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Hannah Eckert

Get Trashed Celebrates Their 9th Birthday with Corona Sponsorship

Get Trashed Celebrates Their 9th Birthday with Corona Sponsorship 1

With its fair share of restaurants, lack of public receptacles, and a flourishing tourism industry, the streets of Cruz Bay are often littered with discarded trash. In Coral Bay, debris from the local boating and fishing industry can be seen in a tangled web along the shoreline. And while this can be discouraging, one resident decided to take action and in 2015, Erin Lieb founded Get Trashed, a volunteer group dedicated to picking up debris around the island.

By gaining popularity over the years and occasionally partnering with local nonprofits such as Island Green Living and Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, Get Trashed has made a significant impact by keeping St. John litter free.

Read moreGet Trashed Celebrates Their 9th Birthday with Corona Sponsorship

Local Musicians Catalog

Local Musicians Catalog 2

Good morning!

Are you planning a vacation to St. John soon, and you have a mental checklist of everything you need before your arrival?

What do you have so far?

  1. plane tickets (I always recommend buying these as early as possible!)
  2. accommodations – villa, airbnb, or hotel?
  3. car rental, if necessary
  4. and of course, reef safe sunscreen

Now that you have all the essentials out of the way, the fun part of planning can start. What about a unique live music experience that could come to you? Or a sunset concert on a catamaran? Going into Cruz Bay to listen to some late-night live shows is a must do, but what if you want a night in with a similar experience? With an eclectic group of talented artists on this island, ranging from blues to psychedelic rock, there is surely something for everyone that can make your vacation unforgettable.

We’ve created a local musician’s catalog (in alphabetical order) to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and to make bookings easier. This list is constantly being updated. If you are a musician local to St. John and would like to be added to the catalog, please reach out to  [email protected]

Read moreLocal Musicians Catalog

St. John Historical Society Presents their 50th Anniversary Fundraiser on Sunday, March 24th

St. John Historical Society Presents their 50th Anniversary Fundraiser on Sunday, March 24th 3

The St. John Historical Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will be hosting a 50th anniversary celebration and fundraiser to highlight Caribbean history on Sunday, March 24th at 18°64° Restaurant, located in Mongoose Junction. “Back to the Museum” Night will feature St. John artifacts, historical paintings, and an exclusive look into local families’ private collections. There will be a cash bar, silent auction, raffle, and hors d’oeuvres.

Read moreSt. John Historical Society Presents their 50th Anniversary Fundraiser on Sunday, March 24th

“Personal Legends” – A Testament to the Virgin Islands

"Personal Legends" - A Testament to the Virgin Islands 4

Good morning, and Happy 1st of March, also known down here as Virgin Islands History Month! 

Over the last three years, as a resident on St. John, I’ve learned about the deeply rooted, rich culture of the Virgin Islands. Picking fresh fruit from mango trees, eating saltfish and pates, and listening to the harmonious sounds of the steel pan are all aspects of this beautiful culture that I’ve come to know and love. 

"Personal Legends" - A Testament to the Virgin Islands 5
Moko Jumbies © Tsunami’s Photography

Recently coming across a series of interviews titled Personal Legends, created by the Friends of the Virgin Islands artist-in-residence Kayden Richards, I am reminded of the time-honored and diverse heritage of the Virgin Islands. By exploring generational traditions shared by nine subjects from St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix, Richards perfectly encapsulated the vibrant spirit of these islands and its people. 

Read more“Personal Legends” – A Testament to the Virgin Islands

Cruz Bay Music Presents: The 6th Annual Jam Festival Kicking Off March 7th

Cruz Bay Music Presents: The 6th Annual Jam Festival Kicking Off March 7th 6

In 2024, St. John remains true to its reputation as “The Jam Band Mecca,” a title coined by JamBase, a digital music magazine. Fresh into the new year, Cruz Bay Music has announced their 6th annual VI Jam Fest. Scheduled for March 7th-9th, the festival is hosted by the iconic Windmill Bar, which is known for its spectacular views of Pillsbury Sound. 

Read moreCruz Bay Music Presents: The 6th Annual Jam Festival Kicking Off March 7th

Season’s Greetings from St. John!

Season's Greetings from St. John! 7

Our Annual Holiday Card Is Here!

  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 8
    Happy Holidays from Lovango Rum Bar!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 9
    a BIG thank you to Slim's this holiday season!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 10
    Gotta love the Woody's crew!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 11
    How photogenic is the staff at Bamboo?!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 12
    Charles from Turquoise Turtle wishes you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! (and yes, this photo did take some convincing!)
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 13
    Raffle AND a ladies' night?! Love Parrot Club and can't wait to ring in the New Year with them!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 14
    Professional looking group right there.. Seasons greetings from the Longboard staff!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 15
    Can't wait for their NYE party in a couple of weeks! Also, how festive is that DR!NK sign?!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 16
    I don't know who was more excited for this photo.. Chris or Maria! Merry Christmas!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 17
    If you're on St. John, stop by High Tide to see all of their festive decorations and an even more festive staff!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 18
    The Landing staff wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 19
    Our very own Santa Claus, Trista at Connections, thank for your tireless efforts (especially during holiday season)!
  • Season's Greetings from St. John! 20
    Dulce Vita Sails wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

A big thank you to all the News of St. John readers, and to the tourists that visit St. John year after year. We appreciate your business and want to extend a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

The Legend of the Cartanza Senora

The Legend of the Cartanza Senora 21

Good morning and happy holidays! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving yesterday. How many of you tuned in for the annual Macy’s Parade? I know I did!

If you are a history buff like me, then you are going to love the story of the Cartanza Senora, a former WWII freighter that has been transformed into one of the most popular diving sites in the Caribbean. Resting in about 45 feet of water off the coast of Buck Island, this maritime relic serves as a sanctuary for vibrant fish, colorful coral, and the occasional sea turtle or octopus. It’s also an ideal diving spot for adventure enthusiasts. Broken into three pieces, this haunting vessel tells a tale that began around 80 years ago. 

Read moreThe Legend of the Cartanza Senora

Looking for an Incredible Winter Getaway? “Villas for the Park” Auction Kicks off this Friday

Looking for an Incredible Winter Getaway? "Villas for the Park" Auction Kicks off this Friday 22

Good morning! Off season certainly dragged on, but we made it! High season is fast approaching, which means business as usual. Tourists are arriving to escape the incoming cold back home, and our favorite restaurants, annual events, and fundraisers are back in full swing.

This upcoming Friday, Friends of the Park will begin hosting their 7th annual “Villas for the Park” fundraiser. This unique auction offers nearly 40 hotels or villas, generously donated by their philanthropic managers and owners for an incredible vacation in paradise. Luxurious villas will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to conservation efforts made by Friends of the Park.

Read moreLooking for an Incredible Winter Getaway? “Villas for the Park” Auction Kicks off this Friday

Halloween Events This Upcoming Weekend

Halloween Events This Upcoming Weekend 23

It’s that time of year again, dust off those brooms and scary masks because spooky season is upon us! Get ready for a frightfully delightful Halloween that will surely be one for the books, because next weekend is jam packed with trick or treating, costume contests, parties, and one undoubtedly memorable night of karaoke!

Read moreHalloween Events This Upcoming Weekend

Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Drunk Bay

Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Drunk Bay 24

Good morning and Happy CARNIVAL!

As a resident of this beautiful island, I love spending my days off beach hopping along the North Shore, but every now and then, I really enjoy stepping off the beaten path and doing a little exploring. A couple of weeks ago, on a picturesque, sunny day, a few friends and I drove out to the southeast part of St. John. 

We parked at Salt Pond and walked down the short trail to the beach. I love this area of St. John, because it has a different climate and altogether feel that distinguishes it from the rest of the island. Whereas the north side and closer to Cruz Bay tend to be lush and green, walking the trail to Salt Pond beach reminds me of the deserts found in Utah and Arizona. Cactus and frangipani line the path and the soil is reddish brown, very different from the powdery white beaches of Trunk Bay. 

Read moreOff the Beaten Path: Exploring Drunk Bay