Christmasing up the Grove

Pearl and her crew from The Blond Tulip florist, at Mayfair, were setting up the Mayfair Christmas decorations this week. They created lots of new wonderful things that are going up all around the Shoppes of Mayfair, even the back garage entrance on Florida Avenue has some spectacular decorations to welcome guests. There are big wreaths all around the area. This one particularly huge wreath is going up above The Bookstore entrance.

The usual Mayfair Christmas tree is going up next week, so as not to interfere with the Art Basel goings on this weekend at the Atrium. The cool weather is making it feel very holiday-ish.


I found myself getting into the act by helping Louis Del Borrello, the Grove Ambassador (below), decorate his hut in the center of town (whether he wanted me to or not). He tells me that more than just the Christmas lights, he is going to add candy canes and other holiday items.

"Art Starts in the Grove" is back for another year

Coconut Grove is joining the Art Basel weekend again this year with "Art Starts in the Grove," which is Saturday, December 3, which will be during the First Saturday Gallery Walk.

The Mayfair is ground zero from 7 to 10 pm. There are three main events. Manuel Carbonell sculptures will be displayed at one end of the Mayfair Atrium. Carbonell, who recently passed away at age 93, has been compared to Rodin, Henry Moore and Brancusi to name a few.

He's considered the last Cuban modern master sculptor. People like Gloria Estefan and Burt Reynolds collect his work. His work is at the mouth of the Miami River at the Brickell Bridge.

Patrick Farrell, well known Miami Herald photographer, will have his award-winning photographs shown at the Hunter Gallery, I passed by today and they were hanging the work. Many of his Haitian works will be recognized by Herald readers. Patrick won a Pulitzer Prize for the featured Haitian work.

Duncan McClellan's blown glass (shown here) is a popular feature each year at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, and it's featured at the Festival Gallery this weekend and through December. Duncan's work won Best of the Best at the Arts Festival. His newest pieces will be on display. He uses a one of a kind process which enables imagery inside and on the surface to juxtapose combined images and articulate a complete message or idea.

All of the Coconut Grove Galleries will be open for Gallery Walk on Saturday night.

There will be live music, food and lots of art to see, it's all open and free to the public on Saturday night.

FHP and City of Miami PD taking it to the diamond

Remember the FHP stopping the city of Miami police officer last month, which started a squabble between the two departments? We'll they are taking their squabble to the Grove this weekend, to Peacock Park to be exact -- in a softball tournament.

That's right, the L.E.O. Softball Tournament is Saturday, December 3 at Peacock Park, where the two agencies will battle it out on the baseball diamond. Game starts at noon.

Anyone who attends the softball game is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit local charities.

Fixing Coconut Grove?

Successful businessman, Refresh Miami Guru and Grovite, Brian Breslin has some ideas on how to help the Grove turn it's luck around. He has it posted in his blog here in a post called "How to Fix Coconut Grove (and Miami)."

Snow Days is back in the Grove this December

Snow Days is back again in Coconut Grove this December. There will be two Snow Days, each on a Saturday.

The first one is December 3 and it will be held at the Mayfair Promenade (2911 Grand Avenue), the second one is December 10 when snow will fill the streets of the Coconut Grove Playhouse parking lot (3500 Main Highway).

Both Saturday events are free to the public and will be held from noon to 3 pm. There will be plenty of holiday fun including face painting, a petting farm and a special visit from Santa, who again is expected to make his entrance on a rickshaw, Coconut Grove’s version of a sleigh.

I liked it on Virginia Street and Fuller Street, it was more village-y, but I guess they are trying to save on the exorbitant city service fees and there are none at the Mayfair and the Playhouse lot. Either way, the kiddies will have a ball, it's always a fun event.

Food on the move; but I don't mean food trucks

Three words for Coconut Grove: Pop Up Cafes.

Know what they are? They are temporary restaurants that take space at empty storefronts or restaurants spaces and they are quite popular all around the country. Downtown Miami has one called Phuc Yea! It's a Vietnamese place.

They sort of come in and out like the Halloween and Christmas stores do in malls and such. I think this would be the answer to many of the Grove's empty restaurant spaces. A restaurant can come in, serve a food style that is not already here, perhaps, and it will livin up the restaurant scene by keeping the neighborhood fresh.

I know many restaurants don't like the Food Trucks and this might be similar, but it isn't really because the pop up cafe would have more licensing regarding their existence and they would be part of the community on a regular basis until they are ready to pack it in and move on.

The same can be done with pop up galleries, perhaps during art Basel week, which will increase the Grove's presence regarding the art scene.

Groupon offering half priced Ghost Tours

Have you seen that Groupon has Coconut Grove Ghost Tours Featured? The walking tour is only $26, which is half off. The tour starts at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, which I feel is haunted, and apparently Ghost Tours Miami, the ghost tour people do, too and it will cover from 9 to 12 sites in the area.

This expires August 8, 2012. It makes a great holiday gift for the person who is hard to buy for, reservations must be made in advance, so you or your guest can go any time they like, well actually, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, when the tours are held.
For info, please call 786-236-9979.

If you are not a Groupon member, you can sign up for free here.

Miami Marine Stadium featured at luncheon

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce is having a Power Luncheon on Wednesday, November 30 at the Chart House (51 Chart House Drive).

Don Worth, Co-founder of Friends of Miami Marine Stadium is the guest speaker.

Designed by architect Hilario Candela in 1963, the Miami Marine Stadium located on Virginia Key was originally created for boat racing.

During its 28 years of operation, it hosted races, concerts of all types, political rallies, Sunrise Easter Services, even boxing and wrestling matches I think I remember Phil Donahue even doing one of his talk shows there once. The Stadium was shuttered in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew-but it was never damaged by the Hurricane. It has sat vacant ever since.

Formed in 2008, Friends of Miami Marine Stadium has worked to advocate for the Stadium's restoration. The structure is now designated historic by the City of Miami and has achieved international recognition through inclusion of the National Trust For Historic Preservation's "11 Most Endangered List (2009) and World Monuments Fund Watch List (2010). Friends of Miami Marine Stadium will soon be presenting a plan to the City of Miami to restore the Stadium.

A long time preservationist, Don Worth is a former member of the City of Miami Beach's Design Review Board. Along with his wife Nina, he created in 2007 a series of architectural exchanges between Miami and Shanghai, China, which culminated in the book and photography exhibit, "Art Deco in Shanghai and Miami Beach" with all photographs taken by Deke Erh, China's first freelance photographer.

The luncheon is from Noon to 2 pm; cost is $30 members/$40 non-members. Please rsvp to info@coconutgrove.com

News from the kiosk front . . .

Just in time for the holidays, Johnny Valdez has taken over and expanded the kiosks at the Mayfair Promenade. Paul left and we were in need of a sunglasses cart and Johnny has filled that void. So in the same location, there are sunglasses now.


Johnny also has a lot of costume jewelry, small gifts and scarves and he'll be opening a new cart soon, with clothing. And there are some radical changes going on at his Artway66 Gallery, that I think will make people happy when the new digs are revealed.

It's a small community inside the larger community

Coconut Grove is a very small community, and inside this small community are so many other small communities and one that I really like is the gym. I usually go at the same times during the week and so do the people I see there, so it's the same group of people that see each other most of the time and I like that.

I especially like going early on Saturday mornings. I usually go between 7:30 and 8:30 am, for those of you who are my Facebook friends, I'm sure you see me checking in at those times. I like it then because there aren't many people there and the people there are the same familiar faces week after week, which could get boring, but it's not. I sort of look forward to seeing these people.

There's Sandy there and then in comes Larry and Erin and Joe are in that corner and it's just such a familiar thing. Plus, when you're at the gym that early, you don't have to wait to use the equipment and everyone has their routines and we stay out of each others' way, not on purpose, but it just has a special rhythm to it where we just do our own thing and co-exist.

I go to the gym one or two other days during the week, usually after lunchtime, and again, there are the same people there, not the Saturday morning people, but the same after lunchtime people. And I find the whole dichotomy of the whole thing quite interesting. It's a little village inside the larger village of Coconut Grove.

Black Friday? How about Small Biz Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is November 26, the day after Black Friday.

On this day, everyone is asked to shop locally, you know, the mom and pop businesses in the neighborhood, which is easy to do in Coconut Grove, since that is the bulk of businesses here.

Forget Walmart and Target and Macy's on Small Business Saturday, consider buying your holiday gifts at The Bookstore in the Grove or Out of Africa or Palm Produce or any of the great art galleries we have. Spend money locally.

This is the 2nd annual year for this campaign and if everyone would just shop locally this one day, it would make a very large impact on small businesses.

American Express is offering a $25 gift credit if you sign up using your Am Ex card and use it at a local business on Saturday. The info to sign up is here.

Kampong Twilight Tour enchants for the holidays

The Kampong is presenting it's Holiday Twilight Tour and Open House. On Saturday, December 10, spend an enchanted afternoon at The Kampong (4013 S. Douglas Road).

Tour the historic home and garden and see some areas previously not open to the public. Get ito the holiday spirit with holiday music and refreshments in the courtyard overlooking Biscayne Bay, one of the most magnificent views in Miami.

The special Twilight Tour/Open House is from 4 to 6 pm. Guided Tours begin at 4:15 pm, or you may explore on your own.

Limited tickets are available to the general public, they are $40, children (ages 3-10) $10. Please call 305.442.7169 or email kampong@ntbg.org for tickets and info.

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Theatre moves to FIU area

I had written about The New Theatre needing to find a new home. They lost their space in Coral Gables and had been trying to find a space in Coconut Grove, with the help of some friends. For two years they tried to work something out with Grove landlords, but it was not to be.

According to this article in The Miami Herald, The New Theatre has found a home out west near FIU. Good luck to them. It's a shame the Grove could not accommodate some culture. I see so many empty storefronts that could have been used as a home for The New Theatre in Coconut Grove.

It's always two steps forward and three steps back in Coconut Grove when it comes to quality of life for neighbors and support of the business community. Even Cutler Ridge (Cutler Bay) has a performing arts center now and Coconut Grove has little to no culture. I know there is talk of movement at the Playhouse, but it will be years before anything is done there.

The New Theatre is opening Chambers Stevens’ "Twain and Shaw Do Lunch" on December 2, which could have been here.

Congrats to The New Theatre and the Roxy Theatre Group who came to their rescue.

Illuminating Stiltsville



Shake-A-Leg Miami in partnership with Ransom Everglades School and The Stiltsville Trust is presenting Stiltsville Illuminated.

This is a private reception on Tuesday, November 29 to benefit the children of Shake-A-Leg and The Stiltsville Trust for the preservation of the Stiltsville Houses. It's a truly unique art experience on Biscayne Bay with award-winning artist Matt Stock. Experience Matt's photographic process of painting with light in the dark.

After attending medical school, Matt realized that that was not for him, his true passion was photography, not medicine. He started pursuing his career in photography by studying at the renowned Miami Ad School in Miami Beach.

Tuesday's events include a private reception with artists at 4:30 pm at the historic Coast Guard hangar at Shake-A-Leg including Matt and Rebecca Kyourac, Lebo, Joyce Nielsen and the "Bridge Project" to name a few.

At 6:15 pm, a boat departs for Stiltsville and the tour shows off the illuminated artistic presentation. At 9 pm, the boat returns to land.

Tickets are $250 per person and are limited. They may be purchased online here.

Rotary presents The Great Grove Treasure Hunt

The search for fun and treasure in Coconut Grove is Saturday, December 10. It all starts at the Sandbar Sports Grill (3064 Grand Avenue).

Register between 11:30 am and 1 pm the day of the event and join your mates and other scallywags with $10 Bottomless Bloody-Mary’s or Mimosas and two fabulous breakfasts for just the price of one.

You’ll be given a treasure map leading you on a Grove Treasure Hunt for fun, great grog and great treats, plus treasure tickets for dozens of fabulous raffle prizes.

Then from 5 to 8 pm, join the "Grab-Some-More-Booty-Party” at Mr. Moe's (3131 Commodore Plaza). While they replay the day, you'll get Grub 'n' Grog specials, live music and the big drawing for all the loot!

The cost is just $25 at the door or $20 in advance by signing up here. All proceeds go to The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove Foundation to help our Coconut Grove neighbors.

For more information call Kelly Smith @ 305-302-9342.

Transmitting Divinity exhibition at Dharma Studio

Come meet, listen and study with Tibetan-born Karma Phuntsok during his Miami visit to Dharma Studio (3170 Commodore Plaza). The studio will be showing his work on site and will host a free reception of his art on Saturday, November 26 from 7 to 10 pm. The exhibit will be in the studio until December 11, 2011.

This is also the second anniversary of Dharma Studio and the start of Art Basel. While here, Karma will present an informal talk and Q&A on Tibetan Buddhist practices, as well as a 2-day art class, where he’ll guide students in creating their very own Thangka painting.

Karma Phuntsok's unique and dynamic expression of contemporary Buddhist art is at once steeped in ancient Tibetan culture and at the same time completely breaks free from strict cultural norms and rules. His art and life are reflections of each other. His paintings ooze compassion, humor, confidence, deep thought,peace and strength. Stare long enough at any piece and you will continue to see something new and thought provoking.

On December 11, at 7 pm, there will be an opportunity to hear Karma Phuntsok give an informal talk about his life and work, featuring a question and answer session.

December 10, and Sunday December 11, four total sessions will be held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 3:30 pm each day. Karma will teach a traditional Tibetan Art Class at Blu Moon Art Gallery (3444 Main Highway) The cost is $160, Space is limited. Sign up and pay online at http://dharmastudio.com/news.htm

Please call or email Lorre at 305.461.1777 or email Loree@dharmastudio.com for more information.

Gran Fondo bicycle race comes to town

The Gran Fondo bicycle event passed through part of the Grove on Sunday. Above from left are Lily Tapia from Miami, Dennis Phipps from Team Werx Miami and Andre Willins from the British Virgin Islands.

Over 1300 riders enjoyed the race, which started in Coral Gables and ended at City Hall, right here in Coconut Grove, where a little biker village was set up.


Photos by Rafael Gutierrez

Gifford Lane Art Stroll opens poster contest

The 14th Annual Gifford Lane Art Stroll will take place Sunday March 18, 2012. A Call for Artists will start in January. To get things rolling, they are announcing the Second Annual Gifford Lane Art Stroll Poster Artist Contest. Once again, the winning artist will receive a free booth space and all the recognition they can bestow upon you.

The winning design will be used for the t-shirt, poster, postcard and all promotional materials for the 2012 Gifford Lane Art Stroll. Last year's winner was Karen Deilke, whose winning image is shown here.

The rules are as follows:
Must be signed original artwork.
Art is to be submitted via email to giffordlaneartstroll@gmail.com
Art should be sent as attached jpeg files (300 dpi or better)
Deadline for submissions is December 31, 2011
The winner will be notified no later than January 31, 2012

Where old is allowed to be old; and worn

The Coconut Grove TreeWatch appeal to save the trees on Florida Avenue will be heard by Historic Preservation Board on December 6 at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) at 3 pm. Which got me to thinking.


I am in Boston and Cambridge right now and as I walk these old streets, I notice so many of the sidewalks are brick and while there are cobblestones in some areas, which are a couple of hundred years old, I don't think the red brick sidewalks are that old, yet they are sturdy and serve their purpose.


Many areas are uneven, yet hundreds, perhaps thousands of people walk on them daily and no one here in New England is knocking down trees or putting in new sidewalks. The roots do their thing in Boston and Cambridge and they are allowed to without repercussions, namely public works projects. Even here, the sidewalks are coming up, without any tree roots pushing them up, it just happens. But it's ok, it's part of the quintness of New England.


This is Paul Revere's house in the North End of Boston, which was built in the 1600s, he lived there in the 1700s, but you'll notice the cobble stone streets which I am sure were not replaced and are the originals from when they were put down, maybe in the 1800s.


Boston's Freedom Trail is red brick. It's a trail that leads you through the old area of the city. You follow it and pass by so much U.S. history, it goes right by the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house, can you imagine if Boston decided to take out the bricks and redo them on a whim?

Christmas trees arriving at Boys & Girls Clubs

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is once again selling Christmas trees and wreaths this holiday season not only to spread cheer, but also to raise funds for its many programs serving 10,000 boys and girls in Miami-Dade County year-round. For over 35 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade has been helping to bring joy into many South Florida households by selling Christmas trees and wreaths.

One hundred percent of proceeds from the sales of trees and wreaths will benefit the clubs.

The trees, beautiful Fraser firs from North Carolina, stand five to 14 feet tall and sell for $55 and up. Plain and hand-decorated wreaths will also be for sale, starting at $35.

On Monday, Nov. 21 at 4:30 pm, the clubs at 2805 SW 32 Avenue, will hold a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at the tree lot to kick off the 2011 selling season. Santa Claus will make a special appearance at the event to visit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade children in attendance. Also at the ribbon cutting will be local dignitaries.

Christina is back in the Grove, where she belongs

I ran into Christina walking down the street the other day, green hair and all.

She wanted me to let you all know that she is back at Allure Salon (3405 Main Highway). After a brief move to Virginia, Christina realized she can't stay away from the Grove.

“I never knew how much I was a true Grovite until I moved up North. There’s no place like Grove!”, said Christina.

Stop by Allure and say hi. As a sign of appreciation to her loyal clients, she’s offering 15% off any of her services which include haircuts for men and women, color, keratin treatments, and the best blowout in town!

Please call for an appointment: 305-461-0020.

Development for Village West has been approved

City Commissioners unanimously approved the Grove Village proposal to bring retail and condos to Grand Avenue in the Village West.

Many feel that the project will bridge the West Grove with the East Grove and make it one walking village. I think this is true.

Many neighbors in the area are concerned about being displaced but the area is a mess now due to the removal of so many of the apartment buildings that lined Grand Avenue. I understand the concerns of the Grove pioneers (the Bahamian families that moved here so long ago), but sometimes progress is a good thing. How can people complain about gleaming new stores and buildings and possibly a supermarket.

Publix has been in and out and I'm not sure where they stand now, but this will be a good thing if it is kept low density and employees most in the neighborhood who want jobs.

It's take so long already, this thing could drag out for years. The Herald has a story in more detail about the City Commission meeting.

Gran Fondo is here; the bicycle event of the year

The Gran Fondo USA bicycle event, which is making its Miami debut, is this Sunday, November 20. Miami City Hall is the finish line for this incredible race. Mayor Tomas Regalado and other dignitaries will be at City Hall to welcome the finishers. There is also an all-day bicycle expo at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

The race starts 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.

“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.”

There is no competition in Miami's race so anyone can feel comfortable riding. The online registration is closed, but they are accepting walk up registration at Miami City Hall from 10 am to 5 pm at the Expo event on Sunday.

Racers from Brazil, Canada, Porto Rico, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, UK, Singapore and 35 different states are all participating. The US debut of the Gran Fondo in San Diego in 2009 drew 3500 racers, so this is quite a large event. 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.

Give us some free parking already!

Hollywood, FL is considering offering free downtown street parking to accommodate visitors who otherwise would not visit. It helps the downtown restaurants, bars and shops according to this Herald article.

It is a dream of so many to have this in Coconut Grove. I was watching tv and can't remember what show it was, but a lady who was hit with parking tickets were flabbergasted that she got parking tickets since she said she came from Houston where she had never paid for parking before.

If Houston, Texas can do it (and Sarasota, Venice and other areas of Florida), it's a shame that Coconut Grove can't do it. I know so much of the money goes to the BID, but if the BID wants to help biz in the Grove, perhaps giving up the parking money on one or two days a week (how about weekends), it might be worth it for all businesses.

Lots of delicious sweets, along with lunch, at "FFF"

A few of us met up at Food Truck Friday (FFF) last week, at the Coconut Grove Bank parking lot. The lovely Yepes sisters, Stefanie and Natalie served up delicious gelato at the Dolci Peccati gelato truck. I got the Chocolate-Raspberry cone.

You know what would be nice? A truck that served up New York Egg Creams!

Before that I got one of my favs, the Orale! burger at the Mr. Good Stuff truck. My friends got the same and some of the guys I know from Sony, too. It's a burger with jalapeno peppers, guacamole and lots of other stuff. Delicious.

We all went to the cement tables outside the bank entrance, under nice big shady trees and enjoyed lunch. The bank is planning on adding some more tables soon.

I had Facebooked and Tweeted out that I would be there, so it was nice to see so many people who said they showed up because they read my messages online.

Food Truck Friday is there every Friday, of course, from 11:30 am to about 2:30 pm.

Winners of La Plume writing contest announced

MCA Academy and the Bookstore in the Grove are hosting a reception and awards ceremony for the winners of the La Plume Middle School writing contest on Friday, November 18 from 7-9 pm at the MCA Academy (2911 Grand Avenue).

Refreshments will be served and copies of the winning essays will be presented. A commemorative book will be signed by the contestant/winners.

More than 50 Grove middle school students entered short stories and were judged by a panel of professional writers:

- Megan FISHMANN, publicist at Algonquin Press and writer
- Amy IGNATOW, children's author, illustrator and cartoonist ("The Popularity Papers" series)
- Laurie JENNINGS, 3 time Emmy award-winning reporter and main anchor on Local 10 News
-Aubrey POOLE, Sourcebooks editor
- David SMILEY, a Miami Herald reporter.

And the winners of LA PLUME Young Writers' Contest are:

Honorable Mention:
- Eric CAI for "Mind Tricks", 7th grade
- Thomas DE MAISONNEUVE for "A Birthday Wish", 8th grade

6th GRADE
- First Place: Margaret Lucy FARRELL for "A Mixed Up Fairy Tale"
- Second Place: Stephanie BAILEY for "The Adventure Of Milly"
- Third Place: Sofia ANTUNES SIEDEL for "For Sale"

7th GRADE
- First Place: Ryan GUILLEN for "The Shady Man"
- Second Place: Annie FARRELL for "Hall Of Mirrors"
- Third Place: Ashley LEMUS for "Isis"

8th GRADE
- First Place: Max CARVAJAL for "Strange Visitor"
- Second Place: Maximilian KONCZA ODDONE for "Reawakening"
- Third Place: Sarah LIPSHULTZ for "The Unexpected Ending"

GRAND PRIZE
Massimo TARRIDAS for "The Talking Furniture"

The reception is free and open to the public.

CocoWalk fashion show tonight

"Sabrina" being shown at The Barnacle

The Barnacle is presenting the 1954 classic movie Sabrina on Sunday, November 20. The movie stars Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. It will be shown under the stars out back on the big lawn.

Twice a year free outdoor movies are shown as a thank you to members for their support. Support The Barnacle, join The Barnacle Society, come out and enjoy this classic 1955 movie on the grounds of this historic home, this movie is only open to members.

Gate opens at 6 pm, movie starts at 7 pm. Memberships are available at the door and start at $20. Picnics encouraged. Chairs, blankets, and coolers welcome. Flashlights recommended. Sorry, no pets.

The Barnacle is located at 3485 Main Highway in downtown Coconut Grove. For additional information contact 305-442-6866 or visit www.TheBarnacle.org.

Chamber networker held poolside at the Sonesta

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce held it's November networker at the Sonesta pool area last night. From left: Yvonne Rosemeier, Patrick Whiteside of Get Signpost, David McBurnett, of Outpatient Detox, who ironically won a bottle of Tequila in the business card auction, and Isa Salvador of CleanSkin by Isa.


Marshall Steingold of Miami Maps, Tiffany Field and Curtis Crider, manager of the Sonesta Bayside Hotel.


Guests were treated to a full bar poolside, on a beautiful fall evening.


The four tile mosaics, part of the Children's Mural Project were auctioned off at last night's event, too. For months, people have been buying raffle tickets.


Winners did not need to be present to win and unfortunately for those at the mixer last night, all four winners were not present. Everyone who was there was hoping to leave with a piece of art, but to be honest, the pieces were so heavy, people were wondering how they would lug them home if they had won. Above are Eileen Seitz and Cyndy Hill, the project coordinators for the mural project, along with Ron Nelson and Andres Lemos, drawing the lucky winning tickets from a bowl.


James Girson, law student; David Alegre and Douglas Mercado of Sustainable Restoration.


Capt. Assad and Sonja Sanguinetti.


Lisagay Kahn and Gerry Brierre of Camarena; delicous food was passed around during the evening. Ceviche, mini quesadillas and mini pigs in a blanket were just some of the goodies.


The Sonesta pool is one of the great areas of Coconut Grove, with probably the best scene of Sailboat Bay below. The poolside cabanas are always a great meeting spot, lit up in the night.

The kitty cats thank you; so does Erika

Erika King tells me that the raised over $1500 in last weekend's yard sale for they stray cats in Coconut Grove, she says that most people came out due to the write up we did here in the Grapevine, so that's great!

Erika wants to thank you all for stopping by and buying the items and the baked goods. She plans on doing it again next year. I suggested in six months, but she says the cooler months are better and it's a lot of work. So see you next year!

Donate to the food drive and save 20% on gifts

Brenda's Boutique (3444 Main Highway) has started a food drive. They're collecting non-perishable food items to be distributed in the Miami area.

For every food item you bring in, you will take 20% off an item in the store. The more you bring in, the more items you can save on...There is no limit!!

Help your community & SAVE on your Christmas Shopping.

(Also, feel free to simply donate, even if you wouldn't like to shop).

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The first of the Christmas decorations is up at The Bookstore in the Grove, I caught Felice getting up the little Christmas tree the other day. I think there are some ornaments near the register, too. But soon the whole store will be decorated for the holidays. The Bookstore is also coming up on it's 4th anniversary this month. It's hard to imagine Coconut Grove without The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street).

Where would we have so many of our meetings for upcoming events? The whole Great Grove Bed Race is planned here. And what about waffles on Sunday and the great oatmeal and coffee? And oh yea, the books, there's plenty of books!

Grove Ambassadors on the job 7 days a week

With the tourist season starting up, it's nice to see there are Grove Ambassadors on the streets seven days a week now. Audrey Scott works weekends and Louis Del Borrello works weekdays. They're both my friends so it's nice to see them out there whenever I walk by. This couple, visiting from England were so happy with Audrey, that they said, "When you come to England I'll be your personal Guide."


This lady was looking for a sim card and something else for her phone. I guess Audey sent her to one of the phone stores in the Grove, not sure where else she could have gotten that stuff in the village.


This lady was interested in getting to South Beach and Louis was telling her how to get there by bus. She ended up taking the Grey Line double decker bus tour, so she could hop on and hop off when she wanted.


The hop on, hop off tour is $39 for a full day. Louis and Audrey sell the tickets right there from the info booth, they can accept credit cards or cash and they just punch it all up into the computer and print out a receipt and hand out the ticket.


The buses stop at Grand Avenue near Virginia Street. Now is the perfect time of year to sit atop in the open and enjoy the tour.


Both Audrey and Louis are always prepared with maps and info as they walk around the Grove so anywhere a tourist, or local, needs help, they are there for them. The Grove Ambassadors are sponsored by the Coconut Grove BID.


Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt and Tom Falco