South Grove "calming device" meeting

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and the Office of Capital Improvements invite you to attend a meeting to discuss proposed traffic calming devices within the South Grove tomorrow, December 3 at 6:30 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church, Davis Hall (3400 Devon Road).

For more info, please contact Danette Perez at 305-416-1286.

Green Market is open today

The Green Market is back today, after a brief break last week, due to Thanksgiving.

From 3 to 6 pm, enjoy fruits, vegetables, prepared food, pastries, fresh made pasta and more. It's at the Promenade at Mayfair (by the bull).

Stop by for a late lunch or pick up something for dinner!

King Mango Strut is a go -- finally

The Strutters are getting ready for this year's King Mango Strut, which will happen Sunday, December 27, 2009.

Now is the time to prepare your marching units at 2 pm, on the last Sunday of the year, thousands will be ready to experience one of the Grove's best signature events.

The Mangoheads met last night at Greenstreet to discuss this year's event. Earlier in the day, the BID handed over $15,000 to help defray the costs of this year's strut and another $15,000 held back from last year.

This year's theme is "Public Options Rule."

Photos by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Enjoy brunch with Santa

Have brunch with Santa at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. This Saturday, December 5, at 10 am.

Cost is $20, which includes time with Santa and bruch for a child and an adult. Parking is free. Bring your camera!

Groovy Grove Sundays starts at Chicago's

Groovy Grove Sundays Live, the live winter series begins Sunday Dec 6 at Chicago's Steakhouse. Each Sunday three "Hot n' Original" local bands will be performing live on stage.

The line up is:
- December 6: Little Beard, Furious Dudes w/ special guest Mad Martigen, Jacuzzi Fuzz
- December 13: Ryan Stone Music Band, Raging Gesiha, Anderson Council
- December 20: Unit 6, Luck You, Nano
- Dec 27: Special Mango Strut Show -- Bands TBA

Chicago's Steakhouse is at 3120 Commodore Plaza. All shows start 10 pm - $5 cover / 18+ up / Drink specials/ Kitchen open late.

For more info call 786-200-4540. Shows and Times subject to change

Is there anything for tweens to do here?

One way Merrick Park and Sunset Place do a lot of business is with parents spending time at shops and restaurants while their kids have "play dates."

The kids are tweens and teens who would like to do their own mall hopping without Mom and Dad present, so as the kids go off to do their own thing, the parents kill a couple of hours doing their thing, which is eating, drinking and shopping.

There is nothing in the Grove that draws teens or teens. They don't want to hang out here so their parents don't hang out here.

I have been told that the Grove is "run by old people." Maybe we need some young blood to start making changes around here. Perpahs a few younger people on the BID or Chamber or Merchants Group might bring in some fresh ideas.

Holiday Art Bazaar at Mutiny Hotel

The Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) is having a Holiday Art Bazaar on Saturday, December 5 from 6 to 9 pm.

The bazaar will feature original art, jewelry, cards, handbags and other one-of-a-kind art gifts. Along with the art, enjoy complimentary champagne, wine , chocolates and hors d'oeuvres.

Groovy Grove Gift Guide

La Bottega's Holiday Gift Baskets are Ready . . . Presenting three options to delight your holiday gift list.

At left: Chateau Tour de Grenet Lussac-St.Emilion (2001) 750 ml ~ Loacker Quadratini Vanilla Wafers, 8.82 oz Mas Portell Olive Cocktail, 10.2 oz Chamignon Brie Cheese, 4.5 oz Academia Barilla Spicy Fig Compote, 4.76 oz Flat Out Good Natural Crispbread Crackers, 4.5 oz Baci Finest Italian Chocolates, 5 oz ($65).

At right: Gouguenheim Malbec 750 ml ~ Les Moulins Mahjoub Spicy Sundried Tomato Spread, 6.5 oz Flat Out Good Natural Crisp bread Crackers, 4.5 oz Daniele Sorpezzata, 6 oz Amaretti Cookies (5), 50 grams Assorted Toasted Nuts, 3 oz ($35).


Gold Medal Winner Barbera d’Alba Campo del Gatto 750 ml. ~ Academia Barilla Tomato Sauce, 10.57 oz Giuseppe Cocco Pasta Garganelli, 8.8 oz Monteripoli Sweet Green Olives, 10.61 oz Jennifer’s Homemade Breadsticks, 6 oz Food Should Taste Good Olive Tortilla Chips, 6 oz Terrara Pistachio Torrone Bar, 2 oz ($55).

Gift Cards, Custom Baskets, shipping and delivery are also available. Call 305.444.3493
or contact CoconutGroveEvents@gmail.com. The Grove Garden Trilogy: Calamari, La Bottega and Taurus are located at 3540 Main Highway.

GablesStage to take over Grove Playhouse

GablesStage and it's producing artistic director, Joseph Adler are taking over the Coconut Grove Playhouse.

Adler was chosen by the Playhouse board. $20 million will be used, which was designated by Miami-Dade County's capital-improvement funds in 2004.

The current 1100-seat theater will be replaced with a 300-seat theater and possibly a 600-seat theater.

The current facade is going to be kept and will be incorporated into the new structure. After the St. Stephen's fiasco, I belive them.

The Aries Development Group, which will develop the property could add restaurants, condos, shops and more to the larger complex which extends way back onto Charles Street.

The Herald has more details here.

Decorating for December

Joe Harrison got the garland decorations up this weekend around the Grove. It may be hard to see among all the sign pollution, but the decorations are up. The tall light poles have the snowflake banners and the smaller old fashioned light poles have the garland and greenery.

While it all looked good on paper, I think that next year we need red, lots of red. Below you can see the current streets at left and at right are the decorations from December 2007. Last year they were sort of in between, some red and gold, but they didn't stand out as much as 2007's decorations.

John El-Masry's open letter to Comm. Sarnoff

Open your mind and consider the best interest of the residents and businesses of Coconut Grove. Your Coconut Grove constituents paid a premium to live within walking distance of the village center to have a meal, enjoy live entertainment, visit art galleries, shop, and pursue leisure activities. This is one of the key selling points of residential and commercial real estate in Coconut Grove. Since June, 2008, your ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol after 3:00 a.m. ONLY in the Coconut Grove SD-2 Special District (downtown Coconut Grove) is killing that village center.

Commissioner, the Grove is in a crisis:

· There are 21 empty restaurant spaces in Coconut Grove;
· Many retailers serving young adults have gone out of business or chosen to leave the Grove in the last couple of months, including Ritchie Swimwear, XOT, Azul, and Guess;
· Numerous restaurants have opened and closed within the last year;
· All of the dance clubs that existed in Coconut Grove were put out of business by this ordinance.

The perception that has been created by the 3:00 a.m. ordinance is that the Grove is an early, sedate, place where young people are not welcome. Meanwhile, in spite of a difficult economy, businesses in South Miami, Brickell and Downtown Miami, Wynwood and the Design District are thriving. We cannot entirely blame the Grove’s decline on the economy, the Playhouse, the movie theater, or the loss of the Expo Center. The fact is people want to park their car, eat dinner, have some drinks, and go dancing all in the same area. They can do this elsewhere in YOUR District, but not in the Grove.

When you proposed the ordinance, there were complaints emanating from one establishment, Visions, which is no longer in existence. Any of those problems could have been handled by diligent enforcement of existing laws. Limiting drinking in a tiny portion of Coconut Grove does not make sense if your goal is protecting your constituents from drunk drivers. Other places within your District still allow drinking until 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., and in some instances 24 hours. You have recently attended PTA meetings at schools in Coconut Grove drumming fear into mothers about drunk drivers harming their children at 5:00 a.m., to gain their support for your 3:00 a.m. ordinance, while you have been supporting 24 hour licenses in residential areas closer to downtown and presumably are not having similar meetings with the mothers there. Is the life of a child in a less affluent neighborhood worth less? If you care about the safety of children in Coconut Grove, don’t you care about the children in Overtown, Midtown, the Design District, Brickell, or the MiMo District?

This was never about drunk driving. You and a few of your supporters chose to purchase homes on Virginia Street, a main artery into the Center Grove commercial district. Now that you are a City Commissioner, you have spent $95,000 on a traffic circle to slow traffic and proposed the 3:00 rule to eliminate late night traffic in front of your house. This may improve your own quality of life, but limits the options available to your constituents, has caused job loss and business failure, and will ultimately lead to a decrease in everyone’s property values, including your own.

We don’t think you meant to decimate the Grove’s business district with this law, but that is what it has done. Please present legislation NOW to place the Grove businesses on an equal footing with the rest of the City, and keep the Grove alive.

With all Due Respect,

John El-Masry
Owner, Mr. Moes, former owner, Christabelle’s Quarter
and Barracuda Raw Bar and Grill

Forecast calls for snow in Coconut Grove

Over the weekend, Issa and Garland worked on one of the first Christmas Village houses that will be part of Saturday's Snow Days, happening December 5. Expect to see a snowball or two as Virginia Street is taken over by eight tons of real snow at the Grand Avenue end between The Bookstore and CocoWalk.

On Sunday, December 13 the snow will show up on Fuller Street and then on Sunday, December 20, the snow will be at the Promenade at Mayfair. But this Saturday, December 5, at noon, Santa will arrive to christen Snow Days on Virginia. Yes Virginia, there is snow in Miami -- in Coconut Grove to be exact!

Photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt

Miami's Top Brass perform at The Barnacle

Miami's Top Brass holiday concert will be held Wednesday, December 2 as part of The Barnacle's Under Moonlight series.

Gates open at 6 pm and the music is from 7 to 9 pm.

Admission is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids under 10 and free for kids under 6.

Chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome. Pets are not.

The Barnacle is at 3485 Main Highway, for info, please call 305-442-6866.

King Mango Strut Meeting on Tuesday

There is a King Mango Strut meeting on Tuesday, December 1 at 7 pm at Greenstreets (3110 Commodore Plaza), in the lounge/library area.

Belly2Abs offers large array of December classes

Belly2Abs (2829 Bird Avenue) has many new Master Workshops in December from Pole Dancing to Divine Boot Camp and "Connecting with your Veil." Prices start at $40.00 per class and an all purpose pass is available for $160.00.

To sign up and for more info, please visit: http://www.belly2abs.com/

City Hall Tree lighting on Wednesday

Mayor Tomas Regalado and City Commissioners are presenting the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, December 2, at City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive).

Activities include a holiday parade featuring the City of Miami Police and Fire-Rescue Departments. The guest of honor for the parade is Santa Claus, who usually comes in on a bright red fire truck.

Children will also be able to ride the “Express Train” around City Hall as well as enjoy music, popcorn, food and beverages. The event is from 6 to 9 pm.

"Our Regional Treasures" featured at gallery

The Windisch-Hunt Gallery (2911 Grand Avenue) is presenting "Our Regional Treasures" opening today, November 29 (from 3 to 6 pm) and running through December 10, 2009.

These remarkable artists are in their 70s and 80s and still continue to paint with continued passion. Their legacy to Florida is infinitely valuable. Today you have the opportunity to meet them and see their work firsthand.

Roy McLendon, an original Highwayman, was inducted into the Florida Arts Council Hall of Fame. Fred Hunt, a painter of visual seduction, has worked for 60 years and was voted "Best Local Artist" and was recognized as a "Miami Master." P. Cherry, an Oasis for the Soul, took the plunge at age 50. Her work appeared on the Miami Vice tv series and has been featured at Bloomingdale's showrooms in New York.

Was there ever any doubt?

Everyone rejoice -- the King Mango Strut is on. Both parties hashed things out and the "Desperate Grovites" may go on. That's the name Antoinette Baldwin (shown here) came up with for a reality show based on the Grove, if there ever would be a reality show based on the Grove.

December 27, the last Sunday of the year is the date for the Strut. This Tuesday, December 1, there is a meeting at Greenstreets at 7 pm.

Baubles and Bubbles

Keeping the Grove Bucks going

I'm not saying who, but a restaurant recently accepted Grove Bucks. In the last go round at the Mad Hatter Arts Festival, Grove Bucks were handed out and only merchants were supposed to accept them. The restaurants had the Tea Party specials.

But I love the fact that a restaurant accepted the Bucks.

It would be a great thing to keep Grove Bucks going every day of the year, not just during special events.

The Grove Bucks that were handed out during the Mad Hatter Arts Festival are good until December 24, Christmas Eve, at participating merchants, and I guess at other places that are willing to accept them.

Rogue parking meter

Speaking of parking meters, beware of the one parking meter in front of the Guess store on Grand Avenue, it charges $1.25 per hour, where all the rest are $1.00, and it does not stop at the three hour limit, so you can absent mindedly keep pushing the button, thinking it will stop at three hours, but it won't.

Circo Barcelona offers nice variety

Circo Barcelona at CocoWalk has some interesting and simple dishes that make for a nice light meal. At left is a tapas platter of Serrano ham, cheese, olives and eggplant. At right the Ibiza sandwich: cold roast beef with horseradish cream cheese a side of mixed greens and potato salad ($8.00).

Other sandwiches include the Spanish Sandwich: Serrano ham, manchego cheese and aioli sauce ($7.00); Barcelona Sandwich: Roasted chicken, arugula, tomatoes, white cheddar and olive oil ($8.00); Vanencia Sandwich: Pesto sauce, arugula, carrots, eggplant, tomatoes and fennel ($7.00); Toledo Sandwich: Roasted turkey and cucumber in a mango-chutney butter sauce ($7.00). All sandwiches are served in Ciabatta bread with potato salad and mixed greens.

Cold Tapas, all $4.00 include Cheeses, Spanish Chorizo, Serrano Ham, Olives Aioli potatoes and much more.

Hot Tapas, all $6.00 include Spanish Tortilla, Crispy Salmon, Pincho Moruno, Mediterranea Chicken and Corquetas, just to name a few.

They have soups, salads and daily specials, too.

The next Dylan or Lovin' Spoonful?

Speaking of having young musicians on the streets, Ryan Olmedo and Frances Blades are a throwback to the old Grove.

You may have seen them around Mayfair, by the promenade and also in front of The Bookstore.

They have a sweet old-fashioned folk song-type sound and they are very talented.

Look for them on the streets of Coconut Grove this holiday season, enjoy this new talent for just tips at the moment, they are going to be big some day, you can say you knew them when.

St. Stephen's tree lot is open

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (2750 McFarlane Road) has Christmas tree today, November 27, shipped fresh from North Carolina.

The lot is open Monday through Friday from 3 to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. Proceeds help the whole community through their outreach programs.

CocoWalk goes Bollywood tonight

After a long day of shopping, head to CocoWalk for the Bollywood Divas tonight, November 27, from 7 to 10 pm. Learn how to dance right out of a Bollywood movie. Sip on Indian inspired cocktails, eat at one of their many restaurants, listen to music and just relax.

We need more young music on the streets

I am told that young people enjoy young musical performers. There is a group of young students, wh have a band, who perform regularly at Sunset Place and that draws many of their school friends and young fans.

While we are supposed to have music around the Grove, we don't. There is sometimes a drum circle and Bev, the steal drum guy is at Mayfair, but how about some young performers being out there?

Last January, almost a year ago, we tried to get music students from the Academy of Arts and Minds and other local high schools out on the streets to perform. They were willing to perform for tips, but we were told to hold off because they should be paid and not be performing for free, and that was it. The subject was never brought up again.

I am sure young bands would love to take to street corners in the Grove to show off their music and I am sure they would work for tips. They in turn would bring their school friends to hear them and that in turn would bring parents.

Groovy Grove Gift Guide

The Nikki Sedacca collection is now available at Steven Anton Rehage Jewelry.

Nikki, a very talented designer, was born in Key West, and grew up in Coconut Grove.

Above, from left are Cuff Earrings, 18k gold, also available in sterling silver; Angolo Dangle earrings are availble in 18k gold and sterling silver.

Sterling silver designs start at $90.00 and pricing goes up to $12,000 to $18,000 for 18k signature wire work with south sea pearls. Nikki is known for her signature, hand manipulated wire work. She works with sterling silver and 14k and 18k gold.

The work is all hand woven and is inspired by nature. The Nikki Sedacca Collection consists of both women's and men's jewelry.

Below left: Favorita Cuff, sterling silver with Amethysts, Peridots and Pearls. At right: L'ile De Paridis 18k gold with Abalone, South Sea Pearls, Blue Topaz, Turquoise Coin Pearls and Black Coral.

For further information, please visit her website www.sedacca.com or contact: Steven Anton Rehage Jewelry (3162 Commodore Plaza) at 213-445-7775.

End Black Friday with some tunes and friends

They don't need the applause sign. Everybody loves them!

John and Niki perform at the Mayfair Promenade every Friday night, join them tonight!

From 7:30 to 10:30 pm, they sing show tunes and other familiar songs and the crowd loves to join in.

People actually stop on the street as they are walking by, to sing along and cars pull up to the curb to enjoy a number or two.

There is complimentary wine, cheese, cookies and other goodies, the Antique Market and all the promenade stores are open including the GroveHouse Art Gallery, Out of Africa, Hibiscus Hill and Paul's Sunglasses kiosk.

It's a nice way to start the weekend. Come out and wind down your Black Friday with some music and friends.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Anne Blazejack's art to be presented

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery is premiering figurative and abstract by Anne Blazejack in celebration of Art Basel. The opening night party is Monday, November 30 from 6 to 8:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

The gallery is at 3390 Mary Street, suite 128 (at the Mayfair Atrium - by the bull). Please RSVP: katrina@coconutgroveartsfest.com.

The exhibit runs through Sunday, January 3, 2010.

Moonlight Sail at Shake-A-Leg this Saturday

Spend a special evening under the stars. Set sail under a full moon out on Biscayne Bay. Shake-A-Leg Miami’s Moonlight Sail is this Saturday, November 28. Check-in begins at 7:30 pm with all boats departing the dock by 8:00 pm and returning no later than 10 pm.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to see Miami from the best spot . . . Biscayne Bay!

Registration is still open, click here to register, the cost is $25.00 per person. Please no walk-ups. In the event they sell out, please contact John at john@shakealegmiami.org to be added to a waiting list.

Gift Certificates for Moonlight Sails make terriffic gifts. Contact Jenny at jenny@shakealegmiami.org or information. For more information this or other Shake-A-Leg Miami Programs go to www.shakealegmiami.org, call 305.858.5500.

Groovey Grove Gift Guide

Tula and Tupi is the one stop shop for all your children's needs. Above are Candyce Preston originals -- handmade crocheted knit ponchos, sweaters, purses and dresses ($18 to $85). Melanie the Mermaid is $27.50. Handmade baby gift baskets make beautiful gifts. They are filled with onesies, blankets, t-shirts, books and more (boys and girls baskets $100).


Melissa and Doug arts and crafts items along with wooden learning toys start at $1.50 and go to $80. Boys love the Ferrari and Ducati toys from Europe ($6 to $65).

Tula and Tupi is at 3133 Commodore Plaza. For info, please call 305-441-2153. Tula and Tupi may be found online too: http://tulaandtupiboutique.blogspot.com/

Tula and Tupi accepts Grove Bucks.

Students enjoy another successful AM-Jam

Last week's free AM-Jam on the plaza at the Academy of Arts and Minds Charter High School was a huge success with several hundred people attending. Students performed in all of the academy's special areas -- music, drama, art, dance, and creative creative writing.


Here Maestro Juan Torres, conducts the orchestra. The next evening AM-JAM performances are scheduled to coincide with A Taste of the Grove on January 9, from 6:00 - 10:00 pm.


At left, students prepare for performance. At right: Andres Manuel Ocampo, Perla Fernandez, Aline Manella Pereira, and Pedro Alberto Ynigo adimre students' art.

Photos by Robin L. Sarantos

St. Stephen's serving Thanksgiving dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner is free for everyone at St. Stephen's (2750 McFarlane Road) tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day. The will generously be serving at 11:15 in the Great Hall.

Please mention this to someone who may not have anywhere to go. A subtle hint will work.

Latest sketch of rape suspect released

This is the computer generated sketch of the suspect in the Coconut Grove Rape incident last week. There is not much to go on, the assailant is described as a black male, 5' 7", 175 pounds, medium build, wearing blue jeans, black windbreaker, dark shirt, black skull cap and a red bandanna over his mouth.

Neighbors in Village West are concerned that any black man fitting this description will be a suspect. Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito, explained at a town meeting yesterday that the police will be observing more than just body and facial features.

Currently, there is a $1000 reward (neighbors hope to raise more money to put toward the reward). Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact the Miami Police Department's Special Victims Unit at (305) 603-6300 or Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade at (305) 471-8477 (TIPS).

Anna Kournikova helps start the holiday season

Local tennis favorite Anna Kournikova did the honors at the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Christmas tree lot at the Boys & Girls Club on Monday. Trees start at $55.00, there are also wreaths and poinsettias. The lot is open from 9 am to 9 pm every day.

Photos courtesy Boys & Girls Club

Mutiny Hotel serving Thanksgiving Dinner

The Mutiny Hotel (2951 S. Bayshore Drive) will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday. Atchana's East/West Kitchen will be serving up a traditional feast for $25.00 per person (plus tax and tip) from 2 to 7 pm. There is a vegetarian menu available for $20.00 per person.

Your choice includes traditional Roast Turkey with Gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc. or Honey Sweet Spiral Ham with green beans, rum-glazed sweet potatoes, etc. The vegetarian option is grilled tofu with an herb rub, green beans, cranberry relish, etc.

Dessert is offered, too.

For full menu details and reservations, please call 305-774-0404.

Casablanca under the stars

The Barnacle (3485 Main Highway) is presenting Casablanca on Sunday, November 29, as part of their Starlight Movie Classics program.

Watch an American classic movie on the lawn of The Barnacle while feasting on your own picnic with friends and family. This semi-annual event is for Barnacle Society members only. There is no cost.

Gates open at 6 pm, movie starts at 7 pm. No entry after 7:15 pm. No pets.

To learn how to become a member, please call (305) 442-6866.

Touring The Kampong

State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a Grove resident, recently toured The Kampong (4013 S. Douglas Road). He calls it the "jewel of the Grove."

The Kampong is contains a "fascinating array of tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees."

The Kampong is open from 10 am to 2 pm, Tuesday through Thursday, guided tours are available. Admission is $15.00 per person. For info, please call 305-442-7169.

Dharma Studio now offering Yoga classes

The Dharma Studio will be offering their first day of Yoga classes on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26 from 9 to 10:30 am. This first day Yoga Shala class is free.

Dharma Studio has existed for eight years as a Contemporary Art Gallery. As of Thanksgiving 2009, it will open its doors as a Yoga Studio. The schedule will start off simple, but will expand according to your feedback.

Show your love of the Grove, and in the Spirit of Community, please join this free Yoga class. Jump-start your holiday with an invigorating class (or just stop by for some spicy ginger-lemongrass tea.)

Dharma Studio: 3170 Commodore Plaza / 305-461-1777.

South Grove "traffic calming" meeting

District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and the Office of Capital Improvements invite you to attend a meeting to discuss proposed traffic calming devices within the South Grove.

The meeting is on Thursday, December 3 at 6:30 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church, Davis Hall (3400 Devon Road).

For more info, please contact Danette Perez at 305-416-1286.

The Ivy is now open for lunch and dinner

The Ivy at the Grove (3159 Commodore Plaza) is now open from 11:30 am for lunch and dinner seven days a week.The kitchen is open until 10 pm Monday through Thursday and until 11 pm on Friday,Saturday and Sunday. Happy Hour is offered daily between 4 pm to 7 pm and again after 11 pm.

Visit in the next few days and receive a 25% price reduction off the menu prices. And for the first 50 Coconut Grove Grapevine readers,the Ivy would like to offer a Loyalty Card.

These card reads: "Loyalty Card The Ivy thanks you for your continued patronage and invites you to enjoy: 25% off food purchases in restaurant only. Happy Hour Pricing for Drinks all-day in the restaurant and bar." Grapevine Readers may obtain one of these by stopping by the restaurant and speaking with Bruce, Dominic or Frances.

The restaurant will be open Thanksgiving evening from 5 pm with a limited menu. Additionally,Raffles,the Private Membership Club will be opening on the third floor on December 12.

There is a large menu. Just a few items include: Appetizers like Bang Bang Chicken ($8 and $12); Sauteed Foie Gras $19); Lobster Cocktail ($11).

Salads include Rocket and Parmesan ($6); Heirloom Tomato ($13), Crispy Duck and Watercress ($12).

Soups include: Iced Plum Tomato ($5); Vichyssoise ($9); Chicken Soup ($5).

Fish includes Roasted Filet of Sea Bass ($17); Salmon Fish Cake ($11).Roasts and Grills: Chicken Paillard ($12); Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding ($19); The Ivy Hamburger ($10); Porterhouse Steak ($29).

There are sides, desserts and so much more of in the above categories.

Wines start at $5 per glass and $19 per bottle.

Keeping the Grove Alive!

Some neighbors and businesses got together and have decided that the time has come for some changes.

BACKGROUND: Coconut Grove has been established as one of Miami's most vibrant entertainment centers, attracting locals and tourists to its restaurants, bars, music, comedy and dance venues.

In June, 2008, The City of Miami passed legislation prohibiting restaurants and bars within the SD-2 Coconut Grove Central Commercial District (downtown Coconut Grove) from serving alcohol past 3 a.m.

This restriction has put downtown Coconut Grove establishments at an even greater disadvantage in an already down economy, as they are forced to compete with the emerging nightlife of nearby Brickell area and South Miami, which remain open until 5 a.m.

The restriction is also unfair in that it is limited to only those establishments within downtown Coconut Grove, while other establishments outside the area of restriction including one within 10 blocks of downtown, are allowed to remain open. At the time the restriction was established, only 2 bars had liquor licenses extending to 5 a.m. Temple and Mr. Moe's. Temple has since closed.

Due to the perception that the Grove Closes early, people are going elsewhere, and business for all the Grove has declined.

WHAT: The petition is to request that the City even the playing field by allowing the SD-2 area of Coconut Grove the "same a.m." alcohol serving cut-off time as it had previously, and which still currently exists in other areas of Coconut Grove and the City of Miami.

All the City has to do is simply remove City Code Chapter 4, Article I, Section 4-3(a)(6) from the City Code.

WHAT IT WOULD MEAN: In doing so, it DOES NOT MEAN that all of Coconut Grove will be serving alcohol until 5 a.m.

All it would do is simply return the right to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. to the one single establishment left that has a license to do so, Mr. Moe's.

Any establishment that would like a 5 a.m. license would still have to pass through the rigorous application process required by the City, and residents in the immediate area are notified, by law, so they have the right to input on each case.

WHAT TO DO: For Coconut Grove to thrive, its businesses need to survive. TELL CITY COMMISSION to SAY YES to SAME A.M. & help keep the Grove Alive!

Please sign the petition here.

Meeting called to discuss Grove sexual assaults

Miami Commission Chairman Marc Sarnoff, Police Chief Miguel Exposito, Commander Jorge Martin, and other members of the Miami Police Department will hold an open community meeting tomorrow, November 24, at 7 pm inside the cafeteria of Coconut Grove Elementary at 3351 Matilda Street.

In less than a month, two women have been robbed and sexually assaulted by a masked gunman in the Center Grove residential area. This is the police composite of the suspect.

“There is no higher priority than the safety and security of our citizens. The person or people responsible for these heinous crimes will be brought to justice,” says Commissioner Sarnoff.

The purpose of the meeting is to address questions and concerns regarding the two incidents and raise community awareness. All members of the community are invited to attend.

Similar meetings are planned in other District-2 communities to address crime related issues.

Mayfair Grille offers Thanksgiving Menu

Mayfair Hotel & Spa's Mayfair Grille presents A Special Thanksgiving Menu.

This is available in addition to their regular menu on Thursday, November 26, from noon to 10 pm.

Appetizer
Butternut Squash Soup with Caramelized Pears and Lardons
or Waldorf Salad with Endives, Candied Walnuts and Caramelized Apples with Aioli Dressing
or Arugula Salad with Dried Figs, Prosciutto, Gorgonzola and Black Currant Vinaigrette

Entrée
Traditional Roasted Turkey With Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Candied Yams and Chestnut Stuffing

Dessert
Chocolate Laced Pumpkin Pie

$35.00 Adults / $17.50 Children 7 -12; 6 and Younger - Complimentary
9% sales tax is added to the bill.

Mayfair Grille is at 3000 Florida Avenue; Reservations: 305-779-5100 or:
www.mayfairhotelandspa.comwww.opentable.com

And why not make it a truly special night with overnight accomodations in one of
their luxurious suites with Japanese Hot Tub for only $139.00. More here.

It's not just Happy Hour, it's bliss . . .

La Bottega Enoteca Sociale presents Rhythm & Wine -- Unplugged Jazz, tomorrow, November 24, at 6 pm. Marina Martin Bossa Nova Blues Live in their La Cava Club (Underground at La Bottega).

$20 per person RSVP or coconutgroveevents@gmail.com

And every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, unplug from the workday with Unplugged Jazz + Wine for only $20.

Lat Bottega is part of the Grove Garden Trilogy: Calamari, La Bottega and Taurus at 3540 Main Highway.

Groovy Grove Gift Guide

Mark Cherry's IOS store (3109 Commodore Plaza) has fine women's clothing and accessories and plenty of modern art for sale, created by Mark himself. Above left and at bottom are a couple of his paintings. At right is Christy, modeling a Monroe blazer ($240.00).


The shoe is by Sergio Zelcer ($260.00), the black handbag is by Dylan ($740.00).


For more info, please call 305-442-7166. IOS accepts Grove Bucks.

Bring the people to the street; literally

Picture Lincoln Road on Miami Beach. Now picture last week's Mad Hatter Arts Festival in the Grove.

How about making Grand Avenue a weekend or Sunday-only closed street promenade? The Green Market could be out there as well as musicians, artists, the antique market and maybe a few other things like small food vendors (water, juice, maybe hot dogs, run by local restaurants).

There seems to be no adverse effect on traffic patterns, in fact, people can take the scenic route along the water when coming or going from the Grove when Grand Avenue is closed. It was a smashing success last week, maybe it can be a regular thing.

Coconut Grove pioneer dies at 102

My friend, Jerry Wade, was explaining to me last week how he rushed home from a Eurpean trip, to help with the estate of Estelle Caldwell Overstreet, a Coconut Grove pioneer, who died last week at the age of 102.

The Herald has a great obit, with a quote from Jerry and some really fine Grove history here.

Christmas trees are in!