I spent a large part of the Gallery Walk last night at Commodore Plaza, for some reason, after all these years of being drawn at the Mayfair end of the Gallery Walk, I am now drawn to Commodore. I hung out with my friends at The Loft and Frameworks, where I met Cape Cod artist Madeliene Abling and some of her friends from up north. Madeliene is quite prolific, the paint was still wet on one of the paintings! I have a great story on her and her work which will run tomorrow.
I spent a lot of time at LoKal, the burger joint, which seems to be the place to be in the Grove now. Just stand there for a bit and the whole Grove ends up there after awhile. I have seen more local service industry people there than anything! They literally come from other restaurants to eat or take out!
The reason I bring up LoKal is because a sad thing happened last night. Matt's bike was stolen from out front, and it was right in front of everyone's eyes. There must have been 100 people in the area and still, it vanished. Matt is the owner of the new LoKal.
Even sadder is that I think I saw the culprit. As I was taking photos on the corner, I saw a suspicious guy who was sort of casing the area, but there were so many people out -- families, couples, even lots of people with pets, I didn't really think anything could happen, so I took my eye of the guy who stood out for some reason, and about 10 minutes later is when Matt cried out about the bicycle being missing. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in Coconut Grove and I must personally know six or seven people that I could name that this has happened to.
Matt innocently did not have the bicycle locked up. He said it was out there as a piece of art, which made it even more heart breaking, I can still see his face, how badly he felt and how surprised he was at that this could happen here, only like I said, it happens here daily. The bicycle has the LoKal logo on it and big red tires, hopefully easy to spot to the police who were called out and took a report. I also gave the police a description of the guy I had seen a few minutes earlier, so here's hoping that Matt's faith can be resorted in the Grove by getting his bicycle back.
Other than that, it was a great Gallery Walk night. I also stopped in the Darma Studio and a few other place, but my favorite spot seems to be the corner of Commodore and Grand these days.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
It's a beautiful weekend for a Regatta
The Etchell's Fleet Regatta Series is being hosted by Biscayne Yacht Club this weekend. You've probably seen these red, white and blue-sailed boats in the bay since yesterday.
With the crystal clear blue skies and cool weather we've been having, they make a beautiful picture.
This regatta is classified as an “Open Event” under Appendix “A” of the International Etchells Class rules, except that all skippers are required to be current members of the International Etchells Class Association.
The Mutiny, Marriott Residence Inn and Hampton Inn are full with the racers, who are keeping it all in the Grove.
Speaking of sports, you may have noticed lots of runners all over the Grove yesterday, they were part of the Regnar Relay, a Miami to Key West run for charity. There are various routes, but all roads lead to Key West. It's a relay race, so people run a certain amount of miles and then hand it off to the next runner. The goal is to end up in Key West by today.
Coconut Grove Gallery Walk is tonight
This is the winning photograph in this month's Grove Shoot Out, held by the GroveHouse Artists Gallery. The winning works along with the rest of their exhibit will be on display tonight during the Gallery Walk, from 7 to 10 pm. Stop in and check out all the art. Second place in the contest went to Javier Lopez-Rosende, his photo of boats in the bay actually appears as an EKG readout until you get up close. It's a great piece of optical illusion.
Third place went to Tom Smith, of The Wine News. I know Tom for so many years, he and the Wine News were a client of mine so many years ago, when we were both starting out. I also did cartoons for The Wine News way back when. Honorable mention goes to Lynn Lathan who also did a haunting black and white boats in the bay image. And Jeanine Watkins is the featured artist of the month.
The GroveHouse Artists Gallery is next to the Improv at the Mayfair Promenade.
The A.C. Fine Arts Gallery at 2911 Grand Avenue is shutting its doors at the end of the month. Tonight is the last time to see the Marilyn Monroe exibit, along with the Warhols, Dalis and other featured art.
All the galleries around Coconut Grove will be open, showing off their art and featuring music and refreshments. Take advantage of the cool weather and stroll around the village enjoying all that we have to offer.
Friday, January 6, 2012
TreeWatch meeting wrap-up
In case you missed Liliana Dones' response to the Tree Meeting last night, here it is below. As I suspected, the District 2 Commission camp felt the need to show up to intimidate people by their mere presence. You cannot even have a neighborhood meeting without them infiltrating. It's sickening. Really sickening.
From Liliana Dones:
Actually Grape, Tree Watch supporters got together as planned, even though I did get emails from some that having read on the Grapevine that someone from the Commissioner's office was coming, they thought it was going to turn into some sort of formal debate and like you, were weary of that.
Some others turned around and left when they got there and saw District 2 Chief of staff, the BID Director, the BID Capital Improvements coordinator, The BID Capital Improvements Chair, the Consulting Arborist, The Capital City Improvements Program Director, and a handful of the tree removal project supporters, assuming they were not there to drink and mingle.
Indeed at first if felt like this was right out of the school dance scene in West Side Story. But you know what? we sat ourselves right down with our clipboard, and greeted people as they walked in. And they flowed in all night-- we were there 'til 10:30. Lots of earnest, caring people. Many were young. Many were new to the Grove. Many were residents from the street itself that had not gotten any kind of warning until they saw the signs.
Most of the people who came to sign the petition did just that, had a drink and left (it was a good night for Peacock Garden too!). Some had gotten some sort of email, like the lady from Abitare and were wondering about when the debate was going to start. Happy to report that the majority of these people signed the petition as well, except for one lady who said she felt uncomfortable because someone from "the other side" had asked her to come.
In the end we made it close to our goal of signatures and plan to keep going. Oh, and please pass this on to Al [Crespo]: Everyone I spoke to is a voter. Some, alas, could not vote as they are not citizens, but as legal residents and in most cases, property owners, and green-card holders and tax payers, they too, have a right to have a say about the neighborhood they love.
And on the subject of those who can't vote, you would be surprised how many high school students support TreeWatch. Apparently its their Grove too.
Liliana Dones
TreeWatch
From Liliana Dones:
Actually Grape, Tree Watch supporters got together as planned, even though I did get emails from some that having read on the Grapevine that someone from the Commissioner's office was coming, they thought it was going to turn into some sort of formal debate and like you, were weary of that.
Some others turned around and left when they got there and saw District 2 Chief of staff, the BID Director, the BID Capital Improvements coordinator, The BID Capital Improvements Chair, the Consulting Arborist, The Capital City Improvements Program Director, and a handful of the tree removal project supporters, assuming they were not there to drink and mingle.
Indeed at first if felt like this was right out of the school dance scene in West Side Story. But you know what? we sat ourselves right down with our clipboard, and greeted people as they walked in. And they flowed in all night-- we were there 'til 10:30. Lots of earnest, caring people. Many were young. Many were new to the Grove. Many were residents from the street itself that had not gotten any kind of warning until they saw the signs.
Most of the people who came to sign the petition did just that, had a drink and left (it was a good night for Peacock Garden too!). Some had gotten some sort of email, like the lady from Abitare and were wondering about when the debate was going to start. Happy to report that the majority of these people signed the petition as well, except for one lady who said she felt uncomfortable because someone from "the other side" had asked her to come.
In the end we made it close to our goal of signatures and plan to keep going. Oh, and please pass this on to Al [Crespo]: Everyone I spoke to is a voter. Some, alas, could not vote as they are not citizens, but as legal residents and in most cases, property owners, and green-card holders and tax payers, they too, have a right to have a say about the neighborhood they love.
And on the subject of those who can't vote, you would be surprised how many high school students support TreeWatch. Apparently its their Grove too.
Liliana Dones
TreeWatch
Anyone lose a Yellow Submarine?
This Yellow Submarine is sitting on Commodore Plaza, in front of LoKal. It's left over from last week's King Mango Strut. The interesting thing is that people are using it as a trash bin, so it's nice to see that people actually throw things in a bin and not on the sidewalk.
I'm wondering what the tourists are thinking when they read that it's a "Cocaine Submarine." It probably enhances their visit to the Grove and gives them something to talk about when they go home.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
People get what they deserve
Tonight is the TreeWatch meeting at the Peacock Garden Cafe. They are trying in vain to save the trees, when all they had to do was actually go out and vote at election time and this would have saved the trees. I don't think I have run into one resident in favor of the trees coming down around Coconut Grove as part of the street scape project. Those who spoke up for the issue had their marching orders and they spoke up, but the average tax paying citizens are still against the trees coming down, or being replaced or whatever the City is calling it, in the name of progress.
I read Al Crespo's take on the whole thing today, calling TreeWatch a bunch of whiners, etc. and I have to agree with him to a point, but I think that Al is singling out TreeWatch because that is the big issue on the table in the Grove right now, but I think when it comes to all the idiotic ideas that come and go around here, things might have changed if the election results were different. I know for a fact that those involved with TreeWatch (most anyway), did everything in their power to change things at election time. Liliana Dones and Santiago Villegas are always involved and I know for a fact they they voted. They are the ones issuing appeals and trying to do something before it is too late.
But I wonder how many of the others going to the meeting tonight actually voted? They just found out about the tree issue less than a month ago it seems and this tree issue has been in the news (and on the Grapevine) for over a year or so now. So to try and stop the project now is sort of like closing the barn door after the horses already got out, where were all these concerned citizens a year ago, or on election day for that matter?
But it's true what Al says, and that is that fact that you get what you deserve.
I won't be at tonight's TreeWatch meeting because someone from Sarnoff's office is supposed to explain "their side." I have heard their side 100 times, how about the elected officials start listening to the side of the public and taxpayers who actually pay the bills around here? When do the taxpayers and residents get their say?
I would ask, "When do the voters get their say?" but as we saw in the last election, most of the voters don't vote. So they will NEVER get their say at that rate.
I read Al Crespo's take on the whole thing today, calling TreeWatch a bunch of whiners, etc. and I have to agree with him to a point, but I think that Al is singling out TreeWatch because that is the big issue on the table in the Grove right now, but I think when it comes to all the idiotic ideas that come and go around here, things might have changed if the election results were different. I know for a fact that those involved with TreeWatch (most anyway), did everything in their power to change things at election time. Liliana Dones and Santiago Villegas are always involved and I know for a fact they they voted. They are the ones issuing appeals and trying to do something before it is too late.
But I wonder how many of the others going to the meeting tonight actually voted? They just found out about the tree issue less than a month ago it seems and this tree issue has been in the news (and on the Grapevine) for over a year or so now. So to try and stop the project now is sort of like closing the barn door after the horses already got out, where were all these concerned citizens a year ago, or on election day for that matter?
But it's true what Al says, and that is that fact that you get what you deserve.
I won't be at tonight's TreeWatch meeting because someone from Sarnoff's office is supposed to explain "their side." I have heard their side 100 times, how about the elected officials start listening to the side of the public and taxpayers who actually pay the bills around here? When do the taxpayers and residents get their say?
I would ask, "When do the voters get their say?" but as we saw in the last election, most of the voters don't vote. So they will NEVER get their say at that rate.
Coconut Grove is like it's own little reality show
Burn Notice will be back to film in March. As of now, they seem to be the Grove's current claim to fame. I still get many emails regarding Burn Notice. People ask where they are filming and if they can watch or they just want to see the locations when they are in town.
I had a couple email me about coming down for the King Mango Strut and they wanted to eat or have a drink in a location that Burn Notice has filmed in. I told them about various places, I also told them where they could see some of the sets, even though they are closed for the season, they're still a tourist attraction.
I used to joke about having a reality show about Coconut Grove, but perhaps that would be something that would keep us on the map, tourist-wise -- a weekly reality show. Someone came up with the name, "Desperate Grovites," one time. I always liked that.
When the Grapevine first started out, I would write about the same people and places over and over again, which seemed to annoy some, but I was actually writing as if we were a little reality show and I was keeping up with the characters in the same locations. I know that visitors would come to town and ask to see the places and people I was writing about.
I have connections with Bravo tv and Endomal productions, which produces so many reality shows. Maybe we should really look into it.
I had a couple email me about coming down for the King Mango Strut and they wanted to eat or have a drink in a location that Burn Notice has filmed in. I told them about various places, I also told them where they could see some of the sets, even though they are closed for the season, they're still a tourist attraction.
I used to joke about having a reality show about Coconut Grove, but perhaps that would be something that would keep us on the map, tourist-wise -- a weekly reality show. Someone came up with the name, "Desperate Grovites," one time. I always liked that.
When the Grapevine first started out, I would write about the same people and places over and over again, which seemed to annoy some, but I was actually writing as if we were a little reality show and I was keeping up with the characters in the same locations. I know that visitors would come to town and ask to see the places and people I was writing about.
I have connections with Bravo tv and Endomal productions, which produces so many reality shows. Maybe we should really look into it.
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