tasting tonight, May 22.

The Virginia winery sampling will include wine and appetizers for $15 per person. A post-tasting dinner menu is also available for $30 per person.Time is 7 to 9:30 pm.

Angelo and Maxie's Steakhouse is at the Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue). Please
call 305-445-8177.

Bed Race is now tweeting!

The Great Grove Bed Race has a Twitter account now. You can follow that at http://twitter.com/grovebedrace

It's a great way for updates and meeting schedules for those signing up a team or volunteering. You can also ask questions there.

We need a signature food

A tourist asked me where to eat. She wanted to know what the Grove is known for. I guess certain cities have certain foods they are known for. We don't.

I wonder what the Grove could or would be known for if we pushed it as a thing to have when visiting. What could that be?

Alonzo Mourning Charities are beneficiary of Bed Race

The Great Grove Bed Bed Race, Bed, Dash and Beyond in Coconut Grove is the official name of September's Bed Race. That's a mouthful.

You can just call it the Great Grove Bed Race.

As you know by now, the charity event will be on Sunday, September 6, all day, with the Pajama Pub Crawl around the Grove, the night before, Saturday, September 5. There will also be a Waiter Race the day of the Bed Race. The Alonzo Mourning Charities will be the beneficiary of monies raised. Nile Patrick, from the Mourning organization was kind enough to sit in on yesterday's Bed Race committee meeting.

Above are Nile, Felice Dubin and AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, committee members.

There will be other special things going on like restaurant specials all day and beer and drink sponsorships and specials at various locations throughout the day. A family pajama party will take place in the day with story time, puppets and sing-a-longs. The Honey Shine Girls mentoring program will read "The Princess and the Pea." A baby buggy/stroller race is being considered and it probably won't happen, but an actual baby race was discussed -- sticking babies in a circle and seeing which one crawls out first.

After the day's races are over, there will be four stages set up for mini-concerts.

All of the money raised through registration and all of the money from the Pajama Bar Crawl, the night before will go to the charity. All other money raised during the day will be split with the charity the other half will be used to cover costs.

The actual Bed Race is now on Grand Avenue, starting at Commodore Plaza and ending at the three corners area of McFarlane, Grand and Main Highway. Commodore Plaza will be used as a staging area and pit area for the beds. There will be a stage set up at the end of Commodore Plaza and Grand Avenue. Main Highway will be completely open and Grand Avenue and McFarlane will be completely open from the intersection going north and east respectively.

On June 1, registration begins and we will start taking applications. Early registration is before July 15, 2009 and the cost will be $50.00 per bed, late registration is $75.00 up until August 21, 2009. We will announce how to get the registration forms soon. All rules will be attached the registration forms.

The Red Light District was scrapped. Nile from the charity and most of the committee felt it was not a good idea, also they want to have a pajama dress code for the Pajama Pub Crawl. Having a Red Light District might send the wrong message.

Proper attire (in pajama wear) will be required in order to get access to the ticket book for the bar crawl.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a good Pow Wow

This calling out the BID for doing something wrong is getting out of hand now. I didn't mean to cause problems by mentioning that many gift cards were not used. That was not my intent. I am not in the habit of standing up for the BID, but in this case, I know all the work they put into this event.

The gift cards were a gift to the agents and travel industry people. They are a spoiled lot and probably would not have come to the Grove at all, or considered it, without some sort of compensation. It was part of the whole big Pow Wow scheme of things.

The Grove got off easy, the Miami Visitors and Convention Bureau and Miami Beach paid thousands upon thousands of dollars for this event.

The gift card was just that, a gift, and all of the 2000 people did not receive a gift card, maybe half did. Most did use the cards.

Many people spent the money in the Grove, they ate, drank and had a good time. There were those who took the cards back because of the poor weather. But the card is a gift from the Grove and the visitors left with the knowledge that the Grove gave them a little gift. So what? It will be returned 100 fold.

Do all the gifts that you give out have stipulations and stings attached? The BID was going to give goodie bags, instead they gave the gift card. Same difference.

In return, the travel industry will send thousands of clients to Miami, through their travel agencies and travel articles, which will trickle down to the Grove. So of all the people who do come here in the next few years, thanks to the Pow Wow, we now know that a few got away with a $35.00 gift card. The cost of doing business, which again, could easily have been a gift basket, where none of the money would have trickled back on Monday night.

Could it have been done another way? Perhaps. But it is what it is. The BID people worked their asses off for this event. Let's look at the hundred positive things they did even with the rain out.

What's old is new again . . .

Remember the Cher song, "If I could turn back time?"

Well, a bit of a Grove renaissance is happening. Stay tuned for a sign of things to come.

Go Green, Buy American Cars event

The Go Green, Buy American Green Car event is tonight at 6:30 at City Hall. Details here.