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Ronnie’s Pizza serves artists’ offerings

St. John has another place to see art.  This one is at Boulon Center, inside Ronnie Klingsberg’s pizza restaurant.  The initial exhibition included photographs by Bob Lefferts and watercolors from Jennifer Robinson, according to the St. John Sun-Times. 

Lefferts said "two perfect white walls" will highlight his work.  "I know some artists may wonder if this is an appropriate venture top show their work," he said, "but I loved the idea of breaking out of the traditional approaches to presenting art."

Red Hook terminal moving along

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The huge new ferry dock at Red Hook is more than half complete, according to the V.I. Port Authority.  The facility’s proper name is "Red Hook Intermodal Transit Facility."

Officials said the $9.3 million project is 65% complete  Plans call for an 8,000 square foot building which includes a bar, a newsstand, six ticket counters, restrooms, outdoor seating and a  parking lot. "I did not envision it being so big," Darlan Brin, executive director of VIPA told the Virgin Islands Daily News. "But we might as well have room to grow.  We need elbow room."

Most of the facility is above water, but more than 100 steel pilings filled with concrete were driven as deep as 68 feet into the water to support the structure.  A spokesman for the contractor said work should be complete by Thanksgiving.

How dry is it?

There has been virtually no rain for nearly seven weeks, according to island sources.  Water trucks making deliveries to island homes are a common site on the roads.  prices for a truckload reportedly have topped $350.  We paid $300 last year.  The District fire chief has also suspended all burning permits until further notice.

The reassessors have landed

Agents of the V.I. Tax Assessor’s Office are on island, making visits to residential properties to measure their size, assess their views, and calculate their value in preparation of the next round of property taxes.  It’s part of a territory-wide reconfiguration of the tax rolls.

It is possible home owners could see tax bills double, triple, or worse, when the new valuations are issued.  That’s because a 1936 federal law requires the VI’s to adhere to this formula: 1.25% of 60% of the value of a property. 

For instance, a house with a market value of $1.2 million, under this formula, could have its property tax rise from $1,800 to $9,000.

The VI government and Del. Donna Christensen are now urging Congress to repeal the law and allow the VI government to create its own system for calculating taxes. A committee of the U.S. Senate has voted to approve repeal of the federal tax law. 

"The law has become a burden on our people, especially property owners on St. John, where property taxes have been skyrocketing," said At Large Sen. Craig Barshinger.  He said the territory should be allowed to develop its own tax code.

Island dog show set

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The 6th annual Wagapalooza has been scheduled for Saturday, May 13th.  For the first time, the event will be held at night  "With Waga in the evening, we hope to attract more families and more dogs.  It will be cooler," explained Nancy Louis, who’s organizing the show to benefit the Animal Care Center of St. John. "We are looking for those perfect coconut retrievers with win the much coveted prizes of ‘Best Island Dog’, "Best trick’, and "Most Look a Like."

Wagapalooza will be held at the Winston Wells Ball Field in Cruz Bay, the first time it’s not been in Coral Bay at Skinny Legs.  The event just got too big for the back yard of the bar.

Contestants can pre-register Wednesday at the Marketplace.  More information’s available from, Nancy at 340-779-4731.

Westin waits OK for timeshares

The Westin Resort has asked approval from the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee to convert a third of its hotel buildings to timeshares.  Matt Balcik, the hotel manager, said timeshares are "hot" so converting four buildings on hotel grounds makes sense, according to the St. John Source.  Balcik said the rooms  will be offered as hotel accommodations when owners are not in residence.  The Resort’s original timeshare buildings are on the left side of the south shore road, as you’re headed away from Cruz Bay.

Julien Harley, CZM chairman, said the hotel needs only a minor permit to make the move.  A spokesman for CZM said the committee would meet April 13 for what he said would be "a decision and modification meeting" on the Westin’s request.

St. John School receives gift

Denny Cresap, a partner in St. Thomas-based Golden Eagle Financial, donated $4,000 to the St. John School on Gifft Hill.  Cresap has a home on St. John.  His previous contributions have benefited the Sprauve library and the National Park.

Cresap put no restrictions on the use of the funds. "There are any number of places that this money will be able to benefit," said Scott Crawford, co-administrator of the school.

Blues festival begins Wednesday

Bluesfestival2006The show will go on, despite the absence of the planned headliner at the 4th Annual Coors Light St. John Blues Festival. 

James Cotton, one of the greatest blues harmonica players in the world, has had to cancel his appearance at the Saturday night concert at the ball field in Cruz Bay.  Complications from throat cancer and pneumonia, explained Steve Simon, founder and producer of the event.

Simon said Carey Bell (Listen to a sample), another blues harp legend, has been added to the roster.  Also scheduled to perform are Mark Wenner and the Nighthawks (listen to a sample: ), and St. John’s Chris Carsel and the St John Blues Boys.

The Festival begins with a free party in Coral Bay at Island Blues Wednesday night.  Here’s the rest of the schedule: http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/bf/schedule2006.htm.

Other sponsors include the Jolly Dog Trading Company. and Theodore Tunick & Co.