Friday Spotlight 65-250103 Monty Trainer

Monty Trainer’s redemption and influence on Grove life leads today’s Spotlight.

The construction of a home for another prominent Grovite brings scrutiny to damage of an historic–and protected–geological feature.

This weekend’s King Mango Strut and Everglades National Park vie for attention from visitors and locals.

Monty Trainer’s Second Act

After a federal conviction and time spent in prison, Monty Trainer redeems himself in the eyes of his adopted hometown.

By Mike Clary

Grove activist and civic booster Monty Trainer will be honored this month when a portion of Aviation Avenue is renamed in his honor. (Patrick Farrell for the Spotlight)

Thirty-five years ago, Monty Trainer settled into the front seat of a brown Cadillac Eldorado and headed off on the long drive from Miami to Pensacola.

He took with him a couple of fresh shirts, a brand-new tennis racket he had been given three days earlier at a farewell dinner, and more than a few doubts that he would ever again enjoy life as a respected Coconut Grove restaurateur and community leader.

Trainer, then 53 years old, was going to federal prison.

Protected Silver Bluff Damaged at Home of Prominent Grove Developer

City officials are weighing response to partial demolition of the iconic limestone ridge at the waterfront mansion of Terra Group CEO David Martin.

By Izzy Kapnick

In the foreground, a section of the protected Silver Bluff within Alice. C. Wainwright Park. Behind is the 21,000-square-foot “Casa Martin” under construction. (David Villano for the Spotlight).

On a Biscayne Bay shoreline known for multimillion-dollar homes with infinity pools and posh, modern courtyards, the Silver Bluff – a distinctive limestone outcropping that parallels the Coconut Grove coast — is a reminder of how the natural landscape once looked.

So prized is this geologic feature that City of Miami officials in the 1970s declared stretches of the Silver Bluff protected, with any alterations requiring city approval.

And yet Coconut Grove’s Silver Bluff continues to shrink.

City records obtained by the Spotlight reveal that workers demolished a portion of the Silver Bluff within the North Grove waterfront property where David Martin — CEO of Grove-based real estate development firm Terra Group – is building a sprawling mansion for himself and his family.

The demolition, without the required permitting, occurred during construction of what city documents reference as “Casa Martin” — a 21,000-square-foot estate rising on a leafy stretch of Brickell Avenue just to the south of Alice C. Wainwright Park.

Continue Rea ding…

Where We’ll Be

Special Outings for Visitors

Everglades National Park can provide out-of-town guests—and you too—with a day that balances the energy of Miami and its beaches with the quietude of the ‘river of grass’. Although the variety within the park is truly enormous, a few easily accessible spots may be a perfect introduction for your visitors.

Shark Valley is the northern entrance to the park off US-41 (the newly improved highway to Marco Island). About 16 miles west of Krome Avenue, Shark Valley’s topography draws to it a startling density of wildlife. After seeing so many birds, fish, alligators and turtles during their brief hike, one recent out-of-town visitor questioned his host. “I’m confused. Weren’t we going to a national park? I think you’ve brought me to a very cleverly designed zoo.”

Shark Valley’s 15-mile paved loop road can be traveled by ranger-guided tram, bicycles (bring your bike or rent one there) or by foot. Most visitors, however, stick close to the nature center and walk on pathways nearby. Regulars advise getting an early start to see more animals before they retreat to the shade by mid-day. This time of year sees several species of bird with their mating plumage on display, while migratory birds enter the scene too.

The Shark Valley entrance address is 36000 SW 8^th Street (US-41). The parking lot gate opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. daily. Locals know that they can park outside the gate along US-41 and walk or bike into the park earlier (or stay past sunset). Tram and bicycle reservations (305-221-8455) and super-helpful information is available on the park’s website or by phone at 305-221- 8776

The Strut, The Strut, The King Mango Strut.

If the neighborhood seems quieter than normal, it’s only because everyone is preparing for Sunday’s big event. Regular viewers are chilling champagne—and stalking the downtown sidewalks to lay claim to their favorite places to watch the neighborhood parade. People participating in the event—known by many names: Strutters, Mangoheads, The Freds—are waking up to realize that Sunday, 1/5/25, is the big day and just maybe they ought to start getting ready.

Sounds a little bit too casual? Well, yes, because that’s the vibe of the King Mango Strut. And it belies all the committed preparation, organization and support of the King Mango team that brings the good-spirited mayhem together in one place. “If it ain’t funny, we ain’t doing it!” seems to be the motto.

The parade kicks off at 2:00 p.m. from the corner of Main Highway and Commodore Plaza (Greenstreet Café), turns the corner at the Starbucks and heads towards the post office on Grand Avenue. But honestly now, many Strutters seldom reach the post office because they’ve already headed to the join their friends watching the parade’s many skits, or–for the totally Mango-hip insiders–to the afterparties that fill Commodore Plaza and Fuller Street. Live music and dancing. Free.