Community & Family

Ice cream: Perfect Coconut Grove treat

In Coconut Grove, whether shopping, eating out or just taking a walk through its canopied streets, hot days call for ice cream.

The Grove has multiple ice-cream shops. It is helpful to know which ice cream shop satisfies your taste buds and health interests.
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Grove Wall of Fame will be built, says community leader

For the past four years, the West Grove community has nominated role models whose names will be memorialized on a much heralded Wall Walk of Fame. There have been four Coconut Grove Wall Walk of Fame breakfasts where the awardees have received the community’s applause. But the wall that is supposed to contain the honorees’ names and photos has yet to be built.

The effort, however, has received a boost, said Rick Holton, president of the Coconut Grove Village West Land Trust, the nonprofit organization that is spearheading the wall project.

“It is a work in progress,” Holton said, “but things are starting to move much faster than they were before.”

After many long negotiations, a blueprint was drawn up that the city of Miami, architects, developers and Coconut Grove Land Trust agreed upon at a March 12 meeting. The project will take somewhere between $60,000 and $80,000 to complete, Holton said.
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Coconut Grove’s small-town feel ideal for kid-friendly activities

Coconut Grove’s sense of small-town familiarity and numerous kid-friendly locations makes the area an ideal place for families, all year round.

For those interested in outdoor activities, the Grove’s Kennedy, Blanche and Peacock parks all have their own playgrounds. Peacock Park, located on Biscayne Bay, near many shopping and dining Grove staples, boasts a large, open, grassy field.

Peacock Park is a great place for children to play, run, have a snack,” said Susan Larson, mother of David, 6, and Abigail, 4. “We always have a great time here.”

Peacock Park is also home to One Cool World, a 10,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor skateboard facility complete with ramps, stairs and rails.

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Upcoming meeting: All-Grove Crime Watch

The next All-Grove Crime Watch meeting will be held at St. Stephen’s Church on Wednesday, April 14, at 7 p.m.

The meeting will take place in the Great Room near the back of the church, 2750 McFarlane Rd.

Sponsored in part by the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, the meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Residents, business owners and law enforcement officials meet to discuss recent crimes and to find ways to prevent future crimes. 

“It’s more of a comprehensive approach to reducing crime in our neighborhood. Nothing slips through the cracks,” said Robert Loupo, the co-chair of the monthly meeting.

To receive more information about crime in the area,  go to www. grovecrimewatch.org and sign up for email updates or contact Loupo at  305-310-8769.

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Former Grove resident weighs in
on debate with story of tragic loss

Donna Clarit awoke to a phone call at about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2007. Clarit, now 52, remembers the terror that overcame her.  She ran outside and saw that her car was gone, remembering her daughters had driven to a baby shower the night before.

A drunk driver had been drag racing and approached two other cars with no time to stop. One car got out of the way, but the other did not.  In that car sat Clarit’s three daughters.

Almost two-and-a-half years later, Clarit slides three paper clips across her desk to show the positions of three cars at NW 119th Street and 19th Avenue, describing the early morning crash caused by a drunk driver.
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Miami-inspired Easter hunt will kick off on Grand Avenue

Kids in Coconut Grove won’t be searching for eggs this Easter.

They will be on the hunt for painted coconuts hidden along Grand Avenue between CocoWalk and the Shoppes at Mayfair.

The Miami-style Easter event, The First Annual Grove Coconut Hunt, is a collaborative effort between CocoWalk, Mayfair in the Grove and the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District.

The first hunt will begin at noon and the second at 2 p.m on Saturday.

In each event, the kid who finds the first five coconuts and the one to collect the most coconuts will receive a gift.

Prize baskets will be given out by the CocoWalk fountain.

The Easter Bunny will be on hand to preside over the day’s festivities and will also be available for photos with the youngsters.

Other highlights will include a petting zoo and free cotton candy and snow cones.

To register for the free hunt, go to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival offices, 3390 Mary St, at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

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Recent robberies plague West Grove

Four robberies have occurred recently in the West Grove, members of the Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association learned recently.

“These aren’t visitors who are being targeted,” said Neighborhood Resource Officer Jorge Colina. “They are residents of the West Grove. It appears the offenders are from the West Grove as well.”

The news of the robberies comes at a time when crime overall in Coconut Grove is in decline, Colina said.

But he urged West Grove residents who do not have alarms in their homes to keep their car keys by their bedsides at night. If they hear or see something suspicious, pressing the panic button could scare away potential thieves. It also will help prevent cars from being stolen if homes are broken into.

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The Kampong offers kids’ concert series

The favorite childhood tales of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood will highlight the Kampong’s upcoming Kids Concert Series.

The March 20 concert, performed by several musicians from Orchestra Miami , features classical musical instruments.  Different instruments represent the characters of the fairy tales.

“It’s such a great way to introduce children to instruments, to get them to listen and engage them,” said Kampong director Ann Parsons. “It really captures their attention.”
It is vital, she said, for parents to help their children find connections to music.

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Historic designation status of Ace Theatre could spark $2.3 million redevelopment plan.

Dorothy Wallace has spent 30 years trying to restore the Ace Theatre on Grand Avenue.

With the help of her daughter Denise Wallace, she is now trying to get historic designation status from the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board – a move that would likely draw in part of the funds needed to reopen the theatre, a popular Saturday night hangout for blacks well into the 1950s.

Built in 1925, the theatre was bought by Denise Wallace’s father, Harvey Wallace, from Wometco Enterprises in 1979. Harvey had plans to build a five-story Bahamian Market Place, but died a year later. Denise hopes that with historic designation the theatre will receive grants to fund a $2.3 million project designed by Victor Morales, an architect with Cityscapes Group.

The plans, which could change, would allow for the creation of a new theatre and would include a small catering kitchen, a lobby bar and courtyard area; a second story with a VIP room and an area for community groups to meet as well as a bar and stage on the roof.

The family believes the design will preserve memories while serving the community as a successful business.

“It’s a silent relic. And I would love for it to give voice again,” said Denise Wallace, who remembers watching Tom and Jerry cartoons in the now gutted theatre.

Archival footage courtesy of: Beverly Counts Rodrigues

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Community activist profile: Dr. David White

David White has called the West Grove his home since 1931.

Over the years, the former school teacher and administrator has spent most of his time in the church and in his community working with organizations such as the Homeowners and Tenants Association, where he served as president eight years ago.

Neighbors and family members say the 78-year-old is someone you call a true community activist.
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