The price of a beer just jumped from $3 to $8 at Jimbo's Shrimp Shack on Virginia Key. The hike may be enough to put the fabled beer bar out of business.

Blame it on Miami. The city started charging a $5 entrance fee for everyone wanting to head up the road leading to Jimbo's. The bar's income has suffered since.

The city may make a few extra bucks. Ultimately, though, there's more money to be made with the land. Nestled on a pristine lagoon and a short walk from a beautiful beach, the property is what developers dream of.

Jimmy ``Jimbo'' Luznar's dilapidated -- but charming -- beer garden sits on this Eden.

It's right out of 1936 Key Largo with its funky signs, bocce ball court, rusting cars and stray dogs.

Jimbo's is the last place you would ever expect to find in Miami -- and the first place I take my out-of-town guests. For unique, it's hard to beat.

It's also hard to find. You head east on Rickenbacker Causeway, turn left at Virginia Key, curse as you pay the new entrance fee and head for the city's Sewage Treatment Facility.

Just when the smell gets bad you veer right down a dirt road. Drive through the pines until a sleeping dog blocks your path.

There you are.

You are miles away from traffic, condo canyons and 24/7 casinos.

Jimbo, 82, will probably be there to greet you. He may even give you a hug.

The beer bar/bait shop exists because he was given a life-long lease 55 years ago for his place in the woods. The City of Miami, tired of waiting for Mr. Luznar to expire, is now trying to get rid of him in other ways.

It started with the $5 entrance fee.

Two weeks ago the city manager told the old man, ``Clean up your place or else.''

Many of his friends were there last weekend filling plastic bags . . . .

If you'd like to help save the funky landmark go to www.jimbosplace.com.

If you'd like to raise hell come to the Save Jimbo's Demonstration.

Help me hold my banner.

The rally will be Saturday, noon to 1 p.m, at the Virginia Key Toll Booth (just north of the Rickenbacker Causeway).

For more information e-mail rob@robertburr.com.

This isn't the first time the city has tried to get rid of Jimbo's. People like us have saved it before. Let's do it again and let the old man -- and his little shrimp shack -- live in peace.

HALLOWEEN IN

THE GROVE

Last Sunday morning, downtown Coconut Grove was awash in beer cups and pizza plates, the remains of our annual Halloween party. At 6 a.m. I encountered five lost pirates too confused to find their car.

They were all that was left of the 3 million or so people who had partied in our village eight days ago.

If you were there you may have wondered, ``How did this come to be?''

Blame it on Gregg Gillingham, the Grove's ``Mr. Halloween.''

He threw huge, outrageous parties at his North Grove home 30 years ago. Anyone could attend. Thousands did.

Eventually a few irate neighbors took him to court. When a judge said, ``Stop or I'll lock you up,'' Gregg called off his next party.

He and his friends came up with a new plan. Fake fliers were printed saying, ``This year's Great Grove Halloween Party will be in downtown Coconut Grove. Bring your own booze and dance to the sounds of the Meat People!''

On Halloween Eve, they collected the huge decorations they had made -- mostly monsters -- and set them around our downtown area.

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