Local News

Well it seems that my background as being a real life journalist has come in handy this evening because I was able to get my hands on all of the documents pertaining to the seizure of the Mister B. Here are the details…

Back in April 2015, Boyson, Inc., the company that owns and manages the Mister B., entered into a loan agreement with Revere High Yield Fund, LP in which is promised to pay $2.835 million dollars. Boyson Inc., along with a host of other entities and St. Johnians, agreed to make payments on the loan. That never happened and as of Nov. 6, 2015, they were in default.

They were asked again earlier this month to pay the loan – which has since ballooned to more than $3.3 million including interest and attorney’s fees – and they subsequently failed to pay. It was at that point that an arrest warrant was issued. That warrant was executed last week and the Mister B was seized.

As we mentioned earlier, this seizure poses a huge logistical problem for residents as the Mister B was the largest barge transporting vehicles between St. John and St. Thomas. It is unclear when or if the Mister B will resume service. There are, however, two other barges that are currently running.

For those of you who enjoy reading about the knotty gritty details, we have all of them for you. Click here to read the original complaint filed against Boyson, Inc. And click here to read the arrest warrant issued last week.

If you took the car barge over the last few days, you may have noticed an interesting site down at the dock – the Mister B’s been seized by U.S. Marshals. Here’s what we know…

According to a woman with the U.S. Marshal Service in St. Thomas, the Mister B. was seized as part of an asset forfeiture a few days back. She stated that Boyson, Inc., the owner of Mister B. is involved in a local lawsuit. As part of that lawsuit, a warrant was executed and the Mister B. was seized.

There’s no word as to how long the Mister B. will be out of commission, but it’s pretty safe to say that vehicle transportation between St. John and St. Thomas is going to be greatly affected by this as we are now down to only two barges.

We’ll keep you all posted as soon as we learn more.

We’ve received a ton of questions over the past few months about the status of Island Blues, and we can finally tell you what’s going on … the folks from Woody’s are officially taking it over!

The new spot’s going to be called Woody’s Waterfront Saloon, and from what we hear, it’s going to be pretty cool. They’re working to spruce the place up now and if all goes well, they’re hoping to open around March. They’re currently tweaking their menu, but we can say that some of Woody’s favorite menu items will make an appearance over in Coral Bay.

Woody’s Waterfront Saloon will be open seven days a week and will serve lunch and dinner. They’ll offer a great happy hour like their sister restaurant in Cruz Bay, although the drink specials will likely be different. They’re also planning on offering a variety of fun lawn games and are going to take advantage of its awesome waterfront location.

We’ll keep you all posted on its progress.

Yesterday’s blizzard impacted a lot of things along the East Coast yesterday, but it wasn’t going to get in the way of one thing – Moose’s journey to his new home.

By now, most of you probably know Moose’s story. He’s an adorable dog that was living at the Animal Care Center here on island for more than four-an-a-half years. A big social media push was made several months ago to find him his forever home. There were a few bumps in the road, but the ACC, which is an extraordinary organization by the way, was able to find him a fantastic, loving family in the Boston area. Once the family was found, he needed a ride. The Riggi family, New Yorkers who visit the island frequently, graciously stepped up and offered the use of their private plane. Well they all left yesterday and Moose landed safely in Albany before taking a private car to meet his new owners. Here are some pictures of his journey:

Saying goodbye to Laurie Damron, a woman who was instrumental in finding Moose his forever home:

Walking up to his private plane with Ryan Moore, the manager of the ACC:

The pilots were very excited to be a part of Moose’s journey:

The Riggi family, Moose and Ryan

Moose and his new best friend Patty Riggi:

Ryan and Moose flying in style:

Can this dog be any happier?

This story simply makes us smile. Thank you to everyone who helped Moose in his journey. 🙂

I love a good online auction, and there’s a pretty good one happening now. It benefits the Animal Care Center, a fantastic organization here on St. John. For those of you unfamiliar with the Animal Care Center (ACC), it’s an organization that supports the island’s homeless cats and dogs.

The ACC auction is happening now and will continue through February 6th. Here is a list of available items:

Accommodations: 

• Five-night stay at Reef Madness
• Seven-night stay at Mountain Haven
• Three-night stay at Coral Oasis
• Seven-night stay at Villa Tesori
• Two-night stay at Hotel Cruz Bay
• Three-night stay at the Honeymoon Suite at Sunset Serenade
• Three-night stay at Forsyth House in Savannah, Georgia 
• Two-night stay in Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke
• Three-night stay at Seaside Suite at Grande Bay
• Two-night stay at Harborview, a townhouse overlooking Cruz Bay
• Two-night stay at String of Pearls
• Three-night stay at Beautiful Morning at Grande Bay
• Five-night stay at Concordia Eco Resort
• Seven-night stay at Croix Vista

Photography: 

• Lindsay Vann: One hour lifestyle shoot
• STJ Creative: One hour photo shoot
• Yelena Rogers: One hour photo shoot

Boat Trips:

• Magnum VI: Half day charter
• Heron: Three hour sunset sail
• Kekoa: Trip to Jost
• Ocean Runner: Full day charter
• Survivan: Sunset sail
• Cuda: Full day charter
• Sunshine Daydream: Full day charter
• Southern Hospitality: Sunset cruise

Other: 

• St. John Beach Wedding
• Parents Night Out package

Click here to bid on the items. 

It’s not every day that friends of yours get mentioned in a super popular national magazine, so when they do, it’s a big deal!

We were perusing our Facebook feed yesterday when we came across an article recently posted in Vogue about the 5 Hottest Winter Escapes of 2016. And guess who was mentioned? St. John! But not only was St. John mentioned, several of our favorite businesses got a mention too! Check it out!

Step Aside, Tulum—These Are the Five Hottest Winter Escapes of 2016 by Kristin Tice Studeman

The cold temperatures have set in and winter is finally here on the East Coast, which means it’s high time to get that warm-weather getaway booked. Convenient and au courant destinations like Miami and Tulum might be the first places that come to mind, and while they’re excellent options, why not be the first to “discover” the new spot all of your friends will be talking about in 2016? Here, five unique, off-the-radar alternatives to well-trod destinations and exactly where to stay, play, eat, and—of course—relax once you’re there. No puffy coats required.

Instead of St. Barth’s, try St. John

St. Barth’s has long been the It destination for East Coasters in the winter because of its relatively close proximity and posh hotels. If you aren’t looking to see and be seen while on vacation this time around, but still want stunning beaches and sunshine, try St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands (a short ferry ride from the main airport on St. Thomas) this year. We suggest spending plenty of time in Coral Bay on the eastern side of the island, which is more laid-back and less commercial. A few days here and you’ll forget what snow even feels like. Well, almost . . .

Where to Stay
The romantic Caneel Bay resort, about a 20-minute drive from Coral Bay, is the place to stay on this island. The 166-room, old-school property spans 170 acres and offers seven beaches surrounded by the Virgin Islands National Park.

Where to Eat
For casual eats, Skinny Legs is the place for mouthwatering burgers, or head to Shipwreck Landing for curry nut–crusted grouper. On the East End, Vie’s Snack Shack by Hansen Bay is always a must for Coral Bay repeat visitors. The West Indies rice and beans dishes are just as phenomenal as the sparkling waterfront views. You can also access Hansen Bay beach here by paying a small fee, which gets you chairs, parking, and an all-day spot on the beach.

What to Do
If you time it right, you will be there for Miss Lucy’s regular full moon parties, where you can listen to live music by local bands and watch the full moon over Coral Bay. During the day, book a boating excursion to sail and snorkel around the crystalline waters of Coral Bay. Kekoa, Palm Tree Charters, and Lion In Da Sun all lead excellent excursions. If you are a hiker, take a drive to the Cinnamon Bay trail, where you’ll come across ruins of a sugarcane factory, wildlife, and Danish burial crypts.

-So you know what all of this means? Time to book a trip! Escape the wintry North and head on down and see us! We hope to see you all soon! And congrats to all the businesses that were mentioned!

A few weeks ago, we received an email from a man living here on island who said he wanted to bring Uber to the Virgin Islands. For those of you unfamiliar with Uber, it’s a car service in which users download an app on their smartphones. When someone needs a ride, the app locates their exact location (via the phone’s GPS) and then sends the user information on the following: the Uber driver that’s the closest to their location, what time that Uber drive can pick them up, the type of car the Uber driver is in and, of course, the cost of the ride. On the other end, anyone can register to be an approved Uber driver.

So for example, you’re in Cruz Bay and you want to visit Hanson Bay out on the East End. This is a route not typically driven by taxi drivers. You pull out your smartphone and request a ride via Uber. Within minutes, you will get a response with information about your Uber ride. Pretty neat, right?

So we’re curious? What do you think about the possibility of having Uber here on island? Let us know in the Comments section and please answer our poll below.

If you have the fortune to be on island this Saturday, there is a very special event we’d like for you to attend. It’s called Light Up the Night and it’s an event near and dear to many of our hearts here on St. John.

Light Up the Night is an event sponsored by the St. John Cancer Fund. What makes this organization extraordinary is that 100 percent of the funds it raises stay right here on island and are used to help and support our residents who have cancer.

The event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at Mongoose Junction where many of St. John’s schoolchildren will lead a parade through Cruz Bay and to the Winston Wells Ball Field alongside a crop of local musicians and bands. Once they arrive, those in attendance will begin walking around the field. The walk will continue overnight until 8 a.m. in the morning. You can stop by and walk for five minutes, an hour or even all night … the choice is up to you.

At 8 p.m., the luminary ceremony will begin. This is a moment that we can all remember and support our friends and family who have or are currently battling cancer. At 8:30 p.m., a survivors walk will begin. Music and food will be offered throughout this 18-hour event.

If you’d like to purchase a luminary for the event, you can do so today at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., tomorrow at the first floor of the Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and anytime at Connections in Cruz Bay. If you would like to add your picture or a picture of a loved one to the Luminary Wall, you can email it to [email protected].

In addiiton, there is a great raffle being held in connection with Light Up the Night. “Golden Tickets” cost $150 and only 250 will be sold. You can have a chance to win:

• 5 nights at Caneel Bay Resort w/ 2 $500 Travel vouchers, dinner for two at ZOZO’S Ristorante and a sunset sail Survivin
• 6 nights @Gallows Point Resort w/dinner for two at Ocean 362 restaurant.
• 7 night stay at Grande Bay Resort for 6 w/ 3 bedrooms
• 7 night stay at Blue Heaven Rendezvous villa for 6 w/ 3 bedrooms.
• 7 night stay @Grande Bay Resort for 2 w/ 1 bedroom
• 5 night stay Magic View Villa, St. John, USVI for 4 w/2 bedroom
• 7 night stay @Grande Bay Studio for 2
• 7 night Stay @ Eden Lounge studio for 2
• 5 night stay at Grande Bay for two studio
• 2 night @Neptune’s Treasure on Anegada, BVI with round trip transportation with Hank Slodden
• Ted’s Supper Club 5 course dinner with wine for 4
• Boat Trip with Curtis Penn – US Virgin Islands or British Virgin Islands trip
• One $500. Gift card from Verace St. John

Contact Cynthia Smith at 340-513-0514 to purchase a Golden Ticket.

We have a lot of events here on St. John, but not many get me as excited as the one that’s coming up in just over a week. If you love live music, beaches, boats, sun and, of course, some rum, this event’s for you.

For the sixth year, Love City Live is descending on St. John for five days of exhilarating events, gorgeous destinations and live entertainment. They’re calling it “Summer in January.” And for those of you who are chilly up North right now, we’re pretty certain that sounds great to you.

The event kicks off on Wednesday, January 27th with a Reggae cocktail party at Drink, one of the coolest outdoor bars on St. John. The party goes from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. and will feature good people, good music, a great vibe and it’ll be a great place to link up with old and new Love City Live! family members. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend.

Thursday’s event is more of a relaxing one. Taking place at Oppenheimer beginning at noon, guests at will be treated to a spa-style beach day featuring water sports, beach yoga and an all-inclusive VIP beach lounge complete with massage station, gourmet cocktails and a Carribbean lunch. Guests who stick around until sunset will receive a complimentary Cruzan Rum sunset toast. “Exhale” starts at noon on Thursday, January 28th and will run unit roughly 6 p.m. The cost is $45 per person; however a cash bar will be available for those who prefer general beach access. Click here to purchase tickets. 

The All White Beach Party – an upscale tropical dance party – is back and will be happening on Friday, January 29th from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the Cruz Bay beach. The vibe is island chic, the tempo is pulsating, the dress code is “All-White”. The cost is $40. Click here to purchase tickets. For those of you looking for VIP access, open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be offered for $80. Click here to buy VIP tickets.  There will be a special 1:15am return ferry to Red Hook (STT) after the event. Be sure to purchase roundtrip tickets on your way to St. John.

Now this is the event that I’m super excited for…

Something pretty darn cool is happening on Saturday, January 30 … how does Reggae in the Ruins sound? Pretty cool, right?! Let your hair down and enjoy this  “Rootsy” one love Reggae extravaganza. It will be a mystical night of live Reggae bands, featured local artist, local food,  rum bars, arts & craft vendors and good vibes. (Chairs and blankets allowed, but please leave the coolers at home). The event is happening at the Susannaberg Ruins, which is located just off of Centerline Road and outside of the VI National Park, and runs from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Here’s the lineup:

4 p.m. – DJ Top Notch
4:30 p.m. – Visions Reggae Combo
6 p.m. – Lion SoulJahs Band
7:45 p.m. – Ras Abijah & The Inity Band
9:30 p.m. – Black Star Band featuring Blackness & Hugo Rankin
11 p.m. – 1 a.m. SoundSystem, an outdoor Reggae Party experience. music by DJ Top Notch & DJ Red Man

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. 

And following Reggae at the Ruins will be an after party at Chester’s, a fun little bar across the street right at mile marker two.

And rounding out the event will be The Powerboat Party. This exhilarating all-day boating excursion will take you to some of the most beautiful ocean access destinations in the BVIs. There’ll be a lunch stop and midday beach party at Pirate’s Bight on Norman Island and the final stop will be at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. This party, which is happening on Sunday, January 31st, costs $170 and includes drinks onboard, a buffet lunch at Pirate’s and BVI customs & immigration fees. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Fore more information on Love City Live!, to purchase tickets or to check out their merchandise, please visit www.lovecitylivellc.com