More photos are on their way, but we are waiting for moving boxes to get out of the way.
Meticulous Palmetto Bay Ranch
15103 SW 74th Place
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Offered at $598,922
More photos are on their way, but we are waiting for moving boxes to get out of the way.
Meticulous Palmetto Bay Ranch
15103 SW 74th Place
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Offered at $598,922
USDA ARS Main Research Buiding
The 208-acre facility was born out of Dr. David Fairchild’s efforts. In 1923, as a USDA employee, he moved the Plant Introduction Garden from Brickell Avenue to the newly decommissioned Chapman Air Field.
Germoplasm Collection in the fields
While many would equate the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station’s work to watching paint dry, the eight full-time scientists and 25 support staffers beg to differ. I met 13-year Agricultural Research Service veteran Dr. Alan Meerow for an eye-opening tour. He explained how Chapman Field’s research has, and will continue to have, global impact.
Alan W. Meerow, Ph.D., Research Geneticist & Systematist peers through robotic liquid handler
“We are here for preservation, research, development and entomology,” states Meerow. “I am developing ornamentals plants, but we all cross over and help each other.”
Fiji Dwarf Coconut Trees
The facility is home to thousands of seeds and plants. Unlike dozens of other USDA ARS centers around the country, Chapman Field has tropical and sub-tropical field plantings, which makes it one of the more unique facilities. In fact, only Hilo, Hawaii and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico do the same.
Amaryllis Hybrids
The bulk of the land is used for three main crops: (a) sugar cane and subtropical grasses, (b) avocado trees and (c) an impressive 3000 varietals of mangoes. The focus of each is crop improvement. While less than 20% of the facility hosts ornamental plant research, eight new varieties were designed and brought to market from here.
Promising new tabebuia seedling selection
“The most important issue our facility constantly works on is creating crop variations that will help us avoid disease and infestation, said Dr. Meerow, “The longer we farm a plant, the genetic differences get narrower and narrower. This can lead to weaknesses and vulnerability that can wipe out species. We work on re-introducing stronger, diverse variations of that plant to the farm fields.”
Kathleen Carriaga, Biological Science Technician
In avocado research, there is a huge panic and the Chapman Field facility is designated as a First Responder. A few years ago, Redbay trees (an avocado relative) in Georgia started dying off en mass. As it worked its way south, Chapman Field raced into action to find the source of the die off.
They discovered laurel wilt, a fungus disease that is spread by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. “The beetle farms the fungus inside the Avocado tree and, in turn, the tree goes into five-alarm response and ends up killing itself after it turns off its own internal plumbing trying to stop the fungus growth.”
Michael Calonje, FIU Ph.D. Student
For a while, laurel wilt stopped around Ft. Pierce, FL, likely due to the patchy nature of our forest canopy. Unfortunately, our luck ran out in late 2011, as the disease has reached Dade County. Emergency research is ongoing with the international community centering its efforts at Chapman Field.
For you chocoholics out there, the facility receives $500,000/year from the M&M Mars Company to study and improve the cacao plant. At present, there are three significant diseases plaguing worldwide cacao seed production. “With seeds at less than 50% of what they were, production is way down and costs are up,” explained Meerow.
Collecting chocolate tree fruit for study
To address this issue, the research center does DNA Marker-Assisted Breeding for cacao. Those efforts result in stronger, more resistant plants. In the future, they could even allow for better tasting chocolate. In short, it is likely that the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station’s work will improve future chocolate bars.
Dr. Alan Meerow shows off DNA multipiers used in research
DNA markers are gene-level tags that rapidly speed along research. Instead of growing a plant to maturity to test for disease resistance, scientists simply look for the presence of the appropriate genetic marker in very young saplings. This cuts years from studies.
Entomology is an important facet of the facility. By studying pheromones and attractants, scientists at Chapman Field have developed traps and lures. The idea is to lower man-made impact on nature by luring away pests from vulnerable plant life, not by spraying chemicals.
This freezer stores plant material at -80 degrees centigrade
By its nature, the facility steers away from pesticide use and instead works to strengthen a plant’s natural defense mechanisms. “Lowering pesticide use is important because, for example, honeybee colony collapse is the result of a variant of pesticide, not cell towers, as is commonly believed. “The pesticide seems to disorient the bees and they can’t find their way back to the hive to reproduce and support the queen.”
If you want to learn more, you’re in luck. In celebration of the USDA’s 150th Anniversary, the research center will hold an annual open house June 23, 2012 (10am-3pm) filled with activities, including lab and field bus tours. Dr. Alan Meerow welcomes everyone to "the biggest accidental secret that isn't supposed to be a secret."
When you drive around Miami, you often see cryptic signs with arrows pointing down a particualr street. Those in the know know that these are signs for movie and TV production crews who are doing a location shoot.
Today I had a few minutes and followed the signs into Gables by the Sea, a wonderful gated community at the border of Pinecrest and Coral Gables.
When I arrived on location, there were food trucks, police and lots of neighbors mulling about. Inside one home was a full-scale feature movie crew shooting for Michael Bay's upcoming "Pain and Gain".
If you look carefully at the photo above, you'll see a director's chair to the left, a beautiful white Porsche behind the production crew, and through the open front doors you can make out a film camera and tripod.
At the time, Tony Shalhoub and Ed Harris were filming an interior scene. Due to tight Paramount Pictures security, I was unable to get any star-powered shots, but the crew was nice enough to tell me that this film will be release sometime in 2013.
Starring Miami's own Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, Ed Harris, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Rob Corddry, Bar Paly and more, the action film is just one of many that use Miami as its backdrop. An why not? Miami and its many incredible homes are a slice of heaven.
The day before, they did an exterior shoot involving a street basketball game. The net is tucked away here with some lighting gear and another Panaflex camera.
Here's my little reporter act from the scene:
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I have a pocket listing (actually a "coming soon" since listing begins on July 2) that you can take advantage of today while those using the MLS have to wait until July 2nd to see.
This two-story contemporary estate has premium finishes throughout. Nearly 7000 square feet make up this 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom work of art. U-shaped home "hugs" the custom built "centerpiece" pool.
Located in Cocoplum (Section 1) and listed at $2.6M. A tenant remains until June 24, thus why I am not providing an address yet. If you are a serious Buyer or a Broker, please contact me to arrange discreet showings.
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No problem, I said. I'm your man. With the help of my wife and kids, the home was prepared for a Saturday morning shoot.
The episode chronicles a couple who has moved from Miami to the Barbados. When you see them discussing the move, a little TV magic has them using my house as their temporary housing before they move. They've been living in Barbados for some time now.
You didn't think TV was 100% accurate, did you?
Not sure when the episode will air, but look at the photos and see if you can spot the episode.
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The Coconut Grove Playhouse was built in 1926 on ‘energy line’
From the moment the two-hour walk around downtown Coconut Grove begins, you know you are in the hands of a skilled and eclectic storyteller. Dressed in (mostly) black Victorian-era clothing and a flower hat, Sandy starts her tour at the doors of the Coconut Grove Playhouse (shuttered for 6+ years now) and immediately orients her guests to the possibilities of what could be. “How many believers do we have here?” Her hand goes up along with about half of the group ghost seekers. “And, how many skeptics?” Again, her hand goes up. “That’s great! Because skeptics should observe to prove themselves right…but they might find themselves surprised with the results.”
Ghost seekers feel for energy at Coconut Grove Playhouse entrance
Beyond the paranormal stories, discussion of energy fields and other ghostly phenomenon, Sandy provides a great history lesson. “We are standing on oolitic limestone, 22’ above sea level. This high ridge of limestone occurs again in Aventura and down in Goulds, but is rare elsewhere in South Florida. Coconut Grove is the grandmother of Miami, having preceded it by many generations. Ponce de Leon landed here before he went to St. Augustine. Many believe that his search for the Fountain of Youth most certainly brought him to Venetian Pool in Coral Gables.”
Sandy Walker talks about ectoplasm and spirits
Once she sets the not-too-serious and not-too-kooky tone of the evening, we are walked to the south side of the Playhouse. “Built in 1926, this building has a somewhat negative energy line. (She points) If you look to the third floor windows, you’ll see the curtains flow in an unnatural way. That’s ectoplasm.” I can see the curtains move, but don’t think it odd. Yet, seconds later another ghost hunter gasps, claiming she’s caught a face in the window with her digital camera. We all look at her pixelated screen and draw our own conclusions.
Moving across the street of Old Main Highway, Sandy suggests we might capture orbs and odd light in our cameras if we snap enough shots. The history lesson and suggestions of what we might see continue for 90 more minutes.
Flashlight look into coral wall hole towards former cemetery site
We visit The Barnacle State Park, stand outside St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and make our way to two existing businesses where our guide recounts stories of recurring hauntings.
Everything from disembodied mid-day shadows of a murdered woman to a playful mask-wearing disembodied spirit to walkways charged with energy are discussed.
More than a few times, fellow guests claimed to capture odd things on their cameras. I honestly didn’t see anything otherworldly, but it was fun to see others believe they had.
My daughter gets into the 'spirit' of the night
The crux of the tour centers on the story of the Peacock and Munroe families. These neighbors were the first to settle the area and Eva Munroe, who had tuberculosis died on the banks of the Miami River. The group is asked to see things on their estate grounds, including shadowy figures, light orbs and odd glows.
As the tour winds down we are taken to the foot of the Coconut Grove public library where, surrounded by iron fencing, is the gravesite of Eva Munroe. Spooky no, but odd to know I’d passed this area thousands of times not knowing what was feet away from me.
Grave of Eva Munroe, early Coconut Grove settler
The Mason-built structure just to the west of the gravesite has failed as various nightclubs for 30 years. Haunted or is it just a bad locale? You decide.
Sandra Walker with Hal Feldman near gravesite
Believers and skeptics alike who want to do something different with a weekend night are encouraged to check out this “hidden” attraction. I’d suggest taking along a drink to round out your evening. A few before might heighten the experience.
You can book a tour with The Original Ghost Tours of Coconut Grove by going to www.ghostgrove.com or calling 786-236-9979.
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For 25 years, Jim Smith (of JAS Group Architects Planners) has come four days a week for his lunch. Why? “It’s predictable, the food is great, the hostesses are the best and there’s always Wally, the entertainer. It’s where the elite meet to eat,” boasts Smith. “I’ve closed more business deals here than anywhere else, including our office.”
Jim Smith enjoys lunch in a Wagons West booth
Russell, Joyce & Wade Langley have been eating here since 1974 when it was the Suniland Luncheonette. “Wagons’ food is consistently good, the coffee is wonderful, Walter is a great guy and the staff is marvelous,” said Joyce.
Russell, Joyce & Wade Langley wait for a table
My wife's family, the Morrisons, have been eating at Wagons since it opened in 1981. Before I moved to Miami, they would proudly take me to Wagons West, calling it South Florida tradition.
Wagons West is a “water cooler” spot. Even more than the great American food, it's the place for local news and gossip. It's impossible not to be recognized and warmly greeted when you walk in. There’s a strong sense of consistency and staying power, punctuated perfectly by the original redwood outdoor sign which now proudly hangs over the kitchen area.
The owners, Walter and Steven Muench, came to the United States from Germany in 1958. They moved to South Florida in 1971 and operated two restaurants that preceded Wagons West. From 1981 to 1989, the two brothers cooked everything at the restaurant themselves. Walter (or Wally as most people call him) looks back on those days with pride and satisfaction. “There was nothing like working the kitchen and turning out great food for all my patrons. Their smiles and support was all I needed to know we’d done good.” Brother Stephen retired in 2010, but Wally continues the family tradition.
Walter (Wally) Muench talks up his counter customers
To this day, Wally is comfortable in his restaurant and he’s made countless others comfortable as well. The staff, who are more like family, are Saturnan Auguste (29 years), Dawn Crawly (10 years), Lin Farres (14 years), Vanessa Gomez (17 years), Joan Greenberg (8 years), Stephanie Keough (3 years), Laura Kurucz (8 years), Sandy Lenhardt (20 years), Danielle Penny (6 years), Susan Schroder (18 years), Vivian Schroder (10 years), Beppi Steele (20 years), Rachel Thibault (10 years), Joan Weinstein (12 years) and Freeman Williams (10 years). Once you’re in, you unlikely to leave. To the patrons, the staff is what makes Wagons West so special.
Servers Rachel Thibault, Vanessa Gomez, Lin Farres and owner Walter (Wally) Muench
Upon opening in 1981, Wagons West was immediately given a Western theme. Wally says although the theme was definite, the name choice was not. “My brother and I were at the attorney's office to register the business and we knew we wanted a wagon as the centerpiece for our Western theme. We went in with about 30-50 relatively generic names and quickly boiled it down to four: Wagons North, South, East and West.” They ended up choosing West because they liked the phrase 'Go West young man' and they thought it best fit the theme. With a smile, Wally remembers the early decorations. “We had model wagons in the window for a while, but (he chuckles) we got tired of our patrons complaining they were facing the wrong direction. So, down they came!”
Not much else has changed. The well-worn counters, booths, tables, wall decor and floors all reflect the staying power and fun attitude of the restaurant. “People eat with their eyes,” says Wally. “We know that to stay successful, we need to be consistent...in our theme and the food's appearance and taste. The secret is stable pricing, quality product and good service.”
Chef Freeman Williams prepares a steaming hot lunch
Wally’s son, Michael, goes to FIU and works in the restaurant on weekends. I asked Wally about the future of Wagons. “He’s got the chops to take over once I’m retired,” says Wally. “He’s 23 and has been helping out here since he was six years old. He knows how to do it, probably better than me…and faster. But I think he’s got different loves in life.”
Lots of notable people eat at Wagons West. “Yeah, we got TV personalities, Mayors, judges and big time business people,” recalls Wally. “Famous people? We got all kinds, including yourself, Hal (we both laugh hard).”
Wally reflects, “This is like Times Square…right here in our town. Everyone gets to Times Square at least once in their life. Like Andy Worhol said, ‘You’re gonna get your 15-minutes of fame’. This is where everyone gets their 15-minutes. This is where everyone comes to be part of the community. Everyone seems to pass through here.”
Russell Langley tells the real story of Wagons West’s success. “They treat me great. Since my back surgery, I have trouble getting into a back booth. Each time I come, a waitress, busboy or a backend guys will jump to help me without asking. They’re always a great help. They take care of me.”
The regulars love it when Wally or the wait staff sits down with them. Wally says, “They love the attention and they’re already like family, so why not! We ask them how things are and how they’re doing.”
As someone who regularly sits down for a good Wagons West meal, I can attest they take care of every customer every day. There’s nothing quite like getting my Wagons fix. If you're in the area, I highly recommend you grab some good American food and soak in a little bit of Pinecrest. Tell Wally I sent you. You won't be disappointed.
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Jason Czerwinski, 17, kneels with his Eagle Scout project in hand.
Czerwinski’s Hurricane District Boy Scout Troop 711 meets at St. Andrew’s Church kitty-corner to the park. Jason saw walkers and runners wanting to know how far they had traveled. He’s been out before marking and measuring the paths, but today made that more permanent.
Jason’s teams placed nine markers, each 1/8th of a mile apart to measure the 1-1/8th mile exercise trails. Each marker is a cemented-in 4”x4” pressure-treated stake with a custom plexiglass sign.
Once Jason Czerwinski turns in his project, he’ll likely get his Eagle Scout status within a month or two. Jason will join five active Eagles Scouts in his troop and a long history of Eagles in Troop 711.
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Mayor Shelley Stanczyk teaches ladybug facts to Howard Drive Elementary students.
During that time, the kids released over 70,000 ladybugs. Besides being a fun activity, it was educational and good for the environment. Did you know that the average ladybug will eat about 5000 destructive bugs during its lifetime? That ladybugs have retractable heads, like a turtle? Or that ladybugs have mouths that crew horizontally, not vertical?
Palmetto Bay Councilmembers Tendrich, Lindsay and Fiore (pictured) toured with Mayor Stanczyk and Vice Mayor Pariser.
Along with the Mayor, Councilmembers Howard Tendrich, Joan Lindsay, and Patrick Fiore visited Howard Drive Elementary to help eight classes (over 100 kids) release ladybugs into the surrounding bushes.
Principal Deanna Dalby said, “The kids love the release and it’s a great learning experience. It’s a wonderful thing that the Village does every year.”
Councilwoman Joan Lindsay remarked, “The schools really got into this and enjoyed it immensely. Some made tee-shirts, wrote poems, sang special songs, performed dances and celebrated in other special ways in conjunction with the release.”
Commander Truitt (MD Police) helps Howard Drive students release 1500 ladybugs.
Even the Palmetto Bay Policing Unit toured with the ladybugs and helped the kids spread them around the school grounds.
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Miley Estremera, age 4 (foreground), cools down in the water park.
Miley Estremera, age 4, celebrated Earth Day by dancing around in Pinecrest Gardens’ splash park. Her mother, Alyssa, drove from Miami Gardens because her co-workers told her how beautiful the park was and it would be a great experience for her daughter.
Mother Lisa Nesenman and her three girls Brooke (age 6), Alexa (age 2), and Paige (8 wks)
Meanwhile Lisa Nesenman and her three girls Brooke (age 6), Alexa (age 2), and Paige (8 weeks) relaxed under the shade of some Banyan trees. Brooke explained, “We made our names and designs on bags, planted tomato, carrot and watermelon seeds and played in the park.” Mom chimed in that Earth Day meant enjoying the outdoors and teaching our kids how to be kind to the Earth.
No matter where you were throughout Pinecrest Gardens, April 15th was filled with joyful and playful Earth Day sights and sounds.
Part of The Vibe (left to right) Dean Crews, Albert Roque and Ralph Fiol rock Earth Day.
Local band The Vibe (Alex Leeds, Dan "Mav" Levine, Albert Roque, Dean Crews & Ralph Fiol) played classic rock cover tunes in the Banyan Bowl to the delight of many. Explains bassist Ralph Fiol, “When it comes to rockin’ the Earth Day, what you really want is the right Vibe.”
At the front gate, Pinecrest’s message was clear. It handed out native pine trees in an effort to put the Pine back in Pinecrest.
Beyond the community and fun, there were many groups raising awareness for many issues. Whether a prototype city inside one massive 35-story structure, how to save the native panthers, why it may not be such a good thing to add new nuclear reactors at Turkey Point or how the deep dredging of the Port of Miami may kill vast amounts of sea life it was important to see, hear and take part in the discussion.
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