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A unique island

Health and Environmental Impacts as the Annual Saharan Dust Returns to the Caribbean

Health and Environmental Impacts as the Annual Saharan Dust Returns to the Caribbean 1

Good morning, good morning!

The annual arrival of ethereal sunsets and a light, hazy fog is coming to the Caribbean a little early this year. Deriving from the Saharan desert in Northern Africa, a massive plume of dust is expected to bring its haze within the next few weeks. Typically not seen until May or June, the Saharan Air Layer, or SAL, will be making its first appearance on the northernmost tip of South America by today. By next week, small clouds of dust and sand will begin to coat the Lesser Antilles.

Health and Environmental Impacts as the Annual Saharan Dust Returns to the Caribbean 2
Taken from a previous NSJ article “Sahara Dust Settles Over St. John”

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Love City Creates Mosaic Mural in the Park

Love City Creates Mosaic Mural in the Park 3

Good morning! With Spring right around the corner and St. Patrick’s Day coming up, this is my favorite time of year.

St. John has been a hub of activity lately. A couple of the highlights were the English Caribbean’s Women’s Fast-Pitch Tournament Qualifier at the National Park Ball Field and next to it, the community driven art project bordering the newly constructed playground. If you were in Cruz Bay last week, you may have stopped by the park to watch the softball games or helped to piece together the mosaic mural being created on the two walls encircling the kids’ playground.

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The 8 Tuff Miles Road Race is ON!

The 8 Tuff Miles Road Race is ON! 4

Good Morning, Good Morning!  In my early morning wanderings about the internet, I saw a post from 8 Tuff Miles announcing the date for the 2023 event!  This year’s race will be a bit different, according to the post.  But the date has been set and announcements have been made about the triumphant comeback of everyone’s favorite annual St. John event.

Read moreThe 8 Tuff Miles Road Race is ON!

What To Do During the Slow Season on St. John

What To Do During the Slow Season on St. John 5

Good Morning, Good Morning!  It’s the sleepiest time of year on St. John…But that doesn’t mean your vacation has to be.  We all know that A TON of businesses are currently closed for the off-season and that you can definitely expect lighter crowds and less coordinated activities during this time of year.  But, if you are lucky enough to be visiting during these sleepier months, you might happen upon some fun that you just didn’t expect.  Aside from the emptier than normal beaches, hiking trails and parking areas that we should ALL be taking advantage of, there are many businesses that are remaining open during these slower months.  And, today, I want to touch on those establishments AND some fun activities that you may have never tried before!

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This Weekend: An Inspirational Girl Scout Coordinates Coral Bay Cleanup

This Weekend: An Inspirational Girl Scout Coordinates Coral Bay Cleanup 6

Good Morning, Good Morning!  I received a phone call a few weeks ago from the Commodore of the Coral Bay Yacht Club, Leah Hansen, about a young lady from Virginia who was working towards her Girl Scout Gold Award.  The project she choose to dedicate 80 hours towards was the coordination and execution of a clean up on the shores of Coral Bay.  I asked Leah to connect us to chat about the cleanup that is happening this weekend.  And, last week, I had the opportunity to speak to this bright 17-year-old about the motivation behind her choosing of this particular project and the information she wanted to share about the event.

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Cruz Bay Comes Alive- Food Fair 2022

Cruz Bay Comes Alive- Food Fair 2022 7

Good Morning, Good Morning! And Happy Monday to you all! We spent the majority of our afternoon and evening celebrating with the St. John community in Cruz Bay during the first kick-off to Carnival Food Fair since 2019. And it was absolutely magical. So, I wanted to share some of those incredible moments with all of you out there who couldn’t be in attendance on this incredible Sunday Funday on St. John!

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St. John Excursions- Part One

St. John Excursions- Part One 8

Good Morning, Good Morning!  I returned home to St. John last night after an unexpectedly LOOOONG travel day.  Despite a missed flight, Delta made all of my dreams come true and still made sure I got home to St. Thomas yesterday 🙂  Pro Tip:  ALWAYS book the earliest flight possible.  Anyways…We have been talking a lot about boats recently but there are plenty of other excursions and activities available to visitors and residents that allow you to explore St. John with a different perspective.  So, today, I am starting a series on some of those diverse activities today in order to give you more options for your upcoming trip to Love City!

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Tis the Season for Departing Island Friends…

Tis the Season for Departing Island Friends... 9

Hi friends! I’m going to get a little personal today in this post…I hope you don’t mind a break from the “news!” Those of you who have lived here in the past or who live here still may get a little emotional with the prose I am about to share. Every few years, it seems like there is a mass exodus of long time residents from St. John. Folks who have lived here for a while…People who started to dig in roots here, people we call family, who we began to build our holidays and birthdays around. People who we depend on for laughs, dance parties, boat days, beach days, hiking dates and long talks. Every few years, around this time, it feels like a lot of the good ones take off. And this year is one of those years.

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The Sahara Dust Makes A 2022 Debut

The Sahara Dust Makes A 2022 Debut 10

Good Morning and a happy Fri-YAY to all of you out there!  If you are an avid follower of the blog, resident or regular visitor then you know ALL about the Sahara Dust phenomenon!  If you are currently looking at me like I have three heads for mentioning a desert on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in a post about St. John, read up on this annual occurrence here before digging into this week’s progression.  It doesn’t matter that it happens every year to me.  My mind is consistently in awe and wonder at the fact tiny little particles of African soil travel across the sea on the Tradewinds each spring and throughout the summer months to make our sunsets eerie and majestic….And clog up the pathways for a possible Tropical Disturbance!

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Turtle Alert! Second Leatherback Nest Discovered

Turtle Alert! Second Leatherback Nest Discovered 11

Good Morning, Good Morning!  A few weeks ago you may remember a post regarding the first Leatherback Turtle nest found on St. John since 2016.  Well, this weekend, a SECOND set of tractor sized tracks were discovered at a popular North Shore Beach!  And, it just so happens that one of the folks who stumbled upon these tracks knew exactly what to do AND had the capabilities of taking an incredible photo of the discovery (cover photo- Janet Simonsen – Steve Simonsen Photography).

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