The Taurus knows how to throw a party

One of the best events this past weekend was the reopening of The Taurus bar and grill (3540 Main Highway). So many friends and neighbors were there for the opening reception, that it was such a comfortable place just because of that.


The staff was very efficent and hundreds ate and drank as guests of Salvatore Catania and his crew. There were delicious hamburger sliders and pizza and the drinks flowed on the house.


The bars were outside and inside the original 1919 structure. A live band played as you entered and people danced all afternoon.

At left, artist Debra Cortese orders a drink. At right, Mark Diaz and Bill Kearney enjoy a beer.


John Lawrence, Antoinette Baldwin and Bruce Wilson (co-owner of the original Taurus), show off one of the original signs.


Here's a birthday party happening beside the fireplace inside the bar. There was even a tribute to Butch, a long-time favorite bartender.

For more photos, join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/coconutgrovegrapevine

Another successful poetry night at The Bookstore

Friday night was Poetry Night at The Bookstore. Quite a nice crowd showed up to hear stories and poems, it was a nice start to the long holiday weekend.

Jerry Wade, above, as usual, had everyone laughing with his bittersweet story/poem about a guy, a bus bench and an umbrella. I ran into some friends I had not seen in awhile. It's a nice cultural atmosphere.

Here are the clues to the Coconut Savenger Hunt

Now that the hunt is over we can show you some of the poems that were used in the 30 odd participants, merchants who partook of the funky Grove Coconut Scavenger Hunt.

On Friday night, before the hunt, we went around town with the little red wagon full of coconuts and allowed the participants to select their favorites to store for the next day's hunt. Above, Sandy Francis chooses the ones she likes for The Bookstore, as Steve Licata helps.

Can you guess the locations where the coconuts were hidden by the clues below?

1) We sound like royalty but we are down to earth;
stop in for a healthy lunch to avoid the girth

2) Known for brown trucks and shipping to Timbuktoo,
I'm also a storefront and a Notary, too.

3) Fat free, tasty, icy and smooth in a cone or a cup
they always give samples for you to eat up.

4) This place serves ribs and chicken and steak,
known for their swing tables when you need a break

5) It's a perfect place to get a "colada,"
especially for those who love caffeine a lotta.

6) Fish Tacos and beer and fajitas are outta site
They are known for it all, especially college night.

7) You won't find Redford winning Meryl's heart,
but a continent's worth of objets d'art

8) I have all the "best friends" that a girl could want,
on her wrists, ears and fingers, she'll just love to flaunt.

Answers below


Jaguar, Maya Hatcha and Olav's Pommes and Pane were some of the participants.

Answers to the above clues:
1) Smoothie King
2) UPS
3) Yogurbella
4) Mr. Moes
5) Havana Grove
6) Sandbar
7) Out of Africa
8) H&H Jewels

The next coconut scavenger hunt will be the night before the Great Grove Bed Race, just before the Pajama Pub Crawl on Saturday, September 5, 2009.

Bikram Hot Yoga opening later this week

The first class at the new Bikram Hot Yoga studio (2500 SW 28 Lane) is Friday, July 10 at 9 am.

They will have open house tomorrow Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8 from 9 to 11 am and 4 to 8 pm, both days to just have a meet and greet. It's a way to see the place, get to know the instructors and owners, Will and Mary Margaret Thomas and sign up for classes.

Tuition: $140 for a 10-lesson package that expires in 30 days, $180 monthly unlimited. Visit www.miamibikram.com for more details or call 305-856-9922.

Online registration for their new studio software is now available, too. This will be for class check-in and their key tag system. Or you may wait and register at the studio.

Commodore Plaza becomes party central

The Summer Rendezvous kicked off on Saturday night, that's where Commodore Plaza was made into an actual plaza -- no cars allowed.


I am told that about 2000 filled the street to eat, drink and dance. Music played on each end of the street, and in between, all live.


The restaurants actually brought their tables out into the street. The Summer Rendezvous will continue each Saturday for the next four weeks. If the program is a success, the party will go on every Saturday night, where the street will be closed for the night and turned into a pedestrian party zone!

The Commodore would have been proud

Is it 1899 or 2009? It's hard to tell when you visit The Barnacle (3485 Main Highway). It's very hard to tell on the 4th of July, when most activities could have taken place 100 years go. Commodore Ralph Munroe would have recognized his house and land very easily, not much has changed.

Picnics, kite making, croquet and hot dogs filled the day. The sunny day, under shady trees along the pristine bay, completed the scene.


Music, mostly acoustic, entertained the guests. Jerry Wade grilled hot dogs, here he is serving Kyle Adams, an Americorp volunteer. The Barnacle is always open for visitors but the 4th of July is a magical day there.