Thursday, September 27, 2012

Gone fishing

gone-fishin-print
I have decided to end the Grapevine, but maybe not totally end it, I don't know yet. What I am doing is stopping daily publication for now, only because I feel that I have other things I need to do and I believe that you physically have to shut one door to have another door open. I want to immerse myself into the cartooning world and so that is what I am going to do. I plan on traveling often, my first trip is to New York for the New York Comic Con, where I can mix and mingle and pick up tricks from other cartoonists. I need to promote myself and my comic, Tomversation, full time. While I bought a 4-day pass, I was also given a press pass, so I will be covering the event for publication, maybe for the Huffington Post.

I could keep the Grapevine up and running, but not on a daily basis, but I feel that would be doing it in a half-assed way. I don't want to do that. I have tried hiring photographers and writers but it doesn't seem to work. So rather than run the thing into the ground, I will take this break, most likely it will be final, but I am a Gemini and I change my mind often, so maybe I'll start it up again in a few months, we'll see. There are almost 9000 stories here believe it or not, all done in the 7.5 years we've been up and running, so you can always go back into the archives and have a laugh or two if you feel like it.

I won't be going far though because I will still have my presence in other publications as I always have like at the Huffington Post, The Miami Herald, the Examiner, Salon.com and other places, including Tomversation.com where I have my daily comic strip, but also, I have a blog there. If you look at that page, you'll notice the cartoon is at the top and the blog below it, so even if you don't want to read the cartoon, you can always follow me through the blog, where I talk about personal things, social media and cartooning.

I will be in town, I'm not disappearing. I'll be at the Pumpkin Patch this weekend and Grovetoberfest and the Gallery Walk, next month, I am just not just publishing the news on these pages.

I will keep the Grapevine Twitter feed @grovegrapevine going and the Facebook fan page (http://www.Facebook/coconutgrovegrapevine) so that I can post photos and event notices and things like that whenever I have them, so I won't totally be out of the loop. That is where I'll probably post the Grovetoberfest photos or the Pumpkin Patch photos. I'll sometimes just post random photos, I posted one of amazing clouds and the sunset last night and it got over 100 likes, so people seem to enjoy that.

And if that isn't enough, you can personally follow me on Twitter at @Tomversation or at Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Tomversation. It's a fan page, so you don't have to ask to be a friend, you can just follow any time you feel like.

Yes, I'm all over the place, but I have been all these years, you just may not have known it because it flows very seamlessly. I just post various things in the various publications, pages, and sites that pertain to those sites and subjects. I also have Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr, I guess you can eventually find those sites if you look.

I never realized how busy I was before, I run a full time business on top of all this and for many years was on every committee in town, for six years I was even my condo's president. But now it's time for me to take time off from a lot of this and go off and do new things. Again, if you care to keep up with me personally or with Grove events or whatever, you can do it all via the social media sites listed above and when I have stories published in other publications, I'll share the links on the social media sites so you can read me if you feel like it.

Until my next tweet . . . 

Solo exhibit of Tony Mendoza at Rodez Gallery

Pregnant Birds
In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month Rodez Art Gallery presents a Solo Exhibit of Tony Mendoza’s Idioms Series.

Tony is known for his whimsical and colorful work celebrating life in Miami’s Little Havana.  In this series, he has applied his distinctive vision to literally portraying the imagery of common Spanish and English language idioms. Discovering in the process that what is said in everyday conversations can inspire truly humorous, compelling and surrealistic illustrations.


Faceless
In his colorful work Tony pokes fun at life.  He sees humor in all things, thus compelling the viewer of his artwork to take matters-at-hand a little less seriously.  His creations have the ability of making people forget their headlong race against time, obliging them to stop, observe, smile and yes, to even laugh out loud.

The vernissage will be held on Saturday, October 6, during Coconut Grove Gallery Walk from 7 to 10 pm.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday and Saturday, Noon to 10:00 pm.

The Rodez Gallery is at CocoWalk, 3015 Grand Avenue, suite 237. Tel: 786-467-7111.
The Devil's Daughter getting Married

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The falling leaves

I'm going up north in the next week and that made me think of fall leaves. How about if we truck in lots of fall leaves, dump them in Peacock Park and let people jump around in them and play in them for a fee? Or even for free? It's sort of like Snow Days, but with leaves, it could be called "A Taste of Fall."

I heard that Snow Days won't be back this year but that Fete de la Musique, is coming back. I'm not quite sure why we can't have it all. Snow Days is a popular fun thing. I am told that there's only so much money to spread around by the BID these days and I feel they made a bad choice in choosing one event over the other.

Let's bring families to the Grove at Christmas time. I understand Fete is culture and it may be great to have all sorts of musicians all over town performing, but if it's the difference between Snow Days or the  Fete de la Musique, I would choose Snow Days. Add more snow, make it a bit larger, but keep the popular tradition!

Remember that Cirque du Grove which we had on July 4th weekend for a couple of years? There was a night time fire show and a daytime acrobatic show, right out on the streets, all for free. Well we didn't have that this year because the money went to the Fete de la Musique, which again, was fine but the Cirque brought more people and was different, exotic and something we could claim as our own.

I don't get it. But where the BID is concerned I never get it.

Kids casting call for "Cinderella" at Conservatory

cinderella-casting-call
This Saturday,September 29, The Miami Conservatory of Music is hosting an Open House and Casting Call for "Cinderella" from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Recital Hall next to the Improv (2911 Grand Ave). Emphasis is on both, singing and acting. Keep in mind, this is an acting class, there is a fee to join.

They need young people. There's a fee to participate, and kids will be taught acting, singing and dancing by veteran performers. The play will debut in April. Rehearsals are on Saturdays at the Conservatory. This is ideal for young aspiring actors who could use a Broadway Show credit on their resumes.

The casting call is for all roles. Everything from Cinderella to the evil stepsisters and the handsome prince! The Conservatory is licensed to produce Disney events and plays. Info at http://www.miamiconservatoryofmusic.com/ or 305-442-2283.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The only wine event you need to attend this week

It's amazing to think that the best wine tasting in town is at El Carajo, the gas station!

It's time for their monthly Wine Flight Dinner called, "Fall into Pinot." It's Wednesday, September 26 from 6 to 8 pm. If you don't do any other wine event in the Grove this week, and why would you? this is the one to attend. Go here and you won't need to attend any of the other copycats.

On the menu:

- Course 1 -
Rockerfeller Mussels baked with Spinach & Cheese
Franz Keller Pinot Blanc ‘10

- Course 2 -
Mushroom Salad in a Wine Demi-Glace
Remoissenet Pere & Fils Bourgogne ‘09

- Course 3 -
Parmesan Veal Scallopini
CrÅ« Vineyard Montage ‘09

- Course 4 -
Dr. Pepper Lacquered Duck over Sweet Potato Mash
Domaine Serene '09

- Dessert –
Brie Baked Dates
Vin Santo del Chianti '07

This casual, yet elegant dinner includes several off-the-menu courses paired with great wines, each expertly chosen to enhance every plate. Local wine educator Barry Alberts will be floating around the dining room discussing and answering all your questions about the night’s wines. 

This fantastic menu was prepared by Luis Barbosa (Head Chef) and Micheal Cespedes (Wine Steward).

El Carajo is at 2465 SW 17 Avenue.
Cost: $60 per person Tax & Gratuity not included
Please RSVP at least one day in advance at: 305.856.2424.

The more things change . . .

The more things change, the more they stay the same in that they constantly change.

I met a man and his wife last month, they stopped me on the street to tell me they live in North Carolina, but read the Grapevine every day. They originally were from the Grove, in fact, the man told me that his grandfather was one of the first homesteaders of the Grove. He opened the Kress 5 & 10 in 1933 and they owned and still manage buildings and stores in the Grove.

The man was telling me all about the Grove back in the day, which was well before his time, but I guess his grandfather and parents told him of the way it was. He told me that the area all near the 5 & 10, which is where Jaguar, the restaurant is now, was pine trees, he said it was all one big pine forest in that area, from the post office on down the block.

I have friends whose family has been in the Grove since 1931 and they tell me about having goats and chickens in the yard off of 32nd Avenue, which was basically farmland then.

The man who stopped to talk was a bit upset about the streetscape plan and the trees being removed and replaced he wasn't crazy about that and he enjoyed the fact that I would write against it in the Grapevine, but it made me think, didn't his grandfather have to remove the pine forest to put in the 5 & 10 store? And all those buildings he owns in the Grove, wasn't that the same? Didn't they have to take down trees to put them in?

I didn't tell him that, but it's interesting to think that the world did go on, even though his family removed that pine forest, and I guess we'll go no with the new smaller trees installed around the Grove. The guy promised to send me some old photos of the pine forest and what it looked like on Grand Avenue back in the 1930s. I hope he still does. That would be interesting to see.

Monday, September 24, 2012

TEDx Coconut Grove is at Ransom on Friday

Nelson Dellis, speaker
After months of planning, TedX Coconut Grove is happening this Friday, September 28 at the Lewis Family Auditorium at Ransom Everglades. The program is from noon to 9 pm. 

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.

Speakers include Nelson Dellis, a memory champion and Alzheimers activist. He has developed a passion for memory training and has noticeably improved his memory.


Producer and Musican Emilio Estefan is also a spearker, also Thelma Gibson, Nurse and activist; physician Joe Greer will speak, he is founder of Camillus House. Best selling author and trail attorney James Grippando will speak and the list goes on. 

The Introd to TEDx is at noon and then speakers will begin starting with Greg Cooper, a Ransom teacher who teaches US History and US Government. They will go on until 6 pm, when there is a dinner break, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Then the speakers will go on from then until 9 pm. There are four sessions with the dinner break in between.

You can see the full list of speakers and schedule and purchase tickets here. They are close to selling out, so there will be no onsite sales. Adults are $50 and students $10. This includes admission to all four sessions and includes dinner, which is provided by many local restaurants.

For more info: info@TEDxCoconutGrove.org

Ransom Everglades is located at 3575 Main Highway. 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

It's a slow moving September, which is a good thing

It's very quiet in the Grove these days, for lack of a story today, I was going to re-run something from the past, which I may end up doing one of these days soon. Fall is here (as of yesterday), so things should be kicking in, but I don't really see much going on.

I hear that Snow Days is no more and that is a shame since that was one thing that set us apart from other areas. That was always fun. Grovetoberfest and the Pumpkin Patch are coming up this month and next month, but it almost looks as if the Grove has sworn off events, but not really because the last big even was the Great Grove Bed Race which was earlier this month.

Usually September flies by, but for some reason, this month has stalled, which, I think is a good thing, because who wants their life to fly by? It's hard to believe that the Bed Race was this month, it feels like it was so long ago and we still have a week to go in this month! Love it. Slow September.

I'm off to the gym and then to Buena Vista Deli in Midtown, to meet some friends for breakfast. I've been branching out of the Grove a lot lately, to enjoy other things. I was at Roaster n' Toasters, across from Dadeland, yesterday, which is next to the old Borders Books, which will become Trader Joe's soon.

When I brought up Trader Joe's the other day, I wasn't trying to put down the Pinecrest location meaning that the Grove was better. I just know that for years, there were serious talks with Traders Joe's about coming to the Grove. I was asked to not say anything by those involved in the talks and I just don't understand how that ball was dropped on that. That's all. We never seem to close the deal around here when it comes to things like that, but the good news is that once the door is open in the county, who knows where Trader Joe's could end up next. Oh, and the Grove location was possibly part of the big project in Village West where the Publix may or may not go, so either way, there was no way Joe's was going to end up there anytime soon since the ground has not even been broken yet in that area.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Mayfair Hotel & Spa completes fall renovation

mayfair
The Mayfair Hotel & Spa has had a major upgrade. This is from their press release: 

The Mayfair Hotel & Spa is unveiling a new look this fall with an all-suite renovation, debuting fresh, vibrant rooms along with upgrades to both the Jurlique Spa and rooftop deck, named Above Mayfair Pool Lounge. Officially re-launching on September 21, the iconic 179-room boutique South Florida property will feature enhanced guest experiences and amenities to complement the picturesque Asian gardens and sanctuary. 

 “The Mayfair is an iconic South Florida hotel with an incredible and storied history,” says Saun Lightbourne, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing for Mayfair Hotel & Spa. “In an effort to return to its former glory, the hotel upgrades highlight the unique ambience and character of the property. We are inviting our guests and South Florida locals to experience the new energy and rediscover the Mayfair in the heart of Coconut Grove.”
mayfair3
The Mayfair Pool Lounge has undergone a makeover to enhance the vibrancy of the property. The 15,000-square-foot space features a bar area comprised of a floating cabana roof and planks of teakwood while a serpentine bench built into the parapet wraps around a fire pit. Eight private cabanas gaze over the pool, each offering unparalleled panoramic views of the Miami skyline. Setting the mood for a relaxed vacation, staycation or night out on the town, Above Mayfair combines the energy of South Florida with the refreshing atmosphere of Coconut Grove.

Exuding leisure and relaxation at every turn, the Jurlique Spa creates a tranquil getaway in a bustling city. Jurlique’s 4,500-square-foot space offers new bedding, cosmetic technology, comfortable lounges and amenities. New menu highlights include the rejuvenating Tangerine Mimosa Massage and Skin Balancing Facial leaving skin radiating. 

Spartico Restaurant, the casual Roman-Centric Trattoria by celebrity chef Jonathan Eismann, is set to re-open in October 2012. Situated within the hotel, Spartico is a casual, pizza-centric spot that uses only the highest quality products to create dishes with great flavors at reasonable prices.

For more information and reservations, visit mayfairhotelandspa.com or call 305.441.0000. For news and updates, visit Mayfair Hotel & Spa on Facebook and on Twitter @Mayfair_Miami or @SparticoGrove. 


Save 51% on Grovetoberfest entry

Grovetoberfest is coming to Peacock Park on Saturday, October 13 and now is your chance to save big on the entrance fee. What is usually $69 to enter is now only $34 on Groupon. Save 51%! This is the "Beer Socialite Package."

Grovetoberfest fills the park with beer lovers and beer makers. Over 200 kinds of beer are available to sample by the breweries who make them. There are workshops, cooking demos and lots of other things. It's a fun day and a perfect October event.

The $34 gets you:
1) General-admission ticket, which includes samples of every beer
2) One-hour early entry starting at 3 p.m.
3)Custom Beer Socialite pint glass
4) Custom bag

Get your Groupon here.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Ritz-Carlton celebrating 10 years in the Grove

The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove, is celebrating 10 years in the Grove on October 8, 2012. To celebrate this major milestone, world travelers and local guests are invited to partake in the festivities and reap the rewards with a renovated lobby lounge, 10 year commemorative event and $10 specialty priced meals, cocktails, spa treatments, and more over celebratory dates in October.

Hues of blue, violet and green inspired by the lush Coconut Grove landscape and bay front surroundings, sweep through the renovated lobby lounge showcasing, plush couches and low lying end tables, overlooking the cascading fountain boasting a prism of iridescent colors, designed by Coral Gables hospitality design company, Gettys. This is the new Lazuli Lounge, the hotel's newly renovated destination. Cocktail seating, framing the living room setting and dining tables by the grand fireplace adorned with Grove-inspired artwork Lazuli is a blue gemstone, Lapis Lazuli, which is the namesake of the lounge.

On select dates throughout the month of October, guests are invited to book overnight accommodations for $108.02 per night, in tribute of the original October 8, 2002 anniversary date. Reservations required by phoning Dana Gardner at 786.470.1209. Two rooms maximum per reservation and based on availability. Available dates include October 10th, 11th, 21st through 23rd and 28th through 31st.

Ten overnight guests staying during the month of October will find a 14K white gold, ¼ carat, brilliant diamond pendant necklace under their pillow.

Spa treatments at The Boutique Spa, offers choice of Sapphire Massage (50 minutes), Sapphire Facial (50 minutes), Signature Coconut Cove Manicure (30 minutes) or Signature Coconut Cove Pedicure (50 minutes) for $10 each.Reservations required by phoning 305.644.4684. Six of these $10 spa treatments are available every Monday through Thursday in October at 10 am only,based on availability.

Under the tutelage of the Executive Culinary Team, Bizcaya rolls out a limited-edition, three-course celebratory menu every Tuesday in October for just $10. Hidden inside one menu each night will be a note that reads, “Cheers to 10 years with a complimentary bottle of bubbly!” Only five reservations for parties of two are available each night the $10 three-course menu is offered. Reservations may be made by phoning 786.470.1227.

Hotel and local guests are cordially invited to the unveiling of the renovated lobby lounge and fountain terrace, boasting a sultry outdoor ambiance with oversized couches and fire pits and 10 year celebration with complimentary signature cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres from the new Lazuli Lounge menu, Champagne toast, DJ and vibrant performances throughout the evening. Wednesday, October 10, from 7 to 10 pm. RSVP required by phoning 305.365.4528 or via email at Clayton.Mcrory@ritzcarlton.com. Complimentary valet parking included. Cocktail, chic attire.

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami offers highly personalized service in an intimate setting, the 115-room boutique hotel. Set on four acres of lushly landscaped gardens, the hotel features Bizcaya with award-winning cuisine Chef Khaled Ibrahim describes as simple chef-crafted cuisine infused with Mediterranean influences, the stylish Fontana Lounge overlooking a cascading waterfall, 6,000-square-foot Boutique Spa and 24-hour Fitness Center, recently renovated pool deck featuring four new private cabanas and dining pavilion, grand ballroom with its own private entrance, meeting rooms and much more.

For more information, please call The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami at 305-644-4680, toll free at 800-241-3333, a travel professional or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

The Scotty's Saga goes on

Scott Wessel, owner of Grove Key Marina and Scotty's Landing, owes back taxes on the property, according to Miami-Dade County, but he is suing the county to get out of paying. Sort of reminds me of a certain presidential candidate who doesn't like to pay taxes.

Anyway, the Herald has the story here, but to follow that up, even though Wessel says he does not owe the money, Al Crespo has found some interesting paperwork that shows Wessel just may owe the taxes, $2.5 million worth.

It doesn't appear as if any money has ever been spent at Scotty's on the food, tables, bar, walls or roof. As Wessel rakes in the money on poor service and terrible food, he doesn't feel the need to give anything back.

Prime waterfront property for free. Nice if you can get it. But then again, when you lease or rent from someone, in this case, it's the City, isn't the landlord responsible for paying the taxes? Isn't the this part of the monthly rent, passed on to the person renting the space? Why didn't the City ever arrange the monthly rent this way?

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Art embodies wildlife at Colors of the Wild exhibit


The Zoological Society of Florida and Coconut Grove Gallery & Interiors are presenting "Colors of the Wild," featuring the art of local artist Janet Mokher. It will be a fun time where "Art embodies wildlife."

Enjoy delectable canapes, a tasting of various regional red and whitee wines and meet wildlife ambassador Ron Magill who will have some of Zoo Miami's incredible animals with him!

The event will benefit The Zoological Socity and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Miami. 

$10 donation per person is suggested. The event is Thursday, September 27 from 6 to 9 pm.

Please RSVP to Karlyn Lang at 305-255-5551 x 138 or klang@zsf.org.

Things we don't have . . .

So added to our list of things we don't have, Pinecrest is getting a Trader Joe's next year. Of all the places in South Florida, Pinecrest was chosen. It's a bit upsetting because there has been talk of putting a Trader Joe's in Coconut Grove for years, there was more than just talk, I know that some folks from the county and the Grove were in communication with Trader Joe's for years. Another upsetting thing is that when I asked someone in the know and with the power to possibly make it happen, they just brushed it off saying that it won't happen because Trader Joe's has no desire to come to Miami. As my old boss in advertising used to say, "If you don't ask, you don't get." We never ask around here.

So now it's no big deal to run down to 92nd Street and US1, where they plan on building the store, I run down that way often to go to Roasters 'n Toasters and I run to South Miami to Whole Foods. And I run to Dadeland to shop, other than The Gap, you can't buy a pair of pants around here, as another friend tells me. This is just another thing we'll have to leave the hood for.

I've never been to a Trader Joe's where you had to drive to it, I go to them in New York and Boston and San Francisco, but they are just there, you know, you're walking by and you enter. Here it will be a destination that you drive to and that was the reason it would have been a super thing for Coconut Grove, the destination bit, about people literally getting into their cars and driving here to go there.

But now that Miami is on the map regarding Trader Joe's, maybe we will be soon, too. Who knows . .  

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Branding Miami destinations and the arts

I wrote about the Grove's art community dwindling away. Grove Ad Man Bruce Turkel, recently wrote an excellent article on the arts in his blog. The article is called "5 Ways To Brand Miami, Destinations, And The Arts."

The five ways are to preserve, protect, promote, price and pleasure. The five "P's." It's a great idea and I think Miami does an excellent job of promoting the arts, only Coconut Grove seems to have a major problem in this area.

There's this stupid show I watch on Bravo called, "Gallery Girls." It's dumb, but for some reason, I am drawn in and maybe because it's all about art and galleries and young people in New York trying to make it. This past Monday's episode was about the girls all coming to Miami for Art Basel, which was of course filmed last winter during Basel. This was an important element in the show. The whole thing takes place in New York, but they felt it was important enough to come to Miami to film Basel.

Back to Bruce's blog post, I especially like Bruce's father's little exercise on Jackson Pollack, which showed Bruce at a young age that art is special and not something that just anyone can create.


Here's Bruce's post, enjoy.

Something that sounds silly, but I've said it before is that when I am adding items to the Calendar of Events, I hardly use the music or art icons anymore, when a few years back, they were the most used. There are just not many cultural events to list anymore.


What does Wynwood, South Beach and the rest of Miami have have that the Grove doesn't? And for the person who keeps leaving stupid comments saying, "We need dance clubs!" You are more than welcome to start one, who is stopping you? Oh, you want others to spend millions of dollars for your enjoyment? It's not gonna happen, so please stop being annoying.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Poker Night coming for Act4Me charity

The Act4Me Chairty Poker Tournament is back. This year, the 5th annual event will be held at the Coconut Grove Woman's Club (2985 S. Bayshore Drive) on Wednesday, October 17.

There are over $5000 in prizes. Act4Me is a local charity that distributes financial assistance to local families, whose children suffer developmental delays due to a neurological disorder and are in need of additional income to pay or supplement payment for the treatment and care of their child with special needs.

The Buy-in for before the tournament day is $100 for $1500 in chips
the Buy-in on tournaments day is $125 for $1500 in chips
There is an add-on on tournament day of $50 for $500 chips
and you can re-buy at $150 for $1500 in chips.

The tournament starts at 8:00 pm and registration starts at 7:00 pm.

This tournament will have a captain at each table that will play the tournament and will be the official dealer. All the rules and pre-registeration may be found online here

For more info: contact@act4me.org.

Florida Avenue tree update

trees1
So here are a couple of before and after photos of the Florida Avenue trees. It actually doesn't look too bad. It looks cleaner without the trees.

trees4
This is the corner of Mary and Florida, at the Mayfair.

trees2
And here is the front of the Mayfair Hotel, which was a big concern, but while the large tree was beautiful, this is not bad. The tree is here above, and gone, below.

trees3

I have a friend who about 7 years ago, saw The Shoppes of Mayfair dumping palm trees because they were growing too high! So he got the trees and replanted them in empty spaces on the sidewalk, like shown below, you know, it was a big square box of dirt with nothing else. Now his palm trees are about 30 or 40 feet high. I was thinking as a joke to replant a tree in each one of these empty boxes on Florida Avenue each night, so when the work crews came in, trees would be sprouting up. But they probably wouldn't even get the joke.

trees5

Monday, September 17, 2012

Chef lineup for Grovetoberfest announced

Milam’s Kitchen Lab was a huge hit last year at the Grovetoberfest at Peacock Park, it showcased culinary expertise using craft beer. This year Milam’s Kitchen Lab is stocked with four new chefs and more culinary creations.

The chef lineup includes:

1. Michael Schwartz from Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
2. Chef Andre Bienvenu from Joe’s Stone Crab
3. Chef Lou Ramirez from Lou’s Beer Garden 
4. Michell Sanchez from Latin House Grill 

And Nedal Ahmad from Pincho Factory plus, a special appearance by TV Personality, Chef Ralph Pagano.

Grovetoberfest is from 3 to 7 pm on Saturday, October 13, again at Peacock Park.


Pre-purchase tickets by visiting www.grovetoberfest.com or calling 305-461-2700.   

$39 – General Admission

$69 - Beer Socialite Package – Early Entrance, commemorative glass and souvenir tote

$89 – VIP – Early admittance, access to the VIP Lounge, complimentary food, a commemorative beer glass and special selection of high-end beer.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Is Scotty's going to pay the back taxes or not?

Did you see Al Crespo's latest on the Grove Key Marina and Scotty's Landing? According to Al and his delving, the City is not requiring Scott Wessel of Scotty's Landing to pay the 17 years of back taxes he owes even thought the County's Finance Department wants the money now. 

Is this a bunch of crap or what? I love Al's headline, one of my favorite phrases: "Govern Yourself Accordingly." His story and documentation is here.


I owe taxes too, how about wiping mine out and my neighbors' taxes and everyone's taxes?

For a City that is on the brink of bankruptcy to overlook this and deliberatly not try to collect back taxes is a total joke. 

When I am a day late sending sales taxes in to the state they are on my ass! What is wrong with our City? How much more corrupt can it get? The cops can't even afford uniforms and they are letting this happen? Do you know how much good the 17 years of back taxes could do?

Lots of Coconut Grove deals at Groupon


There are a bunch of great Groupon deals running now pertaining to Coconut Grove. 

A Tropical Bay Brunch Cruise is available for 50% off, now starting at $36.00 each.

And Confucio Express is offering 50% off food - $15 for $30 worth.

Our favorite Italian place in the Grove, Focaccia Bistro has 50% off -- $25 for $50 worth of food.

And La Fenice Salon and Tiano Salon's also have great deals.

One of our favoties is the half off the Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival. It's only $16 for two adults and two kids with this deal. Over 1000 have been bought already! Looks like the Pumpkin Patch is going to be a huge draw this year.

Check them all out at Groupon now.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Art Live coming to the Coconut Grove Expo Center

The former Wynwood Art Fair, now called Art Live 2012, is going to be held at the Coconut Grove Convention (Expo) Center from October 26 through 28.

it's an interactive, performance based "art happening," and fair where artists will share their creative process.

Performing artists and exhibitors will show and sell their art to raise money for the Lotus House. Admission proceeds of the fair will benefit the Lotus House Women's Shelter, providing shelter, sanctuary, education and resources to empower homeless women and children to build safe, secure lives off the streets. 

Cost of admission is $10 for adults and children over 13, $5 for children under 13 and free for children under 3.

An Evening Pass for Friday and Saturday, after 5 pm is $20 and a full Fair Pass for all three days and nights, excluding the Vernissage, is $50.00.

The Friday Launch Party: 7:00-11pm 
    
Saturday, General Admission: 11am-5:30pm
Evening Festivities: 5:30pm-11pm

Sunday, October 28 
General Admission:  11am-6pm

For more info, the website is: http://artlivefair.org/

Yacht racing season starts today

Sail Miami Now is inviting everyone to come out for the first One Design Race of the new Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association season today, starting at 11:30 am at the Coral Reef Yacht Club (2484 S. Bayshore Court). The Race Committees have fixed expenses and need minimum particiapation for these races to make economic sense.

Sail Miami Now is a new organization dedicated to continuing the long history of One Design Racing on Biscayne Bay. Newbies are more than welcome.

Sail Miami Now is all about sailboat racing on Biscayne Bay. They are an active community. They are boat owners, crew, and people who just love to sail. Their goal is to have fun, show people what they do out there on the water, make new friends, and generate even more involvement in the local racing scene. 

Join their Facebook page here for more info.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Save the date for Solar Dogs' CD release party



The Grove's own Solar Dogs is having a CD releast party for their new CD "Bone to Pick" at Scotty's Landing on Saturday October 27 -- save the date!

They'll be performing, along with some very special guests. Merchandise giveaways and more are planned for the evening.  The concert is 6 to 10 pm.

Ritz-Carlton hosting Women in Hospitality

The Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association is hosting a Women in Hospitality Breakfast Panel at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove (3300 SW 27 Avenue). The breakfast is Tuesday, October 2 from 8:30 to 10:00 am.

Featured panelists include:

-Jacqueline Volkart, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
-Peggy Benua, General Manager, Dream South Beach
-Laurence Dubey, General Manager, Viceroy Miami Hotel & Resort
-Florencia Rotemberg, General Manager, JW Marriott Hotel
-Julie Grimes, owner, Doubletree Grand by Hilton, will moderate the panel. 

Cost: $40/Members; $60/Guests
Table sponsorships available: $500 (table of 10)

RSVP is required to Megan Tague at mtague@gmbha.com or 305-531-3553.

For more information visit www.gmbha.com.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Great American Songbook is Saturday

Virginia Mayo and Hoagy Carmichael.

The Great American Songbook is being presented at the Miami Conservatory of Music is Saturday, September 15. The musical night features an entire century of American music from such masters as Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more.

The critically acclaimed Mary Adelyn Kauffman leads the party from the piano on a journey through a century of America's greatest music.

The concert features the sweet sounds of Justin John Moniz and Amy Ione Alvarado, both of whom currently serve of the faculty of the Miami Conservatory of Music.

Details here.

Woman's Club honors service dogs for veterans

This past spring, incoming Woman’s Club President Christina Holbrook held a brainstorming meeting for members to determine future programs that the club could present as fundraisers.

Among the responses that group memebers came up with were mentoring, conservation, sustainability and supporting local farms, support for the arts. But somewhat surprisingly, the initiative that garnered the most interest was service dogs for disabled veterans.

Accordingly, last Thursday, The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove held its first luncheon meeting of the fall and hosted guests from Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans. The mission of Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans (D4DV) is to help disabled veterans reintegrate into the community through the utilization of rehabilitated rescue dogs. D4DV is committed to changing the way people view dogs by demonstrating, through their work with veterans, the value, devotion, and innate capacity to help humans that dogs possess.


The speaker was Lorri Volkman (at right in the photo), founder of Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans. Lorri described how she started organization, which rescues dogs from shelters and arranges for them to be trained as service dogs. (That's US Navy, BM2 Moises Castro, Christina Holbrook president of the Woman's Club and Salsa, the service dog, along with Lorri in the photo).


The training takes place at a correctional facility in Martin County using a program that she created. The dogs are then paired with veterans, and veteran, dog, and trainer work together until the dog is fully ready to graduate and be adopted by his veteran handler.


Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans is a 501c3 and all work is handled by Volkman and a small, dedicated group of volunteers.

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 Club has provided service to the community for nearly 120 years.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

All-Grove Crime Watch meeting is tonight


The All-Grove Crime Watch will hold its monthly meeting tonight, Wednesday, September 12 at 7 pm at St. Stephen's Church (2750 McFarlane Road), in the Great Room located at the rear of the church grounds. 

Parking is free in the surface lot next to the church grounds. Let the parking attendant know you are there for the crime watch meeting.

Movement at the Playhouse within 30 days?

So as the arts in Coconut Grove continue to wither, today's Miami Herald states that, the State of Florida is going to reclaim the Coconut Grove Playhouse within 30 days.

The inept board drove the place into the ground and now as termites invade the structure, it sits there and rots. Not too long ago, a bunch of wild kids destroyed everything inside, that the termites didn't get.

I have a theory and I am probably wrong, but this constant stalling and battling tactic may be taking place on purpose so that the whole thing crumbles in on itself and the structure can then be knocked down and a new structure can be placed onsite, which many people want.

Once the building is torn down, watch how fast something else will go up. That's a highly prized site, there is plenty of land behind the playhouse for development and many want something new, rather than preserve history.

I am only speculating and hope I am proven wrong, but it has been over six years that the place has been shuttered, the blue facade is now gray, the scaffolding and boarding is hanging off. Something needs to be done fast. Remember Give It Back in April? Well it's September now and soon will be April again and the termites are chewing away.

One of the entities involved is cheating me out of about $2000 for advertising (that's another story I'll post soon), so I am not surprised at this point that crooked hands may be at play here.

MACtown art show and taste of Grove event

Speaking of Galleries, MACtown and Rodez Art Gallery at CocoWalk are holding a charity event to benefit people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It's called ART MACtown. 

On Friday, September 14, from 6 to 10 pm, enjoy a tast of the Grove, local restaurants have donated food for the event: Cheesecake Factory, Jaguar, Bice and The Grove Spot. More are being firmed up this week.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and Cocktails

Suggested Donation: $25.00

Spectacular artwork created by those served by MACtown will be on display at the Gallery during the month of September 2012. Each piece is an original, acrylic on canvas, 10" x 10" for sale for $50 and on silent auction the night of the Charity Event. All proceeds to benefit MACtown, Inc.

The Rodez Art Gallery is on the second floor at CocoWalk, the right side if you're facing the front. For more info: 786.467.7111.


The piece above was a collaboration of all the participating MACtown clients. It is called "For the Love of MACtown", and this is actually a 24" x 24", acrylic on canvas.

What's up with our Gallery Walk?

Viernes Culturales on SW 8th Street
I like, actually don't like, how the Miami Herald published a story on the Art Walks across the county and left out Coconut Grove completely! Everything is there except us. But whose fault is it?

The Gallery Walk in Coconut Grove is a great thing, I have attended almost every single one of them. Part of the charm for me is knowing most of the people involved and so it's a fun night out, for those who don't know the players, it probably is a boring thing. Unlike the other art/gallery walks that draw lots of people, we don't have many galleries or many events to draw people here.

Food trucks are a very large draw for some of them and also they are marketed constantly, another thing is that there is art outside, which we no longer have. We have the Coconut Grove Drum Circle, but no real art out on the streets. But I think marketing may be the biggest problem because just the fact that The Herald did the story and didn't have a clue about the Grove Gallery Walk says a lot.

I don't know what the answer is. After all these years, I finally went to the Viernes Culturales on SW 8th Street and I can't wait to go back. I just happened to be driving by with a friend when we saw lines of people, "velvet ropes", we heard music, we saw so much life. We just grabbed the first parking spot we saw and joined in! It's all about the culture there, as well as the art.

Another friend wanted to see the Wynwood Walls and we didn't wait for their gallery walk night, we actually went in the daytime a week before their monthly event. So Wynwood seems to draw people event when there isn't a gallery walk, but of course the gallery walk, with the art, food trucks and lots and lots of people is a site to behold.

The Viernes Culturales on 8th street had unique things like actually cigar rolling shops presented art, they had music inside and people were dancing inside. The next day, the guys were back to rolling cigars, but for the night of the gallery walk, it was a party, a real spur of the moment party.

I haven't been to Brickell's art walk or the Bird Road Arts District one, but I plan on attending soon. I know that many of our local artists are fleeing the Grove for these other events and we need to do something to stop the leak.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Vote Commodore Plaza as The Best Block!

There is one week left in The Miami Herald's Best Block contest and the Grove has entered. The BID put together a little video, sort of "a day in the life" on Commodore Plaza. It highlights all of the things you can do on the one street from morning to night. Here is the video below, but you have to go to the Herald site to vote, which is here.

This is how you vote: You watch the video and there is a thumbs up icon. You click that!




The narrative the accompanies the video is: 

Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove the best block in South Florida. As one of the most buzzing blocks in a neighborhood already known for its quirky attitude, Commodore Plaza is unique in that it can be both energetic and laid back - all at the same time. Providing that special at-home feeling, Commodore Plaza offers visitors and locals alike a variety of things to do without ever having to leave its one block radius. This video invites viewers to follow "Lulu" as she depicts a person's typical day on Commodore. From waking up at the residences of Commodore Inn, to meeting friends for a nightcap at Mr. Moe's, the video reflects this eclectic block through the eyes of a local. Catch a glimpse of everything that makes Commodore Plaza so special, from its historic brick walkways, to snapshots of popular restaurants, a live yoga class and even an art walk! Sit back. Relax. And see for yourself why we believe Commodore Plaza is the best block in South Florida...We know you will agree!

They're paying it forward, starting with fundraiser

Christina Vazquez
Focus on Tomorrow, a non-profit group, working to bring creativity to public schools is having it's first fundraiser at Paragon Grove 13 tomorrow, Wednesday, September 12.

The event will be a dinner and movie. The group, all alumni of G. Holmes Braddock High School in Miami will be raising funds to help restore the television program at the school that inspired many of them to become journalists. The program was discontinued in 2010.

For $35 you get a light dinner, free drink and see the movie "The Words." It promises to be a wonderful social mixer with all proceeds going to their mission. A raffle and prizes are part of the evening, too.

The event starts at 6:30 pm.

Christina Vazquez, Channel 10 news reporter went to G. Holmes Braccock and got her start in tv news from participating in the school's humble tv station. Christina will be hosting the event tomorrow.

For more info and to purchase tickets, please go here. You may also email Christina Vazquez at CVazquez@wplg.com. Tickets will be at will call.

Reflecting

911-color-print

More Tomversation cartoons here.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Peter Betan Trio performing at The Barnacle

The Peter Betan Trio will be performing at September's Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert on Friday, September 14.

Peter Betan is featured on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Frank Carmelitano on acoustic guitar, and hand percussion by Marco Haber, the Peter Betan Trio’s unique New Age style blends elements of Jazz, Folk and World music.
Critically acclaimed guitarist, singer, and songwriter Peter Betan has been performing professionally in South Florida as an independent original artist for over 20 years. Dedicated to the finger-style method of playing guitar, his live performances are a strong indication of his love for creativity and breaking new ground in instrumental composition.

Blankets or lawn chairs and coolers are welcome, but pets are not permitted at the concerts. Proceeds from The Barnacle under Moonlight Concert Series support special projects at the park sponsored by The Barnacle Society, Inc., which is a volunteer non-profit, citizen-supported organization created to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of this historic home.

Gates open at 6:00 pm; music plays from 7-9 pm rain or shine. Admission: $7.00 for adults; ages 6-9 $3.00; children under 6 are free.

The Barnacle is located at 3485 Main Highway. For additional information call 305-442-6866.

Scotty's Landing vs The Chart House

scottys
Grovite Liam Crotty, wrote a story for the Miami Herald last week regarding Scotty's Landing vs The Chart House. 

Liam is saying that the patio is used at Scotty's almost from the moment they open until they close, while next door, at The Chart House, their patio is dead. I don't remember ever seeing anyone out behind The Chart House, so that's an interesting comparison.

The Chart House has gone down hill over the years, but then again, so has Scotty's, so why do people prefer Scotty's to The Chart House. Maybe the price for food, it's more expensive to eat and drink at The Chart House. Scotty's is more fun, more informal.

All this brings up the RFPs that went out and are now being redone. Whatever goes on the waterfront is going to change the waterfront. Whatever is new will probably get business because Brickell and South Miami area proof of this, put something new in and people will try it out.

Maybe in the long run, the idea is to put outdoor seating, along the water's edge, and really make use of it, unlike The Chart House has done all these years.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Homebrew contest part of this year's Grovetoberfest

beer3
Grovetober Fest is back at Peacock Park, October 13. Beer enthusiasts from all over will converge rigtht here in Coconut Grove to sample unlimited beer from across the country and around the world. If it's anything like last year's first class event, there will be thousands of people!

Aficionados and the “casual beer fan” will take an active role in beer sampling by voting for their favorite beers in three different categories.  They will also sample the festival’s very own Grovetoberfest Coconut Porter, which will only be available at the festival. In addition to featuring 200 craft beers, Grovetoberfest will include an entertainment stage featuring Robert Elias, a Homebrew Pavilion, a Kitchen Lab for beer/food pairings, a VIP area and Food Row, where restaurants and food trucks will sell local fare.

beer1
New this year, Grovetoberfest will hold a “Miami’s Best Homebrew Contest” presented by BX Beer Depot. The winner’s beer will be available at a local restaurant/bar for the rest of the year. Contest is only open to home brewers. Grovetoberfest will also showcase all that Miami has to offer by running a National sweepstakes in conjunction with Beer Magazine and Draft that will give one lucky winner and a guest the VIP treatment, including roundtrip airfare, 2-night hotel accommodations at Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove, VIP tickets to the event, a Jet-Ski tour and a Deep-Sea Fishing trip.

Grovetoberfest is from 3 to 7 pm.

Pre-purchase tickets by visiting www.grovetoberfest.com or calling 305-461-2700.   

$39 – General Admission

$69 - Beer Socialite Package – Early Entrance, commemorative glass and souvenir tote

$89 – VIP – Early admittance, access to the VIP Lounge, complimentary food, a commemorative beer glass and special selection of high-end beer.

From what we saw last year, most people purchased the VIP tickets, the park was mobbed and it was quite an event. A slideshow from last year can be seen here.

beer2

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Barnacle, Books, Birds and Boats!

Barnacle, Books, Birds and Boats is taking place at The Barnacle on Sunday, September 9. Bring the whole family from 11 am to 3 pm as The Barnacle celebrates Adult and Family Literacy Month. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a good book to read in the shade. Kids can enjoy educational activities, games and prizes; ranger storytime; and more.

The Barnacle, built in 1891, is the oldest house in Miami still in its original location. This historic home of Coconut Grove pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe is now a Florida State Park and is located at 3485 Main Highway. Please park on the street or in one of the parking lots around town. Then, stroll into the park for a relaxing day by the Bay! Picnics are encouraged, but alcohol is not permitted. For additional information call 305-442-6866.

Event is free with regular park admission: $2 per person; children under age 6 free.



Science Museum receives $300,000 grant

AT&T recently awarded the Miami Science Museum a $300,000 grant through its ASPIRE program, one of the largest corporate commitments ever to address high school success and workforce readiness. The grant will support the development of the Museum’s Upward Bound Math and Science college readiness program from October 2012 through September 2014. The program is for low-income, first generation college-bound students in grades 9-12.

There are several key elements of the Museum’s college readiness program: ongoing college counseling services, a week-long overnight college tour, entrance exam preparation, application assistance and sustained encouragement and support.

During the school year, students will participate in Saturday sessions at the Museum, including a wide variety of workshops with hands-on science activities, tutoring and homework help, college preparation, computer lab access and internship experiences. Optional after school activities will include tutoring in all subjects, conducted by college level mentors. In the summertime, students will participate in an intensive 6-week program that provides them with further insight into college curriculums.

“We are very thankful to AT&T for this generous grant,” said Miami Science Museum President & CEO Gillian Thomas. “With these funds, we can continue to aid students’ beliefs in their abilities and help motivate them to stay on track for college and during their college careers.”

AT&T’s ASPIRE program is the company’s most significant education initiative to date and one of the largest corporate commitments ever to address high school success and workforce readiness. The program is centered around four key components: awarding grants to school districts, school district foundations and nonprofit organizations focused on preparing students for college and/or the workforce;  provide job shadowing opportunities for 100,000 students, in conjunction with Junior Achievement Worldwide, giving students the chance to see firsthand the job skills needed to be successful in the future; commissioning the next chapter of major research on the high school dropout issue and solutions by directly engaging educational practitioners; and underwriting 100 community dropout-prevention summits, organized by America’s Promise Alliance, to engage education experts and community leaders across all 50 states around the high school dropout crisis and ways to address it.

For additional information on Miami Science Museum’s Upward Bound Math & Science Center and/or AT&T’s ASPIRE program, please contact Tony Lima at 305-646-4209 or at tlima@miamisci.org.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Gun Buy Back Program this Saturday

There's a gun buyback program planned for Saturday, September 8, being put on by the Coconut Grove NET office. Once you drop off the firearm, no questions are asked. You'll receive a special thank you and a gift card from Milam's or Publix in the amount of $25, $50, $75 or $100.

This gun buy back is from 10 am to 2 pm at the St. Paul AME Church (3680 Thomas Avenue).

Police Commander Richard Gentry says, "Our objective is to collect as many firearms...  One less firearm off the streets can save a life."

Booting me

I was booted! My car, I mean!

I had been out all day at the Great Grove Bed Race. I parked at the Coconut Grove Bank lot. There is something new there in that there is no longer a parking attendant, you either pay at a meter (which is not the MPA, by the way) or you get a monthly pass. I have the pass. I put the pass on the dashboard when I park.

Well, apparently the towing company, quite quick on the draw, didn't see the bright orange pass in my window, so they slapped a huge orange sticker on my window and then booted the car. As my friend and I came back after the bed race, that's what we came upon.

I wasn't really upset since I knew I was in the right, since I had the monthly pass, so it was just a funny scene out of one of my favorite tv shows "Parking Wars."

This guy in the photo, I didn't get his name, was one of the booting guys. By luck, they happened to still be in the lot booting away, so I was able to get the boot removed quickly and he didn't mind posing for a photo with me here. He's on the phone calling the main company telling them that the boot was being removed.


It all worked out and I got a funny story out of it. No harm, no foul, as for the others who were parked there illegally, the fine is $89.00. So there were some unhappy campers. Luckily I wasn't one of them.