News of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Couple lists dream island business for sale

It’s been a busy spring season for closing and listing eateries for sale.

The latest to go on the block is Satyamuna, the vegetarian restaurant that opened about 18 months ago.  Here’s its Web site: http://www.satyamuna.com/

Ofer Elyakim, an Israeli-born cook, and Yamuna Giuliana said they wanted to live out their dream and open up their own place, serving the local community and tourists with tasty, healthy and nutritious food.

Asking price is $59,000.  Here’s the MLS listing: http://www.islandiarealestate.com/Details.cfm?id=245&type=commercial.

The story of how they pursued their goal, on the second floor of the Marketplace, is touching. See it here: http://www.satyamuna.com/story.html.

Satyamuna is just one of almost a half-dozen restaurants that have recently been listed for sale, closed, or come under new ownership and plan to reopen.

Reopened

• Fish Trap ... back into business, as of yesterday, June 3.  Welcome back!

Recently Closed

• China Shack, Marketplace
• Stone Terrace, Cruz Bay
• Subway, Cruz Bay

Maybe closed

• Seniorita Pizza, Wharfside.  The phone rings and rings and rings.

Closed/Reopening

• Island Blues, closed, but a stateside owner is reportedly planning a new try.
• Tage, but not with that name.  Walter Hinds, the award-winning chef from the Stone Terrace, has reportedly taken a lease on the space.
  
  By the way, the Inquiring Iguana also hears that there’s a new chef at DaLivio’s, the Italian restaurant in Cruz Bay.  First reports are ... he’s very. very good.

          And speaking of restaurants, Ruth at St. John Spice has updated her listing of summer/fall restaurant/bar closings.  See it here: http://stjohnspice.com/stjohnrestaurants.htm

Finally, this item. Ted Robinson, the genius cook behind Tage, and now executive chef at Starfish Market, is advertising for help.  He wants to hire a full time "prep cook" to work with him.  Sounds like a golden opportunity for someone who really wants to work and learn. Call Ted at (340) 779-4949.

Music in the Moonlight

Saturday Night at the Sun Dog Cafe, it was another “Music in the Moonlight” event. 

Captain Buck was there with his video camera.  Segments released overnight include Ronnie the Baker (Ronnie’s Pizza) playing some down home blues on his harmonica.  A second track features Stepho and the Band.

The wealth of talent on the little island continues to amaze.  Check StJohnMusic for more.

Music video from the Beach Bar and Coral Bay

Capt. Buck got himself a video camera and is having some fun, now.  Of course there’s no indication the camera is new, but the videos he’s posting on YouTube are. 

The first clips came from the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay.  Featured are the Jazz Islanders, band-meister Steve Simon and a visiting songstress, Dee Alexander of Chicago, and Dee’s husband, and Jazz Legend, Leon Joyce Jr. He played drums.  Their version of “Summertime” is one of the videos that’s been posted.  (Dee's Web site address is http://cdbaby.com/cd/deealexander)

Capt. Buck also has been spending time at Shipwreck Landing as the Hot Club, a local group (with a CD available) performed its brand of jazz and Cajun-flavored blues.  There are three videos posted including one of Ted Spoons, a guy you’ve probably heard about but never seen - and the only way to believe what he does, is to see it. Thanks to YouTube, you can.

The videos are pretty raw, the lighting is pretty bad, the streaming quality is pretty rough.  But if you’ve heard live music on island, you know this is the real thing.  You get a sense of the relaxed approach to almost everything on St. John and music is just part of the wonderful mix.  Enjoy it.

Capt. Buck is mum on where this is going.  It could turn out to be just a collection of  casual music videos, or - this being the Internet - it could morph into some kind of music site for the island.  Which would be very cool.  In the meantime, visit StJohnUSVIMusic and subscribe.

More about Mark Wallace

Lynda Lohr, a top journalist who's lived on St. John more than 10 years, got up close and personal with Mark Wallace. 

Her interview with the island's well-known guitarist/singer was publsiehd by the St. John Source.  Here's a link: http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1206159637

Mark Wallace's CD has been released - FINALLY!

If you’ve been on St. John, odds are you have heard Mark Wallace - one of the island's most talented musicians and certainly it's most popular,

This modest family-man can be found working night after night at some of the island’s night spots and eateries.  From a bar in Coral Bay to restaurants in Cruz Bay, private parties and weddings, a bash at the Westin, or a community event like 8 Tuff Miles, Wallace will be there MC’ing, singing, and entertaining. Mark works construction during the day, and usually plays music four nights or more each week.  Often you’ll see an attractive brunette and two children nearby - that’ll be Brenda and the boys.

Each time I see Mark, I ask him, “When’s the CD coming?”  each time he says, “I’m working on it.”  Well, the CD has shipped.  You can order it here.  It’s also available on island at many places including Connections, the Deli Grotto, Morgan’s and Aqua Bistro.

A year ago, I did a podcast with Mark while we were at the 8 Tuff Miles award ceremony. Wallace talks about his music and plays a little, too. Click the play button below.

You can download the file by clicking here.

Some song samples from Mark Wallace's appearances can be heard here: http://markwallacemusic.com/id4.html

Blues Festival rocks St. John

Steve Simon’s 6th annual St. John Blues Festival rocked the ball field in Coral Bay Saturday night. 

As many as 1,500 people turned out for the five-day festival’s biggest show which featured featuring Cajun zydeco/blues legends like Sean Carney, Waylon Thibodeaux, and Chubby Carrier.  “We had folks from St. Thomas, St. Croix, Tortola, St. Barths, St. Martin, San Juan, Denmark, Canada, Norway, Venezuela, UK and of course ... all over the US of A,” said the island’s impresario.  He estimated funds raised from the event generated as much as $20,000 which will be funneled to the Voice of the Wetlands, a nonprofit organization based in Louisiana.

Also on hand for the concert was Steve Simonsen, the island's best-known photographer.  He shot a series of photos which will be available here. That's one of his pictures, above - click on it for a larger version.

In advance of the big show, Festival musicians also appeared at several St. John bars. The Beach Bar on Wednesday night was “Slammed,” Simon said.  Aqua Bistro in Coral Bay was the place to be seen Thursday night, with turnout being the largest crowed since they open, Simon added.  Shipwreck Landing had its biggest Friday night ever. On Sunday night, the music was back at the Beach Bar where, the Blues Boss said, “There were so many people that you could barely see the ocean.”

“My favorite moment was when Tab Benoit got off the water taxi in Cruz Bay and some woman came running up to him and gave him a big hug and said, ‘I just wanted you to know that we came here all the way from Oregon just to see you perform, Larry.' Tab was so cool......he gave her a kiss and thanked her.

You can hear dozens of tracks by the Festival's headliners, free, at Rhapsody.com.

• Tab Benoit: http://www.rhapsody.com/tabbenoit
• Sean Carney: http://www.rhapsody.com/seancarney
• Waylon Thibodeaux: http://www.rhapsody.com/waylonthibodeaux
• Chubby Carrier: http://www.rhapsody.com/chubbycarrier

St. John Blues Festival begins

The 6th annual St. John Blues Festival kicks off Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay.  The free opening party will feature Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys. (Listen to samples of their blues at http://www.reverendraven.com/. 

"The Festival has become one of the largest destination entertainment events in the Caribbean," said Steve Simon, the founder and producer of the five days of music.  "With four major celebrity acts, this is the biggest Blues concert I have ever produced."

Simon is so excited about this year's Festival, he's arranged with a videographer to record some of the events. "We can't do a CD due to the restrictions with the artists' recording contracts, but we do plan on doing a DVD if the video comes out good.

There are additional free concerts and events Thursday and Friday and Sunday nights night at Shipwreck Landing, Aqua Bistro, and the Beach Bar. (The concert schedule is online at http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/new/schedule08.htm#schedule.

The big show is Saturday night in Coral Bay at the ball field.  The headliner is Cajun blues star Tab Benoit.  Others performing on the stage will include Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp band, the Waylon Thedodeaux Band, and the Sean Carney band.   The performers are all staying at the Tamarind Court in Cruz Bay.

Advance tickets are $25, and $30 at the gate. Ticket sales were characterized by Simon as "way ahead of last year, and last year was our biggest festival ever."

Blues Festival: 6 live shows in 5 days

The 6th annual St. John Blues Festival schedule's been released and there will be plenty of music for everyone.

The show founder and organizer, Steve Simon, said "We are tying this year's Blues Festival into a 'Ragin Cajun' New Orleans Party with some of the greatest Blues talent to ever come out of the delta."

The Festival is dedicated to the Voice of the Wetlands to assist Tab Benoit’s efforts to put a stop to the dramatic and constant loss of Louisiana’s wetlands.  Benoit will be one of the stars of the festival's main concert Saturday March 22 at the Coral Bay Ball Field.  Other performers include Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, Waylon Thibodeaux, and Sean Carney and the Sean Carney Band.

“The loss of Louisiana's wetlands contributes to the loss of our unique culture, our heritage, our wildlife, our people and their livelihood”, said Blues legend and life long Louisiana wetlands resident Benoit.

Here's the full Festival schedule:

Jazz Islanders to play in Coral Bay

Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders have been making great Sunday afternoon music for years at the Beach Bar.  Now the group is adding a weekly appearance at Shipwreck Landing in Coral Bay.  The Islanders will play Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. beginning January 2.  Call 340-693-5640 for reservations. 

The core group of musicians includes Andrew Cameron on drums, Cliff Finch on bass, Joe Ramsey on sax, Sally Smith on keyboards, and Simon on clarinet. Often, musicians who may are vacationing on island, contact Simon (340-693-8120) to join in. The Islanders play Sundays at the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay form 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Blues festival schedule announced

Just days after organizing the St. John Christmas Music Festival, Steve Simon is back at work preparing for his 6th annual St. John Blues Festival.  It's scheduled for March 19-23.  The event's big concert will be Saturday, the 22nd, in Coral Bay at the ball field.

There's a Cajun feel to this year's planning.  Tab Benoit, winner of Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Awards, is the headliner.  The blues singer and guitarist from Louisiana has made it his cause to protect the culture of the region which, he believes, is in danger as the flow of the Mississippi River is threatening the state's wetlands.  "The wetlands of Louisiana fade daily due to erosion at the rate of one football field an hour," Benoit said.

Here's the festival's schedule: http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/new/schedule08.htm

In his 'spare' time, Simon is also heading up fund raising on behalf of St. John Rescue.  The goal is to buy a new ambulance boat.

Flavors: an evening of food, wine and music

The annual "Taste of St. John" is set for Saturday evening at the Westin Resort and Villas.  It's an annual fund raiser for Rotary Club of St. John. 

Rotary is a service organization focused on doing good works.  It's helped renew the playground at Coral Bay's school, while this weekend's "Flavors" event will fund a $15,500 college scholarship for a St. John high school senior.

Joan Bermingham is the group's President.  In an interview, she talked about the upcoming event which will include a smörgåsbord of food and wine under a tent and dancing on the beach, to the music of Greg Kinslow and the In the Sand Band.  You can hear samples of Kinslow's music in the podcast, below.) Press the "Play" arrow to listen to it.

You can also download or hear the conversation by clicking here.

Flavors, of course, is open to anyone, local or visitor. Tickets: $100 donation per person, available at: Connections, Kaleidoscope Video, and online at http://www.flavorsstjohn.com/ticketpage.html.

Bar Wars: The Video

You couldn't be there?  "Alza317" was and posted this video, "Maho Bay Boys Dominate Bar Wars."

Beware, there is much screaming and one young female who really can screech.  Teams of waiters and bartenders have to deliver the goods through obstacle courses set up on the beach and in the water there at the Beach Bar at Wharfside. The late July event was all in good fun and the proceeds go to a worthy cause, the Animnal Care Center.

No summer vacation for Inner Visions

If it's the middle of August, the island's Inner Visions reggae band is on its way to the Netherlands and Germany for more concerts as part of its summer international tour. The five man group will be "way off island", performing in Europe, until Labor Day.

The group has lots of fans in Europe, some of whom have posted video from an appearance at this year's Zomerfestival in Belgium.  This clip shows the band performing the ever popular, oft hear, "No Woman, No Cry."  Crank it up.

An Inner Visions Web site: http://www.myspace.com/innervisionsreggae

Inner Visions returns to Maine

St. John's internationally-known reggae band, Inner Visions, is again touring the States.  Its next stop is Great Salt Bay along the banks of the Damariscotta River in Maine. 

It's the fourth time the five St. Johnians have played there during the summer, where it's certainly cooler than the Caribbean. 

As many as 500 people turned out for the concert last year.  A promotional release for the concert says Caribbean-themed food and drink will be available along with fresh oysters from the River.  The concert is from 3 to 6 p.m.

Government wants to muffle noise from bars

Anyone who's ever walked around Cruz Bay when Fred’s is rocking with reggae will get a kick out of this story. 

The Governor has signed the "Noise Pollution Act" to require that bars and taverns in the Territory be soundproofed.  As Mayor Daley once said when asked about something he thought was preposterous, "Just say, I smiled."

Gov. John deJongh issued a statement admitting he has second thoughts about signing Bill 27-0026, enacted "to prohibit unreasonable, excessive and annoying noise levels."

"The legislation leaves too much discretion in the hands of the agents charged with investigating and enforcing alleged violations of the law," he said.  In other words, you can only hope the investigating police officer is having a good night and doesn't think tourists are having too good a time. 

The Act's focus on noise "may have a harmful impact on some of our cultural traditions" deJongh added.  Also, soundproofing open-air spots like the Beach Bar or Island Blues could, the Governor indicated,  "adversely affect our tourism product."

And what do you do about Woody's?  Put all those people inside?  Just say, I would smile.

Carnival nears its big finish

The weekly podcast is being published a day early because I expect lots of you won't be working after Tuesday and many of you check the site, and download the podcast, at work.

There won’t be much work on St. John after Tuesday afternoon, either.  The St. John Festival features Cultural Day in the park followed by the Festival Mix and its bands Tuesday night at the ball field behind Sprauve School (and across the street from Tage).

Then on the 4th, the partying starts at 4 a.m. with J'Ouvert, a marching through town, followed later by the Festival Parade with dancers, steel pans, and floats.  The annual Fireworks (to which News of St. John is a contributor) will be ignited at 9 a.m. (Anyone on island who'd like to e-mail some photos, please do.  I'll be happy to post 'em.)

Part of the annual Festival's fun is the Village in the Cruz Bay public parking lot, across the street from the Post Office.  More than a dozen plywood shacks are erected, painted brightly, and imaginatively lit as folks sell island foods, drinks, and fun. 

One of the booths, the Shuga Shack, is the work of Jessie Cawley and Miss Val.  They are teachers at the St. John School on Gifft Hill. This is the second year Jessie and Val have run the Shack, offering Johnny Cakes, Pates, and beverages.  And while it's a lot of fun, they'll be happy when it’s over.  What's it like to do a booth?  Listen to this conversation with Jessie. Click the play button below.

You can also download or hear the conversation by clicking here.

Free Beer Offer!  If you're on island, and go to the Shuga Shack, and say "The Jumbies are in Town," Miss Jessie and Miss Val will give you a free Virgin Islands Pale Ale - if you're among the first 10 people to say those secret words. Happy Carnival wishes from News of St. John.

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Store and search for "news of st. john," or copy "http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss" and paste it into the "Subscribe" field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that link to subscribe with other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

St. John Virgin Islands Festival builds to fireworks

For the next two weeks, St. John is putting on the closest thing it has to Carnival.  Festival 2007 will feature music, children's beauty pageants, boat races, a food fair along the Cruz Bay Beach, and a finale of fireworks launched from a barge in Cruz Bay on the night of July 4th. (Here's a schedule of events, courtesy of Virgin Voices).

Graeme Davis, the former general manager of the Westin Resort and Villas, will be Marshall of the festival's parade, which features floats and costumed marchers. Davis, now an executive with Starwood Hotels for the Caribbean and Florida, was an ardent supporter of festival while he was at the Westin.  The hotel's float entries often won awards.

If you're on island on the 4th, don't miss the parade.  It begins 11 a.m.
Now, of course, it is going to be hot.  Blazing sun is certainly possible.  But, oh, the sights you'll see.

Several steel pan bands will play, the "mature" majorettes can be counted on to "one-two-three-kick" past the Park, and there will be plenty of tasty, spicy island food being sold by women who've been cooking all week. 

While the festival and the Cruz Bay parade are hardly daily occurrences, the friendship, music, and fun are great reminders of how the island has been and can be.  Don't go to the beach on the 4th.  Go to Cruz Bay.

The islands' best on St. John

Dozens of St. John businesses took top honors in the annual Virgin Islands Daily News reader poll to pick the best the Virgin Islands has to offer.  More than 300,000 ballots were distributed by the newspaper. There were 365 categories, with winners on each island and a grand winner for the Territory. Three community organizations, including the Love City Pan Dragons of St. John, counted the votes over a number of weeks. 

Coral Bay's Rose Apollon Adams at Sweet Plantains won the blue ribbon as the "Top Chef" on the three islands.  Asolare won the grand prize for "Romantic Dining," the Balcony at Wharfside for "Ambiance," Chilly Billy’s for "Family Restaurant," and Cafe Roma for "Italian Food."

The Beach Bar was a blue ribbon winner in two categories, "Beach Bar" and "Bar," while Woody’s won for "Bartending Staff."  Baked in the Sun at the Marketplace won honors for being the best bakery and having the best veggie burgers, while the Deli Grotto was voted the best deli in the VI's.

The full list is at the Virgin Islands Daily News Web site.

Steve Simonsen's Blues Festival Portfolio

Steve was shooting all night at the 5th annual Blues Festivals' big concert Saturday night at the Coral Bay ball field. He's posted a gallery and slide show with dozens of images.  Great stuff.

Blues Festival a huge hit

Hundreds of people crowded the Coral Bay ball field Saturday night, attending the biggest concert of the 5th Annual Coors Light Blues Festival. 

Each night last week, too, Festival musicians played at Cruz Bay and Coral Bay restaurants. I found this photo, on Flickr, of a "sound check on GreggJones Music. (Click on the image for a larger version.)

Blues Festival begins Wednesday

The 5th annual St. John Blues Festival opens Wednesday night with a festival party in the Mongoose Junction Courtyard in Cruz Bay.  Admission is free.  The event features Danny Morris.  The rest of the week offers lots more free music, put together by island music entrepreneur Steve Simon.  Thursday night, it's 2 Blue Shoes at Compass Rose (aka Pastory Gardens) and Friday, Rob Peck at Shipwreck Landing in Coral Bay.

The big concert will be Saturday night at the Coral Bay Ball Field.  The show starts at 7 p.m. and stars Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Billy Gibson, Joey Gilmore and T-Bird and Friends.  Tickets are $30 at the gate.  Here's the official Festival Web site.

Lots more about the festival, and a podcast/audio interview with Steve Simon, here.

Mark Wallace sings during your supper

"Yes, I've played with Kenny Chesney," says Mark Wallace, when asked the question for the 100th time.  "He's a nice young fellow," adds the 50-something gifted guitarist and singer who finds himself playing music as many as six nights a week at island bars and restaurants. 

Wallace grew up in Detroit, and played with greats like Frank Sinatra, James Taylor and even Santana before ankling for warmer weather on St. John in the mid-80s.  After a few years, he found his country/pop/folk and even classical talents in demand at restaurants, bars, private villa parties and even weddings.

Wallace, a soft spoken nice guy, says that during his weekly jobs at Cruz Bay's Morgan's Mango and Coral Bay's Aqua Bistro, "They ask for Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Chesney, sure.  But the joy of being here and working so much is that I get to play a lot of different music."  Wallace's talent can also be heard on occasional Sunday afternoons when he plays with Steve Simon's Jazz islanders. But Sundays are rare, since Wallace is married and has a couple of children. 

In this week's podcast, Wallace talks about his music and plays a little, too. Click the play button below.

You can download or hear the file by clicking here.

You can also subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast by going to the Apple iTunes Music Store and searching for "news of st. john," or you can copy the words feeds.feedburner.com.stjohn and paste them into the subscribe field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that Feedburner link to subscribe in other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

Anybody eaten at Sosa's?

Just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's "Nasty Bits" in which the self-realized 'celebrity chef' implores travelers to live a little and eat local, real local.  Go where there's somebody’s name is on the sign and lots people are inside seeming to have a good time, he counsels. 

Which seems to be a recommendation for Sosa's, a (literally) Hispanic-flavored restaurant in Cruz Bay. It's tough to miss the place, because when you pass by, it sounds like there is a party going on. Salsa and meringue blare from a jukebox, and lots of people are laughing.  Click here for a video "taste."

Budget Travel reviewed the place and liked its salt fish in "a piquant tomato sauce ... the shredded, chewy fish comes with salad, rice and beans, and sweet fried plantains, providing more than enough to feed a hungry surfer."  Anybody else tried it?

How to get a free show with dinner

New this year is "Starvin Artists" open-mike night at the Sun Dog Cafe at Mongoose. 

It's not really a cafe, or even a place - it's a bunch of tables set on the patio and walkway of the shopping arcade.  There's a cute little bar ('manned' by Stephanie last night) and about a dozen tables.  Starting at 7 p.m. Mark ("Don't ask me to play Jimmy Buffett or Kenny Chesney songs AGAIN!) Wallace begins playing, and at about 8 p.m, he MC's amateur hour.

Sure, a few guys thought that they sang better than they did (must have been the Margaritas.)  But then our waitress did a couple of country songs, several of which she wrote, and sounded positively Crystal Gayle-country.  The daughter of the St. John Sun-Times publishers enthusiastically recited a poem while she swing her jump rope.  Then Stephanie picked up a guitar, and although she professed she doesn't do this sort of thing often, she brought down the clear nighttime sky with some strong strumming and great lyrics.  To top it off, a guy gets up from a table and does a few harmonica licks between choruses.

Sun Dog's mid-week business builder is a great idea, and a lot of fun.  (Sorry for the quality of the photos ... they're off the phone.)

Orleans concert a success

As much as $8,000 was raised in a benefit concert for Nana Baby Children's Home on St. Thomas by a soft rock concert co-promoted by St. John's Steve Simon.  An estimated 700 people rocked and swayed during the Saturday night show by Orleans at the Sapphire Beach Resort, according to a report by the Virgin Islands Daily News. "I'd love to it again," said Jim Tunick, the event's other organizer.  "The venue was absolutely perfect."  Tunick invited Orleans to play on St. Thomas after seeing them in concert in Vermont recently.  "I have a personal history with the band," he told the newspaper.

Chesney tells "60 Minutes" he sells fun

During the past week, there have been Kenny Chesney sightings on island at Woody's and Rhumb Lines.  Although he was here during Valentine's Day, there were no reports he was accompanied by a girlfriend.  On Sunday night, the country megastar was also seen across the nation on CBS.

A report by Anderson Cooper for "60 Minutes" had been in production at least four months.  A section of the 9-minute piece showed Chesney at one of his homes on St. John where he explained he's most comfortable in local restaurants and bars.

"Back here with propane tanks, ice makers, brooms," he said. "For some reason or another, I feel so relaxed back here, and I know. It's odd. And I love it, man. I mean it's almost like, it's therapy for me to come back here and just sit."

Here's a link to the "60 Minutes" video.

Elaine Estern adds music to art

Island art and music are now a double feature at Coconut Coast Studio's weekly gallery reception.

Elaine Estern opens her home-and-gallery Wednesday afternoons, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A few dozen visitors and locals generally show up to enjoy the art, the beauty of the sunset on Frank Bay, and Rich Greengold's classical playing. 

Also in this week's St. John podcast, Estern talked about the receptions as well as how she manages to be productive despite the lure of island time. One of her secrets - she has three easels around her home so, whatever the time of day or light conditions, she's ready to be inspired.  She also explains the inspiration for a new series of 50 paintings of her year-old Chocolate Labrador, Truffle.

Listen to a conversation with Elaine Estern by clicking the play button below.

You can download or hear the file by clicking here.

You can also subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast by going to the Apple iTunes Music Store and searching for "news of st. john," or you can copy the words feeds.feedburner.com.stjohn and paste them into the subscribe field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that Feedburner link to subscribe in other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

The Inquiring Iguana hears ...

• There’s a possibility Paul Trujillo, owner/chef at Ten Tables (at the Lumberyard) is moving the operation to a new location.  Stay tuned!
• The 8 Tuff Miles roads race is set for Feb. 24.  Lots of training is going on, including what are being called "Geiger Tuff Tune Ups," training runs in memory of David Geiger, a long time resident and good guy.  http://www.8tuffmiles.com
• Cinnamon Bay Campground's T'ree Lizards restaurant is pitching for more business.  Half a page, four-color ad in the St. John Sun-Times lists the restaurants breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.  The "Virgin Gorda Blackened Tuna" sounds good.  Open air, roomy - it's a nice place.
• Marty Beech's CD, "Summer Wind," is on sale at St. John Spice, Sun Dog Cafe, and Infusions Lounge.  He recorded it last summer, in Atlanta. (Listen to a sample.) The St. John Sun-Times says the Islander real estate broker "channels ol' blue eyes" with his renditions of Cole Porter tunes.

Blues festival set for March

Steve Simon, the island's music man, plans to make St. John a blue, blue place next month.  He's producing the Third Fifth Annual Blues Festival, March 21st-25th, with the main concert in Coral Bay at the ball field, March 24.  "It's the biggest music event in the Virgin Islands.  We sell out all the car rentals, all the villas, and all the restaurants" he said in an in interview. 

This year's headline performers include Jon Cleary, Billy Gibson and Joey Gillmore.  Simon has contacts with them through his seat on the board of the national Blues Foundation.

Most people on island know Simon for his free Sunday afternoon jazz jams, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Beach Bar.  "It started seven years ago, at Mongoose," he said, "and within a few weeks we had lots of people showing up."  A few weeks ago, Simon said, there were as many as 1,000 people on the beach, in the water, and on the docks listening.  "A couple of cruise ships sent their tenders over and it was glorious."

Usually, the sessions are less crowded, maybe a few hundred people, he said. The core group of seven musicians, known as the Jazz Islanders, play standards from the 30's, 40's and 50's infused with influences of Caribbean and jazz rhythms.  Other musicians contact Simon during the week to arrange to sit in, too. Often musicians vacationing on St. Thomas will come over to jam, too.

The Jazz Islanders have big things in store this year.  They are completing a CD which Simon said should be released by April. "Our band has also been invited to perform in St Croix in April at the Sunset Jazz event," Simon said, "and then we've been asked to go to Italy's Umbria jazz festival this summer," Simon said.  "We're very pleased."

The Festival's Web site is here: http://www.stjohnbluesfestival.com/bf/blueshome.htm. It is one of several projects Simon will produce this year.  Others include the annual free Christmas Festival in Cruz Bay and a series of rock concerts on St. Thomas.

Listen to an interview with Steve Simon by clicking the play button below.

You can download or hear the file by clicking here.

You can also subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast by going to the Apple iTunes Music Store and searching for "news of st. john," or you can copy the words feeds.feedburner.com.stjohn and paste them into the subscribe field under the iTunes software’s "Advanced" tab.  You can also use that Feedburner link to subscribe in other podcatching software.  If you’re having a problem, e-mail: frank@newsofstjohn.com.

St. John's Simon plans rock concert

Orleans, a '70s soft rock group, is touring again and they'll be on St. Thomas in about three weeks. Listen to samples on the group's Web site.

St. John's Steve Simon and St. T's Jim Tunick are producing the concert Feb. 17 at Sapphire Beach Resort.  It will be a Rotary fund raiser for the Nana Baby Home.

"Every couple I know has a song they call their own that reminds them of love," Simon said. "That, to me, is what the music of Orleans has always been about."

Tickets are $25 in advance,$30 at the gate. They can be purchased on St. John at Connections Cruz Bay, Connections Coral Bay and Chelsea Drug Store in Marketplace.