Arts & Entertainment

Makeover

West Coconut Grove's new duds

Robert Andrew Powell  ,  Nina Korman ,  Pamela Robin Brandt ,  and  Juan Carlos Rodriguez

NOW 24/7

"Don't turn right on Grand," insists the passenger as the car hits the intersection of Grand Avenue and McDonald Street in Coconut Grove. To the left are the drunks and the din of CocoWalk. To the right lies that amorphous entity known as the West Grove. The Black Grove. The runty twin that the Johnny Rockets and Borders bookstore crowds seldom talk about. "My friend got carjacked over there. Shot him right in the eye." A strong association with crime has haunted the West Grove, long eyed by the developers who have turned the rest of the Grove into a concrete amusement park. Despite its tantalizing proximity to the extremely rich, more than a quarter of the West Grove population lives below the federal poverty line. The neighborhood's bad rep scares off potential shop patrons, even though the crime rate has plummeted by some 25 percent, according to city police officials.

Some memories, like a bullet through an eye, are hard to forget.

Efforts to develop, including a 10-year city-funded project, have floundered. New ones are more promising. An ongoing collaboration of federal, county, and city governments along with bright minds from the University of Miami and the Knight Foundation are trying to ensure that West Grove development not only protects the 80 percent black population, but honors the area's Bahamian heritage in ways that are more than token.

Signs are encouraging. Sure, that new CVS pharmacy is menacingly modern and upscale. And, yes, there are still more barbershops along Grand Avenue than sushi restaurants on Lincoln Road. But some newer stores show welcome local character. In a small strip mall near the west end of Grand, a new restaurant is about to open. A banner over the door advertises "31 flavors of chicken," all of them, presumably, tasting like chicken. Next door the Book Addiction Bookstore and Café (3805 Grand Ave.) serves Miami's fans of modern black literature.

The West Grove has a ways to go but it's getting there. As it stands, it's worth turning right on Grand to check it out. -- By Robert Andrew Powell

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Living History

Conservation coup

It's a given in today's ever-changing Miami landscape: For every hip, lofty high-rise going up, hundreds of cool historic properties might have bitten the dust. Thanks to nonprofit organization Dade Heritage Trust and a revolving loan fund courtesy of Miami-Dade County, one special South Florida structure has eluded the wrecking ball. Located at 138 NW 16th Ave., the home -- an exemplar of its style -- features deep porches, plenty of windows to facilitate cross-ventilation, and in a unique twist a second story, marking it as a Belvedere bungalow. The 1920s structure was owned for 40 years by Rolando and Mercedes Alvarez. In need of cash to move, the couple had agreed to sell to a developer hoping to put you-know-what in its place. To the rescue came DHT, matching the developer's offer and saving the historic building for a future "green" restoration. Today from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. DHT will host a tour of the house and, perhaps in an attempt to help the Alvarezes divest themselves of stuff, a yard sale. Bring curiosity and cash. Admission is free. Call 305-358-9572. -- By Nina Korman

FRI 9/19

Wheeling and Dealing

Barring the possibility that Hurricane Isabel might spoil the party, motorcyclists will be roaring from Miami to Key West in a freewheeling, card dealing/fundraising event for the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami. The Phil Peterson Poker Run is a 2-day event that brings thousands of bikers to the Conch Republic. Here's how it works -- registered participants play a hand of 5-card stud at 5 secret locations. To play you must ante $10, which goes to charity. If you draw 3 of a kind or better, you get an opportunity to roll dice, which could win you a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle or $20,000. Win or draw, there are no losers (unless Isabel hits). You will end up on Duval Street, where a motorcycle Mardi Gras will be taking place. The Poker Run runs from today through Sunday, September 21. Register at Peterson's Harley-Davidson, 17631 S. Dixie Hwy. Call 305-235-4023. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez

SAT 9/20

Do-Good Decadence

Benefit battles hunger with chocolate

In 1789 Marie Antoinette proposed the following remedy for hunger among the poor: "Let 'em eat Chocolate Kit-Kat Tortes with Layers of Flourless Chocolate Cake, Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, and Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache!" Okay. Not quite the queen's quote. But it's a fair description of the Great American Bake Sale, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Loews Miami Beach's Poinciana Ballroom (1601 Collins Ave.) -- except that it's event ticketholders who will eat cakes like the above from Chef Allen's Jennifer Brown, plus more than 24 top local pastry chefs, to benefit Share Our Strength's fight against childhood hunger. Highlights will include interactive chef/student how-tos every half-hour -- demonstrating challah twisting, skyscraperesque wedding cake construction, and numerous sins involving chocolate -- plus opportunities to buy, win, or snarf free samples of all featured treats. Tickets cost $50, $10 for children. Call 305-633-9861. -- By Pamela Robin Brandt