Denis Bay

St. John Weather

High Surf Advisory beginning at 3:00 pm
High Temperature: 85 degrees
Water Temperature: 82 degrees
Sunset: 6:32 pm
Winds: ENE gusting to 25 mph
Forecast: Periods of Rain

St. John Live Music Schedule Thursday March 29

Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Just Mike – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Inner Vision – 8:00-11:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – Ike – 7:00 – 10:00- 776-6800
Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Slammin  -7:00 – 10:00
Skinny Legs – Lauren – 6:00 – 9:00 – 779-4982

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Mayan Sun Circle on the Francis Bay Trail
Volunteers working for the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park have extended the handicap access boardwalk that runs along the Francis Bay Pond, parallel to the beach, all the way from the road to the point on the trail by the big tamarind tree where the trail turns and leads up the hill to another viewing area and the remains of an old residence. At the end of the boardwalk, shaded by the old tamarind trees, there is now a really cool Mayan Sun Circle apparently made out of leftover lumber from the project.

Earthquake Felt on St. John
A relatively weak earthquake felt at 6:54 am with a 3.4 magnitude was close enough to St. John (the epicenter was only 23 miles away from the island) that you could feel the shake, which lasted just a few moments.

St. John Weather
The sky is still dusty due to the presence of dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa and volcanic ash from Montserrat in the Lesser Antilles
High Temperature: 85 degrees
Water temperature: 82 degrees
Sunset: 6:32 pm

St. John Live Music Schedule Wednesday March 28

Aqua Bistro – Rascio on Steel Pan – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336
Castaways – Kenny Floyd – 8:00 – 777-3316
Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 776-6944
Cruz Bay Prime – Samba Combo – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 -8000
Driftwood Dave’s – Paradise People – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:00 – 714-6169
Sun Dog Cafe – Wednesday Night Jam – 7:30-10:00 – 244-9713

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Volcano and Sahara Dust Dirty the Air
By Lynda Lohr — March 26, 2012
After a few days of haze, Monday the air turned dusty and visibility decreased. The problem is a combination of the Soufriere volcano in Montserrat going off combined with Sahara dust blowing across the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist. Read more

Sahara Dust

The Sahara Desert in northern Africa covers a vast landmass almost as large as the United States. Dust Storms sometimes with winds of hurricane force can send up plumes of dust that can be carried by the prevailing winds, such as the Trade Winds, for thousands of miles. So much dust from the African desert has made it’s way to the Caribbean that almost all of the soil found in the Bahamas and the Florida Keys has African origin.

The situation has gotten worse since the 1970s due to poor farming practices in Africa, climate change and the use of four-wheel drive vehicles in the desert that breaks up the hard crust of sand normally found on the surface.

Sahara dust is believed responsible for an increase in childhood asthma in its path and the recent decline in the health of Coral Reefs in the Caribbean, which is thought to be caused by the fungus, Aspergillus, found in the dust.

Today’s Sunrise

Today’s skies look clearer tan yesterday. With winds shifting the dust conditions should abate somewhat. The dust leftover in the sky did give us a brief moment to photograph a colorful sunrise over Chocolate Hole.

American Eagle to End Puerto Rico – Virgin Islands Flights in 2013
By Lynda Lohr — March 26, 2012
It’s official. After months of rumors swirling around about the end of American Eagle’s flights between San Juan and the territory’s two airports… read more

St. John Live Music Schedule Tuesday March 27

Castaways – Karaoke Night – 9:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Michael Beason – 8:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Erin Hart – 6:00 – 9:00 0 714-6169
Island Blues – Karaoke & Open Mic – 8:00 – 11:00 – 776-6800
Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:30
Spyglass – T-Bird – 5:00 – 8:00 – 776-1100

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Yachts sail along St. John’s south coast, spinnakers flying

WAPA to Request Base Rate Increases
By Bill Kossler — March 23, 2012
Facing the possibility of technical default on tens of millions in bonds for not meeting debt-coverage ratios, the V.I. Water and Power Authority will ask for increases to both the electric and water system base rates, its governing board decided Thursday.
… For electricity customers, WAPA is asking for a base rate increase between 2.75 and 3 cents per kilowatt hour. Read full story

St. John Live Music Schedule Monday March 26

High Tide – Mikey P – 8:00 – 11:00 – 714-6169
La Tapa – Samba Combo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Maho Bay Camp – Open Mic with Lauren – 6:30
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304

See Weekly Schedule

Hibiscus

St. John Live Music Schedule Sunday March 25

Aqua Bistro- Lauren – 3:30 – 6:30 – 776-5336
Beach Bar – Inner Vision – 5:00 – 777-4220
Concordia – Bo – Sunday Brunch 10:00 am
Driftwood Dave’s – Live Music – 1:00 – 4:00 – 777-4015
Miss Lucy’s – Samba Combo – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – 693-5354
Ocean Grill – David Laab – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – T-Bird – 7:00 – 10:00
Shipwreck Landing – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 7:00 – 10:00
Sun Dog Cafe – David Laab – 11:00 am- 2:00 pm  – 244-9713
Westin Beach Bar – Rich Greengold – 6:30 – 9:30 – 244-9713

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A humpback whale photographed by Tarn Hildreth from the Wayward Sailor spotted off of Jost Van Dyke

ST. JOHN FILM – PRESS RELEASE 

Free Movie Night:  Milking the Rhino

Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 7:30 PM
St. John School of the Arts
Cruz Bay, St. John

St. John Film is proud to present another award winning ‘On Screen / In Person*’ film, the thought provoking 85 minute documentary Milking the Rhino, directed by David E. Simpson who will be at the screening.

Examining Africa’s deepening conflict between humans and animals in an ever-shrinking world, Milking the Rhino is the first major documentary to explore wildlife conservation from the perspective of the people who live with the wild animals. Shot in some of the world’s most magnificent locales, the film offers complex, intimate portraits of rural Africans at the forefront of community-based conservation: a revolution that is turning poachers into preservationists and local people into the stewards of their land. With memorable characters and spectacular locations, this film tells intimate, hopeful and heartbreaking stories of people from Kenya and Namibia.

The film captures the struggle of ecology vs. economics when rural Africans set aside traditional ways of grazing their cattle and killing animals to create nature preserves.  The now successful restoration of rhino, lion and elephant populations has prompted visionary local natives to establish comfortable, upscale eco-lodges that bring tourists and foster a new local business: tourism.  As one lodge host contends “we never used to benefit from these wild animals but now we milk them like cattle.”  None the less his neighbor disagrees: “A rhino means nothing to me! I can’t kill it for meat like a cow.”  The series of fascinating exchanges between friends and foes of the new business model illustrates the complexities of cultural change among people everywhere.

The post film discussion promises to be equally engaging with director David Simpson on hand to provide personal insights into the filming process and to lead a discussion on eco-tourism and community-based conservation; topics of great relevance to St. Johnians.

SAVE THIS DATE FOR OUR NEXT SCREENING EVENT: Tuesday May 1, 2012: Queen of the Sun.This full length feature documentary is a a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis.

All screenings take place at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay, 7:30 pm. For more information about upcoming films, St. John Film Society or to become a Film Society member visit: http://www.stjohnfilm.com.

St. John Live Music Schedule Saturday March 24

Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Spyglass – James Cobb – 5:00 – 8:00 – 776-1100
Driftwood Dave’s – Guitarist James Milne – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – Lauren – 7:00 – 10:00
Shipwreck Landing – Mike Miknut – 6:00 – 9:30
Skinny Legs – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 6:30 – 9:30 – 779-4982

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Dead Chest Island, British Virgin islands

“Fifteen Men on the Dead Man’s Chest”

Dead Chest Island lies a little less than a half mile north east of Deadman’s Bay on Peter Island in the British Virgin islands (BVI). It’s a small scrubby cay with no fresh water and no big trees for shade. Legend has it that the notorious pirate Blackbeard punished a number of his crew by marooning them on the island for 30 days leaving each man with only a cutlass and a bottle of rum. By the time Blackbeard returned to the cay, most of the pirates had perished.

When Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island, which was modeled after nearby Norman Island, he included the well known ditty:

“Fifteen Men on the dead man’s Chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.”

Dead Man’s Chest, being one of the names given to what today is called Dead Chest Island.

In 1994, the record of the surviving pirates of dead Chest island was broken by journalist, Quentin van Marle who marooned himself for 31 days on the inhospitable island. Van Marle wrote the book, Marooned, 31 Days on Dead Man’s Chest about the ordeal.

Van Marle explains: “In 1994, in conjunction with the Sunday Times, and in some sort of honour to Robert Louis Stevenson and Treasure Island, I deliberately marooned myself on the uninhabited island of Dead Man’s Chest (part of the British Virgin Islands). Surviving for a month on a barren rock of 300 square metres by 100 metres high was a tough call. The book is a weekly diary of what became quite an ordeal. I don’t think I’ll be doing that again.”

St. John Live Music Schedule Monday March 19

High Tide – Mikey P – 8:00 – 11:00 – 714-6169
La Tapa – Samba Combo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Maho Bay Camp – Open Mic with Lauren -6:30
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304

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St. John Photo of the Day

Carib Tide leaves Cruz Bay, St. John Bound for Red Hook, St. Thomas

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!

St. John Live Music Schedule Saturday March 17

 Beach Bar – St. Patrick Day Party – Groove Thang – 4:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Spyglass – James Cobb – 5:00 – 8:00 – 776-1100
Driftwood Dave’s – Guitarist James Milne – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – Lauren – 7:00 – 10:00
Shipwreck Landing – Mike Miknut – 6:00 – 9:30
Skinny Legs – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 6:30 – 9:30 – 779-4982

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Virgin Islands Photo of the Day

Diving For Lobsters

St. John Live Music Schedule Friday March 16

Aqua Bistro – Steve Sloan – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336
Beach Bar – The ISH – 9:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Mikey P – 9:00 – 777-3316
Cinnamon Bay – Eddie Bruce Drum Circle – 6:30 – 8:00
Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 -8000
Driftwood Dave’s – John W Lee – 7:00 – 10:00  – 777-4015
Inn at Tamarind Court – Groove Thang  – 6:30 – 776 6378
Morgan’s Mango – Lauren – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – T-Bird  – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – Erin Hart  – 7:00 – 10:00
Spyglass – James Cobb – 5:00 – 8:00 – 776-1100

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Virgin Islands Photo of the Day

View of Tortola From Little Harbour Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands - Photo by Ezius Ashly

Westin Hotel on St. John Makes Number 11 on RedWeek.com’s List of Top 25 Timeshare Rental Resorts.
For the fifth year running, leading timeshare marketplace RedWeek.com releases its list of Top 25 timeshare rental resorts. The Top 25 ranking is calculated using statistics from the site’s more than 1.5 million registered users. Read more…

Summer Opportunity for Virgin Islands Students
By Lynda Lohr — March 12, 2012
With a goal of developing the next generation of the territory’s leaders, the V.I. Scholars program will holds its second annual Summer Leadership Institute at Gifft Hill School on St. John. Read more…

St. John Live Music Schedule Wednesday March 14

Aqua Bistro – Rascio on Steel Pan – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336
Castaways – Kenny Floyd – 8:00 – 777-3316
Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 776-6944
Cruz Bay Prime – Samba Combo – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 -8000
Driftwood Dave’s – Paradise People – 7:00 – 10:00 -777-4015
High Tide – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:00 – 714-6169
Shipwreck Landing – Groove Thang  -7:00 – 10:00
Sun Dog Cafe – Wednesday Night Jam – 7:30-10:00 -244-9713

See Weekly Schedule