New running club starting on Friday

Why run alone when there's the new Coconut Grove Running Club. Starting this Friday and every Friday, meet in front of The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street), by the bike rack at 6:30 pm.

Runners of all ages and levels are welcome.

After the run stretch and share a water, coffee or Gatorade.

City of Miami Career Expo at City Hall

The City is having another Career Expo at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive) on Thursday, June 3 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Like last time, you can explore new career opportunities, meet local employers and take control of your future. Tents will be set up outside in front of the building. There will be onsite interviews, networking, sales training seminars and more.

Employers or participants may register here.

Cleo's art is newest feature of Gallery Walk

Cleo Renaut will be showing her modern art at the Mayfair Antique Market on Saturday, June 5, during the First Saturday Gallery Walk from 7 to 10 pm.

Cleo's lucite art lamps have appeared in Metroplitan Home magazine, in the beach house of design diva Kelly Wearstler. The art lamps are called "Iceberg" and can be seen here with Cleo at the Antique Market, along with her abstract paintings.

Below are a couple of her metal sculptures along with the paintings. There are better images on her website here:
http://www.cleorenaut.com/.

The Anique Market is at the Mayfair Promenade. It's next to the GroveHouse Arists Gallery and will be part of the Art Stroll on the Promenade which not only includes art, but also live music, food and drinks.

Rumors revolving around FCAT scores

We mentioned last week that Coconut Grove Elementary received very large jump in FCAT scores this year.

Now there is a rumor that the FCAT Scores at Coconut Grove Elementary were inappropriately handled by the former administration.

According to a Miami Herald article, "Coconut Grove Elementary jumped from 65 percent to 87 percent proficient in reading, and 63 percent to 90 percent proficient in math." That's almost 30 points.

Is it possible to jump that high in one year? We hope so. But the rumors persist.

More to come.

Beginner Triathlon Group Training Program

Learn mosaic art techniques in three day workshop

If you've ever wanted to know about creating mosaic tile creations but were afraid to ask, there is a Mosaic Workshop at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue) Monday through Wednesday, June 7-9.

Mosaic artist Mary Ponchio will teach the class, which is limited to five students.

This 3 day workshop will explore fundamentals of mosaic portraits. The objective is to learn how to create an exciting (but not necessarily realistic) picture of a person or beloved pet in an 8" x 10" portrait format.

To accommodate both beginners and those already familiar with mosaic materials, this workshop will be taught using the Pieque Assiette (broken plates) method.

Each student will need to e mail a photograph to the proposed portrait to the instructor prior to the first day of class. The cost is $275, which includes three days of instruction and all materials. A $75 deposit is required to reserve your space.

For more info, please email: mosaics@LimiTaTas.com

It's Goombay Festival week in Coconut Grove

Leading up the Goombay Street Festival on Sunday are a lot of related events.

Thursday, June 3: PIRATES’ RECEPTION WITH THE GOOMBAY FAMILY
6 pm until 10 pm, Chili's at CocoWalk

Friday, June 4: CEMETERY CLEAN UP
South Dade Class of '69 - Coconut Grove Cemetery - 12 noon

Goombay Kick-Off Party presented by Freaky Friday (Too Close Entertainment) in Support of the Coconut Grove Track Club and the Coconut Grove Football and Cheerleader Program
Cielo’s at The Mayfair (3390 Mary Street) - 8 pm until 1 am
$10.00 in advance - $15.00 @ door

Saturday, June 5: HISTORICAL/PIONEER BRUNCH
Christ Episcopal Church (3481 Hibiscus Street) - 11 am until 2 pm

“STEPPING BACK TO THE BAHAMAS” GOOMBAY GROWN FOLKS DANCE
Featuring “Chico the Leo”Cielo’s at The Mayfair (3390 Mary Street)
8 pm until 1 am - $10.00 in advance - $20.00 @ door

STRAW MARKET - Grand Avenue and Virginia Street.
Authentic Bahamian straw market, fashion show and music fill the streets
10 am to 7 pm

Sunday, June 6: GOOMBAY FESTIVAL GOSPEL SERVICE
The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church (3515 Douglas Road)
11 am until 1 pm

34th ANNUALMIAMI/BAHAMAS GOOMBAY STREET FESTIVAL
Grand Avenue from Douglas Rd. to Hibiscus St.
12 noon until 8 pm - The World’s Largest “STEPPING” Party

And don't forget the Coconut Grove Gallery Walk on Saturday Night! Lots going on then, too.