Coral Gables Riviera

WHY WAIT FOR DRAWBIDGES?

Why Wait for DRAWBIDGES? IT'S EASIER TO SHOP IN CORAL GABLES

THE CORAL GABLES RIVIERA

AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 21, 1941 16TH YEAR NO. 1 PRICE FIVE CENTS

YOUR CUSTOMERS READ THE RIVIERA

OUR TOWN

by Jim Moore We were looking over the list of selections on one of those new nickle-in-the-slot record players the other day. You know, those very fancy boxes where you're given a choice of 250 different records from which to choose. Instead of punching a button, you speak your request into a microphone, a pleasant voiced gal says "Thank you" and presto-your favorite piece starts to play. All went well until our eyes fell upon a number called "Scrub Me Mamma With a Boogie Beam" and that stumped us. You see, in the parlance of the Jitterbug, we are classed as an "Icky" or a "Tin Ear". That means (we found out afterward, sidewalk research) that we are not a true devotee of swing music or "Jive". The barber shop tunes that we like to sing, such as "Sweet Adeline" are called "Schmaltz" or "long-hair". In other words, we are not approver of a "Hep-Cat" or "Alligator". Nevertheless, this "Scrub Me Mamma With a Boogie Beam" intrigued, perplexed us, no end. We wondered if, perchance it had some cleverly hidden thought that had'nt reached our mind. So we hunted up Gene Sutherland, who plays the piano with Hem Olson's band at the Country Club, and put the question squarely up to him, man-to-man. "Why sure", he replied, "it's simple", and launched into the following explanation: "Boogie" is a particular type of 'Jive' better known as 'Boogie-Woogie' 'Scrub Me Mamma' means 'lay it on thick' or 'send it solid'. 'Beam' simply means 'on the beam' or 'in the groove'. You see, it's perfectly logical-in fact, very simple". So now we know (and you know) what "Scrub Me Mamma With a Boogie Beam" means ... or do we? Personally, we can't help but wonder what historians will think, several hundred years hence, when they uncover the amazing fact that some of the greatest music that America was singing in 1941 had such titles as "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" and "Shoo! the Likker to Me, John Boy". These last two titles were also listed on the record-player or "Jook Box". We like to think of ourself as fairly modern, but somehow, we don't seem to have the heart eluding the waving palms and old-world atmosphere of Coral Gables in the same picture with this "Scrub Me Mamma" number. Perhaps it's the few grey hairs that are popping out on our temples, but we still like to sit in the patio at the Country Club of Coral Gables and listen while some muted waltz mingles itself with the moonlight and the coconut palms. Maybe we're soured by the fact that our one attempt at "Jitterbugging" resulted in a sprained ankle, but we'll still take our dancing the easy way. By now our "Hep Cat" readers are probably screaming "Schmaltz" at the top of their lungs but we still find with trembling on the day when this community changes its theme song from "When the Moon Shines in Ooral Gables" to "Shoot the Gables to Me, Mable".

Night Club Headliners to Appear at Firemen's Ball Tonight

Benny Davis Cross and Dunn Terry Lawlor Headed by Benny Davis and the Mayfair Cabaret show, the Firemen's Benevolent Association Dance tonight plans a revue featuring the stars of many of the Greater Miami night clubs, at their dance at the Country Club of Coral Gables. Joe E. Lewis, ace funny man, is slated to appear on a short leave from the Colonial Inn. Cross and Dunn, big-time veterans of original songs and parodies, will add to the mirth of the evening. Beauteous Terry Lawlor, the Irish redhead who is a prime favorite of Miamians after many successful engagements in the area, will sing her sultry songs. Many others are expected to drop in to give their talents to the occasion. Officials of the Benevolent Association expect a crowd of some 1,500 to attend tonight, and the patio of the Country Club is planning to accommodate a record mob. It looks like the most successful affair of its kind ever seen in the Gables, with city officials as well as the top show folk here expected to take part in the proceedings. As a special attraction, Ruth Lowe, the gifted young lady who wrote "I'll Never Smile Again," will make an appearance, and is expected to play several songs of her own composition.

Gables Legion to Take Part In First National Registration Of Veterans in Defense Plan

With every Legion post in the United States taking part, the greatest peacetime move of the American Legion will take place tomorrow when members, non-members and unaffiliated ex-service men all over the country will go to Legion homes to register in an unprecedented defense tabulation of the country's wartime trained manpower. Coral Gables Legionnaires will register here at the Legion home on Coral Way under the direction of Gene Hunter, commander of the Gables post. National Commander Nilo J. Warner has fixed Saturday, February 22, the 209th Anniversary of the birth of George Washington, Father of our Country, as national defense registration day for all members of The American Legion and such unaffiliated World War veterans as may desire to participate. There is nothing compulsory about the registration. Filling out of the American Legion national defense questionnaire and rendering any service that may be called for later, both will be entirely voluntary on the part of the individual. Registration does not involve any military liability. The nationwide registration of World War veterans was authorized by the 22nd national convention of The American Legion in Boston, Mass., last September, and by the National Executive Committee at its meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., November 21 and 22, 1940. It is merely for the purpose of cataloging the qualifications and special talents of all Legionnaires and World War veterans for national defense. From the questionnaires to be filled out by all members and veterans, local posts, department and national headquarters will prepare indexes which will list the experience, education, training and other qualifications of the registrants. The information contained in these indexes will be made available to the Federal, State and Local Authorities whenever the need arises. Can you spak any foreign languages? Have you had any police, fire department, or intelligence service? These are samples of questions which all local members of The American Legion and unaffiliated World War veterans will be asked in filling out their questionnaires in the Legion's nationwide voluntary national defense registration. The form is one legal size page in length, and contains 28 queries. It contains also a list of 67 specific occupations, professions and trades, which are to be checked by each registrant. A space is provided for (Please turn to Page Two)

Police Add New Arms To Arsenal

With part of the equipment already on hand, and more due for delivery this coming week, Coral Gables police are completing a plan to improve their emergency armament to a point where any police emergency here will find the department fully equipped to meet it. Captain L. C. Reeves disclosed Thursday that he had some new-type gas guns already in the station, with both tear and short-range shells; and that new sub-machine guns and automatic shotguns were on order and due for immediate delivery. "I hope it will never be necessary for us to use this riot equipment," Captain Reeves said, commenting on the order, "but I think it's our duty to the city to be prepared to face any call that comes up. The only way to be prepared is to have our men armed properly for emergencies." Reeves disclosed that when his order is filled, every police car will be armed with an automatic shotgun. These guns, loaded with heavy shot, are said to be very effective in blowing a tire of an automobile. The new machine guns are described as light in weight, and to have great advantages in accuracy and speed of operation over the models of a few years ago.

Gableites Win Many Ribbons In Horse Show

Coral Gables participation in the Second Annual Miami Horse Show of the South Florida Horse Association showed a large number of Gableites competing in the various events in the show, and an increased interest in horsemanship here, according to John Gazlay, owner of the Coral Gables Riding Academy. Gazlay reported that both riders and mounts from Coral Gables made a fine showing in all the events they entered in the show, which ran four days, from the 13th through the 16th of February. Here's Gazlay's box score of Gableites' achievements in the show: Class 52 - Local Children's Horsemanship. 16 years and under (to jump)-Mavrik owned and ridden by Dorothy Mai Ogden. 4th On Parade owned by Coral Gables Academy and ridden by Ann LaMonte. Class 8 - Amateur 5 gaited class. 4th Buckner LaGrange owned by L. D. Llewellyn and ridden by Jimmy Llewellyn. Class 59 - Road Hacks. 4th Kemal Pasha owned by Coral Gables Academy and ridden by Petty McGill. Class 3 - 5 gaited mares of any age. 4th Independence Belle owned by Mrs. O. G. Finkle, jr. ridden by John Gazlay, jr. Class 57 - Local Gentlemens Riding Class. 1st Buckner LaGrange owned by L. D. Llewellyn; ridden by Jimmie Llewellyn. Class 6 - Combination 5 gaited class. 5th Independence Belle owned by Mrs. O. G. Finkle, jr.; ridden by John Gazlay. Class 2 - Novice 5 gaited horses. 3rd Iron Man owned by Coral Gables Academy; ridden by John Gazlay, jr. Class 9 - Florida owned 5 gaited horses, 3rd Independence Belle owned by Mrs. O. G. Finkle, jr.; ridden by John Gazlay. Class 50 - Children's Open Horsemanship class. 5th Gypsy Rallent owned and ridden by Dorothy Mai Ogden. 6th Tie Toe owned by Coral Gables Academy; ridden by Ann LaMonte. Class 64 - Local Fine Harness class. 1st Independence Belle owned by Mrs. O. G. (Please turn to Page Two)

Move Slated By Granada Shops Soon

A historic landmark of Coral Gables will change its identity next month when the Granada Shops, founded here before the city, moves from its quarters at 2900 Ponce de Leon blvd. to expand into a larger building at Le Jeune Road and Alhambra Circle. "We're going to keep abreast of the growth of Coral Gables," Ralph Wilking, founder of the Granada Shops, declared. "The city is growing steadily and we think the time has come for us to take up a general program of expansion, so that we can continue to meet the growing demands for home furnishings and fine furniture work. With more homes being built every year, we really need more shop and display space." Wilking, who opened the shops here in his present building in 1924, said that his new place would provide about 50 per cent more space, both shop and display, than his Ponce de Leon quarters. The "more elbow room" move, which has been planned for several months, was decided upon when it was found the building on Alhambra Circle would be available this year. The Granada Shops will probably be installed in the new location on about March 15. The Granada Shops expect to increase their retail furniture volume and displays greatly after their move.

Palm Planting Program May Start at Once

Contributions of coconut trees continue to come in to the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and up to Thursday night the total had reached 48, for the beautification of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Coral Way. Latest contributors were Sam Weissel with two trees and Thornton M. Fincher with one tree. The concensus of opinion of contributors as expressed to the Chamber of Commerce, has been that trees should be planted immediately and without waiting until the entire number deemed necessary are secured. In discussing the proposal, Mr. Fincher, a Gableite of many years, declared that, "I am in favor of the plan if it is feasible, that is, if the trees will actually beautify the wide streets; and the only way to find out is to plant some twenty or thirty trees. If the public is not satisfied then it would be easier to remove them than to remove over three hundred." Sam Weissel, stated that, "I have been trying to get the plan started for three years and will give two trees, and I hope the planning board and the city and chamber of commerce officials get together soon and start planting". A meeting between the planning board and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss tree planting is expected soon.

New University Classes Speed Defense Training

Over and above the proposed stepping-up of training of air navigators, announced last week in the Coral Gables Riviera, the University of Miami this week is applying the finishing touches to another government-sponsored defense training program: a comprehensive course of classes for engineers and designers, designed to fill the gaps in the trained personnel of Florida's defense industries. Dr. C. R. Foster, Dean of Education at the University, announced this week that there are about 200 men in training in the first classes of this new program, with possibly 50 more destined to take the courses projected for the next few weeks. Dr. Jay Pearson, Dean of Administration, said that while the University was already very active in defense education, with a heavy Civilian Pilot Training program in view for the coming spring and summer, there will probably be even larger government-sponsored courses instituted within the next few months. The new engineering courses, which are offered here in cooperation with the University of Florida, number five classes under way now, with two more courses to be added in the near future. Classes under way now include: Engineering Drawing, Aircraft Engineering, Machine Design and Airport Design. The Engineering Drawing course is divided into two classes, with a class meeting on Miami Beach in addition to the one at the University. The two projected classes are Marine Design and Plant Management, with the latter tentatively scheduled for next week. "There has been a general (Please turn to Page Two)

Howard Johnson Plans Opening Here Next Week

A member of a large family of restaurants comes to Coral Gables next week when the Howard Johnson Restaurant opens on Tamiami Trail, across the street from the Douglas Entrance. George Brogan, manager of the new restaurant, announces that the Johnson organization put up its own building, which was designed by E. Dean Parmelee and built by Arthur H. Higgins. Designed to follow the style of other Howard Johnson roadside oases, the new place, which is surrounded by a large parking lot, will have only counter service, and has its own bakery on the premises. The interior, modern in treatment, is decorated in three basic colors: coral, pastel blue and cream. All fixtures reflect the modern motif. The Gables Howard Johnson building is the newest in a long line of eating places which stretch from New England to Florida, and comprise over 150 restaurants in all.

Death Takes F. Kerdyke

Funeral services were held at 11 a. m. Monday for Frank Kerdyke, 59, of 536 Almeria Ave., who died a week ago in a local hospital after a long illness. A native of Amsterdam, Holland, Kerdyke came to Coral Gables from Gloversville, N. Y., to make his home four months ago. He was a hide industry expert and had been active in musical circles in Boston and New York. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Lea Kerdyk, and two sons, Frank and William, all of Coral Gables. The funeral took place at Mc-Ghan Funeral Home, with burial at Woodlawn Park cemetery.

DOWLING BROTHERS OPEN MEAT DEPARTMENT TODAY

Lonnie and Ressie Dowling are announcing the opening their new meat department today in their store at 111 Coral Way. Following the Dowling reputation of "only the best", the new department will handle the finest grades of meat. Earl English will be in charge of the new department.

Fulton Oursler, Noted Editor, To Speak at Winter Institute

A literary figure large on the American horizon of letters comes to the Winter Institute of Literature Monday when Fulton Oursler, author, playwright and editor of Liberty magazine, takes up a schedule of five discussions on every phase of modern literature. Oursler will be introduced Monday afternoon by Edwin Phillips Granberry, scholar and writer. One of the most prolific writers of the present day, Fulton Oursler is at the same time a busy editor, guiding a foremost weekly which he has piloted since 1931. In his five seminars, which will take place daily in the Theatre of the University Monday through Friday, Oursler will discuss: "What the Public Wants," "The Story Telling Instinct," "The Mystery of Character in Fiction," "The Background of the Story," and "New Frontiers in Story Telling." Granberry's seminar, which will meet Wednesday afternoon, will cover "The Use of Floridian Materials in Fiction." A recognized authority on Florida folklore and history, as well as a successful playwright and novelist, he has written the first modern novel dealing with the folkways of Florida, "The Erl King." Besides his editorial work, Fulton Oursler's career dips into several sides of journalism and free-lance writing. He was a Baltimore reporter and critic before coming to New York in 1918 to edit the New York Music Trades. He was editor-in-chief of Metropolitan Magazine in 1923. Since 1923 he has written many plays, novels and short (Please turn to Page Two)

Denman Fink's Federal Court Mural To Be Unveiled Tomorrow

A Coral Gables artist will be honored tomorrow when the new mural of the Federal Court of Dade County will be unveiled at 10 a. m. Denman Fink, head of the Art Department of the University of Miami and creator of the mural, will take part in the unveiling ceremonies which will be directed by Postmaster George E. Merrick and William L. Gray, president of the Dade County Bar Association. In a competition with 75 nationally-known artists, Fink submitted the winning design and executed the 11 by 25 foot mural, which is installed behind the bench of Federal Judge John W. Holland and covers one wall of the courtroom. The mural depicts the development of Florida from the savage days of the Seminoles up to the present era, under the reign of law and justice. Many local persons served as models Fink's granddaughter, Miss Barbara Brown; E. V. Hjort, head of the city's parks and recreation department; and the late Phineas Paist, architect.

Ordered to Camp

Roy S. Wood of 2534 S. W. 19th street has been ordered to Camp Holly, North Carolina. Mr. Wood who is a major in the reserve corps will leave March 16th to take up active duties.

Grove Leader Dies Suddenly

Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p. m. today in the Philbrick Funeral home for Commodore George Bliss Wells, president of the Coconut Grove Civic Club and one of the most widely known Miami civic workers. Burial will take place in Burlington, Vt. Commodore Wells died Wednesday in the University Hospital from the results of heart strain caused last Friday from helping to lift an anchor aboard the Sib-Bil, yacht owned by W. H. Snyder. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Anne G. Wells.

Designed for New Home Area in Gables

Designed for New Home Area in Gables- One of the new homes designed by the offices of Wolfe and Martin, architects, for the new residential section being opened by Babcock-Lamont between Anderson Road and Segovia Street, and Sevilla Ave. and Palermo Ave. The house is now under construction, and is scheduled to be opened for inspection in April.

Gables Commission Meeting Postponed

Due to the illness of City Commissioner Col. P. J. O'Shaughnessy, the regular meeting of the Coral Gables city commission, which should have been held Tuesday, was postponed until some time next week.