An Online Blog About the Daily Happenings of St. John, USVI
More federal stimulus money is on the way to the island. The Coral Bay Community Council will receive $1.47 million and the Fish Bay Homeowners Association will get $474,000 to be used to combat pollution of the bays and coral reefs caused by runoff from the hills.
The St. John Source said Coral Bay’s Community Council will use the money to repair roadways and storm drains while Fish Bay will see installation of culverts, swales and a retaining wall.
For the fourth year in a row, St. John’s Inner Visions is taking its reggae to the coastal Maine village of Damariscotta, an hour and fifteen minutes northwest of Portland.
Why is a bunch of guys in dreadlocks playing music with an infectious beat there? The Damariscotta River Association, in a statement, said the band is back “by popular demand …(to) shake it up with their electrifying vibe, infectious rhythms, and tight vocal harmonies.” Click here to hear a sample of the band’s previous appearances.
Natty B, who owns a CD store in the region, explained, “We don't get much diversity of culture around here. Inner Visions brings something new to us.”
The band is headlining the Great Salt Bay Music festival on Sunday. The afternoon will feature what the DRA called “Caribbean food and spirits, a fresh oyster bar” and “Alternative energy displays and demonstrations, including the ceremonial “flipping of the switch” for DRA’s new wind generator.
After the Damariscotta concert, Inner Visions continues its summer tour of the U.S. with stops in Woodstock, New York, Asheville, N.C., and Lafayette, La.
Same song in the real estate market. It's the one they’ve been humming for more than a year.
The agents try to hum a good tune conceding business is down a bit, but … we’re half way through the year. Nine home sales have closed. Last year the number was 12.
You do the math.
For the first time in years, too, there appear to be more higher-priced properties coming onto the market.
The average asking price has traditionally held at $2.2 million, or so. Now, with 145 houses on the Multiple Listing Service, it’s risen to $2.5 million, an increase of about 14%. The median price of a listed house, however, is steady at $1.5 million.
There is clearly lots of negotiating and dealing going on. None of the nine deals closed at the most recent asking price. In fact, the average house sold for 21% less than asking. Three sales went off at prices more than 30% below the listed number. The average sale price was just under a million, at $987,000.
They will be given to Members of the Virgin Islands Senate.
The Daily News says 15 three-year-old GMC Envoys, used by the Police department, will be assigned to the Senators.
Senate President Louis Hill said the SUVs will be swapped for the lawmakers' current vehicles, 2002 Trailblazers.
Virgin Islands police officers got new cars earlier this year.
Two new ferries may ‘soon come.’
Governor John deJongh announced that the Virgin Islands has received federal grant money to improve passenger ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John.
In a press release, the Governor said “The government has received a grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) totaling $3 million dollars for the specific purpose of upgrading the ferry service now being provided between Cruz Bay, St. John and Red Hook.”
Public Works Commissioner Darryl A. Smalls said the federal stimulus funds combined with $1.5 million from the Federal Highway Administration Federal Aid Program and approximately $644,000 from the Ferry Boat Discretionary Program will be used for the purchase of two ferryboats, one each for the current franchise operators, Varlack Ventures and Transportation Services.
The economic slump is hitting the islands hard, to judge by the Department of Tourism’s budget estimates for the next year. DOT has told the VI Senate it needs $4.38 million, half of which is for personnel. None of it is for advertising and marketing the islands.
“Fringe benefits” add another $727,252 in costs, according to a report by the Virgin Islands Daily News. (Read the full story here.)
The Inquiring Iguana thinks this is wacky, at least. Fringe benefits add another 36% to costs. Must be one hell of a company picnic. Some researchers say 11% is more the norm.
But, back to business. Tourism said it expects to receive $13.6 million from the Revolving Fund. That comes from the 8% Hotel Tax you pay when you stay on St. John. Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty told the Senators her department expects 30% less marketing dollars as a result of fewer visitors. She said she’ll have to be more “savvy and efficient.”
Anyone doubt that. despite this, the police will still get new SUVs?
As a vacationer, you don’t want rain.
As a local, with a cistern the only source of water, rain is a good thing.
So, when it rains like heck, and the gutters are not connected, it’s a bad thing. As the couple who write the Live de Life blog from St. Thomas reported and videoed this week.
According to the St. John Source, quoting a weatherman in Puerto Rico, it’s likely to rain for the next few days. Which is – depending – good and bad. He said there could be two inches of rain some places. Read the Source story.
Duff is staying at Maho Bay.
"I am pleased to report that i wound up swimming over a little reef at Maho Point." Click to read her full blog post.
“Pieces of Ate” is a newly-launched feature of the St. John Sun Times. It highlights the hits on the menus at bars and various restaurants.
Recently, Asolare’s Moonbowtini was in the spotlight. “Choose your favorite vodka. Watch while the bartender adds grapefruit juice and rosemary syrup. Step Three: Enjoy responsibly.” Asolare’s web site is http://stjohn-restaurants.com/asolare.php
La Tapa’s Three Sauce Plate also got kudos. Relying on the fact that La Tapa produces its own crunchy, baguettes, you dip the bread in one (or all) of the sauces. They include green peppercorn and arugula aioli, sun-dried tomato aioli, and tropical fruit salsa. La Tapa’s Web site is http://www.latapastjohn.com/
Read the St. John Sun Times column at http://www.stjohnsuntimes.com/pieces_of_ate.
What about you? 'Best things on the Menu" you'd like to mention? Comment here.
An ad agency’s multi-million dollar idea for U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism is now on display. In ads produced by Atlanta’s JWT
advertising agency, the slogan, “You, Unscripted” has begun appear in
TV spots and print ads. It is meant to stress that visitors can create
their own unique experiences in the VI's.
Tourism said it will spend $6 million to spread the campaign, using television, magazines, newspaper and Internet for media.
You can see examples of the print ads and the 30-second TV spots at http://www.usvimarketing.com/.
The ads will target a range of market segments including: Bridal and
Romance, African American, Dive, Culture & Heritage, Sailing &
Yachting and Meetings & Incentives.
“The concept of offering
travelers an unscripted vacation experience was conceived through
research that revealed our potential visitors seek the freedom to
indulge in a personalized vacation experience," said Commissioner of
Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty.
