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Child killed in traffic accident

Authorities said there was no indication that the driver of a Bellows International delivery truck was  under the influence of alcohol when his six-wheeled vehicle ran over and killed a 7-year-old boy Wednesday afternoon.  Javon Alfred was on his way home after a Christmas party at the Julius Sprauve School.  He was in the second grade

The food and drink distribution company based on St. Thomas issued a statement of condolence to the boy’s family, according to a report by the Virgin Islands Daily News. 

The newspaper report said the truck was turning into the right hand lane of Pond Bay road when the accident happened.  "The businesses on St. John are growing but the infrastructure for the roads is not growing," Angelo Hill, the deputy police chief, said.  "We would like distributors to realize that our roads are more narrow, so they need to slow down."

Annual bird count

Logoaudubon_1The 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.

Merry Christmas!

Ornament_1This is an ornament that adorns the Virgin Islands’ Christmas Tree on the ellipse between the White House and the Washington Monument.  The island’s tree, like those of the 50 states, DC and four other territories are each about four-feet high.  It is sponsored by the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce.

The exhibit is called the Pageant of Peace.

A real estate glut?

Forsale The number of houses listed for sale on the islands’ Multiple Listing Service increased at a pace of more than one a day in the last week.  As of Wednesday evening, it stood at 61.  Real estate sales people concede that while inventory is now 70 percent greater than it was a year ago, this is not a sign of impending weakness in the market.

"Our customers come from markets where they looked at dozens of choices before deciding on their last house purchase," said Mike McLaughlin, broker associate at Town and Country Real Estate. "The math is simple; more inventory = confident buyers = happy sellers."

The market is certainly still active.  I’m aware of a $1 million-plus, frame property, which has just been sold, after less than three weeks on the market.

How to do some good

Here are some of the island’s community organizations and activities that we support.  Your holiday contributions will be welcomed.

Park ‘Friends’ seminars set

Friendsvinp 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.

Inner Visions at Maho Jan. 3

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.

Changes rile local residents at meeting

Dozens of people who attended a meeting to talk about how St. John could affect a new VI Constitution ended up hearing complaints from native and Caribbean-born residents that they don’t have opportunities.

"The bottom line is we have some racial problems," Monique Matthias told the Island Council Planning Committee session at the Legislature building.  She and other locals complained that the Committee’s work was excluding them, and they didn’t like it, according to a report published by the St. John Source. 

Matthias said vacation villas include advertisements only for restaurants like the Lime Inn, owned by mainland transplants.  She claimed, "There’s no card for Uncle Joe’s Barbecue," a Cruz Bay eatery known and loved by locals as well as visitors. Grasshopper Pickering said locals can’t get jobs in restaurants and shops.  Another woman said that with commercial space rents going for thousands of dollars a month, she has no chance to sell baskets.

The Committee had hoped the meeting would generate information to create a draft document related to the Constitutional Convention scheduled for 2006.  However, after several hours of discussion, the Source reported,  "The people at the meting voted to scrap (that idea).  It remains unclear how the project will proceed."