Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Dishcrawl through Coconut Grove

On Wednesday, August 7, there's a Dishcrawl through the Coconut Grove! Four local restaurants are in the crawl.

It's a guessing game! They keeping the names of the four restaurants a secret for now, but here and there they’ll give you some hints on Twitter @DishcrawlMiami.

All ticket holders will be notified of meeting location via email. Get your tickets here now. They are $45 per person, plus a $3.24 processing fee.

Vegetarian options are available, however they may not be able to accommodate other dietary restrictions. If you have any particular requests or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact them beforehand.

Questions? Contact I'm Vicky, your Miami Dishcrawl Ambassador at VickyK@dishcrawl.com.

The Dishcrawl crew aims to provide you with a premier culinary social experience by bringing together neighborhood restaurants, local chefs, regional food producers and fellow food enthusiasts. Join in if you'd like to embark on a one-of-a-kind gastronomic adventure.

Making better public spaces in Miami

There is this new contest which seems like a perfect fit for Coconut Grove. It's called “Our Miami Public Space Challenge," a project of the Miami Foundation.

The concept is to come up with "feasible, creative ideas for a shared public space that can give a specific neighborhood a meaningful boost in livability and identity." They want to create neighborhood public spaces that are pedestrian-friendly and have a community feel.

While parks come to mind, they are looking for something different. Think about a space where locals gather and mix and mingle. Where is that, is it here, does it need to be created?

Entries may be submitted here: www.ourmiami.org. Photos and videos may be submitted. And the winner will receive $100,000 if one or more of the winning entries is built.

A panel of community representatives and professionals will select winners by early October. The number of winners will depend on the number of outstanding, feasible submissions and how much money they require to be implemented.

Happy Wine offering Sunday Brunch

A new brunch menu has been unveiled at Happy Wine, the wine store and Spanish tapas-style restaurant. Available every Sunday, starting August 4, from 11 am to 3 pm, brunch will include classic favorites, such as Eggs Benedict with Serrano Ham, Pancakes, French Toast, Happy Wine Steak and Eggs, and Happy Wine Healthy Frittata, as well as dishes with a Spanish spin such as: Revoltillo EspaƱol: three eggs scrambled with morcilla, bacon, garlic scapes, asparagus, roasted peppers, topped with shrimp, and Calentadito Colombiano: Colombian style rice and beans, short ribs, sweet plantains, chimichurri and two fried eggs.  Happy Wine in the Grove is also offering premium Mimosas, Bellinis and Sangria for just $1.85 all day every Sunday.

Some pricing examples are:
Eggs Benedict - $10
Frittata - $9.50
Cuban Breakfast (3 eggs, any style, fries, ham or bacon with toast) - $7

Steak and Eggs - $12.99

In addition to a unique selection of over 1,200 wine labels from around the world, visitors to Happy Wine, voted “Best Wine Store” by the Miami New Times, can enjoy a variety of cold and hot tapas, salads, desserts and wine by the glass or bottle. Other specials include Paella with Felix, on Fridays at noon at Happy Wine in the Grove and on Saturdays at the 8th Street store and live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at their Coconut Grove outpost and on Fridays on 8th Street.

Monthly wine tastings at both locations every second Tuesday of the month include samples of over 25 labels served in Riedel glassware, which participants can take home at the end of the evening.  For more information or to purchase online, visit www.wineonlineusa.com


Happy Wine in the Grove is located at 2833 Bird Avenue | 305.460.9939.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Petition to stop waterfront project

There is a petition to stop The Harbour project. The petitioners would like the City of Miami to stop the giveaway of publicly owned land to private developers.

The petition states: "I object to the taking of our magnificent Bayfront land for private development as proposed by The Miami City Commission and Grove Harbor LLC. In light of the potential detrimental effects of this development and the dire need for Public Park Space In the City of Miami, I hereby request that the Miami City Commission reconsider their support for this ill conceived project."

You can see, and sign, the petition here


The Petition is addressed  to the City of Miami Mayor Thomas Regalado, City of Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo, City Of Miami Commssioner Francis Suarez, City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones,  City of Miami Commissioner Willy Gort, The Florida State House, The Florida State Senate, and Governor Rick Scott,

Cris Cab headlining Woodystock at Peacock Park

The WoodyFoundation is pleased to announce its inaugural edition of Woodystock, a free benefitconcert scheduled for Saturday, September 21, from 3 to 8:00 pm at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove. Miami’s own, Cris Cab, left, will headline the event along with other musicians to be named later..

Woodystock is a grassroots event for music and art lovers. Along with the concert, local artists and food vendors will round out the event. Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Woody Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to raise funds for the recovery of people with spinal cord injuries. The concert is free; $10 donations are appreciated.

The Woody Foundation, Inc. is a not for profit organization formed in 2011 to raise funds for the recovery of people with spinal cord injuries. The namesake of the foundation, James “Woody” Beckham suffered his spinal cord injury making a rugby tackle in January 2011. His family and friends have bonded together to support Woody by making donations to local charities which help others with similar spinal cord injuries.

Mentored by Pharrell Williams, recording partner of Wyclef Jean, and support act to O.A.R., Matisyahu and Gym Class Heroes, Cris Cab doesn’t take much time off. The reggae-pop star sits on 9 million YouTube views, and his current mixtape project Echo Boom has reached over a quarter million downloads. His last single, Good Girls (Don't Grow on Trees) featuring hip hop heavyweight Big Sean, reached over 185,000 views on YouTube between its debut in September to the month of October. MTV subsequently elected Cris Cab as their "October Push Artist."

Monday, July 29, 2013

Ms. Cheezious makes it to top four

Ms. Cheezious made it to the Top Four in the Live with Kelly and Michael Truckin' Amazing Cook-off food truck contest.

Brian Mullins, (shown left) owner of Ms. Cheezious hopes to win with your votes!


The other three in the top four are How We Roll from Pittsfield, MA; Mustache Mobile from Atlantic City, NJ and What the FORK from Scranton, PA.

There is only a day to vote. So you can go here to vote for Ms. Cheezious!

Welcome our new Police Commander

Coconut Grove has a new Police Commander. Manuel Morales started his duty in the Grove on July 21.

Commander Morales is a 20 year veteran of the Miami Police Department. The last three years he has been the Upper Eastside Commander. 


"I look forward to working together with the residents to build a strong  community and police partnership," he says.

Let's welcome the Commander when you see him, say hello, welcome him to the neighborhood.


Commander Morales may be contacted via email at Manuel.Morales@miami-police.org and at his office 
at 305-643-7170 or by cell 786-300-1479.

Is it a mall on the waterfront?

I've had time to digest this Grove Harbour project planned for the Coconut Grove waterfront and I feel that it maybe should fit into the surroundings a bit better. Right now it looks like a chrome and glass mall on the waterfront. I don't think the current plans look right for the waterfront. Look at this image. It's a mall!

This project is going to happen, but I think it needs to fit into its surroundings and not dictate a whole new atmosphere. I fear that the project is emulating the look of the chrome and glass condos going in across the street, it is not emulating a rustic waterfront, which is what is there now. I am assuming the new neighbors buying the condos want the Grove to remain what it is, that is why they are buying here.

It's interesting that the Expo Center needs to go because it blocks the water, yet this new project, including the garage will be three times the size of the Expo Center and so much higher.

I wanted to gauge the feelings of the Center Grove merchants and restaurant owners since they will be most affected. I thought I would go around, off the record, and see what they think. I stopped in one place so far and the owner, who used to be a big mover and shaker in town, had no clue about the project. This person did not see the plans, did not know about the City Commission hearing and did not know anything about the project. Talk about the height of apathy. It's called malaise, and the Grove has been in that state for a very long time.

One person commented here in the Grapevine that she has lived here for 40 years and that the Grove is now stale and this is what we need. This is akin to someone in Europe saying, "That castle has been there for 500 years, let's tear it down and put in a mall." To say that we need to destroy the waterfront because people are bored doesn't seem like the correct thing to do.


Some feel that to break this malaise, we need this project, in other words, let's build something new to help us feel better. This is not the answer. The first step might be for the Center Grove businesses to wake up and realize once this mall is built, it's the end of their businesses because people will go to the new, shiny place on the water and they will avoid Center Grove.

The mall is almost 100,000 square feet of retail space, the parking garage is up to 250,000 square feet. This is almost the size of three huge Home Depots or Lowes or Wal-Marts. Imagine three Wal-Marts on the Coconut Grove waterfront. The parking garage, while very huge, will not even accommodate all the cars that will visit the new mall. It's a huge structure that will be outdated the second it is built.

The plan includes a casual pub tied in with early aviation, a high-end Peruvian seafood restaurant and a Shula’s Steak & Seafood. All well and good, but imagine them standing alone and not being all under chrome and glass. They would more fit in with the surroundings like Scotty's and The Chart House do now.




If you look at these plans (click on them to see the larger version), you'll see that the square footage for the commercial and restaurant spaces adds up to 83,200 square feet, this is without the garage and of course the paths and connecting spaces that ties it all in together, which will add more square footage.

Who is this project benefiting anyway? The builders and developers of course, and the City of course, since they reap the revenue through decades long leases. I think that the whole purpose of this project is to bring revenue to the City of Miami. Nothing more. The city is mismanaged and now they will throw Coconut Grove's waterfront under the bus to try to stop the red ink on their books. If the Scotty's and Grove Harbour Marina and Chart House leases were up in another 10 or 20 years, nothing would have been done here now. But since the leases are up, it seems that a whole new thing needs to be built in many people's eyes.

This current project belongs inland somewhere, maybe on SW 27 Avenue. Not on our waterfront.

Keep in mind that the City Commission last Thursday, only approved the bidder, Grove Bay Investment Group,
 and not the project itself. Only Grove Bay was approved as the developer. In November, when voters vote, if they vote in favor of this company doing the project, then the company will bring their actual plans to light.  

The Commissioners only agreed to who the lessee would be, the money being paid by the lessee, the amount of lease time and lease renewals, mostly generic things. Nothing aesthetic.


This is then the opportunity to have the structure downsized, made more rustic and Grove-friendly and waterfront friendly. So many places have renovated their waterfront in the United States, but they have used the piers and old structures and warehouses and buildings that have been there already for 100 years, to renovate, they have  not knocked down everything and started from scratch, creating projects which have nothing to do with their surroundings.

I am surprised that Arquitectonica International, a Coconut Grove firm, did not have more of a sensitive plan for the project, as their projects are always so thoughtful and thought out. Their own headquarters in the Grove fits right in to the neighborhood, it's an all green space, quite unassuming and no chrome and glass for that.

I am assuming the whole City of Miami will vote on this project in November and therein lies the rub. The rest of the City doesn't care about the Grove and they never have.

Here are the full plans so far in this dropbox.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Trivia Night at Lesters

WLRN is having a Trivia Night at Lesters (2519 NW 2nd Avenue), on Thursday, August 1, at 6:30 pm.

They're looking for the smartest local out there as they ask questions about little known facts that reveal a lot about South Florida. Anything from history, TV, sports, real estate, biology, etc. 

Prizes to be offered. Teams of six or less. If you don't have a team, they can help you form one on the spot. No cellphones will be allowed (they will provide a bucket to put them in during each round). 

If you want to help build the question list please submit to the Public Insight Network here: http://pinsight.org/q/en/3f08716c31c3

Please RSVP at their Facebook Event Page

Chamber Sunset Cruise Networker

Join the Miami Brickell Chamber and Spirit Charters aboard the Caribbean Spirit on Wednesday, July 31, from  5:30 to 8:30 pm.

The boat departs at 6 pm. Come out for a chance to network, enjoy some champagne and wine sponsored by La Cacciatora and Top Wines Import, snack on some lite bites, and possibly win one of our raffle prizes, all while watching the beautiful Miami sun set from the deck of North America's largest catamaran.

For info, call Heather Lopez at 305-647-9275 or e-mail join@miamibrickellchamber.com.


Location: Caribbean Spirit @ Bayside behind Hard Rock (401 Biscayne Blvd, downtown Miami).

Parking: Bayside garage & public lots / Dress Code: Business Attire

 Limited Availability: Only 100 tickets will be sold

Tickets In advance:$25 Members, $35 Future Members

At the door (cash only): $35 Members, $45 Future Members

Tickets: http://ChamberCruise.Eventbrite.com 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Sunday Brunch launch at Michy's

Michy's, the namesake restaurant of Chef Michelle Bernstein, will launch an a la carte Sunday Brunch featuring both breakfast and lunch creations this Sunday, July 28. Enjoy some of the favorites from the delectable menu, including Michy’s well-known Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich smothered with cayenne gravy and savory maple syrup, House cured Salmon Gravlax over a crunchy potato and apple pancake with lemony creme fraiche and fennel-arugula salad and a succulent Burger "Benedict" with a poached egg, Jamon Serrano and hollandaise.

Lean back, relax and savor these culinary masterpieces along with a Bloody Mary or Mr. Martinez’s famous artisanal cocktails, including some brunch specialties!  The brunch is from 11 am to 3 pm.

Michy's is located at 6921 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. - 305-759-2001 (reservations)

Speaking of Michelle Bernstein, I was called recently to participate in "Check, Please!" her PBS dining show, but I had to decline at the moment. Hopefully I can participate in the near future!

CINTAS Foundation looking for writers, artists

Miami Dade College's Museum of Art + Design and the CINTAS Foundation are seeking artists, composers and writers to complete an application for submission to the 2013 CINTAS Foundation Fellowship Competition and the opportunity to be awarded $10,000 in their respective discipline. 

Above is Jillian Mayer's, "Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke" with Luke Campbell, 2011, Courtesy of the David Castillo Gallery, Miami.

The only one of its kind in the nation, the CINTAS Fellowship program has honored some of the world's most talented Cuban artists. Notable past fellows include composers Orlando Garcia and Tania LeĆ³n; authors Antonio Benitez-Rojo, Obie awards winner Maria Irene Fornes, Cristina Garcia, Lourdes Gil, Pulitzer Prize winner Oscar Hijuelos, and Achy Obejas; and visual artists Jillian Mayer, AgustĆ­n FernĆ”ndez, FĆ©lix Gonzalez-Torres, Guillermo Calzadilla, Quisqueya Henriquez, Lydia Rubio, Gean Moreno, Glexis Novoa, Luis Gispert, MarĆ­a MartĆ­nez-CaƱas, Carlos Alfonzo and AndrĆ©s Serrano. 

 The competition is open through August 1, 2013. Eligibility, competition requirements and details and application forms are posted on the CINTAS Foundation website www.cintasfoundation.org

 The CINTAS Foundation awards fellowships annually to creative artists of Cuban lineage who reside outside of Cuba. The Foundation was established with funds from the estate of Oscar B. Cintas (1887-1957), former Cuban ambassador to the United States, a prominent industrialist and patron of the arts. 

An exhibition and presentation highlighting the work of the 2013 CINTAS Foundation Fellowship Finalists in the three disciplines, visual arts, creative writing and music composition, will be hosted by the Museum of Art + Design at the historic Freedom Tower in October. Winners of the Fellowship will be announced shortly thereafter. 

For more information about the CINTAS Foundation Fellowship Program or Miami Dade College's Museum of Art + Design, please contact the CINTAS Program Administrator at 305.237-7722.

Friday, July 26, 2013

City Commission approves The Harbour project

The City Commission approved the plans for the waterfront Harbour development yesterday and it will now go to the voters in November. This is for a 50 to 80 year lease.

A few citizens spoke, some in favor, some against, but in the end, the voters will decide. It seems as if the voters are in favor of the project, only because not many people came out to speak against it. Apathy or do they like the project?

One concern is the parking garage. While it is believed to be huge (over 200,000 square feet), it will have parking for less than 500 cars. Is that enough? If the project brings in the current amount of people visiting Scotty's and the Marina now, it would work, but it is believed and of course hoped that it will bring in masses of people.


With three restaurants, it's not uncommon to have 75 to 100 people working at any given busy period. So that could be 300 cars right there in just restaurant employees, what about the retail employees?

Of course traffic is a major concern and congestion may be the norm in the Grove once the project is complete. Of course a great idea would be to bring the trolley right to the project, which would alleviate a lot of congestion.

Some residents would like nothing on the land there and would love it to revert back to parkland. I don't see that happening, but again, the vote is in November, so it's up to voters to decide the fate of Coconut Grove's waterfront now.

ERIC performing Friday

Friday July 26, 8-11 pm

at the Grove Spot

3324 Virginia Street, Coconut Grove

ERIC

Epic Righteous Invincible Combo

    Eric Wagner-vocals & acoustic guitar

    Fred Hsia-electric guitar

    Bob "Bebob" Grabowski-upright bass

    Bobby Thomas Jr.-percussion

 Original Songs composed by Eric Wagner performed by Miami Jazz Masters

Grove Chamber's next networker at Gibraltar

The next Chamber networker should be fun, as it will be on an island -- Grove Isle.

Gibraltar restaruant is the location, on Tuesday, July 30 from 5:30 to 8 pm.

Come out to mix and mingle. Promote your biz and make contacts. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for guests. This includes a welcome drink plus hors d'oeuvres; additional drinks are at Happy Hour prices.

Stay and dine. There's a 15% discount off food and beverage bill for anyone from the networking event.

Special $5 valet parking for the networker attendees (usually $24).

Please RSVP to GroveChamber@coconutgrove.com or call 305-444-7270.

New officers sworn in at Coconut Grove Rotary


The Coconut Grove Rotary had their Installation of officers Ceremony last month at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The new officers for 2013 are: Don Kesler, President; Anita Sandler, Secretary; and Phil Everingham, Treasurer.

Above, from left, Michael Messer, Rotary Assistant Governor Area 6; Don Kesler, President; Rick Klein, Past President

Don, at left, with cake, was sworn in by Michael Messer, Rotary Assistant Governor, Area 6.  An afternoon reception followed.  The Coconut Grove Rotary is responsible for numerous charitable community projects such as donating turkeys to the less fortunate at Thanksgiving, and most recently donating a total of $50,000 to the Miami Youth Sports and Education Association in the West Grove. 

The Coconut Grove Rotary has luncheon meetings every Thursday from 12:30-1:30 at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and always welcomes new members.

 Photos by Connie Crowther 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Seven Historic Moments at Grove Convention Center

I was interviewed an article in the Miami New Times about the Grove Expo Center, during my food poisoning recovery period, when quite frankly, I wasn't all there. I was sort of delusional at times, but I didn't want to turn down the reporters's request since I don't care for it when people turn down my interview requests.

So I was quite pleased to see she made my comments seem coherent, which maybe they were, I was just too out of it at the time to remember.


But here's the article on the "Seven Historic Moments at the Coconut Grove Convention Center" by Carolina del Busto. Carolina did an excellent job, especially with the links to things I had mentioned, like The Doors documentary and other things.

Do you have any special moments from your own life at the Expo/Convetion/Dinner Key Center, which soon will be no more?

6th Annual National Suit Drive

Join the Greater Miami Service Corps' efforts to provide gently used business attire to help give a fresh start to disadvantaged youth and young adults. The 6th Annual National Suit Drive, the nation’s largest collection of suits and business attire, will distribute the items collected at local Men’s Wearhouse locations to program participants, veterans and community residents in need.

Items being collected include men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts, and shoes. Residents may donate their gently used items through July 31 at any local Men’s Wearhouse location.

Donations are tax deductible. The GMSC provides educational and vocational training to youth and young adults ages 18-23. The program prepares young people to enter the workforce through education, work experience, internship, and job placement. 


For info and locations: 786-469-4600
www.MiamiDade.gov/SocialServices

Film Festival now accepting submissions




Programmers of Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), produced and presented by Miami Dade College, are accepting submissions for the 31st edition, March 7 – 16, 2014. A premiere venue in the U.S. for launching new Ibero-American cinema and an important showcase for international films entering the United States as well as American independent and documentary cinema, the Festival seeks the latest works by debut, emerging and veteran filmmakers for various competition and non-competition categories and genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental cinema and Florida-centric stories.

A variety of cash prizes are awarded to the top films through generous sponsorships. The Festival’s signature Knight Competition is open to dramatic works from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Latino-themed works produced in the United States. Ten films will compete for $40,000 in prizes courtesy of the Knight Foundation, which includes $15,000 in incentives for a US distributor to acquire the Grand Prize winner. (Click here to see the success of 2013's Grand Prize winner.) And, feature-length documentaries made by international filmmakers that examine social issues, diverse cultures, icons, or inspiring people will compete for $10,000, also from the Knight Foundation.

First-time feature filmmakers from Spain, Portugal, or Latin America are also eligible for a $10,000 cash prize in a separate Opera Primo Ibero-American Competition. Other competition categories include a Shorts Competition and Encuentros, a post-production competition for works-in-progress.  Immensely popular with locals, other popular sections of the festival include the glittering  Cinedwtwn Galas, Cinema 360° presented by VIENDOMOVIES program, and Lee Brian Schrager's Culinary Cinema.

MIFF offers filmmakers an exceptional platform for exposure during the Festival and beyond. Worldwide media impressions and press coverage was recorded at over six billion tracked impressions in the three months surrounding MIFF 2013. Regarded as an important destination for distributors in the hunt for acquisitions, a number of MIFF alumni have brokered deals during or after the festival. MIFF additionally offers a world-class experience for visiting filmmakers in the internationally renowned hub of beautiful South Beach.  

Monday, July 29, 2013: Regular Deadline $55.00 (SOS)
Monday, August 26, 2013: Late Deadline $65.00 (SOS)
Friday, September 30, 2013: Extended Deadline $100.00 (SOS)
Wednesday, November 20, 2013: VeoMiami Deadline $100.00 (SOS)

SUBMIT HERE.

Summer Cabaret Concerts at Deering Estate

The Deering Estate at Cutler's Cabaret Concert Series features intimate concerts inside the historic Stone House Ballroom. The concert on Saturday, July 27, will feature Wendy Pedersen and Jim Gasior and the concert on Saturday, August 31 will feature Ariel Pocock 

All concerts begin at 8:00 pm. and the main gate opens at 7:00 pm.  It is recommended to arrive early for preferred seating. Guests are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy during the show. 

Wendy Pedersen is one of South Florida's favorite performers. Her high-energy vocal delivery, with deep, convincing emotion has been impacting audiences for many years. A graduate of the University of Miami's Studio Music and Jazz Vocal program, Wendy began her singing career in high school, but her earliest memory is poring through her mom's record collection, practically wearing out the vinyl on Elton John and Beatle's records. Eventually, her heart found its way to jazz and it has felt like home ever since. 

Pianist Jim Gasior is a jazz educator based in South Florida who performs regularly with Ed Calle, Wendy Pedersen, Fernando Ulibarri and Aaron Lebos. Having taught at the New World School of the Arts (NWSA) for more than 10 years, Gasior is an inspiration to his students and the ensembles that have excelled under his direction. New World School of the Art's Jazz Ensemble has repeatedly been honored as a finalist band at the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition in New York City. In addition, students of the NWSA jazz program have been regular recipients of Student Music Awards by DownBeat magazine. 

Gasior has performed with jazz greats such as Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Terell Stafford, Robin Eubanks, Duffy Jackson and The Jaco Pastorious Reunion Band as well as pop and Latin music artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Alih Jey, Smokey Robinson, Jose Feliciano, Raul Diblasio, Jane Oliver and Ben Vereen. 

Tickets are $20. Limited seating is available. Advance tickets are recommended. Tickets can be purchased online for an additional fee or by calling the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. Natural areas tours are offered daily at 12:30 pm (October - May). EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org

 For info: 305.235.1668 

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Miami gets kids ready for first day of school

City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado will be celebrating "It's Fun to Learn When We Are Prepared!" on Friday, July 26, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Peacock Park (2820 McFarlane Road) right here in Coconut Grove.

Over 1,000 City of Miami Children from Coconut Grove, Flagami, Little Havana, Coral Way, Little Haiti, Wynwood and the Upper East Side will be treated to an educational fun filled day, lunch and back packs.

The City of Miami "It's Fun to Learn When We Are Prepared!" is a citywide effort with remarkable support from businesses and the community. The event is possible thanks to the generosity of Mercy Hospital, Dade Medical College, U of M Walk Safe/Bike Safe Program, FDOT, Coca Cola, Ricky Arepas, Miami Marlins, and Winn Dixie.

 The City of Miami Police (Homeland, Bomb Squad, Swat, Motorcycle, Marine & Bike), Fire (Fire Truck & Rescue Truck) and Parks & Recreations Departments, will also be there to provide a memorable day for the City's Children. 

Celebrating Miami's Birthday

Miami-Dade Democratic Party and Miami-Dade Young Democrats are hosting The Blue Party: Celebrating Miami's Birthday, on Friday, July 26. This event will bring together 300+ young leaders & elected officials to celebrate the city; featuring two live bands plus a silent auction and date auction (featuring a lunch with Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez among the line-up), and special guest Mayor Regalado will speak.

Miami Club Rum is sponsoring drinks, Misha's is doing cupcakes, and other fabulous community sponsors and partners include BB&T, Patino & Associates, SEIU, Books & Books, the Adrienne Arsht Center, LA Sweets, HistoryMiami, Lime, City Hall, Filling Station, Elwoods, Balloon Expresso and others. 


Starts at 6 pm (party goes all night); speaking program begins at 8:30 pm. Cost of tickets is $20 in advance (1 free drink ticket included); $25 at the door: $50 VIP (open bar from 6 to 9 pm). Link below for purchase.

Avenue D Bar & Lounge
8 South Miami Avenue, Miami
407-701-4357 (Rachel Johnson)
Rachel@MiamiDadeDemocrats.org
http://www.MiamiDadeDems.org/theBlueParty

Ladies Networker at Oak Tavern

Join the Miami Brickell Chamber and Planet Beach Brickell tonight, July 24, for a much needed Ladies Networker.

Come out for a chance to network with professional and entrepreneurial ladies, enjoy wine or champagne sponsored by La Cacciatora and Top Wines Import, snack on Oak Tavern lite bites, and possibly win a prize in the raffle sponsored by etniCuore and the Beauty Butler. Gift bag for the first 25 to arrive! It starts at 5:30 pm, ends at 7:00 pm.

Free admission, welcome drink and lite bites. Valet $3.

For info, call Heather Lopez at 305-647-9275 or e-mail join@miamibrickellchamber.com.


Oak Tavern is located at  35 NE 40th Street, Miami.

RSVP: http://ladiesnetworkeroaktavern.eventbrite.com

Celebrate food at Saturday's Dishcrawl

A neighborhood is defined by the community within it, so, for one afternoon you are invited to live it, love it, and eat in it.  Neighborfood is a celebration of food, family, and the community we live in. The Dishcrawl is Saturday, July 27. This is a great opportunity to explore different foods, restaurants, and neighborhoods in our local area.

Each restaurant in a neighborhood equally adds to the uniqueness and diversity of a community, which is why they are celebrating them all. On Saturday, neighbors will explore their neighborhood by sampling signature specialties at eight different restaurants, all within walking distance. 

“We started Neighborfood to rejoice and share in the things we love most: food, family, and our neighborhood,” says Dishcrawl Founder, Tracy Lee.

From 2 to 6 pm, neighbors will join for an afternoon of exploration. Tickets include admission and one food ticket to dine at a participating restaurant and may be purchased on the Dishcrawl website. They are $10 for one person, $18 for two, $30 for four, if you would like to go with a group of friends. Additional food tickets are available so attendees can try as many restaurants as they would like. Drink specials will also be offered at various locations. These are the participating restaurants and featured dishes/drinks:

EDGE Steak & Bar: Shrimp and Grits | Drink pairing: EDGE Punch 

Medialunas Calentitas: Original, Ham & Cheese, and Dulce de Leche Medialunas | Drink pairing: Fresh Fruit Juice 

El Vato: Choice of 2 Tacos (Steak, Chicken or Pork) with Chips and Salsa | Drink pairing: Classic Margarita 

Oceanaire: 3 Oysters on the Half Shell | Drink pairing: The Oceanaire Cocktail 

Brother Jimmy's BBQ: Pulled Pork or Chicken Slider with Coleslaw 

Taverna Opa: Moussaka | Drink pairing: Opa Filakia Martini 

Doraku: Doraku Style California Roll, Philly Roll, Deluxe Spicy Chili Tuna Roll and Doraku Tuna Tataki | Drink pairing: Sapporo

Vapiano: Pesto e Spinaci Pasta with Chicken or Pasta Primavera | Drink pairing: Hugo - prosecco with elderflower syrup, lime and mint

Because Neighborfood is a celebration of the neighborhood it is in, Dishcrawl will be donating a portion of proceeds to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, K9 for Love and Special Olympics.

"This lease should not be executed"

The following was emailed to Commissioners and public officials by Charles Corda, Coconut Grove resident:

A "resolution" Item is coming up on Thursday, July 25, at the City of Miami Commission Meeting.

The City of Miami Commission will be voting on executing a lease for the re-Development of the Coconut Grove Waterfront property that currently is home to the Charthouse, Scotty's Landing and the adjacent Dry Storage Boat facility.

The Approval of this pending lease ( for 50 years +( 2) 15 yr. extensions) is a two step process requiring Voter Approval for final confirmation.

It is my contention that this lease should NOT be "executed" by the Commission. As such I am circulating the attached list of reasons why I believe this property more rightly should be added to our public open space than developed for further commercial and Industrial use.
 It is my understanding that as a "Resolution" item there will not be any public comment heard at the Commission Meeting.

If you believe as I do that these publicly held lands should NOT be developed for the proposed uses Please inform your Commissioner and the Mayor of your concerns.  Contact info is below.

Thank you. 
Charles Corda
Coconut Grove


Charles' "Top 13" reasons why this lease should not be executed: 

1.) The Public Lands in question possess rare and unique scenic characteristics of great value to ALL the residents of the City of Miami.

2.) Given the unique nature and scenic value of this Public Land combined with the pressing need for more open park space within the City of Miami,  Industrial and Commercial use as proposed in the RFP and  the pending development plan, clearly does not constitute it's "Highest and Best" use.

3.) Alternative uses of the land have may not been properly considered in the preparation of the RFP for it's development .

4.) Given the intent to demolish the adjacent Existing Convention Center, this Public land is ideally situated to become a part of  that much need proposed park space.

5.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC., does not conform to the Plan prepared by Sasaki Assoc.

6.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. calls for  the demolition of both the Charthouse and Scotty's Landing.

7.) Demolition of the Charthouse -designed by Architect Alfred Browning Parker- may result in the loss of an architectural work of lasting importance and local historical significance.

8.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, proposes replacement of the single story Charthouse and Scotty's Landing with multiple 4 or 5 story structures that will dramatically alter the scenic qualities of these public lands.

9.) Locating a 5 Story High ,497 Space, Parking Garage along Bayshore Drive is a troubling architectural intrusion that will forever diminish the scenic quality of one of our most beautiful thoroughfares. In addition this garage may result in a considerable increase in the traffic on the already overburdened Bayshore Drive.

10.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. includes expanding the unsightly Industrial use of "Dry Boat Storage" on this site. Expanding the "Dry Boat Storage racks"  is clearly inappropriate given the scenic qualities of this public land and the  potential environmental hazards inherent in such use. 

11.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. proposes a 20,000 -40,000 SF "West Marine" or similar commercial use. The need for such a large retail development devoted exclusively to the boating market has not been clearly demonstrated nor has it's feasibility been determined. In point of fact NO need for retail development of these public lands has been clearly or convincingly demonstrated.

12.) This Public land belongs to ALL the residents of The City of Miami. This public land should serve the interests of ALL the residents of The City of Miami and not be exclusively dedicated to the interest of the "boating" public.

13.) The Benefits of expanding the adjacent Public Parks to include this property will yield measurable results in the quality of life for ALL the residents of the City of Miami and may ultimately lead to increased municipal revenues through tax appreciation of the properties fortunate enough to be located adjacent to this expanded Park Space.

Here is the contact info:

Mayor Tomas P. Regalado
E-mail: tregalado@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5300 VOICE
(305) 854-4001 FAX

Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
(Vice Chairman) District 1
E-mail: wgort@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5430  VOICE
(305) 250-5456 FAX

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
(Chairman) District 2

E-mail: msarnoff@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5333  VOICE
(305) 579-3334 FAX

Commissioner Frank Carollo
District 3
E-mail: fcarollooffice@miamigov.com 
(305) 250-5380 VOICE
(305) 250-5386 FAX
Office of Commissioner Frank Carollo 

Commissioner Francis Suarez 
District 4
E-mail: fsuarez@miamigov.com 
(305) 250-5420 VOICE
(305) 856-5230 FAX

Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones
District 5
E-mail: MSpence-Jones@miamigov.com 
(305) 250-5390 VOICE
(305) 250-5399 FAX

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Local Author Night is Thursday

The Bookstore in the Grove (at the Mayfair Atrium on Florida Avenue) is holding Local Author Night on Thursday, July 25, starting at 7 pm.

This event is an effort to promote and raise awareness of talented local authors, by giving them an opportunity to share their work with other authors, friends, family and the community.

Authors in Attendance: Naked Paddock by M.K. Ducote, The Sizzling Story of Miami Cuisine by Mandy Baca, "So, you want to be a Ballet Dancer?" by Jennifer C. Kronenberg, Yoga Research by Tiffany Field and RAD is SMAD by Leah Guzman.

It's Bike Nite, the Miami Networker

Join the Miami Brickell Chamber & Will Call Miami Thursday night, July 25, for Bike Nite Miami Networker @ Will Call Miami. Come out for a chance to network with motorcycle enthusiasts and riders, enjoy some deals on food & drinks, listen to some rockin' music and maybe even win one of our raffles. 

Will Call Miami is located at 700 NE 2nd Avenue, the event starts at 7:30 pm.

Parking: Ample Parking Available Around Venue, Dress Code: Business or Biking Attire

This is a free event. Please RSVP: http://BikeNiteMiamiJuly.eventbrite.com 


For info, call Evelio Medina at 786-728-0008 or e-mail join@miamibrickellchamber.com 











Supporting the waterfront plan

Here is the response from Michelle Niemeyer, who was chair of the Coconut Grove Waterfront Working Committee during the planning process, which was a committee of residents from all over the Grove. It later became a subcommittee of the Village Council. 

Michelle is currently a member of the Coconut Grove Waterfront Plan Implementation Committee, which is an advisory committee appointed by the City Manager related to the master plan.

The only reason Michelle is responding is because she was approached by some people who had attended the Village Council meeting and they wanted answers as to why the Village Council is in favor of the project.


Michelle's response:


I strongly support the plan proposed by The Harbour for the Grove Key / Scotty's / Chart House properties. I've received emails from a small number of people complaining about "development" on the waterfront. They are complaining about improvements to an already-developed property which is a small  part of the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan and which was supposed to be redeveloped after the lease ended in 2012.

The Harbour's proposal meets the plan's goals and significantly improves pedestrian connections, adds green space, and includes a better baywalk and a park on the water under and around the banyan tree by Scotty's. It also keeps a casual outdoor restaurant and live music venue by the water, similar in pricing and menu to Scotty's, as is required by the master plan. 

The parking garage in The Harbour's plan is also in the master plan, but is narrower than the master plan envisioned, allowing for more green space. The parking garage will be needed when the Expo Center location and acres of surface lots around it are turned into a park and Sailing Center. In my opinion, if more spaces are needed I'd rather see it taller and keep the green space than wider with no green space. That will be the Miami Parking Authority's decision. 

The retail in the proposal is also part of the master plan, and should be limited to retail related to the waterfront uses. The City didn't specify that in its RFP, but The Harbour's proposal did express that intent. The Village Council's resolution adds a recommendation that the parking garage wraparound retail could serve park users (adding retail uses that would also serve cyclists, runners, walkers, and other non-boaters who use our waterfront parks).

For those who don't know the history, the master plan was created over a three-year period with a great deal of community involvement. Its purpose was to plan the long-term uses of City-owned properties from Peacock Park to Kennedy Park, taking into consideration existing leases and renewals, the need for waterfront land to be used for water dependent uses, the creation of connections to the Center Grove, and the need for improved public access to the water. Lots of competing needs were considered: boating access, passive park space, locations for active sports like cycling and running. Sasaki came up with a really great long-term plan that addressed all of those needs.

For those who are complaining, I hope they will read Sasaki's final report for the master plan and see what a great improvement it will be for our waterfront as it is implemented. Perhaps with an understanding of the bigger picture they will understand what a great design The Harbour has come up with for the small piece of the project they have agreed to build, at great expense, for our waterfront.  

In the end, the lease for their proposed project will have to go to a public referendum, and I hope it gets our support.  

Monday, July 22, 2013

JCI's international networker

The JCI's (Junior Chamber International) are meeting tonight at The Grove Spot (3324 Virginia Street), at 7 pm, for cocktails and networking. JCI members from Miami (Coconut Grove), North Miami and Hollywood (current and former) and community partners will be coming together to network and mingle.

They also have the honor of hosting JCI Vice President to The Americas, Lilian Graciela RolĆ³n Flecha from Paraguay.  She is assigned to the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Mexico and USA.  And JCI Vice President to Europe, FranƧois BĆ©gin from Canada will also be in attendance.  He is assigned to the countries of Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Catalonia and the Netherlands. 

It will be a very international event. Everyone is welcome.

Why do we need retail on the waterfront?

There are rumblings in the community about the waterfront plan, you know, The Harbour project at the Scotty's Landing site.

The question being raised now is, why do we need this? What is the purpose? Why not make the whole area parkland?

The leases are reverting back to the city, that's the Scotty's Landing site, the Marina and The Chart House. Some neighbors now want the whole area to be parkland and feel that the commercial use should not happen. Only this is part of the final Sasaki Waterfront Master Plan. It specifies watersports related retail and since this area is one of the largest regatta sites in the country, it would make sense to have boating supplies and such, for the sailors.

I have been perplexed that the Center Grove merchants have been quiet about the plan as they will be affected most by the competition. But there is not supposed to be much competition other than the three restaurants that probably will take over the space, replacing The Chart House and Scotty's Landing, which are there now.

Commissioner Sarnoff speaks of a Central Park taking over the Expo Center site and how beautiful the area will be. The developers across the street are calling it Regatta Park. But let me ask you this. If the Expo center is this big ugly monolith blocking water views, why is The Harbour any better? Other than the fact that it has been in the works for years. People had the opportunity to shoot down retail and restaurants when hundreds of meetings took place regarding the waterfront over a period of years.

A garage is part of the plan. There needs to be parking. It's unfortunate that we can't go underground, but of course we can't. Should the garage be tall and have a small footprint or should is sprawl out more so as not to have too much height?

Should the whole waterfront plan be stopped? Should all the leases that are reverting back to the city be then gifted to the residents of Coconut Grove as parkland and not a commercial entity. It's highly unlikely since that was part of the original plan and with the shape that the city is in these days, all money coming in is needed. Ask yourself, if you owned the land and could make lots of money in rents would you take the money or give it to the residents as a park?

And what about City Hall? When are the politicians going to vacate that and give it back to the Grove as an airline museum and restaurant or something similar? That's another question people are asking. That one seems to be quite legitimate.

Tomorrow, I have a response from Michelle Niemeyer, who was chair of the Coconut Grove Waterfront Working Committee during the planning process, which was a committee of residents from all over the Grove. It later became a subcommittee of the Village Council. 


Michelle is currently a member of the Coconut Grove Waterfront Plan Implementation Committee, which is an advisory committee appointed by the City Manager related to the master plan. 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Village Council likes The Harbour plans

Last week, the Coconut Grove Village Council went over the plans for the waterfront "The Harbour" plans. They approved it by a majority.

I suppose the plans will change a lot as they go forth and all of the photos and plans look nice, but this one photo bothers me for some reason, it looks like such a big enclosed glass mall on the water. But as I said, the rest of the plans don't seem so imposing. This image is called "Shulas and the Harbour Terrace" on the plans, by the way.

Good People at GableStage

In Good People the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire, pays his respects to his old South Boston neighborhood with this tough and tender play about the insurmountable class divide between those who make it out of this blue-collar Irish neighborhood and those who find themselves left behind. Is it strength of character or just a few lucky breaks that determines a person's fate?

Good People has been acclaimed as Best Play 2011 - New York Drama Critics' Circle Award and Tony Best Play nominee. Variety says, "If Good People isn't a hit, there is no justice in the land!" Performances at GableStage are Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 and 7 pm. thru August 18th. Tickets range from $37.50 to $50.


GableStage is at The Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables)
305-445-1119 (box office) or www.GableStage.org

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Dinner and a play

Hopefully this will be the case with the Coconut Grove Playhouse one day soon.

In Coral Gables, Actors' Playhouse (280 Miracle Mile), and Ortanique on the Mile (278 Miracle Mile), are teaming up to offer a special dinner-theatre package for all those looking to wine, dine and watch a great show.

For $60, guests can enjoy a special two-course menu with a glass of wine at Ortanique, and one show ticket to the Theatre’s latest musical, “Rated P for Parenthood” on Wednesday and Thursday night showings.

For more info, visit their website, and to reserve a spot, call the box office at 305-444-9293.

Fine art featured at Valmar reception


FrameWorks in Coconut Grove has a sister gallery called Valmar in the Bird Road Gallery Walk area and they are part of the Bird Road walk tonight, Saturday, July 20.

Don Calhoun and Judy Kamman Hende's art is featured. The piece above is by Don.

Don Calhoun is a retired industrial arts teacher and administrator with 33 years in public education teaching disciplines that included graphic arts, photography, material processing and technical drawing. As a hobby, he began with black and white printing via film and then pursued a further course of study in graphic arts at Miami-Dade College and FIU. Upon retirement, Don took courses in digital photography and joined a local gallery where he began selling prints in addition to working local art shows. At present, he has a photo scan service for the purpose of digitizing artist's paintings for marketing purposes. Many of you may know Don through the GroveHouse Artists.

"I believe that one of the greatest gifts once can give is the sharing of creativity.  To stop a memory in time and keep it forever is what motivates my passion for photography. Being a free-lance photographer has allowed me the opportunity to share many wonderful images knowing that the impressions I can create for my clients will be theirs forever," says Don.

Coconut Grove resident Judy Kamman Hendel is a hyper-realistic painter whose work is inspired by nature's beauty and detail. Extensive world travel, including journeys to her favorite spots in the Florida Keys, provide her with joy, a sense of exploration, and accomplishment offering creative inspiration for her paintings. Judy's experiences as a dive master have shown her similarities between life forms that reside in the ocean's gardens and those on land, which she has used to create vibrant large-format canvases offering a magnified perspective.

Judy earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  She is a Miami Norland High School graduate, returning to South Florida with her husband, Dr. Robert Hendel, after a 30 year hiatus in Chicago.  

"My passion is painting uniquely structured life forms from land and sea gardens. I share my vision with a macroscopic perspective of colors and shapes to make a visceral impact on the viewer," says Judy.

Valmar is located at 4150 SW 74th Court, 
Tel. 305-267-9360

The opening reception starts at 7 pm tonight and the exhibit runs through August 14, 2013.

Friday, July 19, 2013

"I'm So Excited," at Gables Cinema

The Coral Gables Art Cinema (260 Aragon Avenue) is premiering their new film, “I’m So Excited,” Friday, July 19 at 7pm.

A darkly comedic story by renowned director Pedro Almodovar, the film tells the story of an airplane flight facing complete mechanical failure. Life in the clouds is as complicated as it is on the ground for the diverse, crazy, sex and death-obssesed characters thrown together on the endangered plane.

Tickets cost $11.50; for more info, call 786-385-9689 or for show times and to purchase passes, visit gablescinema.com

Things that make you go hmmm . . .

I thought it was interesting in New York that the theme, tagline of Union Square is "Shop, Dine, Unwind."

It's all over the area, on billboards, signs hanging from poles, etc. 


Guess we didn't trademark that in Coconut Grove so now it's out there.

Kicking off Miami Spice with the Iron Fork

Kick off Miami Spice this year with Miami New Times' Iron Fork event on Thursday, August 1st at 7 pm with over 45 restaurants participating, including Bulla Gastrobar, Cibo Wine Bar, A Fish Called Avalon, Edge Steak and Bar, City Hall Restaurant, The Oceanaire, to name a few local eateries.

Miami New Times is partnering with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to kick off two months of discounted three-course meals at Miami’s best restaurants during Miami Spice. Iron Fork will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd, downtown Miami).


Time: VIP: 6 - 10 pm; General Admission: 7 - 10 pm 

General Admission: includes unlimited restaurant sampling from 45+ restaurants, live entertainment with spirits, wine and beer available for purchase.
 $40 - At the Door - $55*

VIP: includes 1 hour early entrance, unlimited restaurant sampling from 45+ restaurants, live entertainment and complimentary Spirits by Bacardi, Beer by Stella Artois, and Wine by Wines of Chile.
 $75 - At the Door - $90*

Taste new dishes and watch chefs battle head to head, plus for a limited time only, enter promo code CHECK online to save $10 off General Admission and $5 off VIP.


Tickets will be sold at the door IF tickets are still available. This event has sold out in the past. Tickets are not guaranteed to be sold at the door.

For full info, participating restaurants & to purchase tickets, visit their website here.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Sustainable, organic produce

Have you ever wished for a simple way to eat healthier by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet? Do you want that "farm fresh" taste that is often absent from produce found at supermarkets? Would you like to support local farmers and businesses that grow produce sustainably and organically?

Seasons Farm Fresh is introducing a hybrid program right here in Coconut Grove that is part CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) and part organic buying club. Seasons Farm Fresh strives to work with local farmers to bring sustainable and organic produce to urban dwellers at costs that can be up to 40% less than supermarkets. By sourcing the majority of the produce from local farms in South Florida they are able to get produce harvested to order, which often means that what you receive has been picked within 24 hours. Additionally, they work with a large network of farmers to bring in organic produce from slightly farther in efforts to maintain a constant diversity in each week's share.

The shares include many of the staples that the average consumer uses frequently throughout the week; however, unique varieties (i.e. purple potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, etc.) as well as tropical fruits and vegetables are added to the mix. Extras include free range eggs and local honey.


Here is how it works:

1. Sign up for the weekly newsletter on www.seasonsfarmfresh.com. This will enable you to receive information about in season produce each week without any obligation to order. 
 2. This is a bi-weekly program, which allows for shares to be ordered anytime until Wednesday at 12 pm before the delivery date. 
 3. All payment occurs through a secure online store. This processing occurs via PayPal for all credit cards and other payment methods.
 4. Shares are available for pickup at a location in Center Grove every other Thursday between 4 - 7 pm. 
  
 There is a one time $15 start up fee, but that is it. Once you are in the system there are never any other fees. You can order as frequently as you would like without any penalty or charge. Some members order every two weeks, and others order every two months. This is an ideal way to get produce when you want without paying for anything else. 

The next pickup in Coconut Grove is August 1st. 

If you are interested in more information, please visit www.seasonsfarmfresh.com.