The song that never gets old… Check out Pressure’s appearance on the Wendy Williams show.
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How to bring home a great shot from St. John
St. John has lots of opportunities for snapshots. But if you want more than a snap, you're going to have to do a little work. Thankfully, an earlier issue of the St. John Sun Times has done some of that work for you, assisted by Bob Schlesinger of Tropical Focus.
In the article you'll learn when to shoot. Generally, the best time to take great photos is just before around sunset, between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. That's when the light has a soft and buttery feel.
Virgin Islands business opportunities
There are some interesting businesses for sale on the island right now, but what if you're an entrepreneur and want to start your own? Forumites at the Virgin-Islands-On-Line.com site have been mulling this question.
Lsugolfer in Baton Rouge said "So, here's what I do when I sit in my cube and think about how crappy this is compared to STJ. Start a gas station or a 'Louisiana'-themed restaurant."
JMhouse said, "Ha ha. I'm in a cubicle, too, listening to someone else have a loud conversation on a speaker phone. I'd much rather be the Park Ranger that leads the Reef Bay hikes."
Other suggestions people have for new island businesses.
- "A storage business where you could leave your snorkel gear/beach chairs, shoes and whatever you don't want to cart back and forth." (Diana2)
- "A wind turbine, maybe somewhere on Ajax peak." (Laurie)
- "An electric car rental company. And a self-serve car wash and vacuum area." (Msgcolleen)
- "Chicken Removal Service." (StJohnRuth) Details
- "Underwater camera rental. Would have to be a side business. (Not big enough to sustain itself.)" (Jmaq)
Why people bring food to St. John
Twenty years ago, our packing for St. John always included a cooler of food and salty snacks.
Not because we wanted to save money but, back then, there weren't fully-stocked food stores. You couldn't be sure you'd be able to buy bread and milk never mind good cuts of beef. That's changed now, but many people still bring coolers.
In a thread on Trip Advisor, most people said they bring food for convenience, not to avoid restaurants.
"We dine out, but we visit STJ for relaxing," said Toes_in_the_Sand. "We find it more relaxing at the end of a day at the beach to sit at the villa, enjoy a couple of drinks while we fix dinner. No hurry, no parking, no worries."
Poolmom_9 added, "We saved a lot of money (bringing food). We still ate out plenty. It was nice to grill (at home)." Cleobeach1 said, "We generally eat out every lunch and dinner, but we have taken a cooler more often than not. We are particular about our meals, especially meats and specialty snacks like cheeses."
What about you?
Historical Society’s book on sale
Years in the making, years in the telling. That's the story behind the St. John Historical Society's new book, St John – Life in Five Quarters. (The Five Quarters refers to the original five administrative districts of the island: Cruz Bay, Maho Bay, Reef bay, Coral Bay, and East End).
The island history is available in the Society's online store for $29.95. The book is described as more than 200 pages of "local stories, pictures, and history … accounts of prominent people and notable places, firsthand descriptions of earlier ways of life on St John, fact-based histories of estate ‘ruins’ we have rambled, and an impressive collection of interesting and beautiful images and photos."
The Society does more than sell books.
Old Time Fish Fry Saturday
A long time ago in a land not so far away, Fish Frys were the focus of community gatherings on the island.
In an article on the St. John Source, one local describes a Fish Fry as "an event where Virgin Islanders (of all colors, old and new residents, born here, and naturalized) meet, discuss, debate the issues of the day, share ideas, while socializing and breaking bread."
They once were common, now they are few and far between – but one is scheduled for this weekend featuring St. John's reggae ambassadors to the world, Inner Visions.
The Fry is being staged by Owen's Cases by the Sea, the liquor store in Coral Bay that opened last fall.
The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m and goes until 11 p.m. All are welcome, locals and visitors (who owe it to themselves to attend, too). A good time will be had by all who attend.
$t. John Villa$ for the rich or famou$
The arrival of Eco Serendib got the Inquiring Iguana wondering how expensive can villa rentals be on the island? The answer is very!
Eco Serendib is near the high money mark – today. For $20,000 a week in low season (high season may be 70% more, we hear) you get eight bedrooms, three cisterns, an organic vegetable garden, and all the other stuff: TV sets, infinity pool, air conditioning, master dining room, yada yada yada.
What about other villas?
An informal survey of villa management companies and rental agents has turned up a number of other high priced offerings for your summer getaway.
Until now, A La Mer has been considered the highest-priced spread on the island. our $28,500 on off season gives you the keys to seven bedrooms in the main house and cottage, enough space to sleep 22 people. Features include the usual luxuries plus Sirius/XM radio and three washing machines. The villa's Web site is here.
Accessible trail at Cinnamon Bay ruins
A formal ribbon cutting this week marked completion of the island's second accessible train in the Park.
The project at Cinnamon Bay project is 610 feet long and uses ramps and raised walkways to make it possible for people using wheelchairs or needing support or assistance to enjoy the recovered ruins of the ancient sugar factory.
Visitors can see where sugar cane was processed to become rum, a boiling house where kettles boiled down the syrup to crystal form. Also on the property are crypts of a Danish family who lived and died on the island.
St. John campers get a parking perk
OK, gang. What's the biggest issue in Cruz Bay and the beaches?
All together, now …. it's PARKING!
Well, the National Park Service has used some of that stimulus money or the Trunk Bay admission fees to provide 'reserved' parking spaces for folks staying at Cinnamon Bay.
The spots were set to be available late last month but, according to one source, signs designating them were just uncovered and visible.
Tropical Focus photographer Bob Schlesinger (www.vibeachwedding.com) sent this photo.
No smoking on St. John, maybe
A new 'No Smoking' law went into effect this week but it's not being enforced.
The Health Department says its enforcement officers do not have ticket books, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.
There's also confusion about the law. While it prohibits smoking within 20 feet of a door or window of a business or public place, what does that mean for open air eateries like the Lime Inn? Chris Meyer, owner of the popular restaurant, says she thinks it means smoking at the outdoor bar is OK but not under the roof of the restaurant. "It's the law," she told the St. John Source.
The general manager of Woody's is taking no chances. Mike Hedy told the Daily News he asks folks not to take their cigarettes across the street so they'll be 20 feet away. Hedy says they don't mind. "They're just happy they don't have to pay $15 a pack (like they do back in the States)," he said.
According to some analysts, the No Smoking law means you couldn't walk from the Cruz Bay ferry dock to Wharfside, because the sidewalk is lined with businesses.
The Health Department has said it will not begin enforcing the law until Feb. 10.
- Read more about the No Smoking law in these articles from the Daily News and the Source.