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virgin islands national park

Westin permit approved, on island time

At least three yeares ago, owners of the Westin Resort applied to renew a Coastal Zone Management permit for its beachfront 180-foot dock.  

The dock is used by the Westin's ferry, charter boats, sunset cruisers and other water activities.  Last week, the VI Senate's environmental committee voted OK and now it's up to the full Senate.

Just sayin', you gotta be patient in the islands.

The Virgin Islands Daily News report about the permit says the Westin also got approval to dredge sand from around the dock to bring the water depth to eight feet.  Does this mean the resort wants to bring in some larger boats, maybe host mega-yachts? More likely, that since the dock went in, sand has shifted and the depth has decreased.

BTW, the annual fee for the permit was $7,400. Now it's $28,000/year.

  • Read the Daily News story here.

New businesses for sale

Dish Lots of people write and say they want to move to the island, not to retire, but to start a new life.  Here are two opportunities to do that that recently came on the market.

The first is Sloop Jones' (famous East End artist) Dish and Dat.  He capitalized on the fact the Virgin Islands cable TV system is unreliable and Internet access is sometimes dicey to get.  

D&D installs Dish Network and HughesNet satellite receivers.  Jones says he's had 120 customers in  two years and grossed about $120K in 2009. 

"Someone who works the biz can create a nice steady income," Jones said. "Requires mechanical, electronic skills. Lots of service business (due to our corrosive sunbaked climate)." Jones is asking $99,000.  For more, e-mail i[email protected].

Captainscabin Another way to make a living on he island requires you to spend some of each day in a bar.  For many people, that's what they do anyway.

It's Captain's Cabin, the island's original video gambling and sports bar at Wharfside Village. Asking price is $215,000.

"A true money maker with proven track record and 2009 net income at $77,000," says the Multiple Listing Service entry. "Perfect for owner/ operator and add another $28,534 in your pocket."

Last call at Paradiso

Paradiso_tom copyThe latest fabulous
incarnation of Paradiso restaurant at Mongoose
Junction is in its last days.

Just three months ago, Tom Theleman had
just taken over the space with big hopes, and a desire to
return the restaurant to the fame and high standards it had five years
ago that made it one of the best in the Virgin Islands.

Theleman's no
stranger to the restarant business. He helped run Paradisopreviously,
worked with Asolare's owner Winston
Burnett, and clinked toques with chef Ted Robinson of Tage fame.

Then, the Paradiso space
was his … and this was his time.  His strategy, he explained in
an interview, was to cater to locals and tourists with moderate prices,
half-price appetizers at the bar all the time, and high-quality food.

But things haven't
worked out.  Blame it on a lousy economy or the high price of
running a business on the island, well, there are probably lots of
reasons.

What is clear though is
that come July 1, Theleman's restaurant will
be gone.  He's planning to go out with good taste. 

He hopes good food at
good prices will result in lots of people having a good time.  All
that will result in good business for the restaurant and the staff will
walk away with some cash in their pockets, the suppliers will be happy,
and Theleman will be able to look back at a
good job, well done.

  • Our interview with Theleman from
    last March is here.
  • Paradiso's menu
    is here.

Oil spill oozing its way to the Virgin Islands?

Noaa The experts say it won't happen.

The St. John Source's
Lynda Lohr asked the National Ocean and Atmospheric
Administration what's in store for the VI's. 

Spokesman Ben Sherman said there won't be a problem, "Because of the
way the currents go and because you’re so far south."  The southern tip of Florida and the mainland's east coast are
more likely to experience issues from the spill.  But, Sherman
added, "We can't rule anything out."

About a week ago, the BVI's Department of Disaster Management on Tortola also said, "There is a low probability that the Virgin Islands is under any threat."

But, if there is a problem, the DDM reminded, "“The Virgin Islands Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States Government on 12 August, 2004 that provides for assistance in the event of a major discharge of oil or other hazardous substances in the territorial sea or internal waters of the BVI or seaward.”

  • Read the full Source story here.
  • NOAA's one-stop site for spill information and projections of where the pill is spreading is here.

Spirit strike barely a speed bump for villa rentals

A sample of three villa management companies on St. John indicates the pilots strike against Spirit Airlines has had little impact.  Only one company, Catered To, said one of its guests was unable to leave the island Saturday.

"Fortunately the villa that they rented did not have guests coming in for the next few days," said Tyler Anderson, the Catered To general manager. "The owner generously offered them the opportunity to stay at the house free of charge." Neither Vacation Vistas nor Seaview Homes said they had guests affected by the strike.

The Inquiring Iguana's analysis is that Spirit customers are not likely to be villa renters.  Spirit's made its reputation on cheap air fares.  There are cheaper ways to stay on the island than renting a home.

One family's vacation has, however, been wrecked, or at least delayed.  JJ Shaw posted at Virgin-Islands-On-Line that she's making new plans to after the strike canceled her flight.

"I hate we will not be able to make this trip…but at least I get to plan all over again..:)", she wrote. "I hate the disappointment on the kids faces not to mention my Mom is already here (She drove four hrs to come and go with us.). At least we are eventually gonna get there…I think."

News reports say the pilots and Spirit plan to resume negotiations Tuesday, but the airline has canceled flights through Wednesday.  The airline has only one daily flight to St. Thomas.

One place you don’t want to be: Virgin Islands airport

CanceledNotice on Spirit's Web site 

Pilots at Spirit Airlines went on strike Saturday morning.  The airline canceled all its flights for the day, potentially stranding hundreds of people at the St. Thomas airport. News reports indicated the airline told customers they were on their own to find alternate flights.
Spirit  

When the Inquiring Iguana tried to book a flight for Sunday, Spirit's Web site said there were no seats available, perhaps indicating more flights will not operate this weekend.

Spirit is a low-cost airline, offering occasional specials of $9 a ticket.  Pilots  say they are paid well below market salaries.  The airline reportedly offered the pilots raises of 30% which, Spirit said would allow it "to continue offering you the ultra low fares you have come to know and love."

The Iguana can only imagine the holy heck that the STT airport is today.

Trying to improve first impressions of the Virgin Islands

The VI Department of Tourism issued a news release which needs no explanation for anyone who's flown into the St. Thomas airport or taken a ferry to St. John.

"In order to ensure visitors to the U.S.V.I receive the best customer care, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is sponsoring another series of customer service workshops this month. Led by professional service trainer and Virgin Islander, Dr. Bryan Williams, the June sessions will target the islands’ transportation providers; taxi drivers and ferry boat operators who are among the first and last to have contact with our visitors."

"Providing excellent customer service to our visitors is the single most important thing all of us can do to maintain and grow our tourism industry,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. 

Unfortunately the 'training' is not mandatory, nor part of a licensing procedure.  

The Commissioner, the news release said, "Urges all transportation operators to take advantage of this opportunity to sharpen their customer service skills and learn how to earn repeat business, increase tips, and improve customer satisfaction."

Best beach on St John is …

Nearly 400 people can't be wrong, can they?  
Beach_poll  

One out of four people voting in this week's NewsofStJohn.com poll said Maho is the island's best beach.

In second place, Cinnamon Bay, followed by Hawksnest and Francis Bay.

Write-in votes were cast for Solomon (4), Waterlemon and Vie's (3 each). Perhaps the most telling vote came from a reader who wrote, "Not tellin."

St. John brews now on tap in Maine



St. John Brewers' beers are now available in New Hampshire and Maine. 

Kevin Chipman and Chirag Vyas introduced their Mango Pale Ale and Island Hoppin IPA brews at a series of 'meet and pours' last week in the two states.

New England's not unknown to them.  Their brews are in fact bottled by Maine's Shipyard Brewing, but until now they haven't been available in bars there.  With New Hampshire and Maine on board, that makes seven states where the brewers' handcrafted beers can be enjoyed.

Part of the introductory tour included an appearance on Portland's Channel 23 and its Good Morning, Maine program. The highlight of the interview was when Erin Ovalle, the host, asked the guys, "You live on St. John?."  Kevin and Cheech said, yes, they started the beer business on the island nine years ago.

"Wow," said Erin, "What a life brewing beer and living on St. John. Doesn't get much better than that."

The beer boys agreed.

  • Watch St. John Brewers in Maine

Festival countdown to the 4th


IMG_8281Festival began this weekend, bringing parades, music, beauty contests, food and fun each weekend through July 4th. 

The kickoff event Saturday was Pan-o-Rama featuring the Love City Pan Dragons, Baby Pan Dragons, and other Virgin Islands pan players from St. Thomas. 

As you can see in the photo taken by Janet Simonsen, hundreds of people were drawn to downtown Cruz Bay to enjoy the hot weather and equally-hot music.

Next weekend, Festival will feature the Senior Variety Show at the ball field, next Friday night. 

DragonsEach following weekend, more activities are planned. They include a bike race, the Princess and Queen pageants.  The festival Village opens June 30th turning the Cruz Bay parking lot into a smorgasbord of island food treats and beverages.  The traditional 4th of July fireworks over the Cruz Bay Harbor will be launched at 9 p.m. on Monday the 5th.