Village Council meeting at Sailing Club

The Village Council will meet tomorrow, Thursday, November 12 at 7 pm at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club (2990 South Bayshore Drive).

On the agenda:

1) Crime Watch Update (Commander Martin and Robert Loupo)
2) 3 am to 5 am Bar Closings (first reading – discussion only)
3) Introduction of new Village Council members
4) New business

We are still trying to sort out the City Hall thing and will let you know what's up with that when you know. We have a call in to Mayor Regalado now.

Fall specials at Center for Beautiful Skin

The Center for Beautiful Skin at Mayfair (2911 Grand Avenue, suite 400A) is offering the following fall specials:

One Hour Facial + Manicure + Pedicure - $125
One Hour Microdermabrasion + LED Light Therapy - $125
Package of 3 One-Hour Massages - $285
2 x 1 Facial Special: Get 2 One-Hour Facials for the price of 1
(Regular price of One-Hour Facial = $120)

Every Tuesday and Wednesday: All new clients will get $45 Mani/Pedis

For info: info@centerforbeautifulskin.com or please call 305.403.1562.

Grove Bucks are accepted at The Center for Beautiful Skin.

Regalado sworn in today as new mayor

I felt a sense of hope and peace sweep over me as I witnessed Tomás Regalado being sworn in as Mayor today. The part in his speech about accountability and ethics really got to me.

Over 1000 people showed up to welcome the new Mayor into office, most were outside in the heat and under tents, where drinks and paella was being dished out.

Inside, the Mayor's family attended along with Florida Governor Charlie Crist and a slew of other Florida politicians from Congressmen to local government officials.

Getting ready for the holidays

A few people showed up on Tuesday night to create the garland decorations going up on the gas light-style light poles for the holidays. Joe Harrison, AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, Richard Issa and Naomi Evants worked late into the night. 150 holiday pieces was the goal (two for each pole).

The taller, newer light poles will be holding a large blue and white snow flake banner, which was ordered by the BID, already to put up.

And the Women Gather event at Ritz-Carlton

The monthly women series, "And the Women Gather" is at the Ritz-Carlton in the Grove again this month. The topic this month is "All About Your Health," on Saturday, November 14 from 10 am to 1 pm.

The cost is $35.00 in advance and $40.00 at the door. Price includes Continental breakfast.

You may get details and sign up here.

Comments

A couple of you have complained about your comments not making it through. We apologize for that. We are being cyber stalked by a nut in the village and his IP address has been blocked and apparently so have a couple of others that look similar. We never see the comments so we didn't know, they go right to trash.

Certain words and names also were being trashed automatically.

We have solved the problem and your comments will get through now and not go directly to trash like the guy who stalks us. Again, we apologize for the problem.

Green Market has lots of healthy goodies

The Green Market is back today, November 11, from 3 to 6 pm at the Atrium (by the bull) at Mayfair. Check out the heirloom tomatoes, my favorites. For a few bucks, you can get a lot of great fruits and veggies. There are Colombian pastries, prepared food, honey, home made pasta and much more. And check out the frozen wine -- try a sample. I got Royal Jelly and Bee Pollen last week, too.

Village Council must meet on Thursday

Liliana Dones, current Secretary of the Village Council, sent this letter to Martin Zilber, Village Council Chair, late last night.

This will make sense if you read this story first and this story next.

Dear Martin,

I do not understand why you should choose not to have a meeting on Thursday. Why would this choice be made without those of us who are still members of the Village Council being allowed to weigh in? Did I miss something? As far as I know the meeting tonight was for you as Chair to go over administrative details with the incoming council. Indeed, I was told that this meeting was to to include only yourself and the council-elect.

As far as I am aware, I am still the Secretary of this council through Dec. 31, and we have a meeting scheduled for Nov. 12 with some rather important agenda items, particularly that of the 5 am closings.

The fact that this memo from the Mayor elect has risen late this afternoon, and is being somehow interpreted to prohibit the Council from meeting at City Hall as we had regularly scheduled, hardly means that we cannot meet at all. Furthermore, I have word from sources extremely close to the Mayor elect that it was never his intention AT ALL, to prohibit the Village Council from meeting, as planned on November 12. Despite Tomas Regalado's extremely busy schedule tomorrow, he is hopefully going to graciously clarify this.

Martin, I lost this election because I spoke up in favor of 5 am closings, and thus incurred a vigorous campaign against me. I know this because I have seen the emails received by my neighbors asking that they not vote for me.

So be it. I took a chance speaking my mind, and would not have it any other way. They organized themselves to vote against me, and they succeeded in convincing over the uninformed and bullying the uninspired. But I cannot sit by and allow the scheduled agenda to be cancelled willy-nilly over some fantastic decree that is now being manipulated to cancel the November 12 meeting. I am still secretary of the Village Council for the next 2 months, and unless there is something in the bylaws that says the Chair may cancel a meeting at his sole discretion, I very much expect the meeting to go on as planned, regardless of whether the city allows it to take place at City Hall or not.

I have always gone with gut instinct. And you saw my gut instinct reaction when I first heard about this today. Then I reread the memo and thought to myself, I am over reacting. There is nothing here that says we cannot have the meeting. So I spoke to Michelle Pina, in the City Manager's office, and she verified my feelings. "if anything," she said, "this memo reinforces that the Village Council have their meeting." So I sent an email verifying our conversation and asking that our televised meeting be confirmed. Then I got her email stating that, oops, it looks like we cannot meet at City Hall after all, (I enclose said thread, below your message, for the benefit of the VC elect new members).

Fantastic as it may seem that the Mayor elect's first order of business for the ENTIRE city of Miami would be the re-scheduling of the use of City Hall Chambers so as to make it available to all community organizations in town, it is reasonable to expect that this rush edict would still allow the Village Council to have its meeting, as planned, on November 12, in Chambers and televised. After all, we were already scheduled and there is nothing to pre-empt our scheduled meeting from taking place. The likely hood of another organization demanding to use our time slot, within one day of this edict is simply absurd. Ah, of course, except if we were somehow to be forcibly held to a technicality.

Nevertheless, the Village Council need not have to cancel its meeting if it cannot meet at City Hall. There are plenty of other venues, and the Bill of Right does say it is our right to assemble even if we have to rent a venue.

I am willing to bet Commissioner Gimenez would be more than happy to let us assemble at the Rolle Center. So what if we cannot be televised? There has been freedom of assembly in this country going on long before there was television. Or a City of Miami.

Liliana Dones
Secretary, Cocoanut Grove Village Council

A case of fraud?

This is the memo that went out regarding the Village Council and City Hall (see story below).

The mayor-elect, Tomás Regalado states that he did not request that the Village Council cancel their meeting this Thursday or at any other time. His suggestion was to get more homeowner and other type groups on cable tv's access channel 77, whether it be from City Hall or elsewhere.

This is a case of Regalado's words being twisted in order to silence the Village Council. Do these people think that Regalado is going to be a puppet and treated like this?

The following letter went out late tonight to the current and future Village Council members from Martin Zilber, current Village Council chair:


Dear fellow Council (current and future)

First let me start by congratulating Pat [Sessions] on becoming the new Council Chair (it looks like you will start off w/your hands full) .

As you are ALL aware we are currently not on the agenda for any televised meeting. I spoke to someone from the managers office again tonight and that seems to be the current official position. I have copied everyone on this email, because we all agree this is an important issue and perhaps it will take all of us acting as a Super Council to get things back on track.

As of now, I do not plan on having a meeting on Thursday , unless we are back at city hall. As we all discussed , we need to see just where we stand and when / if we will be back at city hall and on tv. when we get some answers, we can then decide how to transition and when the new council can and should hold their first meeting.

Unfortunately, city hall may be hard to contact tomorrow , but lets see what we can do. I will send a copy of our by laws and Council stationary on a follow up email.

Thank you
Martin

Center Grove Mafia censors Village Council

Lynn Westall, Senior Assistant to the City Manager, sent out a letter to the Cocoanut Grove Village Council today, stating that the Village Council cannot meet this Thursday in City Hall. Of course many believe that the Center Grove Mafia got to them, fearful of me outing them, as I stated in this post and of course fearful that the 5 am bar closing discussion would occur.

This is what is happening in Coconut Grove. The Mafia strikes again, and for those who don't like hearing it, you need to wake up. The Coconut Grove Mafia are communists. They believe in what Fidel Castro believes -- censorship, lies, bullying and thwarting their neighbors (YOU). They are cowards.

Now get this, these cowards are blaming mayor-elect Tomás Regalado for this. Regalado asked the City Manager, Pete Hernandez, to see if it was possible to include more groups to be seen and heard on cable access channel 77. It had nothing to do with City Hall or the Village Council, he just thought it would be a good idea to have access on tv for all groups.

This was spun around by the Center Grove Mafia to say that the new Mayor is against giving City Hall and tv coverage to the Village Council and as of now, the Council must vacate City Hall. The Center Grove Mafia was endorsing Regaldo all election season, now they are throwing him under the bus. This is what the Center Grove Mafia does. They have no class, they break laws, they lie and back stab. These are your neighbors. (I have proof of all this and will use it if need be).

I spoke directly with Tomás Regalado tonight, about 8 pm, and he is unaware of any changes being made at City Hall regarding the Village Council and he asked for no such changes be made.

He told me he would speak to the City Manager in the morning about changing this stupid misconception of not having the Village Council meet or be on tv at City Hall, but of course, he is being sworn in as Mayor at noon, and he does have that on his plate, so he may not get to speak with the City Manager. But either way, this is what the Center Grove Mafia is up to. They believe in censorship, they do not want the Village Council to be seen or heard, they do not want the public to be able to express their opinions. They like to censor everyone. They don't believe in freedom of speech or other people's opinions. They are dictators.

They lie and deceive, they try to rig elections, they don't care whose name they besmirch (Regalado's in this case) and they will do anything to control everything and everyone. They don't control me (although they have tried many, many times) because I won't let them.

We are living in a Communist Village folks, be aware of this.

As for the City Manager, Pete Hernandez, he never returns my phone calls or emails. He's good at censorship though (remember the time the Village Council Candidates wanted to speak on tv? He shut them down, too. An order from someone else, of course.) He should be the first one out and I could think of another elected official or two who should be next, especially the ones who give Hernandez the orders to pull the plug each time.

This is undemocratic and the Village Council needs to stop rolling over and playing dead all the time. Speak up! Show some courage! There is strength in numbers.

Book Club meets Thursday

The “Book Club in the Grove” meets this Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 pm at The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street).

This month’s featured book is “The Wrong Mother," a page-turning psychological thriller by Sophie Hannah.

No sign up is necessary, hopefully you have read the book (we announced this last month to prepare you), and be ready for good discussion, good company, and a good time.

The theme for the evening will be ‘Murder She Wrote’, and all mystery novels will be discounted by 15% for book club attendees. Come join us, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, and a spirited conversation on Sophie’s newest novel.

First Am Jam and "Tied Up" at A&M

More than 100 Arts and Minds (A&M) students will be performing during the first evening AM JAM for the 2009-2010 school year, Friday November 13, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm.

All disciplines will be represented with performances throughout the school in the outdoor second level plaza, theater, dance studio, music room and creative writing lounge. Mr. Octavio Campos, Visual and Performing Arts Director describes it as a "mini festival."

This event is free and open to the public. The school's first theater production, for the 2009-2010 school year also opens this Friday, November 13, and continues Saturday November 14, in the Abanico Theater at 8:30 pm. "Tied Up" is about a serious social issue and is for mature audiences. To preview this production go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Il3Q-QXRA.

Ticket prices for "Tied Up" are $10, free for A&M students. For tickets:305.448.1100. Again, the A&M Jam on Friday is free for everyone. The Arts and Minds School and Abanico Theater is at 3138 Commodore Plaza.

Great Grove Picnic is Sunday at Peacock Park

The Great Grove Picnic is back Sunday, November 15, in Peacock Park.

From 3 to 6 pm, come out and enjoy the park and your neighbors. There is nothing for sale, so bring a picnic basket and blanket and plan for a leisurely affair. Grove musicians usually show up, so there will be some music.

Catch the spirit of the old days, when Peacock Park was the place to be on Sunday afternoons.

The event is sponsored by The Friends of Peacock park, a local group working to rejuvenate the Grove's central gathering place.

Grove featured on two tv shows tonight

The gang from the Allure Salon (3405 Main Highway) will be on the tv show Tabatha's Salon Takeover, tonight at 10 pm on Bravo. Earlier in the year Tabatha (right) and the Bravo crew were in town filming for a week, returning to check out the salon after the make-over a few months later.

See how Allure turned from trash to treasure, thanks to bitchy Tabatha's manicing, scary and rude tactics.

It's worth the watch since our own Allure is featured tonight. (Picture Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, but only in a salon).

Also on tonight, on HGTV, is "Bang for Your Buck" at 9:30 pm, featuring two Coconut Grove residences. The episode features a 1927 Mediterranean in the South Grove, owned by designer Andrena Felger and her husband Dan, a contemporary condo on Bayshore owned by designer Herbert Brito, and a home on Granada in the Gables.

Free Thanksgiving dinner to be served

Area churches are hosting a free community Thanksgiving dinner in the Great Hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (2750 McFarlane Road). The meal is open to all on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. About 100 church volunteers will prepare a delicious meal for an expected 300 guests.

The tradition was started 26 years ago by St. Stephen’s pastor at the time, Father Hingston, and Deacon Andy Taylor. A true community event, the Thanksgiving meal has been jointly organized with Christ Church in Coconut Grove for many years. Other participating area churches and groups have included St. Philips, Trinity Cathedral, and University of Miami students.

There is convenient free parking in the church parking lot. The meal is free and open to the public.

Pick your trainer at RED Gym

How many muscle men does it take to hang up a poster? Apparently two. Marc Ramo and Andy Clark (above) were nice enough to hang up the Mad Hatter Festival poser we were passing out around town the other day.

The guys are personal trainers at the RED Gym at 3206 Grand Avenue. At left is Patrick Vital, owner of RED, with Marc.

The guys do personal training, Marc specializes in ladies' training and has many Grove business owners as clients. Andy trains men and women and also runs the SET (Seal Evolution Training) program and is currently training for next year's Miami Ironman competiton.

Patrick is one of the best trainers in the area and is now running Mercy Hospital's Wellness program.

For info on RED or any of the training programs, including the SET bootcamps, etc., please call 786-218-1077 or stop by RED any day.

Marine Stadium fundraiser at Crazy Pianos

Dade Heritage Trust's Marine Stadium fundraiser is Tuesday, November 10, at Crazy Pianos at CocoWalk from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

"Preservation Today Magazine" is presenting this launch party to raise money to renovate the stadium. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres are included with a $25.00 donation.

Please RSVP to 305-358-9572.

Collecting for Thanksgiving meals

We are collecting money for Thanksgiving meals. The money raised will go to St. Hugh's Outreach Program. The Outreach Program will distribute the Thanksgiving meals to needy families.

We have received many generous contributions, already and would love a few more. You may contribute here.

If you would prefer to actually give the items, the NET office is also collecting to put together baskets for Thanksgiving. They have already identified the families who will receive the items, which they are limiting to 50.

They have the turkeys and other items but need more items to fill up the baskets like mashed potatoes, canned gravy, fresh corn, rice, corn bread, mac and cheese, black beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing and whatever else you think might complete the meal.

They will be receiving donations at the NET office (2820 McFarlane Road) from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday until November 18, 2009.

For more info, please call Faye McFadden at 305-960-4670.

Every bottle of wine is $12 tonight at Greenstreets

Tonight, November 9, at Greenstreets (3110 Commodore Plaza), every bottle of wine is just $12.00.

It is cheaper to buy a bottle of wine at Greenstreets and enjoy it with your dinner than to go to the store and buy one!

Where is the billboard?

The billboard at 32nd Avenue and Grand Avenue is gone. The one that was over the gym and T-Mobile. It looks so nice and clean without it there.

Ever since I can remember, there was that billboard, now it is beautiful blue sky.

Regalado to be sworn in on Wednesday

Our new Mayor, Tomás Regalado, will be sworn in at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive), on Wednesday, November 11 at noon. A reception will follow the official ceremony.

Meet some new wines at La Bottega

La Bottega will introduce the wines of two exciting new wineries to South Florida on Thursday, November 12.

The Peter Figge wines to be poured include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. And four wines will be poured from Perry Moore, all of which have received raves from wine critics.

Meats and cheeses to compliment the wines will also be served.

The tasting fee is $20 per person. Members of La Cava Club taste free. The tasting is limited to 35 people. Reserve your spot by calling 305-444-3493, the tasting is from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

La Bottega is an "enoteca sociale," that is part of the Grove Garden Trilogy, along with Calamari and Taurus, on the courtyard at 3540 Main Highway.

For more information on these and other exciting wines available at La Bottega, contact Wine Director, Henry Barrow.

Coming out of the shadows

This is your lucky day, folks. On Thursday night, you will get to see many members of the Center Grove Mafia at the Village Council meeting. They will be there to fight against one item on the agenda: The 5 am bar closings.

Please note the people who fight it. Restaurant owners, this is your chance to see who your enemies are. They are the ones who come to your place of business and smile at you while back stabbing you from the shadows. They will not be in the shadows on Thursday. They will be in front for all to see. We will be taking photos and naming all of them.

For those in favor of the change to 5 am, this is your opportunity to be there to speak up.

The Village Council meets this Thursday, November 12 at 7 pm at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

On the agenda:

1) Crime Watch Update (Commander Martin and Robert Loupo)
2) 3 am to 5 am Bar Closings (first reading – discussion only)
3) Introduction of new Village Council members
4) New business

Bird Avenue Beautification meeting tonight

There is a meeting tonight at The Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street) to discuss the Bird Avenue Beautification project. This is the time to come out and review the plans before the City gets to work on the project. There were concerns at the last meeting, so now is your moment to speak up and give your opinions.

The meeting is at 6 pm.

New lunch specials at Sandbar Grill

Sandbar Grill (3064 Grand Avenue) is known for their half priced tacos on Mondays, but now on Tuesday and Wednesday, they have incredible lunch specials from 11 am to 4 pm.

For only $4.99 each, you get one of the following:

Cup of soup and side salad
Any two tacos
Wrap it up (any wrap with chips and salsa)
Burritos (chicken or steak)
Salads (Tostado, Cabo, Caesar, or crisp chicken)
Sandwich (any choice from the menu, including burgers)

Sides come with the items and there are no substitutions with sides.

Selfish morons work at the Grove Post Office

Is there anyone competent at the Coconut Grove Post Office? Is there anyone polite?

I mean, I know many of you have your regulars there who are nice to you, but when you use the post office as little as possible, like most of us do, we are treated like garbage by the staff, since they don't know us. I honestly don't know why anyone would be there often when there is email, online bill pay, fax, text messaging, UPS and FedEx and the great UPS store just a block away, where Jeff and his staff will treat you like family.

The dolts at the post office counter are rude and surly, they never want to work or help. None of them. The managers are the worst, they are totally lazy and the whole system is broken. They refuse to speak with you when asked, they hide in the back, hoping you will go away.

Our mail carrier is selfish and incompetent and we did have one named Lisa, who was taken from us. She was the only person in the whole system with brains and compassion. Now she bypasses our neighborhood and we have to deal with robotic government workers without a brain or work ethic.

Just venting.

French Week's Luncheon of the Chambers

The French-American Chamber of Commerce, together with the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce are presenting the Luncheon of the Chambers as a part of French Week.

This is where French business and culture meet Miami. The luncheon is Friday, November 13. At noon, there is networking at 12:30 pm "Lunchat" begins.

The event is at Calamari (3540 Main Highway). Please RSVP to 305-374-5000 or info@faccmiami.com

A&M hosts College Fair Day

The Academy of Arts and Minds Charter High School (A&M) on Commodore Plaza, had its very first College Fair last week. Ninth graders Elizabeth Danielle Pujadas and Kristen Taylor Chi already thinking about college with CAP advisor Jamie Zucker.

Twenty top notch institutions attended at the invitation of A&M Director William Machado and College Assistant Program advisor Ms. Jamie Zucker. The two-session lunch time event was highly successful and allowed all grade levels to mix, meet and talk with individual college representatives. Visiting personnel re-emphasized the importance of the student's grade point average and strength of curriculum.


Photos by Robin L. Sarantos

Special events coming up at Zen Village

Zen Village (3570 Main Highway) has a four part, What is Buddhism? lecture series starting this week. Learn about the history, the development of the different schools, and their own essential practices.

This lecture series starts this Tuesday, November 10, and runs as follows: November 10, 12, 17 and 19, from 7 to 8:30 pm each night.

On Thanksgiving week, the following classes are happening:

Wednesday 11/25 - Amhitaba Empowerment, from 7 to 10 pm
Thursday 11/26 - Avalokishraya Empowerment, from 1 to 4 pm
Sunday 11/29 - Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche Public Talk at 10 am
Thursday 11/26, 8 pm to Sunday 11/29, 8 am : Thanksgiving Night Nunei Retreat led by Ani Karuna from KTD Monastery

The Amhitaba and Avalokishraya Empowerment , as well as the Public Talk will all be guided by Khenpo Kharthar Rinpoche, world renowned Tibetan Buddhist and Senior Retreat Master.

Please RSVP (305-567-0165) as soon as possible for all events.

A wake-up call from Paris

From today's New York Post, sounds familiar, doesn't it?

The crackdown on New York City nightlife sparked by would-be suburbanites who want peace and quiet once the sun goes down could have a devastating effect on the city's economy. In Paris, where the bourgeoisie were invented, 10,000 people have signed a petition to be submitted soon to the Culture Ministry warning that the French capital's once- fabled music and nightlife industry is in a state of decline and it's urgent that something be done about it. Our man in Paris loosely translated the manifesto as saying that music places have been hit hard during the past decade because of a trend toward "tranquility" by the locals. A rise in street muggings and a ban on smoking are also keeping people home. Said our correspondent, "The City of Light is being transformed into the Capital of Sleep."

It's always fun at the Saturday night block party

While The Ivy Black Ball went on at one end of Commodore Plaza, the whole street was closed for the Saturday Night Block Party.

Above, the girls from the This 'n That Thrift Store clown around with Daniela Viotti, the living statue. Below are the Kardatzke family Erik, Elle and Allie, enjoying the block party at Greenstreets. I ran into the Kardatzkes earlier in the day at Sparkle Plenty, they had seen a story we did and ended up going for a birthday gift.

Christmas Garland-making party

There is a garland-making party at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue) on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 pm. This is for making garland decorations for some of the light poles around town.

The large, new, very high poles will have the snowflake blue and white banners, which were already ordered, and believe it or not, there are still about 75 of the smaller gaslight-style poles, which will hold garland-style decorations. These are the ones being made at the garland-making party on Tuesday.

The goal is to have all the garland and banners up by November 21.

Successful Black Ball at The Ivy

It was a true red carpet event last night at The Ivy at the Grove for the invitation-only Black Ball. Lots of invitations must have gone out because it looked as if hundreds of people attended during the course of the evening.

Some of the guests included Camille DePhillips, Naomi Evans and John Adrabi. And Gailen David and Steve Licata.

As guests entered, they were photographed against the logo wall.

Animals take over Bird Avenue for the afternoon

A monkey and llama were just part of the festivities at Coconut Grove Gallery and Interiors today on Bird Avenue, as part of a fundraiser for the CHARLEE Program Homes.

Great Taste of the Grove poster unveiling

On Thursday, November 12, the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce will unveil the official poster for the 2010 Ford Motor Company’s Great Taste of the Grove at a cocktail reception at the Mutiny Hotel’s Atchana’s East West Kitchen (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) from 5 to 7 pm.

Guests will be treated to complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Atchana’s, the recently opened fusion restaurant that combines traditional Thai cuisine with Western fare.

The Great Taste of the Grove is a free, annual two-day culinary and music festival that offers guests an incredible opportunity to experience the Grove’s finest dining establishments, a stellar lineup of live entertainment by well-known local artists, a Kids Zone and much more. In its 20th edition, the festival is scheduled for Saturday, January 9, and Sunday, January 10, 2010.

For more information on the Ford Motor Company’s Great Taste of the Grove, please visit www.thegreattasteofthegrove.com

Tickle their fancy and win some Grove Bucks

As you know, Grove Bucks will be randomly given out next weekend during the Mad Hatter festival for the funkiest, weirdest and best hats. We explained the process here.

The Bucks maybe used until December 24, in the Grove, at participating merchants. So just tickle the Mad Hat fancy of a Mad Hatter committee member and end up with Grove Bucks. It's that easy.

Yesterday afternoon, Daisy Lewis, Brian Davis and myself spent hours canvasing the merchants and we drummed up many places to use the Grove Bucks. $2000 worth of bucks will be handed out during next weekend's event.

On Tuesday, November 12, there is a hat-making party at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue) and if you need some hats to start, I found the perfect spot -- The Mayfair Antiques and Collectibles Market. These hats shown here are just a fraction of the hats available.

The Antiques Market will be open today, November 7, and tonight, during the Art Stroll at the Promenade at Mayfair, and you can purchase a great hat or two and embellish them to make them really mad for next week's Mad Hatter (November 14 and 15) and in turn, you may end up with lots of Grove Bucks to spend in the next couple of months all around Coconut Grove.

Art, music, food and drink all over tonight

Lots going on in Coconut Grove tonight:

Johnny Valdes and Cindi Bettner host the monthly First Saturday Art Stroll at the Mayfair Promenade, with over 50 artists, free food and drink and lots of live music. The Ivy and Chili's (talk about extremes) will be offering food tastings.

Also on the Promenade, enjoy the GroveHouse Artists' new exhibit opening and the Mayfair Antiques and Collectibles Market.

Speaking of The Ivy, tonight is their Black Ball, for invites only, but stop by Commodore Plaza and enjoy the red carpet event as the black tie guests enter, stopping for photo ops.

You'll want to be on Commodore Plaza for the Coconut Grove Block Party, which takes over the whole street from 6 pm to 2 am.

Live music includes Afrobeta, restaurants will have tables in the streets, food and drink specials and merchants will be offering lots of special items. Entry into the block party is free.

Back at the other end of town, the Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) is presenting art by Katiuska Gonzalez, as part of their free Pure Imagination series. It's easy to just walk from the Mayfair Promenade Art Stroll, right across the street, through the parking lot and into The Mutiny, no need to drive around to the formal entrance, when you can walk.

Just ask Paul at the Sunglasses kiosk how to get there if lost. It's really easy.

Donate furniture to benefit CHARLEE

Donate your furniture to go directly to CHARLEE Program Homes and receive a 20% coupon at Coconut Grove Gallery and Interiors today, November 7.

Stop by from 1 to 6 pm and experience a wild day including live exotic animals, safari games, exotic plant sale and beer and food tastings. The gallery is at 2884 Bird Avenue, and there's plenty of free parking. For info: 305-445-7401.

The CHARLEE Homes for Children website is here: http://www.charleeprogram.org/.

Art on the move

We found Sheri Friedman carrying art from Blu Moon Studio to Focaccia Rustica this afternoon. Tomorrow, November 7, is Sheri's turn for Breakfast with the Artist at Focaccia (3111 Grand Avenue).

Join Sheri and her friends at 10 am. Enjoy art, breakfast and conversation. Free Mimosas, too.

Happy Hour at the Mayfair Promenade

Stop by the Mayfair Promenade tonight for music, art and free wine and nibblie things.

John and Nikki will perform Broadway tunes outside under the tent, the GroveHouse Artists Gallery is open and of course the big Antiques and Collectibles Market is the center of it all.

Come out and mix and mingle with your neighbors from 7 to 10 pm.

Earn Grove Bucks for wearing Mad Hats!

Grove Bucks will be back for the Mad Hatter Festival on November 14 and 15.

Mad Hatter committee members will have the bucks and randomly hand them out at will to those in the crowd with the best and craziest hats. The bucks can then be turned in to local businesses as money. They will be in $2.00 denominations.

The longer you are at the festival in your wacky hat, the more Grove Bucks you may received since more committee members may see you wandering around the crowd. You'll be handed a random amount, too, depending on your hat, not just one $2.00 Grove Buck, but several by each committee member, so now is the time to design and plan your hat.

Remember, it's the Mad Hatter, so the maddest hats will be the best hats!

Bike Miami Rides through Grove on Sunday

This Sunday, November 8, Bike Miami Rides is having a bike ride to help facilitate bicycle safety and rider confidence to encourage people to ride their bikes for commuting and errands. Starting at 8:30 at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive), the group will ride thorough the Grove and then through The Roads, Little Havana, Brickell and back to the Grove, where the riders are hoping that various businesses will be welcoming to them by offering discounts and specials for the group.

As usual, Calamari (3540 Main Highway) has stepped up, by offering a "Bike and Brunch." Free Bellini's will be offered to all participants who come back to Calamari for brunch. For info on the ride, please email Collin Worth: cworth@miamigov.com

GroveHouse Artists' new exhibit opening

The GroveHouse Artists are having an opening of their new exhibit tomorrow, November 7, beginning at 7 pm, as part of the Grove Art Stroll.

The gallery is located in the Shops at Mayfair on the Promenade, Suite 162.

November's artist is Jane Tinney, in December it is Jules Whitfield.

The exhibit runs through January 30, 2010. For additional information please call 305-445-1743.

Gallery hours:
Monday - by appointment
Tuesday - Thursday - Noon to 6 pm
Friday - Saturday - Noon to 9 pm
Sunday - 11 am to 5 pm

10% discount to Code 33 and Fairchild Branchout Members.

Keeping Burn Notice in Florida

Burn Notice fan and Grove resident, State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera chats with Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan in Tallahassee last week. Carlos is a true Burn Notice fan, and he would like to keep the show filming right here in the Grove. I can remember more than once when he discussed an episode or two with me personally.

Donovan was at the state capitol last week to lobby for more state money and incentives to keep movies and tv filming in Florida.

According to State Film Commissioner Lucia Fishburne, Burn Notice has paid more than $28.4 million in Florida salaries and is responsible for booking over 7,000 hotel room nights as well as millions more spent on production costs, including permits, food, construction, wardrobe, rentals and more.

Burn Notice will receive $5.2 million in incentives out of the state's yearly $10.8 million budget. Guess they will be here for awhile, despite one or two short sighted politicians.

Photo by Mark Foley, Florida House of Representatives

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One Day Mandala Workshop at Blu Moon

Blu Moon Studio (3444 Main Highway, top floor) has their five week Mandala class running, but now there is a one day Mandala drawing workshop. It is this Sunday, Nov. 8 from 1 to 4 pm.

Drawing a Mandala is a relaxing and enriching experience. Sheri Friedman will guide you through the process of creating your own personal Mandala. No drawing experience is necessary. All materials will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing, and you may bring a blanket or pillow to sit on. The fee is $35.

For info or to sign up, please call or email Sheri at: 305-529-5006 or sheri@blumoonstudio.com.

Thursday night in Coconut Grove

Greenstreets (3110 Commodore Plaza) has Two Happy Hours: Beer - 3.50, Wine - $2.00 off a glass, Well drinks - 4.50, Martinis - 6.00 from 5 to 7 pm and 11 pm to closing time.

Happy Hour from noon to 8 pm at Barracuda (3035 Fuller Street), then party all night! College night.

La Bottega's first wine tasting is tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, featuring Terralsole Wines of Tuscan with assorted breads and cheeses. Cost is $20 per person. That's part of the Calamari complex at 3540 Main Highway.

It's Lady's Night at Le P'tit Paris (3105 Commodore Plaza), free unlimited champagne for the ladies with dinner.

Mr. Moe's (3131 Commodore Plaza) College Night - 9 pm to midnight • $7 - 34 oz Cabin Fever; $8 - Eight Ball; special guest DJ.

College Night at Sandbar Grill (3064 Grand Avenue). $3 bottled beer, DJ and dancing.

Thirsty Thursdays at Jaguar (3067 Grand Avenue), 7 to 8:30 pm, $15 per person, Food, wine and Latin Jazz.

It's $2 Thursdays at The Boardwalk Tavern (3421 Main Highway). $2 beers and $2 shots from 11 pm to 1 am, sounds by Ali B.

Check out Chili's, Bice, Circo Barcelona and Fat Tuesdays at CocoWalk for specials!

Rebecca Clarke: A Celebration

Rebecca Clarke: A Celebration, is a chamber concert celebrating the work of British-American composer Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979).

Ms. Clarke is believed to have been one of her very best of her time.

Performing: Alanah Clarke, mezzo-soprano; Heather Gallagher, mezzo-soprano; Matthew Maness, tenor; Catherine Spitzer, soprano; Ernesto Tres Palacios, baritone; Richard Fleischman, viola; Simon Jacobs, piano; Elizabeth Vasquez, cello and Dr. Lajos Zeke, piano.

Be part of this special evening on Friday, November 13 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (2750 McFarlane Road) at 7:30 pm.

Cost is $15 per ticket, which includes free parking. For info, please contact Heather Gallagher at 305-505-4495 or heathergallagher@gmail.com.

Coercion was used at elections

It's annoying enough that you are accosted by political campaign workers with signs and loud voices when you go to vote, but this past election for Village Council consisted of Center Grove bullies who accosted people at the polls and basically handed them a list of whom to vote for.

I know for a fact that one candidate who was in the running and is for 5 am bar closings and a different agenda for the Glass House in Peacock Park, was out shaking hands on election day and just as she would leave people, one of the Center Grove Mafia would come up to the person, tell the voter that the candidate was full of crap and then they would hand them a list of whom to vote for, following them all the way up to the door of the polling location.

Is this legal? It's coercion and I think it is illegal. Also being too close to the polling place is very illegal.

I would love to post the names of these people, but until this is in a court of law, there is no need to libel myself here now. Those in question may be facing a judge.

There are a handful of bullies who think they are calling the shots, but the tide is turning. There is a new Village Council and a new mayor who is well aware of what goes on here. We have spoken at length about it and there will be changes.

I would encourage all of you to keep sending me reports on these communistic tactics. They are breaking the law in most cases with lies, coercion and libel and we have some legal professionals who are ready to start taking the maters into the courts -- pro bono.

The Groovy Grove Gift Guide

Periodically, we will run gift items from Coconut Grove businesses in The Groovy Grove Gift Guide. With the holidays coming up, this might be a good idea to share some of the items that are being sold right here in the Village. First up: Sparkle Plenty at CocoWalk.


These are popular "Ugly Dolls," there are three sizes, small for $7.50, medium for $12.50 and large for $25.00.


The animal slippers (left) come in five animal styles, four are shown here. One size fits all. They are $24.95 a pair. The Dancing Flowers are colorful and they actually dance. They are $8.75 each.


Can you see this on my head? If not, here it is at the right, it's a Head Massager. It's only $4.95 and it feels so good. I didn't want to take it off.

Sparkle Plenty is located on the ground floor at CocoWalk, they have lots of great greeting cards and all sorts of fun items. They may be reached at 305-447-3343.

Sparkle Plenty accepts Grove Bucks.

Katiuska Gonzalez art on display Saturday

Pure Imagination returns to the Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) this Saturday, November 7 for the first Saturday Art Stroll. Katiuska Gonzalez is on display from 7 to 9 pm.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, wine pours and a cash bar.

Please RSVP to 305-441-2100 ext. 2008 or jvillamizar@mutinyhotel.com

Merchants Meeting tomorrow morning

The monthly Merchants Meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, November 5 at the NET office (the glass house on McFarlane) at 9:30 am.

On the agenda:
1) Mad Hatter Festival
2) Sail the Grove
3) Snow Days - Holidays

Merchants are urged to come out and hear what is happening in detail. Your input is encouraged. It's the same people every month, the Merchants Group would love to see some fresh faces at the meeting.

Snow Days are coming to the Grove

Plans are to have three Snow Days in the Grove this December. On Saturday, December 5, the Grove will turn on the Christmas season with a tree and storefront lighting, the mini Christmas Village will come out and Virginia Street will be covered with eight tons of snow for half a block or so by CocoWalk and The Bookstore.

Then the next week, Snow Days moves to Sunday, December 13 and Fuller Street, picture Fuller with snow from one end to the other. Barracuda are you ready?

On Sunday, December 20, the snow will move the Promenade at Mayfair.

Snowflake banners (blue and white) will be hung on the new taller light poles and the smaller ones will have a garland design, which will be made by volunteers at a party at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 pm.

November 21 is the planned date of installation of the banners and garland around the Village.

Chamber meets to discuss Casino Night

Some of the Chamber's casino night committee met at the Mayfair Lobby Bar on Monday to go over casino night. It was quite a success. They made money!

From left are: Liliana Dones, Ed Prelaz, David Guzikowski, Mary McDonald, Sylvia Quinn, Michelle Alvarez, Willie Vega and Lisa Shallenberger.

After the meeting they all hung around for Michelle Niemeyer's birthday bash during Mad Men Monday at the lobby bar.

Coconut Grove Green Market is back today

The Coconut Grove Green Market will be back today (and every Wednesday) from 3 to 6 pm at the atrium at Mayfair (by the bull sculpture).

Frantz will be serving prepared turkey and pork dishes as well as many type of pastries. There is all sorts of fresh fruits and veggies and lots of plants, too. You can eat right there or take it all home to enjoy.

Community Garden planting party is Saturday

The Roots of the Grove Community Vegetable Garden is having a garden party on Saturday, November 7.

New garden beds will be placed and filled and master gardener Andres Mejides will speak to the new gardeners and volunteers.

It is at 3616 Day Avenue (corner of Plaza) from 9 am to 2 pm. Please just stop over, bring gloves and gardening tools if you have them.

Today's election results

Tomás Regalado is the new Mayor of Miami, with over 70% of the vote, his opponent, Joe Sanchez had less than 30%. And for us in Coconut Grove, the new Village Council are these nine people:

Heather Bettner
Kate Callahan
David Collins
Felice Dubin
Stephen P. Murray
Michelle Niemeyer
Renita Ross Samuels-Dixon
Patrick Sessions
David Wells

The top three vote-getters in order are Patrick Sessions, David Collins and Kate Callahan.

Suspect being sought in Grove assault

Many of you may know that there was a terrible crime committed over the weekend.

This is a computer generated image sent out by Miami Police of the suspect who stalked and then robbed and raped a young lady on the 3200 block of Virginia Street on Saturday, October 31, about 5:20 am.

The woman had just returned home and was accosted at her own front gate at gunpoint.

According to police, the suspect is approximately 5'7", late 20's, 160 lbs, medium built, last seen wearing all black with a black mask that covered most of his face. The suspect has a distinctive brown mark on the white portion of his right eye.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact the Special Victims Unit at (305) 603-6300 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS."

Hat making party for Mad Hatter Festival

The Mad Hatter Arts Festival is coming up fast -- the Alice in Wonderland art event will take place Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15.

Mad Hatter committee members will be randomly handing out Grove Bucks all day to those who have the best hats. Grove Bucks were used on 4th of July as prizes.

And to help with that, there will be a hat making party at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue), sort of like the coconut painting that was done this past summer for the Coconut Scavenger Hunt, but in this case, it is hats and you'll be making your own.)

The Hat Making Party is Thursday, November 12 at 7 pm. There will be wine and nibblie things. Bring your own glue guns if you have them and anything that you would like to use on the hat: paint, feathers, ribbons, cardboard, glitter, whatever.

That's Daisy Lewis wearing one of AnnaMaria's creations at a recent committee meeting. With Daisy are committee members Steve Licata and Love Levy.

Artists, there is still room for you. The application is here for download. Teachers, ask about discounted rates.

Afrobeta performing at Coconut Grove Block Party

The Coconut Grove Block Party took a break for Halloween night and now it's back this Saturday.

Headlining the entertainment on the main stage, located near Cita’s Italian Chophouse, will be Afrobeta. The Miami underground favorite was recently named the 2009 Miami New Times Battle of the Bands winner.

Referred to locally as a “match made in disco-house heaven,” this bilingual-duo brings its electro-funk and pop rhythms to Coconut Grove’s music scene.

Free to the public, the Block Party will continue every Saturday through March.

The streets of Commodore Plaza will be closed from 6:30 pm through 2 am. Party-goers will enjoy food and drink specials as restaurants will set-up additional tables on the street so diners can enjoy the music. Local artists will also be showcasing their works.

Michelle's Mad Men Monday

Last night's Mad Men Monday was extra special because we celebrated Michelle Niemeyer's birthday, too.

Lots of friends showed up to enjoy the 1960s vibe of Mad Men, while celebrating Michelle. We had a delicious red velvet birthday cake, dinner, gifts and drinks.

At one point, the whole bar broke out in tune and sang "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" to Michelle, acapella -- it was right out of a movie, the whole place joined in, led by Willie Vega.

I don't know how that fit in with the birthday, but it was from the Mad Men era, so it worked.

Election day

I just went to a couple of voting precincts in the Grove -- City Hall and the firehouse on Oak and they are dead. Where are the voters? I wanted to get a photo or two of people entering or leaving the polls.

There weren't even that many campaigners around, just signs stuck in the grass and a few people hanging out on the corner of Oak and Grand, like stalkers, trying to get their candidate that last minute vote, but other than them, there are no voters.

Is early voting the cause? I voted last Monday, maybe I should have voted today. I'm thinking that early voting ruins the anticipation and excitement of election day. It's all been done by the time the big day comes around now and all we can do is wait for the results later tonight.

Sheri Friedman featured at artist breakfast

Sheri Friedman is the featured artist at this month's Breakfast with the Artist series at Focaccia Rustica (3111 Main Highway) on Saturday, November 7, at 10 am.Join Sheri and friends for breakfast, conversation and art.

Everyone buys their own breakfast. Mimosas are complimentary.

Experience the 1960s again

Join us at Mad Men Mondays tonight at the Mayfair Hotel Lobby Bar.

Large '60s inspired drinks like Tom Collins, Harvey Wallbanger, Rob Roy and more are featured at $3.50 each from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Start off with a full three course dinner for only $21.00.

We are toasting Michelle Niemeyer tonight for her birthday, which is today. So stop by for a drink.

La Bottega's first fall wine tasting

La Bottega (3540 Main Highway) is having its first First Fall Wine Tasting on Thursday, November 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The wines featured are: Terralsole Wines of Tuscan, Rosso di Montalcino, Two Vintages of Brunello di Montalcino, Coldoro Merlot, Solista Syran and Super Tuscan Pasticcio.

They will have an array of cheeses and breads for your enjoyment. This is the Grove's only Italian enoteca. An enoteca is a wine repository.

Cost is $20.00 per person. Please RSVP to: 305 444 3493.

New Mooring Fields opened to public today

The Dinner Key Municipal Mooring Fields were open this morning, with a ribbon cutting ceremony behind City Hall. The Mayor and many dignitaries were in attendance. Along with the ribbon cutting, a check for $847,248.00 was donated by the Florida Inland Navigation District to fund part of the project.

The new 225 vessel facility now has new light buoys and navigational aids to help boaters navigate accessible waterways. The moorings can accommodate vessels up to forty feet.

Upland amenities at the existing facility that are available to City residents and visiting boaters include a Harbormaster’s Office and Customer Lounge; restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities; a dinghy dock with customer shuttle service is at the Seminole Boat Ramp; vehicle and bicycle parking; trash pickup and recycling.

Applications for moorings are taken on a first come, first served basis and can be completed online at www.miami-marinas.com or in person at Dinner Key Marina. Only seaworthy vessels with the proper title and registration will be accepted.

25 percent of the moorings (55 spaces) will accommodate daily visiting vessels.

Three art openings on one night

Nelsy Rivas, Richard Issa and Katherine Phillips enjoyed the art opening at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery last Thursday night. Nelsy has a peacock image on her forehead because she was on her way to the cancelled Masquerade at the Mutiny Hotel. She didn't know, but the event turned into an Ed King art unveiling.

The Peacock Tour is still a big event happening in the Spring. The big fiberglass peacocks are all still being adopted and matched up to charities and artists. For info on how you can be involved, please email Heather at heather@princemediadevelopment.com.


Here, Ed King shows off one of his pieces.


And this is the new piece called "The Enlightenment of Being" (36" x 18" - acrylic on canvas). The party was attended by 30 friends and fans. About 20 pieces we on display and the guests were treated to free posters signed by the artist. The new piece as well as the entire neo-pop art collection of originals is available online at www.edkingpopart.com


Over at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery, the place filled up with people interested in Haitian Art, mostly French speaking. Here is George S. Nader who's the owner of the art on display, with Fernando Francisco and Jerry Wade.

Hands on Miami Day of Service at Vizcaya

Hands on Miami's next project is "V at Vizcaya," a messy clean-up day, on Saturday, November 7 from 8:15 am to 12"15 pm.

Mangrove swamp and estuary areas have suffered greatly from the ravages of hurricanes, fragmentation, and the invasion of exotic species. Volunteers will be restoring these areas back into its natural state.

Wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Bring sunscreen and gardening gloves.

The minimum age for this project is 15 years old with an adult.

The interests recommended for this project are: Environmental, Youth Volunteering, Landscaping and Family Volunteering.

After all your hard work, join the after party on Virginia Beach.Space is limited. Only 50 slots are available. For more info, please go here.