News of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-47417 2009-07-15T04:24:00-04:00 US Virgin Islands, USVI, U.S.V.I., VI, Caribbean, villa, rental, house, kenny chesney, restaurants TypePad The best things on the restaurant menu tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e201157104b4be970c 2009-07-15T04:24:00-04:00 2009-07-12T16:54:19-04:00 “Pieces of Ate” is a newly-launched feature of the St. John Sun Times. It highlights the hits on the menus at bars and various restaurants. Recently, Asolare’s Moonbowtini was in the spotlight. “Choose your favorite vodka. Watch while the bartender adds grapefruit juice and rosemary syrup. Step Three: Enjoy responsibly.” Asolare’s web site is http://stjohn-restaurants.com/asolare.php La Tapa’s Three Sauce Plate also got kudos. Relying on the fact that La Tapa produces its own crunchy, baguettes, you dip the bread in one (or all) of the sauces. They include green peppercorn and arugula aioli, sun-dried tomato aioli, and tropical fruit salsa. La Tapa’s Web site is http://www.latapastjohn.com/ Read the St. John Sun Times column at http://www.stjohnsuntimes.com/pieces_of_ate. What about you? 'Best things on the Menu" you'd like to mention? Comment here. Frank Barnako

“Pieces of Ate” is a newly-launched feature of the St. John Sun Times.  It highlights the hits on the menus at bars and various restaurants. 

Recently, Asolare’s Moonbowtini was in the spotlight. “Choose your favorite vodka.  Watch while the bartender adds grapefruit juice and rosemary syrup.  Step Three: Enjoy responsibly.” Asolare’s web site is http://stjohn-restaurants.com/asolare.php

La Tapa’s Three Sauce Plate also got kudos.  Relying on the fact that La Tapa produces its own crunchy, baguettes, you dip the bread in one (or all) of the sauces.  They include green peppercorn and arugula aioli, sun-dried tomato aioli, and tropical fruit salsa.  La Tapa’s Web site is http://www.latapastjohn.com/

Read the St. John Sun Times column at http://www.stjohnsuntimes.com/pieces_of_ate.

What about you?  'Best things on the Menu" you'd like to mention?  Comment here.

 Blues Festival lineup announced tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011571f99559970b 2009-07-14T05:15:00-04:00 2009-07-14T05:15:00-04:00 The 8th annual St. John Blues Festival is scheduled March 17-21. This year, the name sponsor is Johnnie Walker. Other supporters include First Bank, Holiday Homes, and the USVI Department of Tourism. Organizer and founder (he really is a busy guy) Steve Simon and his wife, Helen, will offer six-days of music from one end of the island to the other. The ‘big show’ will, as usual be in Coral Bay on Saturday night. But during the week, you can count on Festival performers offering free live music at venues like the Beach Bar, Shipwreck Landing, and the ball field in Cruz Bay. Simon has a lineup of artists including Deanna Bogart, JT Laureitsen, the Ford Blues Band, and E,G. Knight. See the full list at http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/new/schedule2010.htm#schedule. Simon, who’s also produced and performed in blues shows in Iraq and Saudi Arabia said this is the biggest thing he’s ever done. And, he promised, it will rock. The Blues Festival’s Web site is at http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/bf/blueshome.htm. Frank Barnako

Bluesfest The 8th annual St. John Blues Festival is scheduled March 17-21.  This year, the name sponsor is Johnnie Walker.  Other supporters include First Bank, Holiday Homes, and the USVI Department of Tourism.

Organizer and founder (he really is a busy guy) Steve Simon and his wife, Helen, will offer six-days of music from one end of the island to the other. The ‘big show’ will, as usual be in Coral Bay on Saturday night.  But during the week, you can count on Festival performers offering free live music at venues like the Beach Bar, Shipwreck Landing, and the ball field in Cruz Bay.

Simon has a lineup of artists including Deanna Bogart, JT Laureitsen, the Ford Blues Band, and  E,G. Knight.  See the full list at http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/new/schedule2010.htm#schedule.

Simon, who’s also produced and performed in blues shows in Iraq and Saudi Arabia said this is the biggest thing he’s ever done.  And, he promised, it will rock.

The Blues Festival’s Web site is at http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/bf/blueshome.htm.

 Governor backs Coral Bay laundromat tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e201157104be64970c 2009-07-14T04:18:00-04:00 2009-07-14T04:18:00-04:00 It took agreement from Governor John de Jongh, but plans for a laundromat and Internet cafe in Coral Bay are moving along. (The Governor approves rezoning requests.) Former Senator Almando ‘Rocky’ Liburd wants to open the business on a third-of-an-acre in Estate Fortsberg. It would be Coral Bay’s first, and only, laundromat. The nearest one now is on Centerline Road, maybe a mile from the Myrah Keating Clinic. Frank Barnako

It took agreement from Governor John de Jongh, but plans for a laundromat and Internet cafe in Coral Bay are moving along.  (The Governor approves rezoning requests.) 

Former Senator Almando ‘Rocky’ Liburd wants to open the business on a third-of-an-acre  in Estate Fortsberg.  It would be Coral Bay’s first, and only, laundromat.  The nearest one now is on Centerline Road, maybe a mile from the Myrah Keating Clinic.

 VIs' $6 Million ad campaign tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011571f99780970b 2009-07-13T04:20:00-04:00 2009-07-12T16:52:16-04:00 An ad agency’s multi-million dollar idea for U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism is now on display. In ads produced by Atlanta’s JWT advertising agency, the slogan, “You, Unscripted” has begun appear in TV spots and print ads. It is meant to stress that visitors can create their own unique experiences in the VI's. Tourism said it will spend $6 million to spread the campaign, using television, magazines, newspaper and Internet for media. You can see examples of the print ads and the 30-second TV spots at http://www.usvimarketing.com/. The ads will target a range of market segments including: Bridal and Romance, African American, Dive, Culture & Heritage, Sailing & Yachting and Meetings & Incentives. “The concept of offering travelers an unscripted vacation experience was conceived through research that revealed our potential visitors seek the freedom to indulge in a personalized vacation experience," said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. Frank Barnako

Viad An ad agency’s multi-million dollar idea for U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism is now on display.  In ads produced by Atlanta’s JWT advertising agency, the slogan, “You, Unscripted” has begun appear in TV spots and print ads. It is meant to stress that visitors can create their own unique experiences in the VI's.

Tourism said it will spend  $6 million to spread the campaign, using television, magazines, newspaper and Internet for media. 

You can see examples of the print ads and the 30-second TV spots at http://www.usvimarketing.com/. The ads will target a range of market segments including: Bridal and Romance, African American, Dive, Culture & Heritage, Sailing & Yachting and Meetings & Incentives.

“The concept of offering travelers an unscripted vacation experience was conceived through research that revealed our potential visitors seek the freedom to indulge in a personalized vacation experience," said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty.

 Sense of humor - and sign - missing in Coral Bay tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011571052206970c 2009-07-12T17:40:44-04:00 2009-07-12T18:47:41-04:00 Somebody in Coral Bay can’t take a joke. Or doesn't smile. The Deputy Inquiring Iguana on East End reports that the Coral Bay Triangle is once again un-marred and un-besmirched by any signage. Not even the one (at the right) tweaking the Moravian Church (the property owner) or its agent for removing the colorful, entertaining and (even!) helpful signs which used to give direction to various restaurants, bars, beaches and activities. But, nooooooo! Someone said no. And now we understand from the end of the island, the Triangle is barren. And dull. Frank Barnako

PleaseGod Somebody in Coral Bay can’t take a joke.  Or doesn't smile.

The Deputy Inquiring Iguana on East End reports that the Coral Bay Triangle is once again un-marred and un-besmirched by any signage.  Not even the one (at the right) tweaking the Moravian Church (the property owner) or its agent for removing the colorful, entertaining and (even!) helpful signs which used to give direction to various restaurants, bars, beaches and activities.

But, nooooooo!  Someone said no. 

And now we understand from the end of the island, the Triangle is barren.

And dull.

 A prayer in Coral Bay tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011571ebfb04970b 2009-07-10T08:57:37-04:00 2009-07-10T08:58:39-04:00 Midst the sadness about the removal of a funky collection of local business’ signs on land owned by the Moravian Church on land at the Coral Bay Triangle, a new sign’s appeared. It reads, “Dear God. Please bring back the signs. Amen." (Photo courtesy of a friend who lives on the far East End.) Earlier story: Well, the familiar, entertaining, sometimes illegible, hodgepodge of signs at the Coral bay Triangle has been removed. Skinny's this way, Salt Pond that way, the Trail Rides there, K2 Video to the left ... they’re gone. It used to look like this. Photo by CptnKirk on the Virgin Islands On-Line forum where, of course, lots of people have some thoughts about how wise it is to make things in Coral Bay uniform. Full story is here: http://barnako.typepad.com/news_of_st_john_usvi/coral_bay/ Frank Barnako

Cb_sign Midst the sadness about the removal of a funky collection of local business’ signs on land owned by the Moravian Church on land at the Coral Bay Triangle, a new sign’s appeared. It reads, “Dear God. Please bring back the signs. Amen."   (Photo courtesy of a friend who lives on the far East End.)

Earlier story:

Well, the familiar, entertaining, sometimes illegible, hodgepodge of signs at the Coral bay Triangle has been removed.  Skinny's this way, Salt Pond that way, the Trail Rides there, K2 Video to the left ... they’re gone.  It used to look like this. Photo by CptnKirk on the Virgin Islands On-Line forum where, of course, lots of people have some thoughts about how wise it is to make things in Coral Bay uniform. Full story is here: http://barnako.typepad.com/news_of_st_john_usvi/coral_bay/

 Pine Peace tops in food price survey tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011571e59dc8970b 2009-07-09T09:32:00-04:00 2009-07-09T09:32:00-04:00 The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs said Pine Peace Market, at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder, was the low price leader in its June Market Basket survey. The prices of 28 items were compared at three markets and Pine Peace’s total was $60.86. Starfish’s was $66.54 and Dolphin Market’s $69.33, according to a report by the St. John Source. Read it here. Frank Barnako

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs said Pine Peace Market, at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder, was the low price leader in its June Market Basket survey. 

The prices of 28 items were compared at three markets and Pine Peace’s total was $60.86. Starfish’s was $66.54 and Dolphin Market’s $69.33, according to a report by the St. John Source.  Read it here.

Dude looking for free St. John housing tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011570e85ecd970c 2009-07-09T06:25:00-04:00 2009-07-10T08:48:28-04:00 A guy is advertising on CraigsList. He wants to retire to St. John and live free. Retired Dude says, “I am looking for short term or long term house sitting duties in exchange for rent.” Then of course, realistically adds, “Who wouldn't????” Here’s a link. Good luck, Dude. Gerald Singer’s St. John Life reports Dolphin Market will discount your grocery bill 10% on purchases of $25 or more. It used to kick in above $50. And, Singer says, there’s a 25% price discount on weekends. Frank Barnako
  • A guy is advertising on CraigsList. He wants to retire to St. John and live free. Retired Dude says, “I am looking for short term or long term house sitting duties in exchange for rent.” Then of course, realistically adds, “Who wouldn't????” Here’s a link. Good luck, Dude.

  • Gerald Singer’s St. John Life reports Dolphin Market will discount your grocery bill 10% on purchases of $25 or more. It used to kick in above $50. And, Singer says, there’s a 25% price discount on weekends.

 How you can save Maho Bay tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451b9d969e2011571d47ba5970b 2009-07-08T08:27:08-04:00 2009-07-08T08:27:08-04:00 The Trust for Public Land is asking for donations to help acquire the Maho Bay Camps real estate. While the Trust has been in negotiations with owners of the land who lease it to the Camps, the Trust doesn’t yet have all the funds that will be needed. The land is already on the market. Stanley Selengut, the genius/entrepreneur/good green guy who created the Camps has told Conde Nast Traveler that when the lease expires in 2012, “One of three things will happen: A developer will subdivide his Shangri-la, or a luxury hotel chain will drop anchor there, or a deus ex machina—a land trust or an Oprah—will step forward with cash in hand to buy and then donate the land to the national park.” The Trust for Public Land hopes the third option will occur. John Garrison, the local field office director for TPL, said the fund he wants to create will be used for land appraisals as well a purchase. He told the Virgin Islands Daily News, “There’s no guarantees, but we’ll give it our best shot.” To contribute, send checks to TPL’s Maho Bay Campaign, 116 Montgomery St., 4th floor, San Francisco, Ca. 94105. Frank Barnako
Maho
The Trust for Public Land is asking for donations to help acquire the Maho Bay Camps real estate.  While the Trust has been in negotiations with owners of the land who lease it to the Camps, the Trust doesn’t yet have all the funds that will  be needed. The land is already on the market.

Stanley Selengut, the genius/entrepreneur/good green guy who created the Camps has told Conde Nast Traveler that when the lease expires in 2012, “One of three things will happen: A developer will subdivide his Shangri-la, or a luxury hotel chain will drop anchor there, or a deus ex machina—a land trust or an Oprah—will step forward with cash in hand to buy and then donate the land to the national park.”

The Trust for Public Land hopes the third option will occur.  John Garrison, the local field office director for TPL, said the fund he wants to create will be used for land appraisals as well a purchase.  He told the Virgin Islands Daily News, “There’s no guarantees, but we’ll give it our best shot.”

To contribute, send checks to TPL’s Maho Bay Campaign, 116 Montgomery St., 4th floor, San Francisco, Ca. 94105.