Spotlight 75-250207

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight:

A West Grove Café Shuts its Doors
A Student Journalist Questions Her Faith in the USA
A Tribute to Former Grovite Herb Hiller

Business Dispute Shutters Grand Avenue Café

Judith’s Market, an increasingly popular gathering spot in the West Grove since opening in September 2022, closed abruptly this week.

By Don Finefrock

The outdoor seating that made Judith’s Market a popular meeting spot disappeared this week after the café abruptly closed its doors. (Don Finefrock for the Spotlight)

The Little Bahamas Business Corridor backed by Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo took a hit this week with the closing of Judith’s Market, a sidewalk café and gourmet boutique that was drawing customers to the western end of Grand Avenue.

Owner Judith Watson said she closed the gathering spot at 3870 Grand Avenue on Sunday after an increasingly bitter dispute with her landlord over money. Watson and her landlord don’t agree on who’s to blame, but they both expressed regret.

“It’s so sad,” Watson said. “I put all of my savings into this place.”

Voices: When Will I Ever Be Good Enough?

Like hundreds of thousands of other Venezuelans living in the U.S. with temporary protected status (TPS), Miami student and Spotlight contributor Grecia Pacheco now fears that she and her family will be stripped of their status and deported.

By Grecia Pacheco

FIU journalism student Grecia Pacheco, microphone in hand, reporting for Caplin News from Washington DC. (Photo courtesy of Caplin News)

The American Dream started for me seven years ago when I flew from Caracas to Miami at age 20. Venezuela was in crisis. People were eating from the trash, power was cut off every day, and government repression was growing more violent.

As a Venezuelan, I have faced many difficult situations. But I never imagined my family would have to deal with such emotionally wrenching challenges after arriving in the greatest country in the world. They never seem to ease.

We lived in a tiny house with 10 family members, including my aunt, cousin, older sisters, brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces. I sold hamburgers, fries, ice cream and more behind a counter where I couldn’t sit. My mom cleaned houses. My dad drove an Uber 12 hours a day.

Emigrating is never easy. Sometimes it’s the only choice you have.

Tribute: Herb Hiller

An early cruise industry promoter who helped launch the Miami Goombay Festival and the Coconut Grove Farmer’s Market, Herb Hiller shifted gears later in life to spread the gospel of bicycling and ecotourism

By Glenn Terry

Former Coconut Grove resident Herb Hiller, who died this week, was a passionate advocate for bicycling, ecotourism, and sustainable travel. (Photo courtesy Joann Biondi)

Editor’s note: Former Grove resident Glenn Terry wrote this tribute for the Spotlight to his friend and neighbor, Herb Hiller.

Herb Hiller’s 10-speed got wings this week. It carried the Coconut Grove trailblazer up a steep, heavenly hill. He died earlier this week in North Georgia at 93.

Although he spent just 20 years living in the Grove, he had a huge impact on our seaside village and much of South Florida. And when he moved to a North Florida island in the 1980’s he’d return often for visits.

A New York native, Hiller found his niche helping to create South Florida’s modern cruise industry. He sold the vision of a voyage to tropical paradise. “Get on a ship and visit the sun-filled Caribbean!” he preached.

Where We’ll Be

Jump into the Mix

If you want to be in the mix as the art festivals near, there is no more central point than as a volunteer at the St. Stephen’s Art & MakersFest. Adults can help, of course, but so too can parent-child teams for younger students ages 8-11. Students 12-18 can earn double volunteer hours. Pick a shift from Friday 2/14 through Monday 2/17 and be part of the creation. You will certainly have stories to tell. Learn more and sign up here.

Double your fun and also volunteer for the Coconut Grove Art Festival–on a different day, of course! Those details and sign up sheet are found here.

The Teaching Artists of Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) visit Shenandoah Library and guide student artists ages 8-12 to explore and create contemporary and modern art. With the resources of PAMM, the breadth of possibilities leaves one breathless! As a big bonus, students can sign up for free access to the PAMM all school year long. Contact the branch librarian at 305-250-4688 or [email protected] if you have questions, but there’s no need to RSVP. Shenandoah Branch Library, 2111 SW 19th Street. Friday 2/7 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Free.

Kids (and parents too) join Miss Jill for Valentine Day-themed Storytime and Crafts. Family heirlooms have to start somewhere and this open workshop is a great place to begin. Books & Books Coconut Grove, 3409 Main Highway. Saturday 2/8. Pop in anytime from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free.

Bald eagles and mangrove cuckoos will be in the sights of those joining the Tropical Audubon Society’s field trip to Black Point Park. Purple martins, swallow-tailed kites and other migratory birds will be in the area. RSVP here for detailed rendezvous instructions. Saturday 2/8 from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. Donations are totally voluntary.

Bike safely through Coral Gables on the Tour of Kitchens and Tropical Living led by Bike Walk Coral Gables. You bring your own bike, lock (and helmet please). They provide the guides along safe routes to private homes, restaurants and shops in this fundraising tour benefitting the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Starting in the courtyard of the Shops at Merrick Place. Saturday 2/8 with check in from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Choose “Cyclist Admission” when you get your advanced ticket here.

St. Stephen’s unveils the commemorative poster for this year’s Art and MakersFest immediately after its Sunday morning service. An outdoor reception follows in the Nepenthe Garden, 2750 McFarlane Road. Sunday 2/9, Service at 10:30 a.m. Unveiling at 11:30 a.m. Free.

Everyone complains about the traffic. Now you can do something about it. U-Miami’s BikeSafe Program is hosting a special Safe Streets Feedback Forum to collect residents’ insights and preferences about traffic in the Grove. This free-form session lets you guide planners and thought leaders to better understand the good and bad of life on neighborhood streets. Only you know what your life is like and what you want it to be. And BikeSafe wants to listen to all points of view. Open event extends from afternoon to evening so you can join whenever it best fits your schedule. Virrick Park Branch Library, 3255 Plaza Street. Monday 2/10 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Let them know you’re coming or just show up. Free.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens transforms to celebrate Bahamian culture against Biscayne Bay during Vizcaya Late: Little Bahamas. Narrative tales, first-person accounts, videos and art works in many media fill the evening. 3251 South Miami Avenue. Wednesday 2/12. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Nominal fee. Discounts available.

Save Me a Seat

February 14. Hmmmm… Does anything or anyone special come to mind? Think carefully, because if you don’t, a seat might not be saved for you after all. But if you do have someone in mind, then romance awaits.

A moonlit picnic for two on the lawn of the Barnacle looking out across the Bay – what could be better? Perhaps adding the music of Keith Johns’ Valentine’s Day concert in the latest Moonlight Concert at our local state historic park. Picnics welcome. No pets. Barnacle State Historic Park, 3485 Main Highway. Friday 2/14. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Modestly priced advanced tickets here.

Laser Love leads the Frost Museum of Science planetarium’s contribution to matters of the heart with four laser light shows inside their dome. A new show starts each evening hour and combines the marvels of lasers with different music genres. The price is modest and younger children are free. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. 1101 Biscayne Boulevard. Metrorail to Government Center, then free PeopleMover to Museum Park station. Friday 2/14. Shows at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Advanced tickets.

For some, romance soars above with Tropical Audubon Society’s Bird Day – stuffed full of free festivities, crafts and tours. 5530 Sunset Drive. Saturday 2/15.

The World Affairs Council of Miami brings the author of “No Country for Love” to Books & Books Coconut Grove to discuss his epic romance that begins in 1930s Ukraine. Save your seat to meet author and Wall Street Journal correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov with your RSVP here. 3409 Main Highway. Tuesday 2/18 at 6:30 p.m. Free.