Tuesday May 6, 2008
oh NOSE!!: There are people panhandling in the Grove!!. Read the comments for some stories of lives devastated by this menace.
Thursday August 16, 2007
Let's cut the Coconut Grove Playhouse some slack
Miraculously, the Coconut Grove Playhouse appears to be on a slow road back to solvency. A foreclosure was avoided yesterday, and many of the major debts are repaid, including all the back-pay owed the former employees and actors. But:
Money owed to Actors’ Equity for salaries, pension and health insurance has been repaid, but because there are penalties outstanding, the theater and Mittelman remain on the union’s default list — meaning no Equity actor or stage manager can work at the theater until that debt is eliminated.
I say it’s time for Actors’ Equity to cut the playhouse some slack. “Promoting the theater arts” is central to AE’s stated mission, and with regional theaters all over the country struggling and/or closing, here’s their chance to put their money where their mouth is. If they drop their fines, they forgo some potential profit, but they help hasten a theater back to its feet, where it can employ their members again. The playhouse is doing the right thing, and a show of confidence from AE would be a welcome gesture. If you agree, let them know: here’s their contact page, and here’s a sample message you might send; feel free to cut-n-paste and modify to your liking:
As a theater fan in Miami, I support the Coconut Grove Playhouse. The playhouse has been struggling to pay off its obligations and reopen, and it has paid everything it owed to your members. Yet it remains on your organization’s default list because of unpaid fines for shortfalls during its most troubled period. Please help the Coconut Grove Playhouse get back on its feet — and begin to employ your members — by forgiving its outstanding debts to your organization. You’ll be helping to strengthen the theater scene in Miami, and sending a positive message of encouragement.
Photo by ImageMD.
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Wednesday July 25, 2007
“Coconut Grove: A quaint drinking village with a fishing problem.”
Thursday July 19, 2007
Fun with the Coconut Grove billboard
— Coconut Grove Grapevine, July 14.
— Transit Miami, July 19.
— Critical Miami.
Update: Another one.
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Thursday February 1, 2007
Why doesn’t the Grove just ditch Miami? I was intrigued by this when I saw the CGGV post, but I, too am feeling too lazy to look more into it. I’m sure it could happen, though: everybody else did it, why not them? Thanks to Alex for at least rounding up a few pertinent links.
Wednesday December 27, 2006
Johnny Rockets pads the bill. Oh, and charging for a slice of lemon? That shit is wack, yo. And now it can be told: you never, ever tip on the tax. $28 for lunch for two at a burger joint . . . I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
Another piece of Coconut Grove history on the auction block: they’re trying to move Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ house. Update: Marjory Stoneman Douglas impersonators/protesters at the Mango Strut.
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Coconut Grove Grapevine has a very definitive vision for the Grove: No big tourist attractions, no housing developments, and businesses that cater to the locals. “Mayfair used to be a Winn-Dixie and Cocowalk was a gas station that I think ended up being a mini-flea market on weekends after the gas station closed. To be honest, this was the Grove to me, not the monolithic tourist traps that took over.”
Wednesday June 7, 2006
“In a letter dated June 2 and addressed to [Coconut] Playhouse Board Chairwoman Shelly Spivack, state officials requested a meeting by June 19 to discuss the theater’s plan to repay the $125,000 plus interest.“ Which, btw, is part of $4 million total the playhouse owes.
