"The Poster is a Tree" at A&M this Friday night

"The Poster is a Tree" will be presented at the Academy of Arts & Minds High School on Friday, September 2 at 8:30 pm.



See who's throwing babies in the river! Find out how many frogs are sitting on the log!Decide who's carrying the heaviest burden! The show promises to leave you with an uplifting after taste. For More Information on A&M, please visit www.aandm.net.



Tickets: Adults $12 . Students $5 . Free to A&M Students. Open to the Public. Pay at door.



ACADEMY OF ARTS & MINDS 3138 COMMODORE PLAZA, COCONUT GROVE

Pizza-making parties for kids now at Spartico

Spartico, the Italian restaurant in the Mayfair Hotel (3000 Florida Avenue) is now holding Pizza Making Parties for kids.



This is something new to do for children's birthday parties and other events. Each child receives a Spartico apron upon arrival and will work with chefs to create their own unique pizzas. Kids and parents can turn the Italian trattoria into their own pizza bar kitchen.



As the kids are treated to a family-style snack, personalized pizza making class and ice cream sundae buffet or personalized cake, Spartico also offers a cocktail menu and promotions for the parents to have their own little party.



Kids can expect unlimited soft drinks, family-style Calamari, Zucchini Fritti and Cesar salad; personally made pizza by the birthday boy or girl and guests; a few Margherita pizzas; ice cream sundae buffet or personalized birthday cake and Spartico apron gift for everyone.



The cost is $21.95 per child; adult food and beverage packages are available.

Massacred trees are sprouting

Looks like the tree trunk with the crying eyes (vigil story here), wants to live. That's the tree trunk in the photo below.



It's sprouting.



Now if the county will only leave it alone and allow it to grow. Hopefully the can put the pipes for the storm drains

(story here) around this area and not through it.



I'm told that if they tree is allowed to grow, it will be a pretty decent size in a few years.

Vanilla Ice is Grand Marshal of Sunday's Bed Race

Rapper, Musician, Actor and Home Improvement Guru via DIY Network’s “Vanilla Ice Project," will be the Grand Marshal for the Sept. 4 Great Grove Bed Race in Coconut Grove this year.

Ice, along with Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado met the media today at a press conference at the Peacock Garden Cafe, here in the Grove. There were a lot of laughs and people enjoyed meeting the celebs.



Update: "Real Housewife of Miami," Cristy Rice, was announced as Celebrity Judge for Sunday's Race. (story here).





At left is Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado with Vanilla Ice, and at right, Mr. Ice was generous enough to pose with me.



What is it about Vanilla Ice that merits assuming the Grand Marshal reins previously held by famed fast-trackers and Indy Car legends Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan? Well, aside from being a long time Miami resident, Ice is very athletic, he auditioned for the X Games after winning three straight Motocross titles at the Grand National Motocross Championships and once was the world’s No. 6-ranked sit-down Jet Ski racer. Plus he's a big Bed Race fan!





Daisy Lewis, coordinator of the Great Grove Bed Race stands to the left, introducing from left, Steve Licata, co-chair of the Grove Merchants Group, Mayor Regalado and Vanilla Ice.



Having shared the stage with MC Hammer, N.W.A., Ice-T and Sir Mix-A-Lot en route to selling more than 100 million albums, Ice will now share the streets of Coconut Grove with the likes of the “Grove 5-0,” “Miami Vice City Rollers” and “Sexy Secrets Lingerie Boutique Bed-Racers.”



You can meet Vanilla Ice on Great Grove Bed Race Day, Sunday, September 4, when the streets of Coconut Grove turn to BEDlam.





Ice told the crowd how he loves the Grove and used to skateboard around the village when he was younger. His album is now out called "WTF," no, not what you are thinking -- that's Wisdom, Tenacity and Focus.





We'll have the Bed Race schedule of events in the Grapevine later this week.

Hurricane Hotline kicks off season at Monty's

Hurricane Hotline kicks off a new and improved radio show on 560 WQAM tonight from 7 to 9 pm with hosts Joe Zagacki and Don Baily, Jr. UM Coach Al Golden (left), Coach Kehoe and his offensive linemen will be present for a round table-type discussion.



And it's all live at Monty's in The Grove (2550 S. Bayshore Drive), as are all the broadcasts. The radio show is live Tuesdays and Wednesdays this year, always from Monty's.

The Canes open their 2011 season at Maryland on Labor Day night.



Stop by for a drink, a bite and listen to the show! You can even ask questions on the air.

New preschool opening in the neighborhood

One of our Coconut Grove neighbors, Rosa Fernandez, is opening a new preschool a stone's throw away from the Grove on 2485 SW 22nd Ave. So many Grove Mom's are looking for this type of thing and it's right across US 1.



The new school, Play and Learn, offers a child-centered, developmentally appropriate, bilingual program for two- to five-year-olds. Play and Learn will have an open house every Wednesday in August and September from 10:00 am to noon.



For more information or to RSVP contact Rosa Fernandez at 305-680-4020 or go to www.playnlearnprek.com.

Grovite saves part of boxing history

From left: Dino Spencer, Matt Baiamonte, Ken Drodvillo, with Angelo Dundee (seated).



Hall of Fame boxing trainer Angelo Dundee was reunited with a piece of his glorious past thanks to boxing fan and Grovite Ken Drodvillo. Turning 90 today, August 30, 2011, Angelo Dundee was all smiles as Ken presented him with a birthday gift -- a mounted red brick from the old 5th Street Gym that will serve as a link between the old and new 5th Street Gym which opened last September in Miami Beach.



The legendary 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach which produced Muhammad Ali and countless other champions under the watchful eye of Angelo Dundee was no more. It was thought that nothing was saved except for the iconic window that was painted with the gyms name which is now mounted on the wall at the recently reopened 5th Street Gym. Ken, an avid boxing and Muhammod Ali, fan kept the spirit of the old gym alive. He was driving by the site one day after it was demolished in 1994 and noticed the rubble. Ken thought to himself, "What a shame, all that history gone in a flash." He grabbed one of the bricks and mounted it as a reminder of boxing memories past and gave it to his attorney and fellow boxing fanatic Tim Anagnost.



Fast forward 17 years and a new modern 5th Street Gym is reopened at the same address on 555 Washington Ave. Angelo Dundee is part owner but spends much time with family as his partners and head trainers Matt Baiamonte and Dino Spencer oversee day to day operations. Ken, now a consultant for Capt. Jimmy’s Fiesta Cruise Boat in Miami ,one day walks in to speak to Matt about a cruise promotion when naturally they shift their conversation to the old 5th Street Gym. Ken who arrived to Miami in 1963 when stationed at the Homestead Air force Base shared with Matt his memories of the old gym. It was at this moment when Ken had the idea to ask his friend Tim Anagnost to donate the brick to Dundee for his birthday.



Matt arranged the meeting between Ken and Angelo at the gym for the brick exchange. The still spry Angelo was grateful as he took out time from mentoring a young boxer to receive the brick. The always engaging Angelo chatted with Ken about years past as he posed for pictures and signed autographs for everyone that asked.



Ken said, "What a pleasure it was to meet a living legend and to present him with a part of the 5th Street Gym for his 90th birthday. I felt like I was part of boxing history, and that Angelo appreciated that we donated the brick. I am sure people who visit the 5th Street Gym, will get a kick out of seeing the brick."



Ironically, the day that Ken met Angelo Dundee, he also met boxing great Ferdie Pacheco at his art opening right here at the AC Gallery in Coconut Grove (story here).

Suarez is guest speaker at Chamber luncheon

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce is having a "Power Lunch" on Friday, September 9. County Commissioner Xavier Suarez, is the special guest speaker.



Xavier L. Suarez was elected to serve on the Miami-Dade County Commission as District 7 Commissioner on May 24, 2011. He represents numerous municipalities including the City of Miami, the Village of Key Biscayne, the City of Coral Gables, the City of South Miami, the Village of Pinecrest, as well as areas of unincorporated Miami-Dade County.



Suarez was first elected Mayor of the City of Miami in 1985 and subsequently re-elected in 1987 and 1989.



The luncheon starts at 12:30 pm with a networking reception at noon. Venue is the Mayfair Hotel and Spa (3000 Florida Avenue).



$35 Chamber Members / $38 Non-Members.

For reservations please email: info@CoconutGroveChamber.com



Parking Options: Hotel offers valet for $7; but you may also park at the Mayfair Shoppes covered parking on Florida Avenue adjacent to hotel for $1.50/hr. There is also Parking one block east at the Coconut Grove Bank lot on Mary Street at Florida Avenue, and of course on the street.

Silver Oak Wine Flight Dinner at El Carajo

The Silver Oak Wine Flight Dinner with Wine Educator Barry Alberts is at El Carajo (2465 SW 17 Avenue) tomorrow, Tuesday, August 30. Seating is anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.



First Course: Emilio Lustao Manzanilla NV, Squash Bisque with a Nutmeg Crème Fraische

Second Course: Scalabrone Rosato ‘07 Steamed Littleneck Clams with Serrano, Fennel, and Roasted Root Vegetables

Third Course: Deusa Nai Albarino ‘10 Paella Rice Croquettes with Lobster and a Saffron Foam

Fourth Course: Silver Oak Alexander Valley ‘06, Two Pepper Crusted Venison Tenderloin Medallions with a Roasted Beet Compote and a White Port Wine and Beet Glace

Dessert Course: Ultihrone Sparkling Shiraz, Warmed Pumpkin Bread with Amarena Fabbri Cherries



The cost is $60/Person - No RSVP Necessary; $5 off if RSVP at least one day in advance; Tax & Gratuity not included. Questions or reservations call 305.856.2424.

Adopt a Garden at Coconut Grove Elementary

The Coconut Grove Elementary School will be replanting the Kindergarten through 5th grade vegetable gardens at the school and they are looking for local businesses to "Adopt a Garden" in the Stingray Patch.



The gardens are going to be incorporated into the curriculum at the school for all grades as well as used for harvesting fresh foods throughout the year.



So far, The Last Carrot is adopting the 2nd grade garden, The Bookstore in the Grove is adopting the 4th grade garden, www.thefrenchdistrict.com adopted the "kinder garden" and The Coconut Grove Grapevine is adopting the 5th grade garden.



They still need businesses to adopt the other grades. It's $200 for the year and there will be a plaque placed next to the garden with the business's name, thanking them.



For info, please email Kate at: katecarrick@gmail.com.

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT

After hours shopping extravaganza



Ever After and Miami Magazine celebrate Fashion’s Night Out, a world-wide event, on Thursday, September 8. One of the venues is right here in Coconut Grove from 6 to 9 pm at 2977 McFarlane Road.



The after hours shopping extravaganza is back. This is their third year where celebrities, designers and stars mingle with shoppers who are out to get special designs.



Join them as they kick off the new Spring 2012 Oscar de la Renta Bridal Trunk Show. Sip champagne as the fashionistas revisit Oscar de la Renta throughout the years of Couture Bridal beginning with his landmark collection of 2007.



Sip and socialize in a gallery setting while receiving styling tips from Ever After’s Camille Thiry Russler.









Enter raffles for a variety of prizes including:

- 3 night 4 day stay at Tortuga Bay – Puntacana Resort

- Gift Certificate to The Mrs. Shop by Ring Finger Studio

- Fred Astaire Dance Studio Classes

- Bar Method Miami Classes



All proceeds benefiting Fashionably Conscious for Coconut Grove Cares.



RSVP: RSVPMiami@ModernLuxury.com or call for info at: 305-444-7300.

Chef Douglas Rodriguez to visit La Bottega

La Bottega by Carmen Trigueros celebrates La Esencia Latina on Friday September 16, by welcoming the globally acclaimed Godfather of Nuevo Latino, Chef Douglas Rodriguez.



Chef Rodriguez has been taking the nation by storm, opening award winning restaurants across the United States. His culinary creativity has changed the image of Latino food in America. His restaurants are featured in some of the most cosmopolitan cities including his hometown Miami (Ola), Philadelphia (Alma De Cuba), and Scottsdale, Arizona (Deseo). His most recent venue in Miami Beach is De Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean at the Bentley Beach Hotel in Miami Beach.



Chef Rodriguez, son of Cuban immigrants, was raised in Miami. He grew up with the sights, smells and tastes of Cuban cuisine and developed a passion for food early on. By the age of 13, he had a collection of cookbooks, pots and pans, and was developing and preparing original concepts. At 14, he landed his first restaurant job as a summer apprentice at The Four Ambassadors Hotel in Miami. After high school, he gained more experience at the prestigious Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel in Miami Beach before honing his skills and techniques at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI.



Returning to Miami, Rodriguez worked at the Sonesta Beach Hotel and Wet Paint Cafe. In 1989 he opened Yuca, an upscale rendition of Cuban flavors and favorites, in Coral Gables and it became a runaway success, so that at age 24, Chef Rodriguez was a celebrated chef, winning the "Chef of the Year, Miami" award from The Chefs of America, and receiving two "Rising Chef of the Year" nominations by The James Beard Foundation.



Rodriguez became the executive chef and co-owner of the phenomenally successful Patria, which opened in 1994 in New York City. It was the laboratory for his new cuisine, which he called "Nuevo Latino". Patria received a three-star review in the New York Times and accolades from the New Yorker and Gourmet among others. After Patria, Rodriguez opened Chicama, a Peruvian Ceviche bar, to two-stars in the New York Times followed by Pipa, a tapas bar that became one of the favorite spots for New Yorkers. Longing for his hometown, Rodriguez headed back to Miami Beach and opened OLA in 2004 followed by De Rodriguez Cuba at The Astor Hotel in December 2009. Most recently, De Rodriguez Cuba moved to The Hilton Bentley Beach Hotel.



In 2000, Chef Rodriguez was selected by Newsweek Magazine as one of the "100 Americans that will influence the coming millennium." In 2009, Rodriguez was one of the distinguished culinary elite to be on the first season of Top Chef Masters on Bravo.



Featured at La Bottega on September 16, starting at 8 pm, will be:



First Round

1 White Gazpacho: Spanish Marcona Almond and Garlic soup with Cantaloupe Granita

2 Smoked Marlin Tacos

3 Shrimp Ceviche in Tostone Garlic Olive Oil Sauce



Second Round

4 Mixed Seafood Ceviche with Pink Grapefruit and Tarragon

5 Avocado wrapped Tuna Tartar



Third Round

6 Mock Fois: Chicken Liver Parfait served with Cuban Toast

7 Cuban Beef Picadillo Lettuce Wraps with crispy potatoes and pickled chayote



Fourth Round

8 “Pan con Bistec” de Rodriguez

9 Sugar Cane-Smoked Tuna Potato Purée

10 Cuban Pork Belly with black beans and rice, sweet plantain, and oregano mojo



Fifth Round

11 Flan de Vainilla with Guava Glaze

12 Hot Chocolate Croquetas



This 12-course tapas is $50 per person.



LA BOTTEGA 3540 MAIN HIGHWAY COCONUT GROVE 305-441-0219

The Loft celebrates grand opening with a party

The Loft Boutique had a grand opening party last night. At left: Jackie and Jerry Reyes; right, Loft owners Yvonne and Michael Rosemeier.


Roxana Garcia-Walder and Gustavo Walder, of High Gear Cycling.


Yvonne with Ashley Eba and Ayesha D'Mello.


Betty Alvarez, Blaz Kos, Graciela and Alberto Liberman.


The Loft is home to Yvonne's own YR Couture line and her handmade jewelry. There is also fine wine, cigars and lots of gifts for giving.


Guests were treated to wine and lots of goodies last night. Joseph Grant's paintings still grace the walls of The Loft, many of the guests were quiet interested in the art.


The Loft is open daily, located at 3190 Commodore Plaza. For info, please call 305-890-9790 or email yvonne@yrcouture.com.

Salsa Saturday celebrating one year tonight!

Sabor Saturday at The Taurus is celebrating one year! The party is August 27 from 9:30 pm to 3:00 am.



The Taurus is the home of Salsa on Saturdays. Join in the Salsa Extravaganza with tons of Salseros, lots of music and fun and beautiful people. Dress to impress!



DJs Jorge Charun and DJ Rivera will be spinning the Best of the Best Salsa Merengue Bachata Cha Cha Cha and more. Starting at 9 pm, Nelson Fritz aka NegroFino, is back to teach one free hour of SALSA and SHINES.



Special guests are part of the mix. It will be a special night.



The Taurus is at 3540 Main Highway.

Grovite wins grand prize in Fancy Feast contest

Joan Spector, of Coconut Grove won the national Fancy Feast TasteMakers Contest. Her "Purrrfect Sushi" entrance won her the Grand Prize. Her recipe will help inspire the next variety of Fancy Feast® Elegant Medleys® Gourmet Cat Food.



In May, the Fancy Feast brand and chef Carla Hall – co-host of ABC’s “The Chew,” a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and proud owner of an adopted cat, Alchemy – challenged cat enthusiasts to express their inner culinary voices by entering the contest. Along with a photo of them with their cats, entrants were invited to share stories about the special relationships they share with their cats, and how their recipes were inspired by their cats’ personalities and preferences. Five finalists were selected in July, and the public was asked to vote for their favorite to help determine the Grand Prize Winner.



“Joan’s entry, ‘Purrrfect Sushi’, included a recipe with a delightful combination of ingredients with flavors that cats are going to love,” said Carla, who judged the finalists’ entries. “Her story behind her recipe really expressed the devotion she has for her cats. Now, her entry will help inspire a delectable new Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys entrée for all cats to enjoy.”



Joan is the proud owner of two rescued cats – named Ginger and Wasabi – and was moved to create a recipe that reflected her cats’ “love of all things fish.” Her recipe is a combination of two of her cats’ favorites – tuna and shrimp – accented with wild rice, in gravy. Joan's cats’ names are fitting for “Purrrfect Sushi,” though she claims, “Wasabi is a kisser, not a biter like his hot, hot namesake.” As the Grand Prize winner, Joan has won $10,000 plus a one-year supply of Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys Gourmet Cat Food. In addition, her entry will help inspire the next Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys entrée.



Four remaining Contest finalists each will receive a one-year supply of Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys Gourmet Cat Food and $1,000. To read each finalist’s entry, visit www.FancyFeast.com/TasteMakers and click on “View Finalist Gallery.”



The newly created Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys entrée inspired by Spector’s entry will be created and delivered to store shelves in June 2012.

What next, a Calvin Klein underwear model?

As I came up the hill on Mary Street today, this is what I saw, this big ugly sign going up on the side of Mayfair. It's the size of a billboard. It's not only ugly, but it's illegal.



I asked around and have gotten different stories, the consensus is that one of the ad agencies in Mayfair had it put up to promote the Big Brothers and Big Sisters. But it makes the Grove look like a condemned area and I'm sure the two condo buildings who face this are not crazy about it either.



It doesn't look that large here, but it is huge. I would say about 20 or 25 feet high, something stupid like you would see on those downtown buildings. The hazard stripes on the poster make it even worse. This is the route that every single tour bus takes to enter the Village. Is this the first impression tourists get now of Coconut Grove? That we are closed for business and under construction? That's the first impression I got. Actually, my first impression was that Mayfair was condemned or something. I really did. Then I read the sign closely.



If the ad agency was so into the children's charities, they could have signed up to run a bed in next week's Great Grove Bed Race, the money all goes to the Boys and Girls Clubs. I begged all the agencies in Mayfair to sign up for beds. It all fell on deaf ears. So much for helping out charities.



I think it needs to come down now. Since when do we allow big billboard type signs in the Center Grove?



Tell us what you think about it on Facebook, I know you want to.

What's up at The Grove Spot . . .

The Grove Spot (3324 Virginia Street) has Big Pappa E & his E Band (left) performing live tonight, August 26, starting at 7:30 pm.



************

On Wednesday, August 31, at 6 pm, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and The Netherlands Association of South Florida invite you to their joint Business Borrel networking event.



Network with Dutch and Belgian business professionals. The speaker for the night is Dick Raman who will give a presentation on Social Media.



Dress code: Business Casual / Info: coordinator@dutchclub.com / 305-774-6696



************

Stop in and enjoy The Grove Spot's Weekend breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and enjoy free coffee until 11 am. Try the Uitsmijter, tell them we sent you!

Grand Opening celebration at The Loft this weekend

The Loft (3190 Commodore Plaza) is having a Grand Opening party on Saturday, August 27, starting at 7 pm. Come out for music, wine hors d'oeuvres and cigars.

Musicians, artists and clothing and jewelry designers stop by The Loft often, here is Alex Hansam, fashion designer (left), with The Loft owner Yvonne Rosemeier, also a fashion designer of the YR Couture line.

Alex, an arts lover and traveler, moved to Miami from Dominican Republic and after designing for private clients in Miami and New York, launched her first line under her name in 2008. Alex Hansam is a fashion expert for "Despierta America" a daily morning show on Univision.

The vibrant energy of Miami keeps the designer in constant vanguard, and her use of fine fabrics and materials is what keeps keeps her clientele interested and growing.

Please rsvp for the party to 305-890-9790 or email yvonne@yrcouture.com

Vanilla Ice to make big Bed Race announcement

Rap and reality star, Vanilla Ice along with Mayor Tomas Regalado will make a big announcment regarding the Great Grove Bed Race on Tuesday at a local press conference. It's heating up, the time has come, the big event is a little more than a week away!



The race is Sunday, September 4 and if you have not signed up a bed yet, today, August 26, is the last day!



Whether you are a business or just a group of friends, there are still a few openings. The form is online here.



What is the announcement? We'll tell you Tuesday! Hmmm, wonder what it is.



Thousands of people will take to the streets of Coconut Grove to watch, and participate, in the yearly charity event. It's a full day of activities, with the main event being the actual beds racing down Grand Avenue.



I've asked so many people about their beds and what their plans are, but all the teams are keeping it secret. It's going to be a lot of fun, so whether you are racing a bed or just watching, mark September 4 down as the day! The Pajama Pub Crawl is the night before. Tickets are limited to 500, you may purchase them now at a discount ($20 as opposed to $25 on crawl night). They are available at The Bookstore (3399 Grand Avenue) and Barracuda Bar and Grill on Fuller Street.

Live music at the new music lounge at Calamari

They had such fun last week that they are going to do it again this week!



Live music at the new "Lounge" at Calamari (3540 Main Highway). They have upgraded the speakers and sound system since last week and they are having another set of musicians play. The baby grand piano has the soft leather chairs and sofas right there, you sink into the soft red leather. Amazing.



Happy Hour is from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Enjoy Bar Bite Small Delights from 4 to 7 pm. Invite your friends and lets celebrate Hurricane Irene missing us.



Pass the word....pass the fun.....pass the music!

Dog walking club starts tonight at Kennedy Park

Completely Canine, a local dog training company and shop, is starting a Dog Walking Club.



The club will meet every Thursday at 7 pm at AC’s Icees in Kennedy park, beginning Aug 25. Participants will enjoy a leisurely stroll around the park and have the opportunity to meet other like minded people and fun-loving dogs.



The event is free and everyone is welcome. All dogs must be leashed. For more information, call 305-444-1911.

Lively, large group converges on Chamber mixer

It was a super-sized fun event last night for the Chamber's networker at El Sitio. Three Chambers combined to make it one large party -- the Coconut Grove Chamber, the Colombian American Chamber and Downtown Miami & Brickell Chamber. Thanks to Sandy Fernandez-Masciatti and Andres Lemos from the Grove Chamber and Evelio Medina, president and founder of the Downtown Brickell Chamber, it was a great evening.



Above, from left are Becky Fernandez, Sandy Fernandez-Masciatti and Erica Fortun.





Here's a large group from the Colombian American Chamber. From left: George Justo, Diana Guzman, David Zuluaga, Sandra Gomez, Karen Morales, Juliana Ceballos and Diana Franco.





From left: Ken Drodvillo, Evelio Medina, Eric Swensson, realtor and Melissa Angulo, of WWF Insurance.





Bartenders Jason and Tabatha were kept quite busy. The bar was two or three deep for most of the night. At right are Janel Kuhl and Dominic Lamberti.





At left, Andres Lemos hands over bottles of Tequila, to Ed Prelaz, who won them in the raffle; at right, Ed is there with Lilia Garcia, Tony Noboa, Chamber Prez, and Liliana Dones.





At left is Yvonne Rosemeier, of The Loft store, with Ronnie Brooks, musician. At right, Sandy Fernandez-Masciatti, branch manager of Regions Bank, Coconut Grove.

We're in the running for Best Local Affairs Blog

We are in the running for Best Local Affairs Blog in CBS4's current poll.



You can vote for us here.



September 9, 2011 is the final day for voting. You can vote daily, hope you do! We'll have this little bug up at the left every day to remind you. Thanks.

Friday is the final day to sign up for the Bed Race

This Friday, August 26, is the final day to sign up a bed for the Great Grove Bed Race, which is Sunday, September 4.



I've spoken personally with a lot of you who have still not signed up. This is your last chance if you would like to be part of this great Grove event.



The forms and rules are here.



And keep in mind, that Shell Lumber has a bed building kit for sale. It's the bones of the bed -- the main frame. There are instructions, too. So the hard part is done for you. All you need to do is decorate it and then race it down the streets of Coconut Grove on Labor Day weekend.

Michelle Spence-Jones returning to Commission

According to The Miami Herald, Michelle Spence-Jones is returning to the City Commission. She should be back in her seat for District 5 later today. The grand theft case against her has been dropped after the only witness, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler, changed her testimony incriminating Spence-Jones.



Commissioner Richard P. Dunn, who has represented District 5 since Spence-Jones' removal will now be replaced by her. This will bring a new dynamic to the City. According to rumors, Mayor Tomas Regalado and District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff are at odds and Michelle Spence-Jones will be sitting in the center of that.



I get premonitions, take them or leave them, but my feelings tell me that we are going to have two Michelle's on the City Commission come November -- Michelle Spence-Jones and Michelle Niemeyer. It's a strong feeling I have.



Here is The Herald's story on Spence-Jones.

Mural project is almost ready for installation

When we last visited Cyndy Hill and Eileen Seitz, they were working on the Coconut Grove Children's Mosaic Community Project at the NET office. They were cutting and preparing tiles to be made into panels, which volunteers would then put together.



Last Friday, the panels were on the move, the ladies took them over to the hanger at Shake-A-Leg to start the thin set and grouting portion of the project.





The sections were set out on the floor of the large hanger and the final stages were taken on.





Boaters at Shake-A-Leg, and the community at large, have stopped by to help out. Over the weekend 34 of the 56 30" x 30" panels were treated with thin set. Monday, the grouting began.





This part of the two year project will be done by the end of this week and then the main event should be taking place in a month or so -- the installation onto the Post Office wall on McDonald Street. The hold up is logistics, the intallation company cannot do the job until the end of September to mid-October.





Scott and Mark, a couple of boaters who happened by, helped Cyndy and Eileen work over the weekend.

Get into the minds of artists at Blu Moon Studio

The Blu Moon Studio has a great concept in mind for the next Gallery Walk, which is September 3. It's called the "Sketchbook Extravaganza."



The exhibit will feature artist's sketchbooks. The idea is to share the books for the evening, and enjoy a little wine, music and creative camaraderie. Sketchbooks offer a glimpse into an artist's creative processes and are beautiful and fascinating works of art in themselves.



Artists, you can still participate, there is plenty of room and the more the merrier. Contact Sheri Friedman at 305-794-0329 or blumoonsheri@gmail.com.



Blu Moon Studio of Art is at 3444 Main Highway, at the very top of the building.

Memorial rescheduled

The memorial service for Gary Ciuca set for Saturday, August 27 at 5 pm at the Barnacle has been changed to Saturday, September 17 at 5 pm at the Barnacle due to the pending hurricane threat.



Gary was my financial advisor with Wells Fargo, he handled my retirment account. I met him through my father, who retired at an early age, 20 years ago, and had Gary handle his retirement account.



When Gary took over my account he was with AG Edwards, which was taken over by Wachovia and now is Wells Fargo. I got a call last week from the guy taking over Gary's accounts, he ended up being a guy who my father coached in little league in the late '70s! It's interesting how life has these strange twists and turns. He was quite anxious to call my father and tell him.



My parents have been quite broken up over Gary's accident. I had been on the phone often with them sharing updates, I would get news locally from Grove residents and friends and they would get news from Gary's co-workers and we would share the latest news with each other, of course, hoping for the best.

Another successful year for FestiDan

Over 700 people showed up for FestiDan this year, which was held over the weekend at Peacock Park. That's over $18,000 raised for the ALS Recovery Fund. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Good news this week regarding that. The cause of ALS has been found, which could lead to treatment. Story in Chicago Tribune.





It started out slow at 3 pm, but as the sun came down, the crowds started pouring in. One large section of the park was cordoned off for the FestiDan partiers.





Each year, Dan Travieso and friends, including Jonathan Alfonso, throw the bash in honor of Dan's birthday, but it's of course all about the charity and raising money for that. There was lots of beer, music and fun flowing in Peacock Park on Saturday.





There are more photos at the LocalDrink.com Facebook page here.