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A unique island

Caneel Bay Updates: Lease Negotiations and Panel Discussion

Caneel Bay Updates: Lease Negotiations and Panel Discussion 1

We have all watched and waited…and then waited and watched some more….for some kind of movement from the infamous Caneel Bay Resort.  Once a a property of Laurence Rockefeller, the beautiful expanse of beaches, landscapes, restaurants, shops and accommodations has sat unoccupied and barren since Hurricanes Irma and Maria stripped it of its beauty and functionality on St. John in 2017 (With the obvious exception of the newly opened Zozo’s at Caneel Bay).

Well, a press release from an affiliate of CBI Acquisitions (CBIA) was released earlier this month and it seems like things are moving in a direction.  Finally.  Additionally, a panel of St. John residents and representatives aired last week, raising some support, some questions and some concerns in regards to this forward motion.

Read moreCaneel Bay Updates: Lease Negotiations and Panel Discussion

USVI Makes History with First Sunscreen Ban in the US

USVI Makes History with First Sunscreen Ban in the US 2

It may be a little known fact that the USVI officially banned sunscreen containing chemicals that damage the reefs and are potentially hazardous to humans this spring.  On March 30, 2020, the USVI sunscreen ban officially went into effect making the territory the first in the United States to implement this ruling to be followed by Hawaii and Key West in January of 2021.

Read moreUSVI Makes History with First Sunscreen Ban in the US

Island Update- Good Things are Happening on St. John

Island Update- Good Things are Happening on St. John 3

Good Morning!  Yesterday I shared some upcoming closures and some not so great news in regards to COVID-19 updates from the Government House.

But, there are some beautiful and positive things happening on island.  So, I wanted to share a little bit of that with you today.  No rainbows without the rain, right?

Read moreIsland Update- Good Things are Happening on St. John

St. John Holiday Events Cancelled- A Look at Years’ Past

St. John Holiday Events Cancelled- A Look at Years' Past 4

In true St. John form, Christmas time has always been quite the celebration.  The Ugly Sweater Party at the Tap Room, the Evening in the Courtyard at Mongoose Junction, the delivery of gifts by Santa Claus on Christmas Eve to the children of St.John in the square and the All-Island Holiday Party, lovingly referred to as St. John Prom, keep the holiday calendars of residents and visitors full during this lovely time of year in the Caribbean.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has proved yet again triumphant over these annual celebrations and the steady announcement of cancellations began last month.  Formally, the St. John Prom has been postponed for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century.

Read moreSt. John Holiday Events Cancelled- A Look at Years’ Past

Lovango Resort and Beach Club Sneak Peeks!

Lovango Resort and Beach Club Sneak Peeks! 5

Good Morning Everyone!

I mentioned last week that I had been taking a few fun “field trips” to check out some new things happening around St. John.  Well, I got the opportunity to tour the entire grounds of the newly re-opening Lovango Resort and Beach Club just after Thanksgiving.  And I’m here to tell you that there is some truly exciting stuff happening out there!

Read moreLovango Resort and Beach Club Sneak Peeks!

Shopping Event Spotlight: Merchants Association of Mongoose Junction Holiday Raffle

Shopping Event Spotlight: Merchants Association of Mongoose Junction Holiday Raffle 7

Good Morning…I hope that you all had a lovely Thanksgiving yesterday!  The weather was absolutely perfect here on St. John and, if you are here, I hope you had the opportunity to get out and enjoy it.  And now, here we are on the biggest shopping day of the year with a lot of restrictions limiting the flood of holiday shoppers into traditional day after Thanksgiving shopping sprees.  So, many shopaholics will revert to online shopping this year.  A lot of you have asked how you can support local businesses while away from the island.  Well, here’s a perfect opportunity….

Read moreShopping Event Spotlight: Merchants Association of Mongoose Junction Holiday Raffle

Back on Island: What’s New on St. John?

Back on Island: What's New on St. John? 8

Some of you may not know that I have been off island for a little bit to visit family and take a little break.  No matter how beautifully perfect the place you live is, there’s always a need for an occasional breather.  And COVID lockdowns, shut downs and quarantines gave me the itch to get away.  I had an opportunity to sail from Puerto Rico to Connecticut this summer on an absolutely incredible sailing vessel called Kai.  And I took it.  And I’m so grateful for the journey.

Back on Island: What's New on St. John? 9
Sailing North on Kai- Somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic

But, we returned home this week and I cannot tell you how good it feels to be back!  I’m sure you all can relate when I say that there is nothing quite like having the sandy soil of St. John between your toes for the first time in a while.

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St. John Receives a Hefty October Rainfall

St. John Receives a Hefty October Rainfall 10

Earlier this year, there was a lot of concern voiced over the lack of greenery on the hillsides of St. John as the territory hedged through a drought.  We go through a significant dry period each spring and summer leading into hurricane season.

You may remember the severity of the drought in 2015.  We thought the rain would NEVER come!

Well, this year was very similar and was categorized as “severe” by the US Drought Monitor Map.  And, over the past few weeks, it has come to a dramatic end with a huge surge of rainfall on St. John.

So, while the many areas in the country are experiencing intense droughts and wildfires, the Virgin Islands are experiencing record breaking rainfalls which has led to flooding in some areas.  The average annual precipitation in the USVI according to Weather Atlas is 38 inches with the majority of that accumulation occurring between September and November.

The University of Nebraska reports these totals as collected by weather stations at different locations on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.  The Cruz Bay station’s average total for October 1-13 of this year was recorded at 2.55 inches.  An additional 3 inches between October 14-21 makes that a total of about six inches for this month.  So, to say that things are back to being green right now would be an understatement.  The hillsides are absolutely popping with color and we are experiencing beautifully clear skies under which to enjoy them.

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Caneel Bay Update – Part 1 of 2 – National Parks Traveler Reports

Caneel Bay Update - Part 1 of 2 - National Parks Traveler Reports 11

If you look for Caneel Bay Resort in the news, there unfortunately isn’t much in the way of updates as to the future of the beloved St. John resort.  But, one man continues his diligent search for information on ongoing policies, politics and processes that may eventually decide the fate of the establishment that was once one of the largest employers in Love City.

In this first part of two Caneel Bay updates this week, we will give you some background on what has been going on with the property as reported by National Parks Traveler.

Read moreCaneel Bay Update – Part 1 of 2 – National Parks Traveler Reports