Local youth sailor David “Mateo” Coates captured the United States’ only gold medal at the Youth World Sailing Championships in Portugal, becoming the first American in 23 years to win the elite ILCA 6 title — and bringing international sailing glory back to Coconut Grove.
Village Life
Personalities. History. Environment. Lifestyle. Crime. Schools. Health. Neighborhoods. Civic Groups. Public Events. Social Trends.
Still Crazy After All These Years: King Mango Strut Photos
The 2026 edition of Coconut Grove’s favorite parade was crazy, colorful and chaotic – just like it should be.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of the King Mango Strut
What happens when procrastination meets political angst and Grove residents get creative, with a few cocktails in the mix? King Mango Strut, of course.
The Spotlight’s Top 10 Stories of 2025
From environmental warnings and high-stakes art-fraud allegations to colorful characters and community traditions, these were the Coconut Grove Spotlight stories that resonated most with readers 2025.
Rooted in Motion: “Headwind” at Vizcaya
A new art installation at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens fills the estate’s Lower East Terrace with rows of hand-dyed windsocks that rise in loose, fluid formation.
Nathan Kurland Keeps on Struttin’
After 15 years behind the microphone as emcee of the King Mango Strut, longtime Grove activist and jokester Nathan Kurland trades the mic for the backseat of a convertible, honored this year as the parade’s grand marshal.
A Proposed Facelift for Kirk Munroe Park
The City of Miami has partnered with a private developer to redesign Kirk Munroe Park, a popular after-school gathering spot in Center Grove for students. Parents hope the new design doesn’t result in a “stay-off-the-grass” vibe.
Sidewalk Café Fees Surge as Parking Revenue Falls for Grove BID
Outdoor dining fees outpaced projections during the last fiscal year, helping offset a steep drop in parking waivers — even as crowded sidewalks fuel public frustration in the Grove’s commercial core.
Christmas Wish List: A Sidewalk on South Bayshore
Residents say sidewalks near the Four Seasons Private Residences construction site have been closed for nearly two years, forcing pedestrians into traffic along South Bayshore Drive and raising questions about safety and the appropriation of public rights-of-way.
Grove Moms Build Community While Cutting Consumption
In Coconut Grove, sustainability doesn’t always look like policy or a protest. Sometimes it’s giving away baby formula or choosing a pre-owned Halloween costume instead of shopping for a new one.
Sponsors + Advertisement
Recent News
Pedestrian Safety in the Age of E-Bikes: Much Concern, Little Action
Miami-Dade County has formed a working group to
School Board Approves Expansion at Coconut Grove Elementary School
School board members greenlighted the design and
Amid Record Spending, City Asks for $46 Million More
Just months after Mayor Eileen Higgins pledged to rein
Miami Eyes New Firefighter Pension Expansion Without Public Cost Estimate
As Miami’s pension obligations continue to swell, a
Inside City Hall: The Soaring Price Tag for Miami’s Police
As Miami debates a proposed $450 million public-safety
Miami Planning Board Rejects the County’s Playhouse Plan
The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board deadlocked