In your Spotlight
- An Inspector General for the city
- The music of hope
- Commission votes itself a pension
- Party houses on your block?
- Concert tempo quickens
Central to the Spotlight’s vision is the active involvement of our community in steering the Spotlight’s focus. Through confidential news tips, letters and ‘shout outs’—like today’s call for info on party houses, readers shape the coverage of local news—because local matters.
The Miami City Commission voted this week to create an independent Office of Inspector General in response to a series of recent scandals at City Hall.
By Don Finefrock

The Miami City Commission delivered on its promise this week to create a new watchdog at City Hall – an independent Office of Inspector General – to perform audits and conduct investigations to ferret out fraud, waste, and abuse in city government.
The commission voted 4-to-1 on Tuesday to establish the new office after beating back an attempt by Commissioner Joe Carollo to limit the inspector general’s ability to initiate investigations. Carollo cast the lone “no” vote after his proposed change was rebuffed.
Miami residents voted overwhelmingly in August to change the city’s charter to create an Office of Inspector General. The charter change, supported by 79% of voters, followed a spate of scandals at City Hall involving the mayor, the city manager, the former city attorney, and two of the city’s five commissioners, including Carollo.
A Coconut Grove teenager is helping disadvantaged children discover the power and the magic of music, one guitar lesson at a time.
By Nayeli Membreno

A Coconut Grove high school student who learned to play the guitar with a little help from his friends has taken that experience and made it a personal mission.
Shaan Mullick, 17, helps disadvantaged children find their voice, both literally and figuratively, through Melody in the Community, a nonprofit organization he launched with a friend and classmate in August 2023.
Mullick, a senior at the School for Advanced Studies, a collegiate high school on the Wolfson campus of Miami-Dade College, learned to play the guitar and ukulele with friends three years ago by watching YouTube videos.
As self-serving as the move might seem to some, Miami city commissioners voted on Tuesday to give themselves – and future commissioners – a lifetime pension if they clock seven years of service. The vote was 3-to-2 with Commissioners Christine King, Miguel Gabela and Joe Carollo voting in favor. Commissioners Damian Pardo and Manolo Reyes voted no. Carollo and Gabela said commissioners deserved a pension, in addition to the salary and benefits they already receive, because of how hard they work. “Commissioners are on call just like a doctor is,” Carollo said. “Every time there is a problem somewhere in your district, you are expected to be there.”
Pardo said he would prefer to put the question to voters. “I think this case should be made to voters, and it should go to a vote. Otherwise, for me, I see it as self-dealing,” he said. But King nixed the idea, saying she did not trust voters to decide the issue. “I am definitely not in favor of that. Let me tell why I am not in favor of it – because people are M&Ms – mean and miserable,” she said.
Is there a Short-Term Rental “Party House” Near You?
The Spotlight would like to hear about vacation rental properties in Coconut Grove that routinely host parties, other events, or crowds of loud visitors. If you have experiences to share, please let us know. What is the address? How often does the property host large, noisy events? Have you complained to city officials? Has the problem been resolved?
Please send your comments to [email protected]. Include your full name and a phone number in case we’d like to follow up. Your name will not be used without your permission.
Thanks,
The Coconut Grove Spotlight Team
Late Night Sounds
Under the full moon, The Kampong presents Freaky Flora and encourages plant-themed costumes with promises of prizes and botanical cocktails. But the real attraction is a talk on pollinators by Dr. John Geiger of FIU. 10/18, 6:30 p.m. Tickets available here.
Hip Hop on Strings arrives at the Coral Gables Congregational Church Candlelight Concerts Friday 10/18. Some tickets remained for the 6:30 performance as the Spotlight went to press.
A book reveal social for VibeΣ – Poetry for Real Life Situations features the author, Dr. Michelle Witherspoon, and poets from the Miami Poetry Club at Gibson Education Center of Miami Dade College, 3629 Grand Ave. Friday 10/18, 6:00 p.m.
Recycle your electronics of all types and dispose of challenging batteries at Saturday’s recycling collection event at Regatta Park. Easy in. Easy out. No questions asked. 10/19 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Concert season is picking up the tempo. Enjoying New World Symphony’s first wallcast of the season, Seven Deadly Sins, creates a perfect evening picnic with friends. Stéphane Denève, conducts. 10/19, 7:30 p.m. No cost to relax on a blanket on the lawn at 500 17th St, Miami Beach. Tickets for the indoor performance are also available.
The Frost School of Music at U-Miami showcases a greater variety of musical talent than the Spotlight could ever document, and much of it is free. The full Frost Symphony Orchestra performs Saturday 10/19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets here. Sunday afternoon, 10/20, 4:00 p.m., a performance of the Frost Symphonic Winds displays their talents. Free advanced tickets here. Both performances are at the Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Dr. on campus. By Metrorail to University Station.
The freshest sounds on the U-Miami campus are found in the Frost Emerging Composers Concert, Tuesday 10/22, 7:30. Free. Newman Recital Hall on campus. Bookmark the full calendar here, as different instruments, ensembles, performers and composers are featured often several times through the weeks ahead. Most are free. By Metrorail: University Station.
Vizcaya Late offers a reception for the Pastiche exhibit by Lauren Shapiro. Nominally-priced advanced tickets are available for this Wednesday’s reception, 10/23, 6:30-9:00 p.m. 3251 S Miami Ave. Miami City Trolley.
With Halloween nearing, face your darkest fears at the Grove’s Traffic Calming Study community meeting. City staff will be there to guide you through the labyrinth of Center Grove and Little Bahamas streets. Thursday 10/24, 6:00 p.m. Elizabeth Virrick Park, 3255 Plaza St. After this presentation, maybe you’ll want to sleep with the lights on.
Recent News
Miami Police report a falling crime rate, but community safety concerns persist following a spate of car break-ins, burglaries and a stabbing.
One developer is seeking to build a 20-story mixed-income apartment building on Douglas Road. Community leaders have concerns.
Two years after a $6 million federal grant was announced, the project remains shrouded in secrecy; some residents are miffed by the lack of community input.
A marching band pictured at the 2016 Coconut Grove Veterans Day Parade. (Photo courtesy of the American Legion Post 182) Organizers of the Coconut Grove Veterans Day Parade, also known…
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