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MTV’s raunchy, sexy reality show, The Real World, will be filmed entirely in the Virgin Islands. St 27th season, titled The Real World: St. Thomas, will be based on Hassell Island and filmed mostly on St. Thomas, but segments shot on St. Croix, St. John and Water Island will also be included. The show is scheduled to premier this summer.
Former Paiewonsky Residence
The theme of the show are the recorded activities and interpersonal relationships of seven strangers who will live together in a house for several months.
In this season’s The Real World: St. Thomas, the house chosen is rumored to be the former Paiewonsky residence on Hassel Island now owned by St. Thomas businessman, Ricardo Charaf.
according to co-creator and executive producer, Jon Murray, St. Thomas would be a “perfect environment for this year’s seven strangers to get to know each other and figure out their lives…”
St. Thomas Commissioner of Tourism, Beverly Nicholson-Doty was happy with the producer’s decision to choose the US Virgin Islands as the venue for the Real World’s upcoming season and issued the statement that: “As a U.S. Territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands is an excellent choice for Season 27 of The Real World. The roommates, and MTV’s viewers, get to experience the splendor of the Caribbean lifestyle, while MTV’s production expenditure is reinvested into U.S. economy…. Viewers of the show will get an opportunity not only to see the roommates settle into their new lives on St. Thomas, but also to follow their cultural experiences across the other islands that comprise the USVI – St. Croix, St. John and ‘the fourth Virgin’ – Water Island.”
St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Friday, March 2
Aqua Bistro – Mark Wallace & Rich Greengold – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336 Beach Bar – The Gomorrans, Social Aid & Pleasure Club – 9:00 – 777-4220 Castaways – Mikey P – 9:00 – 777-3316 Driftwood Dave’s – John W Lee – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015 Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354 Morgan’s Mango – Lauren – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – T-Bird – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304 Shipwreck Landing – Woody Lissauer – 6:00 – 9:30
The second event is the Beach to Beach Power Swim on St. John with three catagories, the one-mile swim between Maho and Cinnamon Bays, the 2.25-mile swim from Maho to Trunk and the 3.5-mile swim between Maho and Hawksnest Bays.
The third event will be the Race For The Conch Eco-SeaSwim, which will include a 1- mile and a 2.4-mile swim and be held on on 7 July 2012 in the Turks & Caicos.
Finally, there will be the Maracas Bay Open Water Classic, in Trinidad with three categories, a 750-meter, a 2.65-kilometer and a five kilometer race.
St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Thursday, March 1
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 Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354 Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00- 693-3304 Skinny Legs – Lauren – 6:00 – 779-4982
Friends of the National Park Needs Construction Volunteers
St. John Source
By Lynda Lohr — February 23, 2012
Help wanted. The Friends of V.I. National Park needs volunteers to help with building an extension on the park’s Francis Bay accessible trail. Work starts at 8 a.m. Monday and is expected to last up to about six days.
Friends President Joe Kessler is calling “as many as would like to come out.” Volunteers should meet in the Francis Bay parking lot adjacent to the beach…. read more
St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Friday, February 24
Aqua Bistro – Mark Wallace & Rich Greengold- 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336
Beach Bar – The ISH with John Magne & the Subdudes – 9:00 – 777-4220 Castaways – Mikey P – 9:00 – 777-3316 Driftwood Dave’s – John W Lee – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015 Island Blues – Long Lost Friend – 8:00 – 11:00 – 776-6800 Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354 Morgan’s Mango- Lauren – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – T-Bird – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Woody Lissauer – 6:00 – 9:30
I once wrote, “I hate wild tamarind. They’re ugly, untidy and unruly. They spread rampantly and take over the place. They’re prejudiced and intolerant. They grow close together and won’t let any other plants live in their neighborhood. They’re resilient and tenacious. Their sturdy taproot goes straight down into the earth and holds on tight. They can withstand drought, flood and even come back after a fire. There are no insects, predators or diseases that can do them any significant harm. They’re hard to get rid of. If you cut them down, they’ll grow right back. If you try and pull out the small one, you’d better have a lot of time and a lot of patience. If you try and dig out the big ones, you’d better have a good hoe-pick and a strong back.” Read whole article
Landscapers and gardeners on St. John often fight prolonged battles against this exotic pest. Small plants can be pulled out or destroyed using relatively innocuous herbicides, but once the tree becomes large it presents more of a problem, emitting thousands of seeds every time they bloom. Cutting them down with a machete just makes the resultant plant stronger by increasing the root dimensions and spreading out the tree into multiple trunks. Some people suggest spreading diesel oil on the newly cut stump. This is an effective way to kill the plant one time, but has extremely negative environmental consequences. To remove them root and all seems like the best solution, but the prevailing opinion is that “it ain’t easy!” But Curtney Chinnery, aka “the Ghost From Jost” has a method as demonstrated in the following video:
St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Friday, February 17
Aqua Bistro – Mark Wallace & Rich Greengold – 5:30 – 8:30- 776-5336
Beach Bar – Locals on the 8s – 9:00 – 777-4220 Castaways – Mikey P – 9:00 -777-3316 Driftwood Dave’s – John W Lee – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
Island Blues – Slammin – 8:00 – 11:00 – 776-6800 Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354 Morgan’s Mango – Lauren – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – T-Bird – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304 Shipwreck Landing – Woody Lissauer – 6:00 – 9:30
The afternoon line up to pass through customs inspection at the Cyril E King Airport on St. Thomas has been longer than I have ever seen it.
The line shown in the above photo began at the baggage claim area and extended to the doorway that leads to the customs area. From there it passes through the alcove where you normally fill out your customs forms and then leads into the actual customs area. Here there is a maze of four long lines defined by roped off paths, which extend the length of the room. You walk down the first line, switch back to the next, down that line switch back and so on until you are finally called to one of the customs desks and are cleared to enter the TSA area.
You’re not finished. There’s still the agricultural inspection, which is fast and easy and the security scan lines, which may not be that fast and easy.
All in all, I would say that the customs, agriculture and security people are fast and efficient, however, there’s no way that you’re going to breeze through all in no time at all.
The message here: Give yourself plenty of time before your flight out of St. Thomas, especially in the afternoon.
St. John Music Schedule Thursday 1/19
Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055 Beach Bar – Don Dilego Band – 9:00 – 777-4220 Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316 Driftwood Dave’s – Jante Samuel’s Caribbean Band – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015 High Tide – Inner Vision – 8:00-11:00 – 714-6169 Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304 Skinny Legs – Lauren – 6:00 – 779-4982
St. John Spring
I’m seeing the signs of the beginning of springtime on St. John. The leaves have dropped off the big Mampoo tree and new light green buds have popped up on every branch. In the morning there is a quite discernible buzzing from all the bees attracted to the pollen rich buds. The aloes are in full flower with their share of bees, but I haven’t noticed many hummingbirds this year. The mango tree has baby mangoes, the papaya tree has baby papayas, the banana plant has baby bananas and a beautiful white orchid opened up deep in the bush.
aloes in flower
baby papayas
orchids
baby mango
St. John Music Schedule Friday March 11
Aqua Bistro – Mark Wallace – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336 Beach Bar – Revisions – 9:00 – 777-4220 High Tide – John Lee – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169 Island Blues – Big Rick Open Mic – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800 Morgan’s Mango – Lauren, 6:30 – 9:30, 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Luba – 6:00 – 9:00, 693 3304 Skinny Legs – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:00 – 779-4982 Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802
A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.
Tyre Palm Boom-Making Demonstration
Thursday March 17th (St. Patty’s Day) 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
In Front of the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park Store, Mongoose Junction Cruz Bay
Presented by: Master West Indian culture-bearer, Justin Todman of St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
Sponsored by: Friends of VI National Park.
Mr. Justin’s crafts will be available, on limited basis, at the Friends of VI National Park Store. Additionally, he has indicated his willingness to teach those interested to learn this dying art of our West Indian
Contact: Cid Hamling at Connections for potential classes
Phone: 776-6922 or email connectionsstjohn.vi
Note: Tyre Palm brooms should be of great interest to wedding planners, and those who value our culture.
St. John Music Schedule Thursday March 10
Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Callwood – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055 Castaways – Mikey P Rocks the House – 8:00 - 777-3316 High Tide – Steven Sloan – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169 Inn at Tamarind Court – Tom Mason & the Blue Buccaneers – 8:00 – 776 6378 Island Blues – Red Carpet Rats – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800 Miss Lucy’s – Rich & Greg – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5244 Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Rascio Steel Pan – 7:00 – 9:00 – 693 3304 Skinny Legs – Loren – Guitar & Vocal – 6:00 – 779-4982 Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802
A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.
A TRIBUTE TO ANNIE LOVE:
A short 8 min film by local filmmakers
Jeremy Garza and Trent Myers
Followed by our feature presentation:
HEART OF THE SEA
by Lisa Denker, Charlotte Lagarde (57 min) 2002
HEART OF THE SEA is a portrait of Rell “Kapolioka’ ehukai” Sunn, who died in January 1998 of breast cancer at the age of 47. Known worldwide as a pioneer of women’s professional surfing, at home in Hawaii Rell achieved the stature of an icon – not only for her physical power, grace and luminous beauty, but for her leadership in a community that loved her as much as she loved it.
By the time she lost a 15 year battle with breast cancer, Rell’s legacy had grown far beyond athletic feats. HEART OF THE SEA tells her larger-than-life story.
Remember to bring your own chair & call Juliette at Sputniks (775-7373) if you would like to order one of her delicious roti.
St. John Music Schedule Wednesday March 9
Beach Bar – The Diviners – 4:00 – 8:00, 777-4220 Castaways – Steven Sloan – 7:00, 777-3316 Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 5:30 -7:00 – 776-6944 High Tide – Chris Carsel – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169 Island Blues – Big Rick – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800 Larry’s Landing – James Jams – 10:00 – 693-8802 Shipwreck – Tom Mason & the Blues Buccaneers – 8:00 – 10:00 – 693-5640 Sun Dog Cafe – Open Mic with Mark Wallace – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 8340 Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – David Laabs – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802
A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.
Aqua Bistro – Mark Wallace – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336 Beach Bar – Spiritual Rez - 9:00 – 777-4220 High Tide – John Lee – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169 Morgan’s Mango – Lauren – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Luba – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693 3304 Skinnylegs – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:00 – 779-4982 Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802
A word of caution to my visitors: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.
HEART OF THE SEA is a portrait of Rell “Kapolioka’ ehukai” Sunn, who died in January 1998 of breast cancer at the age of 47. Known worldwide as a pioneer of women’s professional surfing, at home in Hawaii Rell achieved the stature of an icon – not only for her physical power, grace and luminous beauty, but for her leadership in a community that loved her as much as she loved it.
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