On Friday, June 14, there is a one-night-only charity art event featuring the Belen Art Exhibit, Canvas of Hope, along with special guest Harvard University's Adam Frange, the founder of the Community Health Council.
The exhibit, a display of artwork by children living in extreme poverty in the Amazon, also showcases photography by Zag Adams, son of Patch Adams, who was portrayed by Robin Williams in the movie "Zag," has captured the everyday plight and beauty of the people of the Amazon.
The event, presented in partnership with the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce, will raise funds for the CHC's plan to build a community center to provide the citizens of Belen with much needed services.
Tickets are $50, including special cocktails and delicious bites from local Peruvian restaurants.
The event starts at 7 pm at Pan American Art Projects, 2450 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Wynwood Art DistrictPlease visit: www.BelenArtExhibit.com for tickets
Last night, Sue McConnell sent an email out regarding Commissioner Sarnoff's newsletter. She's trying to get him subscribers. Many people took offense to it, so they sent it to me. The email, not the newsletter. Here is the email (in red), the last line is what bothers people. Not me, I know better.
"If you want to be kept accurately informed of Grove issues you can email Will Plasencia wplasencia@miamigov.com in Comm. Sarnoff's office and sign up for the District 2 newsletter. Also remember that Comm. Sarnoff has an open door policy; if you have any questions you can always call his office at 305-250-5333 or contact his Chief of Staff rnelson@miamigov.com.
Probably a better way to be kept informed than local blogs."
I don't think Sue is putting down local blogs for publishing news, I think she is just trying to say that if you want news from Sarnoff's office, then get it from the horse's mouth because she doesn't like the light we shed on the news coming out of his office all the time and they can control their message. At least, I am taking the high road and assuming that. She can't possibly be telling people that there is not another view other then Sarnoff's is she?
But a friend who received her email and was offended himself, did say that Sue's email is "called attempted suppression of the news and the truth." At a meeting two weeks ago Sue kept calling out, "Why don't you let Marc speak? He knows what's going on."
For instance this story about the shutters. I'm sure Sarnoff's newsletter is going to tell you why this is such a great plan and maybe it is. I feel we have the right to ask questions about it. They don't want debate on this. They don't want debate on anything. They want you to read the newsletter, nod your head, agree, and go on with your life. Sort of like the Stepford Wives.
Me, I am not a Stepford Wife so I ask questions and I shed light on the their shade. I hope you aren't a Stepford Wife either. Many are, they operate like robots, never thinking for themselves. There are a handful of Grovites who were such great Coconut Grove supporters and neighbors, but they sold out long ago. Every decision they make now is based on what they are told to do and what they are told to think. They don't do anything for the good of the community anymore. They probably don't see it in themselves, because if they did, I don't know how they could live with themselves. I think they drank the Kook Aid, or even worse, maybe it's just that they are on the payroll.
Woops, did I say Kook Aid? I meant Kool Aid, typo. But then again, maybe Kook Aid fits.
Something interesting is going to be decided by the City Commissioners at Thursday's meeting. Shutters. Not hurricane shutters, but storefront shutters. The goal is to have businesses in downtown Miami and Coconut Grove, remove the "ugly" shutters that cover the storefronts at night and have impact-resistant glass installed instead.
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, whose district covers these areas, feels it will make the shopping districts safer and more pedestrian friendly. Business owners aren't so sure. The Downtown Development Authority and the Coconut Grove BID will share the cost of replacing the current businesses with the new glass.
If the City Commission votes in favor of the change, business owners will have two years to replace the shutters.
It's true, the shutters are ugly and they do block light from coming out onto the streets that might come from the businesses. The shutters do protect what's inside from prying eyes at night. But these prying eyes can easily see what's inside during daytime hours anyway. But what next, forcing business owners to leave the lights on at night, so that the light does flood out onto the street?
I know one local business without shutters, but they clean out the merchandise from their windows at night, so as not to tempt fate.
I'm not sure if the government should get involved in private enterprise and why only two areas of the city in District 2 and not the whole city or county? But doesn't Coral Gables make you get approval for painting your house and things like that? So maybe it's just a matter of keeping up appearances, Hyacinth Bucket style.
The All-Grove Crime Watch will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 12, at 7pm at St. Stephen's Church (2750 McFarlane Road), in the Great Room located at the rear of the church grounds.
Come meet with Grove residents, Commander Gentry and other Grove District police, State Attorney Representatives and others to discuss recent crimes and how best to prevent future crime.
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.
Club Blue Miami, Young Professionals for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, will host young professionals for a Summer Night of Networking and Cocktails on Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Enjoy cocktails, mojitos, and appetizers courtesy of Azúcar Cuban Cuisine & Cigars, and wines provided by Bartenura. Highlights of the evening will include a silent auction and raffle prizes. The guest speaker will be Shawn Khosravi of Bankers Companies. Your $25 minimum donation includes a cocktail or mojito and appetizers. RSVPs are required by email or phone.
Azúcar Cuban Cuisine & Cigars is located at 2 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables. For info, please call 305-446-9910 or email ClubBlue@BGCMia.org
ERIC, the Epic Righteous Invincible Combo, is performing Friday, June 14 at The Grove Spot (3324 Virginia Street). Showtime is 8 to 11 pm
The Group consists of, from left to right above:Eric Wagner-vocals & acoustic guitarFred Hsia-electric guitarBob "Bebob" Grabowski-upright bassBobby Thomas Jr.-percussionOriginal Songs composed by Eric Wagner performed by Miami Jazz MastersEric Wagner is Coconut Grove-based composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, known locally for his work with the string band "Solar Dogs."
Fred Hsia is a Berklee educated finger-style jazz guitarist in the tradition of Wes Montgomery, but with modern tonal palate reminiscent of John Abercrombie and John Scofield."I'm old and have played a long time," is how Fred describes himself.Robert C. Grabowski is an educator, author, bassist, Jazz historian, composer, arranger, audio engineer, and visual artist and has held the position of Adjunct Professor in Jazz Studies at Florida International University for over twenty three years. During the year he teaches jazz history to approximately fifteen hundred students every year. He has also written the text for the course, The Evolution of Jazz In America, now published as an etext by Pearson Publishing. He has produced the FIU Jazz Festival for ten years, featuring such artists as David Sanborn and Maynard Ferguson. He co-wrote and produced four National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters grants featuring Clark Terry, Nat Adderley, Louis Bellson, and Dr. Billy Taylor. He is an active writer and musician, having recorded six cds of his own work. The latest, Deepest Blue, won rave reviews from the Miami Herald. He has recorded live at the Kennedy Center with Alan Harris, and in the studio with Melton Mustafa, Ira Sullivan, Phil Strange, Larry Marshall, and many others. He holds a MMEd with emphasis in Jazz Studies from FIU (‘90), with graduate work at FSU and UM as well. His BM was from UM in Composition and Conducting. His major professors have included Dennis Kam, Lucas Drew, John Boda, Fredrick Fennell, and Dick Dunscomb. He is a radio personality, having hosted Monday Night Jazz on WLRN, the NPR affiliate for South Florida for over two years and had a regular show on WTMI for nine years. . His teaching outside FIU includes being an Artist in Residence for Arts in America in 2006, teaching Jazz History at various MDC Campus, lecturing in Jazz History for the New World School of the Arts, and was chosen as a Artist in Residence for the Thelonius Monk Institute and taught Jazz Composition and Arranging Techniques at NWSA as part of that program.
Bobby Thomas, Jr. is the sole innovator of Be-Bop and freestyle hand drumming.Self-taught, Robert Thomas, Jr. creates the most unique approach to percussive instruments in music today, combining traditional playing styles of many lands and many instruments, both ancient and contemporary.Known worldwide for his work with Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter, founders of the group Weather Report, he converses melodically,harmonically, and rhythmically by incorporating the use of cymbals, cowbells, and skins in a systematic concept.Half Bahamian, a native of Florida, born in Miami Beach, he has shared the bandstand with David Sanborn, Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, Monty Alexander, and his friend Jaco Pastorius.Thomas, a two time Grammy Nominee, and world traveler, is an avid collector of bizarre string and wind instruments, who brings forth authentic earthy rawness to the senses, making him a one-man global resource center of Universal proportions.
Coral Gables Restaurant Week started this week, it runs through June 30.
They have a really great website set up where dozens of the restaurants involved are listed. You can go on line, see the prix fixe menus at each restaurant and make a reservation right there on the spot.
There's a lot to choose from like Caffe Abbracci's Norwegian Salmon with veggies and potatoes or the Veal Scaloppine with Marsala Sauce and Wild Mushrooms, served with vegetables and Potatoes as the main course. It starts with Penne “Piemontesi” Pink Sauce with Petit Pois and Fried Calamari with Marinara Sauce as the appetizer and ends with Assorted Fruit Sherbet or Profiteroles filled with vanilla ice-cream and topped with bitter-sweet chocolate sauce
This is just their dinner selection, they also offer a different menu for lunch. The dinner menu is $35, not including tax and tip.
Ruth's Chris Steak House has a dinner menu for $35.95 which includes
DINNER MENUPlease choose one from each course:STARTERLobster BisqueSteak House SaladCaesar SaladENTRÉE6oz Filet & ShrimpChef’s Fresh Fish Selection - SalmonStuffed Chicken BreastSIDESGarlic Mashed PotatoesCreamed SpinachSautéed MushroomsDESSERTCheesecake with Sweet Cream and Berries
This is only part of what is offered for the rest of the month at so many places. Check it all out at the website here.
