fbpx

We got here

AirplaneLanded Monday afternoon, 5 minutes late, via Spirit’s all-new-looking, spiffy A-321 from Fort Lauderdale.   

84 degrees and clear 🙂

Leftovers from the northeast snow storm were slowing operations down a bit in Florida – LaGuardia in an air traffic control hold until 1pm, for instance – but Spirit handled us fine.

I gotta tell you, the operating people on Spirit – attendants, ticket agents, baggage handlers, pilots – were fine. They were victims, too, of the screwy events of Saturday.

But … the plane coming down from DC was an MD80-series aircraft. The same as we had Saturday, the equipment that the co-captain said wasn’t suitable for us.

Was there more baggage on board Saturday? Did the slight mist from the incoming storm change the flight rules for balancing of the airplane or runway requirements?

I don’t know. One day the MD80’s no good, two days later, it’s OK. Any pilots out there?

Spirit’s numbers didn’t add up

Logospirit_1We were supposed to be arriving on island Saturday.  But a miscalculation of the number of people our Spirit Airlines plane could accommodate began tumbling dominoes that resulted in our being grounded, just as a 10-12” snow storm hit Washington, DC.

Two hours after we were supposed to take off for Fort Lauderdale, the airline bumped 25 passengers from the flight, including two guys who said they would miss their cruise sailing.They even offered $400 if two other people would agree  take their place in  getting bumped.  No takers.

After Spirit had unloaded all the baggage of the bump-ees, then the airplane intercom system failed.  Security regulations require it be in order.  The airline saw that there was no way they could find us all hotel rooms in Fort Lauderdale, since all of us with connecting flights (us, to St. Thomas) were going to miss them.  They told us to leave the plane, offered us a refund or re-booking a day or two later.

The airline had a couple of standout staffers in the mess. Carlos, one of the pilots, was helpful, and embarrassed as he could be. It was he who explained that someone in charge of scheduling airplanes had made a big mistake by assigning an MD-80(81-82-83)-size plane to our flight instead of an Airbus 319.  The former cannot handle the number of passengers and baggage and still meet the operating safety requirements of Washington’s National Airport.

At the ticket counter, after we got off the plane, the customer supervisor on duty, Curtis, could not have been more helpful – or embarrassed, too.  He helped us and gave us his card and invited us to call 24/7 if there were more problems.  There were.  And we did.  Curtis is a keeper.

But whom ever couldn’t do the math in Logistics or Facilities, or whatever department, ought to be fired.

The snowstorm that it the Capitol canceled our flight Sunday.  We’ll try again Monday.

Celebration of Love on the beach

Celebrationoflove_1Nearly a hundred couples are expected at Trunk Bay on Valentine’s Day to participate in the 4th annual vow renewal ceremony beginning at 4pmn.  Anne Marie Porter, St. John’s barefoot minister, and Cathy Dove, manager of Chilly Billy’s restaurant, organize the annual event.

One of the parts of the ceremony is an invitation by Porter for husbands and wives to forgive each other for anything they might have done over the past year, according to a report by the Virgin Islands Daily News,  "This asking for an receiving forgiveness is a b big thing," Dove explained. It makes me think differently about how I treat my husband all during the year."  The Celebration begins with a half-hour of fellowship, followed by the ceremony at 5:30pm

Week-long arts festival begins

This is a big week for arts and music on St. John.  The 6th Annual Arts Festival opened this weekend with a reception and exhibit at the Battery.  "The Guy Show" is on view through Monday evening featuring "guy" things such as sports and heavy machinery.

Cruz Bay Park will be humming with free concerts.  Monday, from Noon to 4pm, the Soldier Crab Band will play; Tuesday it’s the Dengue Fever Band, followed by Koko and the Sunshine Band on Wednesday.  Tropical jazz by Sambacombo is scheduled for Thursday, and the week wraps up with the Ah We Band playing modern West Indian music Friday. 

Food and crafts will also be on sale at the Park each afternoon this week.

8 Tuff Miles winner to get $2,000

JollydogCoral Bay’s Jolly Dog Stores have offered $2,000 for the winner of this month’s 8 Tuff Miles Race

Runners/walkers/joggers can register at various businesses on island or online at http://8tuffmiles.com/register.htm.  Every entrant gets a T-shirt.

Last year, race organizer Peter Alter said 589 people finished the race; this year he expects 700 entries.  When Alter began organizing the event in 1997, there were 21 participants. 

The 8.375 mile course begins in the parking lot behind the National Park Visitors Center and ends near Skinny Legs in Coral Bay.

Real estate 2/12/06: Land offerings soar

More than 30 new lots overlooking Rendezvous Bay and Ditliff Point on St. John’s south shore have come on the market in the past week.  The nearly-half-acre building sites are priced between $695,000 and $895,000.

The land is just below the almost-infamous "Parcel K", owned by St. Croix gaming interests who intended to build dozens of condominium units on land overlooking Fish Bay.  It has been reported that those would-be developers have decided to sell their island interests.  Reports said they also own Palm Plaza, the shopping center near the Westin Resort.  It, too, is listed for sale.

Residential offerings listed on the Multiple Listing Service continue at their record high level of 90.  There were no additions during the past week. The list of businesses for sale has a new offering.  The Clothing Studio, at Mongoose Junction, is priced at $405,000.  It is one of four Mongoose-located businesses on the market.

Read moreReal estate 2/12/06: Land offerings soar

Villa Owner Services

Pattilogo
Owning property here is great … but it can also be a hassle. 

I can help!  I can be your "island girl."

I worked for the developers of the Virgin Grand Hotel & Villas (now the Westin/Starwood), for 4 years, coordinating the new development and the construction crews. After “going” back to America, I managed a 40-unit timeshare resort in Florida for (8 years), helping owners maintain rental units and tend to their arrival needs. 

In 2002, “coming” back to St. John, I made the decision, no more “going”.  I made St. John my home.

I worked with Catered To Vacation Homes renting villas via phone and Internet, picking up guests at the dock. For the past 2 years I managed the Mail Center, and through many conversations, realized many homeowners have a need for my special talents.

My staff includes  A/C repair & electrical services, plumbing, a muscleman with a truck, vehicle and villa maintenance. 

Perhaps we can be of service to you! 

  • Pick you up when “coming and going"
  • Automobile maintained, inspected at DMV if needed
  • Check that the pool is kept sparking clean
  • Check the landscaper is not letting the bush overtake your plants
  • Check cistern and roofs for leaks.
  • Close up for storms
  • Pay local monthly bills
  • Pick-up and send your mail
  • Take you to the dock when “going”

    Patti Christy, Owner
    340-626-0572/cell
    [email protected]

 

VI Stock Exchange proposed

Gov. Turnbull wants a task force to study the feasibility of establishing a stock exchange in the territory. "The creation and implementation of such an initiative may prove vital to the continued growth of our economy," the island’s chief executive said in news release announcing his executive order to establish the study.  "The territory could easily become the financial capital of the Caribbean and position itself to be the financial leader in the region," the Governor said.

Sen. Roosevelt David praised the idea, explaining "What they want to do is attract capital to the territory, which is good."  He said the exchange could have over-the-counter and Internet trading, and probably would be based on St. Croix.  "This would give Economic Development Commission companies the opportunity to generate their revenue here," David added.

Colombian Emeralds at the ferry dock

Logo_colombian_emeraldsThe island’s newest jewelery store is ready on the first floor of the new Dockside building in downtown Cruz Bay. 

Mary Davis is the manager. She previously left the company to open her own business, the Colorful Corner, on Bordeaux Mountain.  "No one but (the owner of Colombian Emeralds) could have gotten me away from my store," Davis told the St. John Sun-Times. "But I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the company." The Nassau-based retailers has 55 stores.  She is impressed with new lines of jewelery from Gregg Ruth and Vianna that the store is carrying. "But most of all, our sales staff is extremely excited," Davis said.