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news of st. john

St. John: No growth

Vi pop mapThe 2010 Census figures for the U.S. Virgin Islands show there has been a decline in population.  No previous Census report showed losses.

On April 1, 2010, the population of the Territory was 106,405, the Census Bureau said.  That's a decrease of 0.2 percent from 2000, or about 200.

The number of people on St. John also fell, by 27, to 4,170.

A graphical representation of population movement showed the East End population decreasing 10-18%, while Cruz Bay and Coral Bay saw a decline of 1-10%.  The Central region's population grew as much as 9.9%.

Cenus said that next year it will release demographix information about St.John.  That data will describe "social, economic and housing characteristics for the Island," the Bureau said in a statement.

Coral Bay to get new hotel, Deli Grotto’s new owner

Taking a cue from the successful couple who opened Cruz Bay Hotel, the new owners of the old Voyages restaurant building are reported planning to launch a similar, but much larger operation. The new hotel will be "green," sensitive to preserving the environment. 

According to Merry at Islandia Real Estate, the Coral Bay venture will have 20 to 27 rooms.  Cruz Bay Boutique has six.  The Coral Bay property's rooms will also be "reasonably priced," Merry said.  It will have a parking lot.

Back in Cruz Bay, the Deli Grotto at Mongoose Junction has changed hands.  According to recent reviews via TripAdvisor, the new owner is maintaining the quality that made Dan Sheffy's spot a standout for almost seven years. He formally listed the place for sale in the winter of '08, asking $475,000.

Live the dream: How to move to St. John

Every week or so, the Inquiring Iguana receives an e-mail from someone, or couple, who have decided they can't stand it any longer.  They are in love with St. John and just HAVE to move to the island.

Of course, they then ask: 

  • Where can we live?
  • Where can we get a job?
  • Is it expensive to live there?

Of course, the Iguana smiles to himself and responds gently in an e-mail, with a few facts of island life. Housing is scarce; food is expensive, and be prepared for a thin job market unless you're willing to make beds, pour drinks, or wash dishes.

But, all of this is a needlessly-long introduction to a newcomer to St. John and St. Thomas: William Torrillo.

He's a professionally-trained and experienced chef, a Web marketing guru, and an accomplished photographer. 

"I decided I needed to make the islands my home," he said.  And so, while working as Staff Photographer at Seal Island resorts, he saved up his money.  He also spent several years as a trainer and cook with the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne. Now, he's working out of Red Hook, while full-timing it at the Ritz Carlton as a cook.  With a partner, he also caters for private dinners, parties, in the BVI and VI.

In his spare time (!) he's launched a photography business. Specializing in weddings, musicians and bands, and aerials. Two of his concentrations are architecture (can you say 'villas'?) and food and wine.

The Iguana heard of Torrillo when Gretchen Labrenz of Cruz Bay Realty said he was going to shoot new pictures of Blue Tang, our two-bedroom w pool villa at Great Cruz Bay.

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In his spare time (?!), Torrillo has created several Websites.  One is Fottocini.com, focusing on chefs and food … "behind the scenes of the world's best kitchens."  You think that iPhone picture you took of dinner is good?  See what he's done here.

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But, wait, there's more.  He's also working on a VI travel guide while blogging and posting gorgeous island shots at Oldmango.com.  "It's a journey through my lens, with travel tips, recipes, and lots of photos of course," he said.

Now, the reasons for such a long item about Torrillo are several.  First, of course, he did a gorgeous job with Blue Tang, and we hope those shots will interest people in considering the property for their rental property/second home.

Second, Torrillo has made his move to the islands the right way.  He came with skills, talent, a fierce ambition, and a realistic point of view.  The Inquiring Iguana is willing to bet he hasn't yet spent "a day at the beach".  Too busy working.

St. John: the morning after the morning after

Lots of checking and looking around on the island Monday after Tropical Storm Irene dumped cisterns-full of water on the island. (About four inches of rain were reported on St. Thomas, six inches on St. John.) Followed by lots of cleaning up of palm branches and other minor debris.

Tyler Anderson of Catered To (managers of Blue Tang ) had his folks out inspecting his several dozen villas.  By and large, no damage.

The view from Great Expectations Tuesday morning.

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Kristin Demong, owner of Great Expectations, one of our advertisers, e-mailed to say, "Amazingly, our webcam stayed on the entire storm (until WAPA turned off power for 30 minutes Monday morning! And, then it was up again).  Only damage was one broken banana plant but I will take that in trade for a full cistern!)."

The St. Thomas airport is open.

The St. John Source reported that despite many boat owners not moving to safer harbors, only one sailboat was sunk – in Coral Bay.  The Source also quoted the superintendent of the Virgin Islands National Park saying his people removed a large tree that fell across the North Shore Road at Maho Bay and pushed boulders off the road between Hawksnest Bay and Peace Hill. Read the full story. 

The Department of Natural Resources advised the public in a statement, "To refrain from swimming and bathing in coastal waters throughout the territory until it completes beach water quality testing."

The weather forecast for today is mostly cloudy wkith a high of 87 degrees, 0% chance of rain.

Irene, the morning after, on St. John

Goodbye, Irene!

Tropical Storm Irene raked across St. Croix during the night, bringing heavy winds and rain to the territory including St. John.  The Governor declared a State of Emergency. The Sprauve School in Cruz Bay was opened as an emergency shelter.  Winds of 40-60 miles an hour blew through the islands accompanied by as many as 10 inches of rain.

At about 6 p.m. Sunday, video of the storm was taken by Scooterlkn, using his Motorola cell phone, from Grande Bay. "So much for that end of summer vacation, eh?!," he said. (The fact that it's on YouTube this morning suggests there's some power in Cruz Bay.)

Checking some of the island's Webcams, it appears power was still out in some places. The St. John Spicecam went down Sunday morning. Villa Serendipity at Chocolate Hole failed Sunday night, but was back online by 9:30 a.m. Monday.

In Coral Bay, Crabby's posted on Storm Carib Sunday night that power was still on.

"Well, we decided to board up the east and south facing windows, and that was a  good decision.  We continue to get rain along with wind gusts reaching 35 knots  – not as impressive as Bethany Man, who is getting 55 knot gusts, but pretty alarming when you think that something could potentially be flying your way in it. "

On Gifft Hill, Beachguyvi1 posted, "We are getting slammed. Many trees down…horrible winds and rain. Thank God for rum punch!"

Monday morning, all flights scheduled to depart St. Thomas before Noon had been canceled. Afternoon departures were shown as operating. FlightStats.com

Cafe Maho Bay … testing, testing

The beautiful Pavilion at Maho Bay is a relaxing place for lunch or dinner, whether or not you're staying at the Eco-Camp.  Open air, quiet, there's a sense of freedom.

Now, there will be a sense of expansion.

According to the Blog of Maho, the usual offering of only four items is being broadened to include 20 options. From a grilled chicken Caesar, to an eight-ounce Angus burger (so much for vegetarian being the only way to go at Maho), to the Rasta Pasta, the menu's got something for most folks.

"Along with changing to the new menu there have been evolutions in other areas," says the blog. "We have started to offer some handmade desserts and no more pre-made salad dressing. All dressings are made in house by our chefs."

Cafe Maho Bay – seven nights a week, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Villa owner captures Lionfish

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Early this week, Coleman Roach and his wife, Janice, were swimming off Klein Bay when they noticed something odd – and dangerous.  A Lionfish, the ravenous and deadly invasive fish that was first seen in Virgin Island waters only 18 months ago.  

"The snorkeling here is fantastic," Janice said. "From our veranda you can even see Spotted eagle rays come in every am between 8-9:30 to feed. Its beautiful."

But this snorkel was different. Roach decided to act.  He went back to his Klein Bay home (Villa Anansi) and prepared to do battle.

"My husband set out to either tag or capture the fish," Janice said. "We were lucky enough  to spot him again and Coleman brought out his snorkel bag and a polestick and was able to lure him in after many attempts."

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Roach is not alone in his concern about the Lionfish.  In fact, some swimmers have begun planning for a monthly group snorkel and dive event to thin the waters. The first was in early July.

Get ready for a higher property tax bill

St. John property owners are bracing for a reality check when their 2010 property tax bills arrive, perhaps in a year or two.

That's because the government plans a territory-wide revaluation of properties, according to an government executive who works with the Office of the Tax Assessor.

Recent tax bills, and even the one to be issued next January for calendar year 2009, have had valuations based on 1998 assessments.  Now the government plans to reset values of properties based on their market values which, even though real estate's off substantially from values of five years ago, you can bet they're up from 13 years ago.

In its report of the reassessment story, the St. John Source said the government is preparing a request for proposals for "an updated mass appraisal."  Read the full story here.

Dog days’ temporary restaurant closings

The middle of August is a perfect time for business owners to get off the island and recharge, just as visitors do when they come to St. John in the winter.

The traditional chronicler of summer closings is Ruth of St. John Spice.  

Her "Closing Schedule" shows Cafe Concordia closed until October, La Plancha del Mar offline until August 22nd, and Lime Inn taking a break for the fall beginning next week, August 20.  You can see the full schedule here.

The Inquiring Iguana believes the schedule looks lighter than in past years.  That is, fewer restaurants seem planning seasonal closures.  The best advice would be – check Ruth's list and if the restaurant you'd like to visit shows no information, give 'em a telephone call.  The list includes phone numbers for many.