Things to do

The annual Coral Bay Yacht Club beach party and flotilla will be held at Vie’s Campground on the East End Saturday, April 16.  Ticket prices are $20 for people arriving by land and $40 for water-borne revelers who also want to take an early morning sail or motorboat ride and tour of the bay.  Admission also includes a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, West Indian dishes.  Live music will be provided by Innervisions, and Da Crab Mon will offer a full slate of crab competition. Proceeds from the party will be used for the benefit of Coral Bay’s Guy Benjamin School.

Workshops on how to care for orchids and controlling pests in the garden will be  highlight of the first annual St. John Flower and Garden Show, Saturday, April 16th at the Marketplace.  Along with the classes and exhibits, at least half a dozen florists and landscapers will be "showing and selling," including St. John’s Alfredo’s Nursery, Coral Bay Garden Center, and Today’s Flowers.  They will be displaying varieties of plants, herbs, palms, bougainvilleas, ferns, cactus, vegetables and fruit trees. Three St. Thomas-based plant businesses will also exhibit, and a botanical group form St. Croix is planning to attend, according to Jennifer Dale, general manager of the shopping center.  "I can’t believe the excitement that has been generated by putting up just one banner," she said.

Lori Walden’s new DVD, Yoga in Paradise, is just the thing if you want to learn more about attaining spiritual insight and tranquility or you just want to see some beautiful island scenery. 

"I have had a regular home based yoga practice for many years and came to it while I was pregnant with my son," Walden said. "The breathing and meditation aspects of the practice have always been very helpful while dealing with a stressful job and living on a sometimes stressful little island."   

Walden, a Realtor, videotaped the project on a Sunday morning in October at Little Cinnamon Bay.  Jeff Clabaugh and Russ Rader of Blue Tang Productions handled the shoot, packaging, and marketing of the $24.99 DVDs.

The annual Christmas Bird Count was scheduled for Sunday.  Sponsored by the Audubon Society of St. John, part of the Society’s nationwide annual survey of birds which includes 55,000 volunteers.  The purpose of the count is to monitor the number and population of bird species.  "It helps to see what birds are doing well, and which ones are in decline," Laurel Brannick-Trager, president of the V.I. Audubon Society told the Virgin Islands Daily News.  Results will be included in a "State of the Birds Report" to be issued next year.  The VI Audubon Society’s Web site has some tips on the best places for island bird watching.

The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park organize dozens of fascinating workshops and activities during the winter season.  Upcoming events will feature author and photojournalist Cristina Kessler showing how to write a nature journal (Jan. 15), linguist Elroy Sprauve explaining interest patterns and expressions and the history of language on St. John (Jan. 22), and professional photographer Steve (buy his book!) on how to use your camera to make underwater photos (Jan., 22).  Session fees are $25-$70 for non-members of the Friends.  Call 340-779-4940 to register.

The Inner Visions Reggae Band plans a number of appearances at Maho Bay this winter.  The first date for the just-returned-from-world-tour group is Monday, Jan. 3.  Details at www.maho.org/maho.html.  Inner Visions also plans to return to its performing roots by playing at Fred’s in Cruz Bay Wednesday or Friday nights. Call 776-6363 to confirm the schedule.

Inner Visions also has a date for New Year’s Eve.  The band will perform at Foxy’s Famous Ole Year’s Party on Jost Van Dyke.  Details at www.foxysbar.com.

Steve Simon, the Great Cruz Bay entrepreneur behind the Jazz in the Moonlight concerts, is planning a year-end gala.  You can "dance to the sweet Jazz sounds of the Caribbean’s hottest Jazz band ‘Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders’," he announced. "And then sit back and enjoy the amazing ‘Diva of all Divas’, Ms. Maryel Epps, as she brings her R&B inspired Jazz show to St. John (Listen to a sample of Maryel Epps.)" Doors open at 8:30 p.m., tickets are $35. Simon said he’ll be offering, "great music, dancing and an amazing show with free party favors and a free champagne toast at midnight followed by a spectacular Fireworks Show." E-mail him at [email protected].

Delegate Donna M. Christensen will be the featured speaker at next month’s Friends of the Park annual meeting.  "She has been a supporter of national parks on a national level," said Joe Kessler, president of the group, as he announced details of the event scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 23.  The annual State of the Park address by superintendent Art Frederick is also on the agenda. 

Reaction to our story about the opening of Captain’s Cabin Games and Sports Bar at Wharfside Shopping Mall has been almost unanimous: NOMY (Not on my island!).  Comments about the availability of horse race betting and video lottery terminals on the second floor of the center prompted two suggestions that what was likely to come next would be a Hooter’s bar. 

"We’re building a home on St. John to get away from this sort of low-life garbage," wrote Bill Hoffman.  "This is truly depressing.  I’m not only depressed, I’ve moved on to anger" added Dee.  "I really doubt the paradise worshipers will go for this type of cheap, low class entertainment," added Steve.

However, at least two posts were supportive.  "Get real people," wrote Ronnie.  "It’s inside a building not bothering anybody."  He continued, ominously some might say, "It will only be a matter of time that there will be a real casino … maybe even on St. John."  A comment from SJ said, "I think it is a good idea.  I love horse racing." 

Several calls to the person identified as Wharfside’s manager, for comment, were not returned.