Old Coconut Grove Houses

05/26/2026

Remembering Citizen Ray

I was drawn to this vintage postcard because of its beautiful tropical composition. Immediately, I knew it had been taken by a Conch or Floridian — most likely in the Bahama Village section of Key West — in an era when the word “quaint” meant something closer to “dope.”

Luckily, the postcard credits the photographer: Raymond L. Blazevic. Raymond was an adopted Conch, having moved to Key West after retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1970. Known throughout the community as “Citizen Ray,” he was an engineer who photographed many naval scenes while also capturing remarkable images throughout Florida.

Navy veteran, prisoner of war, historian, teacher, photographer, and beloved father, Ray passed away in 2024 at 100 years old. By coincidence, he was honored the very same day this postcard arrived in my mailbox, during the College of the Florida Keys’ Salute to American Heroes ceremony. I’m told some of Ray’s photographs and postcards are archived at the Key West library.

His vintage commercial work — like this postcard — has now joined my beloved collection.

“Always remember the photographer” has long been a credo of mine. A single click can preserve an entire way of life. Not romanticized, but honestly and beautifully lived — just like the little girl walking along Petronia Street in the summertime.

Thank you, Ray!

05/24/2026

Capturing Civic Pride in Coconut Grove

In this evocative 1967 *photograph by Miami Herald staff photographer Jeff Joffe, a line of American flags ripples through the tropical landscape of Dinner Key behind Miami City Hall in Coconut Grove. The flags placed by live-a-board boaters at Dinner Key Marina, during the late 1960 before major development reshaped the marina community. In observance of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, the flags created a striking rhythm against the backdrop of royal palms and the quiet waterfront setting.

Joffe’s composition transforms a simple patriotic gesture into a distinctly South Florida image — where national symbolism meets the lush atmosphere of mid-century Miami. The repeating flags draw the viewer’s eye down the walkway, while the monochrome tones emphasize contrast, movement, and texture. The photograph captures civic pride.

As a Miami Herald staff photographer, Jeff Joffe documented everyday life, public events, sports, and cultural moments across South Florida. Today, his photographs — including portraits of Muhammad Ali and scenes of historic Miami — are increasingly collected and sold through vintage photography dealers and fine-art print galleries, reflecting renewed appreciation for his documentary eye and distinctive visual style. This image reflects the strong graphic sensibility and observational approach that characterized much of his newspaper photography.

Framed by the palms and waterfront of historic Dinner Key, the photograph endures as both a portrait of Miami’s coastal living and a fitting Memorial Day reflection on honor, service, and remembrance. 🇺🇸

*Personal Collection

05/19/2026

Today I was deeply honored to be elected President of the 88-year-old Boynton Beach Garden Club.

This is my “official presidential portrait” — or at least my version of one. Notice how I’m leaning in close to Addison Mizner, the visionary architect of our 1925 clubhouse.

Mizner was one of South Florida’s great dreamers and powerbrokers during the booming 1920s — long before the Depression. His energy, creativity, charm, and legendary salesmanship helped shape the character of Palm Beach and Boca Raton. When people said something couldn’t be done, he simply found another way to make it happen- while having fun.

Despite financial challenges and plenty of obstacles, our beautiful clubhouse was built — and today proudly sits on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. We are so grateful to the City of Boynton Beach for honoring our community’s history by maintaining this building,

As I begin my two-year term, I’m hoping a little of Addison Mizner’s magic rubs off on me. Though if I suddenly show up with one of his famous pet monkeys… don’t say I didn’t warn you. 🌴🐒

05/02/2026

A House and Gardens Saved

For the last 40 years, the Coconut Grove community has been advocating, fighting, and lobbying to protect its precious tree canopy. Reading today’s local headlines about developers razing trees—often without permits or community input—feels like déjà vu. It’s the same outrageous story I remember from the 1970s. Same drama, different players.

And yet, there is hope.
Through my involvement in several horticultural societies, I’ve seen inspiring progress in other communities—places where trees, gardens, and historic houses are being preserved with intention and care.

Take River Farm, a 25-acre property that was once part of George Washington’s original Mount Vernon estate. As headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, it recently secured a legal easement that guarantees it will be permanently protected from development. After years of uncertainty—threatened by potential sale, competing high-value offers & lots of lawsuits - this remarkable place will remain what it has always been at heart: an American sanctuary.

A sanctuary for nature lovers, gardeners, horticulturists, and the broader public. A place where the entrance fee is zero, and the value is immeasurable.

It almost feels radical to say it out loud—but green spaces, mature trees, and historic homes do belong to all of us.

Congratulations to the AHS Board and its members for protecting something that cannot be replaced.

Photos: www.ahsgardening.org

05/01/2026

On Passover Lane

“Mama n Poppa met at a Navy sponsored dance in Havana. Actually, she was a server at a bar frequented by US navy men. But, I liked the dancehall version better. Poppa's time in Cuba was short, and his ship was about to depart. Impulsively, one morning he tracked her down, and invited her to meet him in Cayo Hueso. He gave her money for the short cruise. Weeks later, she arrived with a fully packed suitcase, betting she would be staying. They married and set up house on Passover Lane. A short, neglected street on the backside of the Key West cemetery. The street was named by a nun who frequently attended burials when the priest at St. Mary's could not. Back then, the possibility of the City taking over the street to expand the overcrowded cemetery was real. Mama kept track by reading the daily Key West newspaper. 6 babies born. 18 deaths. Their front porch looked directly across the white tumbstones and above ground vaults. Today, Passover Lane is paved and most houses have a tall hedge obstructing the direct view of the cemetery. I guess when death is only yards away, you think about life a lot, not death. That's the way my parents practiced 58 years together.“

As told to me by my Uncle Woody, long time professional bartender at Coral Gables County Club. I thought he was the richest man I knew. He kept a large wad of dollar bills in his pocket, wrapped in a rubber band. When the ice cream truck approached- he was always ready to treat.

04/24/2026

Roberts Cottage

My 20 x 20 watercolor on metal just landed—headed straight for my outdoor kitchen. A little joy while I barbecue.

This piece was inspired by a week in Oceanside, California, where I stumbled on the Roberts Cottages—24 tiny pink stucco units, built in 1928, each just 12 by 24 feet. Originally “Clark’s Cottages,” then “Surf Motel Court,” they were planted along Route 101 to catch road-trippers and train travelers from Los Angeles. In 1941, Harry and Virginia Roberts took over—and the name stuck.

People love to say the loss of historic places is happening everywhere. It isn’t. Oceanside chose differently. These cottages are still standing because people fought for them—local government, preservation groups, a community that decided history matters.

Now look at Miami.

Drive past the remains of the Coconut Grove Playhouse on Main Highway. Pass the Mariah Brown House on Charles Street—one of the earliest Bahamian-rooted homes in the Grove—and see what “preservation” looks like here.

Those little pink cottages survived because someone cared.
Here? We demolish, neglect, and move on.
Different choices. Different outcomes.

04/19/2026

A beautiful celebration of life service was held today for our friend Dr. John C Nordt III, officiated by his pastors Rev. Al Bunis & Moira McGuinn. John was a champion for the preservation of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, and fought for the legacy of the historic Coconut Grove community. Surgeon, avid local historian, pilot, plant lover, author and collector of people and their stories. It was wonderful to see that he touched so many people’s lives. I took a walk before the service and was greeted by this show- off Peacock. I remembered it was John who first showed me the oldest school house in Miami Dade, established by Isabella Peacock in 1887.
Sometimes I would see John walking down the hall of the hospital, and he point at me and say- “see you at church”.
Today John, I felt you at church.
Rest in peace buddy. 🙏

04/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1423148203181300&set=a.647008680795260&type=3

COMING SOON TO WHAT USED TO BE A THEATER NEAR YOU….FORMERLY KNOWN AS COCONUT GROVE PLAYHOUSE WILL BE A COMMERCIALIZED DEVELOPERS DREAM with a new tiny theater thrown in the back as an afterthought and renamed GROVESTAGE…Without your attendance at Wednesday’s hearing the Playhouse will be rubber stamped by the Zoning Board and turned into a faded memory bastardized into an insult that serves developers not the community.

(Updated information)—-Show up—6:30pm, May 6, 2026: FINAL WAIVERS HEARING

Now that demolition is complete, Miami-Dade County is planning to replace the Historic Coconut Grove Playhouse (a publicly-owned property, zoned “CI” for civic/cultural use) with a small economically unsustainable theater (according to feasibility studies paid for by the county)– surrounded by more than 52,000 sq/ft of restaurants, offices, and retail stores that would open directly onto Charles, William, and Thomas Avenues in Historic West Coconut Grove.

On May 6 at 6:30pm, the County will be applying for its final planning and zoning board (PZAB) waivers needed to move this development ahead.

If passed as currently proposed, this development will increase traffic, noise, gentrification and pollution in the Historic West Coconut Grove neighborhood.

PLEASE JOIN US, URGE PZAB TO VOTE “NO” TO THE COUNTY’S PLAN, AND
ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY PROTECTIONS – INCLUDING:
1) No Commercial Intrusion into Village West + a Focus on Cultural Uses for the Parcel
2) A Clear Traffic Mitigation Plan Developed with the Community
3) Employment/Fair Wages for the Village West Residents
4) Access for Historic Village West Churches and Organizations
5) Integration with the Historic Landmarks of Village West/Little Bahamas

PLEASE JOIN US AND MAKE YOUR CONCERNS HEARD

City of Miami PZAB Meeting
Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30PM
Miami City Hall - 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL 33133


For more information: [email protected]

04/15/2026

THE LOST PORCHES
Front porches used to be the soul of Coconut Grove.

They weren’t just architectural feature. They were invitations. To sit, to linger, to wave at a neighbor, to get to know their pet, to let life unfold at a human pace.

These houses had personality. They leaned toward the street, open and unguarded, full of color, quirks, and quiet stories. No two were quite the same. There was spontaneity in their design, vitality in how they were lived, and a kind of originality you can’t replicate.

Sadly, too many are gone—replaced by sealed-off white boxes that turn inward, closed to the world around them. Efficient, maybe. But silent.

It’s like we have lost a way of living with each other.

*A few faves from my collection

04/14/2026

When I went to put a black border on this hand-drawn sketch, my iPad asked if I also wanted to erase the imperfections.
Crazy!
The imperfections…the colors, the shade, the laughter from the bar, the leaves falling on my table - are exactly what I love about this place. BERRIES is one of Coconut Grove’s genuine local restaurant & bar. We are losing too many places full of flavor and character.
So let’s enjoy this fruit while we can. 🍓🍒🫐