Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween around Coconut Grove

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So it's Halloween, where did September and October go? Lots of people are out already, dressed up and having fun. Tonight will be wild, as it usually is, in the Center Grove. There are many more street closures this year to accommodate the crowds. Moms are out with the kiddies at CocoWalk and lots of merchants are dressed up, too. That's Steve Licata, from Palm Produce, I caught him getting to work this morning, all military-like.

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Louis Del Borrello, the Grove Ambassador, is the Cat in the Hat today. He's the center of attention it seems, because all day, passersby are taking photos of him at his information booth in the center of town.

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Jimmy, the balloon boy, is upstairs at CocoWalk making balloon animals for all the kids. CocoWalk was full of kids trick-or-treating from store to store.

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Here's a little witch from Victoria's Secret, handing out candy.

Here is a list of street closings for tonight:

Grand Ave will be closed eastbound at McDonald, and all eastbound traffic on Grand Avenue will be rerouted northbound on McDonald.

Southbound traffic on McDonald will be rerouted westbound onto Grand Avenue.

Grand Avenue will be closed East and Westbound at Mary Street. Mary Street will remain open for north and Southbound traffic.

Virginia Street will be closed at Florida Avenue, South of the entrance to the CocoWalk parking garage on Virginia to allow for parking for CocoWalk and the Mairfair Hotel.

Rice Street will be closed to traffic on Oak Ave Southbound and Florida Avenue Northbound.

Main Highway will be closed to Eastbound traffic at Charles Avenue, and traffic will be rerouted westbound on Charles Avenue. A police officer will be at that post to assist residents from the Cloisters to get in and out of their residences.

No traffic will be allowed on Main Highway from the west alleyway of Commodore Plaza.

Matilda Street will be closed to southbound traffic at Grand Avenue.
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McFarlane Road will remain open to Northbound Traffic at Grand Avenue to allow access to the Sonesta Hotel and St. Stephen's parking lot.

Michelle Niemeyer for City Commission

Tomorrow, November 1, is election day. The only thing on the ballot is the City Commission race, so while it is only the one thing that you'll be voting for, it is very important to get out and vote. I would suggest Michelle Niemeyer as the candidate for District 2 Commissioner.

I feel that with Michelle as our District Commissioner, things will turn around for the better. I feel the Coconut Grove and the City of Miami will be drama free and more relaxed and life may return to normal. I feel there will be transparency in Government and I feel things will be "real."

What I mean by real is that Michelle is real. She is a true Grovite. She participates in the Grove, she is actually one of us. She doesn't have her nose up in the air and she doesn't just show up when it's the right thing to do or when there is money or votes to be had.

I have known Michelle for many years. She's my friend. I find her to be totally honest, real and competent. Many who did not know Michelle told me after hearing her talk at various events like forums or the Village Council meetings, that they like hearing her speak, they like to hear what she has to say. They like the way she handles herself. She's non-threating and totally competent.

Michelle is genuine. I honestly feel that Coconut Grove will turn around for the better if Michelle is in office. I feel she will do lots to help the village, mostly by not micromanaging, which I feel is the case now. She's done a great job as the Village Council chair (twice) and I know she will fit right in with the other City Commissioners and get things done, good things, for the City and for Coconut Grove.

The City is broke, the Grove is dead, something needs to be done. The current system is not working. Let's make a change for what I feel will be for the best. I have always been honest with you and feel that this is the best thing for all of us. I like to call her the "anti-arrogant one."

Please go out and vote. Punch #35. You'll be glad you did. Here's her website, where she explains her platform: http://www.michelleformiami.com/

Did you see that rain last night?

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My friend Ali sent these photos in of Merrie Christmas Park. Looks like Merrie Christmas swimming pool. Hope you fared ok last night. I got a little flooded out, but nothing to complain about. According to Scott Padgett, the Channel 10 weather guy, Coconut Grove got almost 11 inches of rain over the weekend!

Happy Halloween! Hopefully it will be a good rest of the day and night.


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Update on proposed visitor's center

There was a letter in the Herald this weekend regarding the proposed visitors center on the Coconut Grove waterfront. Mark Lewis, superintendent, Biscayne National Park, explains in the letter the the project will not block waterviews.

Here's the letter.

Mad Hatter weekend went on around the raindrops



It was an interesting Mad Hatter weekend. Through the raindrops there was a lot of fun, and artists made sales. It was mostly based inside and around The Barnacle end of town. Here's a slideshow of the doings.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

King Mango Kick-off Party is at Greenstreets

Freshly back from their annual bus trip to Key West for Fantasy Fest, the Mangoheads are ready to party again, this time it's the King Mango Strut The Kick-Off Party, which is Wednesday, November 2, at 7 pm at GreenStreet Café (3468 Main Highway). If you would like to participate in this year's event, which is December 31, or just come out and party, stop by.

So far, 2011 has brought enough "winning" material for two or even three parades. So come on out and protest with the Mangoheads, bring your funniest idea and get ready to offend the offensive. If you have a group and a funny plan bring it!

If your group needs ideas or people, come to one of our Disorganizational Meetings at 7pm on Tuesday, November 8 and 29 at Tobacco Road and November 16 and December 7 at GreenStreet Café.

For more information and a list of prizes check the website at
www.kingmangostrut.org.

He's getting back to his passion -- photography

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In between the rain drops, the Mad Hatter Festival has been going on. Today is the second day of the two day event. The main area of artists are inside The Barnacle grounds on the great lawn, but there are plenty of artists up and down the street, on the sidwalks surrounding the area.

Larry Shane is presenting his photography this year. Larry has always been a favorit of mine, not just because he has a great eye for color and composition, but he captures subjects that hit close to home. His photos almost look like giant postcards.

Larry has images of the Orange Bowl, the Freedom Tower, causeways to Miami Beach and so many more South Florida and Miami landmarks. He has traveled extensively and has many photos that reflect that, too. You'll find lots of colorful flowers, too.

"Photography is my passion," says Larry. Ever since he's been a child, photography has interested him, but as is usually the case, life takes you in other directions and away from your passion. But Larry is back in a big way. His work is on display today and of course all the images are for sale. Stop by The Barnacle for the Mad Hatter Festival today from 10 to 6 pm and check out Larry's work and all the other great featured artists.


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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Lots of friends out and about today at Mad Hatter

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I ran into my two buds Eileen Seitz (left) and Cyndy Hill right outside The Barnacle, this morning, I walked down that way after the gym.

Eileen has all her colorful floral art out at a table, right next to The Cloisters entrance and Cyndy has the children's mosaic tiles that are being auctioned off as part of the Children's Mosaic Mural Project.

Cyndy is the mosaic expert and incredible artist who was called in to brainstorm and coordinate the project and with Eileen's help and the help of so many in the community, the beautiful post office mural got done.

Stop by today on your way to the Mad Hatter and buy some raffle tickets to win one of these great pieces. For more details on the size and the beneficiaries, you can check the story out
here.

I checked out the Playhouse parking lot for the Chalk It Up! Festival, but that hadn't started yet, I am looking forward to that. I've been to
the chalk festival in Lake Worth and it's an amazing thing to see. The tents are all up out on the lawn behind The Barnacle, the artists were all excited this morning setting up. I actually walked down with a Starbucks coffee and sat on the porch of the great house and rocked in the rocking chair enjoying the scene. It should be a fun weekend. Don't forget to wear your mad hat, or any hat for that matter.

One final note: I noticed that the employees at Greenstreets and Lulu are all wearing hats and that's something great about those places. Sylvano Bignon makes sure his restaurants participate in everything. On Bed Race days, they wear pajamas, on 4th of July, they wear red, white and blue, and of course on Mad Hatter weekend, they wear mad and crazy hats. This is the way to go. Participate!

As for the mosaic mural, the main mural story is
here.

The unveiling of the mural story is
here.

And the Mad Hatter details are
here.

It's Mad Hatter Weekend in Coconut Grove

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I caught up with some of the Mad Hatter team yesterday getting ready for this weekend's Mad Hatter Festival. Bob Deresz and Alyn Pruett were getting the looking glass entrance to The Barnacle ready visitors.

That's Grove Ambassador Louis Del Borrello, in the center. You'll notice that Louis' booth in the center of town is decked out with a hat to celebrate the weekend. He and artist Audrey Scott made the large hat.

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My friend Larry Shane is a first time artist at the show. He is a fantastic photographer, stop by his booth if you can and check out his amazing work.

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I wrote about the Mad Hatter in more detail earlier in the week, you can get details here.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Meet author, and Grove resident John Jacobsen

Meet author John Jacobsen, author of "A Commodore of Errors, at The Bookstore in the Grove (3399 Virginia Street) tomorrow, Saturday, October 29 at 7:30 pm.

John will present a special book reading and signing of this first ever novel written about the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Captain John Jacobsen, a Coconut Grove resident, is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, who spent 15 years plying the world’s oceans as a ship’s officer on cargo and passenger vessels. Today, Jacobsen is a harbor pilot at the Port of Miami and the Chairman of the Biscayne Bay Pilots Association.

About the book, from the PR agency: "Commodore Robert S. Dickey is the outrageously supercilious title character. Watching him strut, plot, flaunt, and flout his way through the story is in itself enough to evoke mirth. Give him so memorable a foil as the indomitable Mrs. Tannenbaume, a “woman of unfortunate stature” to his critical eyes, who consistently manages to one-up him, thanks to an annoying ability quite beyond his ken, and the book explodes with moments sure to cause readers to empathize even if they’ve never set foot on a seagoing vessel. Including a supporting cast suitable to the outwardly starchy, secretly licentious environs of merchant mariners, the novel rollicks along with well-paced speed and plot turns. Drawing on his experience as a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and career as ship’s officer and harbor pilot, Jacobsen infuses his writing with old-fashioned, very sly hilarity based in the unintended vagaries of love, ambition, greed, meddling, and their various combinations."

Miami Money Expo being held at Mayfair Hotel

The Mayfair Hotel & Spa is hosting the Miami Money Expo on Thursday, November 3 from 8 am to 7 pm. From 7:30 to 9 pm, there is a "Mingle with the Stars Happy Hour" to end the day. A charity raffle fundraiser will be part of the happy hour.

This full day seminar will include The Money Man Report and the Jack B. Show, both live on The Biz on 880 am radio. Jack Bouroudjian and CNBC favorite will speak as well as Daniel Frishberg, Morris Vahnish and Jeff Garcia.

Learn about investing, about foreign currency markets, learn how to diversify your investments and so much more. And the best part is that there is no charge! A full day of info from the experts is on the house, but you do need to register, space is limited.

Register online here:
http://www.880thebiz.com/pages/WZAB_Form

Hallowpalooza is this Saturday; party for a cause

The Third Annual Hallowpalooza is this Saturday, October 29.

Hallowpalooza was started three years ago when Otto, Irene and Lucy wanted to throw a Halloween party. While planning the event they figured that it was a perfect opportunity to combine fun and a way to spread awareness on different charities that are close to their hearts. So here they are three years later passing on the word that: They’re Not Just a Party, They’re a Party With a Cause.

They chose the Shake-A-Leg Miami organization to donate the proceeds to this year because this past January Lucy's cousin Woody Beckham suffered a spinal cord injury while playing rugby. This accident has left him paralyzed from the chest down. This injury in no way shape or form has stopped The Woodman from being the amazing young man that he is and who he aspires to be. He is spreading awareness everywhere he goes and wants to give back to his new community.

Shake-A-Leg Miami is a local organization that uses the marine environment to improve the health, education, independence and quality of life for all with an emphasis on individuals with physical, developmental and economic challenges.

Have any questions or just want to know more about Shake-A-Leg Miami email Lucy at
lucy.foerster@gmail.com. If you would like to make a donation and can't attend she would be more than happy to let you know how to do so.

Hallowpalooza is at 2985 Aviation Avenue, from 9 pm to midnight, donation is which includes open bar, live (as opposed to dead) DJ (but it's Halloween, so you never know) and a costume party with great prizes.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Halloween Howler Regatta at Sailing Club

The Coconut Grove Sailing Club is holding it's first annual Halloween Howler Regatta this weekend. From October 28 through Sunday, October 30, the club has a whole Halloween theme featured.

The regatta is open to Green Fleet, Red, White and Blue Fleet, Lasers and Radial Lasers. There are breakfasts, dinner and a movie and an awards ceremony along with the racing.

To sign up for for more info, check out their web page
here.

Ease into Halloween with the Mad Hatter Festival

This weekend is Mad Hatter weekend in Coconut Grove. The Mad Hatter Festival is Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30. Hurricane Rina is not coming our way, so come out and enjoy the weekend!

Ground zero is The Barnacle (3485 Main Highway), where you'll enter to the sounds of the Coconut Grove Drum Circle as you enter the forest. As you come upon the great lawn out back, tents filled with arts and crafts will extend down to the water's edge.

Out front, easing out along The Barnacle entrance, from The Cloisters to Calamari, artists will line the streets with their wares.

The Chalk It Up! street painting festival has been moved from the lot next to Fuller Street all the way down to the Playhouse parking lot, so the Mad Hatter is basically contained to that end of town now, which is ironic, because the last festival was at the very other end of town, near Mary and Virginia.

The original Mad Hatter spread out around the Grove. Artists set up at various locations and as you walked the village, you would randomly come upon the art. This was nice and quint, but it seems to be more of a festival when contained to one general area.

The Barnacle is showing "Alice in Wonderland" on Saturday evening when the gates open at 7 pm for a 60th anniversary showing of the classic. The movie begins at 8 pm with no entry after 8:15. Movie tickets are $5 per person for ages 6 and over; $3 for ages 2-5; and free for ages under 2.

The Barnacle Society has also planned a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party as the opening reception on Friday, October 28 from 6-9 pm on the lawn of The Barnacle. This quirky lawn party celebrates the opening of the Mad Hatter Arts Festival. Guests are advised to bring their own teacup and follow the white rabbit through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole to The Barnacle to a Wonderland where Tea Party Fare will be served and there will be a cash bar. Wonderland-themed costumes are encouraged.

Reservations and payment for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party may be made at
http://www.thebarnacle.org/, cost is $30 per person.

Proceeds from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party will be used for the care and maintenance of The Barnacle.

And don't forget your Mad Hatter hat, which is required attire all weekend even if it's a yellow and pink polka dotted witches hat!

Chamber mixer held at Sandbar Grill last night

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Last night's Coconut Grove Chamber Networker was at Sandbar Grill, it was a fun crowd, many familiar faces were present and quite a few new ones. Above from left are Erica Kutner, Diana Ramos and Betty Alvarez.

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Gaea Garrity and Sandy Fernandez-Masciatti flank Eric Swensson, who is the newest Chamber board member.

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Rachel Hernandez, Melanie Carr, Bill Mickey, Sandy Fernandez-Masciatti and Marsha Dorris.

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From left: Tony Noboa, Chamber Prez, Andres Lemos, Sandy Fernandez-Masciatti, Marsha Dorris, Bill Mickey and Ken Drodvillo.

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Carlos Pena, Michelle Niemeyer, Mary MacDonald and Julian Rodas.

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Rafael Guiterrez and Sonja Sanguinetti.

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Michelle Niemeyer won one of the raffle prizes last night, with her is Andres Lemos and Eric Swensson of the chamber board.

Next month's mixer is at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel at the 8th floor skybar. It will be a can drive for Thanksgiving and the raffle for the Children's Mosaic tile art will be held. It will be Wednesday, November 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. The location for the Christmas party in December is still being decided. All the local restaurants want that one.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A week full of events at The Grove Spot

The Miami Police Department contributed to an episode of A&E's tv show, The First 48. The episode, "Caught in the Middle" will be broadcast on Thursday, October 27 at The Grove Spot (3324 Grand Avenue). Come out and watch along with the players and makers of the show, starting at 9 pm.

Thursday is also Pint Night at The Grove Spot, get your logo glass for beer specials all night.

Also at The Grove Spot, tonight, October 26, it's Latin Meets Jazz night, starting at 8 pm. The Jose Valentino Band and friends Gualo, Symphony Howlett and Lalo Kalavera are also performing.

Big Poppa E and the E Band are performing on Friday, October 28 from 8 to 11:30 pm. This is Blues from the heart with a soul.

On Sunday, October 30, enjoy a Dutch Caribbean-Indonesian a la carte buffet. Cost is $29.95 per person.

And of course The Grove Spot is the Halloween hangout for locals on every Halloween night. Come by, get out of the chaos and people watch from the front porch.

To celebrate Michelle Niemeyer's birthday (which is November 2), the Grove Spot is holding a party for her on Election Day, November 1. Michelle is running for District 2 Commission seat. Come out to wait for election results and enjoy live music and drinks. Party starts at 8 pm.

Grove Chamber mixer is tonight at the Sandbar

The Coconut Grove Chamber networker is at the Sandbar Grill (3064 Grand Avenue) tonight, October 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Enjoy a complimentary wine or beer with admission along with hors d'oeuvres. Additional drinks are at happy hour prices. As usual, there are great raffle prizes. The chamber networkers are fun because the Downtown Miami Brickell Chamber comes, too. So there are a lot of new faces and it's a great way to meet new people and promote yourself or your business.

Cost is $5 for Grove Chamnber members and $10 for non-members.

Photos of the last Chamber mixer at Siam Oishi are
here.

Please RSVP at 305-444-7270 or info@coconutgrove.com. Even if you can't RSVP, just show up!

Jazz at La Bottega on Friday night

Robert Grabowski will be performing an evening of Jazz at La Bottega on Friday, October 28.

Robert is a Jazz historian, educator, composer, arranger, WLRN DJ and bassit extraordinaire.

Robert has held the position of Adjunct Professor in Jazz Studies for over twenty years. During that time, he has taught the Evolution of Jazz courses and currently carries a course load of six courses a semester and teaches approximately fifteen hundred students every year. He has also written the text for the course, The Evolution of Jazz In America. He also produced the FIU Jazz Festival for ten years, featuring such artists as David Sanborn and Maynard Ferguson. He co-wrote and produced four National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters grants featuring Clark Terry, Nat Adderley, Louis Bellson, and Dr. Billy Taylor. He is an active writer and musician, having recorded six cds of his own work.

The latest, Deepest Blue, won rave reviews from the Miami Herald, you may here a selection
here at Youtube.

A wine reception will be held at 7:30 pm and showtime is 8:00 pm. Please call 305-444-3493.
Reservations are required. Cost is $30 per person and includes the wine reception. An A-la-carte dinner menu and wine list and bar service are available during the performance.
La Bottega is at 3540 Main Highway.

The Coconut Grove Rotary Club has a lot going on

The Coconut Grove Rotary Club has a lot going on. Did you know they meet weekly at the Sailing Club? I wasn't aware, but my friend Duane Crisp approached me at the Village Council meeting last week tell me about the club.

Upcoming events include the honorable Rev. Hodge of the Greater Saint Paul AME Church, who will speak at the October 27 meeting on the history and purpose of his church.

On Novemeber 3, Andrea Honore and Father Bernard Griffith of the Christ Episcopal Church will present a history of this long standing institution and the good works they do in the community every day.

At last week's meeting, the Grove Rotary had a joint meeting with the Brickell Rotary Club. Steve Arch introduced guests from Youth Empowerment Social Service, Inc. (YESS) Their goal is to empower failing students and help them pass the FCAT test. Peewee Football has been adopted by YESS to help promote scholastic achievement though football. Our award winning Coconut Grove Knight Riders are supported by Pop Warner Football.

There are 166 kids in the program from ages 4 through 15. It costs $100 per child to keep the program going, if you would like to help, please call Countess Balogun, President and Benefactor (305-582-9094) or Kim Chapman, Program Director (305-924-1778).

The featured speaker and guest of the Brickell Club was Karen Aronowitz, president of the United Teachers of Dade. Ms. Aronowitz presented the teachers concern regarding educational budget cuts in Miami-Dade County. Stripping away funding of the public school system would deter from having a vibrant school system which provides for a safe society. For example, the school libraries are not always open during school hours because the librarian has to teach classes and so help is available. That is the way it is now, what will it be like with further funding reductions.

These reductions further drive down what we provide for our students. Even though Florida ranks poorly in education, Miami-Dade ranks well nationally as a county. There are 21,00 teachers in the system working to provide the education which supports the democracy we all desire to keep.

The Rotary Club is preparing to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the needy on Thanksgiving Day, if you would like to participate, please email Duane Crisp at
ddcrisp@msn.com.

Also, ask Duane about Dolphins Rotary Day on December 4. October 31 is the last day to register for this.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

TreeWatch appeals tree removal on Florida Avenue

Coconut Grove TreeWatch has put in an appeal to save the trees on Florida Avenue, The Historic Preservation Board has received the appeal. As you know, many trees are slated to removal in the name of progress and sidewalk improvement. We feel it is all about the money involved in some sort of scheme called the Silva Cell method. Each Silva Cell will cost $7500 and the more trees that are removed, the more Silva Cells will be placed under the sidewalks. Plus there is the cost of the new trees, which are additional. Cha Ching!

Now it is up to the Capital Improvement Department (the ones who applied for the tree removal permit on behalf of the Coconut Grove BID) to either hear the appeal at an upcoming HEP Board meeting or revise the plans and resubmit them for a new tree permit application.

An interesting thing came up at last week's Village Council meeting. It seems that David Collins, Village Council member, is co-chair of TreeWatch along with Liliana Dones, this is a sub-committee of the Village Council. Liliana was concerned about the fact that David is also head of the Coconut Grove BID, the very entity that wants the trees on Florida Avenue and other areas of the Grove removed (he calls it replacing them). And therein lies the issue: Who is right? Who is wrong?

It was decided that David should remain as co-chair of TreeWatch because he believes he is doing the correct thing by replacing the trees, which he feels are damaged or sick, Liliana feels that the trees should remain until they die on their own, which honestly could or could not happen and if it does happen, it could take 100 years, who knows?

The real issue of course is the sidewalks. The BID feels that they need to be fixed because errant bricks are being pushed up by tree roots and the almighty Silva Cells will fix this.

Donna Milo, who is running for Commission 2 Commission seat, brought up the topic of "sloping sidewalks" when asked about the tree removal method at the candidates forum last week. She felt it was crazy and wrong to remove the trees and thought that in order to fix the sidewalks in the areas where the tree roots are coming up through the brick sidewalks, a gentle sloping method, which is quite common is the answer. This would allow room for the roots to grow and protect the sidewalks from root intrusion.

Things that make you go hmmm . . .

The District 2 Candidates for City Commission brought out a lot of people to the candidates forum at last week's Village Council meeting. But right after the forum, so many people jumped up and left, without staying for the actual Village Council meeting, which basically consisted of the choosing of the new members. It wasn't a very long meeting.

I found it a bit strange since people seemed interested enough to come out for the good of their neighborhood when it came to the Commission candidates, but they didn't care about the Village Council candidates. Two of the Village Council members (Michelle Niemyer and Kate Callahan) are running for City Commission. So it just seemed to make sense for people to stay and see how they conducted themselves at the Village Council.


It was the usual group who stayed, which I prefer simply because we all know each other and we have a good time there, but still, you would think the public would have a bit more concern for what is going on in the immediate neighborhood. After all, the Village Council is all about the Grove, the City Commission is about the whole city and not just the Grove.

It's just something to ponder. The Village Council does a lot of good and I wonder if people know and appreciate this.

Revisiting the 1960s at Pan Am Family Reunion

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Last weekend hundreds of former Pan Am Airline employees descended on Coconut Grove for a "family reunion." The big event was Saturday night at the Hanger Party which was at Shake-A-Leg in one of the actual Coast Guard hangers. That's Ken Drodvillo with one of the stewardesses from days past.

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The Pan Am family had a chance to mingle, enjoy great food and cool drinks along with stunning visuals from Pan Am's history. They danced to music from the 1960s. It was a very nostalgic night and a nice stroll down memory lane for so many.

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The group enjoyed seeing City Hall, the old Pan Am hanger, during the weekend and they toured the Coconut Grove area that Pan Am once called one.

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The Mutiny and Marriott Courtyard was ground zero for the Pan Am family over the weekend, with lots of partying and reminiscing going on.

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Photos by Ken Drodvillo

Monday, October 24, 2011

Half price deal for Halloween Night at the Museum

Dealtificate is offering a half price deal on Halloween Night at the Museum of Science which is Friday, October 28 or Monday, October 31.

The regular entry price is $80 but through Dealtificate today only, get in for just $39.

From Dealtificate: "It would definitely be bone chillingly spooky if you didn’t have somewhere to go to spend the evening dancing, laughing and partying with other witches, goblins and creatures that go bump in the night. The best place to be on Friday, October 28th or Monday, October 31st is at the Miami Science Museum. You see, on both of those nights they will be holding “A Night at the Museum” Halloween bash. The Friday event takes place from 9PM to 2am, the Monday event from 8 am to 1 am, each night filled Live Bands
(see website for Lineup) and DJs offering up lively music in formats ranging from hip hop, to techno, house, salsa retro and many more."

Plus there will be prize giveaways for the best costumes, free parking and five open bars so there is no waiting for your Halloween refreshment.

Sign in to Dealtificate and get the deal now
here.

All Girls Kite Night at Adventure Sports Miami

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Adventure Sports Miami is holding a ladies only Kiteboarding clinic. Certified instructors will be covering the basics of the sport plus offering complete kite lesson packages at a discount price.

They are pairing this event with a wine/cheese tasting. I know a friend who is perfect for this, it's right up her alley, the only thing missing is men! Anyway, the cost is $15 per person. This one of a kind event is Thursday, October 27 at 7 pm.

They're hoping you'll get hooked in the sport and at the end of the night everyone will receive a special code for a discounted Kite Lesson Package and they are going to raffle a free kite lesson that night.

Introduction to Kiteboarding- we will cover the following skills :

Site Selection- How to determine if your beach is the right location for kiting. Which parks and beaches are allowed for kiting in your area.

Gear Selection
1. Learn about the difference in kites - Bow x C kite x Foil
2. How to choose the proper size Kite, board and harness

Gear Set up - learning the kite components, part terminology and how to rig a kite.
1. Kite Components
2. Kite Inflation
3. Kite Flipping and Positioning

Control Bar
1. Upwind and downwind setup
2. Control Bar positioning
3. Line Separation
4. Line Connection

Kite flying skills (theory).
1. Operation and commands
2. Safety System

Please call Adventure Sports Miami with any questions and to RSVP at 305-591-3559.

Adventure Sports Miami is at 2750 SW 26 Avenue, next to Crook and Crook. There's plenty of parking and women of all ages are welcome.

Gran Fondo, the "big ride" coming in November

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The Gran Fondo USA bicycle event is coming to town on Sunday, November 20. Florida is its final 2011 destination and Coconut Grove is the actual finishing point -- at City Hall to be exact. This famous ride usually attracts about 1500 riders. Jan Ullrich, the 1997 Tour de France champion and Olympic gold medalist in Sydney is one of the participants in the Grand Fondo.

Starting at Coral Gables City Hall at 7:00 am, participating cyclists have one of three courses to choose from (100, 55 and 25 miles). Rest stops, especially for the long course, are situated at some of South Florida's best known tourist locations. The last leg of the ride runs parallel to the water, before concluding in front of Miami City Hall.

Gran Fondo’s are fun and exciting mass cycling events popular in Italy, a country that captures the essence and the romance of this sport. "Gran Fondo" means "Big Ride" in Italian.

Participation is open to both recreational and competitive cyclists enthusiasts, who love rides off the beaten path, excellent road service, well-furnished rest stops, and … a great atmosphere all along! All Gran Fondo USA events also feature a two-day expo, where athletes pick up the packets on Saturday and enjoy the post-ride pasta party on Sunday at the Expo Center in the Grove.

“We extend a warm welcome to the first edition of the Gran Fondo USA in Miami, a destination well known in Italy and where Italian products are icons of design, elegance and technology” says Marco Rocca, Consul General of Italy in Miami. “This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to introduce, through a sporting event of great appeal, a superb Italian industry still to be fully discovered. Thanks to the organizers of Gran Fondo USA for including Miami in their American Series 2011.”

“The success of our events is based on adapting the ‘Made in Italy’ theme to the American cycling community,” says Gran Fondo founder Matteo Gerevini. “We choose metropolitan areas with a strong vocation to our sport and committed to becoming Bicycle-Friendly Cities.”

Registrations are pouring from all over the world: Brazil, Canada, Porto Rico, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, UK, Singapore and 35 different states. The four events of Gran Fondo USA are now part of Star Events, a company based in Montecarlo with a portfolio of 30+ events worldwide in triathlon, cycling and running. The 2011 series also included Gran Fondos in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.


Here are the three routes:
Long 100 miles: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/664540
Medium 55 miles: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/694353
Short 25 miles: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/694245

Partial proceeds of Gran Fondo Colnago Miami will benefit
St. Jude Hospital Children’s Research Hospital.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Groovy Grove in all it's glory

Do yourself a favor, check this post out in New York Social Diary. It's about Coconut Grove. It has so many incredible photos of the past and present.

The photos by Augustus Mayhew and the State of Florida archives are magnificent. They jump off the monitor.

Helping the homeless cats in Coconut Grove

The grove neighbors who take care of homeless cats are holding one of their yard sales to raise money again this year. The dates of the sale are November 12 and 13 at 3147 Mary Street.

The group helps find home for homeless cats, also they have the cats spayed and neutered and bring them for vet visits, which all costs money, so the yard sale helps raise the money needed each year.

If you have anything you would like to donate (household items, pet items, clothing, etc.), please call Erika King at 305-448-1694. You can drop the items off or she'll arrange to have them picked up.

What next? A casino?

On Thursday night, the Grove Harbour Marina proposed expansion was brought up at the Candidates forum at the Village Council.

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff put down Michelle Niemeyer who is running against Sarnoff in the Nov. 1 election for District 2 Commissioner, for supporting a proposal to put in a three story building at the site a few years back, which has since been voted down.

But now, according to
an article in yesterday's Miami Herald, Sarnoff is in favor of another office building of three story height to be built on the Grove's waterfront. The National Parks Service wants to build an office building for themselves.

Amazing. This is a totally horrible plan (which is preliminary at this point) and the Herald says, "Sarnoff has been touting the Biscayne National plan as a potential bonanza for the city while insisting it would not significantly alter the Sasaki plan. Mayor Tomas Regalado is also supporting the Biscayne National plan."


The Sasaki plan is the Waterfront Master Plan agreed upon in 2008, which maps out the future of Coconut Grove's waterfront.

In this case, Niemeyer is totally against this plan. So it seems that Sarnoff felt it was ok to bring up the Grove Harbour project at last week's meeting, out of the blue, with large poster board to illustrate how he was right and Niemeyer was wrong, when secretly he had known about this other project but didn't say a word.

At Thursday's meeting, Sarnoff specifically said that this type of building belongs downtown and on Brickell. But now he and the Mayor feel it is a good idea to screw up the Sasaki plan and the Grove's waterfront by adding a 10,000 square foot building on the waterfront.

This new proposed building would sit where the Expo Center is now, which is where Burn Notice films. Sarnoff tried to throw out Burn Notice for the longest time because he insisted the waterfront needed to be seen and the building was blocking the water. But luckily Burn Notice won that fight due to lots of community support. Sarnoff, the lone hold out, was willing to throw out the cash cow, Burn Notice, in order to have a big expanse of grass. Now, all of a sudden, the three story buidling seems suitable for the area. Forget the expanse of grass now which was so important to him at one point?

Remember the pipes I told you about guys? First the three story building, next Bayside.

I ran into someone in Sarasota this weekend who was telling me how he used to visit the Grove all the time and loved it. He said he visited recently and was totally turned off by the way it has changed. It is not Coconut Grove anymore. It's sad the way things are sold off to the highest bidder. It's always about the almighty dollar.

First the trees are getting chopped down, in the name of progress, now this plan? What next casinos?

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Pan Am weekend in Coconut Grove

panam3
This weekend there are hundreds of former Pan Am airline employees in Coconut Grove for their big family reunion. They are all over the place. Ground zero are the Marriott Courtyard and Mutiny Hotels. I stopped by the Marriott Thursday night and it was full of people. As you drove up to the hotel, there were a bunch of guys directing parking with those orange batons you see at airports, the things they direct the planes with.

panam2
There's a big event tonight at the hanger at Shake-A-Leg Miami and it looks as if a lot of businesses in the Grove are getting into the act. I noticed that they have a lot of memorabilia at the Mayfair Antique Market. There are model planes, paintings, playing cards and lots of chotskis from Pan Am and other airlines, they are the real deal - some nice souvenirs for the visiting Pan Am crowd.

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The Antique Market is at the Mayfair Promenade. Open all weekend from 11 am to 6 pm.

Helping Zena

There is a fundraiser going on at M Salon today for Zena Friedman, she is one of their hairdressers who was hurt badly in an accident overseas. Story here.

Zena and her sister are home now and there are very high medical bills to pay. To help raise money stop by for a Tarrot card reading today by Cyndie from now until 1:30 pm. She's really good and you'll enjoy the mini reading.

Artist Eileen Seitz is selling some of her prints, too, to raise funds for Zena.

The M Salon is at 3098 Fuller Street.

"How to Live Forever" being shown at City Hall

The Movie Night series returns to Miami City Hall with the free screening of the documentary film “How To Live Forever,” by director Mark Wexler, who embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever. The film will be shown inside City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) on Monday, Oct. 24, from 7 to 9 pm.

Wexler explores the viewpoints of delightfully unusual characters alongside those of health, fitness and life-extension experts in this engaging new documentary, which challenges our notions of youth and aging with comic poignancy. The director sought advice from a host of sources, from 94-year-old exercise guru Jack LaLanne, to Buster, a 101-year-old chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathoner, to futurist Ray Kurzweil, and a laughter yoga expert. You can learn more about the film by going to the website
www.liveforevermovie.com.

Movie Night is underwritten by local sponsors and this film is brought to you by Coconut Grove Pharmacy and new partner O Cinema, the cutting-edge independent cinema located in Miami's Wynwood Arts District that specializes in showing first-run independent, foreign, art, and niche market films.

There is no charge for admission to this event and free popcorn will be served before the start of the movie. Parking is available at City Hall at no cost. Services for the hearing impaired are available with at least one day’s notice – please call 305-250-5331 to make arrangements.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Two new Village Council members chosen

Two new Village Council members were chosen last night to replace two members who stepped down recently. Michelle Barton King (left in the photo) and Jessica Lewis (right) are the two new members.

Others who applied for the position included Jodi Engelberg, Javier Gonzalez, Aislynn Thomas and Heidi Wilson. Jodi and Aislynn did not show up at last night's meeting, so they were immediately dropped from consideration, after all, if you can't make the one meeting to sell yourself to the Council, how can you be expected to show up at actual meetings? Plus it seems only fair that those who showed up should have the opportunity to serve.

All four spoke about themselves and then took questions from the council and then later the public. They were all really good and it was a hard decision, but in the end Michelle and Jessica were chosen.

It's interesting to note that the council now has two Michelles (Niemeyer and Barton King) and three Davids (Collins, Himmel and Wells).

The officers were mixed up a bit last night, too. Michelle Niemeyer is still the Chair of the Council, David Himmel is now the Vice Chair, Michelle Barton King is Secretary and Renita Samuels-Dixon is Treasurer, a position she already had.

The next meeting is Thursday, November 10, 2011.

It's Food Truck Friday!

The food trucks will be at the Coconut Grove Bank lot again today for lunch.

Ms. Cheezious, Mr. Good Stuff, The Health Nut on Wheels and Wrap It Up will be out from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Here's last week's event. Lots of fun.

Commission 2 candidates visit Village Council

The five District 2 City Commission candidates came out to speak at the Coconut Grove Village Council meeting last night. Each candidate spoke for five minutes and then the floor was opened for questions by people in the audience and also the Village Council members.

Candidates running are incumbent Marc Sarnoff, Kate Callahan, Michelle Niemeyer, Donna Milo and Williams Armbrister.

Grove issues that came up included the tree issue, where mature trees are being replaced around the Grove in the name of street scape renovation. Donna Milo who spoke first said that the City should have "Zero tolerance for knocking down trees," she said that the sidewalks should meander around the trees if they are in the way of making the sidewalks ADA compliant. To which the audience burst into applause.

It's interesting to note that the majority of the public is against the removal of any of the trees in the name of project.

Donna went on to explain a process where the sidewalks slope around trees to accommodate the roots, rather than pulling out fully grown trees to replant smaller trees to redirect the roots, which is the plan. "It's not rocket science, it's done every day!" She proclaimed, regarding the changing of the sidewalks without harming trees.

Kate Callahan explained that the house she lives in was built around a 350 year old oak tree. To preserve the tree, the house was literally built around the tree.

Michelle Niemeyer explained that she was the person instrumental in stopping the cutting of the trees on the SW 27 Avenue project. So she is totally against the mass destruction of trees in the name of progress.

Williams Armbrister was more concerned with the mess left in Village West when developers came in, knocked down everything in site and then vanished. He is against commercial development in Village West and said, "We are being sold out," regarding Village West. He said, "Something is wrong with the foundation at City Hall. The foundation is broken and needs to be removed."


Marc Sarnoff had a few posters explaining some of his accomplishments over the years that he was in office. He brought up the Mercy Hospital project, a large development that was proposed for the waterfront land (300 Bay residences) and the Grove Harbour building debacle (a large office building proposed for the Grove Harbour marina location) and how he voted against both. But to be honest, that is like apples and oranges since none of the other candidates were in his position when those projects were voted on or discussed. He did not explain why he wants so many trees removed in the Grove, which is the issue at hand now. But then again, no one asked him the question.

No one was thrown hard questions and it was quite civil. To be honest, I can't remember much of the other questions asked. One man in the audience asked all five candidates about FPL's nuclear power plant plans for Turkey Point. The candidates all showed concern about it being so close to large population centers.


Patrick Sessions, Village Council member, asked Marc Sarnoff about the Village Council being thrown out of City Hall a couple of years ago, which now does not allow them to be on tv or be in in a more professional or comfortable meeting place. Sarnoff said it was Mayor Tomas Regalado who threw them out, but the consensus has always been that it was Sarnoff's decision because he did not want the 3 am/5 am last call bar issue discussed and other things that might hurt him, like giving tv air time to those who might run against him.

I personally spoke with Mayor Tomas Regalado the night they were thrown out. He was not even mayor at the time, so it was strange that he would make that decision before even getting into office. When I spoke to him, he told me he didn't know what I was talking about, that he had nothing to do with that and he said something like, "I am being sworn into office tomorrow [as mayor], do you think I have anything else on my mind right now.

So who knows what the real story is. But most felt that Sarnoff did not want the Village Council to have tv time since he knew some of the members would run against him at election time, which turned out to be true with Michelle and Kate. At the time, it was actually believed that Patrick Sessions would be the one running for the Commission 2 seat.

No one brought up the ethics complaint that Michelle lodged against Sarnoff yesterday. It's interesting that the usually rowdy Grove crowd was quite subdued and major questions were not asked.

The candidates meet tonight, October 21, at another forum. The League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County and Open Media Miami will be holding a candidates’ forum for the commission seats for District 1 and 2 at the American Legion Post (6445 NE 7 Avenue) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Along with the five District 2 Candidates, will be Incumbent Wilfredo Gort and Shawn Selleck from District 1.Tell the candidates what you want them to talk about you may submit your questions to: news@openmediamiami.com, or post it on their Facebook wall at www.Facebook.com/OpenMediaMiami.

Early voting starts tomorrow, October 22, so this is a good opportunity to meet the candidates

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Niemeyer files ethics complaint against Sarnoff

Miami City Commission candidate Michelle Niemeyer has filed a complaint with the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Trust today regarding the misuse of public resources, specifically the employees and resources of the Downtown Development Authority, by DDA Chairman Marc Sarnoff for campaign purposes.

Ms. Niemeyer, an attorney and current Chairperson of the Coconut Grove Village Council, stated, "This action cannot be ignored. Our City suffers from a reputation for corruption and abuse of power which is harming our ability to attract and retain business and jobs for our residents."

Ms. Niemeyer's complaint has been copied to the State Attorney's office. Niemeyer will be giving a statement today at 5 pm at Niemeyer Campaign Headquarters, 3334 Virginia Street.

Investigation Miami
ran a story today regarding this. Ironically, they mentioned three of the other candidates running for the District 2 seat, but not Niemeyer in their article.

Village Council meeting tonight at Sailing Club

Candidates interested in filling the two empty Village Council seats will be presented tonight at the Village Council meeting. They are Jodi Engelberg, Javier Gonzalez, Michelle Barton King, Jessica Lewis, Aislynn Thomas and Heidi Wilson.

Just a reminder that the District 2 Commission candidates will be at the Village Council meeting tonight, October 20.

Each candidate will have five minutes to introduce themselves and then there will be ten minutes for questions and answers. The public will write their questions for the candidates, tuning in the questions and having the questions screened by David Himmel, Village Council member who is moderator of the forum.

The Village Council meeting starts at 7 pm and is at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive).

Halloween Autumn Bingo at Woman's Club

Wear your costume and come to The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove next Thursday, October 27 for their second annual Halloween Autumn Bingo night.

Current prizes include an authentic Romero Britto keychain, gift certificates from local businesses such as M Salon, The Loft, member donations such as Backinstyle.com and art by Club President Lisa Remeny plus lots of fun surprises. For the fifth time D & L Salon in South Miami is donating a valuable certificate. Prizes are still being collected and are welcomed from local businesses. Past prizes have been donated by businesses including Jaquar, Mr. Moes, Sandbar Grill, Seasons 52, The Bookstore in the Grove, My Yogart Bliss, The Titanic Brewery and Restaurant, and Wax On & Wax Off.

The clubhouse is located at 2985 South Bayshore Drive. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. The last game has a cash Prize of $500 if you complete the entire Bingo Card in 46 numbers. Finger food will be served and a cash bar will be available. Games will be played from 7 to 9 pm. Admission is $5.00 and cards are $1.00 each with a minimum of five games.

Proceeds from the quarterly games are dedicated to paying down the monthly mortgage incurred by a $250,000 renovation, including compliance with the ADA accessibility requirements, new landscaping and other interior improvements.

The clubhouse and grounds may be rented for weddings, receptions and other events by calling 305-449-2909.

The building was designed by noted architect, Walter DeGarmo, and built in 1921. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the City of Miami's List of Historic Sites. The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove is a private not-for-profit charitable organization founded on February 19, 1891, when Flora McFarlane, Miami-Dade County's first schoolteacher, gathered five other pioneer women to organize the "Housekeeper's Club". The name was changed in 1957.

For more information, please contact Diana Ramos at
mrsdramos@hotmail.com or leave a message at 786.488.5744.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Tweet Up at Lulu in the Grove on Friday

The New Times' Tweet Up this week is at Lulu in the Grove (3105 Commodore Plaza).

Stop by Friday, October 21 from 7 to 10 pm. Enjoy a complimentary cocktail and some tasty treats. There's never a cover charge.

Hoping the Thriller flash mob returns this year

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Remember last year's Thriller Flash mob? We're hoping it comes back to the Grove this year.

We know that the Thriller World group has been practicing all over Miami from venues on SW 8th Street to FIU. So hopefully, Coconut Grove will be one of the performance locations on Halloween. They did such an excellent job last year.

Maybe we should enclose the park in a glass case

An interesting issue came up not too long ago, that Peacock Park is being over used for events. The discussion was that there are too many events in the Park and this ruins the grass.

Is this the case? Should the park only be used for sports groups and nothing more? But even they get a bad rap for screwing up the precious grass. It was said that neighbors have been complaining. Complaining about the grass being tread on or complaining about the noise?


I suspect it was the noise more than the torn up grass, since the grass is always made new again after an event. If you look at the grass now, it is perfect after a weekend of heavy wear and tear due to the Grovetoberfest event, where thousands of people trampled it.

But should a park be left alone and not be used for events?

People were complaining in Merrie Christmas Park that time about the children playing soccer on the lawn. I find it so hard to believe that people seriously want to look, but not touch the parks.

Someone told me that Peacock Park is falling on hard times and it is allowed to get this way so that eventually it can be turned commercial and the glass house can become a restaurant and the whole thing will be renovated and handed over to developers. But we have the Waterfront Master Plan to keep in mind. Doesn't the park need to adhere to those plans?

And I don't see the park falling on hard times. It looks fine to me.

We're discussing it at Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/coconutgrovegrapevine

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Silent auction to raise $$$ for breast cancer fight

Badges of Courage and Blu Moon Studio invite you to a silent auction of new Badges of Courage... created by DASH Senior Fashion Design Class to benefit low-income women with breast cancer.

The auction is at Blu Moon Studio (3444 Main Highway, top floor) on Friday, October 22 , 7-10 p.m.


RSVP to: 305-794-0329. Admission is free.

haunted-happy-hour
Haunted Halloween at MiaSci

Two opportunities to meet candidates this week

candidates
Election day is coming up fast, on November 1, we'll be voting for District 2 Commissioner and this week there are two forums happening that will bring the candidates to the people.

Plan on attending one or both. Above from left are District 2 Candidates: Kate Callahan, Michelle Niemeyer, incumbent Marc Sarnoff, Donna Milo and Williams Armbrister.

First up is this week's Coconut Grove Village Council meeting -- all five District 2 candidates will be on hand to meet and greet the public and to debate the issues. This is at the Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive) starting at 7 pm, on Thursday, October 20. David Himmel, Village Council member, will be moderator of this event, as the Village Council chair, Michelle Niemeyer is one of the District 2 candidates.

Then on Friday, October 21, The League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County and Open Media Miami will be holding a candidates’ forum for the commission seats for District 1 and 2 at the American Legion Post (6445 NE 7 Avenue) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Along with the five District 2 Candidates, will be Incumbent Wilfredo Gort and Shawn Selleck from District 1.

Tell the candidates what you want them to talk about you may submit your questions to: news@openmediamiami.com, or post it on their Facebook wall at www.Facebook.com/OpenMediaMiami.

Early voting opens Saturday, October 22, so this is the perfect opportunity to meet the candidates and you have not one, but two opportunities this week to do so.

Grove Scuba is celebrating move with a party

Grove Scuba has a new home. They moved from their location on Mary Street to 2809 SW 27 Avenue, they are right next to Burger King. With this move, they are now the largest scuba diving store in Miami.

On Saturday, October 22, Grove Scuba will celebrate it's grand opening as well as introduce their new spear fishing and free diving items. Grove Scuba is Miami's only PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center.

Guests on Saturday will include marine businesses and organizations and there will be opportunities to win scuba gear and other great items in raffles and silent auctions. All proceeds will go towards Miami Children's Hospital and Miami-Dade Reef Guard.

Mayor Tomas Reglado will be on hand as well as folks from many local aquatic organizations like the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Immersion Free Diving, RJ Ventures and more. Ironically, I had heard about Grove Scuba's move before the move directly from the Mayor. He mentioned it at the Great Grove Bed Race this year.

The fun is all day from 9 am to 7 pm and at 7 pm, the grand prize will be raffled.

Parking is available in the Burger King lot, which shares the lot with the scuba shop.

If you have any questions or would like to reach Grove Scuba, you may do that at 305.443.1313 or
info@grovescuba.com.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Next Chamber networker is at the Sandbar Grill

The next Coconut Grove Chamber networker is at the Sandbar Grill (3064 Grand Avenue) on Wednesday, October 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Enjoy a complimentary wine or beer with admission along with hors d'oeuvres. Additional drinks are at happy hour prices. As usual, there are great raffle prizes.

Cost is $5 for Grove Chamnber members and $10 for non-members. The Grove Chamber holds these events in partnership with the Downtown Miami Brickell Chamber, so there are always a lot of new faces and people to meet.

Photos of the last Chamber mixer at Siam Oishi are here.

Please RSVP at 305-444-7270 or
info@coconutgrove.com

JCI's preparing to celebrate 35th anniversary

JCI Coconut Grove is having a party to celebrate 35 years on Wednesday, October 19 at the Peacock Garden Cafe (2889 McFarlane Road). Join the group for an evening of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

The suggested donation is $5.00 to help pay for the costs, it also helps support their annual holiday toy drive. Come for the networking, stay for dinner.

On Saturday, November 19, the JCI's are having a special members only exclusive event -- it's the 35th Anniversary Party at Stiltsville. Tickets are &75 per person (limit 2 per person).

If you are not a member of JCI, you can sign up at the social on Wednesday and you will receive a special email with payment information, better yet, bring your checkbooks/cash with you to ensure your ticket for the celebration.

Members of other Chapters and Friends of the Jaycees will be invited to purchase tickets following the social - so feel free to send emails now expressing interest to:
jcicoconutgrove@gmail.com.

Coconut Grove is the place to be for Halloween

halloween
Halloween in Coconut Grove is always the place to be and like every year, this year will be a lot of fun. Coconut Grove Halloween brings so many people out to the Center Grove and this year it will be a bit more fun with more going on. Bars and restaurants in the village will be having specials and the street closures will be a little bit larger to accommodate the crowds.

CocoWalk will be having a Halloween day for the kids on October 31 from 1 to 5 pm. Join their Halloween party for safe trick or treating. There will be live entertainment, face painting, a balloon artist and a costume contest.

One favorite event that is held in the North Grove, at Vizcaya to be exact, is put on by the Vizcayns and that is their annual Halloween Sundowner ball, which is Saturday, October 29 this year.

The first class charity event (to raise money for the upkeep of Vizcaya and the gardens) is from 8 pm to midnight. General admission is $150 per person.

It's a Halloween event, so costume attire, masquerade, satire and fancy dress are de rigueur.
Included in the price of the ticket is a free bar with premium liquors, two DJ's around the dance floor, There's a costume competition. Food is for sale around the grounds.
You may purchase tix online
here:

For more info, please call: 305-856-4866, ext.3.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Trivia Tuesday to benefit Shake-A-Leg Miami

Hallowpalooza is holding another Trivia Tuesday on October 18 at The Grove Spot (3324 Virginia Street).

Shake-A-Leg Miami is the beneficiary.

Shake-A-Leg Miami is the Coconut Grove organization that uses the marine environment to improve the health, education, independence and quality of life for all with an emphasis on individuals with physical, developmental and economic challenges.

Trivia night is at 7:30, cost is $10 per person.

Any questions or want to know more about Shake-A-Leg Miami email
Lucy.Foerster@gmail.com. If you would like to make a donation and can't attend she'll give you more instructions to do so.

Don't forget to follow Hallopalooza on twitter at @HallowpaloozaFL

They also have a facebook event page check it out and RSVP
here.

Grovetoberfest takes over Peacock Park



Grovetoberfest was an excellent event yesterday at Peacock Park. Thousands came out to the beer festival and what was amazing is that they paid to get in. The VIP line wound around the horseshoe area at the end of McFarlane Road and went up S. Bayshore Drive past the sailing club. The cost for this was $85 per person! Regular admission was $35 per person, and that line was non-ending, people were lined up to get in the whole time.

While people paid to get in, they also paid for food at the food trucks and other things once they entered. If only our Taste of the Grove could be so successful! Grovetoberfest was an amazing event, it was well organized, it happened fast -- people were in and out between 3 and 7 pm. In between they sampled lots of craft beer, enjoyed food and live music.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Protecting the Grove's tree canopy

Yesterday afternoon, one of our local arborists contacted me. I was told that some guy on Jackson and Virgina was "tree hacking."

I tweeted it out and got in touch with TreeWatch. They went out, so did others via the tweet, and the guy was stopped. He said he had a permit but he didn't. He was fined $500.00.

There is a Coconut Grove Tree Ordinance. The Village Council has it posted on their website as a PDF
here.

To be part of TreeWatch, please email them at
GroveTreeWatch@aol.com. They will tell you how you can get involved and help preserve the Grove's tree canopy. TreeWatch is about protecting the trees in the village, not killing and replacing them at whim.

Grovetoberfest is today!

Grovetoberfest is at Peacock Park today, October 15 -- 3 to 7 pm!

The schedule of events is
here.

There's an app for that, download the smart phone app
here.

And at 7 pm, after the festival, the afterparty starts at The Grove Spot (3324 Grand Avenue). They'll be featuring beer specials and authentic German cuisine like Sauerbraten with Spatzle; Knockwurst and Bratwurst plate; Braised Pork Loin in Kraut and salted potato. It's where the Grovites hang, join them!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Food Truck Friday hits Coconut Grove Bank lot

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There was lots of Food Truck Love today when the first Food Truck Friday happened at the Coconut Grove Bank parking lot. The whole bank building came out to enjoy and so did all the workers in the buildings around the general area.

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Lynn Cambest, Executive VP of Coconut Grove Bank, was all smiles and thumbs up. He was thrilled at the turn out.

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Christine Woll, the bank's Marketing Director, in center, was all smiles, too. This was her idea and she plans on expanding it to more trucks and possibly having it later in the day, around happy hour time, so that people from other areas of the city can come and enjoy.

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Ms. Cheezious, Mr. Good Stuff, The Health Nut on Wheels and Wrap It Up were out from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.

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Tables were set up and the bank already has cement tables and umbrellas there usually, so it was a nice cozy way to have lunch on a nice Miami low humidity day.

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The trucks were thrilled and they told me that they enjoy being in the Grove and would love to be here every chance they get.

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For now it seems, many of the food trucks have Food Truck Friday as a regular event date on their calendars.

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Stop by next week if you can. There is something for everyone.

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Our favorite is always Ms. Cheezious, but there were plenty of other choices and it should get better and better as the weeks go on. Originally I thought that the parking lot company, Paradise Parking was throwing the event, but Coconut Grove Bank can take credit for the whole thing. And they did an excellent job of coordinating this.

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