What about New Year's Eve in Coconut Grove?

People have been calling me, texting me, stopping me on the street and one person Tweeted me, about New Year's Eve. They weren't inviting me to parties (if only), they wanted to know what was going on in the Grove. (I actually got a lot of invites and will be doing a bunch of stuff tonight).

Other than the small things that the local restaurants and bars do, there isn't really anything major going on in Coconut Grove (even Monty Trainer is in downtown Miami -- in charge of the Big Orange going up at midnight), but while many poo poo that the Grove is quiet, keep in mind that Coconut Grove has more events each year than any other place in the county and maybe in South Florida, some months we have two events and are fighting for permits since only two a month are permitted by the City, and tomorrow, on New Year's Day night, there is even the Gallery Walk, so really, why not allow the planners (which includes me), to have a break this one night?

Of course, anyone who is complaining, is more than welcome to put on a big bash in the Grove next year, who is stopping you?

Tomorrow I'll have a slide show of the year 2010 in review, and you'll see all the events we do around here, from The King Mango Strut, less than a week ago to Snow Days just a few weeks ago, to Coconut Hunts, the main Arts Festival in February, Taste of the Grove, Mad Men Monday, The Great Grove Bed Race. Gifford Lane Art Stroll, and so on. So let's enjoy the peace in the Grove tonight because starting tomorrow night, with Gallery Walk, the whole damn thing exciting cycle, starts again.

Best of Coconut Grove Map and Guide is out

Look for the Best of Coconut Grove Map and Guide at locations all around the Grove. For some reason Cindy named us as partner, which I guess was nice, but we have nothing to do with it, Cindy gets all the credit. All we did was write this story and place an ad.

The map and guide put out by Best Publications is full of everything you need to know about Coconut Grove -- all the restaurants, including all our new ones are included with the guide and map.

Find it at most businesses and at the Information booth in the center of town. It will also be distributed to tourists and hotels
in the area.

The locals are flocking to Spartico

We've been stopping in the new Spartico Trattoria in the Mayfair Hotel lobby lately and we see so many people we know there enjoying lunch and dinner. Above are Nelsy Rivas and Richard Issa, who were at the next table the other day. We've gone into the type of food they have in this story from last week. With the beautiful weather we've been having lately, the have the side and back doors open, into the Mayfair courtyard and it's a really enjoyable experience.


One funny thing, when we first sat down, we thought the yellow can on the table was lighter fluid. It's organic olive oil, which is great with their fluffy focaccia bread and balsamic vinegar. One thing to look out for is the added gratuity, they add it to every order, eat-in or take-out. Not a fan of that.

A few of us were concerned about the lobby bar changing into the trattoria concept, but it is actually a better place. There are always people there and it's full of life now. We were concerned about Mad Men Mondays, which take place in the lobby bar, but it may just be a good fit when the new season starts up, probably in the summer.

Check them out for New Year's Eve tonight if you don't have any plans yet.

Gallery Walk is Saturday night

My friend Uta created this piece of art. I found it interesting because it was right over the food on Gallery Walk night, which seemed odd. It's not your typical centerpiece. The food was good though, it was at the GroveHouse.

I ran a story on the original GroveHouse from the 1960s and '70s, a lot of people told me they didn't see it, so if you're interested, it's here. I think it's quite interesting and you might like it.

Speaking of the GroveHouse, they will be open with many of the galleries on the night of January 1, 2011 for the First Saturday Gallery Walk. From 7 to 10 pm, stop in for some refreshments and lots of art. The Promenade will be full with art, music and food, too. The theme is "Nature, Up Close and Abstract." Carol Kingsley is the featured artist for January.

Artway66, across the Promenade will also be open and so will the Coconut Grove Arts Gallery in the atrium, where the John Angee sculptures are still up. They were installed in November for Art Basel Night.

The Rodez Gallery at CocoWalk is featuring "Personalities," an exploration of the relationship between emotional states and art. It's a George Rodez solo exhibit.

Start the year off with a Boot Camp contest

Synergize Boot Camp (2663 Tigertail Avenue) is having a New Year, New You Makeover Contest. This is great for those who made a weight loss resolution for the New Year and actually want to keep it and actually succeed.

It's an 8 week contest beginning on Jan 15 ending on March 15 with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Prizes include 1 month free membership to Synergize Boot Camp, 1 month Free Personal Training Sessions, Heart Rate Monitor and Calorie Counter, and the grand prize winner will receive the grand prize money while also be featured as the Synergize spokesmodel which will include a professional photo shoot with hair and make-up.

Current boot camp members are very excited and Synergize has extended a special offer to non-members to join in the challenge and participate in the makeover contest. To enter you'll need to fill in an application, the fee is just $20, they want a recent photo and current measurements.

For more information please visit their website here or Dana@SynergizeFatLoss.com.

Sparkling wine tasting just in time for New Years

La Bottega (3540 Main Highway) is having a wine tasting tonight, December 30, with wine educator Henry Barrow. From 6:30 to 8:30 enjoy "Training for Sparklers," six sparkling wines that cover a large spectrum, just in time for New Year's Eve.

1. FROM ITALY: Lunetta Prosecco
Save this Italian beauty for New Years Day. It is a refreshing way to begin the new year. You can add a touch of peach nectar to make a Bellini if you wish.

2. FROM SPAIN: Conde de Subirats Cava
Spain gives us this little beauty that might even satisfy your taste for a glass of bubbles at midnight tomorrow. It is rather elegant and costs only $15.99.

3. FROM FRANCE: Charles Lafitte Rosé
We get this little sparkling surprise from France. It is made with the Grenache grape and has wonderful cherry, berry fruit. It is surprisingly elegant for only $11.99.

4. FROM OREGON: Argyle Brut
This elegant sparkler is made from the same grapes that go into the great Argyle Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The red hills of Dundee, Oregon yield great grapes. Serve this with great pride. $23.99.

5. FROM CALIFORNIA: J Brut
Judy Jordan, of the famed Jordan wine family of California, makes this really outstanding sparkler that looks great on your table or mine. It is one of California’s best. $26.99
.
6. FROM CHAMGANE, FRANCE: Pommery Brut Royal
This is the real thing. Champagne from one of the highly-respected champagne houses in France. The Brut Royal should be a fixture in your wine storage unit and will light up the transition from 2010 to 2011.

All wines poured at this tasting will be available for immediate sale.
$20 person (fee waived for La Cava members),
Reservations: 305-444-3493.

More tourists coming to the Grove for day trips

Tourist season has started, you may have noticed more tourists around town. Miami Tour Company has doubled up on the buses to accommote the visitors. Drivers George and Derrick flank owner Gus Moore above. They were stopped at their usual spot on Grand Avenue the other day. The tourists are let out to get food and drink and use the facilities around The Bookstore and CocoWalk area.

Living without limits, including firewalk

Start your New Year with your intentions created in the fire. This is a very powerful way to manifest. This powerful bonding and growth experience called "Living Without Limits," is Saturday, January 8 from 8 to 11 pm at 4140 Lyber Avenue, in Coconut Grove.

Redefine "impossible" in this dynamic, empowering evening. You'll witness and/or experience how the seemingly impossible becomes inevitable when we change limiting beliefs. There is also an optional firewalk.

Cost is $55 per person for newcomers and $25 for repeaters. Online reservations may be made here. For more info, please call 786.423.7749 or email us at hi@lifepower.com.

You never know who you'll see antique shopping

After a long day of King Mango Strutting and hanging out, my friends, Monty and Gigi and I ended up at the Mayfair Antique Market. It was late, and they were still open. One of the vendors told me she was tired and wanted to close up, my response, without thinking was, "But you have so many customers, it's so great -- look, there's Monty and Spider-man and Gumby," and then I realized what I had just said.


It sounded ridiculous, but it was true, we all laughed. Shaun, who plays Spider-man, the rickshaw driver was with one of his customers, who was dressed as Gumby. They were actually shopping at the Antique Market.


Then they took off into the cold winter night. Later, I told a friend who was drinking all day that he must be seeing things and had better get off the booze, that there was no Spider-man or Gumby out in the street on a rickshaw it was the vodka playing tricks on him. It was a nice, funny ending to a long groovy Grove day.

Cold week for the Regatta visitors

The Columbia Yacht Club from Chicago is in town this week for the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta. They have been all over town eating, shopping and having a good time and of course they have spent a lot of time on the water.


This group was taking off from the Seminole Boat Ramp yesterday morning. It was quite chilly, even for Chicagoans.


The group is in town until the end of the week.They'll be taking part in the Coconut Buoy Hunt tonight.


Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Special New Year's Eve menus at Grove Garden

Calamari and La Bottega's La Cava (both part of the Grove Garden Trilogy with The Taurus at 3540 Main Highway) are having special menus for New Year's Eve in Coconut Grove this year.

La Bottega, is featuring a live Paris Cabaret with featured performer Montserrat Franco and
food by Chef Carmen Trigueros "so exquisite you will swear you have been transported to 1920 Paris."9 pm seating includes the live performance of Montserrat's Vintage Paris Jazz.

The three course dinner includes your choice of Poulet de Brasse (chicken with truffle essence served among hand made pasta), Provencal Rubbed Filet Mignon (with crispy potato lava cake and wild mushrooms) or Roasted Veal Loin (with sweet garlic polenta, charred collard greens Siciliano). Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

For more info, or to RSVP, please call 305-444-3493.

At Calamari, ring in the New Year, staring with a 9 pm seating for the duration. The menu includes Branzino, Ossobuco, Salmon, Short Ribs and lots more.

The Calamari menu is $65.00 per person plus tax and gratuity; you may see the full New Year's Eve menu here; for more info or to RSVP, please call 305-781-4865.

Gala raises over $60,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade recently hosted its Fourth Annual Gala, featuring a “Wild About Kids” theme at The Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove. The organization raised more than $63,000 and honored Tennis Pro Anna Kournikova for her dedication to the children who attend the clubs and her financial support to the organization during the past five years. The gala was co-chaired by Lana DeSimone and Marilyn Cale. The event was emceed by Emmy Award winning, WSVN anchor Lynn Martinez. The gala was represented by artwork created by world-renowned Cuban artist Emilio Sauma.

Above, from left: Christina Rodriguez-Roig, Olga Guilarte, Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Lynn Martinez and Anna Kournikova.


The evening began with a cocktail reception, a silent auction followed by dinner, live music by the band Private Stock and a special performance by the children from Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. Guests had the opportunity to sponsor a child through $250 donations, with all proceeds benefiting the five clubs in the Miami-Dade area.

Above: Daniel Mugnai, Vanessa Arteaga, Lana De Simone, Luciana Mazzotta, Dr. Gregory Mazzotta.



Katie and Michael Cabanas.


Marcel Cigales, Ed Gihuly, Isela Navarro and Alex Senderoff.


Jorge Luiz Lopez,Esq and Marile Lopez, Commissioner Carlos Gimenez and wife Lourdes.


Honoree Anna Kournikova and Artist Emilio Sauma with painting he created for the gala.

Burgundy Room opening with 50% off prices

The Burgundy Room is opening this Thursday, December 30, at the former Crazy Pianos location at CocoWalk, just in time for New Year's Eve. And to welcome you to them, they are offering 50% off everything -- food and drink from the 30th until January 12, 2011. New Year's Eve is excluded from this deal, of course, but stop by any other time in that 14 day period and enjoy a big discount on all their yummy items.

Starting Thursday, January 13, their full program of live entertainment will begin. They'll have DJ's, 1970s and '80s cover bands, piano players (only once a week), karoke with a full rock band throughout the week.

We had a sneak peek at their new menu and it looks delicious. It starts with "Light Bites" like Empanadas, a Philly Cheese Steak Quesadilla, Fried Alligator Bites, Shrimp and Octopus cocktail and so much more. All starting at $6.00 (minus 50% for first 14 days).

There are burgers, large salads, flatbreads, and lots of new entrees like Key Lime Mojo Chicken, Guava BBQ St. Louis Ribs, Seafood Pasta, Lobster and Shrimp Scampi, Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna, Filet Mignon and lots more. There are lots of desserts including the Burgundy Pie, which is a red velvet cannoli filled whoopie pie.

Some signature drinks include the Girl’s Night Out, Forever Young, Clear Paradise and Sex Machine (there are so many more).

Town psychic; old Grove house; cheap Indian food

Ellen, our town psychic, on YouTube, explaining her premonition of John Lennon's death, quite interesting here.

Sally Howie's blog about renovating a 1924 Coconut Grove house is here.

And good for today only, at Dealtificate, $25 worth of food at Bombay Darbar, the Grove's only Indian restaurant, for just $12. That's here.

Update on Waterfront floating dock plans

The Waterfront Implementation Committee met last week and discussed floating docks for Spoil Island E. Various floating docks were presented by Keith Ng the City's Capital Improvements project manager and Timothy Blankenship, Coast Systems International, Inc. Aluminum docks seemed to be favored.

But Ransom Everglades and Shake-A-Leg felt that a versadock type system would work well and be cost effective, based on their success with the system.

The FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) Commissioner sent an email detailing a small scale spoil island restoration grant program, capped at $7500 per project and $22,500 for the year. This is a 90% match and can be applied for at any time during the year. The $22,500 a year would fund three projects.

A seagrass study is being conducted around Kennedy Park, to see if the floating dock will be allowed there. The shoreline restoration project includes exotic removal, some native plantings, a walkway part of which may be over the bay, and an initial survey to reconnect the tidal flow into the mangrove area.

The sailors are in town, let the games begin

This week, the first sailing Regatta is in town,, the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta, and the long Coconut Grove Regatta season has begun. Sail the Grove has it's first event happening tomorrow, December 28. It's called "Coconut Buoy Hunt," a scavenger hunt.

300 sailors and their families are in town and many will participate in the hunt in the Center Grove. Registration starts at 6 pm and the hunt is from 8 to 8:30 pm.

The Coconut Buoy Hunt starts at The Bookstore, participants will be given a map with participating merchants where coconuts, painted as buoys will be hidden. They will then run out around the Grove searching for coconuts. Hmmm, sound familiar, guess they liked our annual Fourth of July Coconut Hunt so much they took it. Anyway, you know the drill, they run around, get coconuts and win prizes.

The Grove Merchants Group, supported by the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and financed by the Business Improvement Committee, has designed and implemented this marketing and events campaign, Sail the Grove: shop, dine & unwind, to support regatta coordinators and sailing centers with wrap around services and to engage these visitors of our sailing centers to eat, drink, sleep and shop in Coconut Grove while branding the Grove as a coastal community for sailors and their families to return to.

King Mango Strut parodies 2010



The people who put the "nut" in Coconut Grove, came through again yesterday, with the 29th annual King Mango Strut, which took place under bright sunny skies. While the rest of the country froze, the Mangoheads played out their parody of 2010 in 60 degree weather. Everything that was political was made fun of and anything newsworthy, too, including those pesky hotel bed bugs and the Red Hot Chile Miners. Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter Tea Party, parodied the political Tea Party with lots of colorful characters and of course BP and the oil spill were mocked and made fun of by the Sierra Club.

Thousands lined the sidewalks to enjoy the yearly crazyfest. There were after parties all over the village and lots of food, drink and fun were served up.

Photos by Giana Leyva and Tom Falco

Warning, this parade contains nuts

Today is the 29th annual King Mango Strut Parade. The parody parade of all parody parades. At 2 pm sharp, or close to there, the banana will drop at the corner of Main Highway and Commmdore Plaza and the strut is on. If you get out early, all the set up is on Commodore Plaza, so join in the fun there and start partying early in the day. Tables fill up fast at restaurants, so get out there!

The parade circles the downtown Coconut Grove area and winds up at the other end of Commodore, by the post office. The theme this year is "Restoring Humor." Yamil Piedra and Johnny Trabanco the comedy duo, known as A Pair of Nuts, are the Grand Marshals.
The after parties are on Fuller Street, which is closed down and will be a block party with live band, until 7 pm. The Grove Spot has an after party from 3:30 - 6:30 pm, with Blue Man Grove performing, this is a reunion for them! Eric Wagner is on vocals and guitar, Eric Garcia on vocals and harmonicas and Izzy Buholzer on vocals and dobro.

For the whole list of parade events, a parking map and more, visit the King Mango Strut website here: http://www.kingmangostrut.org/.

This is our only post today, because frankly, everyone will be out at the Strut and no one will be home reading us! We will have live updates on Facebook and Twitter. Join our live feeds!

Merry Christmas!

Counting down to the King Mango Strut

I introduced my friend Vinnie (not my cousin Vinnie, my friend Vinnie Preziotti) to the King Mango Strut this year. I brought him up to a fourth floor room in the Mayfair building, where the Mangoheads were making customes and signs and things. He stayed for some beer and pizza and of course ended up being part of the parade.

Ironically, his former Brooklynite ran into a room full of Brooklynites at the prep room, and true friendships were made on the spot.

Here's Antoinette Baldwin, Strut head honcha, measuring Vinnie for one of the costumes for Sunday's big event.

AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt has a Mad Hatter political Tea Party Group (you know, "I am not a witch" type thing), if anyone would like to join you have until the last minute. They are meeting at Paul's sunglasses kiosk at noon on Sunday to prep their costumes and group, so just show up or you can email her now to get more

info at grovite1@mac.com. You'll need to get your own costume going at this late date, I know they need a witch (to hold the "I am not a witch" sign). They do have the Mad Hatter himself, but they could use many of the other characters.

Sailing classes starting in January at Shake-A-Leg

Shake-A-Leg Miami (2620 S. Bayshore Drive) is offering sailing classes in January. Adult classes are January 8, 15, 22 and 29. There are 16 hours of instructions, total.

Each class is from 9:30 am to 1:20 pm. Learn sailing fundamentals including boat dynamics and handling, tacking and jibing, sail trim, weather and safe boating skills and more on their fleet of 20 foot sloops. Classes consist of both classroom and on-water instruction. No prior experience is necessary. Cost is $335 ($200 for members).

Youth sailing classes are January 8, 15, 16, 17 22 and 29. Time is 1:30 to 4:30 each time. There are introductory and intermediate levels. The classes are similar to the adult classes with sailing fundamentals and boating dynamics as the main focus. Cost is $195, this includes registration for the Alex Caviglia Bluewater Regatta, which is January 15-17. No prior experience is necessary for the class or regatta.

For more info or to register, please call 305-858-5550 or email watersports@shakealegmiami.org.

The Chair Affair is back

GroveHouse Artists and the Shoppes of Mayfair are presenting The Chair Affair 2011. You don't have to be an artist, just join in on the fun, you can do it individually or as a group. This is a fun event that has been gone for a few years, and it's great to see it come back.

Chairs are designed and decorated and entered into the contest. Every adult and child sized chair must be a standard size, they cannot be miniatures. Registration starts now and runs until February 18, 2011. The cost to enter is $25 for GroveHouse members and $35 for non-members.

The intake will be February 26 and the chairs will be exhibited until March 25, 2011.Prizes are $300 for first place; $200 for second place and $100 for third place; honorable mention gets $75.00.

For all the details, please stop by the GroveHouse at the Mayfair Promenade (next to the Improv) or call Barbara Tejada at 305-979-9734, or you may email her at ba.tejada@gmail.com.

The entry form is at the GroveHouse website here: www.grovehouseartists.net.

Wrapping up Christmas for the good will of it

The nice folks from the downtown branch of the Christ Fellowship Church were out at CocoWalk last night wrapping gifts for people -- for free. They even refused tips for the church.

They said they were just doing it for the good will of it, which was super for people like me who can't manage to wrap a decent gift.

At left are Cynthia, Brian and Lauren. They will be out again today, Thursday, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and on Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm, with a large church contingent, ready to wrap those last minute gifts for you.

They are right outside the Gap store at CocoWalk, you can't miss them.

Transforming meditation series starting in January

On Monday, January 3, a meditation series, “Transform Your Life: The Confidence to Change,” will start at Dharma Studio (3170 Commodore Plaza). The eight-week series will be held Monday evenings from 7:45 to 9:15 pm.

This series of classes will teach participants practical methods for creating the change they want to see in their life, through meditation and positive thinking, all coming from the timeless wisdom of Buddha. The series is based on the book Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The classes are taught by American Buddhist monk Kelsang Norbu (left). Although part of a series, each class is self-contained. Everyone is welcome.

The class is a branch of Drolma Kadampa Buddhist Center in Fort Lauderdale, which offers Buddhist meditation classes throughout Southeast Florida.There is a $11 fee per class. E-mail info@meditationinfortlauderdale.org, call 954-537-9191, or visit http://www.meditationinmiami.org/ for more information.

Mangoheads hit the streets strutting on Sunday!

The 29th annual King Mango Strut is Sunday, December 26. The parade starts at 2 pm, right in the center of town (look for the massive crowd, that's the place). This is a scene from last year.

The theme this year is "Restoring Humor." The satirical parade this year disperses gallons of oily jokes, slick skits and plumes of environmentally-challenged laughter to the pristine streets of downtown Coconut Grove.

A Pair of Nuts, Yamil and Johnny, are this year's Grand Marshals. Some of the themes this year include, "Get a pardon by Charlie Crist," the Christine O'Donnell 'I am not a witch tour'," get that loving feeling from a TSA agent (watch out for the blue gloves!), become a cabinet member of Rick Scott's, "Touch this junk and don't get arrested," and so much more.

And watch out for the celebs and themes of Snooki, Lindsey Lohan, Brett Farve, Home Foreclosures, Illegal Aliens, and Lady Gaga. All this and Shakespeare ala Mango Strut performed by New Theatre!

The Pre-Parade activities begin at 1:30 pm at the corner of Commodore Plaza and Main Highway with Grand Master C, Buzz Fleischman, hosting the Little Mr. & Miss Mango Pageant (for kids 4-10). And at 2 pm, the banana drops and the Strut begins.


It's all free. And there is plenty of parking in and around the Center Grove. Click here for parking map.

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 parade-goers every 15 minutes at the station and dropping off one block from the parade route.

Back Lot celebrates opening with free movies

The grand opening of the Backlot Wine Bar & Lounge at Paragon Theaters is January 14, which will complete phase two of their project. To celebrate, they are showing free movies in the private screening room this week and next. Classics like, "It's A Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street," "Home Alone" and "The Godfather" are featured. This is an exciting opportunity to see these classics on the big screen, and a fun activity for locals during the holiday break. Full schedule can be viewed at www.backlotbar.com.

The Backlot will be “the perfect movie companion”, featuring a variety of international wines and beer as well as small plate food offerings such as Pintxos, paninis, and desserts. The Backlot will also house the much anticipated “Prestige Audi Private Screening Room”. The Screening Room, with its 25 foot Jumbo Video Screen, will be available to book for private events and meetings in addition to a schedule of free public events and live tv broadcasts. Future events include parties for The Superbowl, Grammy Awards, and The Academy Awards party.

“We wanted to open the theater as quickly as possible because we knew the local residents and business were suffering without one, but our premier concept has always included more. We’re so excited to see that vision come to fruition,” said Mike Whalen, Paragon’s CEO. He continued, “Our amenity package creates the best theater going experience in Miami, at a price point similar to other Miami theaters. We’ve established a unique ‘companion’ to the theater where our audience can enjoy a drink and a bite before or after a movie, watch a game at our bar or a viewing in our screening room, or host a private event in a way that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the market.”

Mirroring the modern design of the theater, Paragon commissioned famed Miami pop-artist Stephen Gamson to create exclusive pieces for the Backlot space. "It is often at a movie theater where new friendships are forged, taste is defined and our minds can travel. My art relates to pop culture and communication, therefore, I am especially excited to be a part of this experience," says Gamson of the exciting installation.

30% off for Grove residents at Belly2Abs

Belly2Abs (2829 Bird Avenue, #7) is offering a New Year's special for Grovites -- 30% off all classes in January. Just show proof of residency to receive the special.

This is a great way to start the New Year with those resolutions of starting a training session once the year starts. Classes include boot camps, pole fitness and choreography, as well as their famous belly dances.

For more info, please call Adriana at 786-768-3690.

Three special menus at Panorama at the Sonesta

Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel (2889 MdFarlane Road) has three great holiday meals planned this year.

The Christmas Day menu consists of goodies like Maine Lobster Bisque and pan seared seabass and filet mignon. The New Year's Even menu has Seared Foi Gras and Tuna Carpaccio, also Shellfish Risotto and Colorado Rack of Lamb, to name a few items and for New Year's Day, they have a delicious brunch with fruits, smoked salmon, eggs, pastries and more.

The three menus may be seen here.

For reservations, please call Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge directly at 305.447.8256 or visit the Virtual Concierge.

Shake-A-Leg wins awards at Winterfest parade

Shake-A-Leg Miami's decorated boats won prizes this year in the Winterfest Boat Parade.

Two world-class sailors, Kerry Gruson, Karen Mitchell and their crew won the Best Overall Sailboat award for Whirlwind XIV (left). A big pink ribbon flew over the boat with pink ribbon hull waves, red hearts and bright lights. The ribbons were there to symbolize that fact that both have overcome cancer and their boat celebrated the healing powers of love and sailing.

The "We Are the World" entry, aboard the John E. Pearson boat (above) won the Spirit Award. Kathy Keleher, John Muir and the Winterfest team brought non-profits into the parade. Joining us decorating both boats were a team from the Broward College Marine Program, Ellen and Alex Loebelenz from All Purpose Life skills, Rick Sherman and Gunny Lou and 19 Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Capt. Jack Carey was at the boat's helm.

Captain Joei and her "Team Raptor" won Best Lighted Sailboat for "Trimaran Raptor," with handmade LED lighted Haitian flag, to celebrate a new little orphanage of earthquake survivors just opened by Diakonos International, who sponsored the boat.

Other's involved included Jane Goldberg, "the tap dance diva," straight from New York City, which was perfect for one of the themes, "Dancing Through the Decades." She danced with Oliver Pesch, the Whirlwind lighting technician.

Moon over Coconut Grove

My friend Gigi Leyva took these photos of the eclipse on Monday night, right from her Coconut Grove driveway. So it's actually moon or eclipse over Coconut Grove.

HGTV casting for "My First Sale" in Grove area

HGTV will be in our area searching for homeowners interested in being on the tv show, "My First Sale." They'll be in Coconut Grove and Miami filming the third season.

They are casting first time sellers and their realtors through January. Energetic people who are just starting the process of selling are needed. The producers want to follow you with their cameras for an episode of the show.

For more info or to apply, please contact Cindy Baggish at cbaggish@highnoontv.com or 303-872-8566

Through rain, nor sleet, or incomplete address . . .

My faith in humanity and the Coconut Grove Post office has been restored. The Christmas card arrived today without incident. And as luck would have it, I was standing right there when it was delivered. I have this uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.

Margo Todd, the mail carrier, nonchalantly walked up to Louis and handed him the card with the incomplete address (see full story below). She acted as if, "This is the proper thing to do, so I'm doing it!"

Thanks Margo! You made my day and my Christmas! Now let's test or punk someone else, send me your suggestions via email and I'll do it and post it here.

"We Care" event held at Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade hosted the “We Care” Celebration, a national initiative between Herman Miller and Boys & Girls Club of America to provide kids a variety of craft materials and encourage them to make holiday gifts and cards for family and friends at its Hank Kline facility in Coconut Grove. Recently, baseball great Mike Lowell visited the Club, bringing Christmas cheer.

Hundreds of volunteers from local architectural and interior design firms joined together to share with the Kids their artistic vision. Some of the organizations that participated included: Perkins Will, Office Furniture Warehouse, Miami Dade County GSA, Miami-Dade Aviation, G3, Leo A. Daly, MGE, MC Harry & Associates, TSAO Design, Gipsy’s Art, Brad Horton with Workplace Resource and Corporate Design Choice.

“We are honored that our Club was chosen to participate in the We Care initiative,” Said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “It’s great to know that 130 kids from our Club can bring home a gift for a family member this holiday season.”

The “We Care” Celebration included entertainment, arts and crafts, snacks and a special visit from Santa Claus.

Coconut Grove has a new police commander

Our great Grove Police Commander Jorge Colina is gone. He was promoted to Major which is great for him, but sad for us. He's with the Technical Operations Section now. His new replacement is Richard Gentry, a former Lieutenant.

I was just watching the Channel 6 commercial this morning, which features Commander Colina and the Grove 5-0 bed race team. We hate to see him go.

Major Colina is at left, Commander Gentry, at right.

The little Christmas card test

Guess I have too much time on my hands, some say that anyway, but I don't, so I'm not sure why I wanted to do this test, but basically this is the deal. Yesterday, I mailed a Christmas card to Louis, one of the Grove Ambassadors. I know his home address, but I decided to send it to the colorful Information booth in the center of town and, I'm not sure if you can see the envelope above or not, but it's addressed to Louis, "Coconut Grove Ambassador, The Colorful Info Booth in the Center of Coconut Grove, in front of CocoWalk, Coconut Grove, FL 33133."

Let's see what happens, it should arrive today. A few years ago, I sent a Christmas card to one of the Gallerys on Grand Avenue, just a block or so from the post office, and it came back "unknown address," so let's see with this. Are we as small and quaint as we think? I mailed the card from the Grove post office. I actually handed it to Louis and asked him to mail it for me since he walks down that way daily, but he said he didn't want to mail his own card. :)

Holiday bazaar offers wine, food, jewelry and more

Calamari's Garden Trilogy (with La Bottega and The Taurus) had a little holiday bazaar yesterday in their courtyard. It was a nice little thing, which they plan on making a holiday tradition.


Mia and Emily, with the help of Carmen Trigueros, sold gingerbread cookies. You were given the
goodies to make your own. Carmen also sold gift baskets with wine and food from La Bottega and held a wine tasting.


They did such a great job, I had them make mine.


Steven Anton Rehage had his jewelry for sale.


And so did Joyce Nelson, who had a booth with husband Ron, selling her creations Cosmopolitan Jewels. Joyce will be at the St. Stephen's Arts Festival again in February.


Mary McDonald had a table set up with all the goodies she brought back from her travels to India, she goes there often for business and comes back with lots of silky things.


It really was a nice event, many people stopped by to shop and and then stayed for the La Tavolata Sunday brunch.

Parking deals in Coconut Grove

Starting today, December 20, there is a one hour grace period at the parking meters around Coconut Grove, this lasts until January 2, 2011. So whatever time you have in the meter, you can add an hour to that as a little gift from the Miami Parking Authority.

For a super deal for those who park in the Grove daily, try the Paradise Parking lots, there are two. The fee is $45 per month for any day, for any amount of in and out. The lots are at the Coconut Grove Bank (you enter on Mary Street), it's across from the former Cielo space at Mayfair, and the other location is the Playhouse lot.

For more info or to sign up, please call 305-932-8600.

Mayfair breakfast brings out the cast of characters

If this was a reality show, the whole cast of characters would have been in one big scene. It was a holiday breakfast at Mayfair, put on for all their tenants. Here are some of the ladies from the Antique Market, Teresa, Norma, Glenda, Niki and Charlotte, enjoying this mornings breakfast affair.


Fare to Remember catered the breakfast, making it a first class event. Long tables filled the atrium with all sorts of goodies like fresh omelets, waffles, pastries, bagels with lox, coffee, tea, all sorts of juices -- actually everything you could ask for.


Sony, Crispen-Porter-Bogesky, the art galleries, all the stores and vendors came out to partake of the holiday feast.


It was a nice thing to do. The new owners seem to really appreciate their tenants, they throw a little get together every once in awhile. It's a great way for those who don't know their neighbors to meet each other and it's especially nice during the holiday season.