Casablanca showing at City Hall

There is a free screening of the classic movie Casablanca at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) on Friday, February 4 at 6:30 pm. It's free and so is the popcorn.

For more information call the District 2 office at 305-250-5333.

Red Kiwi making changes under new ownership

Red Kiwi Frozen Yogurt at 3117 Commodore Plaza is under new ownership, Maria Eugenia Baco-Campo and Ricardo Campo are North Grove residents and have taken over the award winning business.

Maria has made some cool (no pun intended) changes at Red Kiwi. The Original and Nutella flavors are staying and she has brought back the popular Strawberry yogurt. It will be there permanently.

There will be one flavor that constantly rotates, the roster currently includes Blueberry, Mango, Banana and Passion Fruit. Pink Guava is coming soon!

A yogurt parfait and a fruit cup will be added to the menu by the end of this week. They now also have waffle cones and espresso and cappuccino. And of course, they always have delicious smoothies.

Something great added is event catering, you can now add a Frozen Yogurt Bar to your birthday or corporate event, bar mitzvah or whatever! It's a healthy dessert alternative since theor yogurt are non-fat (except Nutella which is low in fat).

The Red Kiwi School Give Back Program sells yogurt at local schools and gives back a percentage of profits made during sale. They already have a pilot program with the Arts and Minds Academy's senior class.

And get in on the Coconut Grove Grapevine Special. Mention the Grapevine and receive a Free Yogurt when you purchase a yogurt (same size). This special expires on April 29, 2011.

It's nice to see so much good coming out of the little yogurt store.

Food and Wine By the Bay at La Salle High School

The Third Annual Food and Wine by the Bay is being held at Immaculata La Salle High School (3601 S. Miami Avenue) on Friday, February 4 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm.

Happy Hour is from 5:30 to 7:00 and then the restaurants open from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

Some of the many restaurants participating include: Seasons 52, Rincon Argentino, Crepe Maker, Pardo Chicken Real, Flemings Steakhouse, Noecento and Red Koi.

A new product, Seagram’s Sweet Tea Vodka is being introduced at the event, too, they may serve something called the John Daly, the Sweet Tea Vodka and lemonade.

Live music will be provided by Havana Soul. Cost is $30 in advance and $40 at the door.

Tickets may be purchased at La Salle or by calling Nancy Gamwell at 305- 854-2334 ext. 118, you may also email Nancy for more info at: nancy.gamwell@ilsroyals.com

Knight Riders football team honored at City Hall

Coconut Grove's Knight Riders Pee Wee league football team received special commendations at City Hall last week to mark the team’s championships at the state and regional levels.


Above, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff congratulates one of the players as Mayor Tomas Regalado, looks on.

This fall, the Knight Riders PeeWee team won the Sean Taylor Classic Pop Warner Bowl for Division 2, making the team the 2010 Southeast Regional Champions. That win allowed the team to move up and compete in the 2010 Pop Warner Super Bowl national championship in Orlando this past December.

The hard work and perseverance of the players, their coaches and their parents is exemplary, as is the team's dedication to academic achievement.

“I’m proud of the achievements of the team and equally proud of the outpouring of community support for the boys in their effort to compete in the national championship,” said Commissioner Sarnoff.

February specials at RED Gym

Ok, a month has gone by since the New Year started, and many of you made a resolution to start working out, but still have not started (I know, because I haven't seen you at the gym I go to), but now RED Gym (3206 Grand Avenue) is coming to the rescue.

Starting tomorrow, February 1, purchase as many training sessions as you want for $20.11 each. This is valid from February 1, 2011 through February 11, 2011. The sessions are 30 minutes each.

And you can also register to win a free month of training for just being a Mom! RED will have a drawing on Valentine’s Day (February 14) and three moms will win a free month of training. To get more info or to register for the contest, please go to their website here.

CocoWok opening for dinner this week

Armando Paz, left, and Paul Diaz tried out some of CocoWok's new menu items last week.

CocoWok, the new Asian-fusion take-out place at 3015 Virginia Street opens this Wednesday night.

At first, it's only dinner, by next week and possibly by Arts Festival Weekend (Feb. 19-21) they will be open daily for lunch.

They also will offer drinks and other items where you can just run in, grab a cold one and leave.

Beer and Saki along with soft drinks are on the menu and from the grab-and-go box, there are cold coffee drinks, juices, muscle milk and cold salads, all at great prices. They are not selling these at "restaurant mark-ups," they want to be a convenience for neighbors.

After a month, maybe less, they will kick off their scooter delivery service. They plan on only delivering to 33133, they are staying on our side of US1 only.

Part of Coconut Grove took over S. Miami today

He's King of the World -- or at least King of the King Mango Strut on Sunset Drive, which was the case today. Glenn Terry brought his group to Sunset to strut as part of the Volksblast, classic Volkswagen show that was going on, so the strut had a built-in audience.


But they really didn't need that because so many Grovites showed up for the parade. It seemed as if there were more Grovites outside 33133 today than in. We saw so many familiar faces, including many board members from the other King Mango Strut group.


Glenn, in yellow, with his sons and LeBron James' "brother" for the parade, had a really great concept. It was like going back to the old Grove strut. Total organized chaos.


Lots of familiar faces, who were part of December's Coconut Grove King Mango Strut, were part of this South Miami King Mango Strut today, too.


It was all in good fun, and people had a ball. The weather was perfect for it. That's Bob Deresz playing Mr. Mango Head.


The Grand Marshal was Mr. Clucky the rooster, but poor Mr. Clucky actually died! So the strutters came up with his ashes idea, and Mr. Clucky's ashes were accompanied down Sunset Drive as part of the Strut today (those are the "ashes" in the inset photo).


Prez Obama was there and the farmers from the South Miami Farmer's Market.


And all sorts of clever new ideas were marching down the street.


Some old ideas, too -- this is the BP Oil Spill.


The Piano on the Sandbar was really topical and right on and quite funny. All the media was out, tons of news people and photographers. It ended up being a really great thing. So apparently now there are two King Mango Struts -- the Grove one in December (here's the slideshow) and the South Miami one in January. Go figure. They should parody each other in each others parades.

GroveHouse Gallery celebrating 6th anniversary

The GroveHouse Artists Gallery is celebrating its 6th Anniversay on Saturday, February 5 during the Gallery Walk. The featured artist this month is Mitchell Shulman. Above is his work called "Promise of the Fisherman," and below is "Fin Fan."

Come by from 7 to 10 and enjoy refreshments and lots of art. Meet the member artists. Mimosas and Martinellis are being served, too.

This is also the opening recepiton of "The Heart of ...," an open exhibition for area artists.

The GroveHouse is in the Mayfair Promenade between The Improv and the Mayfair Antiques Market. For more info, please call 305-569-3097.

Speaking of The GroveHouse, we ran a story on the history of the orignial GroveHouse from the 1960s and '70 over the holidays, you may have missed it. You can see it here.

More of Sepy's estate is available for purchase

The Estate of Sepy Debronyi is still trying to unload his stuff. It seems that the last estate sale drew mostly gawkers, looking for some old-Grove infamous history and really looking to buy merchandise.

Part two of the estate sales starts Monday, January 31. The sale is by invitation and appointment only. Only one appointment per hour will be taken at the home at 3980 Wood Avenue.

There are many additional items now on display including many collectibles items from his kitchen, his famous cellar, personal clothing, linens and of course artwork from New Guinea, Bali and the other 83 countries that he visited. In addition most of the items are now marked and described. Most of the items will be going to auction on the Internet and auction houses around the world in the next few weeks, so you’ll have an opportunity to buy it now if you prefer. No reasonable offer will be refused.

Some tacky people have been trying to return items after purchase. There are no exchanges or returns, it's not Macy's folks. It's part of Grove history -- one-of-a-kind items at an estate sale.

To make an appointment, please email: sepyestatesale@comcast.net or call 305-424-8912.

King Mango Strut in South Miami today?

The rumor is that at 11:30 this morning, January 30, Glenn Terry's version of the King Mango Strut will kick off in South Miami as a "flash parade," you know, it's like flash mob, but this is a "flash parade."

They are going to pop up as part of a Volkswagen Parade on Sunset Drive. The parade was kept secret and has only been known apparently by the "flashers" involved.

Why the secrecy? The parade’s director, Glenn Terry explained, “We couldn't have pre-publicity. The 'flash part' makes everything easier to produce. We're going to gather at Sunset and US 1. At 11:30 we are going to march east through an existing event, a vintage VW car show (Volksblast). We think it will be the world’s first flash parade,” Glenn co-founded the King Mango Strut in Coconut Grove in 1982.

Guess it's easier to produce when you don't need to involve those pesky permits and police and other city services.

Interestingly enough, a bunch of vintage Volkswagens drove through Center Grove yesterday. When I asked what it was about, they were not very clear. Was this a way for them to draw up publicity for today's event? Like a little spit in the Grove's eye? Who knows. Very strange.

Today's parade will include The Next BP Oil Slick, The Banana Anti-Defamation League and a huge red light camera that will be ticketing everyone in the audience. As usual, Little Miss Mango and her Court will lead the parade serenaded by the event’s original group, The Mango Marching Band.

They tried getting a bunch of people as Grand Marshal. (How do you get a Grand Marshal of a flash mob?) Steve Slater (the wayward JetBlue flight attendant) said, “No thanks” two months ago. Dolphin activist Ric O’Barry agreed but is stuck in Japan. They called Piano Island’s Nicholas Harrington but the 16 year-old did not return his calls. Finally, Miami Beach ’s famous rooster, Mr. Clucky, was chosen to serve as the Sunday Strut’s Grand Marshall, he did that a couple of years ago in the real parade in Coconut Grove.

This all was leaked to me early this morning, I am hoping it is accurate since I am posting it here, it could all be a big joke on me, but I assume it is happening. The end of the "leaked" press release explains why the Strut left the Grove, or at least why Glenn and his his group started a "flash Strut." It says: "On December 26, 2010, [King Mango's] evil twin, the Duke of Mango, took over. The City of Miami helped him do it. The Evil Duke led a parade that was a little too loud and lewd for the King’s taste. Said observer Peter McGrath, 'The latest parade was flat, not funny at all. Now it appeals more to drinkers than thinkers.' "

We will be in South Miami at 11:30 today and report back. Below are some of the Volkswagens passing through the Center Grove yesterday on their way to where ever.

72 degrees and perfect

Today is a perfect day. The weather couldn't be any better. The Grove is packed with people from one end to the other.

At left is a little sneak peek of the new art being put up at The Grove Spot on Virginia Street. Jeff Roman, the waiter and bartender is also an amazing artist. By the end of today, this will be the new "spot" marker outside The Grove Spot.

Remember there was a buoy marker there since they opened, AnnaMaria and Fred Hunt painted that last February, almost a year ago.

Also around town: Cameron Diaz shopping on Main Highway, caught her at Unika, she snuck out the back door when the paparazzi showed up (my friend John with my camera, I was to shy too take the picture) and Isiah Thomas, Grove resident, at Starbucks, who was nice enough to give me a nice "hello" when he entered.

The Girl Scouts have been out in force, at The Bookstore and CocoWalk, selling their delicious cookies, the parks are full and the guys and girls from the Rolex Miami OCR Regatta are winding up today as it's the last day of the event.

The Mayfair Antique Market is open and lots of folks are taking advantage of that and it seems like a lot of tourists are in town, I guess they escaped all that snow up north. Tomorrow should be a repeat of today.

If you haven't been out, get out there. It's an amazing day.


Men's 49er sailors John Pink and Rick Peacock have seven bullets among 15 races bolstering them into today's final at the Rolex Miami OCR. (Photo by Daniel Forster).

Coconut Grove Elementary students going green

The students at Coconut Grove Elementary School have been busy little bees, they are going green -- literally. The Stingray Patch is there little flower garden in back of the school.


Slowfood and the Coconut Grove Garden Club helped with the first garden and then it just snowballed from there. A few of the local businesses near the school donated funds so the kids could get seed and soil, etc.


Each grade has their own garden and the kids are quite proud of their work. As you can see, they did an excellent job and really should be proud.

Last chance to donate for Knight Riders run

This is the last day to donate to Javier Gonzalez's cause -- the championship Knight Riders football team. Javier will be running in tomorrow's ING Marathon and proceeds from his run will go directly to the team.

Info here.

The Barnacle is on state's hit list for park closings

According to the Audubon of Florida news blog, The Barnacle State Park is on the hit list for park closures this year by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It is one of 53 state parks on the list.

It's interesting to note that part of DEP's proposal last year was not accepted by the state legislature. The DEP is targeting parks with very low attendance.

I'm not sure how they know what the attendance is at The Barnacle, but they are right, there is a very low attendance rate during regular days, but when they have events, the place is crawling with people. But we have passed many times and the gates are locked shut, so not sure how they expect people to enjoy the park when it is closed so often.

We send tourists there all the time who come back and tell us it is closed. So sometimes we make our own fate. But that isn't the issue, the issue is that this is an imporant park, as they all are, this is a view of what Florida looked like way before development took over. This is a quiet place in a crazy world. This is a special place and it's a real part of history as well as an open quite place. The City, County and State finds money to build sports stadiums for billionaires and they can't afford to keep a natural habitat open?

Full story here.

She knows fashion when she sees it

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines donated a bunch of life vests to Shake-A-Leg. They arrived this week. This little girl has a great sense of fashion. While there were many of the usual orange ones, she took a liking to this one and would not give it up.

Since she wouldn't take it off, they let her take it home and in return, her Mom left a nice donation for Shake-A-Leg.

New Wine & Movie night added to repertoire

Barry Alberts has been quite busy, the wine educator seems to have wine tastings all over town these days.

His newest venture is at the Paragon movie theater at CocoWalk. It's on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and is called Wednesday Wine & Movie night, where for $15 you have the wine tasting with complimentary appetizers and afterwards, guests can watch a classic or foreign film in the private screening room, which is part of the new Backlot Wine Bar and Lounge.

If you're not into classic or foreign films, for just $5.00 more, you may enter one of the other theaters to see a new release. No reservations needed. Parking at CocoWalk is just $2.00.

But before that, Barry has his Friday Night Wine Tasting Series tonight, January 28, at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel (2889 McFarlane Road) on the 8th floor at the Panorama Restaurant and Sky Lounge. Featured tonight are Wines of Spain and Italy.

The wine series, entering its 19th year as one of the longest ongoing wine tastings in the country runs from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.

Tonight's wines are from the portfolio of Tricana Distributors of New York. Representative David Ford will be on hand to present these wines.

The tastings are every Friday night. Cost is $15.00, reservations are not required. Each week will feature 10 wines by theme, grape type, region or country of origin and includes a complimentary artisan cheese platter. Along with the Tasting Series Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge will feature a special fixed price three course dinner menu.

Complementary valet parking is available as well as on the street parking in front of the hotel. There's also the "Wine and Food Pairing Dinner Series" and rare wine tastings and dinners. For upcoming tastings and information please phone Barry at 305-793-3120. For more information or directions visit www.sonesta.com/coconutgrove or call 305-447-8256.

George's in the Grove has been sold

Georges Farge sold Georges in the Grove (3145 Commodore Plaza). The name will stay the same, the menu will change a bit.

Georges plans to stay on for a little while, maybe for three months, to help the new owners out, but it is official. He was offered a great price and couldn't pass it up.

It's no secret that Georges has been spending most of his time these days at his new South Miami location (which seems to be the case with all the customers, too).

I remember when they were first opening, Georges, the showman, was so happy when his microphone arrived. I told him, "Georges, you don't even have the walls painted yet and your mic is here?" He smiled, turned it on and proceeded to do his thing.

He held court outside on the sidewalk for months as the new place was taking shape. People would just stop by, visit and enjoy his company, even out on the sidewalk. He is known for first owning Le Bouchon du Grove on Main Highway and then George's. He'll be missed around here.

Michelle Niemeyer throws her hat in the ring

Village Council chair, Michelle Niemeyer, filed with the City today to run for the District 2 Commission seat, now held by Marc Sarnoff.

This makes three in the race now, as we reported last week, Kate Callahan, also on the Village Council, also filed.

What's ironic about this is that at the last Village Council meeting, Michelle and Kate were put up for the position of chairman, but Kate said that she declined so that she could put all her efforts toward the campaign for District 2 Commission seat, while Michelle feels that she can chair the Village Council and also run her election for Commissioner.

Our County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez is interested in being County Mayor, since there is a recall election and a seat might open if Carlos Alvarez needs to step down. So Gimenez's seat will be open. Rumors are going around that City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff is interested in running for that seat, but Sarnoff told me last week that he was running for reelection for his City Commission seat.

The County recall election is March 15, the City Commission election is in November. Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy year.

Food Drive starts next week at the fire house

On Saturday, January 15, 2011 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior’s 82nd Birthday over 400 volunteers from Florida International University, Barry University, AARP, and Service For Peace served at three Miami-Dade County Public Parks. In commemoration of Dr. King and the post-activities, the City of Miami selected Fire Stations are participating in a food drive to benefit the Feeding South Florida organization. These efforts will come in a time that more and more people in our community are going to bed hungry.

The food drive is from February 1 to 7.

Everyone is encouraged to bring canned meats, rice and beans (dry or canned), peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits/veggies, macaroni and cheese, and other non-perishable items to participating fires stations. I usually find that the easiet was to do this is to get buy one get one free products at the supermarket, keep one and give one away, or just give both to the cause, doubling up on your giving.

In the Grove, Station 8, at 2975 Oak Avenue will be collecting the food.

This stuff is not scripted

At a party the other night, I was with a couple of friends sitting poolside at one of the cabanas having drinks. One friend had eye problems for the past year and I guess his perception is off. Another friend brought him a drink and for some reason, he wanted to pour the drink from one glass into another.

So he did. Only since his perception is off, he was about four inches from the second glass and he casually poured the scotch on the rocks onto the glass table. Three of us watched him and just stared without saying anything. It was about five seconds, but it happened in slow motion to us.

It was really funny and one of those things that look scripted but would be part of our little reality show called Coconut Grove.

Romeo & Juliette performed at Shell Lumber
Free Shakespeare back for the weekend

Romeo & Juliette is back again this weekend. Shakespeare Miami is putting on the production at Shell Lumber, right in the lumber yard. It's a cozy and surprisingly great venue.

The crowds have been really great, people of all ages are attending from very young children to older folks. A few clueless clods show up, like the one group who showed up late and expected everyone to move out of the way so that they could lay their blanket down closer to the front. They actually came up to us and said, "Guys, can you move so we can put our blanket down?" In other words, those of us who were standing in the back, waiting for about 45 minutes for the show to start should move out of the way for these latecomers and move ever further back. We didn't budge. They sat on the floor and looked at the back of our legs for the performance.

If you want good seats, get there early, it's a tight fit and not like the park where everyone can get up close. But yet, there really are no bad vantage points. But if you do want front row seats, get there early. Latecomers will be relegated to the back of the "theater" and have to make do.

The actors enter and leave the "stage" often right through the center aisle, so everyone gets a close up look at them, people in the back just have to stand, and no one seemed to mind; it's a great set up for the play. The costumes are all period and colorful and the Shakespearean lines are funny and they add modern day twists like, "You go girl!" and things like that.

Whether you like Shakespeare or not, you'll enjoy this. The actors are all terrific, they engage you and make you laugh and you want to follow the plot and as I said, the odd setting of the lumber yard just works. It reminds me of those old movies where they say, "Let's put on a play in the barn!" and here at Shell Lumber they are actually doing something just like that.

With the winter weather we have been having, the lumber yard actually shields everyone from the cold, it's open to the sky above, but the warm, cozy wood surrounding everyone keeps the place warm. It's maybe better than the park and it's more intimate. The Shell Lumber employees can't be more welcoming, even though they are there well after closing time. I suspect they are going to miss the smell of the grease paint and all the exciting activity once Shakespeare leaves the venue.

The shows are Friday, January 28 through Sunday, January 30. Each night, the show goes on at 8:00 pm and on Sunday, there is a matinee at 2:00 pm.

All shows are free, no tickets necessary, bring a snack, low lawn chairs and your family. Chairs will be available for rent for $1.00, but there are not many, so bring your own if possible. Parking is free on site.

Shell Lumber is at 2733 SW 27 Avenue, right across US1 at 27th Avenue.

For more info, please visit: http://www.shakespearemiami.com.

Notes from Waterfront Implementation Committee

A proposed dock expansion is planned for Grove Harbour Marina. The Waterfront Advisory Board met last week, and the committee's position has been to add more docks to the area as long as it does not have any adverse impact on current marine uses. After a lengthy discussion, a resolution was approved for distribution to the City Manager, Mayor, Commissioners, and Director of Facilities. The resolution says: "Please review the proposed dock expansion at Grove Harbour Marina. The current plan appears to create serious navigation and access issues for City of Miami leaseholders, entities with management agreements, and easement holders, including, Monty’s, Shake-A-Leg, the US Sailing Center, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and Coral Reef Yacht Club."

The permits for the mangrove trimming in Peacock and Myers Parks have been going back and forth with DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) for almost two years. The Parks Department certified arborist has revised the permits several times with the hope of finalizing the permits. The permits will grandfather in the windowing of the mangroves, so new permits will not be necessary and the mangroves can finally be opened up so the water will be visible from the parks. As you may remember, this all happened with a mitigation process where one sloppy, careless developer decided to destroy tree canopies in favor of planting the mangroves along the shore, which did not exist in the past, causing the problem today. The mangroves are not native to the area, or at least have not been native to the park shoreline for 100 years or so.

Floating docks planned for the area behind Scotty’s Landing and The Chart House have been stalled. FIND awarded a grant for design and permitting of the public pier, but construction funding is not available to start the project, so the City has put it on the back burner. FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) however, redirected the grant funds to a series of floating docks, which will perform a similar purpose. One complication (there is always one) is that the State owns the bay bottom.

Those desserts look delicious

Monday night they had an impromptu celebration for Amir Yako, bartender extraordinaire at Calamari. At left are Liliana Dones, Calamari GM Salvatore Catania; Calamari Events Director Gaea Garrity and Amir.

Amir turned 43 on Monday and is running in Sunday's ING Marathon, so come out to S. Bayshore Drive and cheer him on.

Speaking of the marathon, 175 of the ING marathoners are gathering at Calamari this Saturday for a pre-race lunch.

Tonight is Wine Wednesday at Grove Isle

Once a month, wine educator Barry Alberts holds one of his wine tastings at Grove Isle called "Wine Wednesday on the Water."

Tonight is the night. The Wines of Spain is the theme from the award winning Jorge Ordonez Portfolio. Wines tonight include Paso a Paso, Botani, Vega Sindoa, Volver la Mahcha, Tarima Monastrell, Sierra Cantabria and Emilio Moro.

From 6:00 to 8:30 pm enjoy the wine at the Ships Deck-Gibralter Restaurant at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, Four Grove Isle Drive. Cost is $15 per person.

Early regatta leaders move up leader boards

Monday's opening day of US Sailing's Rolex Miami OCR included all 13 Olympic and Paralympic classes completing multiple races. This is Evi Van Acker, Laser Radial.

Olympian Michael Leigh from Canada won the first of two races in Blue fleet, part of the 104-boat Lasser class, the largest here. He then finished sixth in race two to wind up fifth overall when teh scores were merged.

In the Yellow fleet, Clay Johnson from New Jersey, finished 201 to secure his spot at the top of the leader board. Regatta favorite Paul Goodison from Great Britain, an Olympic Gold medalist, and current leader in world rankings, finished 1-2 to take the second place position.

“The phases were quite long [for shifts to come back] and the pressure was up and down,” Leigh explained about the conditions, adding that he is nursing a bad back. “I haven’t raced since the Worlds in September, so I’m here to get back in phase. I’m not targeting any one person to beat; there are 10 good guys in each fleet who could win, so that’s a few too many
to watch.”


For fleet racing in the Olympic classes, the regatta consists of a five-day opening series and a double-point medal race. Above are Australians Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page. The top 10 finishers in the opening series of each class will advance to the medal race. For match racing, which makes its debut in the 2012 Olympic Games, the regatta consists of an opening series, a knockout series, and a sail-off for boats not advancing to the knockout series. Competitors in the Paralympic classes will have five days of fleet racing and no medal race. Medals will be awarded to the top three boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class on Saturday.


Above on boat 8255 are Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada, Star, Brazil on boat 8267 are Mark Mendelblatt and Brian Fatih, Star, USA.

You may have seen the sailors around the village during the day and later at night. They have truly enjoyed shopping, dining and unwinding here. You see them on bicycles, with backpacks and simply walking in groups.

One young sailor with his father was asking for a place to buy a watch, we sent him to H&H Jewels. We have seen them at all the restaurants and they are at the gym and actually, everywhere. So it's nice to see the economy is benefiting with the athletes in town.


This is the 470 Fleet downwind under gray skies.

Gifford Lane Art Stroll art deadline drawing near

The deadline for this year's Gifford Lane Art Stroll artist Applications is January 31, 2011. Any artist who wants an application can email Lisa at giffordlaneartstroll@gmail.com.

Here is the poster art for this year's Stroll, which is March 6 and here are some photos from last year's event.

Here is a slideshow of last year's Gifford Lane Art Stroll.

Ava's charity idea for St. Stephen's Art Show

Something new has been added to this year's St. Stephen's Art Show, which is February 19 through 21. 10-year-old artist Ava Salazar, shown here with her aunt, Kathleena Salazar, came up with the idea to help raise the public's awareness of homelessness in the Grove. The project, called "Hope Floats," will involve various artists who will create an original piece of art on recycled sailboat sail cloth. The pieces will be displayed within a unique exhibit area during the weekend show and people will bid on the art through a silent auction. 100% of the proceeds will go to the cause.

In this case, the cause is well-known Grove artist Neith Nevelson, granddaughter of the famous American artist Louise Nevelson. Neith is known for her vivid color schemes and slight variations of three main subject matters (horses, nude women's bodies and male faces).

In advance of the Art Show, a public unveiling of the collection will be held on February 3 at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church where an additional two pieces will be sold by live auction.

“I was having family dinner and talking with my step-mom about cooking for the homeless at church, [St. Stephens] and I learned that some even live in old boats patched with recycled wood and sails,” said 5th grade student Ava Salazar when asked how she came up with ‘Hope Floats’. “I asked if our art show did anything to sell art for the homeless, and when I learned it didn’t, I came up with an idea to have artists paint sails and sell them to raise money” said Ava.

Weekly team meetings by Skype have allowed Ava to recruit the artists and secure a sponsor, Bremen Sails, and media partners NBC6, and Majic 102.7 radio. Neith Nevelson, a featured artist of the project, is a Grove icon, noted as a “VanGogh of our time” and known in her heyday to be friends with the likes of Salvador Dali. Among the incredible local artists joining Neith are Claudia Scalise, Sri Prabha, Charles E. Humes, Mark Osterman, Abraham Camayd, Bill Ritzi and Carolina Salazar to name a few. Each artist will create a unique piece of art on custom cut 3 foot and 6 foot pieces of sail cloth specifically donated for Ava and this project.

“Our annual theme for the art show is ‘Art is in the Heart,’ and this year’s additional homeless humanitarian art project really resonates with that anthem,” says Daisy Lewis, Show Director. “While artists from around the country will again show their brilliance during this amazing art festival weekend, the Hope Floats exhibit, and Ava’s astounding idea and follow-through will make a very special 2011 show for me professionally and a very proud moment for our family” adds Daisy.

Chamber holds networker at Chili's CocoWalk

The Grove Chamber had a mixer at Chili's CocoWalk last night. It was at the outside Margarita bar high above Grand Avenue. At left are Faby Dieguez and Katie Smith; at right: Mary MacDonald and Larry Beam.


David Rosen and Dennis Figueroa from EPI Agency.


Ken Drodvillo, Ben Caban, Mary MacDonald and Curtis Crider.


David Guzikowski, Lisa Shallenberger, Gaea Garrity, Cely Pereda. Those are the drink and raffle tickets in front of David, they had a lot of nice prizes as they do at all Chamber events.


Peter Laird flanks the striped girls, Michelle Niemeyer and Ashley Matejka.


Bill Rios, Santiago Villegas, Vinnie Preziotti, Charlie Green.

Thursday is Bingo Night at Woman's Club

The Coconut Grove Woman's Club's Bingo Night on Thursday, January 27 at 7:00 pm.

Stop in for some old-fashioned fun. There are food, drinks and lots of prizes. It's a lot of fun, bring the family -- everyone is welcome -- men, women and children.

If more info, contact Denise at dschneider.grove@yahoo.com or at 305-725-2864.

The Woman's Club is located at 2985 S. Bayshore Drive.

Boys & Girls Clubs begin beautification project

Now that the pumpkins are gone and the Christmas trees are packed away (actually sold out), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the reconstruction of the Hank Kline Club’s US 1 and surrounding property – landscaping, fencework and pavement project. City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s board members and Club members participated in the ceremony.

With funding from the City of Miami Community Development Block Grant, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will remove all large Florida Holly trees and debris on the south side of the building, remove disposal of existing chain link fencing and replace chain link fencing with the construction and installation of an aluminum fence and provide landscaping and sidewalk reconstruction and installation along the south side of the club.

This project will enhance the aesthetic beauty of the club specifically, as well as this part of the City of Miami. All landscaping and sidewalk reconstruction work is for the project in that area.

“We are honored to count with a grant from the City of Miami Development Block Grant for the highly anticipated reconstruction of this specific area of the Hank Kline Club,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “The Hank Kline facility is where the first Boys & Girl Clubs of Miami-Dade was ever built and a place where children in our community for more than 40 years have had a second home.”

Funding for this project is provided by the City of Miami Community Development Block Grant ($200,000) from the U.S. Department of HUD, requiring SECTION 3, DAVIS BACON, Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action, The Copeland Act, The Contract Work Hours and Safety Standard Act, and all other applicable Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances.

Concert for Cancer to benefit Lauren's Light

The Lauren's Light Concert for Cancer is being held Thursday, February 3 at the former Cielo night club space (3390 Mary Street) at the Mayfair at the corner of Mary and Florida. Lauren's Light, based in Coconut Grove, was created in honor Lauren Feinswog Millin, who died of cancer at age 33; her parents Malvina and Ben Feinswog run the charity.

Lauren's Light's mission is to empower families with young children, in which a parent has been diagnosed with cancer, through resources and information, to better address medical, psychological and administrative challenges. They provide educational resources, arrange for professional counseling for the families, parents and children, and provide other important services. Lauren's Light has already helped make a huge difference in the lives of numerous families in South Florida in which a parent of young children has cancer.

The Concert for Cancer features award-winning songwriter and folk singer Ellen Bukstel (at right), who pop star Michael Bolton called "an amazing artist and spirit." Complimentary food and beverages and a fabulous silent and live auction (a cruise, hotel packages, top restaurants, jewelry, sports, services, and more) and raffle are included part of the evening.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. To buy tickets now, please go to www.laurenslight.org or call 305-285-1202.

The food was donated by La Bottega, Perricone's, Maroosh, Milam's Market, House of Frost, to name a few. 100% of the proceeds from this event go to Lauren's Light.

Village West neighbors unhappy with Pointe Group

Neighbors in Village West are concerned about the lack of movement by the Pointe Group on Grand Avenue, where they are planning their mixed use development. Zoning has been changed, and neighbors feel that enough time has gone by and the zoning should be changed back.

The zoning got rid of many residences and has changed residential areas to commercial. Pierre Sands of HOATA (the Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association) said that "Revitalization over redevelopment," is needed. He feels that more affordable housing is needed, too. Currently The Coconut Grove Collaborative has a plan to build 55 units of lower income housing and the Pinnacle Group has plans for about 45 units.

Pierre made a good point in saying that the zoning change would not have happened in other areas of the Grove. He feels that to change such a massive area of residential to commercial was not right. It displaced too many people and is killing the historic neighborhood.

Pierre came to the Village Council last week to ask for their support. He would like the property reverted back to residential since the Point Group had a reverter clause that said if they didn't start the project by now, it would revert back to previous zoning.

A supermarket is planned for the project, but there never seems to be a plan for that. If the zoning changes, the supermarket may not happen. "We have not felt represented [by elected officials]. We're asking for support," said Pierre.

He said that the Village Council and the District Commissioner were all over the Home Depot issue and the Mercy Hospital issues. He said that the Village West is very historic, just as much as Vizcaya and South Bayshore Drive are, yet they get all the support for protection and Village West does not.

Williams Armbrister, activist and lobbyist says that houses have always faced houses in the Grove, now in Village West the new plan is for houses to face parking lots and possibly large stores. "We need someone who cares. Right now they don't care," he said, talking about elected officials. He went on to say, "They are trying to take our homes and turn them into big boxes," meaning big box stores.

Patrick Sessions, Village Council member said that he has tried repeatedly to have representatives from Pointe Group visit the Village Council to explain their plans. They have repeatedly refused.

We're finally going to meet CocoWok

The wait is almost over. CocoWok, the new Chinese take-out place at CocoWalk, on the side street Virginia at 3015, will open next Monday, January 31, barring any problems from the City.

I stopped in today and they were cooking up a storm, trying out new dishes and deciding on what to put on the menu. The whole staff is in and they are excited. They had no menu to show me because they actually are experimenting this week with what's good and what isn't.

There is an L shaped red bar inside for eat-in and there will be tables outside. They feel that most orders will be take-out. Three flat screen tv's line the back of the register area and red is the theme inside. Everyone there has been totally gracious to me from way back, when I started nosing around. Many places don't like that and feel I am being a pain when I ask so many questions, but these guys, all of them, have been very nice, friendly and forthcoming. I think they will be a very big asset to the community, just by their friendly temperament alone. But the food looks amazing.

It was really nice to see them so hard at work in the kitchen doing their thing. So again, the soft opening is next Monday, bring your appetites. We'll try to post the menu or some menu items this week as they become known.

Should Mercy be denied amendment of MUSP?

Patrick Goggins spoke at the end of a long discussion on the proposed Mercy Hospital project at the Village Council last Thursday night. Patrick is on the Planning and Zoning Appeals Board, but he was just speaking as a concerned neighbor.

He explained that Mercy is trying to get an amendment through on an old Major Use Special Permit (MUSP) from 1973, when in all reality he said, "I would recommend a denial of this." He feels that the City should do a comprehensive plan of the whole Mercy campus, which includes that sticky 7 acres just sitting there at the southeast end. That was the property the Related Group tried to build on a few years back.

Patrick and most in the room feel that that needs to be dealt with. Another concern are the neighbors all backstabbing each other for the almighty buck. While the hospital says they have met with all concerned neighborhood boards, they haven't and the ones who were consulted, probably one or two, are ready to throw the rest of the neighborhoods under the bus as long as they are paid off themselves.

The ironic part about all this is that once it hits the City Commission, it only takes three votes to make it all happen the way Mercy wants. So all these meetings may mean nothing in the end.

The main issue seems to be traffic, although traffic is there already and if the Mercy plan is to just upgrade and not add more offices or beds, then the footprint is basically the same. Someone suggested the Museum of Science across the street as a parking site. They are moving to a new place downtown and this land will be available. What if the hospital employees parked there and were shuttled across the street to the hospital?

What about a water taxi to get people to and from the hospital. The hospital is right there on bayfront property. This could work, too.

Lynn Lewis, attorney for Vizcaya says that all concerns are alleviated from Vizcaya's point of view, literally, since they don't want to see the new buildings at all. The height planned for the new hospital building is 191 feet, which is inhabitable and the total would be 213 feet in total.

People all agree that the hospital needs an upgrade. They just don't want it to add to the existing traffic problem. Some neighbors are concerned with years of construction traffic, noise and dirt, too. More to come. As of now the Village Council is asking for more info, but they seem to be siding with the Planning Board who voted 6 to 2 against the current plans.

Chamber holds Golden Coconut Awards

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce held the 44th Annual Golden Coconut Awards on Friday at the Mayfair Hotel. District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, left, won the top honor of Golden Coconut. Others honored were Police Major Jorge Colina and Andy Haase and Paul Naron from Shell Lumber who shared the Community Service Award; Monty Trainer of the Arts Festival, President's Award; and Ed Prelaz of Mayfair, Board Member of the Year Award. At right: David Guzikowski from the Chamber office and Tony Noboa, Chamber president.


Liliana Dones, Major Jorge Colina, Sandra Colina.


Tom Falco with emcee for the day Robert Parente and Peter Laird, chamber board member. Robert did a great job keeping the ceremony moving.


Ed Prelaz and Felice Dubin; Monty Trainer receives award from Tony Noboa.


Illiana Leon and Ann Parsons from The Kampong; Margaret Nee from Pointe Group Advisors.


Donna Sweeny with Peter Laird.


My tablemates: Heather Bettner, Laura Bruney and Alizabeth Weisberg, who is new in sales at the Mayfair Hotel.


Manny Gonzalez and Dave Collins from the BID office, flank Dr. Luciana Ravazzi and Dr. Bruno Sharp from Sharp Segall Dentistry and Jose Alvarez accepted the award for Shell Lumber.


Monty Trainer and Tom Santoro; Felice Dubin, Ed Prelaz and Liliana Dones, that's Peter Laird peeking out from behind.