An Online Blog About the Daily Happenings of St. John, USVI
It was a big weekend for films with two of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer releasing – the Barbie movie and Oppenheimer. Unfortunately, Barbie has no known connections to St. John, but Robert Oppenheimer and his family were home owners and frequent visitors!
Read moreRobert Oppenheimer Spent His Final Days On St. John
St. John is known for its vibrant culture and active community. However, one of St. John’s hidden gems comes from the St. John Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, unofficially known as the “Love City Stranglers,” where members learn the fundamentals of the sport and self-defense.
Read moreSt. John’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club: Empowering Minds and Bodies Through Martial Arts
On Monday afternoon, things felt a little shaky on island when a massive 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit the North Atlantic Ocean around 4:28pm.
This Sunday, July 16th, if you notice a fun and rowdy crowd on the beach in front of the Beach Bar around noon, don’t be alarmed. If anything, you might just want to head on down and see what the commotion is all about. It’s time for Bar Wars!
St. John Rescue, the dedicated all-volunteer organization committed to saving lives and serving the community, is seeking donations to purchase a new oxygen generator and multiple portable oxygen concentrators. The former separates oxygen from compressed air to produce medical-grade oxygen. The latter are small, mobile devices that provide sufficient oxygen to its user. The organization’s president, Bob Malacarne, said purchasing these items would help anyone on St. John, from locals to tourists, offer oxygen to those in need free of charge.
Read moreSt. John Rescue Looks for Donations for Oxygen Generator and Oxygen Concentrators
Good morning and Happy CARNIVAL!
As a resident of this beautiful island, I love spending my days off beach hopping along the North Shore, but every now and then, I really enjoy stepping off the beaten path and doing a little exploring. A couple of weeks ago, on a picturesque, sunny day, a few friends and I drove out to the southeast part of St. John.
We parked at Salt Pond and walked down the short trail to the beach. I love this area of St. John, because it has a different climate and altogether feel that distinguishes it from the rest of the island. Whereas the north side and closer to Cruz Bay tend to be lush and green, walking the trail to Salt Pond beach reminds me of the deserts found in Utah and Arizona. Cactus and frangipani line the path and the soil is reddish brown, very different from the powdery white beaches of Trunk Bay.
July 3rd for most of the country is a day of preparation and travel for the Fourth of July. However, in the U.S. Virgin Islands the celebrations begin early. Emancipation Day is a very important part of our culture worth understanding.
We’ve already kicked off “Freedom Week” and this July 3rd, we’re celebrating the 175th Anniversary of when the enslaved people of the territory gained their emancipation after 177 years of Danish rule.
There was a substantial turn out at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Elaine Ione Sprauve Library & Museum of Cultural Arts on June 13th as St John residents were thrilled to tour the refurbished library, the first completed FEMA recovery project to open its doors on St John.
The opening ceremony began with an Invocation by Father Anthony Abraham of Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church, followed by a moving rendition of the National Anthem and Virgin Islands March by the talented, well respected St John Island Administrator, Shikima Jones-Sprauve.
Read moreThe Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum of Cultural Arts Returns To Its Former Glory
Good Morning! St. John is undeniably a special place, with aspects that are so captivating, they resonate with the entire community, locals and tourists alike. There are also incredible memories that are unique and have special meaning to individuals, families, and friends. We encourage you to take a moment, step away from the noise of every day life, and read a story submitted from a guest contributor while you reflect on the time you’ve spent on St. John over the years.
Tucked away near Annaberg and Leinster Bay is a collaborative initiative between the National Park Service, Friends of the Park, and Iowa State University. Students and community members alike have been hard at work revitalizing the local ecosystem by planting mangrove saplings around the existing Annaberg salt pond.
When Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, a majority of the mangroves were destroyed, and a once thriving coastal forest was almost completely wiped out. Since October of this past year, Friends of the Park employees and Iowa State University students have been restoring this area. What are sometimes referred to as “rainforests of the sea”, mangroves protect our shorelines from erosion, maintain a biodiverse marine life, and encourage carbon sequestration, all vital to the balance of a healthy ecosystem here on St. John.
Read moreReclaiming Paradise: St. John’s Mangrove Restoration Project
