Spotlight 87-2503021

Good morning. In today’s Spotlight:

A Grove Facebook Page Remembers When
Jaguar Restaurant Marks a Milestone
Where We’ll Be, Spring Edition

Recalling Grove’s ‘Glory Days,’ One Post at a Time

Tony Scornavacca’s “You Grew Up in ‘Old’ Coconut Grove” Facebook page connects the past to the present with a nostalgic tribute to an earlier era.

By Walter Villa

Give us those nice bright colors
Give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah

Paul Simon’s 1973 hit song “Kodachrome” perfectly conveys – for many folks at least – what it was like growing up in Coconut Grove in the 1960s, 1970s and even a bit later.

To those who lived it, there were times in the Grove when all the world seemed like a sunny day.

In honor of those halcyon days, there’s a popular Facebook page – “You Grew Up In ‘Old’ Coconut Grove” – that is lovingly moderated by lifelong Grove resident Tony Scornavacca, 66.

The page, which started six years ago, now has more than 9,000 members who post old photos, old memories, and a broad assortment of interests invoking the Coconut Grove of another era.

Jaguar Marks a Milestone

Chef Oscar del Rivero, his staff and family celebrated the restaurant’s 20^th anniversary this week with live music, free drinks and small bites.

By Kelly Keough

For two decades, Oscar del Rivero has been making Jaguar a family affair. On most days you can walk into del Rivero’s restaurant on Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove and see his father, Eduardo “Oso” del Rivero, reading the paper at one of the tables.

His son Diego might be busy in the back prepping ceviche while del Rivero himself – the restaurant’s chef owner – plans his next dining event. Even the restaurant’s colorful murals were painted by del Rivero’s sister, Sofia del Rivero, a local artist.

This week, del Rivero turned a family affair into a community event with live music, free drinks and small bites to celebrate the restaurant’s 20^th anniversary. The event, which took place on Thursday, was his way of giving thanks, del Rivero said.

“It’s a gesture to say, ‘Let us give back to the people who have always loved us.’ The message is ‘thank you,’” del Rivero told the Spotlight during a recent interview.

Where We’ll Be

The Sweetest Breeze

As a personal celebration of the start of Spring, consider a quiet, reflective walk along one or more of the Grove’s most tranquil outdoor spots. The breezes of the past weeks and the cool mornings and evenings might just be the respite you seek. Three locations are calling.

The seawall along Biscayne Bay behind Mercy Hospital. A wind chime under the trees offers soothing tones. Readily accessible from Halissee Street and South Miami Avenue.
The walkway that joins Main Highway to the Barnacle, and then continues to the waterfront boathouse, brings one through the old-growth hammock that lured many pioneers to the Grove well before Miami came to be. The quiet tree canopy brings comfort to many. 3485 Main Highway. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Barnacle State Historic Park is closed Wednesdays.
Stone benches offer visitors quietude and calm in Big Hill Park at the bayside end of Royal Road.

The world’s fastest cats can’t outrun a changing habitat, but you can catch up with them during a discussion by Dr. Laurie Marker of the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Saturday 3/22 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Advanced registration required for venue information.

Classic rock cover band Been There Done That returns to the Keystone stage at the Tropical Audubon Society. The band lays claim to veteran local musical talents and the evening claims a higher purpose to support the care of the Steinberg Nature Center’s grounds. Bring picnic blankets, folding chairs and friends. All are encouraged. Tropical Audubon Society, 5530 Sunset Drive. Saturday 3/22 at 7:00 p.m. Register in advance here.

Sphinx Virtuosi – the flagship chamber orchestra of the renowned Sphinx Organization – reaches Vizcaya on its American Form/s tour. The group will play in the Main House of the museum and the setting could not be more appropriate or inspirational. Sphinx sets out to transform lives through the power of music and their many success stories show their power. This performance is designed to be very accessible with modest prices and discounts for Vizcaya members. Vizcaya Museum, 3251 South Miami Avenue. Monday 3/24 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets. (Free for SNAP and WIC beneficiaries.)

Kids and tweens spell fun B-I-N-G-O in this classic game while hanging out with old friends or making new ones. Shenandoah Branch Public Library, 2111 SW 19th Street. Tuesday March 25 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Ages 6-12. Free.

Families and friends can explore great neighborhood streets while cycling with the Grove’s policing team. Commander Dan Kerr and his squad join Bike Coconut Grove, Friends of the Commodore Trail and the Business Improvement District (BID) on a 90-minute bike ride through the neighborhoods. Meet in the Coconut Grove Playhouse parking lot, Main Highway, and bring your own bike and helmet. Wednesday 3/26 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Register in advance. Free.

For a totally different vibe of bingo, it’s hard to get more retro-hip than Bingo at the Woman’s Club. The Spring Fling edition of this popular evening fund-raiser will fill the Club’s historic venue, so come early to guarantee a seat. Maybe it’s the good energy that makes the night excitement-filled (or maybe it’s the $1,000 cash prize finale? Hmm…) 2985 South Bayshore Drive. Thursday 3/27, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Play starts at 7:00 p.m. Prices, information and registration are found here.

The final interview is a major milestone in the life of anyone becoming a U.S. citizen and it consolidates years of preparation and study. The Shenandoah Branch Library hosts a workshop to help those preparing for the big day. The evening workshop is available to those fulfilling the citizenship requirements and aged 18 years or older. Contact Librarian Daniela Zuniga at 305-250-4688 or [email protected] for more information. 2111 SW 19th Street. Thursday 3/27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free.

The season of Lent inspires many to reflect. The Seraphic Fire choral shares the power that a cappella performance can bring to moments of introspection during concerts of Lenten and Passion Week music. Inspired works from centuries of composers will be presented. Church of the Epiphany, 8235 SW 57th Avenue. Friday 3/28 at 7:30 p.m. Free with advanced registration here.

Save Me a Seat

The Spotlight got an exclusive sneak peak at the garden locations for the Secret Garden Tour of Coconut Grove. This year’s tour will showcase seven gardens plus a special bonus location clustered around a three-block area in the North Grove. The result is an easily walkable afternoon on some of the Grove’s lushest streets and into carefully curated private gardens. The weekend is the major fundraising event for Friends of the Commodore Trail and this year will include two days of tours. The after-party event is already sold out but tickets remain for the event itself. Saturday and Sunday 4/5 and 4/6. Times vary. Advanced ticket sales only.

Start gathering your obsolete electronics for the recycling event at Regatta Park. Saturday 3/29.

Choose from a wide variety of free trees or shrubs in Miami’s tree-loving Arbor Day celebrations run by the city’s building department. Details and pre-registration are found here for the various distribution dates on Saturdays in April. Pro-tip: Tell your neighbors.

Poetry Night at the Barnacle celebrates its second anniversary and National Poetry Month on Sunday 4/6. The Barnacle Society sponsors the event that begins with readings and concludes with a buffet. 3485 Main Highway. Tickets.