A Conversation With Michael Miller: Community, Purpose, and the Power of Local Voices What decades of community journalism taught him about unity, business, and chasing what matters By Wilson Alvarez TL;DR For the past few years, Michael Miller and I have shared...
Coconut Grove, the oldest community in Miami enjoys a rich heritage of independent free-spirited residents. In 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was established and immigration ensued. In 1882, the first hotel in South Florida, the Bay View Inn, later named the Peacock Inn after Charles and Isabella Peacock was built by Bahamians, the first black settlers, were fundamental in creating the charmingly, quaint Grove community. Over the years, the Grove has become synonymous with an artistic, bohemian culture and in the 1960’s was a nucleus for the youth counterculture movement. That unconventional, eccentric attitude and casual vitality is what makes the Grove unique today. Visitors enjoy the Grove’s rich history, restaurants featuring many ethnic cuisines, quirky boutiques, a festive and funky nightlife and outrageous festivals such as the world-renowned Coconut Grove Arts Festival, the Great Taste of the Grove Food and Wine Festival, the irreverent Mango Strut, and the Goombay Festival, a joyful, vibrant fete of Bahamian culture.
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Joining in the revelry at the Fourth of July celebration complete with a spectacular fireworks display at Peacock Park, and a tantalizing picnic held The Barnacle State Park, the oldest house (1891) in Miami, is requisite. Coconut Grove is situated on beautiful Biscayne Bay where the sailing and boating tradition is an integral part of the community. The Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and Dinner Key Marina keep that tradition thriving. The Grove is home to many excellent public and private schools such as Ransom Everglades, the oldest private school, which was established in 1903 by Charles Ransom. Many of the Grove parks such as Kennedy Park and Peacock Park are located right on the Bay where you can jog, rollerblade, play volleyball or simply relax and gaze at the shimmering, sail boat-studded Bay. A visit to Coconut Grove is not complete without a tour of Kampong, a beautiful botanic garden or Villa Vizacaya, the 1916 Italian Renaissance style winter home of James Deering, both fronting Biscayne Bay. Coconut Grove is served by Metrorail and Metrobus and is located just south of Brickell Avenue, Key Biscayne, and Downtown Miami and adjacent to Coral Gables. The Grove can be reached by US1.
A Conversation With Michael Miller
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