St. Thomas Market Place 1941 by Jack Delano

Virgin Islands News

Virgin Islands Need Visa Waivers, More Flights and Heritage Areas
By Source Staff — May 8, 2013

Visa waivers, a national heritage area and more flights are all vital to the territory’s tourism industry, Delegate Donna M. Christensen and V.I. Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty told the U.S. Congress’s Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.

Christensen asked the first panel of testifiers, which included U.S. Travel Association President Roger Dow and Marriott International Vice President Kathleen Matthews, about the importance of the visa waiver program and the national heritage area program for the growth of V.I. tourism. Christensen has proposed both of these measures.

Dow said Tuesday that Christensen’s proposal to extend travel and health visas to CARICOM countries should be included because they are “low risk countries.”…. read more

Rainy Thursday

Partly cloudy with thunderstorms and rain showers
High of 84F with a heat index of 91 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the East at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph shifting to the West in the afternoon
Chance of rain 60% with rainfall amounts near 0.3 in. possible
New Moon
Sunset: 6:43 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule

Banana Deck
Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels
6:00 – 9:00
693-5055

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Erin Hart
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Becka Darling and Hot Tunes
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
James
9:00
777-3316

Miss Lucy’s
Jazz with Rich and Greg
6:00 – 9:00

Morgan’s Mango
Mark Wallace
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Skinny Legs
Lauren Jones Magnie
6:00
779 4982

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

St. Thomas Waterfront 1941 by Jack Delano

Virgin Islands News

Air Visits Up, Cruise Passenger Visits Down
By Source Staff — May 8, 2013

The territory saw a small increase in air visitors and a larger decrease in cruise passenger arrivals in November 2012, the most recent month with figures available, as compared to November 2011, according to the latest tourism data released by the V.I. Bureau of Economic Research.

The number of air visitors, which tend to spend much more in the territory than cruise passengers, was 54,258 this past November, a 2.9 percent increase from 52,714 in November 2011. Cruise passenger arrivals, on the other hand, fell 8.8 percent to 195,979 from 214,985 the same month a year ago.

All told, the territory received 250,237 visitors in November, which is a 6.5 percent decrease from a year ago.

For 2012 from January through November, a total of 2,339,590 visitors arrived in the territory, a small decline from the 2,376,163 recorded during the same 11-month period in 2011. Year-to-date air arrivals grew a strong 9.9 percent to 667,874 from 607,986 last year. Cruise passenger arrivals declined by 5.5 percent from the corresponding period – 1,676,716 versus 1,768,177, according to BER.

There were 571 cruise ship calls during this period or 6.1 percent fewer calls than in 2011.

While air visitor numbers increased, hotel occupancy went down in 2012. Hotels averaged 47.6 percent occupancy for the first 11 months of 2012, versus 51.1 percent the year prior. Occupied room nights were 792,132 compared to 831,485 in 2011.

There were 627,710 registered hotel guests during this 11-month period…. read more

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with thunderstorms and rain showers, then rain showers in the afternoon
High of 86 degrees F
Breezy
Winds from the West at 15 to 20 mph shifting to the East in the afternoon
Chance of rain 50%
Sunset: 6:43 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule

Aqua Bistro
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 8:00
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Gann Brewer
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
Flip Flop Rock
8:00
777-3316

Coconut Coast
St. John Flutes
5:30 -7:00
776-6944

Cruz Bay Prime
Sambacombo
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

High Tide
Lemuel Callwood Steel Pan
4:00 – 6:00
714-6169

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Shipwreck Landing
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:30

Sun Dog Cafe
Wednesday Night Jam
With Dan Silber
7:30-10:30
244-9713

See Weekly Schedule

Land Crab Cardisoma guanhumi

(I found this character in my pump room, not its usual habitat. Surprised me!)

Land Crabs
Hunting land crabs for food is a part of St. John culture and probably has been so since the first human beings came here about 3,000 years ago. The primary use of the land crab is to provide the essential ingredient for the tasty West Indian dish known simply as crab and rice.

The large crabs called land crabs by Virgin Islanders, Cardisoma guanhumi by biologists, pond crabs by British Virgin Islanders and jueyes by Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, are the grayish-colored crabs that live in the network of holes found in low-lying areas near mangrove swamps, salt ponds, wetlands and marshes. They are rather large, growing to about four or five inches in diameter not including their formidable claws. During the day you may see them standing just outside a hole into which they will quickly descend as soon as they notice your approach.

Land crabs live inside these holes or burrows, which go down on an angle and lead to a larger living area, where the crab stores food for winter dry spell. Parts of the burrow go down to the water table and there will ultimately be one or more alternate openings to the surface. The crabs only venture away from their holes at night or when it’s raining in order to search for food. They eat just about anything they can find including their own young, dead things, garbage and worse. They are not effective predators, however, and as such their diet is usually limited to plants they find near their burrows…. read more

St. John Events

Tonight
St. John Film Society Presents:
Spotlight on Cuba
St. John School of the Arts

From the Traveling Caribbean Showcase of Films: 7:30 PM
“Old House”
by Lester Hamlet

Esteban’s return to Cuba to visit his dying father reveals truths and valuable life lessons for his entire family.

Preceded by the short animated film:

Cuban Missile Crisis
by Luciano

St. John and Virgin Island News

Kean Students Star at Art Show
By Lynda Lohr — May 6, 2013

When Bajo El Sol art gallery at Mongoose Junction on St. John holds its next art reception on Friday, works by close to 20 Ivanna Eudora Kean High School art students will join those of St. John artists Karen Samuel and Bill Stelzer in the gallery.

“It’s where the students can experience what it’s like to have their art work exhibited with and among professional artists,” Kean art teacher and professional artist Lisa Etre said.

She said she expects most of the students, who hail from St. Thomas and St. John, to show up for the reception from 5 to 8 p.m. This will give those who attend the traditional art reception – with light beverages, appetizers and classical guitar music by David Laabs – a chance to chat with the artists…. read more

Prosser Wines Fetch Just Pennies On the Dollar
By Bill Kossler — May 6, 2013

Bankrupt former Vitelco owner Jeffrey Prosser’s St. Croix wine collection netted $15,739 at auction last month, roughly three percent of its estimated $491,000 value when first inventoried for Prosser’s bankruptcy.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court attributed the near-total loss to Prosser’s contempt for court orders.

Prosser purchased millions of dollars of wine with company money while owner of Innovative and Vitelco. He purchased $6 million in wine with one credit card, from one wholesaler, from 1999 to 2006, putting it on a company credit card in his name that was then paid off by New ICC – and ultimately by Vitelco and Innovative Cable TV ratepayers.

The wines sold last month were from Prosser’s Estate Shoys residence. A court ordered inventory in 2008 found 980 bottles with an estimated worth of about $491,000. In 2011, a second inventory found 453 bottles worth $139,000 missing. A wine expert tested six bottles of the must durable wines among the remaining 527 bottles and “testified that none of the wines located at the Shoys Estate were marketable or had any sale value,” according to the bankruptcy court’s opinion sanctioning Prosser for misconduct.

The wine was sold at auction April 6, fetching gross proceeds of $22,709. About $2,065 of that wen to pay the auctioneer’s feee and another $4,905 in expenses were subtracted from that total, leaving net proceeds to the bankruptcy estate of $15,739. The single largest expense was $1,607 for advertising the auction in the V.I. Daily News, followed by $1,597 for hotels and meals for the auctioneers, and $1,166 for airfare…. read more

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with rain showers, then thunderstorms and rain showers in the afternoon
High of 86 degrees F with a heat index of 91 degrees F
Winds from the SE at 10 to 15 mph
Chance of rain 30%
Sunset: 6:42 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Steven Sloan
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Whistler and Wallace and Lockette
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Karaoke Night
9:00
777-3316

Driftwood David’s
Benn Marr
5:30 – 8:30
777-4015

High Tide
Chris Carsel
6:00 – 9:00
714-6169

Island Blues
Karaoke & Open Mic
7:00
776-6800

La Tapa
Greg Kinslow
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Morgan’s Mango
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:30
693-3304

Shipwreck Landing
Dave Gerard
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
T-Bird
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

Caneel Bay Sunday

St. John Events

Tomorrow Tuesday 05/07
St. John Film Society Presents:
Spotlight on Cuba
St. John School of the Arts

From the Traveling Caribbean Showcase of Films: 7:30 PM
“Old House”
by Lester Hamlet

Esteban’s return to Cuba to visit his dying father reveals truths and valuable life lessons for his entire family.

Preceded by the short animated film:

Cuban Missile Crisis
by Luciano

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with thunderstorms and rain showers
High of 86 degrees F
Winds from the SE at 5 to 10 mph
Chance of rain 50%
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas) 90 degrees F
Sunset: 6:42

St. John Live Music Schedule

Aqua Bistro
Matt Mitruk
5:30 – 8:30
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
T-Bird
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Whistler and Wallace and Lockette
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Trivia Night
8:00
777-3316

Concordia
Open Mic with Ben Marr
3:30 – 5:30

Island Blues
Live Local Reggae – Bongin
4:30 – 7:30
776-6800

La Tapa
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Maho Bay Camp
Bo & Lauren
8:00

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

See Weekly Schedule

Sunset at Frank Bay

St. John & Virgin Islands News

V.I. Jockeys Debuting at Kentucky Derby on Saturday
By Josh Abner — May 3, 2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Growing up in La Vallee, St. Croix, Kevin Krigger wanted to ride horses so badly that he practiced as a child on his family’s sofa.

“When horses were on the TV, he’d sit and ride his mother’s couch like he was on a horse,” said Albert Krigger, Kevin’s father.

The 29-year-old has come a long way from the couch. Kevin Krigger will be one of the first two jockeys from the U.S. Virgin Islands to ride in the world famous Kentucky Derby; the other history making jockey, Victor Lebron, was Krigger’s classmate at Central High School and will also ride in the race. Lebron is also from St. Croix…. Read more

 Street Addressing Program Moves to St. John
By Source Staff — May 3, 2013

Field crews working on the territory’s street addressing system started work Thursday in Enighed and Contant near Cruz Bay, according to a press release from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.

St. John is the second of the three selected pilot areas for the territory’s Street Addressing Initiative, which establishes a logical addressing system for the territory’s roads…. read more

St. John Weather

Overcast with rain showers, then thunderstorms and rain showers in the afternoon
High of 86 degrees F
Winds from the SSW at 5 to 15 mph
Chance of rain 20%
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas) 89.1 degree F
Sunset: 6:41 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule

Beach Bar
Sex Machine Gun
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Van Gordon Martin
777-3316

Cruz Bay Prime
Mike Wallace
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

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

Skinny Legs
Hot Club of Coral Bay
6:00
779 4982

See Weekly Schedule

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

Parrotfish graze the coral reef during the day, Using their unique parrot-like teeth, they scrape calcareous alge off the rocks and other substrate accomplishing two very important things. First, the removal of the algae give corals the chance to grow on the cleaned substrate creating new coral reef and secondly the rock-like algae passes through the parrotfish’s digestive system and is excreted as sand. One parrotfish can produce 90 kilograms (200 lb) of sand each year.

St. John News

Kenny Chesney To Donate Part of New Album Sales to Park Friends
By Lynda Lohr — April 29, 2013

Country singer Kenny Chesney, who reportedly owns a house on St. John, will donate an unknown percentage of the sales from his new album, “Life on a Rock,” to Friends of V.I. National Park, Friends President Joe Kessler confirmed Monday…. read more

Ranks of V.I. Uninsured Swell to Almost 1 in 3
By Source Staff — April 29, 2013

The percentage of U.S. Virgin Islanders without health insurance is nearly 30 percent and rising, according to a just-completed draft market analysis of the territory’s private insurance market. Gov. John deJongh Jr.’s health reform task force discussed the analysis at its April meeting.

The task force contracted Value Advisory Group to analyze the local insurance market to help it determine how to implement the federal Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, and if the territory should set up a health insurance exchange, or instead take more Medicaid funding…. Read more

St. John Weather

Overcast with rain showers
High of 84 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the ENE at 15 to 20 mph
Chance of rain 20%
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas): 86 degrees F
Sunset: 6:40 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Steven Sloan
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Gann Brewer
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Karaoke Night
9:00
777-3316

Driftwood David’s
Benn Marr
5:30 – 8:30
777-4015

High Tide
Chris Carsel
6:00 – 9:00
714-6169

Island Blues
Karaoke & Open Mic
7:00
776-6800

La Tapa
Greg Kinslow
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Morgan’s Mango
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:30
693-3304

Shipwreck Landing
Dave Gerard
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
T-Bird
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

St. John Sea Salt from Salt Pond Bay

How Does the Salt Get There?
Saltwater enters the pond from the sea by seepage at high tides and by waves breaking over the surface during storms. Salt Pond is one of the only places on St. John that is below sea level. This condition prevents significant amounts of pond water from flowing back out to sea. Constant, intense sunlight and ever-present trade winds encourage an exceptionally high rate of evaporation. When rain is scarce, the water becomes extremely salty. Water can only hold a certain amount of salt in solution and when the salinity of the pond reaches that point, the salt crystallizes.

As the water level continues to drop, and more and more water is evaporated, a layer of salt is left along the edges of the pond. The longer the dry period, the higher the temperature, and the stronger the winds, the more this salt layer will extend towards the center of the pond and the thicker the layer becomes.

You can collect salt during these times by scooping up the salt with your hands, if it is still wet and soft. If the salt layer is dry and hard, use a knife or other sharp tool. (If you’ve forgotten to bring a container, just walk over to nearby Drunk Bay where there is a great deal of flotsam, and you’ll probably find something you can use.)

After the salt is collected, drain off as much water as possible and put it in the sun to dry further. You may be left with fine powdery salt, which you can enjoy on your food immediately or, if the dried crystals are large, you will first need to grind them up or pound them out.

The salt obtained from salt ponds is particularly tasty and healthy, containing all the minerals that are present in the sea, which include all those essential to the human body. So during the next dry spell, take the trail to St. John’s best salt pond for collecting salt and bring some back home.

Virgin Islands News

UVI Hospitality Program Teaches Locals to ‘Leave ‘Em Smiling’
By Molly Morris — April 28, 2013

“Always leave them with a smile, that’s what makes them want to come back,” said Tamara Lang, director of the University of the Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Management program, whose goal is exactly that…. Read more

St. John Weather

High Surf Advisory!
Partly cloudy with rain showers
High of 84 degrees F
Winds from the ENE at 10 to 15 mph
Chance of rain 30%
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas): 86 degrees F
Sunset: 6:39 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule

Aqua Bistro
Lauren Jones
3:30 – 6:30
776-5336

Beach Bar
Barefoot Davis
5:00
777-4220

Concordia
Bo
Sunday Brunch 10:00 am

Cruz Bay Prime
Mark Wallace
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

High Tide
Lemuel Callwood Steel Pan
4:00 – 6:00
714-6169

Island Blues
Van Gordon Martin
776 – 6800

Miss Lucy’s
Sambacombo
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
693-5254

Ocean Grill
David Laab
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
T-Bird
7:00 – 10:00

Shipwreck Landing
Hot Club
7:00 – 10:00

Sun Dog Cafe
David Laab
11:00 am- 2:00 pm
244-9713

See Weekly Schedule

Full Moon Hike to Ram Head

This afternoon will be a great time to experience the spectacular view from Ram Head Point at Sunset. The sun will set in the west at 6:38 and the moon will rise shortly afterward at 6:43 PM. The moon should give plenty of light for the hike back, but nonetheless, be sure and bring a flashlight to safely negotiate tricky parts of the hike.

Another option for early birds would be the sunrise Ram Head hike. The moon will set in the west at 5:34 AM and the sun will rise at 5:55 AM tomorrow morning

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with rain showers
High of 84 degrees F
Winds from the ENE at 10 to 15 mph
Chance of rain 30%
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas): 86 degrees F
Sunset: 6:38 PM AST
Full Moon Rise: 6:43 PM AST

Virgin Islands News

Multiple Shootings Stop St. Thomas J’ouvert
By James Gardner and Bill Kossler — April 25, 2013

At least three people were shot during J’ouvert, shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, as the procession moved by the ferry mooring on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront. The parade was halted at 9:05 a.m., the V.I. Police Department has confirmed.

No fatalities have been reported at present. The investigation is in its preliminary stages and little more can be confirmed at this time, according to police officials.

“Police are pursuing all leads in this case and it is an active investigation,” V.I. Police Department Public Information Officer Melody Rames said at 9:45 a.m…. read more

Governor: Violence Could Curtail Carnival
By Source staff — April 24, 2013

Continued outbreaks of violence could impact and even curtail Carnival last lap events, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Police Commissioner-designate Rodney F. Querrard warned Wednesday.

Querrard briefed deJongh on a number of shootings and other incidents that have been reported on St. Thomas within the last several days, including the shooting early Tuesday morning of a 16-year-old who had been celebrating Carnival and was shot in the thigh near the entrance to Fort Christian east of Emancipation Garden.

St. John Live Music Schedule

Banana Deck
Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels
6:00 – 9:00
693-5055

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Erin Hart
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
savitri
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
James
9:00
777-3316

Miss Lucy’s
Jazz with Rich and Greg
6:00 – 9:00

Morgan’s Mango
Mark Wallace
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Skinny Legs
Lauren Jones Magnie
6:00
779 4982

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

A cruise ship sailing east along the south shore of St. John in the early morning

St. John News

Fire Guts Café Roma, Barely Touches Joe’s Diner
By Lynda Lohr — April 21, 2013

A fire Sunday gutted Café Roma restaurant, located on the second floor of a masonry building on Veste Gade in Cruz Bay, but Deputy Fire Chief Marx Costanzo said Joe’s Diner on the building’s ground floor got off with only a puddle.

The fire was centered between the restaurant’s dropped ceiling and the roof, Costanzo said. The roof and ceiling were made of wood.

“We don’t know how it started. It’s under investigation,” he said.

The fire didn’t spread to any adjacent buildings in the crowded downtown area. No one was hurt, Costanzo added…. read more

St. John Weather

Mostly cloudy with rain showers in the morning, then clear with rain showers
High of 84 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the ENE at 15 to 20 mph
Chance of rain 20%
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas): 84.9 degrees F
Sunset: 6:38 PM AST

St. John Live Music

Aqua Bistro
Matt Mitruk
5:30 – 8:30
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
T-Bird
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Reggae Express
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Trivia Night
8:00
777-3316

Concordia
Open Mic with Ben Marr
3:30 – 5:30

Island Blues
Live Local Reggae – Bongin
4:30 – 7:30
776-6800

La Tapa
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Maho Bay Camp
Bo & Lauren
8:00

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

See Weekly Schedule

St. John Events

Reef Fest
Saturday, April 20th will be a fee-free day at Trunk Bay from 12 to 5 pm with various exhibits and interactive activities all centered around reef preservation and conservation.  There will be a free shuttle service from the Friends Store in Cruz Bay.  Call 779-4940 for more details

St. John & Virgin Islands News

Free Admission Next Week at National Parks
By Lynda Lohr — April 19, 2013

April 22 to 26 is National Parks Week and to celebrate, admission to V.I. National Park’s Trunk Bay on St. John and Christiansted National Historic Site on St. Croix are free for the entire five days…. read more

St. John Celebrates Earth Day
By Lynda Lohr — April 19, 2013

Adelaide Jones, a 9-year-old Gifft Hill School student taking in the sights at Friday’s Earth Day celebration, summed it up when she noted that it’s important to protect the earth because it’s where we live.

“It’s our only one,” she said.

Jones and about 500 other students from across St. John were at the V.I. National Park ballfield for the annual event sponsored by the Friends of the Park group…. Read more

St. John Weather

Overcast with thunderstorms and rain showers, then rain showers in the afternoon
High of 84 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the ENE at 20 to 25 mph
Chance of rain 20%
Sunset: 6:37 PM AST
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas): 87.1 degrees F

St. John Live Music Schedule

Beach Bar
Jared and Brie from the ISH
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Van Gordon Martin
777-3316

Cruz Bay Prime
Mike Wallace
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

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

Skinny Legs
Hot Club of Coral Bay
6:00
779 4982

See weekly schedule