Spotlight 70-250121 Bernice Crime Tax

In today’s Spotlight:

  • Iconic art dealer brings Coconut Grove to forefront.
  • Lower crime statistic “irrelevant” to Grove’s top cop.
  • In a full season, opportunities for reflection and insight.

After a celebrated career in New York and Wynwood, the veteran art dealer known for her commitment to women artists has chosen Coconut Grove for her next act.

By Carlos Frias

Bernice Steinbaum at her Coconut Grove home and gallery at 2101 Tigertail Avenue. (Carlos Frias for the Spotlight)

The son of Diego Costa Peuser was the first to notice a familiar piece of art hanging in the Coconut Grove home of Bernice Steinbaum, the celebrated Miami art dealer.

There, by the entrance to Steinbaum’s kitchen, was a sculpture by his mother, the Argentine artist Marcela Marcuzzi.

Costa Peuser, the founder of the Pinta Miami art fair, had come to talk business with Steinbaum in April 2024 at the Tigertail Avenue gallery where she lives and works.

The son asked to take a photo while the father made his pitch. 

Costa Peuser invited Steinbaum to participate in Pinta Miami for the first time in 2024, saying he would throw a party in her honor to kick off the annual event.

Steinbaum agreed, and the 2024 Pinta Miami art fair opened in December at the Hangar in Coconut Grove with works by 11 artists represented by Steinbaum.

“We did extraordinarily well, and we’ve just begun,” Steinbaum says today.


Crime was down 3.6% in Coconut Grove last year. Ignore that number, Miami Police Commander Daniel Kerr told an audience last week. It doesn’t matter.

By Spotlight Staff

Coconut Grove police officers and staff attended a public safety forum last week led by Miami Police Commander Daniel Kerr. (Mel Meinhardt for the Spotlight)

You’ve heard the news, right? Crime was down 3.6% in Coconut Grove last year

Daniel Kerr, the Miami Police commander responsible for crime in Coconut Grove, has shared that statistic at least twice this month during community forums.  

He also thinks it doesn’t matter.

“I don’t care that I’m down 3%,” Kerr told a small crowd gathered last week at City Hall for a public safety forum in the Grove.

“That number is very relevant to the bosses, by the way, (but) it’s completely irrelevant to me,” Kerr added. “What’s relevant to me is, how do you feel?

“Do you feel safe in your home? When you come home at night and you walk up to your door, do you feel safe? The moment you don’t, I have to do better.”


With three public libraries and a large variety of Little Free Libraries close at hand, Spotlight readers are already blessed with access to many free sources of information.  However, the Miami-Dade library system now provides readers with even greater access through free online access to The New York Times. Included among your library card’s features through their website or free mobile app is limitless access to the NYT through an access code provided there. Of course, you can always visit the library itself and reach The Times through the library’s Wi-Fi or public computers. Libraries are located at 2875 McFarlane Road, 3255 Plaza Street and 2111 SW 19th Street. And need we mention it, that your always-free subscription to the Spotlight and its excellent search tool is available almost everywhere?

A Grove treasure and gem of Miami-Dade County, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, is notable for the energy it exhibits in improving our access, experience and understanding of our past and present. They’re asking for our help now as they look for ways to improve their already impressive programs and facilities. This survey of substance will be used to guide the museum staff and your participation is doubly important because of its proximity to your home.  Perhaps this survey can be a call to renew your understanding of the always constant yet ever-evolving building, grounds and programs.  The free Miami City Trolley can get you there or walk or bike there along the Commodore Trail.  Metrorail even devotes a station to serve Vizcaya. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. 3251 S Miami Avenue. Typically open Wednesday to Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nominal fee.

125 years of success are celebrated at George Washington Carver Elementary School’s Taste of Carver and Cultural Costume ContestIn addition to the foods, for the first time the public can see the recently unveiled History Wall honoring the many accomplishments of GW Carver’s graduates. Your questions about the event can be answered at [email protected] or WhatsApp text to 561-400-0539. Event happens at 238 Grand Ave. on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Voluntary-donation tickets can be found here.

Vizcaya Late – Remembrance with Voices of the River of Grass celebrates and honors South Florida’s indigenous peoples through the creations of artisans of Seminole and Miccosukee heritage. A fashion show will be presented. Doors open Friday 1/24 at 6:00 p.m. 3251 South Miami Avenue at Vizcaya Village (north side of South Miami Avenue).  Nominal fee tickets with discounts available for early purchases.

The Many Faces of Dr. King! — the 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Production of the Coconut Grove Ecumenical Network — brings culturally relevant talent together at the Sanctuary of the Arts. The moving result celebrates the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. 136 Frow Avenue. Sunday 1/26 at 2:00 p.m. Free.


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