Grove Bucks are coming to the Grove on the 4th of July

Like it? It's the new currency for Coconut Grove called Grove Bucks.

It actually will be part of the prizes during the Coconut Scavenger Hunt on July 4th. Many of the winners (most in fact) will win these bucks which can be used as currency in participating stores and restaurants. At the end of the week, merchants who accept the bucks will turn them in to a central location for reimbursement.

Participating merchants are the ones who participate in the Scavenger Hunt. So it would behoove them to say "yes" when their block captain or someone from the Merchants Group approaches them.

If a person wins 300 Grove Bucks, that will be like $300.00 Simple. These will have special codings on the back to prevent duplication.

The Merchants Group is hoping to use these at other events, too, like during the Great Grove Bed Race and maybe even during the holidays. I think it could work for bar crawls and just about anything. In the future we could actually have people use them instead of money in Coconut Grove by giving them more for their Grove Buck, like every 100 Grove Bucks would cost $90.00 in cash to buy, so the person with the Grove Bucks would automatically have an extra $10.00 to spend.

Liliana Dones designed the Grove Bucks. This incredible artwork is all her doing. A peacock was suggested for the center image and that's all she had to go on.

Mayoral candidates are out meeting the voters

City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, above center, held a fundraising cocktail reception for mayoral candidate Commissioner Tomás Regalado, above, center left, last night at Calamari, in Coconut Grove.

Commissioner Joe Sanchez, who is running against Regalado in November's election, has a fundraising dinner tonight at Angelo and Maxie's, in Coconut Grove.


Here are a few fans of Regalado's including Janice Tarber, chairman of planning advisory board, Bernard Zyscovich and Suria Yaffar.

Photos by Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Ladies enjoy a great night of shopping for charity

Last night was Girls Night Out at the Museum of Science. The shopping event was a charity event to raise money for Kids Hope United.

Above, from left, are Alexandra Alvarez of "Coconut LifeStyle," Monica Grandos, Cheryl Herger and Raquel Batista.


The Shoes To You booth was manned by Jonell Zarich, Anette Gabriella and owner Kim Stone.

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

So what else is new?

The Grove Harbour items that showed up on tomorrow’s Commission agenda are deferred for the umpteenth time. Grove Harbour wants to build a four story office building right on the waterfront, as you know. This is totally against zoning laws and not part of the Waterfront Master Plan, which was years in the making.

Grove Harbour has been invited to attend the next Waterfront Implementation Committee meeting (on July 8 at 5:30 pm) along with the management of Scotty’s Landing, Grove Key Marina, and Chart House, to discuss the implementation of the Waterfront Master Plan as it affects all of those properties.

Grove Harbour will also be on the next Waterfront Advisory Board agenda.

Mutiny Hotel is offering a July 4th special

The Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) has a 4th of July Special.

It is a "Fireworks Suite" for only $149.00 per night and includes:
- A one bedroom suite, with private balcony and unobstructed view of the park, bay and fireworks
- Two complimentary signature robes
- 15% discount at Atchana's East/West Kitchen
and easy access to all the Grove events including a trolley back and forth.

For reservations, please call 305-441-2100 or email info@mutinyhotel.com

The "Go Green, Buy American" cars event back at City Hall

The popular Going Green car promotion is back at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

The event last month with Chevy and GM was a big success. Part Two in the "Go Green, Buy American" series will be Tuesday, June 30 at 6:30 pm.

In an effort to shed light on the latest and possibly greatest "Green" cars to ever come out of Detroit, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff has invited American companies to showcase their newest Eco-friendly and hybrid vehicles right here in the Grove. Ford is the only American Car company to not take federal bailout money. Their company executives will present.

Cars on hand will include: the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid which recently was declared the "most patented" car in American history, it has 119 patents on file for technology and innovations; the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid -- rated the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet at 34 mpg; and the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (shown here) -- 41 mpg.

You can check under the hood, kick the tires and sit behind the wheel. Ford execs will even let you take the cars out for a quick spin. It's a great opportunity to see what American car makers have to offer. This is your chance to see these hybrids up close and personal and ask all the questions you want to the people who are touting their success.

"Miami Goin' Green" will be on hand to offer tips and advice on how to make your own cars run more efficiently. Learn great common sense ideas on how to save cash and help preserve the environment.

RefreshMiami tonight at Arts and Minds Center

RefreshMiami is meeting at the Arts and Mind Center (3138 Commodore Plaza) tonight from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. There is no charge, everyone is welcome.

RefreshMiami is a community for all web professionals, enthusiasts and students to connect. They host monthly meetups where members present their work, share their research or ideas and engage in lively conversations.

For info, please contact Brian Breslin at brianbreslin@gmail.com