Spotlight 53-241122 Grove Champions

In your Spotlight

Hall of Fame highlights history of Grove champions.
Playhouse advocates fight on.
Demolition portends change near high-rises

Cultural cornerstones and economy-driven changes juxtapose in today’s Spotlight.

Wide support for the Spotlight during Give Miami Day underscored the community’s involvement in its progress. The volunteer editors and publishers thank you for helping guide. The Spotlight’s motto remains “Local news. Local matters.” Thank you.

Where Legends Are Born

From the NFL to the grass courts of Wimbledon, the Coconut Grove Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the community’s rich athletic history.

By Walter Villa

Sandwiched between two displays of Coconut Grove sports legends –NFL player Frank Gore and Olympic Gold Medalist Gerald Tinker – Executive Director Anthony Witherspoon gives a tour of the Coconut Grove Sports Hall of Fame. (Patrick Farrell for the Spotlight)

Coconut Grove is the place that kept Van Waiters grounded, even as he earned the praise of college basketball coaching legend Bobby Knight and, later still, as he earned a living as a pro football player excelling in the NFL.

And Coconut Grove is the place that inspired Kim Sands to a future she once knew almost nothing about: the sun-kissed grass courts of Wimbledon.

Waiters, 59, and Sands, 68, are both products of what for decades has arguably been the most vibrant and empowering neighborhood for young athletes in all of Florida. They also are members of one of the Grove’s most exclusive – and prestigious – clubs: the Coconut Grove Sports Hall of Fame.

Opponents of Playhouse Plan Vow to Fight On

The attorney who has led the fight to block a partial demolition of the playhouse says Miami-Dade County still needs to clear several hurdles before moving forward.

By Kelly Keough

A prolonged fight over the fate of the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse has left the landmark in limbo for 18 years. (Patrick Farrell for the Spotlight)

In the wake of an election that didn’t go their way, opponents of Miami-Dade County’s plan to save the Coconut Grove Playhouse by first demolishing a part of it are vowing to continue their fight over the fate of the historic theater.

“No one’s giving up,” attorney David Winker told the Spotlight. “We’re going to continue the fight, but it’s going to be an uphill battle.”

Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado, an advocate of the county’s restoration plan, defeated challenger Cindy Lerner on November 5 to win another four-year term. Lerner had sided with those pushing for a full restoration of the 1927 theater.

Demolition Ahead on Tigertail Avenue

A demolition permit is in place for the former Residence Inn at Tigertail and Mary, with some work already underway. What comes next is unclear.

By Jenny Jacoby

Barriers have gone up on Tigertail Avenue and Mary Street in preparation for the demolition of the former Residence Inn by Marriott. (David Villano for the Spotlight)

Demolition appears set to begin on the former Residence Inn at the corner of Tigertail Avenue and Mary Street. Fences have been erected along the property’s edge and workers have been seen gutting interior portions of the building. A demolition permit was issued on April 12 to Juneau Construction Company approving the demolition of the hotel. What’s to come is not entirely clear.

The property at 2835 Tigertail Avenue was sold to AB CG Owner LLC for $21.7 million in March 2021, according to Miami-Dade County property records. Yimby Florida reported last year that Terra Group, the Coconut Grove development company, and AB Asset Management of Miami Beach had secured financing for a five-story mixed use development on the site, to be known as Residences in the Grove.

Where we’ll be…

Book Fair, Bats, Thanksgiving Conversations

There’s still time—three days, in fact—to join the Miami Book Fair’s many activities. Among the hundreds of events, weekend highlights include the Grove’s own Rock Bottom Remainders musical group (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. at Chapman, Building 3, Second Floor). The Fair continues through Sunday 11/24. By Metrorail to Government Center, then free MetroMover to College North Station.

Thanksgiving week is traditionally quiet in the Grove as some travel and others entertain visitors. For those that are enjoying November’s climate, this map by the Friends of the Commodore Trail identifies many of the “Grovey” places best known to locals. Waterfront vistas, parks, historic sites and dog parks too. If you head out and forget to take the online map with you, you’ll find QR Codes posted along the Commodore Trail beneath the trail markers—about every 200 yards.

Head Over Heels at the Ring Theatre on U-Miami’s campus still has seats available for its final performance tonight. A musical comedy, the music follows the beats of all-female rock bands of the 1980s. Think of “We Got the Beat” by the Go-Gos. Friday 11/22 8:00 p.m. 1312 Miller Drive. By Metrorail to University Station. Tickets are linked here.

A short ride west on Bird Road to AD Barnes Park Nature Center brings you to a park hidden in plain sight where you’ll find a campfire and naturalists to guide you on a walk to discover bats flying overhead. Special audio gear will help you hear the calls of these flying mammals as they search for insects. Totally cool! Friday 11/22 7:00-9:00 p.m. 3401 SW 72nd Ave. By Metrobus Route 40. Free. Bring your own marshmallows. Really!

Whether in town or out, when the moment arrives to raise your glass and offer a toast at Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll want to be ready. None are better prepared to join you on your journey to eloquence than the members of the Toastmasters Club. This Monday the Toastmasters meet at noon in the Virrick Park Branch Library. For information, call 305 442 7872 where Librarian Danilo Castro can help. 3255 Plaza Street. Monday, 11/25 Noon-1:00 p.m.

Around the Thanksgiving table might be the perfect moment to recruit friends and family to join you in the King Mango Strut scheduled for Sunday January 5 at 2:00 p.m. The Mangoheads are now recruiting new Strutters to create their own skits or join existing groups. This year’s theme, Peace, Love and Mangos, is just the launching point for any fun or funny idea. You can learn more and sign up at the King Mango website. Several parade groups are looking for members. If you want to join one of the larger veteran groups, the Friends of the Commodore Trail are recruiting young peacocks and “car-driving” children for a family-friendly parade skit. The parade will be held on Sunday 1/5/25 and starts at 2:00 p.m. in downtown Coconut Grove.

Let’s go onsafari! This Spotlight column invites you to nominate your special places for a coming series on “safaris” through the Grove that bring us to coffee shops, live music or notable happy hours. If you have a special place to share, you can drop the Spotlight a note describing it so that we can include it in a future Where We’ll Be. Then we will all be giving thanks for your generosity.

Save Me a Seat

Christmas concerts will soon fill the calendar, and the St Hugh-Steinway Christmas Extravaganza helps lead on Friday 12/6, 8:00 p.m. Advanced ticket sales here.

The next Lamar Louise Curry Concert features Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass at First United Methodist Church Coral Gables. Saturday 12/7, 7:30 p.m. Free.